cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The learning curve in minimally invasive pituitary surgery

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive pituitary surgery (MIPS) is performed via an endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach. This provides excellent illumination, visualization, and magnification of the operative field, in addition to avoiding complications associated with other approaches. In this study we examined the first 45 cases of MIPS to determine if a learning curve exists for this technique. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed of the first 45 cases of MIPS at a major academic medical center. Cases were divided into three groups of 15 patients each. Group characteristics including age, sex, and revision surgery were compared. Complication rates investigated included death, intracerebral hemorrhage, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, use of lumbar drain, meningitis, postoperative epistaxis, ophthalmoplegia, visual impairment, and diabetes insipidus. Other factors examined included intraoperative blood loss, length of stay, and tumor histology. One way analysis of variance statistical analysis was used to determine the significance of differences between groups. RESULTS Groups were comparable in respect to characteristics studied. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in complication rates and other factors between groups were not shown. Complication rates are low. CONCLUSION This study does not establish a learning curve for our first 45 cases of MIPS. This finding supports the concept that an otolaryngology/neurosurgery team skilled in endoscopic techniques and pituitary surgery can safely transition from open approaches to an endoscopic approach in pituitary surgery.
Dopamine agonists used as monotherapy in de novo PD patients: comparisons with selegiline.

Women tend to suffer more often from migraine than men (19% vs. 9%). Further menstruation is associated with attacks in 60% of women who have migraine. Moreover 14% of women with migraine suffer from attacks only with menses. Migraine may be linked to late luteal phase dysphoric disorder and dysmenorrhea. these conditions occur when the greatest fluctuation of estrogen levels occur. These fluctuations indeed cause prostaglandin levels to rise prolactin release to intensify and central nervous system opioid dysregulation to occur. In fact several studies show that decreasing levels of estrogen activate menstrual migraine. Further estrogens and progesterone trigger synthesis of endometrial prostaglandins. In fact prostaglandins regulate descending norepinephrine pain control systems in the brain thus increased levels of prostaglandins decreases the pain threshold. In addition falling levels of estrogens produce dopamine receptor hypersensitivity. Dopamine antagonists cause increased prolactin release throughout the luteal phase in all women and during the entire menstrual cycle in women with menstrual migraine. Physicians can treat menstrual migraine with various nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs simple or combination analgesics ergotamine or hormonal therapy when other treatments fail. They should be aware that diuretics and pyridoxine are ineffective in treating menstrual migraine. Several replacement therapies to treat menopausal women with migraine exist. these include adding androgens reducing estrogen dosage converting to continuous dosing and converting to parenteral dosing. Some data show an increase in or severity of migraine among oral contraceptive (OC) users but other studies find no difference in headache among OC and placebo users. In fact OCs may exacerbate improve or not change the frequency or severity of headaches.
Introductory course in data mining: faculty poster abstract

A recent growth in the generation of data and information requires efficient and sophisticated algorithms and methodologies for intelligent and automated analysis of databases. These algorithms and techniques are the subject of the rapidly emerging field of data mining and knowledge discovery in databases. Data mining involves the application of specific algorithms to big datasets to extract potentially useful knowledge. Data mining takes a large amount of unprocessed and raw data and transforms in into meaningful patterns which could be easily interpreted and understood.
SU-F-T-511: Feasibility Study of Using Flattening-Filter-Free Photon Beams to Deliver Conventional Flat Beam

Purpose: Various dosimetric benefits such as increased dose rate, and reduced leakage and out of field dose has led to the growth of FFF technology in the clinic. In this study, we concentrate on investigating the feasibility of using flattening-filter-free (FFF) beams to deliver conventional flat beams (CFB), since completely getting rid of the flattening-filter module from the gantry head can not only simplify the gantry design but also decrease the workload on machine maintain and quality assurance. Methods: The sliding window based IMRT technique was utilized to generate the CFB from the FFF beam for various beam configurations on the Elekta Versa HD. The flat beam reproducibility and MU efficiency were compared for each beam configuration among FFF planning, delivery and CFB planning. Results: Compared to the CFB plan, the 3%3mm passing rates of the FFF beams from both measurement and plan are 100% and 95%(or better) for 15×15 cm2 or smaller field size and for any field size greater than 15×15 cm2at 10 cm depth, respectively. The largest discrepancy is about 5% and typically appears at the field shoulder area. The MU increase average was 80% for FFF compared to CFB, however has a minimal impact on treatment delivery time. Conclusion: The ability to deliver conventional flat treatments is not absent when operating in FFF mode. With proper TPS manipulation and beam modulation, FFF mode can achieve reasonable flat profiles and comparable dose coverage as CFB does for various conventional treatment techniques, such as four field box, or long spine treatment techniques. The ability to deliver most clinical treatments from the same treatment unit, will allow for less quality assurance as well as maintenance, and completely eliminate the need for the flattening filter on modern linacs.
Systematic identification of protein combinations mediating chromatin looping

Chromatin looping plays a pivotal role in gene expression and other biological processes through bringing distal regulatory elements into spatial proximity. The formation of chromatin loops is mainly mediated by DNA-binding proteins (DBPs) that bind to the interacting sites and form complexes in three-dimensional (3D) space. Previously, identification of DBP cooperation has been limited to those binding to neighbouring regions in the proximal linear genome (1D cooperation). Here we present the first study that integrates protein ChIP-seq and Hi-C data to systematically identify both the 1D- and 3D-cooperation between DBPs. We develop a new network model that allows identification of cooperation between multiple DBPs and reveals cell-type-specific and -independent regulations. Using this framework, we retrieve many known and previously unknown 3D-cooperations between DBPs in chromosomal loops that may be a key factor in influencing the 3D organization of chromatin.
Enabling Residential Demand Response Applications with a ZigBee-Based Load Controller System

Home energy management (HEM) systems are getting increasingly popular in both academic and commercial communities. Most HEM solutions rely on either smart appliances or plugging traditional appliances into smart outlet/smart plugs which can communicate with the central HEM server. Conventional non-communicating power-intensive loads that are directly hard-wired to the supply panel of the house in the U.S., e.g., water heaters and clothes dryers, therefore are difficult to be made part of an HEM system. This paper describes the design and implementation of a microcontroller and ZigBee based load controller system that allows these loads to be controlled by an HEM system. The proposed system consists of four load controllers (LCs) that monitor and control four power-intensive household loads, and one communication controller (CC) that acts as a communication medium between LCs and a central HEM unit. The CC and all the LCs are packaged into one load controller box that can be placed beside the main circuit panel of the house and the wirings to the power-intensive loads are routed through the LCs. Within the box, the LCs and the CC communicate via hard-wired serial peripheral interface. The CC then communicates with the HEM system via ZigBee. The proposed system is expected to offer a cost-effective method to enable traditional hard-wired power intensive loads to participate in an HEM system.
Precisely and Accurately Inferring Single-Molecule Rate Constants

The kinetics of biomolecular systems can be quantified by calculating the stochastic rate constants that govern the biomolecular state vs time trajectories (i.e., state trajectories) of individual biomolecules. To do so, the experimental signal vs time trajectories (i.e., signal trajectories) obtained from observing individual biomolecules are often idealized to generate state trajectories by methods such as thresholding or hidden Markov modeling. Here, we discuss approaches for idealizing signal trajectories and calculating stochastic rate constants from the resulting state trajectories. Importantly, we provide an analysis of how the finite length of signal trajectories restricts the precision of these approaches and demonstrate how Bayesian inference-based versions of these approaches allow rigorous determination of this precision. Similarly, we provide an analysis of how the finite lengths and limited time resolutions of signal trajectories restrict the accuracy of these approaches, and describe methods that, by accounting for the effects of the finite length and limited time resolution of signal trajectories, substantially improve this accuracy. Collectively, therefore, the methods we consider here enable a rigorous assessment of the precision, and a significant enhancement of the accuracy, with which stochastic rate constants can be calculated from single-molecule signal trajectories.
Penile Blood Pressure in the Evaluation of Erectile Impotence

Identification of specific etiologies of erectile impotence is hindered by a paucity of objective criteria needed to segregate organic from psychogenic varieties and to define specific organic causes. Simplified measurement of penile blood pressure was performed with a digital cuff and a portable ultrasound Doppler system for flow detection. An index relating penile-to-brachial systolic blood pressure was generated, and the results were compared in patients with impotence versus patients with normal erections. The mean indices for the two groups were significantly different (P
Calculating Membrane Area Compressibility from MD Simulations: a Novel Computational Framework

Like thin elastic sheets, lipid bilayers can bend and stretch, and are characterized by mechanical constants such as bending rigidity (Kc) and area compressibility (Ka), which define the free energy of bilayer deformation and thus have direct implications in quantifying the energetics of protein-membrane interactions. Limited experimental data for Kc and Ka of different lipid mixtures makes such calculations challenging. Existing computational methods for calculating Ka from MD simulations exhibit strong dependence on bilayer size, or require multiple simulations with constraints on the area, or tension. We present a novel computational framework that is independent of system size and requires analysis only of a single sufficiently converged simulation trajectory. The method is based on Helfrich's theory of elasticity by relating relative changes in area to relative changes in thickness. The distribution of local fluctuations in the thickness of each bilayer leaflet is used to construct a potential of mean force and recover the bilayer Ka from a quadratic fit. The rapid calculation utilizes freely available software packages. We present results for a variety of single and multicomponent bilayers of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin, utilizing simulation results at different temperatures and bilayer sizes. The calculated compressibility moduli range from 170 to 320 mN/m and agree for the majority of tested cases with values reported from experiments and other computational methods. We further validate our method in a comparison with an existing polymer brush model and confirm the linear relationship between thickness and (Kc/Ka) ˆ (1/2), all calculated from the simulation trajectories.
Detection of Singularities by Discrete Multiscale Directional Representations

One of the most remarkable properties of the continuous curvelet and shearlet transforms is their sensitivity to the directional regularity of functions and distributions. As a consequence of this property, these transforms can be used to characterize the geometry of edge singularities of functions and distributions by their asymptotic decay at fine scales. This ability is a major extension of the conventional continuous wavelet transform which can only describe pointwise regularity properties. However, while in the case of wavelets it is relatively easy to relate the asymptotic properties of the continuous transform to properties of discrete wavelet coefficients, this problem is surprisingly challenging in the case of discrete curvelets and shearlets where one wants to handle also the geometry of the singularity. No result for the discrete case was known so far. In this paper, we derive non-asymptotic estimates showing that discrete shearlet coefficients can detect, in a precise sense, the location and orientation of curvilinear edges. We discuss connections and implications of this result to sparse approximations and other applications.
Kurdish Nationalist Organizations, Neighboring States, and “Ideological Distance”

Especially since 2014, the relations between Kurdish populations with other Kurdish cross-border populations and neighboring states have never received more public attention. Strategic decisions made by the elites of these communities have often confounded analysts approaching the developments in Kurdish-populated areas with latent assumptions of primordial identities or at least with the assumption that peoples with shared ethnic identities will have monolithic aims and agendas. Using the rich existing theory on nationalist identity development and nationalist projects, this chapter argues that Kurdish identities, like all national identities, are political and thus, while often constructed from pre-existing elements like language, shared traditions, etc., these elements are selected or constructed contextually within a nationalist package that is glued together implicitly or explicitly by a politically and ideologically framed image of an ideal nation. With this in mind, the chapter will explore how these elite-led nationalist endeavors intersect with how these nationalist communities interact with other Kurdish nationalist communities and neighboring states. Using Mark Haas’s “ideological distance” hypothesis and its three posited causal mechanisms—demonstration effects, social identity theory, and the communications mechanism—we will discuss Kurdish cross-communal and extra-communal relations. In general, “ideological distance” seems to be a good fit in explaining the interaction between Kurdish nationalist political groups in the twenty-first century, and it also helps to explain why the current Turkish government seems to have real preferences among the various Kurdish political organizations—i.e., it appears to explain why Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) appear to have distinguished between “good Kurds” and “bad Kurds.”
Reversal of Dabigatran with Idarucizumab in Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Author(s): Balakumar, Jonathan; Santiago, Ruben; Supino, Mark | Abstract: Dabigatran etexilate mesylate is a direct thrombin inhibitor used for reducing the risk of stroke andsystemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Dabigatran belongs to a new generationof oral agents for anticoagulation – the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). The DOACs also includethe factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban. In the case of major or life-threateningbleeding and/or the need for emergent invasive procedures, a reversal agent is needed if a patient istaking one of these medications. Research has shown the efficacy of idarucizumab as an antidote inhealthy volunteers, but data in the case of life-threatening bleeds remains limited. We report a caseof a patient who suffered a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and received effective treatment withidarucizumab. Along with other reports, our case demonstrates that dabigatran-related major and/orlife-threatening bleeds may be effectively counteracted by idarucizumab. This provides an option toemergency department providers in managing clinically significant bleeds in patients taking dabigatran.
"Founder CEOs, Target Selection and Acquirer Return: Evidence from IPO firms"

Previous studies using information economics to evaluate mergers and acquisitions (M&As) have largely been based on the implicit assumption that all receivers of information are universally and equ...
Peptide‐Based Fluorescent Probes for Deacetylase and Decrotonylase Activity: Toward a General Platform for Real‐Time Detection of Lysine Deacylation

Histone deacetylases regulate the acetylation levels of numerous proteins and play key roles in physiological processes and disease states. In addition to acetyl groups, deacetylases can remove other acyl modifications on lysines, the roles and regulation of which are far less understood. A peptide-based fluorescent probe for single-reagent, real-time detection of deacetylase activity that can be readily adapted for probing broader lysine deacylation, including decrotonylation, is reported. Following cleavage of the lysine modification, the probe undergoes rapid intramolecular imine formation that results in marked optical changes, thus enabling convenient detection of deacylase activity with good statistical Z' factors for both absorption and fluorescence modalities. The peptide-based design offers broader isozyme scope than that of small-molecule analogues, and is suitable for probing both metal- and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+ )-dependent deacetylases. With an effective sirtuin activity assay in hand, it is demonstrated that iron chelation by Sirtinol, a commonly employed sirtuin inhibitor, results in an enhancement in the inhibitory activity of the compound that may affect its performance in vivo.
Open Component Separation for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Open component separation can be described by a variety of techniques. The most commonly utilized technique involves detaching the insertion of the external oblique along its length lateral to the rectus abdominis muscles and separating the external oblique muscle from the internal oblique. This may be accomplished with or without the mobilization of the posterior rectus sheath and with or without the use of a prosthesis. Primary closure of the midline (posterior and anterior rectus sheaths) should be performed using a short suture technique in which 5–8-mm bites of tissue are taken with each bite in terms of both depth and travel, taking care to avoid incorporating muscle and attenuated fascia within the suture line. This technique should be used selectively for patients with medium to large defects. The benefits of component separation performed in this manner are twofold: (1) medial mobilization of the rectus muscles and (2) reduced postoperative tension on the midline closure. Recurrence rates in the 5–20% range should be expected, and recurrences are typically smaller and easier to deal with compared to the hernia at the time of reconstruction with CS. A perforator-sparing technique is best when possible and should yield wound complication rates that should be less than 10% and generally minor in severity.
The Inverse of a Two-level Positive Definite Toeplitz Operator Matrix

The Gohberg-Semencul formula allows one to express the entries of the inverse of a Toeplitz matrix using only a few entries (the first row and the first column) of the matrix, under some nonsingularity condition. In this paper we will provide a two variable generalization of the Gohberg- Semencul formula in the case of a positive definite two-level Toeplitz matrix with a symbol of the form 1 |p|2 where p is a stable polynomial of two variables. We also consider the case of operator-valued two-level Toeplitz matrices. In addition, we propose an approximation of the inverse of a multilevel Toeplitz matrix with a positive symbol, and use it as the initial value for a Hotelling iteration to compute the inverse. Numerical results are included.
Comparison of tumor staging systems for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Background Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are at increased risk for poor outcomes as a result of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Objective To compare the relative effectiveness of tumor staging systems for CSCC in a well-defined cohort of patients with CLL. Methods This retrospective outcomes study included 454 CSCC tumors among 161 patients with underlying CLL who were evaluated at a single academic medical center. Each tumor was staged according to Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), Union for International Cancer Control eighth edition (UICC8), and American Joint Committee on Cancer seventh edition (AJCC7) and eighth edition (AJCC8) criteria. We compared the effectiveness of tumor risk stratification according to each system. Results The BWH tumor staging system demonstrated superior risk stratification relative to the AJCC7 criteria (C-index, 0.725 vs 0.615; P = .036) and trended toward improved stratification relative to the AJCC8 (C-index, 0.796 vs 0.732; P = .214) and UICC8 (C-index, 0.725 vs 0.636; P = .096) staging systems. Limitations Our study must be interpreted in the context of its retrospective design and relatively small number of adverse outcomes available for statistical analysis. Conclusions The BWH system outperformed the AJCC7 criteria and trended toward superior risk stratification relative to both the AJCC8 and UICC8 criteria.
9 Health Psychology

Health psychology broadly covers all aspects of the intersections among psychological, social, behavioral, biological, and medical factors in health and illness, requiring researchers to use a diverse array of methodological approaches. This chapter provides an overview of commonly used methods in health psychology. We begin by briefly discussing major thematic areas of research in health psychology including the influence of psychosocial factors on health, the psychosocial impact of illness, health behaviors and risk reduction, delivery of health care, and prevention/intervention. We then describe the multiple levels of analysis that characterize health psychology research and differentiate it from other areas of psychology. Next, common issues in study design, such as selection of participants and control groups, third variable effects, effect sizes, and ethical considerations are outlined. Specific methods commonly used to understand health phenomena are discussed, including measurement of stress, health, biological markers, pain, and health behaviors. The chapter concludes by describing emerging methods that offer promise for advancing research on mind-body connections in health and illness. Keywords: biopsychosocial; stress; methods; health; mind-body
RARE NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOR OF THE HEART

Neuroendocrine tumors are rare malignancies, typically arise from gastrointestinal (GI) tract or lung. Carcinoid heart disease though well described, heart metastasis are rare. 64 year old man with no prior history of malignancy presents to the ER with sharp chest pain and cough. Workup included
Key drivers of financial performance of insurers in the Affordable Care Act market exchange

While most publicly-traded insurers have experienced losses and exited the Affordable Care Act individual insurance market exchange, insurers specializing in Medicaid managed care have been profitable in this market. Accessing individual market data, this study compares the financial performance of 20 state insurers owned by two publicly-traded companies that historically focused on insuring Medicaid members compared to 40 insurers owned by other publicly-traded companies. Medicaid-focused insurers incurred a significantly lower medical loss ratio of 83.3% compared to the medical loss ratio of 93.7% of other publicly-traded insurers, and they earned a significantly higher profit margin of 4.6% compared to the operating loss of 6.5% incurred by other publicly-traded insurers. This superior financial performance of Medicaid-focused insurers could be due to one or a combination of: their care management experience with the Medicaid population, other cost reducing strategies such as provider contracting, or the enrollment of a healthier than average population.
Resilience of 5G Networks in the Presence of Unlicensed Spectrum and Non-Terrestrial Networks

The 5G wireless network is geared to provide greater capacity, increased energy efficiency and lower latency. A critical issue in service delivery is to provide resilience in 5G networks. In this work, we envision an environment where 5G network resilience is addressed in the presence of unlicensed spectrum and non-terrestrial networks. We present a framework for network survivability with network virtualization with multiple providers, and the use of unlicensed spectrum band and non-terrestrial network (NTN); this is done along with a self organizing ad hoc network among the gNBs that may use a secondary provider for network resilience when the aggregation network and the backhaul network fails. In this architecture, we present an optimization model for survivability for a 5G networks provider (primary provider) that may also use a secondary provider in the event of a failure along with unlicensed spectrum and NTN. Our simulations show (1) the trade-off between using a primary providers own network or rely on auxiliary capacity from the secondary provider, and (2) the use of unlicensed spectrum band and NTN enhances resilience of the network.
Going Rogue for Raw Milk: Experience and Values as Consumer Filters for Conflicting Raw Milk Discourses

Consumption of raw milk has long been a hotly debated topic: government entities, medical pro­fessionals, and advocacy groups often present dif­ferent reasons in support of or opposition to raw milk, creating a particularly difficult environment for consumers to navigate. Through semistructured interviews, this paper examines consumers in Vermont who have decided to consume raw milk, exploring their experiences with raw milk and their reasons in support of it. It was found that consum­ers of raw milk often prioritize personal experi­ences and local networks over scientific expertise when it comes to raw milk consumption. The process of conducting their own research about raw milk has also helped create a community of more conscious consumers. This case study ends with a set of suggestions that may be helpful for other communities. Specifically, we discuss marketing strategies to promote raw milk, as well as risk communication strategies for regulators and public health officials seeking to minimize its consumption.
Eight-channel parallel transmit-receive system for 7 T MRI with optically controlled and monitored on-coil current-mode RF amplifiers.

PURPOSE To demonstrate a practical implementation of an eight-channel parallel-transmit system for brain imaging at 7 T based on on-coil amplifier technology. METHODS An eight-channel parallel transmit-receive system was built with optimized on-coil switch-mode current RF power amplifiers. The amplifiers were optically controlled from an eight-channel interface that was connected to a 7 T MRI scanner. The interface also optically received a down-converted version of the coil current sensed in each amplifier for monitoring and feedback adjustments. RESULTS Each on-coil amplifier delivered more than 100 W peak power and provided enough amplifier decoupling (<-15 dB) for the implemented eight-channel array configuration. Phantom and human images were acquired to demonstrate practical operation of this new technology in a 7 T MRI scanner. CONCLUSION Further development and improvement of previously demonstrated on-coil technology led to successful implementation of an eight-channel parallel-transmit system able to deliver strong B1 fields for typical brain imaging applications. This is an important step forward toward implementation of on-coil RF amplification for high-field MRI.
Regulation of beta-globin mRNA accumulation by heme in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-sensitive and DMSO-resistant murine erythroleukemia cells

The level of mRNA encoding beta-globin was examined in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-sensitive (DS), and DMSO-resistant (DR) murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. DR cells lack erythroid-specific delta-aminolevulinate (ALA) synthase (AL-AS-E), and fail to undergo erythroid differentiation following treatment with DMSO. Treatment of cells with DMSO markedly increased ALAS-E mRNA in DS cells, while the same treatment downregulated the nonspecific ALA synthase (ALAS-N) mRNA levels in both DS and DR cells. The levels of beta-globin mRNA, heme content, and hemoglobin in DS cells increased, while those in DR cells decreased following treatment with DMSO. Treatment of DR cells with hemin caused an increase in beta-globin mRNA and hemoglobin, and partially restored the DMSO-mediated suppression of beta-globin mRNA and hemoglobin synthesis. DMSO treatment decreased heme oxygenase (HO) mRNA in hemin-treated DS cells, but not in hemin-treated DR cells. These findings indicate that heme is necessary for accumulation of the beta-globin transcript during erythroid differentiation, and that hemin-mediated HO induction becomes markedly downregulated in differentiated erythroid cells, presumably because less free heme is available for HO induction by a greater demand for the synthesis of hemoglobin.
Coastal Vulnerability under Extreme Weather

Communities like Santa Barbara, California appear to have it all – beaches, mountains, sunshine, moderate temperatures, small urban population, and close proximity to the large metropolis of Los Angeles. What is not to love? Climate change, drought, flammable vegetation, and naturally prevailing weather conditions make a significant portion of the population vulnerable in many ways. Earthquakes and tsunamis might come to mind, but perhaps more of a threat is fire and/or flooding at, on or near the wildland-urban interface. The recent Thomas fire in December of 2017 and subsequent flooding, debris flow and mudslides in Montecito that followed in January of 2018 highlight what coastal vulnerability means under the new normal of extreme wildfire and flooding danger for this region. This paper discusses the unique hazards along with local weather conditions that contribute to vulnerability. We then detail spatial analytics to assess, model and predict risks. Insights are offered for the Santa Barbara region associated with extreme weather vulnerabilities.
Gravitational Waves from Disks Around Spinning Black Holes: Simulations in Full General Relativity

We present fully general-relativistic numerical evolutions of self-gravitating tori around spinning black holes with dimensionless spin $a/M=0.7$ parallel or antiparallel to the disk angular momentum. The initial disks are unstable to the hydrodynamic Papaloizou-Pringle instability which causes them to grow persistent orbiting matter clumps. The effect of black hole spin on the growth and saturation of the instability is assessed. We find that the instability behaves similarly to prior simulations with nonspinning black holes, with a shift in frequency due to spin-induced changes in disk orbital period. Copious gravitational waves are generated by these systems, and we analyze their detectability by current and future gravitational wave observatories for a large range of masses. We find that systems of $10\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$---relevant for black hole--neutron star mergers---are detectable by Cosmic Explorer out to $\ensuremath{\sim}300\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{Mpc}$, while DECIGO (LISA) will be able to detect systems of $1000\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$ (${10}^{5}\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$)---relevant for disks forming in collapsing supermassive stars---out to cosmological redshift of $z\ensuremath{\sim}5$ ($z\ensuremath{\sim}1$). Computing the accretion rate of these systems we find that these systems may also be promising sources of coincident electromagnetic signals.
Autism-Focused Online Training in Shared Decision-Making: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective This medical education quasi-randomized controlled trial (quasi-RCT), involving 97 developmental-behavioral pediatrics fellows across the United States, examined differential effects of 2 autism-focused, online, interactive case-based trainings on shared decision-making (SDM). Methods An intervention case provided direct teaching about SDM, addressing autism treatment options. A comparison case focused on evidence-based practice (EBP) related to medication use in autism with no specific SDM teaching. Measured outcomes included self-reported SDM and attitudes toward concordance in medication-prescribing. Results After the intervention, both groups showed significantly increased SDM, but not medication-prescribing concordance (controlling for trainee level, autism patient numbers, and past SDM training). Conclusion This quasi-RCT presents evidence that knowledge of SDM in care of children with autism can be enhanced by online case-based training focused either indirectly on evidence-based practice or directly on SDM. Consistent online SDM training can be provided to all trainees, irrespective of the location.
Bat target tracking strategies for prey interception.

Insectivorous bats capture their prey in flight with impressive success. They rely on the echoes of their own ultrasonic vocalization that yield acoustic snapshots, which enable target tracking on ...
Are Pashtuns the Lost Tribe of Israel

The recently resurfaced rumors propped up by certain Israeli circles that the Pashtuns are the lost tribe of Israel has given academic circles a lingering pause. Its biblical claims are anecdotal, its historical documentation is inconsistent, its geographic claims are incoherent, and its linguistic assertions are implausible. The claim doesn’t stand a chance of DNA verification. Politically, the claim has hit a raw nerve in Afghanistan where the legitimacy of Pashtun power as an ethnic majority is challenged while in Pakistan the Pashtun cultural identity is threatened. Amidst this hyped ethnolinguistic strife that threatens regional stability, the ‘why now’ of the resurfaced controversy is as unnerving as the ‘why then’ of its origins is disconcerting. This article examines the claim from historical, cultural, linguistic, and genetic perspectives as it explores the root causes of how the rumors may have started in the first place and the reasons for its persistence.
Knowledge and Attitudes About Sterilization and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception.

To describe understanding of the irreversible nature of permanent contraception and knowledge and attitudes about long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) among individuals seeking and not seeking permanent contraception. We performed a cross-sectional survey among patients with Medicaid insurance attending an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in [location]. The survey consisted of 20 true/false and Likert questions assessing knowledge and perceptions about permanent contraception and LARC. Sixty-seven participants were needed to detect a small-to-medium Cohen’s effect size f2 = 0.20, with 95% power and alpha = 0.05. Ninety potential participants were contacted and 67 were recruited. Forty-three participants desired permanent contraception and 24 did not. Approximately half of all participants were not aware that permanent contraception is irreversible. Participants who desired permanent contraception had lower LARC knowledge scores (62% correct versus 70%, p = 0.042) and more negative perceptions about LARC (54% versus 38%, p = 0.048). Fewer participants desiring permanent contraception identified LARC efficacy as equal to permanent contraception (32% versus 83%, p < 0.01), and fewer would consider using LARC (intrauterine device: 23% versus 58%, p < 0.01; implant: 16% versus 46%, p < 0.01). These differences persisted in multivariable models adjusting for age, gravidity, and parity. Individuals who desire permanent contraception may not be aware of its permanence, or of equally effective alternatives. They were also found to have more negative perceptions of LARC in our sample. Additional research is needed to understand factors underlying these differences. Counseling practices should be tailored to ensure accurate knowledge about permanent contraception and LARC for all people seeking to avoid pregnancy.
Light Chain Glomerulopathy Causing Kidney Failure in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a rare cause of kidney failure. It is associated with multiple myeloma and is diagnosed by the evaluation of serum and urine free light chains. Patients who are diagnosed with this disease often develop rapidly progressive renal failure. To our knowledge, it does not have any association with other malignancies aside from multiple myeloma. We present a case that highlights a novel association between renal cell carcinoma and light chain-mediated renal disease. Our patient was admitted due to acute renal failure and underwent a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation with an eventual diagnosis of light chain glomerulopathy in the setting of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Hydrogenation reactions catalyzed by HN(CH2CH2PR2)2-ligated copper complexes

HN(CH2CH2PR2)2-ligated copper borohydride complexes, (RPNHP)Cu(BH4) (R = iPr, Cy, tBu), which can be prepared from (RPNHP)CuBr and NaBH4, are capable of catalyzing the hydrogenation of aldehydes in an alcoholic solvent. More active hydrogenation catalysts are (RPNHP)CuBr mixed with KOtBu, allowing various aldehydes and ketones to be efficiently reduced to alcohols except those bearing a nitro, N-unprotected pyrrole, pyridine, or an ester group, or those prone to aldol condensation (e.g., 1-heptanal). Modifying the catalyst structure by replacing the NH group in (iPrPNHP)CuBr with an NMe group results in an inferior catalyst but preserves some catalytic activity. The hexanuclear copper hydride cluster, (iPrPNHP)3Cu6H6, is also competent in catalyzing the hydrogenation of aldehydes such as benzaldehyde and N-methyl-2-pyrrolecarboxaldehyde, albeit accompanied by decomposition pathways. The catalytic performance can be enhanced through the addition of a strong base or iPrPNHP. The three catalytic systems likely share the same catalytically active species, which is proposed to be a mononuclear copper hydride (RPNHP)CuH with the NH group bound to copper.
Golgi structural defect impairs glycosaminoglycan synthesis, sulfation, and secretion

Synthesis of glycosaminoglycans such as heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) occurs in the lumen of the Golgi but the relationship between Golgi structural integrity and glycosaminoglycan synthesis is not clear. In this study, we disrupted the Golgi structure by knocking out GRASP55 and GRASP65 and determined its effect on the synthesis, sulfation, and secretion of HS and CS. We found that GRASP depletion increased HS synthesis while decreasing CS synthesis in cells, altered HS and CS sulfation, and reduced both HS and CS secretion. Using proteomics, RNA-seq and biochemical approaches, we identified EXTL3, a key enzyme in the HS synthesis pathway, whose level is upregulated in GRASP knockout cells; while GalNacT1, an essential CS synthesis enzyme, is robustly reduced. In addition, we found that GRASP depletion decreased HS sulfation via the reduction of PAPSS2, a bifunctional enzyme in HS sulfation. Our study provides the first evidence that Golgi structural defect may significantly alter the synthesis and secretion of glycosaminoglycans.
Phase I/Dose Expansion Trial of Brentuximab vedotin/Lenalidomide in Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma.

New therapies are needed for patients with relapsed/refractory (rel/ref) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who do not benefit from or are ineligible for stem cell transplant and chimeric antigen receptor therapy. The CD30-targeted antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin (BV) and the immunomodulator lenalidomide (Len) have demonstrated promising activity as single agents in this population. We report the results of a phase I/dose expansion trial evaluating the combination of BV/Len in rel/ref DLBCL. Thirty-seven patients received BV every 21 days with Len dosed continuously for a maximum of 16 cycles. The maximum tolerated dose of the combination was 1.2 mg/kg BV with 20 mg/day Len. BV/Len was well tolerated with a toxicity profile consistent with their use as single agents. Most patients required G-CSF support due to neutropenia. Overall response rate (ORR) was 57% (95% CI: 39.6-72.5%), complete response rate 35% (95% CI: 20.7-52.6%), median duration of response 13.1 months, median progression-free survival 10.2 (95% CI: 5.5-13.7) months and median overall survival 14.3 months (95% CI 10.2-35.6). Response rates were highest in patients with CD30+ DLBCL (73%) but did not differ according to cell of origin (p=0.96). NK cell expansion and phenotypic changes in CD8+ T-cell subsets in non-responders were identified by mass cytometry. BV/Len represents a potential treatment option for patients with rel/ref DLBCL. This combination is being further explored in a phase III study (NCT04404283). Current trial registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02086604).
‘She thought I was her gardener’: the life history of one Latino/Hispanic American college basketball coach

The purpose of the study was to construct the life history of Mateo, an American Latino/Hispanic college basketball coach. The study was guided by elements from Latino/a/x critical race (LatCrit) t...
Stimuli Induced Uptake of Protein-Like Peptide Brush Polymers.

Recently, we presented a strategy for packaging peptides as side-chains in high-density brush polymers. For this globular protein-like polymer (PLP) formulation, therapeutic peptides were shown to resist proteolytic degradation, enter cells efficiently and maintain biological function. In this paper, we establish the role charge plays in dictating the cellular uptake of these peptide formulations, finding that peptides with a net positive charge will enter cells when polymerized, while those formed from anionic or neutral peptides remain outside of cells. Given these findings, we explored whether cellular uptake could be selectively induced by a stimulus. In our design, a cationic peptide is appended to a sequence of charge-neutralizing anionic amino acids via stimuli-responsive cleavable linkers. As a proof-of-concept study, we tested this strategy with two different classes of stimuli, exogenous UV light and an enzyme (a matrix metalloproteinase) associated with the inflammatory response. The key finding is that these materials enter cells only when acted upon by the stimulus. This approach makes it possible to achieve delivery of the polymers, therapeutic peptides or an appended cargo into cells in response to an appropriate stimulus.
A Study of Hair Degradation in Agricultural Soil

Human hair is an important type of trace evidence often found in criminal investigations. Despite the recent development of methods for the amplification of the DNA in hair shafts, comparison microscopy remains the standard method used for hair examinations (Bisbing, 1982).
The performance of software-managed multiprocessor caches on parallel numerical programs

In recent years interest has grown in multiprocessor architectures that can have several hundred processors sharing memory and all working on solving a single problem. Such multiprocessors are characterized by a long memory access time, which makes use of cache memories very important. However, the cache coherence problem makes the use of private caches difficult. The proposed solutions to the cache coherence problem are not suitable for a large-scale multiprocessor. We proposed a different solution that relies on a compiler to manage the caches during the execution of a parallel program. In this paper we discuss the performance evaluation of private cache memories for multiprocessors in general and present the results of performance improvement for parallel numerical programs using the caches managed with compiler assistance. The effect of cache organization and other system parameters such as cache block size, cache size, and the number of processors in the system performance is shown. 18 refs., 2 figs., 7 tabs.
Information Requirements and Sharing for NGATS Function Allocation Concepts

To support the evaluation of feasible function allocation concepts for separation assurance systems, and to develop a better understanding of the specific information requirements for key tasks (resolving conflicts, avoiding weather, and merging and spacing), air traffic controllers and commercial pilots were interviewed for their goals, sub-goals, and the individual and shared information needed to perform the tasks. The key information requirements obtained can be used as input to ascertain which information is most needed for probing when measuring individual and shared situation awareness. The elicitation also provided insights into the interaction among the controllers, pilots, and automation, and their perception of the concepts' feasibility.
Model environments for integration and support

Reference models accurately reflect live networks — increasingly this means they are more complex, have shorter development cycles, and are expected to deliver more value-for-money than ever before. Fortunately, it is precisely these real-world issues that reference models are designed to address. This paper examines the evolving role of reference models, and demonstrates that they are an increasingly vital element in BTs integration strategy, facilitating the delivery of new services within time and budget. A few of the models within the integration facility are examined to give some idea of their scope.
Parallel Parsing on a One-way Linear Array of Finite-State Machines

Efficient parallel algorithms for some parsing problems are presented. These problems include the parsing of linear context-free languages, languages accepted by nondeterministic one-counter automata, and transductions defined by a special class of two-tape nondeterministic finite-state transducers. The model of parallel computation is a one-way linear array of identical finite-state machines. The data movement in the array is one-way, from left to right. For inputs of length n, the array uses n nodes, but the design of the node (finite-state machine) is independent of n. Our algorithms can actually produce a parse, i.e., a sequence of rules (moves) that generates (accepts) an input, in linear time. When only a no/yes answer is required, the parsing problem becomes a recognition problem. The best serial (RAM) algorithms for the corresponding recognition problems take O(n2/log2n) time and space. Previous parallel algorithms for the recognition problems run in linear time on a one-way linear array of finite-state machines.