cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High intensity focused ultrasound as first line salvage therapy in prostate cancer local relapse after radical prostatectomy: 4-year follow-up outcomes

Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men and the second leading cause of cancer death in developed countries. Despite the primary treatments, 20-30% of patients experience a recurrence. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of salvage high intensity focused ultrasound (HIF U) after radical prostatectomy in terms of biochemical free survival rate (BFSR) and PSA nadir. Methods Twenty two patients with local recurrence of Pca after radical prostatectomy underwent HIFU as first-line salvage therapy. Considering that in all HIFU experiences, PSA nadir and PSA failure are different and PSA definition of BFSR is unknown, we defined treatment success as a PSA nadir ≤0.4 ng/mL 3 months after treatment. All early and late medical and surgical complications were recorded. Results Ten of the 22 patients (45.5%) were classified as "success" three months after HIFU, showing a nadir PSA≤0.4 ng/mL; 12/22 patients (54.5%) were classified as "failure" during follow-up (median follow-up: 48 months). Seventeen of 22 (77%) patients were continent (no-pad) before HIFU. A new diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence was made in 5 cases (early onset) after treatment. A case of vesicoureteral anastomotic stenosis was treated, endoscopically through cold urethrotomy. We did not observe cases of recto-urinary fistula or persistent lower urinary tract symptoms. Two sevenths of the patients complained about de novo erectile dysfunction after HIFU. Conclusions The positive oncologic outcomes in the short term anyway obtained in selected patients, associated with documented mild side effects, represent the basis to start more organic, prospective, randomized and multicenter study protocols, that with a long term follow-up could confirm these promising preliminary results.
Geosynthetics used to stabilize vegetated surfaces for environmental sustainability in civil engineering

Geosynthetics, factory-manufactured polymer materials, have been successfully used to solve many geotechnical problems in civil engineering. Two common applications are earth stabilization and erosion control. Geosynthetics used for earth stabilization include but are not limited to stabilized slopes, walls, embankments, and roads. Geosynthetics used for erosion control are mostly related to slopes, river channels and banks, and pond spillways. To enhance environmental sustainability, vegetation has been increasingly planted on the facing or surfaces of these earth structures. Under such a condition, geosynthetics mainly function as surficial soil stabilization while vegetation provides green appearance and erosion protection of earth surfaces. Recently, geosynthetic or geosynthetic-like material has been used to form green walls outside or inside buildings to enhance sustainability. Geosynthetics and vegetation are often integrated to provide combined benefits. The interaction between geosynthetics and vegetation is important for the sustainability of the earth and building wall surfaces. This paper provides a review of the current practice and research in the geosynthetic stabilization of vegetated earth and building surfaces for environmental sustainability in civil engineering with the emphases on geosynthetic used for erosion protection, geosynthetic-stabilized slopes, geosynthetic-stabilized unpaved shoulders and parking lots, and geosynthetic-stabilized vegetated building surfaces.
A Concise Guide to the Articles of Confederation as a Source for Determining the Original Meaning of the Constitution

Judges and scholars often refer to the Articles of Confederation when making claims about the original meaning of the United States Constitution. To help readers understand and evaluate such claims, this piece describes the formation and content of the Articles of Confederation and explains four ways in which the Articles may provide evidence of the original meaning of the Constitution. The two appendices to this piece contain an annotated copy of the Articles of Confederation and a table linking provisions of the Constitution to their antecedents in the Articles.
Host–Microbe Interactions: Winning the Colonization Lottery

Summary Stochastic bottlenecks during bacterial colonization of animal hosts lead to reduced genetic diversity in the resulting microbiota and, at low-inoculation doses, can result in hosts that remain uncolonized. Bacterial strains vary in their colonization efficiency and resistance to displacement.
Parametric Linkage Analysis Identifies Five Novel Genome-Wide Significant Loci for Familial Lung Cancer.

Objective One of four American cancer patients dies of lung cancer. Environmental factors such as tobacco smoking are known to affect lung cancer risk. However, there is a genetic factor to lung cancer risk as well. Here, we perform parametric linkage analysis on family-based genotype data in an effort to find genetic loci linked to the disease. Methods 197 individuals from families with a high-risk history of lung cancer were recruited and genotyped using an Illumina array. Parametric linkage analyses were performed using an affected-only phenotype model with an autosomal dominant inheritance using a disease allele frequency of 0.01. Three types of analyses were performed: single variant two-point, collapsed haplotype pattern variant two-point, and multipoint analysis. Results Five novel genome-wide significant loci were identified at 18p11.23, 2p22.2, 14q13.1, 16p13, and 20q13.11. The families most informative for linkage were also determined. Conclusions The 5 novel signals are good candidate regions, containing genes that have been implicated as having somatic changes in lung cancer or other cancers (though not in germ line cells). Targeted sequencing on the significant loci is planned to determine the causal variants at these loci.
Generalized Quantum Dynamics

Time evolution in textbook quantum mechanics is represented by unitary maps \(\vert \psi \rangle \rightarrow U\vert \psi \rangle\) and \(\rho \rightarrow U\rho {U}^{\dag }\), where \(U ={ \mathrm{e}}^{-itH}\). This is not the most general evolution possible. We can couple our system to another one, evolve both with a unitary operator that will, in general, create entanglement between the two systems, and then trace out the second system. The resulting evolution for the original system alone will be non-unitary, in general, and can be described by a non-unitary quantum map.
Utilization of metal-polymer interactions for self-aligned directed self-assembly of device relevant features

Self-aligned strategies are required because today’s feature sizes are beyond the resolution limit of the exposure tools. One self-aligned strategy is directed self-assembly (DSA), where block copolymers (BCP) are thermodynamically driven to self-align with a lithographically defined template with chemical contrast and/or topography. It would be particularly advantageous to also encode existing structures into thermodynamic information, then thermodynamics would cause BCP to self-align to these existing structures rectifying placement error. These existing features could be cut masks, which are required to fabricate devices from line and space arrays, or they could be interconnects. Here, we show a technique, by which metal–polymer interactions can be used in place of polymer–polymer interactions. These metal–polymer interactions, which cannot be adequately described by conventional surface energy comparisons, allow for a true self-aligned process. We begin by classifying process relevant metals including gold, aluminum, copper, tungsten, and cobalt, based upon their thermodynamic interactions with poly(styrene-block-methyl methacrylate). We then created guide patterns using metal and dielectric line space arrays. These patterns, when combined with DSA, allow for lines and space patterns to be self-aligned to any exposed metal features and reduce process constraints on exposure tools. Our process can also be used to align line and space patterns to metal layers during the back end of the line processing. A similar process could also be used to guide contact hole shrink to correct for placement error in the initial lithographic template.
Proterozoic Evolution of the Llano Uplift, Central Texas: Evidence for High-Pressure Metamorphism from the Oxford Mafic Body

A unique garnetiferous occurrence of Proterozoic mafic rocks in the south-central Llano Uplift near Oxford in central Texas provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that rocks in the southeast uplift shared the high-pressure metamorphism recorded in remnants of mafic eclogites in the northwest uplift (Mason County eclogite: Wilkerson et al., 1988) and northern uplift (Whitt Ranch metagabbro: Schwarze, 1990). Petrologic features that formed during early high-pressure metamorphism have been partly obscured, however, by late amphibolite-facies retrogression at low pressure, which overprinted many rocks throughout the uplift. Prior to this study of the Oxford body, involvement of the rocks in the southeast portion of the uplift in an early high-pressure metamorphic event had been inferred only on the basis of staurolite textures and chemistry from two localities in the Precambrian Rough Ridge Formation and from regional trends in homogenization of prograde garnet zoning (Carlson and Nelis, 1986; Carlson and Schwarze, 1993; Carlson and Reese, 1994).
A Novel Compound, ML336, Inhibits VEEV Replication by Interfering with Viral RNA Synthesis

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an alphavirus that is endemic to Central and South America. VEEV is known to cause periodic outbreaks of encephalitis in both humans and equids. There are currently no treatments or preventatives for VEEV disease. Our group has previously reported on the development of a novel VEEV inhibitor, ML336, which showed a potent antiviral effect in cell culture models. However, the mechanism of action had yet to be elucidated. Based on the discovery of mutations conferring resistance within nonstructural proteins, we hypothesized that ML336 inhibits viral RNA synthesis. We found that ML336 was able to inhibit VEEV RNA synthesis with an IC50 value of 1.1 nM in a metabolic labelling assay. ML336 marginally affected cellular transcription at levels 20,000-fold above the IC50, and did not show any cytotoxicity up to 50 µM. Using a combination of fluorography, strand-specific qRT-PCR, and a metabolic labelling assay, we found that ML336 inhibits the synthesis of all forms of VEEV RNA. Structural analogues of ML336 showed a correlation between their RNA synthesis inhibitory activity and their antiviral activity in cells, leading us to propose that the primary mechanism of action of this class of compounds is viral RNA synthesis inhibition. The activities of ML336 were highly specific to VEEV, without measurable activity against Chikungunya virus. ML336 was efficacious even in a cell-free viral RNA synthesis assay, suggesting a direct interaction with viral proteins.
DNA Repair Genes and Genomic Instability in Severe Male Factor Infertility

The maintenance of genomic integrity is of key importance for gametogenesis. Nevertheless, the processes of DNA replication, mitosis, and meiosis are surprisingly error-prone and subject to damage. Accordingly, a series of DNA repair mechanisms have evolved that recognize and repair DNA damage and DNA replication errors to maintain the fidelity of the DNA sequence. Gradually translating findings from targeted gene deletion and mutant mouse models to human male infertility, we have learned that the processes of mitosis and meiosis require proper functioning of the entire DNA repair mechanism in the cell for normal fertility to be present in the male. This chapter focuses on our current understanding of the processes required for the maintenance of DNA integrity during spermatogensis.
Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Laetoli Area Tuffs: Lower Laetolil through Naibadad Beds

Tuffs from the Lower Laetolil, Upper Laetolil, Ndolanya, and Naibadad Beds of the Laetoli and Kakesio areas of Tanzania are characterized and compared to serve as correlation tools for this important paleoanthropological region. These beds contain variably-altered tuffs of original carbonatitic, nephelinitic, phonolitic, trachytic, and rhyolitic composition, tracking changes in volcanic source area and local diagenetic conditions. Previous studies (e.g., Hay 1987) show compositional differences between tuffs from different Laetoli area beds, but do not provide the tuff-specific information needed to create a high-resolution tephro-stratigraphic framework. This study details differences in mineral composition between individual tuffs (where distinguishable) within each bed. The Lower Laetolil tuffs have similar compositions but can generally be distinguished by their andradite compositions. Titanomagnetite and perovskite compositions help distinguish individual Upper Laetolil tuffs, and divide the bed compositionally into lower (UL 1–4) and upper (UL 5–8) units. Augite compositions distinguish the individual Ndolanya tuffs analyzed in this study, whereas glass compositions distinguish individual Naibadad tuffs. The variable degree of alteration observed within and between sites at Laetoli makes the comparison of mineral assemblages an unreliable means for identifying tuffs. Glass, nepheline, and melilite were likely significant components of the original Laetolil Beds tuff mineral assemblages, but are now recognized in few (if any) samples except by the presence of likely alteration products. Feldspar and biotite also show signs of degradation. A comparison of glass and phenocryst compositions between the Naibadad tuffs and the tuffs of lower Bed I at Olduvai Gorge does not support a direct correlation between the two sites. The presence of quartz and rhyolitic and trachytic glass in both does suggest a common source, likely Ngorongoro Crater.
Evolving Functional and Advanced Image Analysis Techniques for Adrenal Lesion Characterization

Recent advances in imaging techniques and the widespread use of high-resolution thin slice CT imaging has led to an increased detection of adrenal lesions as has been discussed in earlier chapters [1, 2]. It is again essential to characterize all adrenal lesions in patients with known cancer elsewhere in the body because many tumors particularly lung cancer have a propensity to metastasize into the adrenal glands [3]. However, themajority of adrenal lesions are still benign cortical adenomas and only 26% 36% of adrenal lesions in patients with a known cancer are metastatic [4, 5]. Nonetheless, it is critical to differentiate benign frommalignant lesions because the presence of metastasis might contraindicate a curative surgery or radiotherapy and may have significant impact on life expectancy [6]. Conventional imaging techniques with measurement of Hounsfield units on non enhanced CT, washout characteristics on CT and drop in signal intensity on out-of-phase chemical shift MR imaging help to characterize the majority of the adrenal lesions again as discussed in detail in Chaps. 9 and 10. However, still a sizable percent of adrenal lesions require either biopsy or surgery or interval followup to determine the type of lesion. Recent advances in image acquisition and post processing techniques on both CT and MR are helping to expand the research tools available for adrenal imaging. In this chapter, the evolving concepts and principles of advanced image analysis that can be utilized for adrenal lesion characterization such as dual energy N.S. Holalkere (*) Department of Radiology, Boston Medical Center, 820 Harrison Ave, FGH Building, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02118 E-mail: Nagaraj.Holalkere@bmc.org
Deadline-Constrained Repeat reQuest mechanisms for wireless communication channels

Distributed (networked) control systems where data exchanges have to satisfy real-time constraints could advantageously use centralized Medium Access Control schemes implementing priority-based scheduling strategies borrowed from the operating system domain. When considering lossy channels, as in the case of wireless networks, Automatic Repeat reQuest mechanisms are needed to ensure the required levels of reliability. As retransmissions impact on bandwidth consumption and introduce latency, adequate tradeoffs between reliability and timeliness have to be determined. Some solutions have been proposed in the recent past, aimed at helping designers in finding the best compromise under given system requirements. In this paper, we generalize them as a class of Deadline-Constrained Repeat reQuest mechanisms. Lower and upper bounds on the probability of delivering data successfully (i.e., correctly and timely), in spite of transmission errors, are computed for the entire class, under specific channel conditions. These results may help designers in assessing the advantages of each solution.
Pre-FHIR Interoperability and Clinical Decision Support Standards

In the last chapter, we looked at the evolution of standards and examined the key health data standards. For use in actual patient care, standardized clinical data, typically along with other non-standardized data such as free text notes, must be packaged into a useful and usable form and sent using widely accepted data sharing standards and approaches. Many people feel that these standards and approaches will increasingly be FHIR APIs but FHIR is still being developed and the first ‘normative’ version isn’t expected until late 2018 so for some time into the future earlier standards will continue to be used. We will look at FHIR in the next chapter, while in this one we will look at the standards for packaging and sharing data that predate it.
Machine learning in detecting frequency-following responses

To improve the efficiency and timeliness in frequency-following response (FFR) testing, the purpose of this study was to investigate the capabilities of machine learning in the detection of FFRs. Continuous brain waves were recorded from 25 Chinese adults in response to a pre-recorded Mandarin monosyllable \yi2\ with a rising frequency contour. A total of 8000 artifact-free sweeps were recorded from each participant. Continuous brain waves sub-averaged from the first sweep up to the first 500 sweeps were considered FFR absent, whereas brain waves sub-averaged from the first sweep up to the last 1000 sweeps were considered FFR present. Six response features (Frequency Error, Slope Error, Tracking Accuracy, Spectral Amplitude, Pitch Strength and Root-Mean-Square Amplitude) were extracted from each recording and served as key predictors. Twenty-three supervised machine-learning algorithms, with a 10-fold cross-validation procedure, were implemented via a Classification Learner App in MATLAB. Two algorithms yielded 100% efficiency (i.e., 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity) and 14 others produced efficiency of 99%. Results indicated that a majority of the machine-learning algorithms provided accurate predictions in whether an FFR was present or absent in a recording.
Squamates as prey: Predator diversity patterns and predator-prey size relationships

Abstract Understanding the relationships between prey and their predators can provide important insights into evolution of defenses, foraging ecology, and functional roles within their ecosystem. Squamates (lizards and snakes) exhibit a wide range of morphological, ecological and behavioral variation and are model organisms for the study of the evolution of anti-predator traits, making them an ideal group to search for general patterns in predator-prey relationships. We compiled a squamate predator database that consisted of 1152 squamate predation-prey interactions representing 396 lizard species from 30 families and 217 snake species from 13 families. We quantified the predator taxonomic diversity and explored the relationship between predator size and prey size. Both lizards and snakes were preyed upon by a greater diversity of squamate predators compared to avian and mammalian predators. Snakes appear to be more vulnerable to a broader size range of predators compared to lizards, which is likely attributed to differences in their body morphology. These results provide further support for the hypotheses that predation pressure may affect the evolutionary trajectory of squamate defenses.
The Compact Theory of the Union—A Revolution Within a Form

This chapter traces the evolution of the localist tradition in the early years of the American republic by a way of partially converging with the centralist thought and partially by subverting it and transforming it from within. The medium within which these two processes coalesced was a reinterpretation of the Constitution, a document conceived as an instrument of state-building that was so unpopular that it had to be sold by its proponents as a decentralist document. The result was a new compact theory of the American Union that claimed the union was a contract among the preexisting and sovereign states, with the federal government figuring as a limited government of designated powers. This picture sharply militated against the original idea animating its Framers in Philadelphia: consolidating the kaleidoscope of irrational local communities into a single national state. The resistance to the project forced them to explain away many inconvenient features and provisions of the Constitution; in turn, decentralists took these reservations and make a new orthodoxy out of it. Jefferson and Madison in 1798 with the doctrine of interposition/nullification and their followers in the coming decades just repackaged and philosophically refined the basic idea that independent states created the union and retained the most important powers for themselves.
Elevated PTEN expression maintains anergy in human B cells and reveals unexpectedly high repertoire autoreactivity

It has been reported that 2.5%-30% of human peripheral CD27- B cells are autoreactive and anergic based on unresponsiveness to antigen receptor (BCR) stimulation and autoreactivity of cloned and expressed BCR. The molecular mechanisms that maintain this unresponsiveness are unknown. Here, we showed that in humans anergy is maintained by elevated expression of PTEN, a phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5P-3-phosphatase. Upregulation of PTEN was associated with reduced expression of microRNAs that control its expression. Pharmacologic inhibition of PTEN lead to significant restoration of responsiveness. Consistent with a role in conferring risk of autoimmunity, B cells from type 1 diabetics and autoimmune thyroid disease patients expressed reduced PTEN. Unexpectedly, in healthy individuals PTEN expression was elevated in on average 40% of CD27- B cells, with levels gradually decreasing as IgM levels increase. Our findings suggest that a much higher proportion of the peripheral repertoire is autoreactive than previously thought and that B cells upregulate PTEN in a manner that is proportional to the recognition of autoantigens of increasing avidity, thus tuning BCR signaling to prevent development of autoimmunity while providing a reservoir of cells that can be readily activated to respond when needed.
Thyroid nodules over 4 cm do not have higher malignancy or benign cytology false-negative rates

Whether thyroid nodules 4 cm or larger with benign cytology carry a higher risk of malignancy, and should be managed differently than smaller nodules remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the malignancy rate and benign cytology false-negative rate in thyroid nodules ≥4 cm compared with those <4 cm. All thyroidectomies between January 2010 and December 2014 were reviewed. Patient demographics, preoperative sonographic nodule size, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), and final surgical pathology results were compared for index nodules ≥4 vs. <4 cm. A total of 490 index nodules with preoperative FNAC were identified. A total of 137 nodules were ≥4 cm and 353 nodules were <4 cm. The prevalence of carcinoma was lower (23 vs. 53%) in nodules ≥4 vs. <4 cm (p < 0.0001). The false-negative rate of benign FNAC for ≥4 and <4 cm index nodule was 5.2% and 5.9%, respectively (p = 1.000). This study shows that thyroid nodules ≥4 cm do not have a higher malignancy rate at surgery nor higher benign cytology false-negative rate than smaller nodules. Thyroid nodules over 4 cm do not require resection, to rule out malignancy, based on size alone.
P11 Evaluation of a Food and Children's Emotions (FACE) Picture Book and Tool for Improving Head Start Preschoolers’ Ability to Recognize Six Basic, Food-Related Emotions

Background Emotions likely play a role in children's food choice. Before understanding the association between children's emotions, food preferences, and food choice, tools must be developed to measure and improve a child's ability to recognize emotions. Objective To evaluate a Food and Children's Emotions (FACE) picture book and tool to improve preschoolers’ ability to recognize six basic, food-related emotions: happy, sad, fear, mad, feeling nothing, and disgust. Study Design, Settings, Participants Researchers developed a FACE picture book and tool, which asks children to match facial expressions of emotions with corresponding labels. Fifty two four-to-five-year-old preschoolers (28 (53.8%) Black/African American and 24 (46.2%) Hispanic) from Head Start schools in North Carolina were randomly assigned to the control or intervention group. All children completed three assessment periods (T0, T1, and T2); each assessment occurred 7-14 days after the previous one. The picture book was read to the intervention group just prior to the T1 assessment. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Descriptive statistics, such as counts and percentages, were used to describe gender and ethnicity for the sample. Data were analyzed using Cochran's Q test and McNemar's test (P Results Cochran's Q test detected significant differences in children's ability to recognize fear, feeling nothing, and disgust across the three assessments in the intervention group, but not the control group. McNemar's test indicated that the intervention significantly improved children's ability to recognize those three emotions from T0 to T1 and from T0 to T2, and indicated high consistency in children's ability to recognize those emotions. At T0, preschoolers were fairly adept at recognizing happy, sad, and mad, and no significant differences were detected in their ability to recognize those emotions in either group between assessments. Conclusion This study provided evidence that the FACE picture book and tool are effective, valid, and reliable at measuring preschoolers’ ability to recognize six emotions and improving their ability to recognize fear, feeling nothing, and disgust. Funding None.
Quantifying the elemental composition of mosses in western Washington USA.

Abstract Major and trace element deposition across western Washington, USA was assessed in 2016 and 2017 by analyzing tissue metal concentrations in the epiphytic mosses Isothecium stoloniferum (Bridel) and Kindbergia praelonga (Hedw.) Ochyra. We used an intensive, vertically stratified sampling approach in Acer macrophyllum canopies in the Hoh Rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula, WA and in Seattle, WA to collect 214 samples of I. stoloniferum. An extensive, ground-based sampling approach was used across an urban-to-wildland gradient to collect 59 K. praelonga samples. Intensive samples were collected four times (April, July, and October of 2016 and in January 2017) and extensive samples three times (April, July, and October 2016) to assess seasonal differences in metal concentrations across sampling locations. A total of 273 moss samples were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, and Zn concentrations. Elevated concentrations of these elements were found in moss samples from both intensive and extensive sampling efforts across all seasons. Sampling location for both intensive and extensive sampling efforts was found to be a significant factor in determining moss metal concentrations. Metal deposition in and around Seattle appears to be derived from the regional transportation sector and other industrial sources. Ten I. stoloniferum samples from Seattle and the Hoh Rainforest were analyzed for Pb and Sr isotope ratios to help differentiate between natural and industrial-based emission sources. Hoh Rainforest Pb isotopes appear to be explained by a mixture of long-range Asian Pb influences and natural Pb sources, whereas Seattle Pb isotopes appear driven by industrial and road dust sources.
Vertical Trust Networks in the Nazi Bureaucracy

This chapter discusses the role of vertical trust—the trust that governs the relationship between superiors and subordinates in an organization—in determining both the capacity for efficient behavior within a bureau and the level of productivity of the subordinates within the bureau. Vertical trust is determined by a number of factors that are measurable, such as the frequency of promotions within the bureaucracy and the perquisites available to subordinates in the bureaucracy, which include bonuses and other benefits and awards. Examples of the factors present in the Nazi bureaucracy that are discussed in this chapter include advancement and perquisites in the SS, and rewards to those who orchestrated the Reichstag fire, which established Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship in 1933.
Introduction to Electrical Safety in High School: Information for Prospective Engineering Students

This article introduces electrical safety to high school students enrolled in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program called Project Lead the Way (PLTW). PLTW is a nonprofit organization that has developed programs that teach skills such as critical and creative thinking, collaboration, and problem solving based on the development of technical knowledge. The program taught at the Appoquinimink High School in Delaware is the PLTW Engineering pathway. In discussions with the program teacher, the offer of providing a basic introduction to electrical safety was introduced. The plan was to present electrical safety basics to students in the program during the month of May. Topics covered were standardswriting organizations, engineering societies, Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), electrical engineering with a focus on the power/industrial side (that is, the hazards), and electrical safety around the home. Planned homework assignments were provided. The intention of this program was to create interest in electrical engineering with a focus on electrical safety.
2020 ACM SIGMIS Early Career Award

It is our great pleasure to announce that Dr. Christian Maier, University of Bamberg, Germany, is the recipient of the 2020 ACM SIGMIS Early Career Award. Dr. Maier is the first recipient of this new honor that recognizes the early achievements of young scholars in the field of management information systems. The award will be announced annually at the ACM SIGMIS CPR Conference. Following his studies in Information Systems, Dr. Maier received a three-year doctoral scholarship from the Bavarian Elite Foundation (BayEFG). He successfully completed his doctorate "Technostress: theoretical foundations and empirical evidence" in 2014. His work was awarded, among others, the Schmalenbach Prize 2015. In addition, his research work was nominated for Best Paper Awards (at both ECIS and ICIS) and was awarded the Magid Igbaria Outstanding Conference Paper Award of the ACM, among others.
Methyl cellulose solutions and gels: fibril formation and gelation properties

Abstract Methyl cellulose (MC) is a semiflexible cellulose ether derivative with a wide range of industrial applications, owing to its water solubility at low temperatures and thermoreversible gelation upon heating. The gelation mechanism of aqueous MC solutions has been debated for many years. However, in 2010, gelation was discovered to be concurrent with fibril formation upon heating, whereby the MC polymer chains self-assemble into fibrils with a remarkably consistent mean diameter, largely independent of polymer concentration, molecular weight, and temperature of gelation. This discovery has shed important light on the gelation mechanism, and initiated studies that lead to more intriguing questions about the fibrils themselves. This review emphasizes various developments since the discovery of fibril formation, while highlighting unanswered questions that require further investigation.
Instrumental indicators of desirable texture attributes of French fries

Abstract The texture quality of French fries is critical to the potato processing industry. Sensory evaluation via testing mouth sensation or by visual and finger spinning inspection are the primary methods to assess French fry texture quality. Instrumental texture analysis has not been practically used due to data inconsistency. This study aimed to minimize variations of instrumental analysis and identify instrumental parameters with strong correlations to a sensory evaluation to enhance the effectiveness of the texture quality assessment. This research was carried out on an industrial scale and utilized 10 potato varieties to increase the texture variation of samples. The sensory evaluation by the visual and finger spinning inspection was performed following industrial procedures and standards. Results showed instrumental crispness and crunchiness, as represented by the slope of the first significant fracture and the number of fractures of the force-distance curve in a cut test with a T-42 blade, were strongly correlated with desirable sensory attributes. Microstructure examination revealed that a low level of crust compactness was associated with instrumental crispness and crunchiness. The procedure advanced in this study had a small data variation and concluded that instrumental crispness and crunchiness are strong indicators of premium French fry texture quality.
Shrinkage estimation of long-term water ingestion rates.

Background Water consumption is a necessity for human life, though it also presents an opportunity for exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins. In order to gain a better understanding of the potential levels of chronic exposure, accurate estimates of long-term water consumption are needed. Objective The objective of this study is to estimate long-term water consumption using a nationally representative sample of the US population. Methods In this study, we use a random effects model to obtain shrinkage estimates of average daily water consumption for National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants from 2005 to 2010, and compare to their empirical 2-day averages. Results Our results demonstrate that the shrinkage estimates yielded a reduction in estimated mean water consumption. The 95th percentile was reduced from 3292 to 2529 ml/day. In addition, standard deviation of water consumption for this group decreased from 1052 to 688 ml/day. Similar reductions in the mean and variance were observed stratifying by age and race. Significance Random effects models may provide a more accurate measure of daily water consumption and could be utilized for future exposure and risk assessments.
The usefulness of Non-IFRS segment data

Abstract A controversial aspect of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 8 allows firms to define their segment profit (or loss) on a different basis than IFRS measurement and recognition principles, but whether these non-IFRS segment data are useful is in large part unexplored. We fill this gap by investigating the usefulness of non-IFRS segment data from the perspective of financial analysts. Using hand-collected segment data on a sample of European multi-segment firms, we find empirical evidence that non-IFRS segment data lead to less accurate analyst forecasts. Additionally, we find that non-IFRS segment data are associated with higher forecast dispersion, higher uncertainty in analysts’ forecasts, and a lower precision of analysts’ public information set. Collectively, our findings suggest that non-IFRS segment data impair analysts’ information environment, which casts doubt on their usefulness.
Towards a personalised approach for obesity treatment: one size does not fit all.

Achieving and maintaining weight loss is notoriously difficult, but also incredibly important. Obesity is associated with numerous long-term health consequences, including malignancy, respiratory conditions, musculoskeletal stress, chronic pain, depression and cardiovascular disease.1 One of the challenges of weight loss interventions is the substantial heterogeneity of treatment response. This variability has been demonstrated across lifestyle, pharmacological and surgical treatments. Behavioural strategies, such as diet and exercise regimens, can have widely disparate effects among individuals, ranging from completely ineffective to leading to long-term weight loss.2 Even randomised trials of weight loss medications or types of bariatric surgery can show significant variability in treatment response.3 While many weight management strategies have been tried, few have focused specifically on predictors of response to a given intervention. Tijssen et al 4 address this critical gap in the evidence by characterising weight loss in the Randomised Evaluation of Secondary Prevention by Outpatient Nurse Specialists-2 (RESPONSE-2) Trial, and by identifying predictors of success. RESPONSE-2 was a multicentre clinical trial conducted in the Netherlands that randomised patients with recent hospitalisation or revascularisation for coronary artery disease to usual care versus one or more interventions for smoking cessation, increasing physical activity or weight loss.5 Participants were referred by a nurse and offered free participation in these widely available community-based programmes based on their risk profiles and …
Adipose stem cells and donor demographics: Impact of anatomic location, donor sex, race, BMI, and health

Abstract Adipose stem cells (ASCs) have seen an increasing number of applications, and studies have introduced consistency and efficiency into extraction and processing methods across a wide variety of patient variables and factors. ASCs see many uses in current clinical and experimental applications, with new research and applications being discovered each day. Many factors influence viability, accessibility, and consistency of extracted adipose tissue and stem cells. The majority of these have years of research support, with other variables gaining traction in recent years as understanding and technology evolves. Variables include source of ASC, harvest site, harvest technique, processing method, demographic of patient, and the effect of individual patient health. Consistency and study of these factors will allow work toward a standardized and efficient method for extracting fat in patients of all health levels and demographics. The purpose of this work is to utilize current information to evaluate the state of experimental and clinical extraction of ASCs and to determine the influence of location, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), and health on viability, accessibility, and consistency of ASCs from donors.
Online Statistical Inference for Stochastic Optimization via Kiefer-Wolfowitz Methods.

This paper investigates the problem of online statistical inference of model parameters in stochastic optimization problems via the Kiefer-Wolfowitz algorithm with random search directions. We first present the asymptotic distribution for the Polyak-Ruppert-averaging type Kiefer-Wolfowitz (AKW) estimators, whose asymptotic covariance matrices depend on the function-value query complexity and the distribution of search directions. The distributional result reflects the trade-off between statistical efficiency and function query complexity. We further analyze the choices of random search directions to minimize the asymptotic covariance matrix, and conclude that the optimal search direction depends on the optimality criteria with respect to different summary statistics of the Fisher information matrix. Based on the asymptotic distribution result, we conduct online statistical inference by providing two construction procedures of valid confidence intervals. We provide numerical experiments verifying our theoretical results with the practical effectiveness of the procedures.
The Paradox of Gender among West China Missionary Collectors, 1920-1950

During the turbulent years between the Chinese nationalist revolution of 1911 and the communist victory of 1949, a group of missionaries lived and worked in West China whose social gospel theologies led to unusual identification with Chinese. Among the regular social actors in their lives were itinerant “curio men” who, amidst the chaos of feuding warlords, gathered up the heirlooms of the deposed Manchurian aristocracy and offered these wares for sale on the quiet and orderly verandahs of the mansions inside the missionary compounds of West China Union University. Although missionary men and women often collected the same types of Chinese antiquities, these became variously specimens, fine arts, commodities and household effects because their collecting practices were framed within different cultural and gendered domains of value. The scientific and connoisseurial male-gendered collecting paradigms often bolstered the anti-imperialist Chinese nationalist modernities of the Republican state. They were therefore paradoxically at odds with female-gendered collecting paradigms that drew in part upon feminist discourses of capitalist consumerism. Coupled with residual ideals of domesticity and philanthropy, these fluid female discourses resonated with emergent Chinese New Woman modernities and inspired missionary women in creative bicultural identity projects. Resume Durant les annees turbulentes entre la revolution chinoise de 1911 et la victoire communiste de 1949, un groupe de missionnaires vecut et travailla en Chine occidentale ; leur theologie du christianisme social les amena a une identification inhabituelle avec la population chinoise. Parmi les acteurs sociaux de leurs vies se trouvaient des « vendeurs de bibelots » itinerants qui, au milieu du chaos resultant des combats entre seigneurs de guerre, reunirent le patrimoine de l’aristocratie manchoue dechue et faisaient le tour des verandas calmes et ordonnees des maisons dans l’enceinte missionnaires de la West China Union University pour y vendre leurs marchandises. Meme si missionnaires hommes et femmes collectionnaient souvent les memes types d’antiquites chinoises, le destin de ces biens variait, passant du statut d’echantillon a celui d’objet d’art, de marchandise ou d’objet menager, parce que les pratiques de collection renvoyaient a des systemes de valeur differents en fonction de la culture ou du genre. Les paradigmes masculins de collection qui repondaient a des criteres scientifiques et d’amateurs eclaires mettaient souvent en avant la modernite nationaliste et anti-imperialiste chinoise de l’etat republicain. Ils etaient en consequence paradoxalement en desaccord avec les paradigmes feminins de collection qui se basaient, eux, en partie sur des discours feministes de consumerisme capitaliste. Associes a des ideaux residuels de domesticite et de philanthropie, les discours feminins faisaient echo a la modernite emergente de la Nouvelle Femme Chinoise et ils furent une source d’inspiration pour les femmes missionnaires en quete d’un projet identitaire biculturel creatif.
Novel fluorescent probe for selective imaging of Cathepsin E expression in human pancreatic tumors

234 Objectives Cathepsin E (Cath E) is a pancreatic cancer associated protein that shows great potential as a clinical pancreatic tumor marker. This study evaluated the ability of a specific fluorogenic probe to detect Cath E activity in vitro and non-invasively image mouse xenografts from human pancreatic cancer cells (MPanc96). Methods Cath E selective peptide substrate, Cy5.5-Ala-Gly-Phe-Ser-Leu-Pro-Ala-Gly-Cys CONH2, was synthesized and conjugated onto a protected grafted copolymer to yield a fluorescently quenched probe. In vitro probe specificity was assessed fluorometerically. Near infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging of MPanc96 xenografts in nude mouse was performed before and after probe administration, at 18, 24, 48 and 72 h using IVIS-200 optical imaging system. Normal saline or control imaging probe were administrated into tumor-bearing nude mice as negative controls. Organs/tissues of interest were imaged ex vivo for their associated NIR fluorescence. Results Upon specific Cath E cleavage, the native fluorescently quenched probe was converted to highly fluorescent state. The probe was able to detect Mpanc96 tumors as early as 24 hr post-injection. Ex vivo image illustrated that probe fluorescence signal was mainly originated from Mpanc96 tumor. High tumor to nontumor ratio (~ 6) was achieved and almost no signal was derived from other examined tissues. Both in vivo and ex vivo data confirmed the selectivity of the probe in detecting upregulated Cath E in pancreatic cancer cells. Conclusions A selective imaging probe was developed for pancreatic tumor associated Cath E. The probe was able to in vivo detect and non-invasively image pancreatic cancer through selective recognition of protease activity at the cellular level. Research Support NIR Fluorescent Image of human pancreatic cancer(Mpanc96-CTSE) Xenografts in Nude Mouse
Mobile Learning Design Solutions

As the world prepares for the next generation of United Nations development goals, two critical priorities will be needed to build a sustainable global community and economy: advancing educational quality through improved learning experiences and reducing inequities in educational opportunities. Addressing these priorities within diverse contexts across the world presents a formidable challenge that has not yet been achieved despite major investments in school infrastructure, teacher training and the procurement of learning materials (Patrinos & Psacharopoulos, 2011).
Receptor-Bound Targets of Selective Autophagy Use a Scaffold Protein to Activate the Atg1 Kinase

Selective autophagy eliminates protein aggregates, damaged organelles, and other targets that otherwise accumulate and cause disease. Autophagy receptors mediate selectivity by connecting targets to the autophagosome membrane. It has remained unknown whether receptors perform additional functions. Here, we show that in yeast certain receptor-bound targets activate Atg1, the kinase that controls autophagosome formation. Specifically, we found that in nutrient-rich conditions, Atg1 is active only in a multisubunit complex comprising constitutive protein aggregates, their autophagy receptor, and a scaffold protein, Atg11. Development of a cell-free assay for Atg1-mediated phosphorylation enabled us to activate Atg1 with purified receptor-bound aggregates and Atg11. Another target, damaged peroxisomes, also activated Atg1 using Atg11 with a distinct receptor. Our work reveals that receptor-target complexes activate Atg1 to drive formation of selective autophagosomes. This regulatory logic is a key similarity between selective autophagy and bulk autophagy, which is initiated by a distinct Atg1 activation mechanism during starvation.