cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2929: Predictors of survival in never-smokers with non-small cell lung cancer: A large-scale, two-phase genetic study

Lung cancer in never-smokers is increasingly recognized as distinct from that in ever-smokers owing to substantial differences in etiology, clinical characteristics, and prognosis. Therefore, we aimed to identify prognostic markers specific for lung cancer in never-smokers in a two-stage study. First, 11,930 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 904 inflammation-related genes were genotyped, and their associations with overall survival in 411 never-smokers with lung cancer at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center were analyzed. Next, fast-track validation of the top 37 SNPs in 311 never-smokers with lung cancer at Mayo Clinic was performed. Three SNPs (interleukin 17 receptor A:rs879576, bone morphogenetic protein 8A:rs698141, and spleen tyrosine kinase:rs290229) were validated (p −5 [p=0.61, heterogeneity test]). We successfully validated a survival tree created in MD Anderson population based on gene-gene interactions in the Mayo Clinic population. This survival tree stratified patients into subsets with significantly different risks of death: patients at MD Anderson with the rs1056400_GG/rs698141_GA+AA genotype had a 2.32-fold higher risk of death (p=1.72 × 10 −5 ) and 9-month shorter median survival time (MST) (p=4.5 × 10 −4 , log-rank test) than did those with the rs1056400_GG/rs698141_GG or rs1056400_GA+AA genotype in the discovery phase. Also, the patients at Mayo Clinic with the former genotype had an approximately twofold higher risk of death (p=0.02) and a strikingly shorter (by 26 months) MST (p=0.029, log-rank test) than did those with the latter genotype in the validation phase. We evaluated these five SNPs in 996 ever-smokers and found no significant associations. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically evaluate the associations of genetic variations in major inflammation-related genes with outcome of lung cancer in never-smokers. It provides strong evidence that inflammation-related genetic variations can affect clinical outcomes in these patients, which may lead to significant biological insight into these outcomes. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2929. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2929
Electronic Interferometric Sensor Simulator/Demodulator

We describe a simple interferometric sensor simulator circuit which has a wide range, ultra-low noise and a wide bandwidth. The device is useful in the testing/characterization of sensor demodulation electronics, and can also be configured as a phase-tracking sensor demodulator.
Extended Virtual Detector Theory for Strong-Field Atomic Ionization

For time-dependent strong-field atomic ionization a new theoretical approach is described that combines the numerical time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation (TDSE) and the numerical time-dependent Newtonian equation (TDNE). This approach keeps both the accuracy of quantum calculations and the speed of classical calculations. It does not use approximate tunneling formulas. It is applied to a recent experimental result, and we show its successful comparison to extensive TDSE calculations made under exactly the same conditions.
Cryosurgical control of cancer: effects of freeze rates, tumor temperatures, and ischemia.

These studies in mice show that, in order to control malignant tumors consistently by cryosurgery, it is important to utilize low probe-tip temperatures, large probe lip-to-tumor contact surfaces or liquid nitrogen sprays, repetitive probe applications, spontaneous thaw between freezes, freezing to tumor temperatures below −30° C, and rapid rates of freezing. In the experimental tumor-host system, ischemia induced either by local administration of pharmacologic doses of epinephrine or by temporary clamping significantly potentiated heat extraction as reflected in tumor control and the time course of recurrences. The effects of ischemia are seen primarily in the thaw portion of the freeze-thaw cycle, during which time spontaneous thawing is consistently prolonged.
Adult Patient with a Destructive Bone Lesion (Ages 40–80+ Year)

As adults age, the patient may develop a destructive lesion in their bone (Table 1). The most common cause of a destructive lesion is a bone metastasis. Other common causes include multiple myeloma, lymphoma, chondrosarcoma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma.
When the World Wide Web Becomes the World Wild Web: PIPA, SOPA, OPEN Act, CISPA and the 'Internet Revolution'

It is not a secret anymore: digital technology is transforming copyright, for better and for worse. Infringement is widespread and this situation needs to change. An attempt has already been made in the past. In 1998, congressional enactment of the “anti-circumventions” provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) was a remarkably forward-looking effort to stop copyright infringers and balancing interests of intellectual property (IP) holders and potential innovators. Since then, the Internet has evolved. The creation of a DMCA II was welcome. Instead of going through this “safe” next step, the United States Congress has embarked on a particularly slippery slope. As a result, bills are so repressive today and they may dictate the way the next technologies are going to operate, in whole or in part. The current reality that laws are incapable of catching the development of new technologies, based on the American comedy-drama film “Catch Me If You Can”, is perhaps not a fiction anymore. But not at any price, especially when it affects the Internet democracy. In fact, the creation of a global legal framework for intellectual property right protection, particularly for (digital) copyright, needs to meet at least three challenges: the fact that laws change, that laws differ between countries, and that laws are open to interpretation. More precisely, cyberspace “demands a new understanding of how regulation works. It compels us to look beyond the traditional lawyer’s scope – beyond laws, or even norms. It requires a broader account of “regulation”, and most importantly, the regulation of a newly salient regulator.” SOPA and PIPA demonstrate how difficult it is for an established democracy to protect both intellectual property and the fight for the intellectual freedom on the Internet. This research paper will be devised in five parts. The first part will analyze the legal issues of these controversial bills and more precisely the sections concerning copyright infringement. The second part will address how the OPEN Act might be a respectable middle in comparison to SOPA and PIPA and what are the legal solutions proposed in this bill. The third part briefly concerns the new method to prevent cyber-attacks, through CISPA, with its impact on intellectual property rights. The fourth part will discuss the recent developments in Europe with ACTA, namely the issues concerning the European ratification and the future of ACTA in the world. Finally, the fifth part will be devoted to the online and offline Internet revolution/Internet blackout that occurred in January and February 2012.
Differences in distribution of erythropoietic and reticuloendothelial marrow in hematologic disease.

Although reticuloendothelial cells are an invariable component of normal marrow, the distribution of phagocytic acitivity may or may not correspond to the distribution of erythropoietic activity in the presence of disease affecting the marrow. A direct comparison of the distributions of reticuloendothelial marrow (using Tc99m-sulfur colloid) and erythropoietic marrow (using Fe52) in patients receiving treatment for various diseases affecting the bone marrow has been made. In the presence of hematologic disease, the correlation between the distributions of these two marrow functions has varied from identical to totally dissimilar. Unless one is studying normal subjects, knows a priori that marrow composition is normal, or is specifically studying the reticuloendothelial component of the marrow, one must be cautious in equating marrow distributions obtained with colloidal material with erythropoietic marrow distribution.
Evidence for the presence of DNA in the pellicle of Paramecium.

Two lines of evidence for the existence of DNA in the pellicle of Paramecium are presented: fluorescence staining and autoradiography. The latter shows deoxyribonuclease-sensitive incorporation of tritiated thymidine in or near the kineties. Fluorescence microscopy permits the localization of DNA at the site of kinetosomes. The possibility that the DNA is not native to the pellicle but introduced during preparative procedures is tested experimentally and shown to be unlikely.
Mercury Interaction with the Fine Fraction of Coal-Combustion Fly Ash in a Simulated Coal Power Plant Flue Gas Stream

Mercury associated with fly ash is a significant contaminant released in flue gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. This work focuses on the association of Hg with other elements and phases as well as the molecular-level speciation of Hg in bulk and <0.1 μm sized fly ash particles reacted with a Hg-containing simulated flue gas stream. Following reaction under conditions chosen to simulate an electrostatic precipitator operating at 140 °C, fly ash (bulk and ≤0.1 μm) from a Kentucky power plant was analyzed using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The ≤0.1 μm fraction dominates Hg uptake, with total Hg concentrations increasing from 100 ppb to 610 ppm after reaction, whereas bulk ash concentrations increase from 11 to 164 ppb. Synchrotron-based micro-X-ray fluorescence mapping of the reacted ≤0.1 μm fraction showed that Hg is present in two major regions: Fe-rich areas and Hg hot spots not associated with Fe. X-ray absorption spectroscopic analysis revealed that Hg is associated with Br and Cl...
Pregnancy Without Women: Lessons from Childbirth Classes

In this article, we examine motherhood “scripts,” or cultural discourses, taught in prenatal classes in the US South. Our analysis revealed that these prenatal classes, all taught in the early 2000s, appear to have supported a model of “intensive mothering” that undermined women’s autonomy and power in pregnancy. In addition, the content and messaging of these classes appears to have contributed to a societal tendency to make pregnant women, especially poor women and women of color, invisible while privileging the fetus as a person rater than as a potential person.
Dance for Fitness

(1978). Dance for Fitness. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 49, No. 9, pp. 69-69.
An engineering management perspective on recruiting and retaining quality staff

Annual turnover in technology-based employment fields remains below the US average, but the impacts of employee initiated turnover can unfortunately significantly affect any organization with knowledge workers as its key asset. This will provide an overview of issues pertinent to staff recruiting and retention in the engineering and computer science disciplines. The uniqueness of the engineering and computer science workforce in these areas will be briefly discussed. Recent statistics and trends in recruiting and retention will also be presented as further background information. Changes to traditional recruiting approaches will be presented. Suggestions on improving staff satisfaction (and, consequently, retention) will be presented in the management, project, technology, and career areas.
Rubratoxin Formation in Soybean Substrates

Sterile soybeans, low and full fat soy meal, soy residue, soy curd, and soy whey fortified with different nutritional supplements were inoculated with spore suspensions of Penicillium rubrum P-3290. Yeast extract-sucrose (YES); glucose-malt extract; maltose-soytone; soy whey containing 1.75, 3.5, and 5.5% dissolved solids; and a maltose-salts medium were also inoculated. Cultures were incubated quiescently at 28 C for 7, 10, or 14 days. Rubratoxins were extracted with ethyl acetate and diethyl ether and resolved by thin-layer chromatography. Greatest yields of toxin were obtained from natural rather than chemically defined media. Semisynthetic media supported formation of moderate amounts of rubratoxins. Malt extract and glucose supported greatest production of both rubratoxins A and B. Unsupplemented soy whey or soy milk did not support rubratoxin production. Although soy meal supported production of both rubratoxins A and B (0.12–0.24 mg/g and 0.55–0.71 mg/g), low fat soy meal was more suitable for toxi...
Anal Cancer: Radiation Therapy Planning

Chemoradiation is the primary treatment for anal cancer. The goal of radiation therapy is to cover the primary tumor, involved lymph nodes, and at-risk regional lymph nodes. This chapter reviews radiation techniques, and principles of radiotherapy field design and treatment planning, for anal cancer.
Surveillance and the Formation of Public Policy

SSN Outstanding Achievement Award 2016 Surveillance & Society Biennial Conference, Barcelona. This article is based upon a keynote lecture delivered at the Surveillance Studies Network Conference in Barcelona, April 22 nd , and a public lecture delivered at The London School of Economics and Political Science, May 19 th , 2016.
Effective usage of redundancy to aid neutralization of hardware Trojans in Integrated Circuits

Hardware Trojans are malicious alterations in Integrated Circuits (ICs) that leak confidential information or disable the entire IC. The detection of these Trojans is performed through logic or side channel based testing. Under sub-nm technologies the detection of Hardware Trojans will face more problems due to process variations. Hence, there is a need to devise countermeasures which do not depend completely on detection. In order to achieve such a countermeasure, we propose to neutralize the effect of Hardware Trojans through redundancy. In this work, we present a Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) based methodology to neutralize Hardware Trojans. In order to address the inevitable overhead on area, TMR will be implemented only on select paths of the circuit. Using a probabilistic model of a given digital circuit, we have measured the effect of Trojan on different paths of the circuit and found that equally probable output paths are vulnerable to Trojan placement. Therefore for security we propose that TMR should be implemented on the paths that lead to equally probable primary outputs. We have also shown that the detection of Trojans placed on predictable paths can be achieved through logic based testing methods. In order for the adversary to beat the proposed redundancy model, the size of the Trojan has to be larger. We have shown that such implementation can be detected using side channel based testing. HighlightsMalicious alteration of Integrated circuits known as Hardware Trojans are a threat to the system.With scaling down of technology detection of Hardware Trojans is not sufficient.Neutralizing the effect of Hardware Trojans with the use of redundancy model.Use of probabilistic model to decide the placement of the redundancy model in the circuit.Any effort to beat the proposed model by the adversary will result in detectable Trojans.
Athletes connected: Results from a pilot project to address knowledge and attitudes about mental health among college student-athletes

Student-athletes experience mental health problems, but they often encounter barriers to seeking help. This study reports findings from the pilot phase of Athletes Connected (AC), a new research and practice program at the University of Michigan addressing mental health and help-seeking behaviors among collegiate student-athletes. Members of the AC team gave presentations consisting of contact- and education-based interventions to every varsity athletic team at a large Division I Midwestern university, along with pre- and postsurvey questionnaires to measure their efficacy. The presentations included an educational overview of mental health, two videos highlighting former student-athletes’ struggles with mental illnesses, and a discussion at the end with the former athletes portrayed in the videos. A total of 626 student-athletes completed the pre- and postsurveys. Results indicated significant increases in knowledge and positive attitudes toward mental health and help-seeking. These results suggest that ...
Premature cessation of neurogenesis and gliogenesis in rats showing runt syndrome

In the brains of two naturally born runts, which had received [3H] thymidine on day 21 of gestation and survived for 30 days after their birth, complete cessation of neurogenesis, gliogenesis and histogenesis of other tissues of the brain was observed auto-radiographically. Since these animals showed all the symptomatic characteristics identical to those of the experimentally produced runts in the studies on transplantation of bone marrow in young animals, it was concluded that possibly some immunological reaction in the naturally born runts may be causing total cessation of mitosis in the proliferating cells prematurally with the mediation of some unknown mitosis-inhibiting substance. Premature cessation of the proliferating cells has been postulated to account for the retarded growth, lack of regenerative capacity of various tissues, presence of various pathological conditions and premature death of the animals showing runt syndrome.
Effector and Regulatory T Cells Roll at High Shear Stress by Inducible Tether and Sling Formation

Summary The adaptive immune response involves T cell differentiation and migration to sites of inflammation. T cell trafficking is initiated by rolling on inflamed endothelium. Tethers and slings, discovered in neutrophils, facilitate cell rolling at high shear stress. Here, we demonstrate that the ability to form tethers and slings during rolling is highly inducible in T helper 1 (Th1), Th17, and regulatory T (Treg) cells but less in Th2 cells. In vivo , endogenous Treg cells rolled stably in cremaster venules at physiological shear stress. Quantitative dynamic footprinting nanoscopy of Th1, Th17, and Treg cells uncovered the formation of multiple tethers per cell. Human Th1 cells also showed tethers and slings. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed the induction of cell migration and cytoskeletal genes in sling-forming cells. We conclude that differentiated CD4 T cells stabilize rolling by inducible tether and sling formation. These phenotypic changes approximate the adhesion phenotype of neutrophils and support CD4 T cell access to sites of inflammation.
Two-stage synergy of electronic energy loss with defects in LiTaO3 under ion irradiation

ABSTRACTUnderstanding energy dissipation in electronic and atomic subsystems and subsequent defect evolution is a scientific challenge. Separate and combined effects of electronic and nuclear energy deposition in z-cut LiTaO3 have been investigated. Irradiation of pristine LiTaO3 samples with 2 MeV Ta ions leads to amorphization due to atomic displacement damage, described by a disorder accumulation model. While 21 MeV Si ions do not produce significant damage in pristine LiTaO3, introduction of pre-existing defects sensitizes LiTaO3 to the formation of ion tracks from the electronic energy loss by 21 MeV Si ions that induce a synergistic two-stage phase transition process.Impact statementExperimental study shows that the introduction of pre-existing defects prior to high energy irradiation sensitizes LiTaO3 to ion track formation leading to a synergistic two-stage phase transition process.
An atomistic study of grain boundaries and surfaces in γU-Mo

Abstract A monolithic fuel design based on a U-Mo alloy has been selected as the fuel type for conversion of the United States High-Performance Research Reactors (HPRRs). A 2015 post-irradiation examination (PIE) report showed accelerated swelling in U-10Mo fuels at fission densities much lower than previously observed. This PIE report showed a large amount of compositional banding, or regions of low Mo content adjacent to regions of high Mo content, with low Mo content typically along grain boundaries. Lower Mo content can lead to phase decomposition from the gamma U-Mo body-centered cubic phase to the alpha U phase as well as an earlier onset of recrystallization. Thus, the phenomenon of Mo depletion at grain boundaries is an important factor in the accelerated swelling behavior of U-Mo fuel. However, the physical origin of Mo depletion at grain boundaries is still unclear. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to calculate the grain boundary and surface energies of body-centered cubic (bcc) U, bcc Mo and alloys of U-Mo from 600 K to 1200 K. It is observed that the lower grain boundary energy of bcc U, compared to bcc Mo, provides the driving force for Mo depletion at grain boundaries. This driving force diminishes with increasing temperature, but is not eliminated. This information can be utilized as inputs to higher length scale modeling methodologies and provide specification guidance to fabricators.
THERMAL OXIDATIVE AGING OF ORGANIC LATENT-HEAT THERMAL STORAGE MATERIALS

ABSTRACT In order to estimate the extent of thermal oxidative aging of organic latent-heat thermal storage materials, the thermal deterioration of paraffin and stearic acid derivatives was investigated by applying the following heating-cooling cycles in air, which simulated the daily temperature fluctuation by insolation, over 6 months: 8-hour holding at 150° as the highest temperature in a day followed by 5-hour holding at 30° as the lowest temperature. The resultant decrease in heat of fusion or crystallization, that in weight, and so forth were discussed in relation with the progress of oxidation. The thermal stability of those materials differed markedly with their substituents. The addition of radical scavengers brought the remarkable suppression on the progress of thermal deterioration of those materials in open atmosphere.
Through the Student's Eyes: Cultural Diversity and the Individual Patient.

H2H2H2 Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
A Holistic Risk Analysis Method for Identifying Information Security Risks

Risk analysis is used during the planning of information security to identify security requirements, and is also often used to determine the economic feasibility of security safeguards. The traditional method of conducting a risk analysis is technology-driven and has several shortcomings. First, its focus on technology is at the detriment of considering people and processes as significant sources of security risk. Second, an analysis driven by technical assets can be overly time-consuming and costly. Third, the traditional risk analysis method employs calculations based largely on guesswork to estimate probability and financial loss of a security breach. Finally, an IT-centric approach to security risk analysis does not involve business users to the extent necessary to identify a comprehensive set of risks, or to promote security-awareness throughout an organization. This paper proposes an alternative, holistic method to conducting risk analysis. A holistic risk analysis, as defined in this paper, is one that attempts to identify a comprehensive set of risks by focusing equally on technology, information, people, and processes. The method is driven by critical business processes, which provides focus and relevance to the analysis. Key aspects of the method include a business-driven analysis, user participation in the analysis, architecture and data flow diagrams as a means to identify relevant IT assets, risk scenarios to capture procedural and security details, and qualitative estimation. The mixture of people and tools involved in the analysis is expected to result in a more comprehensive set of identified risks and a significant increase in security awareness throughout the organization.
GLUTATHIONE AND GLUCOSIDE CONJUGATION IN HERBICIDE SELECTIVITY

The conjugation of herbicides with glutathione or glucose are frequently species specific reactions that result in herbicide detoxification. Therefore, glutathione and glucoside conjugation play an important role in herbicide detoxification and selectivity. Phase 1 activation reactions are sometimes necessary before glutathione or glucoside conjugation can occur. In these cases, the Phase 1 reaction rather than conjugation may be responsible for herbicide selectivity. This appears to be particularly true in the metabolism of herbicides to 0-glucoside conjugates. The glutathione-S-transferases and glucosyltransferases that catalyze these conjugation reactions, the role that these reactions play in the selectivity of specific herbicides, factors that affect these reactions, and the secondary metabolism of glutathione and glucoside conjugates are reviewed.
FLAG-Ida, an Effective Regimen for High Risk AML

A number of cytogenetic patterns have been identified as being disadvantageous for response to treatment in AML. In addition, the presence of an antecedent hematologic disorder (AHD) also consistently has a negative impact on prognosis being closely related with the incidence of myelodysplasia. Since 1991, the MDACC has elected to treat patients (pts) with adverse cytogenetics and/or an AHD (AML, poor risk) with a combination of regimens based on the synergism between the fludarabine (Fludara) and cytosine arabinoside (ara-C). Fludara enhances the ara-CTP formation in leukemic blast cells. Thus, a combination regimen of Fludara and ara-C (FA) was developed in 1991. Subsequently, GCSF was added being given before, during, and after the FA to form the FLAG regimen. In more recent times, idarubicin has been added. Thus, the FLAG-Ida regimen is Fludara 30 mg/m2/day for 5 days followed each day 4 hours later by ara-C 2 g/m2 over 4 h. GCSF at a dose of 200 µg/m2 is given 1 day before and during the therapy. Use following completion of chemotherapy is according to need of the patient. Idarubicin is given at a dose of 12 mg/m2/day for 3 days. Pts treated with prior regimens in 1980–1990 had a complete remission rate of 38%. The combined results of the FA, FLAG, and FLAG-Ida regimens is 66 CRs of 131 pts (50%). The CR rate to FA was 12/30 (40%), FLAG 27/49 (55%), and FLAG-Ida 27/52 (52%). There was no increase in the mortality during remission induction caused by the addition of idarubicin. Comparison to the historical past of patients treated between 1986–1990 demonstrates an advantage in CR rate which is not statistically significant for the FA, FLAG, and FLAG-Ida regimens. The CR duration at 2 and 3 years, however, is substantially higher with these regimens than previous experience. A multivariate analysis for response and survival will be carried out on this patient population to identify risk factors. Age, poor performance status, hypoalbuminemia, and treatment outside a protected environment all appear to be adverse at this time.
Two strains of Streptococcus uberis, of differing ability to cause clinical mastitis, differ in their ability to resist some host defence factors.

Two strains of Streptococcus uberis (0140J and FF20), previously shown to differ markedly in their ability to infect the mammary gland and cause clinical mastitis, showed correlated differences in their resistance to some host defence mechanisms. Both strains produced a hyaluronic acid capsule but strain 0140J, the more infective, was more resistant than EF20 to phagocytosis and killing by bovine neutrophils. Loss of the capsule from strain FF20 during the stationary phase of growth did not affect its resistance to phagocytosis. Strain 0140J also grew more rapidly than EF20 in raw skimmed milk but dithiothreitol substantially reversed this inhibition, suggesting the involvement of the lactoperoxidase system in the inhibitory effect of raw milk.
Sampling and interpretation of epilithic lotic diatom communities

Benthic diatom communities were quantitatively sampled on epilithic substrates during four different seasons in 1974 and 1975 in Tymochtee Creek, Ohio. Samples were stained to distinguish living from dead diatoms. Each sample was analyzed for density and species diversity of diatoms, and the effect of including dead cells in these analyses was measured. The inclusion of dead cells increased the standing-crop estimates in every instance. In all but three instances the inclusion of dead cells increased community diversity. Summer samples had a relatively greater proportion of dead cells than winter samples. Centric diatoms were relatively more important in periphytic communities near the stream mouth, and raphe-bearing pennate diatoms were relatively more important in upstream samples.
Dual-Comb Spectroscopy with Si 3 N 4 waveguides for Gas Spectroscopy in the 2 μm–2.5 μm Water Window

Dual-comb spectroscopy of CO and CO 2 is reported in the important 2-2.5 μm atmospheric transparency window, using broadening in tailored ShN4 waveguides and extending beyond Si-based fibers' transparency window. © 2019 The Author(s)
Severe Refractory Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia with Both Warm and Cold Autoantibodies: Complete Response with Rituximab.

Abstract Mixed warm and cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) runs a chronic course with severe, intermittent exacerbations. Therapeutic options for treatment of hemolysis associated with mixed AIHA are limited. There have been only two reported cases of effective use of rituximab in the treatment of mixed AIHA. We report a case of severe mixed AIHA that did not respond to steroids and responded to one cycle of rituximab. A 62-year-old male presented with dyspnea, jaundice and splenomegaly. Blood work revealed severe anemia (hemoglobin 4.9 g/dl) with biochemical evidence of hemolysis. Exposure to cold led to worsening of hemolysis and hemoglobinuria. Direct antiglobulin test was positive for IgG and complement (C3d); and cold agglutinins were detected. Bone marrow revealed erythroid hyperplasia. Positron emission tomography scan showed no sites of pathologic uptake. There was no other evidence of a lymphoid or myeloid disorder. Initial therapy consisted of avoidance of cold, intravenous methylprednisolone and a trial of plasmapheresis; however, there was no clinically significant response and the patient continued to be transfusion dependent. He was then started on intravenous rituximab 375 mg/m2/week. After two treatments, hemoglobin stabilized and transfusion requirement diminished. Download : Download high-res image (112KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure Rituximab, continued for a total of four weeks, led to complete resolution of hemolytic anemia and associated symptoms. At his last visit, about 8 months after initial rituximab treatment patient continues to be in complete remission. This is the first reported case of mixed type AIHA not responding to steroid therapy with complete response to only one cycle of rituximab. Previous two reports of rituximab use in mixed AIHA have described initial brief response to steroids and the use of rituximab at the time of relapse. In both the cases, response to one cycle of rituximab was short-lived requiring a second cycle of rituximab. Our case demonstrates that severe hemolysis associated with mixed AIHA can be unresponsive to steroid therapy and a single cycle of rituximab may lead to prompt and durable complete remission. Rituximab is an effective treatment for mixed AIHA, especially when immediate response is desired, and merits further evaluation in this setting.
A technique to generate synthetic CT from MRI for abdominal radiotherapy.

Purpose To investigate a method to classify tissues types for synthetic CT generation using MRI for treatment planning in abdominal radiotherapy. Methods An institutional review board approved volunteer study was performed on a 3T MRI scanner. In-phase, fat and water images were acquired for five volunteers with breath-hold using an mDixon pulse sequence. A method to classify different tissue types for synthetic CT generation in the abdomen was developed. Three tissue clusters (fat, high-density tissue, and spine/air/lungs) were generated using a fuzzy-c means clustering algorithm. The third cluster was further segmented into three sub-clusters that represented spine, air, and lungs. Therefore, five segments were automatically generated. To evaluate segmentation accuracy using the method, the five segments were manually contoured on MRI images as the ground truth, and the volume ratio, Dice coefficient, and Hausdorff distance metric were calculated. The dosimetric effect of segmentation accuracy was evaluated on simulated targets close to air, lungs, and spine using a two-arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique. Results The volume ratio of auto-segmentation to manual segmentation was 0.88-2.1 for the air segment and 0.72-1.13 for the remaining segments. The range of the Dice coefficient was 0.24-0.83, 0.84-0.93, 0.94-0.98, 0.93-0.96, and 0.76-0.79 for air, fat, lungs, high-density tissue, and spine, respectively. The range of the mean Hausdorff distance was 3-29.1 mm, 0.5-1.3 mm, 0.4-1 mm, 0.7-1.6 mm, and 1.2-1.4 mm for air, fat, lungs, high-density tissue, and spine, respectively. Despite worse segmentation accuracy in air and spine, the dosimetric effect was 0.2% ± 0.2%, with a maximum difference of 0.8% for all target locations. Conclusion A method to generate synthetic CT in the abdomen was developed, and segmentation accuracy and its dosimetric effect were evaluated. Our results demonstrate the potential of using MRI alone for treatment planning in the abdomen.
Assessing the role of oceanic heat fluxes on ice ablation of the central Chukchi Sea Shelf

Abstract We investigate the role of oceanic heat flux convergence in the summertime retreat of sea ice in the presence of a mean background flow. Prior studies indicated that eddies generated along the marginal ice zone front carry substantial quantities of heat laterally beneath the ice, but the direct importance of these fluxes to the summertime retreat of sea ice was not well established. We use the Regional Ocean Model System (ROMS) with an idealized configuration of the Chukchi Sea shelf and without wind forcing to: (1) determine the contributions to ice melt from the oceanic heat flux compared to that from the net atmospheric heat flux through the ice surface; (2) evaluate the role of mesoscale fluctuations versus the mean background flow in providing this sub-surface heat flux, and (3) evaluate the role of the underlying bathymetry in modifying the subsurface heat flux to the ice. Analyses show that the three main water masses (Melt Water, Bering Sea Water and Winter Water) establish frontal systems (the Shelf Water Front and the Ice Edge Melt Water Front) that control baroclinic processes, which in turn regulate the quantity of heat fluxed laterally and vertically to the ablating ice edge. We identify and characterize distinct oceanic zones associated with these fronts (the Shelf Water Transition Zone and the Melt Water Transition Zone) that are delineated by flow dynamics and hydrographic structure. The integrated heat flux along the modeled ice edge is significant: lateral eddy transport of heat is as large as 2 TW, of which 50% is fluxed upwards into the near-surface Melt Water. We introduce a parameterization for the vertical heat transport to the ice through the near-surface meltwater lens that is a function of the along-front current velocity and the cross-front temperature gradient. Such a parameterization could improve coarse-scale ocean and climate models that lack the resolution necessary for reproducing such small-scale processes. The results of this study may be informative to investigations of ice edge biological processes.
Rhetoric and Innovation in Hellenistic Art

Hellenistic artworks are celebrated for innovations such as narrative, characterization, and description. The most striking examples are works associated with the Hellenistic courts. Their revolutionary appearance is usually attributed to Alexander the Great's conquest of the Near East, the start of the Hellenistic kingdoms, and Greek-Eastern interactions. In Rhetoric and Innovation in Hellenistic Art, Kristen Seaman offers a new approach to Hellenistic art by investigating an internal development in Greek cultural production, notably, advances in rhetoric. Rhetorical education taught kings, artists, and courtiers how to be Greek, giving them a common intellectual and cultural background from which they approached art. Seaman explores how rhetorical techniques helped artists and their royal patrons construct Hellenism through their innovative art in the scholarly atmospheres of Pergamon and Alexandria. Drawing upon artistic, literary, and historical evidence, this interdisciplinary study will be of interest to students and scholars in art and archaeology, Classics, and ancient history.
Abstract A075: Gender diversity in academic oncology programs

Purpose: This study sought to examine gender diversity among academic faculty of medical oncology, hematology/oncology, and radiation oncology residency programs in the United States (U.S.), Canada, and Spain. Methods: Data from the Association of American Medical College (AAMC) were used to examine faculty composition of medical oncology, hematology/oncology, and radiation oncology departments in U.S. institutions for the years 1977 and 2017. For international data, public webpages listing post-graduate training programs in medical oncology and radiation oncology were examined and the genders of department heads were recorded. Results: In the U.S., in 1977, women made up 8%, 9%, and 7% of the total workforce among hematology/oncology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology faculty positions, respectively, compared to 44%, 40%, and 27%, respectively, in 2017. Regarding departmental leadership, in the U.S., 9% (8/89) of radiation oncology department chairs were women. In Canada, for radiation oncology, 11 department heads were men, 1 was a woman, and 1 department could not be determined (8-15% women). For medical oncology, 10 department heads were men, 3 women, and 2 were unknown (20-33% women). In Spain, 12 radiation oncology heads were women, 28 men, and 8 were unknown (25-42% women); for medical oncology, 14 department heads were women, 52 were men, and 11 were unknown (25-42% women). Conclusions: Women have historically increased in representation in the U.S. oncology workforce; however, they remain under-represented relative to the overall U.S. population. Women were also under-represented at the level of chair in the U.S., Canada, and Spain. Further research and efforts are needed to enlist and advance women in oncologic fields both nationally and internationally and understand barriers to training, practice, and advancement. Citation Format: Crystal S. Seldon, Awad A. Ahmed, Ricardo Llorente, Stella K. Yoo, Emma B. Holliday, Charles R. Thomas, Reshma Jagsi, Curtiland Deville Jr. Gender diversity in academic oncology programs [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2018 Nov 2-5; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl):Abstract nr A075.
Elective neck dissection for T3/T4 cN0 sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma

Background In locally advanced sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC), management of the clinically node-negative (cN0) neck is variable and elective neck dissection (END) remains controversial. Methods Patients with surgically treated T3/T4 cN0 M0 SNSCC were identified using the NCDB. Overall survival (OS) was assessed by Cox proportional hazard analysis in propensity score-matched cohorts. Factors associated with END were evaluated with logistic regression. Results Two hundred twenty patients underwent END (19.6%). END did not correlated with OS in propensity score-matched cohorts (HR 0.971, 95% CI 0.677-1.392), a maxillary sinus tumor subgroup (HR 1.089, 95% CI 0.742-1.599), or by radiation status [radiation: (HR 0.802, 95% CI 0.584-1.102); no radiation: (HR 0.852, 95% CI 0.502-1.445)]. The occult metastasis rate in the END cohort was 12.7%. Conclusion END did not significantly improve OS in this study. Further information on disease-free survival is necessary to determine its role in advanced-stage SNSCC.
Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women with a History of Essure Placement: A Systematic Review of Differential Diagnosis and Management Options

Study Objective The purpose of this article is to provide an evidence based review of management options for patients with pelvic pain and an in situ Essure device. Design Literature review and qualitative analysis. Setting N/A Patients or Participants N/A Interventions N/A Measurements and Main Results The Essure device was voluntarily withdrawn from the market in 2018 by the manufacturer due in part to concerns about post placement adverse events and an FDA black box warning about uterine and fallopian tube perforation, suspected allergic or hypersensitivity reaction, and need for surgical removal for adverse events which were mostly related to pain. We performed a PubMed keyword literature search, as well as directed searches of Obstetrics & Gynecology, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. A total of 43 publications were included, and consisted of 7 prospective studies, 15 retrospective studies, 18 case series, 2 review articles, and one summary article by the FDA. Conclusion A brief summary of recommendations and conclusions from this review: - Initial work up of pain in a patient with Essure devices should begin with placement confirmation via either transvaginal ultrasound or hysterosalpingogram/Xray. - In the event Essure microinserts are malpositioned, device removal is recommended. - In patients with a history and physical exam suggestive of possible endometriosis or adenomyosis, consider an attempt at hormonal management prior to surgical excision of the Essure device. - We recommend a laparoscopic resection of the fallopian tubes with or without partial coronuectomy for the management of pelvic pain of and no other identifiable source, even if Essure device is positioned appropriately. - We recommend an imaging modality be available in the OR during device removal to confirm an intact device and/or complete resection. - If hysterectomy is planned for in patients with the Essure device for indications other than pelvic pain, we recommend en block resection of the fallopian tubes and cornua.
Implementation and Validation of the Hydride Nucleation-Growth-Dissolution (HNGD) model in BISON

Abstract During the operation of a light water reactor, a fraction of the hydrogen produced by waterside corrosion is absorbed into the nuclear fuel cladding. When the hydrogen concentration reaches its solubility limit, a brittle zirconium hydride phase precipitates, leading to a loss of ductility of the cladding. To assess cladding integrity, an accurate simulation tool is needed to predict hydrogen distribution within the cladding and hydride precipitation. Recent studies have developed an improved understanding of the physical processes involved in hydrogen redistribution, and hydride precipitation and dissolution. This research led to the development of a new model, called Hydride Nucleation-Growth-Dissolution (HNGD). The present work describes the implementation of HNGD into the fuel performance code BISON, developed at Idaho National Laboratory. The main innovative feature of the HNGD model is that it accounts for hydride nucleation and growth as two distinct precipitation components, using the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov model to describe hydride growth kinetics. Each step of the model implementation into BISON was systematically verified, and simulations of experiments performed for validation, showing that the HNGD model provides improved predictions, and captures some experimentally observed physical phenomena related to hydride growth that the previous model could not.
What Does "Patient-Centered" Mean? Qualitative Perspectives from Older Adults and Family Caregivers.

This study aimed to (1) examine what patient-centeredness means for older adults and family caregivers, and (2) assess circumstances underlying their preference for geriatric care. We conducted sep...
Urinary Heavy Metals and Longitudinal Changes in Blood Pressure in Midlife Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Environmental exposure to heavy metals may contribute to increased blood pressure; however, evidence from midlife women who are at greater risk of cardio-metabolic disease is limited. We evaluated the associations of urinary concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead with longitudinal changes in blood pressure in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Multi-Pollutant Study. The sample included 1317 White, Black, Chinese, and Japanese women, aged 45 to 56 years at baseline (1999-2000), whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure were measured annually or biannually through 2017. Urinary metal concentrations were determined at baseline. Longitudinal changes in SBP and diastolic blood pressure were modeled using linear mixed-effects models by tertiles of metal concentrations. After multivariable adjustment, estimated annualized increases (95% CI) in SBP in the highest and lowest tertiles were 0.93 (0.85-1.01) mm Hg and 0.74 (0.66-0.82) mm Hg for arsenic, 0.82 (0.75-0.90) mm Hg and 0.72 (0.65-0.80) mm Hg for mercury, and 0.86 (0.78-0.93) mm Hg and 0.72 (0.64-0.79) mm Hg for lead, respectively. Similar results were observed for associations of arsenic, mercury, lead with diastolic blood pressure. Urinary cadmium was associated with a greater rate of increase in SBP only among never smokers. Women with higher concentrations of all four metals had greater annualized increases in SBP and diastolic blood pressure than those with lower concentrations. Our findings suggest that exposure to heavy metals may accelerate the increase in blood pressure in midlife women, supporting the need for continued efforts to reduce these environmental exposures.
Single Prolonged Stress Reduces Intrinsic Excitability and Excitatory Synaptic Drive Onto Pyramidal Neurons in the Infralimbic Prefrontal Cortex of Adult Male Rats

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic, debilitating mental illness marked by abnormal fear responses and deficits in extinction of fear memories. The pathophysiology of PTSD is linked to decreased activation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). This study aims to investigate underlying functional changes in synaptic drive and intrinsic excitability of pyramidal neurons in the rodent homolog of the vmPFC, the infralimbic cortex (IL), following exposure to single prolonged stress (SPS), a paradigm that mimics core symptoms of PTSD in rats. Rats were exposed to SPS and allowed 1 week of recovery, following which brain slices containing the PFC were prepared for whole-cell patch clamp recordings from layer V pyramidal neurons in the IL. Our results indicate that SPS reduces spontaneous excitatory synaptic drive to pyramidal neurons. In addition, SPS decreases the intrinsic membrane excitability of IL PFC pyramidal cells, as indicated by an increase in rheobase, decrease in input resistance, hyperpolarization of resting membrane potential, and a reduction in repetitive firing rate. Our results suggest that SPS causes a lasting reduction in PFC activity, supporting a body of evidence linking traumatic stress with prefrontal hypoactivity.
Fostering a Tech Culture through Campus Collaborations: A Case Study of a Hackathon and Library Partnership

Hackathons are time-bound, competitive coding contests that are often judged for prizes. Their name originates from joining hacking, playful exploration of hardware and software issues, with marath...