cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Gentamicin-Resistant Campylobacter coli Isolated from U.S. Retail Meats Reveals Novel Plasmid-Mediated Aminoglycoside Resistance Genes

Aminoglycoside resistance in Campylobacter has been routinely monitored in the United States in clinical isolates since 1996 and in retail meats since 2002. Gentamicin resistance first appeared in a single human isolate of Campylobacter coli in 2000 and in a single chicken meat isolate in 2007, after which it increased rapidly to account for 11.3% of human isolates and 12.5% of retail isolates in 2010. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that gentamicin-resistant C. coli isolates from retail meat were clonal. We sequenced the genomes of two strains of this clone using a next-generation sequencing technique in order to investigate the genetic basis for the resistance. The gaps of one strain were closed using optical mapping and Sanger sequencing, and this is the first completed genome of C. coli. The two genomes are highly similar to each other. A self-transmissible plasmid carrying multiple antibiotic resistance genes was revealed within both genomes, carrying genes encoding resistance to gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, streptothricin, and tetracycline. Bioinformatics analysis and experimental results showed that gentamicin resistance was due to a phosphotransferase gene, aph(2″)-Ig, not described previously. The phylogenetic relationship of this newly emerged clone to other Campylobacter spp. was determined by whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which showed that it clustered with the other poultry isolates and was separated from isolates from livestock.
Egg maturation, egg resorption and the costliness of transient egg limitation in insects

Although there is widespread agreement that the cost of oviposition underlies selective oviposition in insects, there is no consensus regarding which factors mediate the cost of oviposition. Models...
The Kuznets inverted-U hypothesis: panel data evidence from 96 countries

Regression results from a panel data set of high-quality comparable data on Gini coefficients, income quintiles and real GDP per capita in 96 countries over the postwar period, suggest that the relation between income inequality and development corresponds to an inverted-U, as hypothesized by Kuznets.
Consequences of Connectivity: Characterizing Account Hijacking on Twitter

In this study we expose the serious large-scale threat of criminal account hijacking and the resulting damage incurred by users and web services. We develop a system for detecting large-scale attacks on Twitter that identifies 14 million victims of compromise. We examine these accounts to track how attacks spread within social networks and to determine how criminals ultimately realize a profit from hijacked credentials. We find that compromise is a systemic threat, with victims spanning nascent, casual, and core users. Even brief compromises correlate with 21% of victims never returning to Twitter after the service wrests control of a victim's account from criminals. Infections are dominated by social contagions---phishing and malware campaigns that spread along the social graph. These contagions mirror information diffusion and biological diseases, growing in virulence with the number of neighboring infections. Based on the severity of our findings, we argue that early outbreak detection that stems the spread of compromise in 24 hours can spare 70% of victims.
THE STATUS OF THE ANOMALY IN THE FEMINIST GOD‐TALK OF ROSEMARY RUETHER

. Scripture, the creeds, and tradition have provided the raw material that theology has attempted to refine. The contribution of much recent theology comes from new insight into these materials by women, blacks, and the Third World, often as examined by analytic tools derived from post-Christian ideologies. The theology of Rosemary Ruether stands out because of her choice of sources, among which she includes documents excoriated as heretical by what she calls the patriarchal orthodoxy of the early Christian church. Because of this it is useful to examine this type of theology in relation to other theological inquiries of recent years. The thesis of this paper is that, in her ability to incorporate source material hitherto regarded as heretical, Ruether has demonstrated the scientific character of this kind of theology.
National Patterns of Urethral Evaluation and Risk Factors for Urethral Injury in Patients With Penile Fracture

Objective To examine the epidemiology and timing of penile fracture, patterns of urethral evaluation, and risk factors for concomitant urethral injury. Materials and Methods The National Inpatient Sample (2003-2011) was used to identify patients with penile fractures. Clinical data included age, race, comorbidity, insurance, hospital factors, timing, hematuria, and urinary symptoms. Rates of formal urethral evaluation (cystoscopy or urethrogram) and urethral injury were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of urethral evaluation and risk factors for urethral injury. Results A weighted population of 3883 patients with penile fracture was identified. Presentations during weekends (37%) and summers (30%) were overrepresented (both P P = .045) and a decrease for Hispanics (OR = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22-0.82; P = .011). Older age (32-41 years: OR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.07-3.16; P = .027; >41 years: OR = 2.25; 95% CI, 1.25-4.05; P = .007), black race (OR = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.12-3.34; P = .018), and hematuria (OR = 17.03; 95% CI, 3.20-90.54; P = .001) were independent risk factors for urethral injury. Conclusion Penile fractures, which occur disproportionately during summer and weekends, were associated with a 21% risk of urethral injury. Urethral evaluations were performed in a minority of patients. Even in patients with hematuria, 55% of patients underwent formal urethral evaluation. On multivariate analysis of patients with penile fracture, hematuria as well as older age and black race were independently associated with concomitant urethral injury.
Framing Cultural Resource Policies in Comprehensive Plans A Neo-Institutional Analysis

In the United States, local governments have developed cultural policies, integrating them into the overall policy-making process. Although the research on cultural projects in urban development continues to grow, very few studies focus on American cities. Using a lens based on neo-institutional theory, this study traces the way Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, framed policies for arts and culture in their comprehensive plans. One major finding shows that State law with its focus on historic preservation heavily influences policies for arts and culture within comprehensive plans. Left out are policies pertaining to creative industries, despite their increased consideration in cultural policy.
Secrecy in stochastic discrete event systems

In security critical system, keeping a property of system behaviors secret from an observer (or adversary, who has a partial observation of any executed behavior) is crucial. This paper proposes two notions of secrecy for stochastic discrete event systems. The notion of S τ -Secrecy requires the set of system traces, that reveals the secret to an observer, occurs with probability smaller than τ. A stronger notion of Increasing-S-Secrecy captures system requirement that the secrecy level become increasingly tighter as the system evolves for longer periods. Algorithms for verifying both notions are provided. An illustrative example is examined to demonstrate the proposed notions.
Mechanisms Responsible for Strain‐Rate‐Dependent Compressive Strength in Ceramic Materials

Compressive strength of SiC and Al2O3 is determined over a wide range in loading rate. The results are interpreted in terms of the tensile growth of axial microcracks, controlled by two distinct mechanisms. The first is a material-dependent, thermally activated process operative at strain rates 102s; the other is a relatively material-independent, strain-rate-sensitive inertial process which controls failure at higher loading rates.
Iron Oxide(–Cu–Au–REE–P–Ag–U–Co) Systems

The Fe oxide(–Cu–Au–REE–P–U) family of Cu, Fe, and/or Au deposits (or IOCG) represents a geochemically coherent but geologically diverse group that formed globally from the Archean to the Holocene. IOCG systems exhibit intense, voluminous Na–Ca–K–Fe(–H) hydrothermal alteration related to flow of moderately to highly saline metal-rich, sulfur-poor brines. These fluids account for the characteristic sulfide-poor, oxide-rich mineralogy and the alkali-rich character of the alteration and for the varied contents of Cu, Au, and other metals. Associated igneous rocks range from mafic to felsic, subalkaline to alkaline. Metal enrichments vary with host-rock type and sulfur availability. Geologic settings are tectonically diverse but commonly have evidence for contemporaneous or older evaporitic environments. Magmatism drives most systems, yet clearly amagmatic examples occur. Geochemical and petrologic studies demonstrate igneous-dominated sources for some solutes and permissive evidence for a connection to magmatic fluids. In many cases, a central role for nonmagmatic saline fluids is evident. The geochemistry of the latter fluids rationalizes the key distinguishing features of the IOCG family. The diversity of the IOCG family parallels that seen in other major families of deposits; their distinctive attributes indicate that they comprise a separate class of (mainly) terrestrial hydrothermal systems.
SWELL AND STORM CHARACTERISTICS FROM COASTAL WAVE RECORDS

Manual analysis of strip-chart records from a conventional wave sensor at Monterey, California was found to yield a linear frequency shift associated with each arriving swell tram, from which the origin time and travel distance of the swell could be computed The use of surface weather maps allows identification of the source, and thereby yields an accurate determination of the deep-water arrival direction of the swell for use on the local coast The wave records are analyzed for the frequency of the individual waves composing wave groups, f , consistency of the results obtained indicates that f is equivalent to the frequency of maximum energy density f , obtained by spectral analysis Five swell sets studied were found to max J f J originate in North Pacific storms advancing toward Monterey The seas in the fetch were fully arisen at the time of computed swell origin, and the surface to geostrophic wind ratio was 0 83 The dominant swell emerged from the fetch at a time when its group velocity equalled the velocity of the fetch toward Monterey.
Online product research as a labor of love: motherhood and the social construction of the baby registry

This article examines how women engage in online product research as a means to negotiate their transition into motherhood. Drawing upon data from in-depth interviews with 32 expectant mothers, we demonstrate how the process of constructing baby registries is mediated by intensive online product research. By exploring the role of online resources in consumer decision-making and the different strategies that women employ to meet the perceived challenges of consumption, we show how expectant mothers work to gain entry into the social world of motherhood in an age of intensive mothering and risk society.
Assessment of ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography as a separation technique for the analysis of seized drugs: Applicability to synthetic cannabinoids.

Abstract The recent development of modern methods for ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography (UHPSFC) has great potential for impacting the analysis of seized drugs. In the separation of synthetic cannabinoids the technique has the potential to produce superior resolution of positional isomers and diastereomers. To demonstrate this potential we have examined the capability of UHPSFC for the analysis of two different groups of synthetic cannabinoids. The first group was a mixture of 22 controlled synthetic cannabinoids, and the second group included JWH018 and nine of its non-controlled positional isomers The clear superiority of UHPSFC over other separation techniques was demonstrated, in that it was capable of near baseline separation of all 10 positional isomers using a chiral column. In total we examined four achiral columns, including Acquity UPC2 Torus 2-PIC, Acquity UPC2 Torus Diol, Acquity UPC2 Torus DEA and Acquity UPC2 Torus 1-AA (1.7 μm 3.0 × 100 mm), and three chiral columns, including Acquity UPC2 Trefoil AMY1, Acquity UPC2 Trefoil CEL1 and Acquity UPC2 Trefoil CEL2 (2.5 μm 3.0 × 150 mm), using mobile phase compositions that combined carbon dioxide with methanol, acetonitrile, ethanol or isopropanol modifier gradients. Detection was performed using simultaneous PDA UV detection and quadrupole mass spectrometry. The orthogonality of UHPSFC, GC and UHPLC for the analysis of these compounds was demonstrated using principal component analysis. Overall we feel that this new technique should prove useful in the analysis and detection of seized drug samples, and will be a useful addition to the compendium of methods for drug analysis.
Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Foraging During Bloom in Dimethoate-treated Apple Orchards

Honey bee ( Apis mellifera L.) reactions to dimethoate (Cygon 400) residues were evaluated following apple grower reports of decreased foraging activity and fruit set subsequent to prebloom dimethoate applications. Data collected in 1981 and 1982 in Adams County, Pa., indicated no reduction of foraging on trees treated 2–18 days earlier with dimethoate at recommended rates (562 g [AI]/ha). No excessive bee mortality was found during the tests, nor was fruit set affected by the prebloom sprays. Selective, small-scale applications made during bloom significantly shortened the duration of foraging trips and decreased the number of flowers visited on treated trees by individual foragers. A testing method using apple branch bouquets, pruned from trees, was devised to measure bee visitation on a per-flower basis. Significantly lower visitation occurred to dimethoate-sprayed bouquets at 2 days after treatment, but not at 3 days after spraying. When blooming bouquets were sprayed in the morning with either a field-rate (as above) or an exaggerated (triple concentration) dimethoate treatment, flowers typically received fewer bee visits throughout that test day.
Development and cytology of sordaria humana

A coiled, septate, multinucleate ascogonium or its parent hypha produces branches that enfold the ascogonium and produce a small ball of cells with the ascogonium in the center. The outer layers of cells differentiate into the perithecial wall. As the radius of the perithecium doubles, the number of wall cells increases twoto threefold per section and each cell expands sufficiently in volume to maintain the spherical shape of the perithecium. Plectenchyma cells of the centrum produce paraphyses which grow upward into a subapical cavity that is present before the paraphyses originate. Above the cavity a dome-shaped region of meristematic cells produces the neck, ostiole, and periphyses. The ascogonium does not increase in size when the perithecium enlarges. Ascogenous hyphae develop from the ascogonium after the neck and ostiole and paraphyses have begun to form. Terminal branches of ascogenous hyphae produce croziers, which in turn produce asci. Cytology of the ascus is much like that in other pyrenomycetes and includes a diffuse diplotene stage. Spores are initially uninucleate, later binucleate. The fungus is homothallic. The haploid chromosome number is seven.
Evaluation of aromatic tetrahydropyranyl ethers as feeding deterrents for the striped cucumber beetle,Acalymma vittatum (F.)

Laboratory tests with striped cucumber beetle,Acalymma vittatum, adults indicated that a number of aromatic tetrahydropyranyl ethers were promising as antifeedants at dosage rates of 0.1 and 0.5%.
Reaction of certain phytoagglutinins with Flexner-Jobling carcinoma cells of the rat.

SummaryA phytoagglutinin obtained from the white navy bean, when added to a suspension of Flexner-Jobling rat carcinoma cells, destroyed the ability of these cells to produce tumors when inoculated into rats. The phytoagglutinin had no apparent effect in vivo, when administered daily to rats beginning at the time of the tumor inoculation.
Impact of Catheter Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Sick Sinus Syndrome – Important Role of Non-Pulmonary Vein Foci –

Background The clinical efficacy of catheter ablation (CA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) and the mechanism and predictors of recurrence are not yet completely elucidated. Methods and results Of 963 consecutive patients who underwent PAF ablation during the study period, a total of 108 patients with SSS (SSS group) and 108 matched controls without SSS (non-SSS group) were followed up. During the follow-up period (mean, 32.8±17.5 months), the SSS group had significantly higher AF recurrence rate since the last procedure than the non-SSS group (26.9% vs. 12.0%; P=0.02). The SSS group had significantly higher prevalence of non-pulmonary vein (non-PV) foci than the non-SSS group (25.9% vs. 13.9%; P=0.027). On multivariate analysis congestive heart failure (HR, 13.7; 95% CI: 1.57-119; P=0.02) and non-PV foci (HR, 5.75; 95% CI: 1.69-19.6; P=0.005) were independent predictors of recurrence following CA in the SSS group. In the SSS group, 88 patients had bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome without prior permanent pacemaker implantation. Of these, 6 required pacemaker implantation because of AF and sinus pause recurrence. Conclusions Patients with SSS are at higher risk of AF recurrence after CA. Non-PV foci are associated with AF recurrence following PAF with SSS.
A New Technique to Generate Conductive Paths in Dielectric Materials

We have developed a new two-step process to generate a metallic pattern on dielectric materials. This method employs ultraviolet (uv) laser irradiation followed by electroless deposition. A few laser pulses are required to generate the pattern. After immersion in an electroless bath, the metal film is deposited only on the uv exposed area. Results of the application of this method to aluminum nitride and alumina are presented. The laser irradiation step is very fast, and the electroless deposition is simplified because it does not require any special seeding to promote activation, i.e. laser irradiation activates the dielectric surface for electroless deposition. In addition, the laser-induced activation of the insulator is maintained for a very long time allowing electroless deposition to be performed many months after irradiation. Patterns in the tens of microns can be produced on laser-exposed substrates. Pull tests have been performed to determine the bond strength. We have found that the bond strength can be further increased by annealing.
Unsteady Wake and Coolant Density Effects on Turbine Blade Film Cooling Using PSP Technique

The effect of an unsteady stator wake (simulated by wake rods mounted on a spoke wheel wake generator) on the modeled rotor blade is studied using the Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) mass transfer analogy method. Emphasis of the current study is on the mid-span region of the blade. The flow is in the low Mach number (incompressible) regime. The suction (convex) side has simple angled cylindrical film-cooling holes; the pressure (concave) side has compound angled cylindrical film cooling holes. The blade also has radial shower-head leading edge film cooling holes. Strouhal numbers studied range from 0 to 0.36; the exit Reynolds Number based on the axial chord is 530,000. Blowing ratios range from 0.5 to 2.0 on the suction side; 0.5 to 4.0 on the pressure side. Density ratios studied range from 1.0 to 2.5, to simulate actual engine conditions. The convex suction surface experiences film-cooling jet lift-off at higher blowing ratios, resulting in low effectiveness values. The film coolant is found to reattach downstream on the concave pressure surface, increasing effectiveness at higher blowing ratios. Results show deterioration in film cooling effectiveness due to increased local turbulence caused by the unsteady wake, especially on the suction side. Results also show a monotonic increase in film-cooling effectiveness on increasing the coolant to mainstream density ratio.© 2010 ASME
Minimal Residual Disease in NPM1-Mutated AML.

One of the most important discoveries in the treatment of acute leukemia is that the presence of minimal residual disease is an independent prognostic factor for the duration of remission and survival. This is particularly true for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.1,2 The identification of minimal residual disease at the end of induction therapy, at the end of consolidation therapy, or before allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is associated with a significantly worse outcome than is the absence of minimal residual disease at the same time point.1–3 The presence of minimal residual disease . . .
Outside-In vs. Inside-Out: Contrasting Patterns of Compressive Deformation in Cartilage and Meniscus

The superficial zones of articular cartilage and meniscus are structurally distinct from the rest of the tissue. In cartilage, the superficial zone is characterized by a relatively low proteoglycan content and a relatively high content of fine collagen fibrils oriented parallel to the articular surface [1], resulting in a low compressive modulus at the surface [2, 3]. In meniscus, the superficial zone is characterized by a fine mesh of randomly oriented collagen fibrils [1] while the interior of the tissue consists of bundles of circumferentially oriented collagen I fibers surrounded by a secondary network containing multiple collagen types and proteoglycans [4]. As relatively little is known about the depth-varying mechanical properties of the meniscus, this study aimed to characterize the depth-dependent response of cartilage and meniscal tissue to compression by comparing the two-dimensional strain fields of site-matched tissue pairs.© 2010 ASME
Mainstreaming Naloxone Through Coprescription to Patients Receiving Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain

Coffin and colleagues evaluated the implementation of overdose education and naloxone rescue kit prescriptions among patients in safety net community health centers treated with opioid therapy for ...
Comparison of MGH-1 and Tumark Antibody Detection in Transitional Cell Carcinoma

AbstractTwo monoclonal antibodies, TuMark-BTA and MGH-1, were evaluated in patients with benign pathology, history of transitional cell carcinoma with no active disease and active transitional cell carcinoma. Both antibodies were accurate in predicting carcinoma in approximately two-thirds of patients. TuMark showed a 74% sensitivity and 50% specificity, while MGH-1 was more sensitive (86%) and less specific (38%). Positive predictive values for TuMark and MGH-1 were 79% and 78%, respectively.
Variation in the Types of Providers Participating in Breast Cancer Follow-Up Care: A SEER-Medicare Analysis

The current guidelines do not delineate the types of providers that should participate in early breast cancer follow-up care (within 3 years after completion of treatment). This study aimed to describe the types of providers participating in early follow-up care of older breast cancer survivors and to identify factors associated with receipt of follow-up care from different types of providers. Stages 1–3 breast cancer survivors treated from 2000 to 2007 were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End results Medicare database (n = 44,306). Oncologist (including medical, radiation, and surgical) follow-up and primary care visits were defined using Medicare specialty provider codes and linked American Medical Association (AMA) Masterfile. The types of providers involved in follow-up care were summarized. Stepped regression models identified factors associated with receipt of medical oncology follow-up care and factors associated with receipt of medical oncology care alone versus combination oncology follow-up care. Oncology follow-up care was provided for 80 % of the patients: 80 % with a medical oncologist, 46 % with a surgeon, and 39 % with a radiation oncologist after radiation treatment. The patients with larger tumor size, positive axillary nodes, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive status, and chemotherapy treatment were more likely to have medical oncology follow-up care than older patients with higher Charlson comorbidity scores who were not receiving axillary care. The only factor associated with increased likelihood of follow-up care with a combination of oncology providers was regular primary care visits (>2 visits/year). Substantial variation exists in the types of providers that participate in breast cancer follow-up care. Improved guidance for the types of providers involved and delineation of providers’ responsibilities during follow-up care could lead to improved efficiency and quality of care.
Endoscopic Versus Microscopic Transsphenoidal Approach for Pituitary Adenomas: Comparison of Outcomes During the Transition of Methods of a Single Surgeon.

Objective The transition from microscopic to fully endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery requires a surgeon to assess how the change in technique will affect the extent of tumor resection (EOR), outcomes, and complications. We compared a single surgeon's experience transitioning from one technique to the other and examined the operative outcomes and EOR between microscopic versus endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Methods Retrospective data analysis of adult patients who were treated surgically for a pituitary adenoma between August 2005 and May 2015 by a single neurosurgeon, who was originally trained and practiced in the microscopic transsphenoidal approach. Patient demographics, perioperative conditions, tumor characteristics, operative times, volumetric EOR, postoperative outcome, and the endoscopic learning curve were evaluated. Results One hundred and nine patients underwent microscopic transsphenoidal surgery and 275 patients underwent a fully endoscopic approach. The patient characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. Operative room time was significantly shorter in the endoscopic group than in the microscopic group (180.2 vs. 215.6 minutes; P P = 0.371) as well as residual tumor volume (1.06 cm 3 vs. 1.15 cm 3 ; P = 0.765). The mean length of hospital stay was 2.4 days in the endoscopic group and 3.2 days in the microscopic group ( P = 0.03). Conclusions During the transition from the microscopic to the endoscopic approach, similar surgical outcomes and EOR were achieved in the 2 cohorts. In our experience, the endoscopic approach offers the advantage of shorter operative times and lengths of hospital stays after the surgeon has developed more experience with the technique.
Fetal proximal humeral epiphysis as an indicator of term gestation in different ethnic groups.

AbstractObjectives: Accurate pregnancy dating is critical for appropriate clinical management. Our aim was to determine the time of appearance of proximal humeral epiphysis (PHE), consistency of its appearance among ethnic groups and whether 3D imaging helps with its visualization.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 360 patients with 563 scans in different ethnic groups between August 2013 and July 2015. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancies (34–40+ weeks of gestation), well dated by <20 weeks sonogram.Results: PHE was not seen at 34 (n = 44) or 35 weeks (n = 36) and was present at gestational ages 36 (n = 3), 37 (n = 126), 38 (n = 96), 39 (n = 100) and 40 weeks (n = 28) in 2%, 12%, 51%, 75% and 100%, respectively. PHE was seen in 20 of 50 (60%) African–Americans, 22 of 61 (64%) south Asians, 41 of 72 (57%) Caucasians, 45 of 86 (48%) Hispanics and 41 of 80 (49%) Asians.Conclusion: Appearance of PHE did increase with gestational age, prior to 40 weeks, it was not uniformly present and was...
Profiles of law enforcement agency body armor policies—A latent class analysis of the LEMAS 2013 data

ABSTRACTThe life-saving benefits of body armor have been well-documented, and law enforcement agency (LEA) body armor wear requirements have been cited by police officers as one of the most important reasons for them to wear body armor. However, research on LEAs' policies and practices regarding body armor is scarce. This study examined whether there are different agency-level profiles of various body armor-related policies, and related these body armor policy profiles to agency characteristics, size, location, etc. U.S. LEAs fell into four distinct profiles based on their body armor policies. Close to half of the LEAs had comprehensive coverage of body armor policies in all aspects. However, nearly one in five LEAs had very weak body armor policies in all aspects. The rest of the LEAs split into two groups, each with different strengths and weaknesses on selection, training, fitting, wearing, and inspection policies. Sheriff's offices and smaller LEAs were found to have weaker policies. In contrast, LEAs...
The protein kinase C super-family member PKN is regulated by mTOR and influences differentiation during prostate cancer progression.

Background Phosphoinositide-3 (PI-3) kinase signaling has a pervasive role in cancer. One of the key effectors of PI-3 kinase signaling is AKT, a kinase that promotes growth and survival in a variety of cancers. Genetically engineered mouse models of prostate cancer have shown that AKT signaling is sufficient to induce prostatic epithelial neoplasia (PIN), but insufficient for progression to adenocarcinoma. This contrasts with the phenotype of mice with prostate-specific deletion of Pten, where excessive PI-3 kinase signaling induces both PIN and locally invasive carcinoma. We reasoned that additional PI-3 kinase effector kinases promote prostate cancer progression via activities that provide biological complementarity to AKT. We focused on the PKN kinase family members, which undergo activation in response to PI-3 kinase signaling, show expression changes in prostate cancer, and contribute to cell motility pathways in cancer cells. Methods PKN kinase activity was measured by incorporation of 32P into protein substrates. Phosphorylation of the turn-motif (TM) in PKN proteins by mTOR was analyzed using the TORC2-specific inhibitor torin and a PKN1 phospho-TM-specific antibody. Amino acid substitutions in the TM of PKN were engineered and assayed for effects on kinase activity. Cell motility-related functions and PKN localization was analyzed by depletion approaches and immunofluorescence microscopy, respectively. The contribution of PKN proteins to prostate tumorigenesis was characterized in several mouse models that express PKN transgenes. The requirement for PKN activity in prostate cancer initiated by loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (Pten), and the potential redundancy between PKN isoforms, was analyzed by prostate-specific deletion of Pkn1, Pkn2, and Pten. Results and Conclusions PKN1 and PKN2 contribute to motility pathways in human prostate cancer cells. PKN1 and PKN2 kinase activity is regulated by TORC2-dependent phosphorylation of the TM, which together with published data indicates that PKN proteins receive multiple PI-3 kinase-dependent inputs. Transgenic expression of active AKT and PKN1 is not sufficient for progression beyond PIN. Moreover, Pkn1 is not required for tumorigenesis initiated by loss of Pten. Triple knockout of Pten, Pkn1, and Pkn2 in mouse prostate results in squamous cell carcinoma, an uncommon but therapy-resistant form of prostate cancer.
Development and history of morcellators.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Controversy exists surrounding extraction of tissue in gynecologic surgery using morcellators following cases of disseminated uterine cancers discovered after the use of electromechanical morcellators. This chapter traces the history of tissue extraction in gynecology and reviews the evolving scientific data and opinions regarding the future of morcellation. RECENT FINDINGS Since the initial Food and Drug Administration warning about morcellation in 2014, subsequent studies do not support the Food and Drug Administration's high incidence of occult uterine cancer. Current research continues, focusing on methods of contained tissue morcellation, both laparoscopically and vaginally. SUMMARY Minimally invasive surgical techniques have revolutionized gynecology, drastically reducing the need for open procedures. To maximize patient safety while preserving the rapid recovery and low morbidity of laparoscopic and vaginal approaches, optimal methods of tissue extraction need to be developed and promulgated.
Imatinib Is Protective Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in an Ex Vivo Rabbit Model of Lung Injury.

Background Ischemia-reperfusion injury is characterized by an increase in oxidative stress and leads to significant morbidity and death. The tyrosine kinase c-Abl is activated by oxidative stress and mediates processes that affect endothelial barrier function. We hypothesized treatment with the c-Abl inhibitor imatinib would be protective against ischemia-reperfusion injury in our ex vivo rabbit model. Methods Heart-lung blocs were harvested from rabbits and stored in cold in Perfadex (Vitrolife, Englewood, CO) for 18 hours. Blocs were reperfused for 2 hours in an ex vivo circuit with donor rabbit blood alone (untreated group, n = 7) or donor rabbit blood and 4 mg imatinib (treatment group, n = 10). Serial clinical variables measured every 15 minutes (arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tension and mean pulmonary artery pressures) and biochemistry of tissue samples before and after reperfusion were assessed. Results Compared with untreated lungs, imatinib treatment improved physiologic parameters, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pulmonary artery pressures. Imatinib-treated lungs had less vascular barrier dysfunction as quantified by wet-to-dry weight ratios and bronchoalveolar lavage protein concentrations. Treated lungs showed less inflammation as measured by bronchoalveolar lavage myeloperoxidase assay, less mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, and increased antioxidant catalase levels. Finally, imatinib protected lungs from DNA damage and p53 upregulation. Conclusions Imatinib treatment significantly improved the physiologic performance of reperfused lungs and biochemical indicators associated with reperfusion injury in this ex vivo model. Further study is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of tyrosine kinase inhibition in lungs exposed to ischemia and reperfusion.
Corporate medical claim cost distributions and factors associated with high-cost status

Medical claims cost distributions and factors that relate to these costs were studied among 7796 employees who selected an indemnity medical plan for at least one year during 1985 to 1990. Descriptions for medical claims costs were presented for both single- and multiple-year time periods. Factors that associated with high cost status were studied by using multiple logistic regression models. Employees at or above the top tenth cost percentile were accounted for approximately 80%, 65%, and 58% of the total employees' medical costs to the employer in single-year, 3-year, and 6-year periods, respectively. Bivariate analyses indicated tht six of the seven selected demographic variables were significantly related to cost status. When the multivariate models excluded health risk measures, four of the demographic variables and the frequency of health risk appraisal completion were significantly associated with cost status. When the multivariate models included health risk measures, the health risk measures became the dominant predictors of the high-cost status.
Comparison of PRA-STAT, sHLA-EIA, and anti-human globulin-panel reactive antibody to identify alloreactivity in pretransplantation sera of heart transplant recipients: correlation to rejection and posttransplantation coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND Screening pretransplantation recipient sera for percent panel reactive antibodies (%PRA) by an anti-human globulin (AHG) assay may identify recipients who are at risk for graft rejection or development of posttransplantation coronary artery disease. However, the pretransplantation AHG-%PRA does not always correlate with the occurrence of graft rejection or coronary artery disease. METHODS We compared the predictive capacity of the AHG-%PRA with that of an enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA)-based PRA assay that identifies immunoglobulin G bound to soluble human leukocyte antigen (sHLA) class I molecules from pooled platelets of 240 random donors (sHLA-EIA), and that of an EIA-based assay that detects immunoglobulin G anti-HLA class I antibodies bound to sHLA derived from individual HLA-typed cell cultures (PRA-STAT). The pretransplantation sera from 130 cardiac allograft recipients were comparatively tested and results evaluated. RESULTS Although AHG-%PRA- and sHLA-EIA-determined PRA results were comparable, neither assay discriminated potential recipients at risk for rejection or coronary artery disease. However, cardiac allograft recipients with pretransplantation PRA-STAT sera > 10% were at risk for (1) graft rejection (77% vs 56%, p < .05); (2) more rejections/recipient (1.9 vs 1.0, p < .02); (3) graft rejection within 30 days (92% vs 38%, p < .001); or (4) development of coronary artery disease (48% vs 23%, p < .05) than recipients with pretransplantation PRA-STAT sera < 10%. CONCLUSIONS PRA-STAT analysis of pretransplantation sera from potential cardiac allograft recipients may be more clinically informative about HLA alloimmunity and a better predictor of adverse clinical events than either AHG-%PRA- or sHLA-EIA-determined PRA.
Updates on transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Techniques, complications, outcome, and prognosis

Abstract Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) initially emerged as a therapeutic option for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Advancement in technologies since the first era of TAVRs, experience from previous obstacles, and lessons learned from complications have allowed the evolution of this procedure to the current state. This review focuses on the updates on the most current devices, complications, and outcomes of TAVR.
Analysis of Financial Performance in Dairy Enterprises; The Case Study of Konya, Turkey

Sustainability and development of the dairy enterprises are dependent on competitiveness. Determination of the performance of the enterprises requires measurement and analyses of the financial performance of the enterprises. The ability of dairy enterprises to continue and grow is dependent on competitiveness. It requires that the financial performance of the farm enterprises be measured and analysed in order for the enterprises to be able to detect the competition power in a healthy manner. The aim of the study is to analyse the financial performance of the dairy enterprises in Konya province by determining the capital structure. Cumra, Karapinar and Eregli districts constituted 15% of the number of bovine animals, were selected by using sampling method. The number of dairy cattle in these enterprises constituted the main frame of the population the primary data collected from 125 dairy farm enterprises with questionnaire technique through stratified sampling method with 95% confidence interval and error margin of 5%. The capital structure of the enterprises surveyed in the research area was classified according to their functions and the average active capital of the enterprises was calculated as 845,330.85$. 67.87% of the active capital is composed of land capital, 31.70% is composed of fixed enterprises capital and 0.43% is variable working capital. The economic profitability level (EP) was determined as 6.90% and the financial profitability level (FP) indicated the success of the enterprise was calculated as 7.06%. The capital turnover rate, an important indicator in the success and comparison of the enterprises, is 28.22%. As a result, their development and competitiveness are slow, because they do not use enough business and investment capital.
Power Flow in a Multi-Frequency HVac and HVdc System: Formulation, Solution, and Validation

This paper proposes a novel power flow formulation and solution algorithm for a generalized large-scale interconnected transmission system encompassing multi-frequency HVac and HVdc grids having arbitrary numbers of buses, topologies, and operating frequencies. Back-to-back and ac/dc voltage-source converters are employed to interconnect and control the voltage and power interchange between two power grids operating at different frequencies. The power Flow formulation is based on a steady-state model of back-to-back and ac/dc converters operated in centralized and distributed droop control strategies. Each power grid is represented by a set of nonlinear power balance equations. These equations are solved simultaneously using a unified power flow algorithm, taking into account generator and converter limits. It is shown that the solution convergence is achieved rapidly despite the system size, topology, and converter control strategies. The efficacy and accuracy of the proposed steady-state solution algorithm are demonstrated by comparing the numerical solution to the one obtained by time-domain electromagnetic models of multi-frequency HVac and HVdc transmission systems with fully controllable back-to-back and ac/dc converters. The results obtained by using the proposed algorithm and the time-domain simulation are practically identical.
Risk in the Tshimbupfe–Berkeley Collaborative Archaeology Partnership as Engaged Scholarship

How might descendant communities and their allied archaeologists design equitable research together to combat legacies of academic exploitation? Community-partnered research still takes place in relationships of differential power and risk. Shifting archaeological practitioners’ focus from entitlement foundations of “stewardship” to structures of accountability is but one formulation of relationship building that foregrounds restorative justice and dedication to contemporary community struggles for self-determination. Experiences of collaborative research design for the archaeological investigation of Tshimbupfe’s cultural resources in Limpopo Province, South Africa is part of a long-term commitment to a local, meaningful and community-driven form of partnered scholarship. This kind of work explores why and how what might be perceived as taking risks with partnered research is a powerful form of commitment to a practice of decolonization. When communities open their doors to archaeologists there is the potential for sharing sensitive information as well as expending precious political capital and resources at multiple registers. Local leaders in community partnerships are at the vanguard of such negotiations and the archaeological community should be grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their ongoing scholarship.
Pricking Boils and Other Lessons Not Learned on Law & Order: Mitigating and Overcoming Negative Evidence at Trial

One of the most important skills in being an effective trial lawyer is knowing how to mitigate potentially damaging evidence. Numerous psychological studies support the theory of "pricking the boil." The author applies these studies to a trial scenario, providing insight into the usefulness of this valuable tool.
Queer Theory in the Practice of Family Therapy

In this chapter I explore the potential impact of queer theory on the construction of sex, gender, and sexual orientation in the practice of couple and family therapy. Queer theory provides a framework for questioning and resisting binary systems to promote flexibility in individual and relational identities. I offer cisgenderism as a special topic, followed by a case example and implications of queer theory for the practice of family therapy.
Dirty Harry and the Urban Frontier

Chapter 3 explores the emergence of the contemporary crimefighter, especially its rogue variant, Dirty Harry, as a response to social unrest of the late 1960s. Clint Eastwood serves as a pivotal figure who transfers his cowboy persona befitting the mythic nineteenth century West to the streets of San Francisco, where a counterculture was challenging the status quo. As the Vietnam War gave way to Reagan’s “morning in America,” the hyper-masculine “hard bodies” emerge to dominate in the Die Hard and Lethal Weapon franchises. Such films often showcase the Other as sidekicks and “buddies” to their white partners—still the star attraction. Finally, films such as Fort Apache the Bronx and TV’s Hill Street Blues establish precinct life as a microcosm of the larger, troubled society.
Effects of shape, rigidity, size, and flow on targeting

Abstract Particulate drug carriers remain promising for application in disease treatment. The design of these carrier systems for efficient drug delivery hinges on the understanding of their interactions with the different components encountered once they enter into the circulation, including blood cells, plasma, the vascular wall, and various organs. Accordingly, many studies have focused on the investigation of these interactions for different types of drug carrier systems. In this chapter, we discuss how the interplay of the design parameters such as size, shape, and rigidity, and blood hemodynamics influence the behavior of the particles in the body.
Promoting hepatitis B elimination and laying emphasis on its economics evaluation

WHO has developed and issued global hepatitis B elimination program. Continuing hepatitis B immunization and conducting community based antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B are the most important strategies for hepatitis B elimination. According to the estimation of related cost by WHO, the cost of antiviral therapy would be very high. Great achievement has been made in hepatitis B immunization in China, but the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B is high. Elimination of hepatitis B needs a large amount of public resource, posing serious challenge to public health policy making. Economics research on hepatitis B prevention and treatment can provide evidence and technical support for hepatitis B elimination. In this column "Economic evaluations of hepatitis B" , the related articles in this issue summarize the progress in this research field, which is inspiring and encouraging. Key words: Hepatitis B; Elimination of hepatitis B; Economics evaluation