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Recurrent mutations within EGR2 were recently reported in advanced-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients and associated with a worse outcome. To study their prognostic impact, 2403 CLL patients were examined for mutations in the EGR2 hotspot region including a screening (n=1283) and two validation cohorts (UK CLL4 trial patients, n=366; CLL Research Consortium (CRC) patients, n=490). Targeted deep-sequencing of 27 known/postulated CLL driver genes was also performed in 38 EGR2-mutated patients to assess concurrent mutations. EGR2 mutations were detected in 91/2403 (3.8%) investigated cases, and associated with younger age at diagnosis, advanced clinical stage, high CD38 expression and unmutated IGHV genes. EGR2-mutated patients frequently carried ATM lesions (42%), TP53 aberrations (18%) and NOTCH1/FBXW7 mutations (16%). EGR2 mutations independently predicted shorter time-to-first-treatment (TTFT) and overall survival (OS) in the screening cohort; they were confirmed associated with reduced TTFT and OS in the CRC cohort and independently predicted short OS from randomization in the UK CLL4 cohort. A particularly dismal outcome was observed among EGR2-mutated patients who also carried TP53 aberrations. In summary, EGR2 mutations were independently associated with an unfavorable prognosis, comparable to CLL patients carrying TP53 aberrations, suggesting that EGR2-mutated patients represent a new patient subgroup with very poor outcome.

AbstractPrison tours are a popular tool for teaching about the realities of prison. The limitation of most “prison tours,” and hence, of most evaluations of them, is that they involve a single tour of a single prison by a single group. A better strategy—and test of its impact—would be to incorporate multiple institutions representing a broad range of prisons and prison features. The author created a unique and extensive prison-touring program. Over 33 years, he escorted nearly 3,000 students on 113 weeklong excursions, with each trip including detailed visits to eight to ten very different institutions. Surveys were administered to all 99 student participants before and after their participation in one of four weeklong excursions conducted during an entire academic year. The impact of the experience on student attitudes about convicts, staff, prison, justice policies, and reform was positive, dramatic, and enduring. (The full one-hour documentary about this program, Prison Through Tomorrow’s Eyes, can be screened online at https://vimeo.com/92949779.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses an urgent ecological crisis of this century. It explores the transformative potential of ecological hermeneutics as a current trend in Old Testament research in the context of the Book of Psalms. As we face the unprecedented ecological threat of global devastation, this article identifies a new kind of speech emerging from current ecological trends in biblical research. The article examines the historical implications of biblical texts in the discussion about ecological degradation by providing an overview of the development of ecological hermeneutics. It then presents methodologies such as dark green religion and the ecobosadi approach and advocates for ways in which they reshape culture and have the potential to play a crucial role in reshaping it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Filmmaking is an unconventional, but supremely rewarding career path for criminal justice educators. The author chronicles his career as he transitioned unexpectedly from a traditional path involving legal analyses and policy research to the very unusual enterprise of documentary filmmaking. Each of his film projects emanated directly from his teaching or research experiences, experiences that might just as appropriately have culminated in articles for publication. But he chose a different mode for disseminating his research and insights. The author reviews the myriad challenges he faced as a filmmaker—both inside and outside of the film industry, itself. Throughout, he describes—and outlines his efforts to overcome—the staunch resistance by the academic community to filmmaking by faculty who reside outside traditional departments of theatre and film. He also urges colleagues to consider the path for themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many range‐restricted taxa are experiencing population declines, yet we lack fundamental information regarding their distribution and population size. Establishing baseline estimates for both of these key biological parameters is however critical for directing conservation planning for at‐risk range‐restricted species. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List uses three range metrics that define species distributions and inform extinction risk assessments: extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO) and area of habitat (AOH). However, calculating all three metrics using standard IUCN approaches relies on a geographically representative sample of locations, which for rare species is often spatially biased. Here, we apply model‐based interpolation using Species Distribution Models (SDMs), correlating occurrences with remote‐sensing covariates, to calculate IUCN range metrics, protected area coverage and a global population estimate for the Critically Endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi). Our final range wide continuous SDM had high predictive accuracy (continuous Boyce Index = 0.934) and when converted to a binary model estimated an AOH as 28 624 km2, a maximum EOO as 617 957 km2, and a minimum EOO as 275 459 km2, with an AOO as 53 867 km2. Based on inferred habitat from the AOH metric, we estimate a global population of 392 breeding pairs (range: 318–447 pairs), or 784 mature individuals, across the Philippine Eagle global range. Protected areas covered 32% of AOH, 13% less than the target representation, with the continuous model identifying key habitat as priority conservation areas. We demonstrate that even when occurrences are geographically biased, robust habitat models can quantify baseline IUCN range metrics, protected area coverage and a population size estimate. In the absence of adequate location data for many rare and threatened taxa, our method is a promising spatial modelling tool with widespread applications, particularly for island endemics facing high extinction risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Granular myringitis is a chronic and difficult-to-treat condition of the tympanic membrane. This paper presents a minimally invasive treatment technique using the potassium titanyl phosphate laser. Design: A retrospective case review of patients who underwent potassium titanyl phosphate laser treatment between 2015 and 2020 was performed. All patients underwent final telephone follow up in 2020 to ascertain whether they had any ongoing myringitis symptoms, and all were offered further face-to-face follow up. Results: Fourteen patients with myringitis were identified, with one patient having both ears affected. Of the 15 affected ears, 2 required a second treatment, resulting in a total of 17 laser treatment cases. At the first post-operative review, the appearance of the drum had improved in 10 out of 17 treatments (59 per cent). Conclusion: Potassium titanyl phosphate laser surface tympanoplasty may provide safe, quick and effective resolution of myringitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the temperature dependence of the magnetic properties of VO2/Ni bilayers deposited on three different substrates. The temperature induced VO2 transformation from a monoclinic to a rutile structure induces strain in the Ni film. Due to an inverse magnetostrictive effect, the coercivity of the Ni films is strongly modified. The morphology of the films is influenced by the substrate choice and has a strong impact on the magnetic properties. Ni films grown on top of rutile VO2 show a reversible change in the coercivity and a strong enhancement of the coercivity near the transition temperature. The coercivity enhancement of Ni is associated with the phase coexistence observed in the VO2 first order phase transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hopkins ND, Green D J, Tinken TM, Sutton L, McWhannell N, Thijssen DH, Cable NT, Stratton G, George K. Does conduit artery diameter vary according to the anthropometric characteristics of children or men?. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 297: H2182-H2187, 2009. First published October 16, 2009; doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00228.2009.--Arterial measurements are commonly undertaken to assess acute and chronic adaptations to exercise. Despite the widespread adoption of scaling practices in cardiac research, the relevance of scaling for body size and/or composition has not been addressed for arterial measures. We therefore investigated the relationships between brachial artery diameter and body composition in 129 children aged 9 to 10 yr(75 girls and 54 boys), and 50 men aged 16-49 yr. Body composition variables(total, lean, and fat mass in the whole body, arm, and forearm) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and brachial artery diameter was measured using high-resolution ultrasound. Bivariate correlations were performed, and arterial diameter was then scaled using simple ratios(y/x) and allometric approaches after log-log least squares linear regression and production of allometric exponents(b) and construction of power function ratios(y/[x.sup.b]). Size independence was checked via bivariate correlations(x:y/x; x:y/[x.sup.b]). As a result, significant correlations existed between brachial artery diameter and measures of body mass and lean mass in both cohorts(r = 0.21-0.48, P < 0.05). There were no significant relationships between diameter and fat mass. All b exponents were significantly different from 1(0.08-0.50), suggesting that simple ratio scaling approaches were likely to be flawed. This was confirmed when ratio scaling produced negative residual size correlations, whereas allometric scaling produced size-independent indexes (r = 0.00 to 0.03, P > 0.05). In conclusion, when between- or within-group comparisons are performed under circumstances where it is important to control for differences in body size or composition, allometric scaling of artery diameter should be adopted rather than ratio scaling. Our data also suggest that scaling for lean or total mass may be more appropriate than scaling for indexes of fat mass. anthropometry; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00228.2009

Most Australian school students take a packed lunch to school(1). However, parents have reported many barriers to packing a healthy lunch(2). Subsequently, foods eaten during school hours are not consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines, with discretionary foods providing about 44% of energy consumed during this time(3). In addition, some children go to school without any food for lunch or money to buy lunch. The Tasmanian School Lunch Project provides free nutritious cooked lunches for Kinder to Year 10 students attending 30 government schools (15 commenced 2022, 15 commenced 2023) in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage. The lunches were provided 1-3 days/week. The menu and recipes were designed by dietitians. This analysis aimed to describe parents' perceptions of the School Lunch Project during the first year. Six of the 15 schools that commenced in term 2 2022 were invited, and agreed, to participate in the evaluation. During term 3 or 4 2022, parents completed online or written surveys (n = 159) and/or participated in discussion groups (n = 26) to share their thoughts on the menu, their concerns, likes, and willingness to pay. Survey data were analysed descriptively and open-ended survey responses and discussion group data thematically. During 2022, 78,832 nutritious cooked lunches were provided to 1,678 students. Most parents felt there was enough variety on the menu (66%) and the right amount of food was served (69%). Most students (79%) ate the lunches every day they were provided yet 52% of parents continued to provide a packed lunch. Parents enjoyed that their child was having a healthy lunch (66%) and trying new foods (74%). Some parents in the discussion groups indicated positive flow on effects at home with students trying new foods and sitting down together as a family to eat the evening meal. Half the parents (50%) had no concerns about the school providing lunches. The most commonly reported concerns were their child might not like the food (36%) or their child does not try new foods (8.6%). These concerns were also raised in the discussion groups. Most parents (93%) were prepared to pay for the lunches in future (median $3, range $1-$12) and 85% thought there should be a family discount. Parents acknowledged some payment was necessary for the sustainability of the program but some expressed concern for those who may struggle to pay. More direct communication with families about the meals offered, the availability of bread (from term 4 2022) for students who choose not to eat the cooked lunch or want more to eat, and allowing families time to adjust to the new lunch system, may address some of the concerns raised. Further data on parents' perceptions of the school lunches will be collected during term 3 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]