Where to Go Next? Examining the Effect of Franchise Expansion and Location on Game-Level Attendance in Major League Soccer

Using a large dataset with over 4,000 game-level observations from Major League Soccer over the period 2006 to 2019 we investigate the determinants of attendance demand. Focusing on franchise expansion and location effects, we find that some decisions made by the organization had positive impacts on league revenues. While going to cities with a large population and already hosting nearby NFL or NBA teams is positively associated with game attendance, the presence of geographically close MLB and NHL teams is detrimental to MLS revenues. Our results suggest a need for a more nuanced and selective approach to MLS expansion policy.

A Fast and Selective Approach for Profiling Vicinal Diols Using Liquid Chromatography-Post Column Derivatization-Double Precursor Ion Scanning Mass Spectrometry

Vicinal diols are important signaling metabolites of various inflammatory diseases, and some of them are potential biomarkers for some diseases. Utilizing the rapid reaction between diol and 6-bromo-3-pyridinylboronic acid (BPBA), a selective and sensitive approach was established to profile these vicinal diols using liquid chromatography-post column derivatization coupled with double precursor ion scan-mass spectrometry (LC-PCD-DPIS-MS). After derivatization, all BPBA-vicinal-diol esters gave a pair of characteristic isotope ions resulting from 79Br and 81Br. The unique isotope pattern generated two characteristic fragment ions of m/z 200 and 202. Compared to a traditional offline derivatization technique, the new LC-PCD-DPIS-MS method retained the capacity of LC separation. In addition, it is more sensitive and selective than a full scan MS method. As an application, an in vitro study of the metabolism of epoxy fatty acids by human soluble epoxide hydrolase was tested. These vicinal-diol metabolites of individual regioisomers from different types of polyunsaturated fatty acids were easily identified. The limit of detection (LOD) reached as low as 25 nM. The newly developed LC-PCD-DPIS-MS method shows significant advantages in improving the selectivity and therefore can be employed as a powerful tool for profiling vicinal-diol compounds from biological matrices.

Comparison of the efficacy of intranasal ketamine versus intravenous ketorolac on acute non-traumatic headaches: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

Introduction Non - traumatic headaches are one of the most common causes of referral to hospital emergency. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of intranasal ketamine and intravenous ketorolac on acute non-traumatic headaches. Methods This randomized and double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 2019. One hundred and forty samples were randomly divided into intranasal ketamine (A) and intravenous ketorolac (B). Group (A) received ketamine intranasal (0.75 mg/kg, max 75 mg), and group B received intravenous ketorolac (30 mg). Headache severity was measured on arrival, 30, 60, and 120 min after intervention with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The side effects were recorded an hour after the intervention. Result The mean difference of pain intensity 30, 60, and 120 min after the intervention between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In the first 30 min, significant changes were observed in the VAS levels of the two groups. These changes were significantly greater in the intranasal ketamine group (p < 0.001). Side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, general discomfort, nausea, increased heart rate, and hypertension were significantly higher in the ketamine group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Intranasal ketamine and intravenous ketorolac both effectively reduced headaches. However, more analgesic effects of intranasal ketamine in a short time can be considered as a selective approach to reducing headaches. Trial registration IRCT20180108038276N3, Registered 29 September 2019. Ethics committee reference number IR.KUMS.REC.1398.068.

Reconfigurable Framework for Resilient Semantic Segmentation for Space Applications

Deep learning (DL) presents new opportunities for enabling spacecraft autonomy, onboard analysis, and intelligent applications for space missions. However, DL applications are computationally intensive and often infeasible to deploy on radiation-hardened (rad-hard) processors, which traditionally harness a fraction of the computational capability of their commercial-off-the-shelf counterparts. Commercial FPGAs and system-on-chips present numerous architectural advantages and provide the computation capabilities to enable onboard DL applications; however, these devices are highly susceptible to radiation-induced single-event effects (SEEs) that can degrade the dependability of DL applications. In this article, we propose Reconfigurable ConvNet (RECON), a reconfigurable acceleration framework for dependable, high-performance semantic segmentation for space applications. In RECON, we propose both selective and adaptive approaches to enable efficient SEE mitigation. In our selective approach, control-flow parts are selectively protected by triple-modular redundancy to minimize SEE-induced hangs, and in our adaptive approach, partial reconfiguration is used to adapt the mitigation of dataflow parts in response to a dynamic radiation environment. Combined, both approaches enable RECON to maximize system performability subject to mission availability constraints. We perform fault injection and neutron irradiation to observe the susceptibility of RECON and use dependability modeling to evaluate RECON in various orbital case studies to demonstrate a 1.5–3.0× performability improvement in both performance and energy efficiency compared to static approaches.

COVID-19 Related Acute Lower Limb Ischemia Treated Via Percutaneous Thrombectomy and Catheter Direct Thrombolisis

Background: The aim of this report is to describe and discuss a unique case of acute lower limb ischemia presented in a recovered COVID-19 patient treated via percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and catheter directed thrombolysis. Starting from this singular case a wide literature review regarding COVID-19-related thrombo-embolic complications has been accomplished. Methods: A 47-year-old male was admitted to the emergency unit with acute lower limb ischemia three weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. He had been isolated at home because of minor COVID-19-related symptoms. Angio-CT-imaging showed a segmental occlusion of the common iliac artery coupled with retro-articular popliteal artery and leg vessels thrombosis. The patient was first unsuccessfully submitted to trans-femoral iliac thrombo-embolectomy. Results: Instead of peripheral limb vessel re-thromboembolectomy, a percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy coupled with leg vessel catheter direct thrombolysis was performed. The completion angiography showed the recanalization of the popliteal artery and leg vessels as far as the ankle but with a reduced forefoot vascularization. The fibrinolytic treatment was continued for 8 hours post-operatively. A compartment syndrome complicated the early post-operative course. There was a progressive recovery of ischemic symptoms and at 6-month follow-up, peripheral pulses were palpable with an almost complete normalization of foot and toe perfusion and motility. Conclusion: Acute lower limb ischemia following COVID-19-related arterial thrombo-embolic events represents a severe complication of COVID-19 infection and may result in a high rate of revascularization failure. In these cases, Percutaneous Mechanical thrombectomy coupled with catheter directed thrombolysis might represent a less traumatic and more selective approach.

The Control of the Past: Herbert Butterfield and the Pitfalls of Official History

Herbert Butterfield (1900–1979) was one of the earliest and strongest critics of what he saw as the British government’s attempts to control the past through the writing of so-called, ‘official histories’. His famous diatribe against the ‘pitfalls’ of official history first appeared in 1949, at a time when the British government was engaged in publishing official histories and diplomatic documents on an unprecedented scale following the Second World War. But why was Butterfield so hostile to official history, and why do his views still matter today? Written by one of the few historians employed by the British government today, this important new book details how successive governments have applied a selective approach to the past in order to tell or re-tell Britain’s national history, with implications for the future. Providing a unique overview of the main trends of official history in Britain since the Second World War, the book details how Butterfield came to suspect that the British government was trying to suppress vital documents revealing the Duke of Windsor’s dealings with Nazi Germany. This seemed to confirm his long-held belief that all governments would seek to manipulate history if they could, and conceal the truth if they could not. At the beginning of the 21st century, official history is still being written and the book concludes with an insider’s perspective on the many issues it faces today– on freedom of information, social media and reengaging with our nation’s colonial legacy. Governments have recently been given many reminders that history matters, and it is Herbert Butterfield above all who reminds us that we must remain vigilant in monitoring how they respond to the challenge.

P-OGC36 Staging Laparoscopy in Oesophago-gastric cancers; A highly selective approach and its impact on patient outcome during COVID 19

Background Staging laparoscopy is performed in all Oesophago-gastric cancer patients suitable for radical treatment with tumour staged ≥T2 prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In response to COVID 19 pandemic, on 25th March 2020, the joint statement issued by the Royal College of Surgeons and AUGIS advised all laparoscopic procedures should be avoided due to the risk of virus transmission associated with aerosol-generating procedures. In accordance with the guidance, a more selective approach on who underwent a staging laparoscopy was followed. This audit explores its impact on patient outcome comparing data from pre COVID period with the COVID period. Methods Retrospective and prospective data was collected for 24months on all OG cancer patients from 25th March2019 to 24th March2021. ‘Pre COVID’ period was defined as 25th March 2019 to 24th March 2020 and ‘COVID’ period was defined as 25th March 2020 to 24th March 2021. All patients with Oesophago-gastric cancer with MDT cancer staged ≥T2, suitable for neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included. Patients with tumour staged &lt;T2 and or diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma involving upper or middle third of oesophagus were excluded. Fishers Exact model using SPSS V24 was used to identify any statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. Results Pre-COVID Period: 80patients underwent staging laparoscopy. Of these, 9patients(11.6%) with tumour staged as ≥T3 were declined curative surgery due to advanced disease(n = 2), metastatic disease(n = 3) or both(n = 4). In total, 40patients underwent curative surgery and there were 0 open/close laparotomies. COVID Period: Of the 79patients suitable for staging laparoscopy, only 7patients(8.7%) underwent laparoscopy. Of these, 3patients(3.8%) with tumour staged as ≥T3 were declined curative surgery due to advanced disease(n = 2) and metastatic disease(n = 1). In total, 33patients underwent curative surgery and only 1patient had an open/close laparotomy due to a liver metastases. No statistically significant difference was found p = 0.0913 Conclusions Staging laparoscopy is a useful tool for accurate staging of Oesophago-gastric cancers. It helps avoid unnecessary open and close laparotomy due to advanced disease and also allows us to assess patient fitness to major surgery. During the pandemic, the number of staging laparoscopies performed declined significantly but with no statistically significant difference to patient outcome. Thus we conclude, the COVID 19 pandemic has enabled us to have a selective approach to performing staging laparoscopy in Oesophago-gastric patients with advanced disease staged ≥T3 only.

The hexokinase ″HKDC1″ interaction with the mitochondria is essential for hepatocellular carcinoma progression

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of death from cancer malignancies. Recently, hexokinase domain containing 1 (HKDC1), was shown to have significant overexpression in HCC compared to healthy tissue. Using in vitro and in vivo tools, we examined the role of HKDC1 in HCC progression. Importantly, HKDC1 ablation stops HCC progression by promoting metabolic reprogramming by shifting glucose flux away from the TCA cycle. Next, HKDC1 ablation leads to mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in less cellular energy which cannot be compensated by enhanced glucose uptake. And finally, we show that the interaction of HKDC1 with the mitochondria is essential for its role in HCC progression, and without this mitochondrial interaction mitochondrial dysfunction occurs. In sum, HKDC1 is highly expressed in HCC cells compared to normal hepatocytes, therefore targeting HKDC1, specifically its interaction with the mitochondria, reveals a highly selective approach to target cancer cells in HCC.

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