cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of Interleukin 9 in the Lungs of Transgenic Mice Causes Airway Inflammation, Mast Cell Hyperplasia, and Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness

Interleukin (IL)-9, a pleiotropic cytokine produced by the Th2 subset of T lymphocytes has been proposed as product of a candidate gene responsible for asthma. Its wide range of biological functions on many cell types involved in the allergic immune response suggests a potentially important role in the complex pathogenesis of asthma. To investigate the contributions of IL-9 to airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in vivo, we created transgenic mice in which expression of the murine IL-9 cDNA was regulated by the rat Clara cell 10 protein promoter. Lung selective expression of IL-9 caused massive airway inflammation with eosinophils and lymphocytes as predominant infiltrating cell types. A striking finding was the presence of increased numbers of mast cells within the airway epithelium of IL-9–expressing mice. Other impressive pathologic changes in the airways were epithelial cell hypertrophy associated with accumulation of mucus-like material within nonciliated cells and increased subepithelial deposition of collagen. Physiologic evaluation of IL-9–expressing mice demonstrated normal baseline airway resistance and markedly increased airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine. These findings strongly support an important role for IL-9 in the pathogenesis of asthma.
Wood anatomy constrains stomatal responses to atmospheric vapor pressure deficit in irrigated, urban trees

Plant transpiration is strongly constrained by hydraulic architecture, which determines the critical threshold for cavitation. Because species vary greatly in vulnerability to cavitation, hydraulic limits to transpiration and stomatal conductance have not generally been incorporated into ecological and climate models. We measured sap flow, leaf transpiration, and vulnerability to cavitation of a variety of tree species in a well-irrigated but semi-arid urban environment in order to evaluate the generality of stomatal responses to high atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (D). We found evidence of broad patterns of stomatal responses to humidity based on systematic differences in vulnerability to cavitation. Ring-porous taxa consistently had vulnerable xylem and showed strong regulation of transpiration in response to D, while diffuse-porous taxa were less vulnerable and transpiration increased nearly linearly with D. These results correspond well to patterns in the distribution of the taxa, such as the prevalence of diffuse-porous species in riparian ecosystems, and also provide a means of representing maximum transpiration rates at varying D in broad categories of trees.
Clinical construction of action social networks

The author describes his ten year experience in the development of “action social networks” as a clinical intervention technique. This involves up to 30 persons who are currently significant in the patient's life situation. Practical, fiscal, clinical, and ethical issues are raised. The author finds that social network paradigms are most important in conceptualizating clinical care, but are now more conservative in clinical network intervention.
Controlling Air Pollution from Passenger Ferries: Cost-Effectiveness of Seven Technological Options

Continued interest in improving air quality in the United States along with renewed interest in the expansion of urban passenger ferry service has created concern about air pollution from ferry vessels. This paper presents a methodology for estimating the air pollution emissions from passenger ferries and the costs of emissions control strategies. The methodology is used to estimate the emissions and costs of retrofitting or re-powering ferries with seven technological options (combinations of propulsion and emission control systems) onto three vessels currently in service in San Francisco Bay. The technologies include improved engine design, cleaner fuels (including natural gas), and exhaust gas cleanup devices. The three vessels span a range of ages and technologies, from a 25-year-old monohull to a modern, high-speed catamaran built only four years ago. By looking at a range of technologies, vessel designs, and service conditions, a sense of the broader implications of controlling emissions from passenger ferries across a range of vessels and service profiles is provided. Tier 2-certified engines are the most cost-effective choice, but all options are cost-effective relative to other emission control strategies already in place in the transportation system.
Listening Is Behaving Verbally.

2007 witnessed the 50th anniversary of the publication of Verbal Behavior by B. F. Skinner, a book that he considered his most important work (Skinner, 1977). Contrary to claims of its demise, along with the demise of behaviorism, Verbal Behavior has recently made somewhat of a comeback, selling at a brisk pace over the last several years. Part of the reason may be because the interpretation presented in the book has yielded important dividends in the applied arena, in particular with individuals diagnosed with autism (Schlinger, 2008c). Not coincidentally, there has been a concurrent, albeit slow, increase in the number of research articles, mostly on teaching basic verbal operants (Dymond, O'Hora, Whelan, & O'Donovan, 2006; Sautter & LeBlanc, 2006). However, most of the applications and research reports have focused on speaking. There has been scant mention of listening, perhaps because of the perception that Verbal Behavior was all about the speaker (but see Horne & Lowe, 1996; Miguel, Petursdottir, Carr, & Michael, 2008). Despite Skinner's own admission that Verbal Behavior dealt primarily with the behavior of the speaker, he didn't neglect the behavior of the listener. In fact, the listener plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of the speaker's behavior, as evidenced by Skinner's definition of verbal behavior as “behavior reinforced through the mediation of other persons” (1957, p. 2). Skinner noted, however, that the behavior of the listener often goes beyond simply mediating consequences for the speaker's behavior, implying that the listener engages in a repertoire of behavior that is itself verbal. But what does the listener actually do and why? In this article, I suggest that what we most often speak of as listening involves subvocal verbal behavior. I then describe some possible forms and functions of listening (including echoic and intraverbal behavior) and conclude that that there may be no functional distinction between speaking and listening.
Leptin Alters Adrenal Responsiveness by Decreasing Expression of ACTH-R, StAR, and P450c21 in Hypoxemic Fetal Sheep

The late gestation increase in adrenal responsiveness to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) is dependent upon the upregulation of the ACTH receptor (ACTH-R), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and steroidogenic enzymes in the fetal adrenal. Long-term hypoxia decreases the expression of these and adrenal responsiveness to ACTH in vivo. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone which attenuates the peripartum increase in fetal plasma cortisol is elevated in hypoxic fetuses. Therefore, we hypothesized that increases in plasma leptin will inhibit the expression of the ACTH-R, StAR, and steroidogenic enzymes and attenuate adrenal responsiveness in hypoxic fetuses. Spontaneously hypoxemic fetal sheep (132 days of gestation, PO2 ∼15 mm Hg) were infused with recombinant human leptin (n = 8) or saline (n = 7) for 96 hours. An ACTH challenge was performed at 72 hours of infusion to assess adrenal responsiveness. Plasma cortisol and ACTH were measured daily and adrenals were collected after 96 hours infusion for messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression measurement. Plasma cortisol concentrations were lower in leptin- compared with saline-infused fetuses (14.8 ± 3.2 vs 42.3 ± 9.6 ng/mL, P < .05), as was the cortisol:ACTH ratio (0.9 ± 0.074 vs 46 ± 1.49, P < .05). Increases in cortisol concentrations were blunted in the leptin-treated group after ACTH1–24 challenge (F = 12.2, P < .0001). Adrenal ACTH-R, StAR, and P450c21 expression levels were reduced in leptin-treated fetuses (P < .05), whereas the expression of Ob-Ra and Ob-Rb leptin receptor isoforms remained unchanged. Our results indicate that leptin blunts adrenal responsiveness in the late gestation hypoxemic fetus, and this effect appears mediated by decreased adrenal ACTH-R, StAR, and P450c21 expression.
Dynamic Characteristics of Power Gating During Mode Transition

With the technology moving into the deep sub-100-nm region, the increase of leakage power consumption necessitates more aggressive power reduction techniques. Power gating is a promising technique. Our research emphasizes that with the latest and future technologies, power gating operates frequently in its transition mode, especially for aggressive leakage reduction. The dynamic characteristics of power gating during its mode transition is critical for making design decision. Hence we derive a fast, accurate, and temperature-aware model to characterize the dynamic behavior of power gating during mode transition. The applications of this model include the estimation of several key design parameters for power gating, such as dynamic virtual ground voltage, dynamic leakage variation and energy break-even time. It provides an efficient estimation engine for power gating design optimization. The accuracy of the model has been verified by extensive HSPICE experiments. The model is computationally efficient due to the usage of various approximation methods.
Electromigration Reliability in Nanoscale Cu Interconnects

Electromigration behavior in Cu damascene wires was studied for various Cu grain struc-tures. The grain size was modulated by Cu linewidth and thickness, and by adjusting the wafer annealing process step after Cu electroplating and before Cu chemical mechanical polishing. A larger variation of Cu grain size between the samples was achieved on CMOS 65 nm node tech-nology than previous nodes which was due to the finer line width and thinner metal thickness. The Cu lifetime and mass flow in samples with bamboo, near bamboo, bamboo-polycrystalline mixture, and polycrystalline grain structures were measured. The effects of a Cu(2.5 wt.% Ti) alloy seed, Cu surface pre-clean, and selective electroless CoWP deposition techniques on Cu electromigration were also observed and a significantly improved Cu lifetime was found. The electromigration activation energies for Cu in Cu(Ti) alloy, along Cu/amorphous a-SiCxNyHz in-terface and grain boundary were found to be 1.3, 0.95 and 0.79 ± 0.05 eV, respectively. In addition the Cu line size effect on the Cu conductivity for Cu area less than 4×104 nm2 was found to be a linear function of the Cu line area.
Aflibercept: Newly Approved for the Treatment of Macular Edema Following Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

OBJECTIVE:To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety data available for aflibercept and compare the drug to other therapeutic options for treatment of macular edema following central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) to determine its likely role in therapy.DATA SOURCES:A PubMed search using the terms aflibercept and VEGF trap-eye was conducted to identify initial literature sources. No timeframe was used for exclusion of older trials. All trials referenced were published between January 1995 and December 2012.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:Trials pertaining to oncologic use were excluded, as were studies conducted in animals and those written in a language other than English. Abstracts of the remaining trials were evaluated for determination of relevance to this review. Additional information sources were obtained via Internet and PubMed following a review of references.DATA SYNTHESIS:While previous Phase 1, 2, and 3 trials for other indications (age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macula...
The Relation Between Disaggregated Re-structuring Charges And Stock Returns: The Effects Of Financial Distress

We examine the relation between restructuring charge components and stock returns for firms reporting restructuring charges in the year disaggregated component disclosure became mandatory. We find significant coefficients on disaggregated components of restructuring charges in a regression of returns on earnings, earnings changes, and restructuring charge components. We provide evidence that for firms that exhibit signs of financial distress, aggregate restructuring charges, as well as the disaggregated components of restructuring charges, are priced differently than they are for financially healthy firms. Results suggest that for financially distressed firms, investors perceive supplemental disclosure as a positive signal of the firm’s future operating performance, and view negatively a disclosure that lacks detail and/or clarity.
Paul Ramsey’s Ethic of Covenant Fidelity

In 1970 a book appeared bearing the provocative title, The Patient as Person. It was written by a Protestant moral theologian diffident about his qualifications to do more than properly pose and explore some important (if seldom asked) questions in medical ethics, but confident that such questions were “now completely in the public forum, no longer the province of scientific experts alone” (Ramsey, 1970b). Medicine had grown morally problematic. What had long been taken for granted-the ways of doctors with patients and of researchers with subjects-now required reflection and rethinking. Not least due to its sometimes sudden and stunning successes, modern medicine was embarked on a precarious, possibly even wayward course. Scientific research had acquired “an omnivorous appetite” and “therapeutic technology... a momentum and a life of its own.” In the absence of moral reflection, Ramsey (1970b) claimed that the principles enunciated in professional codes of medical ethics, though admirable, were likely to be eroded and overrun “by what it is alleged must be done and technically can be done.”
A brief report on MRI investigation of experimental traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of death and disability. This is a brief report based on a symposium presentation to the 2014 Chinese Neurotrauma Association Meeting in San Francisco, USA. It covers the work from our laboratory in applying multimodal MRI to study experimental traumatic brain injury in rats with comparisons made to behavioral tests and histology. MRI protocols include structural, perfusion, manganese-enhanced, diffusion-tensor MRI, and MRI of blood-brain barrier integrity and cerebrovascular reactivity.
Abstract WP216: Cortical Network Dynamics in Acute Ischemic Stroke

INTRODUCTION: Measures of brain function are a unique source of insight into stroke effects, but the most commonly used methods (fMRI, PET) are difficult to implement in acutely ill patients, and so little is known about changes in brain function in the days after stroke. Advances in dense-array electroencephalography (dEEG) make possible the study of cortical network dynamics at the bedside. The current study addressed the hypothesis that changes in the motor network are measurable in first days post-stroke, and that these network changes are related to behavioral deficits. METHODS: Nine patients with acute ( RESULTS: Patients were 62±13 years old, with median NIHSS score=3 (range 1-12), and could move 26±18 blocks (range 0-50) on the Box & Blocks test, fewer than controls (59±7 blocks, p CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of cortical dynamics in the motor system is feasible in the acute stroke setting, with hemiparetic patients demonstrating significantly increased β coherence. Increased EEG coherence between two motor cortex regions after stroke might reflect increased functional connectivity due to the reduced cortical inhibition that is seen early after stroke, effects of deafferentation, or increased input from a common area such as the thalamus.
TRUS Biopsy: Is There Still a Role?

Prostate biopsy remains the single most valuable pretreatment source of prognostic information, relating Gleason score, and volume estimates. Compared with sextant biopsy, extended sampling schema involving 12 cores incorporating the apical and lateral peripheral zone offers improved cancer detection rates. Well-reported limitations of systematic TRUS prostate biopsy include both over- and undersampling of disease that may be associated with disease mischaracterization, in addition to low but considerable rates of biopsy-related complications. The integration of additional ultrasonographic parameters including contrast enhancement, Power Doppler Imaging, and elastography has been explored to improve the discrimination of suspicious lesions during biopsy while means to refine initial selection for biopsy utilizing novel serum biomarkers appear to offer specificity beyond PSA and clinical parameters alone. In the setting of an initial negative biopsy, tissue-based methylation assays of histologically benign tissue may improve the negative predictive value of biopsies and reduce the need for repeat sampling. In addition, significant promise is held by the integration of magnetic resonance imaging modalities with TRUS-Bx to offer targeted biopsy strategies.
Anxiety, depression, and hostility in rural women.

760 randomly selected women residing on farms in a mid-western srate were administered the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List to explore factors affecting their depression, anxiety, and hostility scores. Anxiety scores were significantly correlated with hostility scores and with depression scores, as were hostility scores with depression scores. Factors that appeared to affect depression scores were presence and age of children in the home, church attendance, religious affiliation, involvement in decision making, contact with friends, and husbands' educational level. Anxiety scores appeared to be affected by presence and age of children, subjects' age, church attendance, religious affiliation, decision making and husbands' education. Hostility appeared to be affected by presence and age of children, subjects' age, decision making, contact with friends, and husbands' educational level.
Primary Renal Artery Dissecting Aneurysm: A Review

AbstractPrimary dissecting aneurysms of the renal artery are exceedingly rare. Our recent encounter with a patient with this condition prompted a review of the literature. The diagnostic and therapeutic problems in 30 patients were analyzed and guide lines for proper management were discussed. The triad of flank pain, hematuria and hypertension of acute onset in the absence of urinary obstruction should suggest this rare condition.
Rapid processing and assembly of semiconductor thermoelectric materials for energy conversion devices

Abstract Thermoelectric devices can convert heat to electricity. Recent advancements in the development of semiconductor thermoelectric materials have led to a significant increase in the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT. However, challenges in materials processing and assembly hinder the potential of thermoelectric power generation. An assessment of alternative advanced manufacturing methods for thermoelectric devices reveals the advantages of selective laser melting. While laser melting is a well-established additive manufacturing technique for metals, ceramics, and polymers, this study will provide the first investigations of semiconductor materials melt-processing using a laser. Preliminary experimental results demonstrate the effect of laser processing parameters on the microstructure and densification of the melt line.
Movements that Occur in Sleep

Sleep is universally encountered and complaints about its disruption are common. Included in this list are a variety of movement abnormalities that occur in association with sleep. Often misdiagnosed, many of these problems are disruptive and affect the quality of life. This chapter reviews the sleep–wake cycle and divides sleep-related movement disorders into three major categories: I. Involuntary movements that occur around the time of sleep (myoclonus, those associated with dyssomnias, parasomnias, and other); II. Hyperkinetic movement disorders that are present during the daytime and persist during sleep; III. Seizures during and around the time of sleep. This chapter emphasizes the first category describing salient clinical features, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment are emphasized.
Physical Activity and Years of Healthy Life in Older Adults: Results From the Cardiovascular Health Study

Little is known about how many years of life and disability-free years seniors can gain through exercise. Using data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, the authors estimated the extra years of life and self-reported healthy life (over 11 years) and years without impairment in activities of daily living (over 6 years) associated with quintiles of physical activity (PA) in older adults from different age groups. They estimated PA from the Minnesota Leisure Time Activities Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression adjusted for health-related covariates. The relative gains in survival and years of healthy life (YHL) generally were proportionate to the amount of PA, greater among those 75+, and higher in men. Compared with being sedentary, the most active men 75+ had 1.49 more YHL (95% CI: 0.79, 2.19), and the most active women 75+ had 1.06 more YHL (95% CI: 0.44, 1.68). Seniors over age 74 experience the largest relative gains in survival and healthy life from physical activity.
Parenting and Child Rearing Attitudes of Unmarried Hispanic Teenage Mothers

This study describes the personal characteristics and child rearing attitudes of unmarried, Hispanic teenage mothers and compares their risk for negative parenting attributes associated with child maltreatment. Data were analyzed from 111 participants enrolled in an in-home case management initiative. The Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory-2 (AAPI-2) was used to assess parenting-related risk on five constructs. Responses for each construct were converted to standardized ‘sten’ scores ranging from 1 to 10. Paired t-tests were utilized to examine mean differences between AAPI-2 construct sten scores, and Pearson’s r correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the strength and direction of construct relationships. Most AAPI-2 constructs were positively inter-correlated. Participants reported highest risk scores for Use of Corporal Punishment, Inappropriate Expectations of Children, and Oppressing Children’s Power and Independence. Findings indicate the need for parenting education programs to offset child maltreatment risk among Hispanic teenage mothers.
Polarization Engineering of InGaN-Based Nanostructures for Low-Threshold Diode Lasers and High-Efficiency Light Emitting Diodes

Novel InGaN-based active regions with improved momentum matrix element were investigated for achieving improved gain and radiative recombination rate. Staggered InGaN quantum wells (QWs) and type-II InGaN-GaNAs QWs demonstrated improvement in radiative recombination rate and optical gain for green spectral regime, and these active regions have the potential to be implemented for high-efficiency green light emitting diodes and lasers.
Crime Control Measures, Individual Liberties, and Crime Rates: An Assessment of 40 Countries

The balance between crime control methods and individual liberties is always problematic, creating tension, because in order to investigate crime, and adjudicate and punish offenders, it is necessa...
OR47: INCIDENCE OF AT1R ANTIBODY IN LIVER TRANSPLANT CANDIDATES WITH FIBROSIS

Aim Liver fibrosis occurs as a result of deposition of collagen in response to an injury. Activation of the renin-angiotensin system increases angiotensin II levels in chronic cirrhosis. Angiotensin II promotes deposition of fibrous tissue and functions through the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) which is expressed on hepatic stellate cells (HSC). AT1R antibodies have a similar agonistic effect when bound to the receptor and may be involved in the development of liver fibrosis. The presence of AT1R antibody in liver disease has not been investigated to date. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of AT1R antibody in liver transplant patients with fibrosis. Method Stored pre-transplant samples from sixty-three (63) liver transplant candidates and 40 normal healthy controls were tested for presence of AT1R under approved IRB using a sandwich ELISA (One Lambda as part of Thermofisher Scientific). Serum was incubated onto 96 well plates precoated with full length AT1R. Binding of antibody to AT1R was detected by horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled goat anti-human IgG. Standard samples provided in the ELISA kit were tested in parallel in each run to generate a standard curve correlating optical density to AT1R antibody level. Each sample was tested in duplicate and the results expressed as a mean value. Results The average optical density (OD) in the liver group was 0.659 compared to an average OD of 0.354 in the control group (unpaired Student’s t test; p value 17 units/ml) or negative ( Conclusion Preliminary data show that there is a high incidence of AT1R antibody in liver transplant candidates with fibrosis or cirrhosis. This may suggest a link between AT1R antibody and liver fibrosis. The clinical relevance of this antibody will need to be further assessed. Liver fibrosis is usually detected by biopsy; however, tests of a fibrosis-associated serum marker would be less invasive and have a lower risk of complications. Furthermore, these patients may benefit from treatment with an angiotensin receptor blocker.
Zoo visitors’ perceptions of chimpanzee welfare are not affected by the provision of artificial environmental enrichment devices in a naturalistic exhibit

Zoo-housed animals are provided with many temporary elements in their exhibit, such as environmental enrichment devices (EEDs), which may not match the aesthetic of their exhibit. Some zoos object to the use of artificial EEDs in naturalistic exhibits, but there has been little research into whether the appearance of these temporary elements influences visitors’ perceptions. Therefore, we investigated visitors’ opinions about a naturalistic chimpanzee exhibit at Lincoln Park Zoo when EEDs were provided to the chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ). We wished to determine whether exhibit naturalism was important to visitors; what their perceptions were of the chimpanzees’ behaviour and emotions; what their thoughts were about the suitability of chimpanzees as pets; and whether these beliefs were affected by the type of EED in the chimpanzees’ exhibit. Eight EEDS were chosen for this study: four that were naturalistic in appearance and four that were designed to elicit similar species-typical behaviours, but were artificial in appearance. Visitors’ responses to the survey revealed that they generally believed that exhibit naturalism was important, and that the chimpanzee exhibit was naturalistic in appearance; they viewed the chimpanzees’ behaviour and feelings positively; and they did not think chimpanzees made good pets. Visitors’ responses to the survey questions did not differ whether artificial or naturalistic EEDs were provided in the exhibit. These results support previous research that zoo visitors are not affected by EED aesthetic in a naturalistic exhibit, perhaps because the naturalism of the exhibit supersedes any effect or because the EEDs represent such small elements within the exhibit.
Potential gains in life expectancy by improving road safety in China.

Abstract Objectives Road traffic injuries (RTI) cause a significant number of injuries and deaths in China every year; the World Health Organization estimated 261,367 deaths due to RTI in 2013. As a result of the ongoing growth of China's economy, road construction and motorisation, RTI are expected to impose a heavy health burden in the future. However, the public and policy makers have not widely perceived RTI as a public health issue commensurate with its consequences, in part, due to a lack of intuitive indicator measuring the health impact. Study Design Employs the cause-eliminating life table technique to provide a measure of the burden of RTI based on data from a nationally representative surveillance system in China. Methods Previous studies have used indicators such as event counts, rates and disability-adjusted life years to measure the health impact of RTI; but this study uses potential gains in life expectancy to measure this impact. Results Eliminating RTI could lead to a gain of 0.52 years in life expectancy in 2012, meaning that on average Chinese people could live a half year more than they would in the presence of RTI. Males have a substantially higher RTI death rate and consequently could have a gain in life expectancy more than twice as large as females (male 0.72 years vs female 0.28 years). The gain in rural areas (0.65 years) is twice that in urban areas (0.32 years). Conclusions The significant gain in life expectancy signals the urgency for public actions to improve road safety; the disparity in the burden across regions and sexes indicate a great opportunity for targeted interventions to protect health and save lives.
Abstract 196: Gender-based Differences in Presentation and Treatment of Patients Undergoing Peripheral Vascular Intervention

Introduction: While men and women are at equal risk for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), studies suggest that women present at an older age and with more advanced disease. The purpose of this analysis is to evaluate gender-based differences in disease presentation and its effect on treatment modality among patients who underwent peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) for PAD. Methods: Using national registry data from the Vascular Quality Initiative, univariate analysis, of patient-, limb- and artery-specific characteristics were performed by gender for procedures from 2010-2013. Statistical significance was determined by the Student’s T-test or Chi-squared test. Results: In this real-world cohort, there were 26,873 eligible procedures for 23,940 patients that had 30,668 limbs and 44,927 arteries treated. Compared to men, women presented at an older age (69 vs 71 years, p Table 1 ). There were no meaningful gender-based differences in artery treated or treatment modality ( Figure 1 ). Treatment modality was determined by disease severity (indication and TASC classification) and artery treated rather than gender. Conclusion: Although gender-based differences in PAD presentation exist, these differences do not extend to treatment modality, which is determined by disease severity and artery treated. Further investigation is required to appreciate the effect of disease severity and treatment modality on patient outcomes after PVI.
Unexpected Early Proteomic Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease Model Mice Synaptosomes

We have employed label-free quantitative proteomics of wild-type and Alzheimer's disease (AD) model mice synaptosomes to investigate proteomic changes occurring during AD progression as a prelude to analysis in humans. More than 4000 proteins were analyzed using multiple analysis tools and statistical criteria. Pathway enrichment identified numerous pathways consistent with the current AD knowledge base, including dysregulation of Glutamate Receptor Signaling, Synaptic Long Term Potentiation and Depression, Rho and Rac Signaling, Calcium Signaling, and Oxidative Phosphorylation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Additionally, the data demonstrate that a large number of changes occur in the proteome very early relative to the onset of both traditional disease markers such as amyloid accumulation, tau phosphorylation and cognitive dysfunction. These early changes include a number of dysregulated proteins that have novel associations with AD progression. These results reinforce the importance of mechanistic investigations in early disease progression long before the classical markers of Alzheimer's disease are observed.
Classroom Computer Capsule: The Cauchy Integral Formula

(1990). Classroom Computer Capsule: The Cauchy Integral Formula. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 327-329.
Agency and Archaeology: Past, Present, and Future Directions

In light of the growing social scientific interest in agency theory, this paper sets out to examine and critically evaluate recent approaches to agency within archaeology. To this end, the paper briefly outlines the foundational theories of Pierre Bourdieu and Anthony Giddens before turning to discuss the central themes and issues that emerge from some of the more influential contemporary approaches to agency within archaeology. Drawing from these differing approaches, this paper seeks to establish conceptual clarity in archaeological thinking about agency through a discussion of the importance of distinguishing between intentions, consequences, meanings, and motives when seeking to understand the situated subjectivities of historical actors.
ORDER STATISTICS, POISSON PROCESSES, AND APPLICATIONS

In this chapter we present a variety of special apphcations of some of the methods of Poisson processes and sums of independent random variables.
Design and Management of the Anterior Hairline Temporal Incision and Skin Take Out in the Vertical Facelift and Lateral Brow Lift Procedures

Management of the incision and skin in the temple area in a vertical facelift can be very challenging. The significant advantage of the anterior hairline incision in the vertical facelift lies in the amount of skin that can be removed, thereby creating greater vertical suspension of the cheek and lateral canthal region. This results in a natural-appearing vertical pull on the lateral face. The anterior hairline incision in the vertical facelift and lateral brow lift allows for a more natural-appearing lift in addition to considerably less conspicuous scarring. Problems with scarring in this area are minimal because of the thinness of skin, therefore, leading to less scar revision in the temporal hairline. This procedure is advantageous because of the natural vertical lift and minimal scarring due to the anterior hairline incision, which result in a predictable aesthetic outcome.
Photoluminescent quantum dots in imaging, diagnostics and therapy

Abstract: Quantum dots (QDs) are nano-scale crystals made of semiconductor material, which have been used as powerful agents for biomedical imaging. At the core of this technology is the QDs’ brightness, which allows for a high signal-to-background detection level down to single molecule sensitivity, their extreme photostability, which allows for the longitudinal observation of dynamic biological events over prolonged periods of time, and the QDs’ size-dependent fluorescent narrow emission, which can be broadly tuned simply through size variation. These unique characteristics are inherently dependent on the shape, size, and composition of the QD engineered materials that display quantum mechanical properties. This chapter will first introduce the basic principles underlying QDs’ unique physical and optical properties and then review some of the biological applications where QDs have shown clear advantages over conventional fluorophores in the context of cancer imaging and detection, diagnostics and therapeutics.
Living in Tier 2: educators’ perceptions of MTSS in urban schools

Despite multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) being implemented for over a decade in the United States, practitioners are continuously challenged with implementing the framework to meet the needs ...
"I love you as both and I love you as neither": Romantic partners' affirmations of nonbinary trans individuals.

Background: Transgender microaffirmations are subtle endorsements of a person’s gender identity through both verbal acknowledgements and behavioral gestures. Microaffirmations positively impact ind...
Glial-neuronal signaling mechanisms underlying the neuroinflammatory effects of manganese.

Exposure to increased manganese (Mn) causes inflammation and neuronal injury in the cortex and basal ganglia, resulting in neurological symptoms resembling Parkinson’s disease. The mechanisms underlying neuronal death from exposure to Mn are not well understood but involve inflammatory activation of microglia and astrocytes. Expression of neurotoxic inflammatory genes in glia is highly regulated through the NF-κB pathway, but factors modulating neurotoxic glial-glial and glial-neuronal signaling by Mn are not well understood. We examined the role of NF-κB in Mn-induced neurotoxicity by exposing purified microglia, astrocytes (from wild-type and astrocyte-specific IKK knockout mice), and mixed glial cultures to varying Mn concentrations and then treating neurons with the conditioned media (GCM) of each cell type. We hypothesized that mixed glial cultures exposed to Mn (0–100 μM) would enhance glial activation and neuronal death compared to microglia, wild-type astrocytes, or IKK-knockout astrocytes alone or in mixed cultures. Mixed glial cultures treated with 0–100 μM Mn for 24 h showed the most pronounced effect of increased expression of inflammatory genes including inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2), Tnf, Ccl5, Il6, Ccr2, Il1b, and the astrocyte-specific genes, C3 and Ccl2. Gene deletion of IKK2 in astrocytes dramatically reduced cytokine release in Mn-treated mixed glial cultures. Measurement of neuronal viability and apoptosis following exposure to Mn-GCM demonstrated that mixed glial cultures induced greater neuronal death than either cell type alone. Loss of IKK in astrocytes also decreased neuronal death compared to microglia alone, wild-type astrocytes, or mixed glia. This suggests that astrocytes are a critical mediator of Mn neurotoxicity through enhanced expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including those most associated with a reactive phenotype such as CCL2 but not C3.
Upper Extremity Angiographic Patterns in Systemic Sclerosis: Implications for Surgical Treatment.

Purpose Conventional angiography is often used in the preoperative work-up of hand surgery patients with systemic sclerosis. The goal of this study was to propose a classification system based on the pattern of arterial involvement in a series of upper extremity angiograms. The authors hypothesized that this classification system would demonstrate high inter- and intrarater reliability. Methods A retrospective review of 110 upper extremity angiograms in patients with systemic sclerosis (obtained between 1996 and 2017) was performed. Images were classified into 4 types based on the patency of the radial and ulnar arteries at the wrist, and into 3 subtypes based on the patency of the superficial and deep palmar arches. Classification reliability was compared with Fleiss’ Kappa (for inter-rater) and Cohen’s (for intrarater) coefficient between 4 fellowship-trained hand surgeons and a hand fellow. Results The inter-rater reliability between all 5 observers using types alone was 0.83 (0.80–0.85), whereas the inter-rater reliability using subtypes was 0.64 (confidence interval [CI] 95%, 0.62–0.65). The intrarater reliability using types alone ranged from 0.80 to 0.95, whereas intrarater reliabilities using subtypes were 0.81 (CI 95%, 0.72–0.90), 0.78 (CI 95%, 0.69–0.87), 0.87 (CI 95%, 0.80–0.95), 0.64 (CI 95%, 0.53–0.75), and 0.92 (CI 95%, 0.86–0.98) for the 4 attendings and a hand fellow, respectively. Fifty-seven percent of angiograms were interpreted as having loss of ulnar artery patency at the wrist (type 2) with 77% having additional loss of superficial palmar arch patency (type 2A). Conclusions This large series of angiograms in patients with systemic sclerosis demonstrates a classification system for conventional angiography that shows high inter-rater and intrarater reliability using type alone. When subtypes were used, the inter-rater and intrarater reliabilities decreased to moderate and moderate-to-high, respectively. Clinical relevance This study represents the first step in establishing a classification system that, by grouping patients with similar angiogram findings, may allow for targeted research into risk stratification, monitoring, and treatment in systemic sclerosis.
Purification of Synthetic Ribonuclease S-Peptide Derivatives by Specific Complex Formation on Columns of Ribonuclease S-Protein Bound to Agarose

Abstract Ribonuclease S-protein was attached covalently to agarose which had been activated by treatment with cyanogen bromide according to the methods described by Porath and his colleagues. Columns made with this conjugate showed a high affinity for ribonuclease S-peptide, which could be recovered by elution with dilute acetic acid. This procedure, employed for the purification of synthetic S-peptide derivatives prepared by the solid phase method of Merrifield, resulted in marked enhancement of specific activity. However, the chemical and catalytic properties of the purified materials suggest the presence of closely related side products, formed during the synthesis or during subsequent deprotection steps which bind tightly to the S-protein conjugate but which yield enzymically inactive complexes with RNase S-protein.
Noise-Induced Stabilization of Perturbed Hamiltonian Systems

Noise-induced stabilization is the phenomenon in which the addition of randomness to an unstable system of ordinary differential equations results in a stable system of stochastic differential equa...
Effect of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors on Functional Capacity in Elderly Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background The impact of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) on functional capacity and quality of life in elderly patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is not well understood. This systematic review sought to evaluate the efficacy of ACEI in elderly patients with HFpEF. Methods We performed electronic searches on PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases from inception through December 15, 2018 to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of ACEI in elderly patients with HFpEF. The primary outcomes of our study were improvement in quality of life (QoL; as assessed by Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire) and 6-minute walk test. The results were expressed as a standard mean difference (SMD) for the continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A Mantel-Haenszel random effects model was used to summarize data across treatment arms. Heterogeneity between the studies was assessed using the chi square test and was considered significant for p values 50%. Results Four randomized trials with 1,090 patients (mean age 73.5 years) were included, in which 545 patients received ACEI. Weighted mean duration of follow-up was 10.4 months. There were no significant improvements observed in QoL measures (SMD: 0.26; 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.57, p=0.09) or 6-minute walk test performance (SMD: -0.08; 95% CI: -0.39 to 0.22, p=0.60) with ACEI use. Conclusion The use of ACEI in elderly patients with HFpEF was not associated with improvements in exercise tolerance or quality of life. There was non-significant trend to improvement of quality of life in patients who received placebo. Future studies are necessary to better define the role of ACEI in this patient subset.
Fenestrated Endovascular Aneurysm Repair versus Snorkel Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: Competing yet Complementary Strategies

Juxtarenal/pararenal aortic aneurysms and type IV thoracoabdominal aneurysms pose particular technical challenges for endovascular repair as they involve the visceral segment in addition to insufficient infrarenal neck for the use of standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) devices. To overcome these challenges, complex EVAR techniques have been developed to extend the proximal landing zone cephalad with maintaining perfusion to vital aortic branches, thereby broadening the applicability of endografting from the infrarenal to the suprarenal aorta. Complex EVAR can be divided into two broad categories: fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) and snorkel EVAR. FEVAR is a valid procedure with the standardized procedure, although it remains as a relatively complex procedure with a learning curve. Given time constraints for the custom fenestrated graft, snorkel EVAR may be an alternative for complex repairs in symptomatic or ruptured patients for whom custom-made endografts may not be immediately available. This article discusses these two most commonly used complex EVAR strategies.
Disparities in adult cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use by sexual identity.

Abstract Background While there have been reductions in rates of tobacco use in the general population in recent years, rates remain high among sexual minority populations (SMP). Prior studies often group SMP as one category due to limited data. This study examined the association between sexual identity status and tobacco use (cigarette and smokeless tobacco use) among U.S. adults. Methods Data from the 2014–2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed to examine the association between sexual identity (lesbian or gay, bisexual, other, not sure, and heterosexual or straight) and tobacco use. A propensity score analysis was conducted to address potential imbalance among group characteristics. Results Lesbian/gay and bisexual groups had significantly higher odds of being an every day smoker (OR = 1.83, 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) 1.59–2.10; OR = 1.36, 95 % CI 1.19–1.55, respectively) and current smoker (every day or some days) (OR = 1.71, 95 % CI 1.52–1.93; OR = 1.44, 95 % CI 1.29–1.62, respectively) compared to straight adults. In terms of smokeless tobacco products, lesbian and gay adults had lower odds of every day and current use. However, significant differences were found in the separate analysis conducted for males and females. While gay and bisexual males had lower odds of smokeless tobacco use, lesbians had significantly higher odds when compared to the straight population. Bisexual females were also more likely to be current users of smokeless tobacco. Conclusions Significant heterogeneity in tobacco use was found among sexual minority subgroups. Findings demonstrate the importance of subgroup analysis of SMP. These results have implications for prevention and cessation targeting.
Benzodiazepines and Other Sedatives, Hypnotics, and Anxiolytics

The sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic class of medication includes benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and the nonbenzodiazepine “Z-drugs.” Tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal can occur with any of these medications when misused or used for treatment. Benzodiazepines are of concern with their use contributing to opioid overdoses. It is important to recognize and treat, as well as prevent, sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic use disorders. Cessation, especially abrupt withdrawal, of any of these medications can lead to a clinically significant withdrawal syndrome, which must be immediately recognized by providers and treated as a medical emergency. Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and the nonbenzodiazepine “Z-drugs” have distinct, though variably overlapping, clinical manifestations of intoxication and withdrawal, which are described. Treatment of sedative-hypnotic use disorders, including pharmacological, therapeutic, and psychosocial, will be covered elsewhere in this book.
Chapter 4 – Estimating Releases to the Environment

Described in this section are the data that a facility should determine a discussion of information that is necessary for the facility to generate the data required. Also presented are calculation methods for estimating such releases.