cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new wavelet family based on second-order LTI-systems:

In this paper, a new family of wavelets derived from the underdamped response of second-order Linear-Time-Invariant (LTI) systems is introduced. The most important criteria for a function or signal to be a wavelet is the ability to recover the original signal back from its continuous wavelet transform. We show that it is possible to recover back the original signal once the Second-Order Underdamped LTI (SOULTI) wavelet is applied to decompose the signal. It is found that the SOULTI wavelet transform of a signal satisfies a linear differential equation called the reconstructing differential equation, which is closely related to the differential equation that produces the wavelet. Moreover, a time-frequency resolution is defined based on two different approaches. The new transform has useful properties; a direct relation between the scale and the frequency, unique transform formulas that can be easily obtained for most elementary signals such as unit step, sinusoids, polynomials, and decaying harmonic signa...
Research of monitoring power quality applying CVT in the high-voltage power network

Simulation of the CVT's harmonic measurement distortion, and the transformation ratio characteristics have been simulated by using the high-frequency equivalent circuit.The relationgship between the main stray capacitance's change and the change of CVT's pass band have been analyzed. At the same time, combining the engineering application, we propose to make use of the combination of experimental data with artificial neural network to correct the CVT's transformation ratio. This method can be used to monitor harmonic chronically through the CVT. Testified by emulators, this method is feasible.
Non-Myeloablative Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may in most patients be ameliorated with medications that suppress the immune system. Nevertheless, there remains a subset of SLE patients for whom current strategies are insufficient to control disease. Here we report results of autologous non-myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation single arm trial performed at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine between February 1997 and January 2005 involving 50 patients with SLE refractory to standard immune suppressive therapies and either organ- or life-threatening visceral involvement. Peripheral blood stem cells were mobilized with cyclophosphamide (2.0 g/m2) and G-CSF (5 ug/kg/day), enriched ex vivo by CD34+ immunoselection, cryopreserved, and reinfused after treatment with cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) and equine anti-thymocyte globulin (90 mg/kg). The primary endpoint was survival, both overall survival and disease free survival. Secondary endpoints include systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI), serology (ANA and antids DNA), complement (C3 and C4), and changes in renal and pulmonary organ function assessed pre-treatment and 6 months, 12 months and then yearly for 5 years. Fifty patients were enrolled and underwent stem cell mobilization. Two patients died after mobilization, one from disseminated mucormycosis and another from active lupus after postponing the transplant for 4 months. Forty-eight patients underwent lupus non-myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with no treatment related mortality. By intention to treat, treatment related mortality was 2% (1/50). With a mean follow-up of 29 months (range 6 month to 7.5 years ), overall survival was 84%, and probability of disease free survival at 5 years post transplant was 50%. Secondary analysis demonstrated stabilization of renal function and statistically significant improvement (p ≤ .05) in SLEDAI, ANA, anti-ds DNA, complement, and DLCO adjusted for hemoglobin (DLCOadj). In treatment refractory SLE, autologous non-myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation results in marked amelioration of disease activity, long term disease remission, improvement in serologic markers, and either stabilization or reversal of organ dysfunction.
New strategies for social innovation: Market-based approaches for assisting the poor: New York, NY, Columbia University Press, 2014, 329 pp., ISBN: 978-0-231-15923-4

Steven G. Anderson offers an insightful and even-handed examination of approaches to market-oriented social development. His focus is market-oriented “contributions to economic development and thei...
Abstract A58: Cancer and Genetic Testing on Pinterest and Instagram: Who Posts What?

Social media plays a significant role in health information seeking behaviors, yet little is known about online social media discussions of cancer and genetic testing. Enhanced understanding of what cancer and genetic testing information is available and how it is spread on social media may inform strategies to communicate risk and improve cancer care, especially among the traditionally medically underserved, including racial minorities. This study will examine racial differences in the content of pins and posts related to cancer, including cancer risk awareness and genetic testing, among social media users. Grounded in risk perception theories, this study focuses on how the public discusses cancer and genetic testing on social media. Race will be ascertained from available user data and in addition, a comparison between two visual social media platforms will be used to explore racial differences; specifically between Pinterest, with a predominantly White user base and the more racially diverse user base of the Instagram platform. In a quantitative content analysis, a random sample of 500 Pinterest pins and 500 Instagram posts using the keywords/hashtags “cancer” and “genetic testing” were collected. The analysis focuses on the type and source of information posted and presence of risk communication variables, as well as the frequency of repins, likes and comments. Analyses are ongoing and will be completed by August 15, 2016. Study findings will provide insights for public health researchers about communication related to cancer and genetic testing on visual social platforms Pinterest and Instagram. Results will address a gap in the literature regarding the use and sources of posts and risk communication variables among racial minorities, and afford an imperative first step in informing the development of social media-based interventions to reduce cancer health disparities. Citation Format: Carrie Miller, Guidry Jeanine. Cancer and Genetic Testing on Pinterest and Instagram: Who Posts What? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A58.
Clostridium difficile toxin glucosyltransferase domains in complex with a non-hydrolyzable UDP-glucose analogue.

Abstract Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis worldwide. The organism produces two homologous toxins, TcdA and TcdB, which enter and disrupt host cell function by glucosylating and thereby inactivating key signalling molecules within the host. As a toxin-mediated disease, there has been a significant interest in identifying small molecule inhibitors of the toxins’ glucosyltransferase activities. This study was initiated as part of an effort to identify the mode of inhibition for a small molecule inhibitor of glucosyltransferase activity called apigenin. In the course of trying to get co-crystals with this inhibitor, we determined five different structures of the TcdA and TcdB glucosyltransferase domains and made use of a non-hydrolyzable UDP-glucose substrate. While we were able to visualize apigenin bound in one of our structures, the site was a crystal packing interface and not likely to explain the mode of inhibition. Nevertheless, the structure allowed us to capture an apo-state (one without the sugar nucleotide substrate) of the TcdB glycosyltransferase domain that had not been previously observed. Comparison of this structure with structures obtained in the presence of a non-hydrolyzable UDP-glucose analogue have allowed us to document multiple conformations of a C-terminal loop important for catalysis. We present our analysis of these five new structures with the hope that it will advance inhibitor design efforts for this important class of biological toxins.
Cut detection and secure routing in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor network will become isolated in various associated segments because of the disappointment of some of its hubs, which is known as a “cut”. In this paper, authors acknowledge the issue of distinguishing cuts by the remaining hubs of a wireless sensor network. System proposes an estimation which grants every hub to identify at the time of accessibility to an extremely assigned hub has been lost, and one or more hubs (that are connected with the unique hub after the cut) to recognize the cut's event. The calculation is passed on and strange: every hub needs to relate with simply those hubs that are within its correspondence range. The estimation relies on upon the iterative calculation of an invented “electrical potential” of the hubs. The combining rate of the concealed iterative arrangement is self-governing of the size as well as network structure. Also this system implements a lightweight encryption algorithm to rout data securely in the network and enhance the system performance.
A Multidisciplinary and Multicultural Adventure: From Materials Engineering to Cardiovascular Science.

As a young researcher in the field of cardiovascular bioengineering, I have received a multidisciplinary spectrum of academic training, from Materials Engineering to Cardiovascular Medicine. Along this diverse career path, I also took on an eventful personal life adventure, living in multiple countries with distinct cultures and languages. My journey started at the prestigious Sharif University of Technology, the so-called MIT of the Middle East in Iran. I was introduced to the world of materials engineering and immersed myself in the characterization and synthesis of polymers and how microstructure–property relationship is defined during my Bachelor (BSc) and Masters (MSc) degrees training. Eager to learn more about nanoscale structures of polymers and composites, I joined the Institute of Nano Science and Technology at Sharif University to acquire additional expertise in nanomaterials. My intensive training at Sharif encouraged me to further pursue how nanostructured polymers and composites can be engineered to harbor a variety of distinct properties. I became interested in exploring the specific use of these materials in biomedicine. With this in mind, I left Iran at the age of 27 years to start my PhD training in the field of biomaterials and tissue …
Continuation Methods for Nonlinear Eigenvalue Problems via a Sinc-Galerkin Scheme

In this paper we will be looking at semilinear boundary value problems of the form $$ \begin{gathered} \mathcal{L}u(x)\bar = u^{''} (x) + cu(x) = f(x,u(x),\lambda ),a < x < b \hfill \\ u(a) = u(b) = 0, \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ (1.1) where c is a fixed constant and A is a parameter. Here, a and b need not be finite. This type of problem often arises as the equilibrium problem for a scalar evolution equation. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the use of the Sinc-Galerkin method for one-parameter problems such as (1.1).
Le complot médiatique : réseaux sociaux et manipulations collectives chez Jean-Jacques Pelletier

Cet article a pour objet l’« imaginaire mediatique » observable dans les trois derniers romans de Jean-Jacques Pelletier : Les Visages de l’humanite (2012), Dix petits hommes blancs (2014) et Machine God (2015). On y postule que la mise en scene d’un complot terroriste instrumentalisant les reseaux socionumeriques (Facebook, Twitter) aux fins d’une manipulation savamment calculee de l’opinion publique constitue a la fois une actualisation de la demarche anterieure de l’auteur (les medias comme reflet interne de l’intrigue) et un procede narratif permettant d’illustrer, voire de denoncer, certains effets pervers propres a la circulation de l’information dans le Web 2.0.
Emotion Dysregulation Mediates the Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

One risk factor for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents is exposure to traumatic experiences, particularly child maltreatment. However, the mechanisms through which childhood maltreatment predicts NSSI are largely unknown. Emotion dysregulation (ED) is likely an important mechanism in this relationship. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between childhood maltreatment, ED, and NSSI in a sample of adolescent inpatients (n= 53). Results demonstrated that child physical and emotional maltreatment, but not child sexual abuse, was significantly associated with NSSI frequency. More specifically, ED mediated the relationship between child physical and emotional maltreatment and NSSI frequency. Findings support the importance of ED as a mediating factor in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and NSSI behaviors and highlight the need for teaching emotion regulation skills to youth affected by trauma.
Commentary on Pierce, Genesee, Delcenserie, and Morgan

Early linguistic experiences are intimately tied to later language learning outcomes (e.g., Chilosi et al., 2013; Kaushanskaya & Marian, 2009b). The underlying neural and cognitive processes mediating this relationship remain unclear. Pierce, Genesee, Delcenserie, and Morgan (2017) propose that the phonological working memory (PWM) system is the critical component responsible for linking early linguistic experiences to later language development. Their argument arises from research demonstrating that exposure to linguistic input early in life shapes the kinds of phonological representations that are formed about the sounds within one's native language (Kuhl, 2004; Majerus et al., 2005; Mody, Schwartz, Gravel, & Ruben, 1999; Nittrouer & Burton, 2005). These phonological representations, which the authors believe to be created and stored using the PWM system (Gathercole & Baddeley, 1989), are highly predictive of later language outcomes (Bernhardt, Kemp, & Werker, 2007; Kuhl, 2010; Molfese & Molfese, 1985; Tsao, Liu, & Kuhl, 2004). Explaining language development via memory processes has many benefits. For instance, drawing on a large extant literature on memory-related processes allows researchers to make novel predictions about language learning, especially in regard to its connections to other kinds of learning (e.g., Gathercole, 2006). Identifying PWM as a key driver to language development is a useful insight likely to generate much further research, but it may not go far enough in tying language acquisition to more domain-general aspects of the human cognitive architecture. We believe that a complete account of language will require consideration of additional aspects of the human cognitive architecture working alongside the PWM system.
Characteristics and Prognostic Factors for Patients With HER2-overexpressing Breast Cancer and Brain Metastases in the Era of HER2-targeted Therapy: An Argument for Earlier Detection

Abstract Background Although brain metastases (BM) are associated with poor prognosis, patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpressing (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) with BM who are treated with anti-HER2 therapy have a relatively longer survival after BM diagnosis compared with other subtypes and HER2+ patients previously untreated with anti-HER2 therapy. It is unclear if previously reported prognostic factors are applicable to patients with HER2+ BC in the era of HER2-targeted therapy. Patients and Methods We evaluated 100 consecutive patients with HER2+ BC with BM who underwent radiation therapy as primary BM treatment from January 2001 to December 2011 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center by retrospective review. Patient characteristics at the time of BM diagnosis and their associations with time from BM to death were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazard models. Results Significantly better survival from BM was noted for patients with higher performance status, fewer BM lesions, continued use of HER2-targeted therapy after BM diagnosis, and better controlled extracranial metastatic disease. Absence of neurologic symptoms at BM diagnosis was significantly associated with fewer lesions, decreased use of whole brain radiotherapy, and longer survival in univariate and multivariate analysis (multivariate hazard ratio, 3.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.69-8.07). Conclusion Our finding supports the continued use of HER2-targeted therapy after BM diagnosis. In addition, future research on the clinical impact of detecting asymptomatic BM in patients with HER2+ BC, in terms of improving prognosis, quality of life, and avoidance of whole brain radiotherapy, is warranted.
Computed thermodynamic stabilities of silylium Lewis base adducts

We report a computational study of the transfer of silylium from phosphine to heteroatom containing Lewis bases including ethers, phosphines, and amines. The relative free energies of these compounds are compared to develop a thermodynamic scale of stabilities that can help to interpret the chemoselectivity observed with complex natural products and biomass-derived sugars. Both the choice of silane and the phosphine Lewis base impact the thermodynamics of this transfer.
Phase 4 (Postmarketing) Research

Postmarketing research is a generic term used to describe all activities after the drug approval by the regulatory agency, such as the Food and Drug Administration (MedWatch: voluntary reporting by health professionals. http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report/hcp.htm. Accessed 12 Oct 2006), European Medicines Agency (EMA), or other regulatory agencies. Postmarketing studies concentrate much more (but not exclusively) on safety and effectiveness, and they can contribute to the drugs implementation through labeling changes, length of the administrative process, pricing negotiations, and marketing. However, the fact that not all FDA mandated (classical phase IV trials) research consists of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and not all postmarketing activities are limited to safety issues (pharmacovigilance), these terms require clarification. This chapter attempts to clarify the confusing terminology; and, to discuss many of the postmarketing research designs-both their place in clinical research as well as their limitations.
A Prototype Implementation of Wi-Fi Seamless Redundancy with Reactive Duplication Avoidance

Applying link-level seamless redundancy to Wi-Fi noticeably ameliorates communication quality, but also doubles spectrum consumption. The adoption of mechanisms, operating at runtime, aimed at preventing the transmission on air of inessential frame copies, permits to lower the generated traffic tangibly and also improves behavior further. In this paper, a prototype setup is described, based on redundant Wi-Fi, which carries out reactive duplication avoidance completely in software. This makes it mostly independent from wireless adapters hardware. An experimental evaluation of its performance showed that, although implementation is preliminary, this solution is able to outperform plain seamless redundancy.
Secondary Union of a Critical Segmental Femoral Defect: A Case Report.

Case We report the case of a 41-year-old man who sustained an open femoral shaft fracture with 10 cm of segmental bone loss in a motorcycle collision. He underwent serial irrigation and debridement procedures and intramedullary nailing of the fracture. He was lost to follow-up, but presented 9 months after the injury with abundant callus formation; at 11 months, the simple hypertrophic nonunion was treated with exchange nailing. Conclusion Although unusual, secondary union of segmental femoral defects may occur. The mechanism by which this occurs is poorly understood, but is likely related to the biology of the fracture site, the effects of reaming, and the mechanics of the fixation.
American Travel Encounters with Fascist Italy

Popular travel writing is a key point of contact in the dialogue between cultures: a contested space filled by expectations, assumptions and projected self-images. This chapter explores in particular the question of how travel writing influences the construction of national identities by examining Italian identity in fascist Italy during the 1920s and 1930s through the prism of American tourism. It focuses on how the Italian government tourism office (ENIT) conceptualized and marketed a particular brand of Italian national identity to American travelers, and how American tourist guidebooks and student travel accounts in turn received and re-imagined the Italian identity that had been packaged for them.
Literature for Young Adults: Books (and More) for Contemporary Readers

Young adults are actively looking for anything that connects them with the changes happening in their lives, and the books discussed throughout Literature for Young Adults have the potential to make that connection and motivate them to read. It explores a great variety of works, genres, and formats, but it places special emphasis on contemporary works whose nontraditional themes, protagonists, and literary conventions make them well suited to young adult readers. It also looks at the ways in which contemporary readers access and share the works they're reading, and it shows teachers ways to incorporate nontraditional ways of accessing and sharing books throughout their literature programs. In addition to traditional genre chapters, Literature for Young Adults includes chapters on literary nonfiction; poetry, short stories, and drama; cover art, picture books, illustrated literature, and graphic novels; and film. It recognizes that, while films can be used to complement print literature, they are also a literacy format in their own right-and one that young adults are particularly familiar and comfortable with. The book's discussion of literary language--including traditional elements as well as metafictive terms--enables readers to share in a literary conversation with their students (and others) when communicating about books. It will help readers teach young adults the language they need to articulate their responses to the books they are reading.
Abstract 308: Wls Inhibits Fibrosis Through Wnt Secretion From the Cardiomyocytes During Heart Regeneration

Because cardiomyocytes lose their capacity for self-renewal shortly after birth, the heart cannot regenerate muscle lost due to injury or heart failure. Instead, dead myocardium is replaced with a ...
Expression and localization of malate synthase during maturation and dessication of castor bean seeds

Enzymatic levels and subcellular localization of malate synthase in maturing seeds of castor bean (Ricinus communis cv. Hale) are reported. Extracts of maturing seeds exhibited moderately high specific activity (9.68 nmoles/min/mg protein) at 15–20 DAP and lower specific activity (0.49) in mature, dry seeds. Subcellular localization of the enzyme during seed maturation was primarily cytosolic (85%). The remainder of the activity in sucrose gradients was located at high density (1.21 g/cm3). Dry seeds did not contain organelle-bound malate synthase activity. In extracts of 4-day germinated seeds the enzyme was present at high specific activity (12.8 nmoles/min/mg protein) with better than 85% of the total activity in glyoxysomes (1.24 g/cm3). Two polypeptides, 62kDa and 66kDa, reactive with anti-malate synthase were detected at high density in sucrose gradients of homogenates of late-maturing seeds (60 DAP); dry seeds; and seeds imbibed for 6 h. One polypeptide, 62 kDa, in 4-day germinated seeds, reacted with anti-malate synthase. Immunoreactive polypeptides in late-maturing and dry seeds were present at approximately 1/760 of the level found in 4-day germinated seeds. We conclude that malate synthase activity is prominent during early seed maturation but is very low and minimally compartmentalized during late maturation. The rapidly sedimenting immunoreactive polypeptides from dry seeds are enzymatically inactive and are presumed to be of no physiological significance.
TROPOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND COMPOSITION | Peroxyacetyl Nitrate

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN; CH 3 C(O)OONO 2 ) is an important constituent of photochemical smog. It is also a ubiquitous chemical present throughout the global troposphere. A unique property of PAN is that it is very stable at cold temperatures and easily decomposes to release NO x at warm temperatures. In remote atmospheres, it can act as a carrier and a reservoir of NO x , which is necessary for ozone (O 3 ) formation. Peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs) are known to be eye irritants (lachrymators), phytotoxins, and bacterial mutagens. The most serious biological effects of PANs are of a phytotoxic nature resulting in injury to plants and vegetation.
Abstract BS1-2: Neutrophil extracellular traps promote breast cancer metastasis

Cancer cells from a primary tumor can disseminate to other tissues, but remain dormant and clinically undetectable for many years. Little is known about the cues that cause these dormant cells to “awaken”, resume proliferation, and develop into metastases. Using mouse models, we have found that sustained lung inflammation caused by tobacco smoke exposure or nasal instillation of lipopolysaccharide converted disseminated, dormant cancer cells to aggressively growing metastases. Using intravital imaging techniques, which allow for long-term time-lapse imaging of cancer cells and surrounding host cells in living mice, we observed that sustained inflammation induced the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are pathogen-trapping structures generated by expulsion of the neutrophil9s DNA with associated proteolytic enzymes in response to e.g., infections. We confirmed that NETs were present in clinical samples of breast cancer lung metastases. Mechanistic analysis revealed that NETs were required for awakening dormant cancer and specifically that two NET-associated proteases, neutrophil elastase and matrix metalloproteinase 9, sequentially cleaved laminin. The proteolytically remodeled laminin induced proliferation of dormant cancer cells by activating integrin alpha-3 beta-1 signaling. We generated antibodies against NET-remodeled laminin and these prevented awakening of dormant cells in mice. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of NET formation or digestion of NETs with DNase I-coated nanoparticles also markedly reduced awakening and lung metastases in mice. Our data suggest that induction of NETs is an important host-mediated mechanism of promoting metastasis and a potential therapeutic target to prevent preventing dormant cell awakening and prolong the survival of cancer patients. Citation Format: Egeblad M. Neutrophil extracellular traps promote breast cancer metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr BS1-2.
The parallel encounter: an alternative to the traditional serial trainee‐attending patient evaluation model

Background The emergency department environment requires the clinician-educator to use adaptive teaching strategies to balance education with efficiency and patient care. Recently, alternative approaches to the traditional serial trainee-attending patient evaluation model have emerged in the literature. Methods The parallel encounter involves the attending physician and resident seeing the patient independently. Instead of the trainee delivering a traditional oral case presentation, the trainee does not present the history and examination to the attending physician. Rather, the attending and trainee come together following their independent evaluations to jointly discuss and formulate the assessment and plan. Results The parallel encounter has the potential to enhance the teaching encounter by emphasizing clinical reasoning, reduce cognitive bias by integrating two independent assessments of the same patient, increase attending workflow flexibility and efficiency, and improve patient satisfaction and outcomes by reducing time to initial provider contact. The attending must be mindful of protecting resident autonomy. This model tends to work better for more senior learners. Conclusions The parallel encounter represents a novel approach to the traditional serial trainee-attending patient evaluation model that may enhance the teaching encounter and improve patient care.
Integration of a 31-Gene Expression Profile Into Clinical Decision-Making in the Treatment of Cutaneous Melanoma.

BackgroundThe practice of utilizing gene expression profile (GEP) for the evaluation and treatment of cutaneous melanomas has been found to predict the risk of sentinel-node metastasis and recurren...
Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in a Patient with Scurvy: Can a Vitamin Reverse It?

Introduction. Pulmonary hypertension secondary to scurvy is a rare manifestation that historically has not been well studied and is only described in a handful of case reports. Case. Our case is about a 35-year-old female with a history significant for drug and tobacco abuse, obesity, poor diet, anxiety, and major depressive disorder who was found to have severe pulmonary hypertension in the setting of vitamin C deficiency (<0.01 mg/L). Conclusion. We present a case that shows pulmonary hypertension can be associated with scurvy and reversed rapidly with adequate vitamin C supplementation.
Stability Analysis of a Fractional Order Discrete Anti-Periodic Boundary Value Problem

This article aims at investigating stability properties for a class of discrete fractional equations with anti-periodic boundary conditions of fractional order \(\delta=(3,4]\). Utilizing Contraction mapping principle and fixed point theorem due to Brouwer, new criteria for the uniqueness and existence of the solutions are developed and two types of Ulam stability are analysed. The theoretical outcomes are corroborated with examples.
Response to: 'Correspondence on 'Second COVID-19 infection in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis on rituximab'' by Tampe et al .

We read with great interest the report by Tampe et al regarding their patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis on rituximab who developed a serological response to SARS-CoV-2 and attenuated viral spread only after B cell reconstitution.1 This is an important observation, which is logical and further supports the recommendations to time the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine towards the end of the rituximab cycle and, if possible, to delay rituximab until 2–4 weeks after the second SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.2 3 While we agree with the …
Evaluation of camera trap-based abundance estimators for unmarked populations.

Estimates of species abundance are critical to understand population processes and to assess and select management actions. However, capturing and marking individuals for abundance estimation, while providing robust information, can be economically and logistically prohibitive, particularly for species with cryptic behavior. Camera traps can be used to collect data at temporal and spatial scales necessary for estimating abundance, but the use of camera traps comes with limitations when target species are not uniquely identifiable (i.e., "unmarked"). Abundance estimation is particularly useful in the management of invasive species, with herpetofauna being recognized as some of the most pervasive and detrimental invasive vertebrate species. However, the use of camera traps for these taxa presents additional challenges with relevancy across multiple taxa. It is often necessary to use lures to attract animals in order to obtain sufficient observations, yet lure attraction can influence species' landscape use and potentially induce bias in abundance estimators. We investigated these challenges and assessed the feasibility of obtaining reliable abundance estimates using camera-trapping data on a population of invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) in Guam. Data were collected using camera traps in an enclosed area where snakes were subject to high-intensity capture-recapture effort, resulting in presumed abundance of 116 snakes (density = 23/ha). We then applied spatial count, random encounter and staying time, space to event, and instantaneous sampling estimators to photo-capture data to estimate abundance and compared estimates to our presumed abundance. We found that all estimators for unmarked populations performed poorly, with inaccurate or imprecise abundance estimates that limit their usefulness for management in this system. We further investigated the sensitivity of these estimators to the use of lures (i.e., violating the assumption that animal behavior is unchanged by sampling) and camera density in a simulation study. Increasing the effective distances of a lure (i.e., lure attraction) and camera density both resulted in biased abundance estimates. Each estimator rarely recovered truth or suffered from convergence issues. Our results indicate that, when limited to unmarked estimators and the use of lures, camera traps alone are unlikely to produce abundance estimates with utility for brown treesnake management.
Critical Period After Stroke Study (CPASS): A phase II clinical trial testing an optimal time for motor recovery after stroke in humans

Restoration of human brain function after injury is a signal challenge for translational neuroscience. Rodent stroke recovery studies identify an optimal or sensitive period for intensive motor training after stroke: near-full recovery is attained if task-specific motor training occurs during this sensitive window. We extended these findings to adult humans with stroke in a randomized controlled trial applying the essential elements of rodent motor training paradigms to humans. Stroke patients were adaptively randomized to begin 20 extra hours of self-selected, task-specific motor therapy at ≤30 d (acute), 2 to 3 mo (subacute), or ≥6 mo (chronic) after stroke, compared with controls receiving standard motor rehabilitation. Upper extremity (UE) impairment assessed by the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) was measured at up to five time points. The primary outcome measure was ARAT recovery over 1 y after stroke. By 1 y we found significantly increased UE motor function in the subacute group compared with controls (ARAT difference = +6.87 ± 2.63, P = 0.009). The acute group compared with controls showed smaller but significant improvement (ARAT difference = +5.25 ± 2.59 points, P = 0.043). The chronic group showed no significant improvement compared with controls (ARAT = +2.41 ± 2.25, P = 0.29). Thus task-specific motor intervention was most effective within the first 2 to 3 mo after stroke. The similarity to rodent model treatment outcomes suggests that other rodent findings may be translatable to human brain recovery. These results provide empirical evidence of a sensitive period for motor recovery in humans.
Robot-assisted laparoscopic urologic surgery in infants weighing ≤10 kg: A weight stratified analysis.

Summary Introduction Robot-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) urologic surgery is widely used in pediatric patients, though less commonly in infants. There are small series demonstrating safety and efficacy in infants, however, stratification by infant size has rarely been reported. Whether a cut-off weight, below which RAL surgery is not technically feasible, safe, or efficacious has not be determined. Objective To assess safety and efficacy of RAL urologic procedures in infants Study design A single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients Results Of 696 RAL urologic surgeries performed, 101 met eligibility criteria. Median (IQR) age of patients was 7.2 (6.0–9.2) months with median weight of 8.0 (7.2–8.9) kg. The lowest weight was 5.5 kg. Procedures performed included 79 RALPs (78.2%), 22 RALUUs (21.8%). We identified 97 patients (94%) with post-operative imaging, with radiographic improvement in 92%. When stratified by weight quartile, there was no difference between groups in median operative time, total OR time, LOS, EBL, or post-operative radiographic improvement for both RALP and RALUU. Post-operative complications were assessed based on Clavien-Dindo classification with the majority of complications (9/12, 75%) in the >50th percentile weight groups. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the largest published series of infant RAL urologic procedures, with similar rates of radiographic improvement and post-operative complications to prior published series. There are few prior series of RALP and RALUU in infants ≤10 kg, and we show comparable outcomes regardless of patient weight. Our study is limited by the inherent biases of retrospective studies. Conclusion RAL urologic surgery is technically feasible, safe, and efficacious in infants ≤10 kg, without worse outcomes as weight decrease. A cut-off weight, below which RAL surgery should not be performed has yet to be identified. Download : Download high-res image (213KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Figure . Variation in number of procedures performed and patient weight over time. A) Number of cases performed over study period. B) Median patient weight over study period. ∗All years include 12 months of data except 2020 which includes 9 months of data.
Nonresponse to Renal Denervation in a Simulated Cohort of Resistant Hypertensive Men

In all three clinical trials of the Symplicity renal denervation device, a significant fraction of participants had no response to the treatment. Defining nonresponders as having a fall of less tha...
The membrane form of guanylate cyclase. Homology with a subunit of the cytoplasmic form of the enzyme.

A cDNA clone for the membrane form of guanylate cyclase has been isolated from the testis of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. An open reading frame predicts a protein of 1125 amino acids including an apparent signal peptide of 21 residues; a single transmembrane domain of 25 amino acids divided the mature protein into an amino-terminal, extracellular domain of 485 amino acids and a carboxyl domain of 594 intracellular amino acids. Three potential Asn-linked glycosylation sites were present in the proposed extracellular domain. The deduced protein sequence was homologous to the protein kinase family and contained limited but significant regions of identity with a low molecular weight atrial natriuretic peptide receptor. The carboxyl region (202 amino acids) was 42% identical with a subunit of the cytoplasmic form of guanylate cyclase recently cloned from bovine lung (Koesling, D., Herz, J., Gausepohl, H., Niroomand, F., Hinsch, K.-D., Mulsch, A., Bohme, E., Schultz, G., and Frank, R. (1988) FEBS Lett. 239, 29–34). Therefore, the membrane form of guanylate cyclase is a member of an apparently large family of proteins that includes the low molecular weight atrial natriuretic peptide receptor, the soluble form of guanylate cyclase and protein kinases.
Sporting space invaders: Elite bodies in track and field, a South African context

ABSTRACTThis article builds on previous work that conceptualizes certain bodies – particularly women and racialized minorities – as ‘bodies out of place’ and ‘space invaders’ – to put forth the notion of the sporting space invader. I argue that certain sporting bodies become sporting space invaders by transgressing sporting boundaries, real and/or imagined. Specifically, this article makes case studies of two South African runners, Caster Semenya and Oscar Pistorius, to illustrate the ways in which certain bodies become viewed as existing ‘beyond’ particular sporting boundaries. The notion of sporting space invaders is specific to time, place and space as focuses the modalities of race, gender, sexuality, nationality and ability as the primary sporting boundaries that render certain sporting bodies as ‘out of place’. Both Semenya and Pistorius were/continue to be framed within the media as possessing characteristics that gave them an ‘unfair advantage’ in their respective events, thus rendering them sport...
Precision mapping and calibration of electric fields using interference-narrowed Stark resonances

The use of interference narrowing of Stark resonances for three-dimensional mapping of electric fields to an unprecedented level of precision is described. A method for calibration of electric fields to an accuracy currently limited only by theory is proposed. Measurements that were repeatable and reliable to a precision of 10 p.p.m. have been obtained. The accuracy of the method is limited by atomic constants rather than by the measurements of spacers and voltages and it is at least 100 times better than the conventional standard for field calibration. >
PHYSICAL MODEL FOR STEEL CORROSION IN CONCRETE SEA STRUCTURES­ ApPLICATION

The theoretical physical model developed in a companion paper, is applied to a simplified calculation of corrosion rates and times to corrosion cracking of concrete cover. Setting up approximate estimates of effective resistance of the corrosion cell, and treating oxygen and chloride ion transport through concrete cover as quisi-stationary and one-dimensional, the corrosion problem is reduced to ordinary differential equations in time. For determining the extents of cathodic and anodic areas and the thickness of the rusting layer, a new principle stating that the actual corrosion current is maximum is postulated. Various steady-state corrosion processes are then analyzed, and after developing approximate formulas for the time of steel depassivation due to chloride ions and for cover cracking due to volume expansion of rust, a number of illustrative numerical examples are given. Diffusivities for chloride ions and oxygen are shown to be usually the controlling factors.
Abstract W P216: Inducible Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase: A New Target for Stroke Therapy

Introduction: Elevated extracellular glutamate plays a central role in mediating ischemic brain damage. The current work stems from our key observation demonstrating that induction of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), a glutamate metabolizing enzyme in the brain, can attenuate stroke-induced injury. At the stroke site, inducible GOT (iGOT) catalyzes the metabolism of extracellular glutamate via a truncated TCA cycle to generate energy and limit concentrations. Hypotheses: Phytoestrogen Biochanin induces GOT. iGOT inducer Biochanin protects against stroke in vivo. Methods: In vitro. Primary cortical neuronal cells were isolated from the cerebral cortex of C57/BL6 mice feti and seeded in 12-well plates maintained for 24h under standard media and culture conditions prior to experimental treatment. After 24h, cells were incubated with vehicle control (DMSO) or one of several screened phytoestrogen isoflavones for 72h. After 72h sample were collected for mRNA and protein expression analyses of GOT. In...
R Factor Proteins Synthesized in Escherichia coli Minicells: Membrane-Associated R Factor Proteins

R factor proteins are synthesized in R factor-containing Escherichia coli minicells. Half of this protein remained associated with the minicell membrane upon lysis of the minicells. Over 90% of the membrane-associated protein was extracted by sodium lauryl sarcosinate, suggesting a location of these proteins in the inner membrane. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of these membrane preparations demonstrated the presence of multiple peptides, including a prominent band with a molecular weight of 28,000 to 30,000. A polypeptide of similar size was seen in membrane preparations from minicells harboring R factors from five different compatibility types. This major R factor membrane peptide was seen with R factors repressed or derepressed for pilus synthesis, with and without antibiotic resistances. It was associated with R factor deoxyribonucleic acid in membrane-deoxyribonucleic acid complexes. Its possible role in R factor replication and/or transfer is being investigated.
Negative Binomial Regression: Problems with zero counts

I previously indicated that extended Poisson and negative binomial models have generally been developed to solve either a distributional or variance problem arising in the base Poisson and NB2 models. We shall discover later that some extended negative binomial models rely on the NB1 parameterization rather than on the NB2, e.g. fixed-effects negative binomial. But, except for a few models, most negative binomial models used in actual research are based on the NB2 model. Changes to the negative binomial variance function were considered in the last chapter. In this chapter, we address the difficulties arising when the zero counts in Poisson and NB2 models differ considerably from model distributional assumptions. In the first section we address models that cannot have zero counts. Zero-truncated count models Many times we are asked to model count data that structurally exclude zero counts. Hospital length-of-stay data are an example of this type of data. When a patient first enters the hospital, the count begins upon registration, with the length of stay given as 1. There can be no 0 days – unless we are describing patients who do not enter the hospital. This latter situation describes a different type of model where there may be two generating processes – one, for example, for patients who may or may not enter the hospital, and another for patients who are admitted. This type of model will be discussed later.
Hubble Space Telescope Observations of the Light Echo around V838 Monocerotis

The outburst of V838 Monocerotis in early 2002, and the subsequent appearance of its light echoes, occurred just before the installation of the Advanced Camera for Surveys into the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This fortunate sequence of events has allowed us to obtain spectacular HST images of the echoes, yielding not only pictures of extraordinary beauty, but also providing unique scientific information. Our team has used the HST images to provide a direct geometrical distance to V838 Mon, based on polarimetric imaging, and limits on the distance based on the apparent angular expansion rates. Several morphological features seen in the HST images strongly suggest that the illuminated dust was ejected from the star in a previous outburst, similar to the current one. In particular, a "double-helix" feature points exactly back to the star. Moreover, three-dimensional mapping of the outer edges of the dust suggests an overall ellipsoidal shape, centered on V838 Mon itself. And the appearance of the light echo in the most recent Hubble images is remarkably similar to that of a well-known planetary nebula, M27. Future work on the HST images will include an analysis of interstellar-dust physics, in a situation where the scattering angle and illumination are unambiguously known, and visualization of a fully three-dimensional map of the dust distribution.
Hemorrhagic and endotoxic shock: A pathophysiologic approach to diagnosis and management

Abstract Shock is a syndrome of metabolic anomalies due to poor perfusion. Evaluation is aimed at investigating parameters of perfusion and detecting and quantitating the degree of metabolic derangement. Treatment is directed at palliating the metabolic derangement while attempting to improve perfusion by correcting the relative hypovolemia with vigorous parenteral fluid administration. In a small percentage of patients where this is unsuccessful, it is necessary to use vasodilatory and inotropic drugs. Of utmost importance in cases of septic shock is the removal of the nidus of infection.