cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Operation of Professional Journals in Social Work

The concern of this paper is a systematic examination of one of the major social structures developed to foster the growth and regulation of the knowledge construction enterprise in social work-the professional journal. The foci of the analyses are: 1) the normative criteria of editorial board members, 2) the characteristics of the editorial judges, and 3) the factors which influence editorial decision making. The achievements of science are etched on the pages of the professional journals. To execute the activities required for publication the professional journals have organized editorial boards. From their origin editorial boards have been responsible for defending the scientific literature from charlatans and the like, through the screening out of inadequate or improper contributions. However, with the accelerating demands on limited publication space, especially for the social sciences, editorial boards have come to shoulder a more difficult assignment. In addition to maintaining legitimacy, editorial boards are now responsible for determining standards for the levels of excellence required for publication. The quality of judgement of editorial board members fashion the aesthetic character and methodological precision of the scientific literature (Garvey and Griffith, 1971).
Abstract 3086: From profiling to function: A role for microRNA miR-888 in promoting prostate cancer progression

Prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States despite the widespread use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) as a diagnostic marker for prostate cancer and as a predictor of treatment outcome. MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) belong to a growing class of small non-coding RNAs that are often abnormally expressed in fluid and tissue specimens from prostate cancer patients compared to non-cancer individuals. These miRNAs are hypothesized to play a direct role in promoting disease progression and metastasis in the prostate and are intensely studied for both their diagnostic and therapeutic potential for human cancer. Our laboratory profiled candidate prostate-cancer associated miRNAs in an innovative prostatic fluid biomarker source called expressed prostatic secretions in urine (EPS urine) to determine their utility as discriminating biomarkers for advanced forms of prostate cancer. 10 out of 50 miRNA tested showed statistically significant differences in expression between cancer and non-cancer patient groups within the supernatant but not pellet fractions of whole EPS urine. We are investigating if differential miRNA expression in EPS supernatant is due to exosomal populations and how miRNA-loaded exosomes modulate prostate tumorigenesis in mice. Our profiling studies identified miR-888 as a novel factor that correlates with advanced prostate cancer in human prostate cancer cell lines, EPS urine, and primary tumors. Functional assays revealed that miR-888 promotes proliferation, migration, and colony formation of hormone-refractory and androgen-sensitive human prostate cancer cells. Our working model is that miR-888 overexpression in the diseased prostate suppresses SMAD4, RBL1, and TIMP2 targets leading to tumor progression and metastasis. Human miR-888 belongs to a genomic cluster of seven miRNAs on human chromosome Xq27.3. We are currently testing how this miR-888 cluster interacts within a growing network of coding and non-coding genes to regulate prostate tumor progression. This research will provide a better understanding how prostate tumor cells progress to a more metastatic, aggressive state and facilitate the development of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this prevalent and deadly disease. Citation Format: Holly Lewis, Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, Garrison Glavich, Raymond Lance, O. John Semmes, Hind Beydoun, Richard Drake, Aurora Esquela-Kerscher. From profiling to function: A role for microRNA miR-888 in promoting prostate cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3086. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3086
A Secure and Practical Authentication Scheme Using Personal Devices

Authentication plays a critical role in securing any online banking system, and many banks and various services have long relied on username/password combos to verify users. Memorizing usernames and passwords for a lot of accounts becomes a cumbersome and inefficient task. Furthermore, legacy authentication methods have failed over and over, and they are not immune against a wide variety of attacks that can be launched against users, networks, or authentication servers. Over the years, data breach reports emphasize that attackers have created numerous high-tech techniques to steal users’ credentials, which can pose a serious threat. In this paper, we propose an efficient and practical user authentication scheme using personal devices that utilize different cryptographic primitives, such as encryption, digital signature, and hashing. The technique benefits from the widespread usage of ubiquitous computing and various intelligent portable and wearable devices that can enable users to execute a secure authentication protocol. Our proposed scheme does not require an authentication server to maintain static username and password tables for identifying and verifying the legitimacy of the login users. It not only is secure against password-related attacks, but also can resist replay attacks, shoulder-surfing attacks, phishing attacks, and data breach incidents.
Nanostructured photocatalysis in the visible spectrum for the decontamination of air and water

ABSTRACTPhotocatalytic remediation aligns with the zero waste schemes of waste and wastewater industries with low cost, environment-friendly and sustainable treatment technologies. Efforts are made to increase the photocatalytic activity of photocatalysts (titanium oxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO) and tungsten oxide (WO3)) by altering their shape (nanowires, nanotubes, nanoparticles, etc.), size and doping (nitrogen, metal and carbon). The photocatalytic properties of various photocatalysts in visible light radiation have been reviewed critically. The nanostructure, doping and composite formation of photocatalysts have profound impact on the remediation of various organics in both air and water. The article also emphasises on attempts to enhance the contact of insoluble pollutants by the use of surfactants and biosurfactants in photocatalytic remediation methods. The comparative photocatalytic activities using doping, surfactants and biosurfactants have been discussed to show the effective remediation of or...
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: A Systematic Review.

Importance Breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare peripheral T-cell lymphoma, is increasing in incidence. However, many practitioners who treat patients with breast cancer are not aware of this disease. Objectives To assess how BIA-ALCL develops, its risk factors, diagnosis, and subsequent treatment and to disseminate information about this entity to the medical field. Evidence Review A literature review was performed in an academic medical setting. All review articles, case reports, original research articles, and any other articles relevant to BIA-ALCL were included. Data on BIA-ALCL, such as pathophysiology, patient demographics, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, were extracted. Particular focus was paid to age, time to onset, implant type, initial symptoms, treatment, and survival. The search was conducted in January 2017 for studies published in any year. Findings After duplicates were excluded, 304 relevant articles were assessed, and 115 were included from the first documented case in August 1997 through January 2017. Thirty review articles, 44 case reports or series, 15 original research articles, and 26 “other” articles (eg, techniques, special topics, letters) were reviewed. A total of 93 cases have been reported in the literature, and with the addition of 2 unreported cases from the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 95 patients were included in this systematic review. Almost all documented BIA-ALCL cases have been associated with a textured device. The underlying mechanism is thought to be due to chronic inflammation from indolent infections, leading to malignant transformation of T cells that are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) negative and CD30 positive. The mean time to presentation is approximately 10 years after implant placement, with 55 of 83 (66%) patients initially seen with an isolated late-onset seroma and 7 of 83 (8%) with an isolated new breast mass. Ultrasonography with fluid aspiration can be used for diagnosis. Treatment must include removal of the implant and surrounding capsule. More advanced disease may require chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and lymph node dissection. Conclusions and Relevance Breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a rare cancer in patients with breast implants but is increasing in incidence. It is important for all physicians involved in the care of patients with breast implants to be aware of this entity and be able to recognize initial symptoms.
Finding the voice of Judaism within practical theological research

While adapting to the changing realities of pluralism and globalisation, it is imperative the field of practical theology consider the unheard voice of the religious other as an indispensable theological interlocutor. In this article, I argue for the examination of contemporary Jewish practice as one potential starting point. In order to engage in such inquiries, I first propose the necessity of post-Shoah theology as an indispensable conceptual lens that gives credence to the damaging effects of Christian supersessionism. Second, I offer my own research on how Jewish rabbis practice Shabbat as a working case study. In this regard, I propose the use of phenomenological research as a methodology that gives voice to how Jews describe their own experience. In conclusion, I offer reflexive gleanings for the enterprise of practical theology.
High-entropy fluorite oxides

Abstract Eleven fluorite oxides with five principal cations (in addition to a four-principal-cation (Hf0.25Zr0.25Ce0.25Y0.25)O2-δ as a start point and baseline) were fabricated via high-energy ball milling, spark plasma sintering, and annealing in air. Eight of the compositions, namely (Hf0.25Zr0.25Ce0.25Y0.25)O2-δ, (Hf0.25Zr0.25Ce0.25)(Y0.125Yb0.125)O2-δ, (Hf0.2Zr0.2Ce0.2)(Y0.2Yb0.2)O2-δ, (Hf0.25Zr0.25Ce0.25)(Y0.125Ca0.125)O2-δ, (Hf0.25Zr0.25Ce0.25)(Y0.125Gd0.125)O2-δ, (Hf0.2Zr0.2Ce0.2)(Y0.2Gd0.2)O2-δ, (Hf0.25Zr0.25Ce0.25)(Yb0.125Gd0.125)O2-δ, and (Hf0.2Zr0.2Ce0.2)(Yb0.2Gd0.2)O2-δ, possess single-phase solid solutions of the fluorite crystal structure with high configurational entropies (on the cation sublattices), akin to those high-entropy alloys and ceramics reported in prior studies. Most high-entropy fluorite oxides (HEFOs), except for the two containing both Yb and Gd, can be sintered to high relative densities. These single-phase HEFOs exhibit lower electrical conductivities and comparable hardness (even with higher contents of softer components such as Y2O3 and Yb2O3), in comparison with 8 mol. % Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (8YSZ). Notably, these single-phase HEFOs possess lower thermal conductivities than that of 8YSZ, presumably due to high phonon scattering by multiple cations and strained lattices.
Therefore, What Can Be Said Based on the Images, and What Can’t Be Said Based on the Images

This chapter addresses the specific application of material in the preceding seven chapters in the medical–legal setting. Based on the information that is both present, and not present on the available images, and understanding the underlying pathological processes, it is possible to make definitive statements on timing. On the other hand, there are some statements that cannot be ­supported on the basis of the available images.
OEICs for Optical Interconnects

Optical interconnect (OI) is used for functionally connecting components and subsystems over short distances by incorporating the superior transmission and other characteristics of optical media over electrical lines. These are: (i) High bandwidth, useful for microwave and millimeter wave (MMW) systems, and time division and wavelength division multiplexing (TDM and WDM) in digital systems, (ii) Superior confinement, resulting in lower cross-talk, enables the realization of high path-densities needed for parallel interconnects, and of cross-over circuits used in crossbars and shuffles, (iii) Far superior immunity against EMP and EMI (electromagnetic pulse, and interference, respectively), (iv) Two times reduction in the number of information carrying paths, eliminates the return path required in electrical equivalents. Two times power compression, achieved through energy conversion processes (electrical to optical and back to electrical), (v) Elimination of line impedance matching at transmitter output, and of required compliance with electrical potential and impedance matching at receiver input.
Biological and Quantitative Models for Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Differentiation

Some of the most valuable information in stem cell research still comes from empirical studies. Recently developed informatics and ‘omics’ approaches often facilitate these studies by pinpointing better candidate genes, which are then taken to the empirical tests. Biological models explaining the principles of stem cell renewal and differentiation remain in their infancy. Here we consider approaches relevant to the construction of quantitative biological models explaining stem cell behavior. The described range of models includes classical qualitative models, binary models and detailed models, incorporating elements of chemistry and thermodynamics. Each type of model has its own area of application, specific advantages and limitations. The review covers most current examples of modeling embryonic stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells. Consideration has been given to the role of non-coding DNA, enhancers and genome information flow in development and differentiation.
Accommodation of a ND:YAG Lidar on a Polar Meteorological Satellite

Spaceborne lidar sensors have the potential to measure atmospheric parameters — such as wind fields, humidity profiles, and vertical temperature structure — with the accuracy, spatial resolution, and coverage required by the meteorological community. Implementation of such operational lidars on today’s civilian and military meteorological satellites using current laser technology is not feasible, principally because of the large size and high required-power of these systems.
How does Estrogen Influence Attention? Impact of 17-beta Estradiol on Performance in an Attentional Set Shifting Task

Estrogens have been shown to affect learning and memory in female rats. ADHD is 3–9× more prevalent in males, suggesting that gonadal hormones may be in part responsible for the observed disparity ...
A Survey of the Structures of US FDA Approved Combination Drugs

Combination drugs are an important class of US FDA approved pharmaceuticals. These drugs have been on a continuous growth trajectory since the first combination drugs were approved in the 1940s. In this Perspective, we report the first comprehensive compilation and analysis of US FDA approved combination drugs, from the first approval in 1943 through 2018. Our database contains 419 combination drugs, which are represented by 328 unique small molecule structures. Breakdown of these drugs according to disease category, structure, combination composition, and year of approval is presented as well as the top 24 most commonly used small molecule combination drug components. For frequently used small molecule components, we present “relationship diagrams” to aid in the visualization of the many drug combinations these structures are part of. The main body contains 10 disease-focused sections wherein every small molecule component utilized as part of a combination for each disease category is displayed.
Extracellular vesicles as a novel diagnostic and research tool for patients with HTN and kidney disease.

Hypertension (HTN) affects one in three adults in the United States and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and kidney failure. There is emerging evidence that more intense blood pres...
Adaptive Spacecraft Attitude Control Using Single-Gimbal Control Moment Gyroscopes Without Singularity Avoidance

This paper applies retrospective cost adaptive control (RCAC) to spacecraft attitude control with a rotation-matrix attitude parameterization using constant-speed single-gimbal control moment gyros...
High-Throughput Liquid-Liquid Extractions with Nanoliter Volumes

Current methods for liquid-liquid extractions generally require microliter to milliliter volumes of solvents and sample, long equilibration times, and manual procedures. Extraction methods for samples in microfluidic systems have been limited as this tool is difficult to implement on the nanoliter or smaller scale. We have developed slug-flow nanoextraction (SFNE), a method based on droplet microfluidics that allows multiple liquid-liquid extractions to be performed simultaneously in a capillary tube, using only 5 nL of sample and extraction solvent per extraction. Each two-phase slug is segmented from the others by immiscible carrier fluid. We found rapid extractions (<5 s), partition coefficients matching those achieved at larger scale extractions, and potential to preconcentrate samples through volume manipulation. This method was used to accurately and rapidly determine octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow), determining identical Kow as the shake-flask method for acetaminophen, Kow = 2.48 ± 0.02. The measurement, along with calibration and 12 replicates, was complete within 5 min, consuming under 150 nL of solvent and sample. The method was also applied to extract analytes from complex biological samples prior to electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) at a rate of 6 s per sample, allowing for simultaneous determination of five different drugs spiked into human plasma, synthetic urine (SU), and artificial cerebral spinal fluid (aCSF) using ethyl acetate as the extraction phase. The signal-to-noise (S/N) for analytes improved up to 19-fold compared to direct ESI-MS of single-phase droplets (aqueous plugs segmented by carrier fluid), with limits of detection down to 7 nM (35 amol).
Recent Trends in Defamation Law: From the Straightforward Action in Venture V. Kyle to Unmasking an Anonymous Poster in the

Commentary on social media, chat sites, consumer review sites and more has triggered a remarkable surge in defamation claims, judges must resolve a range of issues, including for example, whether to order ISPs and sites to disclose or unmask the identity of anonymous posters, when resolving these claims. This, against, the backdrop of the First Amendment’s protections of lawful speech, and anonymous speakers. The core elements of defamation claims are covered: statement, publication, damages; as are the defenses of truth and privilege. Conclusions on the speech that is mixed with facts (always protected speech) opinion, and vigorous criticism (possibly not protected speech) suggest that speakers take responsibility for speech so as to avoid claims of defamation.
Evidence for an elongated Achilles tendon in Australopithecus

Modern humans have the longest Achilles tendon (AT) of all the living primates. It has been proposed that this anatomy increases locomotor efficiency and that its elongation may have played a crucial role in the origin and early evolution of the genus Homo. Unfortunately, determining the length of the AT in extinct hominins has been difficult as tendons do not fossilize. Several methods have been proposed for estimating the length of the AT from calcaneal morphology, but the results have been inconclusive. This study tested the relationship between the area of the superior calcaneal facet and AT length in extant primates. The superior facet is instructive because it anchors the retrocalcaneal bursa, a soft tissue structure which helps to reduce friction between the AT and the calcaneus. Calcanei from 145 extant anthropoid primates from 12 genera were photographed in posterior view and the relative superior facet size quantified. AT lengths were obtained from published sources. The relative area of the superior facet is predictive of AT length in primates (R2 = 0.83; p < .001) and differs significantly between the great apes and humans (p < 0.001). When applied to fossil Australopithecus calcanei, our results suggest that australopiths possessed a longer, more human-like, AT than previously thought. These findings have important implications for the locomotor capabilities of Australopithecus, including their capacity for endurance running and climbing.
Chapter 14 – Viral Diseases

Publisher Summary The major focus of this chapter is the naturally occurring viral diseases of rabbits and hares. The viral diseases of rabbits are discussed in an order based on the taxonomic groups to which the viruses belong and are independent of the order of importance of the various diseases. The material is presented under uniform subject headings, including history, etiology, epidemiology, clinical signs, pathology, diagnosis, and control. Control is interpreted broadly and includes both prevention and eradication. Some viral infections of rabbits have provided fundamental information on basic mechanisms of agent–host interrelationships, e.g., Myxoma virus, and others have been useful as models for human diseases, e.g., Rotavirus. The principal emphasis is on virus infections of domestic rabbits of the genus Oryctolagus. Naturally occurring and experimental infections of other rabbits and hares are also discussed in this chapter. Incoming rabbits are obtained from sources free of infections but appropriate quarantine and screening measures are standard operating procedures. None of the viral infections of rabbits is known to be of public health importance as there are no reports of the definitive spread of viruses from rabbits to humans.
Abstract IA12: Cancer in LGBT populations: Differences, disparities, and strategies for change

In discussions of cancer research, prevention, and treatment, the needs and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are routinely overlooked. The American Cancer Society estimates, however, that there are more than 130,000 newly diagnosed cases of cancer and more than 45,000 cancer deaths among LGBT people in the U.S. every year. Evidence indicates that LGBT populations are disproportionately affected by specific cancers, such as anal cancer in gay and bisexual men, breast cancer in lesbian women, and viral infection–induced cancers in LGB and transgender people. The drivers of these cancer disparities include risk factors that are often more common among LGBT people, such as tobacco use, nulliparity, and HIV. These risk factors are also compounded for LGBT populations by exposure to social determinants of health that include discrimination and other minority stressors—especially for Black, Indigenous, and other LGBT people of color, who experience discrimination that targets their race or ethnicity as well as their sexual orientation and/or gender identity—lower rates of insurance and other barriers to health care services, and inaccurate assumptions among providers about cancer risk and appropriate screenings, particularly for lesbian and bisexual women and transgender people. For LGBT people who have been diagnosed with cancer, a lack of cultural responsiveness in clinical settings and social and economic challenges outside the doctor’s office can exacerbate the difficulty of navigating cancer treatment. Because data on sexual orientation and gender identity are not routinely collected in cancer registries, clinical records, and other sources of cancer data, the full spectrum of cancer risks, prevention, treatment, outcomes, and survivorship in LGBT communities remains unexplored. LGBT people are also often rendered invisible in cancer research by data collection that does not include sexual orientation or gender identity, by study protocols that make the tacit or overt assumption that all participants are cisgender and heterosexual, and by barriers to participation such as being overlooked in recruitment or even outright excluded from consideration. This presentation provides an overview of cancer disparities in LGBT populations; describes patient-, provider-, and structural-level barriers to effective cancer prevention and treatment; and identifies promising opportunities to expand the evidence base and address LGBT cancer disparities. Citation Format: Kellen Baker. Cancer in LGBT populations: Differences, disparities, and strategies for change [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr IA12.
DOCUMENTATION OF OGBANIGBE FESTIVAL OF OWERRE-OLUBOR PEOPLE (IKA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA), AGBOR, DELTA STATE

Identity is that characteristics that distinguishes, differentiates and separates one community from another in terms of ideology, belief systems, organizational structures, mode of dressing, dialect, communal activities such as festival commemoration. Enshrined in one of man’s communal activities is the yearly celebration of New Yam festival. New Yam Festival has been coined with various names in many climes in Nigeria. In Owerre-Olubor community, New Yam festival is associated with Ogbanigbe (Ime-Egwu) festival similar to that of Obio community of Aniocha nomenclature. The paper employed descriptive analysis, oral interview as well as related materials. The paper focused on Ogbanigbe (Ime-Egwu) festival, the origin of Owerre-Olubor community of Ika North East Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria including musical instruments and some songs used during the festival celebration. Four sampled song texts were selected and captured while one musical example from the four song texts selected was analyzed. The paper conclude that documentation is the only way to preserve culture of a people including music peculiar to such culture for the next generation in order to escape extinction.
CT-less electron radiotherapy simulation and planning with a consumer 3D camera.

Purpose Electron radiation therapy dose distributions are affected by irregular body surface contours. This study investigates the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) cameras to substitute for the treatment planning computerized tomography (CT) scan by capturing the body surfaces to be treated for accurate electron beam dosimetry. Methods Dosimetry was compared for six electron beam treatments to the nose, toe, eye, and scalp using full CT scan, CT scan with Hounsfield Unit (HU) overridden to water (mimic 3D camera cases), and flat-phantom techniques. Radiation dose was prescribed to a depth on the central axis per physician's order, and the monitor units (MUs) were calculated. The 3D camera spatial accuracy was evaluated by comparing the 3D surface of a head phantom captured by a 3D camera and that generated with the CT scan in the treatment planning system. A clinical case is presented, and MUs were calculated using the 3D camera body contour with HU overridden to water. Results Across six cases the average change in MUs between the full CT and the 3Dwater (CT scan with HU overridden to water) calculations was 1.3% with a standard deviation of 1.0%. The corresponding hotspots had a mean difference of 0.4% and a standard deviation of 1.9%. The 3D camera captured surface of a head phantom was found to have a 0.59 mm standard deviation from the surface derived from the CT scan. In-vivo dose measurements (213 ± 8 cGy) agreed with the 3D-camera planned dose of 209 ± 6 cGy, compared to 192 ± 6 cGy for the flat-phantom calculation (same MUs). Conclusions Electron beam dosimetry is affected by irregular body surfaces. 3D cameras can capture irregular body contours which allow accurate dosimetry of electron beam treatment as an alternative to costly CT scans with no extra exposure to radiation. Tools and workflow for clinical implementation are provided.
PCB Integrated Linbo3 Pyroelectric High Voltage Supply with Electrostatic Switch Regulator

This paper reports a new design for a miniature pyroelectric kilovolt power supply, which converts 15.5 volts to 1460 volts in a compact format ( 3 crystal, a cantilever mechanical switch as a mechanical rectifying voltage regulator, and a capacitor to store the charge. Two switch designs were shown including a two-terminal OOP (Out-of-plane) used in pull-in mode, and a three-terminal OOP switch used in a pull-in free mode. A multi-physics (electrostatic switching, pyroelectric charge generation, thermal heat transfer) LTspice model was developed to simulate the time domain system operation. This model matches the measured voltage generation and storage, and provides a pathway for implementing arrays of pyroelectric crystal operating in parallel. The PCB integrated kilovolt generator system demonstrated a maximum gain of 97. The form factor of such power supplies is suitable for integration in cm-scale robots where a small voltage from a battery is to be converted into a high voltage needed by actuators. This power supply compares favorably to electronics-based converters (boost converters, switched-capacitor converters, and piezoelectric transformers) in voltage gain for a given size and weight requirement.
Active surveillance for intermediate-risk prostate cancer in African American and non-Hispanic White men.

BACKGROUND The safety of active surveillance (AS) for African American men compared with non-Hispanic White (White) men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer is unclear. METHODS The authors identified patients with modified National Comprehensive Cancer Network favorable ("low-intermediate") and unfavorable ("high-intermediate") intermediate-risk prostate cancer diagnosed between 2001 and 2015 and initially managed with AS in the Veterans Health Administration database. They analyzed definitive treatment, disease progression, metastases, prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM), and all-cause mortality by using cumulative incidences and multivariable competing-risks (disease progression, metastasis, and PCSM) or Cox (all-cause mortality) regression. RESULTS The cohort included 1007 men (African Americans, 330 [32.8%]; Whites, 677 [67.2%]) followed for a median of 7.7 years; 773 (76.8%) had low-intermediate-risk disease, and 234 (23.2%) had high-intermediate-risk disease. The 10-year cumulative incidences of definitive treatment were not significantly different (African Americans, 83.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 78.5%-88.7%; Whites, 80.6%; 95% CI, 76.6%-84.4%; P = .17). Among those with low-intermediate-risk disease, there were no significant differences in the 10-year cumulative incidences of disease progression (African Americans, 46.8%; 95% CI, 40.0%-53.3%; Whites, 46.9%; 95% CI, 42.1%-51.5%; P = .91), metastasis (African Americans, 7.1%; 95% CI, 3.7%-11.8%; Whites, 10.8%; 95% CI, 7.6%-14.6%; P = .17), or PCSM (African Americans, 3.8%; 95% CI, 1.6%-7.5%; Whites, 3.8%; 95% CI, 2.0%-6.3%; P = .69). In a multivariable regression including the entire cohort, African American race was not associated with increased risks of definitive treatment, disease progression, metastasis, PCSM, or all-cause mortality (all P > .30). CONCLUSIONS Outcomes in the Veterans Affairs Health System were similar for African American and White men treated for low-intermediate-risk prostate cancer with AS.
Whole chromosome loss and genomic instability in mouse embryos after CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing

Karyotype alterations have emerged as on-target complications from CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. However, the events that lead to these karyotypic changes in embryos after Cas9-treatment remain unknown. Here, using imaging and single-cell genome sequencing of 8-cell stage embryos, we track both spontaneous and Cas9-induced karyotype aberrations through the first three divisions of embryonic development. We observe the generation of abnormal structures of the nucleus that arise as a consequence of errors in mitosis, including micronuclei and chromosome bridges, and determine their contribution to common karyotype aberrations including whole chromosome loss that has been recently reported after editing in embryos. Together, these data demonstrate that Cas9-mediated germline genome editing can lead to unwanted on-target side effects, including major chromosome structural alterations that can be propagated over several divisions of embryonic development. A possible undesired outcome of CRISPR-Cas9 germline editing is unwanted karyotype alterations. Here the authors track aberrations through three divisions of embryonic development following Cas9 editing.
A successful initiation of treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma with adriamycin-bleomycin-vinblastine-dacarbazine dose reduction in a patient with fulminant hepatic failure and co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B

IntroductionHodgkin lymphoma is a highly curable lymphoproliferative malignancy with an overall relative survival rate of 87.4%. It is characterized by multinucleated Reed–Sternberg cells which are...
Numerical recipes for faster MAS-DNP simulations.

Abstract Numerical simulations of Magic Angle Spinning Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (MAS-DNP) have transformed the way the DNP process is understood in rotating samples. In 2012, two methods were concomitantly developed to simulate small spin systems (less than 4 spin-1/2). The development of new polarizing agents, including those containing metal centers with S > 1/2, makes it necessary to further expand the numerical tools with minimal approximations that will help rationalize the experimental observations and build approximate models. In this paper, three strategies developed in the past five years are presented: an adaptive integration scheme, a hybrid Hilbert/Liouville formalism, and a method to truncate the Liouville space basis for periodic Hamiltonian. Each of these methods enable time savings ranging from a factor of 3 to >100. We illustrate the code performance by reporting for the first time the MAS-DNP field profiles for “AMUPol”, in which the couplings to the nitrogen nuclei are explicitly considered, as well as Cross-Effect MAS-DNP field profiles with two electrons spin 5/2 interacting with a nuclear spin 1/2.
Scheduling under Uncertainty: Planning for the Ubiquitous Grid

Computational Grid projects are ushering in an environment where clients make use of resources and services that are far too expensive for single clients to manage or maintain. Clients compose a megaprogram with services offered by outside organizations. However, the benefits of this paradigm come with a loss of control over job execution with added uncertainty about job completion. Current techniques for scheduling distributed services do not simultaneously account for autonomous service providers whose performance, reliability, and cost are not controlled by the service user. We propose an approach to scheduling that compensates for this uncertainty. Our approach builds initial schedules based on cost estimates from service providers and during program execution monitors job progress to determine if future deadlines will be met. This approach enables early hazard detection and facilitates schedule repairs to compensate for delays.
A 1-micron CMOS 128 MHz video serialiser, palette, and digital-to-analogue (DAC) chip

Summary form only given. The author describes a fully integrated 1- mu m CMOS video serializer, color palette, and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) chip, which is being designed as a key component for a personal computer graphics system. One application for this chip is in the IBM Image Adapter/A. The chip drives high-resolution monitors up to 1600 by 1200 pixels at 128-MHz video frequency with 8 bits/pixel. It offers a palette of 256 colors selectable from a possible 16 million colors. The design represents the state of the art in mixed analog and digital CMOS design. The design tools and methodology were chosen to minimize the design time and provide right-first-time hardware. The key features are a high-performance 256*24 palette RAM, three 8-bit DACs, a reconfigurable video serializer, and approximately 6 K (equivalent) gates of standard-cell logic to manage the control and interfacing of the chip. >
Dye-enhanced cataract surgery. Part 2: learning critical steps of phacoemulsification.

Abstract Purpose To use capsule dyes to enhance visualization to learn and perform various critical steps of the phacoemulsification procedure in a laboratory setting using postmortem human eyes. Setting Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Methods Indocyanine green 0.5% (ICG) and trypan blue 0.1% were used to enhance visualization for performing critical steps of phacoemulsification in 8 human eyes obtained postmortem. All eyes were prepared according to the Miyake–Apple posterior video technique. After a continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) was made, the dyes were used to enhance visualization for hydrodissection, hydrodelineation, and various maneuvers for nuclear emulsification and cortical cleanup. In 8 eyes, all the aforementioned steps were performed without using dye (control group). Results Both dyes helped enhance visualization during the critical steps of phacoemulsification. The use of a dye solution instead of balanced salt solution (BSS®) for hydrodissection/delineation helped localize the complete plane of cleavage between the capsule and cortex and the nucleus–epinucleus complex. During various nuclear sculpting maneuvers, the use of dye helped visualization of the position of the phaco tip and its relation to the posterior capsule. It also helped localize remaining cortical fibers, facilitating complete cleaning of the capsular bag. Conclusion Dye-enhanced cataract surgery was useful in learning various critical steps of phacoemulsification in a wet laboratory setting.
PROTEIN PRECIPITATION TECHNIQUES

After cell lysis, the most often used second step in a protein purification procedure is some sort of a rapid, bulk precipitation step. This is commonly accomplished by altering the solvent conditions and taking advantage of the changes in solubility of your protein of interest relative to those of many of the other proteins and macromolecules in a cell extract. This chapter will focus on the two most widely used precipitation methods: (1) ammonium sulfate precipitation and (2) polyethyleneimine (PEI) precipitation. These two methods work through entirely different principles, but each can achieve significant enrichment of target protein if optimized and applied carefully.
Nongenomic actions of androgen in Sertoli cells.

Abstract The steroid hormone testosterone is essential for the production of spermatozoa and, therefore, male fertility. However, the molecular mechanisms by which testosterone supports spermatogenesis are not well characterized. Previously, testosterone was thought to act solely by stimulating androgen receptor (AR) interactions with specific gene promoter elements to stimulate gene expression in target Sertoli cells that support developing germ cells. New evidence suggests that testosterone actions that are independent of AR–DNA interactions may contribute to the support of germ cell development. In this review, studies of these nongenomic actions of testosterone in Sertoli cells and other androgen target tissues are summarized. In addition, potential receptors mediating nongenomic androgen-induced signaling, as well as the secondary messengers and signaling pathways that are activated by testosterone, are discussed. Finally, a novel signaling pathway that is induced by androgen in Sertoli cells is outlined that results in the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathway, the CREB transcription factor, and CREB-mediated transcription. It is proposed that this novel pathway of testosterone action may complement classical genomic mechanisms to regulate Sertoli cell processes required to support spermatogenesis.
T01 — Introduction to digital radar

Modern radars have evolved greatly from their origins as providers of blips and blobs to highly trained operators in darkened rooms. Today, all-weather, day and night radars provide clear digital images as detailed and useful as photographs. They also provide digital symbolic representations of multiple types of air, sea, and ground moving targets over wide geographic regions. Today's state-of-the-art radars can even provide flexible, on-demand sensing services to a large network of users. This tutorial will introduce the student to the concepts, physics, and digital technology underpinning modern coherent radars. The first part of this tutorial will functionally decompose the adaptive agile electronically scanned array radar, and explain how it detects and images objects in its field of view. The second part of the tutorial will describe how radars estimate and predict the behavior of those objects. Prerequisites: students should have a good basic understanding of algebra and geometry. Knowledge of undergraduate electromagnetic field theory, calculus, discrete mathematics, and probability theory would be helpful but are not required.
Apical Secretion of a Pathogen-Elicited Epithelial Chemoattractant Activity in Response to Surface Colonization of Intestinal Epithelia by Salmonella typhimurium

Modeling Salmonella-epithelial cell interaction in vitro has led to the realization that epithelial cells are crucial in orchestrating neutrophil (PMN) responses, in part by stimulating basolateral release of epithelial chemokines, including IL-8. However, such basolaterally released chemokines, while likely important in orchestration of PMN movement across the subepithelial matrix, are unlikely to be responsible for the final step of transepithelial migration of PMN and entry into the apical compartment. We now show that S. typhimurium attachment to T84 cell apical epithelial membranes induces polarized apical secretion of a pathogen-elicited epithelial chemoattractant (PEEC) bioactivity. Experiments employing semipurified PEEC indicate that it is released in a polarized apical fashion and is sufficient to explain the observed final step of transepithelial migration of PMN induced by Salmonella-apical membrane interaction. By preliminary physical characterization and profiles of PMN activation, PEEC appears to be a novel PMN chemotactic bioactivity. This 1- to 3-kDa nominal molecular mass chemokine-like bioactivity directly stimulates PMN via a pertussis toxin-sensitive receptor and elicits a Ca2+ signal. While these latter features are shared by most other chemokines, analysis of PEEC-elicited PMN activation reveals that, unlike these other agonists, PEEC, even at saturating concentrations, elicits chemotactic activity in the absence of stimulation of superoxide production and/or release of primary and/or secondary granules. These data suggest that the apically released PEEC activity appears to represent a novel epithelial-derived chemoattractant that directs PMN movement across epithelial monolayers.
Clonal evolution of N-methylnitrosourea-induced C57BL/6J thymic lymphomas by analysis of multiple genetic alterations

C57BL/6J mice were treated with N-methylnitrosourea (NMU) and the evolution of leukemic T-cells clones into frank thymic lymphomas was followed in 42 animals using serology of T-cell markers, rearrangements of the T-cell receptor genes γ, β1 and β2 and detection of carcinogen-induced Ki-ras mutations and trisomy of chromosome 15. During the latent period, multiple populations of T-cell clones were present in the thymus, many contained trisomy 15, but few had detectable Ki-ras mutations. Since most frank lymphomas consisted of a single T-cell clone with both a mutation of Ki-ras and trisomy 15, the results imply that these two events are critical for the evolution of T-cell clones from the preleukemic phase to a more malignant disease stage. Progression to frank lymphomas is coincident with changes in the expression pattern of the T-cell growth factor interleukin-2 receptor, which may play a role in the selection, expansion and thymus-independent growth of a T-cell clone.
Prognostic Variables and Surgical Management of Foot Melanoma: Review of a 25-Year Institutional Experience

Introduction. Cutaneous foot melanoma is rare, challenging to manage, and not adequately examined in the literature. This study evaluated the prognostic variables and surgical management of foot melanoma. Materials and Methods. Foot melanoma cases managed at an academic center from 1985 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Results. 46 patients were identified with a broad range of demographic characteristics. Overall recurrence was 32.6%: 19% acral lentiginous, 57% nodular, 66% superficial spreading, 30% melanoma unspecified, 50% severely atypical; 53% ulcerated, 23% nonulcerated; 29% on the dorsum of the foot, 17% heel, 60% ankle, 22% toe, 50% plantar; 0% 4 mm. 13 had positive nodes, 4 (31%) of whom recurred. Prognostic factors and recurrence did not correlate, and survival was 96% with a median followup of 91 months. Conclusions. Aggressive management of foot melanoma may result in excellent long-term survival even following disease recurrence.
Influence of Wavelength-Shifted Calibration Spectra on Multivariate Calibration Models

Multivariate calibration models are sensitive to wavelength shifts in calibration spectra as such disturbances are linearly independent from unshifted spectra and increase the calibration model's dimension. However, if wavelength shifts included in the calibration model are random, the predictability of the model is not improved. On the contrary, overfitting is introduced, thereby increasing the prediction error. Because calibration spectra are defined to be error free and are the only available data at that point, there is no analytical way to find out that the calibration model is erroneous. This study gives a mathematical explanation of how the model's dimension is increased by wavelength shifts and that the additional basis vectors, principal components for instance, possess derivative-shaped features. It is also demonstrated by means of an example that the reverse is not necessarily true. Hence, derivative-shaped features found in principal components are no indication of wavelength-shifted calibration spectra. A method is presented for analyzing calibration spectra for such shifts. The algorithm takes advantage of the fact that artificial shift compensations of true shifts increase the similarity, i.e., correlation, of shifted spectra with respect to the remaining, unshifted spectra. Synthetic and experimental data are used to demonstrate and assess the performance of the algorithm. It is shown that wavelength shifts in calibration spectra can be detected and corrected if a small number of spectra are disturbed. Significant improvements of the prediction errors of chemometric calibration models can be achieved by means of this shift-correction algorithm.
Hydrothermal preparation of ultrafine ferrites and their sintering

Preparation de poudres ultrafines et quasispheriques de ferrites NiFe 2 O 4 , ZnFe 2 O 4 , Ni x Zn 1−x Fe 2 O 4 , Mn 0,5 Zn 0,5 Fe 2 O 4 et CoFe 2 O 4 dans des conditions hydrothermales moderees par precipitation de nitrates metalliques avec de l'ammoniaque. Ces poudres sont frittees a 1000°C sans additif avec obtention d'une densite proche de la densite theorique