cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Programmed cell death in the developing human telencephalon.

Programmed cell death (PCD) in the form of apoptosis is recognized as one of the central events in the development of the central nervous system. To study the time of onset, extent and distribution of PCD in the human telencephalon, embryos and fetuses from 4.5 to 27 gestational weeks (g.w.) were examined using the TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling) in situ method. At 4.5 g.w. sparse TUNEL(+) nuclei were observed in the ventricular zone of the neural tube. With the formation of the cortical plate at 7-8 g.w. , TUNEL(+) nuclei were seen in all developmental layers of the cortical anlage, as well as in the subcortical regions such as the ganglionic eminence and the internal capsule. The proliferative zones (the ventricular zone, the subventricular zone and the ganglionic eminence) contained the majority of all apoptotic nuclei observed in each specimen. However, the apoptotic index was highest in the subplate zone and in layer I. Double-labelling experiments suggested that neuronal precursors were the main population of cells undergoing PCD in the first trimester of gestation, whereas glial cells probably start dying around midgestation. The onset of labelling of microglial cells and apoptotic nuclei were synchronous, indicating the involvement of microglia in PCD. In conclusion, two distinct types of PCD were observed during human telencephalic development: embryonic apoptosis, which was synchronous with proliferation and migration of neuronal cells and probably not related to establishment of neuronal circuitry, and fetal apoptosis, which coincided with differentiation and synaptogenesis, and therefore may be related to the development of axonal-target connectivity.
Automated Approximation of Lateral Ventricular Shape in Magnetic Resonance Images of Multiple Sclerosis Patients

"Active surfaces" or deformable models have been proposed for the segmentation of anatomic structures in MRI data. Such algorithms are dependent on a good initial approximation of the target shape. The purpose of this work was to develop a reliable method for automatic generation of a starting point for segmentation of the lateral ventricle. The algorithm uses a parametric representation of an average lateral ventricle, which is customized for each individual by modulating the parametric coefficients based on the brain parenchymal fraction. The method was developed with a training set of 6 healthy controls and 25 patients with multiple sclerosis, and tested on an additional set of 10 patients. Compared to the average ventricle, this new approach provided a closer approximation to the manually segmented ventricular shape in 81% of the cases in the training set and 100% of the additional test set.
Controlled Synthesis of Cross‐Linked Ultrathin Polymer Films by Using Surface‐Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Ambient-temperature atom transfer radical polymerization of ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate from a surface yields homogeneous, cross-linked polymer films. The absence of polymerization in solution in this "living" procedure avoids physisorption and gives uniform, cross-linked films with controlled thicknesses from 3 to 300 nm.
Organization Design for Distributed Innovation

The so-called “modern corporation” has long been the central focus of the field of organization design. Such firms can be likened to nation-states: they have boundaries that circumscribe citizen-employees, and they engage in production and trade. But individual organizations are no longer adequate to serve as the primary unit of analysis. Over the years, systems of distributed innovation
The proteolytic maturation of prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) is a pH-driven process.

Recombinant proPC2 purified from the medium of CHO cells overexpressing both the prohormone convertase (PC) precursor proPC2 and the 21-kDa amino terminal portion of the neuroendocrine protein 7B2 can spontaneously convert to an active species. In the present report, we have characterized the proPC2 zymogen conversion process. Sequencing of the mature 66 kDa enzyme revealed a single site of cleavage at the paired basic site amino terminal to the GYRDI sequence. In contrast to mature PC2 activity, proPC2 conversion was inhibited neither by the eukaryotic subtilisin inhibitor pCMS nor by the specific PC2 inhibitor, 7B2 CT peptide, suggesting significant differences between the proPC2 conversion reaction and the hydrolysis of synthetic substrates by mature PC2. In support of this idea, proPC2 conversion was not calcium dependent and was unaffected by 5 mM EDTA. The rate of conversion of proPC2 remained similar with a 10-fold difference in zymogen concentration, implicating an intramolecular rather than intermolecular mechanism of activation. Interestingly, the rate of proPC2 conversion was extremely pH dependent, occurring most extensively between pHs 4.0 and 4.9. Taken together, our results suggest that cellular proPC2 maturation occurs via an autocatalytic, intramolecular process controlled not by 7B2 inhibition nor by calcium levels, but by the decreasing pH gradient along the secretory pathway.
Exploring alternative wavelet base selection techniques with application to high resolution radar classification

Coifman, Wickerhauser, and Saito developed the concepts of the wavelet 'best-basis' algorithm and the local discriminant bases (LDB) algorithm for signal and image characterization and classification. LDB was originally based on the differentiation of class-specific time-frequency energy distributions, using an L, norm for multi-class feature weighting. Recent extensions to the approach for discrimination estimate the Kullback- Leibler distance between empirically estimated class- conditional probabiliry densities. 7his paper offers a complimentary approach for waveler base/feafure selection via the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and algorithmic extensions for wavelet feature selection in a multi-class environment. Alternative feature score normalizations are investigated. Additionally, this research develops a dynamic re-weighting scheme for feature selection. The goal of the dynamic feature re- weighring process is similar in spirit to 'boosting'. as if attempts to bias the' base selection process to select features which offer more discrimination between currently 'costly' or 'tough ' classes of interest. We investigate the efficacy of the algorithms in a multi-class discrimination setting using simulated high-resolution multi-polarimetric millimeter-wave real-beam radar signatures of ground vehicles.
Design methodology of a 1.2-/spl mu/m double-level-metal CMOS technology

An advanced high-performance CMOS process and associated gate array and semicustom design approaches are described. Designed for rapid custom application, the process utilizes an n-well 1.2-/spl mu/m gate length and two layers of metal. The gate array has a density of 10000 2-input gates with typical delays of 1.25 ns, while the semicustom approach offers densities of 30000 gates with typical loaded delays of 1.0 ns.
Pressure-temperature study of dielectric relaxation of a polyurethane elastomer

The effect of hydrostatic pressure up to 1,361 atms on the dielectric properties of a segmented polyurethane elastomer (Dow 2103-80AE) is studied at temperatures from 0°C to 80°C. The experimental results show that the relaxation time for both the I-process, associated with the molecular motions in the hard segments, and the α-process, associated with the glass transition, increases with pressure, and this shift is more pronounced for the I-process. Besides the glass transition, it is found that the I-process can be described by the Vogel-Fulcher (V-F) and Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) relations. At atmospheric pressure, T g and T o for the I-process are 235.9 K and 4.2 × 10 3 K, respectively. Based on the V-F and WLF relations and experimental results, it is found that a parameter, C 1 , in the WLF relation is independent of the pressure. Thus, a method is introduced to determine the values of both the characteristic transition temperature (T g ) and activation energy (T o ) for the processes at different pressures. As the pressure increases from atmospheric to 1,361 atms, the increase of T g for the I-process is about 30°C. The results also show that, for both the I- and the α-processes, T o decreases with increasing pressure.
Metastatic Tumor in Pregnancy: Placental Germ Cell Tumor With Metastasis to the Foal

Abstract A placental mass was observed in an otherwise-healthy Quarter Horse mare; subsequently, the mare's 52-day-old foal was examined because of hind limb ataxia, urinary incontinence, and raised lesions of the distal limbs. Clinical and biochemical findings were supportive of liver disease and lumbosacral injury. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the abdomen suggested a liver mass, which was confirmed with computed tomography (CT) and determined to be neoplastic via histopathologic evaluation of a liver biopsy sample. Initial histopathology suggested a germ cell tumor. Regions of lysis affecting both femurs and third metacarpal bones and a complete oblique sagittal fracture through the body of the first sacral vertebra were present on CT. Supportive care was provided until CT confirmation of diffuse hepatic neoplasia and vertebral fracture. Necropsy revealed a large multinodular mass within the liver and a pathologic fracture of the first sacral vertebral body. Histopathologic comparison between neoplastic cells examined from the placenta and foal confirmed metastases of a germ cell tumor. Placental tumors are rare in all species; however, when noted in horses, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of metastatic spread to the foal.
Stormwater Volume Reduction in Combined Sewer Using Permeable Pavement: City of St. Louis

AbstractThis paper describes findings from the City of St. Louis Low Impact Development Green Alley Pilot Study to reduce water quantity in the combined sewer system. Permeable pavement is one green infrastructure technique used for water quantity reduction. The effectiveness of permeable pavement in reducing the stormwater runoff to the combined sewer was tested. Monitored flow from reconstruction and postconstruction of permeable pavement are used for analysis. The separation of base flow and runoff is based on estimating the base flow in the antecedent/subsequent dry days of the rainfall events. The comparison between runoff in the reconstruction and postconstruction of the permeable pavement from three alleys showed different percentages of runoff reduction from different types of pavement (36, 13, and 46% from permeable concrete, permeable asphalt, and permeable pavers respectively). Permeable asphalt had the lowest percentage reduction, most likely due to the slope of the site and the small ratio of...
Political Structure and Economic Policy: The Institutional Determinants of Policy Outcomes

The institutions that define the sequence of delegations that democracy entails have systematic effects on public policy. Democratic states that systematically provide public goods are typically seen as having three characteristics: they are decisive; they have the administrative capacity to implement whatever decisions they make; and they are only responsive to broad public interests. We investigate the two primary ways in which democratic states are said to fail in this regard: through an inability to decide or to pursue a consistent policy; and through the excessive influence of interest groups, which reduces public policy to an allocation of pork and a chase after rents. The first is a problem of state indecisiveness, the latter a defect in the nature of accountability, with too much responsiveness to special interests and too little responsiveness to general interests. More specifically, we argue that political actors' incentives are significantly influenced by the rules regulating electoral competition, while their capabilities are determined jointly by their electoral success and the constitutionally stipulated powers of the various governmental posts that are at stake (either directly or indirectly) in elections. Different combinations of capabilities and incentives--Are governmental powers separated, with different actors controlling different institutional veto points? Are governmental powers unified in a single post or body, with a single actor controlling that post or body?--systematically affect the degree to which the state can act decisively and the degree to which it is responsive to broad public as opposed to narrow special interests.
Salt in our streams: even small sodium additions can have negative effects on detritivores

Large, pulsed sodium chloride (NaCl) additions can increase mortality of aquatic biota, but longer-term effects from low-level additions are less understood. Small ionic increases may alleviate sodium (Na) limitation or osmoregulatory stress, thereby increasing microbial respiration and macroinvertebrate consumption and growth. We manipulated NaCl levels in microcosms containing just sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) leaves with associated microbes, or leaves, microbes, and one of two macroinvertebrate detritivores (Tipula abdominalis Say in Experiment I and Lirceus sp. in Experiment II). In Experiment I, microcosms had either ambient or elevated NaCl (3 or 7 mg Na l−1, respectively). Contrary to predictions, microbial respiration did not significantly differ between treatments after 4 weeks. However, after 2 weeks, T. abdominalis marginally decreased leaf consumption in elevated treatments without change in growth. Experiment II had three NaCl treatments: low (ambient), medium, and high (3, 14, and 140 mg Na l−1, respectively). After 6 weeks, microbial respiration averaged 15% lower in medium and 29% lower in high than in low treatments. Throughout, Lirceus sp. ate and grew similarly in low and medium treatments. However, Lirceus sp. growth was 12% slower in high than in low treatments. Lirceus sp. ate 74% more leaves in high than medium treatments, but growth and assimilation did not differ. Therefore, we infer possible osmoregulatory stress. Even low-level NaCl inputs may negatively impact some detritivores, which could alter stream processes.
Rat virus (RV) infections in hamsters.

Summary1) Rat virus (RV) can induce 3 different conditions in suckling hamsters according to dose of virus and age of the animal at time of inoculation. These conditions are (a) a fatal disease in sucklings 1 to 4 days of age; (b) a stunted growth in those surviving a minimal dose, and (c) a latent infection of older sucklings. 2) Spontaneous transmission of RV can take place from inoculated to uninoculated hamsters. 3) Infected sucklings have infective virus in high titer in livers, kidneys and other organs as well as in lesser amounts in blood and urine. Specimens with the highest infectivity titers have also had considerable amounts of hemagglutination activity. 4) Rat virus has been carried through 20 passages in suckling hamsters. Intracerebral, intranasal, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal routes of inoculation have all been effective in inducing acute disease.
Qualitative and quantitative comparison of glucose transport activity and glucose transporter concentration in plasma membranes from basal and insulin-stimulated rat adipose cells

Conditions are described which allow the isolation of rat adipose-cell plasma membranes retaining a large part of the stimulatory effect of insulin in intact cells. In these membranes, the magnitude of glucose-transport stimulation in response to insulin was compared with the concentration of transporters as measured with the cytochalasin-B-binding assay or by immunoblotting with an antiserum against the human erythrocyte glucose transporter. Further, the substrate- and temperature-dependencies of the basal and insulin-stimulated states were compared. Under carefully controlled homogenization conditions, insulin-treated adipose cells yielded plasma membranes with a glucose transport activity 10-15-fold higher than that in membranes from basal cells. Insulin increased the transport Vmax. (from 1,400 +/- 300 to 15,300 +/- 3,400 pmol/s per mg of protein; means +/- S.E.M.; assayed at 22 degrees C) without any significant change in Km (from 17.8 +/- 4.4 to 18.9 +/- 1.4 nM). Arrhenius plots of plasma-membrane transport exhibited a break at 21 degrees C, with a higher activation energy over the lower temperature range. The activation energy over the higher temperature range was significantly lower in membranes from basal than from insulin-stimulated cells [27.7 +/- 5.0 kJ/mol (6.6 +/- 1.2 kcal/mol) and 45.3 +/- 2.1 kJ/mol (10.8 +/- 0.5 kcal/mol) respectively], giving rise to a larger relative response to insulin when transport was assayed at 37 degrees C as compared with 22 degrees C. The stimulation of transport activity at 22 degrees C was fully accounted for by an increase in the concentration of transporters measured by cytochalasin B binding, if a 5% contamination of plasma membranes with low-density microsomes was assumed. However, this 10-fold stimulation of transport activity contrasted with an only 2-fold increase in transporter immunoreactivity in membranes from insulin-stimulated cells. These data suggest that, in addition to stimulating the translocation of glucose transporters to the plasma membrane, insulin appears to induce a structural or conformational change in the transporter, manifested in an altered activation energy for plasma-membrane transport and possibly in an altered immunoreactivity as assessed by Western blotting.
Polarization Transfer Effects in \((\vec p,\vec n)\) Reactions on Light Nuclei at 0°

Madsen et al.l) recently pointed out that small angle polarization transfer measurements in \((\vec p,\vec n)\) reactions are expected to provide a means of determining the relative contribution to the nuclear force of the various spin-dependent components of the nuclear interaction. For several cases, and for 11B\((\vec p,\vec n)\) 11C and 15N\((\vec p,\vec n)\) 150 at 16 MeV in particular, these authors calculated values in DWBA for the polarization transfer coefficient K y′ y at 0°. They showed that this observable is very sensitive to variations in the strengths of spin-spin and tensor terms.
Mergers and Acquisitions Cash Flow Valuation Basics

This chapter begins with a brief review of rudimentary finance concepts, including measuring risk and return, the capital asset pricing model, and the effects of operating and financial leverage on risk and return. The cash flow definitions, free cash flow to equity (equity value) or to the firm (enterprise value), discussed in this chapter are used in valuation problems in subsequent chapters. This chapter concludes with an illustration of the commonly used enterprise method to value a firm’s operating and nonoperating assets and liabilities to determine equity value.
Health behaviors of culturally diverse inner-city community college students

ABSTRACTObjective: To determine the prevalence of risk behaviors related to cigarette use, alcohol use, nutrition, physical fitness, and sexual behavior. Participants: Participants were 1,075 students attending an urban community college during the Spring 2012 semester. Methods: Data were collected in randomly selected classes using the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment II (ACHA-NCHA II) paper survey and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 for frequencies and chi-square test of independence. Results: The sample population reported poor diet, low rates of physical activity, high rates of overweight/obesity, low rates of condom use for vaginal sex, multiple sexual partners, and unintentional pregnancy. Protective health behaviors included low rates of cigarette smoking and alcohol use, high rates of condoms use for anal sex, and high rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing. Conclusion: Students are at high risk for hea...
Concordance between maternal recall of birth complications and data from obstetrical records.

Abstract Background Prenatal complications are associated with poor outcomes in the offspring. Access to medical records is limited in the United States and investigators often rely on maternal report of prenatal complications. Study design and aims We tested concordance between maternal recall and birth records in a community-based sample of mothers participating in a longitudinal study in order to determine the accuracy of maternal recall of perinatal complications. Subjects Participants were 151 biological mothers, who were interviewed about gestational age at birth, birthweight, and the most commonly occurring birth complications: nuchal cord and meconium aspiration when the female child was on average 6 years old, and for whom birth records were obtained. Outcome measures: Concordance between reports was assessed using one-way random intra-class coefficients for continuous measures and kappa coefficients for dichotomous outcomes. Associations between maternal demographic and psychological factors and discrepancies also were tested. Results Concordance was excellent for continuously measured birthweight (ICC = 0.85, p Conclusions Concordance between maternal retrospective report and medical birth records varies across different types of perinatal events. There was little evidence that demographic or psychological factors increased the risk of discrepancies. Maternal recall based on continuous measures of perinatal factors may yield more valid data than dichotomous outcomes.
Mortgaged Minds: Faculty-in-Debt and Redlining Higher Education

While undergraduate student loan debt continues to be “hard to register,” there are other conditions and effects of the student loan debt spiral that remain relatively invisible, unexamined, and certainly receive less attention in news headlines or on the op-ed pages about the fiscal cliff of education debt. These are the effects of this debt spiral on graduate education, faculty composition, and knowledge production itself. This article highlights how the debt load of faculty is part of the current student loan debt spiral, yet its effects on the working conditions of faculty, the learning conditions of students, and, importantly, the production of knowledge in the university remain underexamined.
Atypical Plasmacytic Proliferation in a Case of C3 Glomerulopathy: Pathophysiology Demystified

An 11-year-old Hispanic female underwent evaluation of asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria. The patient denied fever, edema, and gross hematuria. Urinalysis showed mild proteinuria, and a urine microscopic examination revealed red blood cells. Screening tests for glomerulonephritis revealed a low C3 and negative ANA, ASO, DNAse-B, and ANCA. Histological examination of a renal biopsy specimen showed glomeruli with endocapillary proliferation, a predominant C3 deposition in the capillary loops by immunofluorescence, and electron dense deposits in the mesangium, paramesangium, and capillary walls by electron microscopy consistent with a diagnosis of C3 glomerulopathy. An interstitial plasmacytosis was also present with focal clustering of plasma cells, which were found to be kappa light chain restricted by in situ hybridization suggestive of a clonal proliferation. One can speculate that these plasma cells may be directly responsible for the renal pathology that was seen.
The effect of boron availability, CO2, and irradiance on relative accumulation of the major boron transport proteins, BOR1 and NIP5;1.

Boron (B) is an essential plant micronutrient. Two major B-transport proteins have been recently identified and partially characterized: BOR1, a high-affinity B efflux transporter involved in xylem loading, and NIP5;1, a plasma-membrane boric-acid channel involved in B uptake. To date, studies of these B transporters have investigated their expression individually (mainly as mRNA), and only in response to variation in B availability (mostly B deficiency); the influence of other factors, such as plant resource status, has not been studied. To address this, we grew geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum cv. Maverick White) plants under ambient or elevated CO2 concentration, different sub-saturating irradiances, and different B availability. For comparison we also grew three other species (Arabidopsis thaliana, Azolla caroliniana, and Hordeum vulgare) under broad range of B supply. Relative accumulation of BOR1 and NIP5;1 proteins were measured using protein-specific antibodies and Western blotting or ELISA. Elevated CO2 significantly increased content of NIP5;1, while increases in irradiance increased BOR1 content, but decreased NIP5;1 content. Across species, content of both transporters often decreased with increasing B availability, but sometimes remained unchanged or even increased, depending on CO2, irradiance, species, or transporter. Content of BOR1 and NIP5;1 was correlated with root proteins, B content, and sugar content (for high CO2 only), as well as B uptake, but CO2 and irradiance often affected these relationships. Thus, relative accumulation of BOR1 and NIP5;1 is influenced not only by B content, as expected, but by other environmental factors as well.
Frailty index: Intensive care unit complications in head and neck oncologic regional and free flap reconstruction.

Background Head and neck extirpations requiring reconstruction are challenging surgeries with high postoperative complication risk. Methods Regional and free flap reconstructions of head and neck defects were collected from the 2006-2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. The modified frailty index was made of 15 variables, with increasing index scores indicative of frailer patients. Intensive care unit (ICU)-level complications were defined by Clavien-Dindo classification IV and analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. Results There were 266 flap reconstructions (126 regional and 140 free) with 86 (7.2%) Clavien-Dindo classification IV complications. As modified frailty index increased, a moderate correlation was demonstrated for Clavien-Dindo classification IV complications (R2 = 0.30). Increasing modified frailty index score was correlated on linear regression with free versus regional flaps: Clavien-Dindo classification IV (R2 = 0.09; 0.60), morbidity (R2 = 0.04; 0.59), and mortality (R2 = 0.07; 0.46), respectively. On multivariable analysis, the modified frailty index was associated with Clavien-Dindo classification IV complications for all flaps (odds ratio [OR] 4.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-14.48) and free flaps (OR 6.60; 95%CI 1.02-42.52), but not regional flaps (OR 9.05; 95%CI 0.60-137.10). Conclusion The modified frailty index score is predictive of critical care support in head and neck resections necessitating reconstruction, specifically for free flaps.
Frequency dependence limits divergent evolution by favouring rare immigrants over residents

Two distinct forms of natural selection promote adaptive biological diversity. Divergent selection occurs when different environments favour different phenotypes, leading to increased differences between populations. Negative frequency-dependent selection occurs when rare variants within a population are favoured over common ones, increasing diversity within populations. These two diversifying forces promote genetic variation at different spatial scales, and may act in opposition, but their relative effects remain unclear because they are rarely measured concurrently. Here we show that negative frequency-dependent selection within populations can favor rare immigrants over locally adapted residents. We reciprocally transplanted lake and stream ecotypes of threespine stickleback into lake and stream habitats, while manipulating the relative abundance of residents versus immigrants. We found negative frequency-dependence: survival was highest for the locally rare ecotype, rather than natives. Also, individuals with locally rare major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class IIb genotypes were infected by fewer parasites. This negative frequency-dependent selection will tend to favour rare immigrants over common residents, amplifying the effect of migration and undermining the efficacy of divergent natural selection to drive population differences. The only signal of divergent selection was a tendency for foreign fish to have higher parasite loads than residents, after controlling for MHC genotype rarity. Frequency-dependent ecological interactions have long been thought to promote speciation. Our results suggest a more nuanced view in which negative frequency dependence alters the fate of migrants to promote or constrain evolutionary divergence between populations.
Serum Cotinine and Hemoglobin A1c Among a National Sample of Adolescents Without Known Diabetes.

Introduction National data suggest tobacco smoke is positively associated with higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) among adults. Our objective was to examine the association between serum cotinine and HbA1c among adolescents without known diabetes. Methods We assessed adolescents 12-19 years old (N = 11550) who participated in the 1999-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We applied sampling weights while performing multiple linear regression analyses. Results The prevalence of serum cotinine indicative of no tobacco smoke exposure (TSE, 3 ng/mL) was 17.9% in our sample. Mean (± standard error) HbA1c in participants with no TSE was 5.16% (±0.01), passive TSE was 5.16% (±0.01), and active TSE was 5.14% (±0.01). No differences in HbA1c were found between TSE groups including sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, income, and physical activity or the fully adjusted model with waist circumference. We found cotinine × sex (p = .01) and cotinine × age (p = .02) interactions. There was an association between cotinine and HbA1c for males but not females. Within males, participants with cotinine ≥3 ng/mL (5.26 ± 0.02) had higher mean HbA1c than those with cotinine 0.05-2.99 ng/mL and <0.05 ng/mL (both 5.20 ± 0.01, p ≤ .02). The negative association between age and HbA1c was stronger for participants with cotinine ≥3 ng/mL than participants with cotinine <0.05 ng/mL. Conclusion No linear association was found between HbA1c and serum cotinine in adolescents overall after adjusting for potential confounders. Differences between TSE groups were found in males. Future research in adolescents should examine chronic TSE over time to examine the potential for development of type 2 diabetes. Implications TSE has been associated with increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes among adults. It is unclear if this relationship holds in adolescents. We examined the association between serum cotinine and HbA1c in adolescents without known diabetes who completed the 1999-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Although no association was found between serum cotinine and HbA1c overall while controlling for potential confounding factors, we observed interaction effects that are indicative of TSE influencing HbA1c differentially by sex and age. Reducing TSE in adolescents should be a priority for future tobacco control efforts.
Abstract 184: Polo Like Kinase 1 Regulates Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation in the G2-M Phase in Human Coronary Artery Bypass Conduits

Proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the resultant intimal hyperplasia cause coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) failure. Internal mammary artery (IMA) graft is immune to intimal hyperplasia (IH), but a saphenous vein graft is prone to develop neointima. The fate of SMCs is determined by the balance between the mitogenic and anti-mitogenic signals. Mitosis of SMCs through the cell cycle involves crossing the two restriction (R)-points in G1 and G2 phase, respectively. Upon loss of proper G1/S control, cells will progress into the G2-phase where G2 R-point can prevent cell proliferation. In this study, we examined the effect of mitogenic PDGF-BB stimulation on the G2 R-point and its relationship with the phosphorylation of PLK1, Cdc2 and Histone H3 in isolated SMCs of human bypass graft conduits. We observed increased expression and phosphorylation of PLK1 in PDGF-stimulated SV-SMCs compared to control SMCs without the treatment. Furthermore, PLK1 was phosphorylated and activated for a longer period of time in PDGF-stimulated SV- than IMA-SMCs. PLK1 m-RNA level was higher in PDGF-stimulated SV-SMCs than IMA. An ATP-competitive inhibitor of PLK1 attenuated PDGF-BB-induced proliferation in IMA and SV-SMCs. Cell proliferation was measured using cell count and immunoblotting against phospho-Histone H3 (pHistone) at Ser-10. Treatment with PLK1 inhibitor reduced PDGF-induced Cdc2 activation. Silencing the PLK1 gene by siRNA transfection of SV- and IMA-SMCs significantly reduced the expression of pHistone. These data demonstrate differential activity of PDGF-BB-induced PLK1, which was quantitatively and temporally greater in SV-SMCs than in the IMA. PLK1 inhibitor completely blocked the phosphorylation of PLK1 and attenuated proliferation in SV-SMCs. This in part, could suggest that PLK1 plays a critical role in the development of neointimal hyperplasia in SV grafts following CABG. Thus, inhibition of PLK1 activity could be a target in developing better therapeutic approach to prevent vein-graft disease.
Cosmetic Surgery History of the Specialty: The Importance of AACS Fellowships and the Webster Legacy:

Cosmetic surgery has been performed for thousands of years. But it was not until the 20th century with advances in medicine and technology that allowed elective cosmetic surgery to be performed saf...
Low-copy nuclear markers in Isoëtes (Isoëtaceae) identified with transcriptomes.

Premise of the Study Few genetic markers provide phylogenetic information in closely related species of Isoetes (Isoetaceae). We describe the development of primers for several putative low-copy nuclear markers to resolve the phylogeny of Isoetes, particularly in the southeastern United States. Methods and Results We identified regions of interest in Isoetes transcriptomes based on low-copy genes in other plants. Primers were designed for these regions and tested with 16 taxa of Isoetes and one species of Lycopodium. Parts of the pgiC, gapC, and IBR3 gene regions show phylogenetic signal within the North American and Mediterranean clades of Isoetes. Conclusions Transcriptome data prove useful for identification and primer design of low-copy genes. Three new markers show potential for inferring phylogenies in regional clades of Isoetes, and possibly across the entire genus.
THE DREAMING AND THE DOING: Utopian Foundations of Social Action

The article is interested in a conceptual clarification of social action. A tripartite model of social action is presented which attempts to focus on the complex relationship between utopianism and action (the dreaming and the doing). The article then poses the question: What social action options are available to the critical consciousness? Two are considered, one active and one passive. Activism and passivism are seen on a continuum, rather than as a polarity. Passivism is seen as a latent form of activism. The role of activist is seen as either maintaining activism or realising its passive form. Sociological perspectives are brought to bear on the model via the works of Mannheim, Bauman and Levitas. The model's amorality is brought to the reader's attention in the post-script, with a conclusion that the real issue is whether the model reflects practice reality not that it could justify injustice. We cannot ignore our utopias. They exist in the same way that north and south exist... The world of ideas, beliefs, fantasies, projects, is real whilst it is acted upon... Lewis Mumford
Immunogenicity of Hepatitis B Vaccines Implications for Persons at Occupational Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Abstract Objectives: To assess risk factors for decreased immunogenicity among adults vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine and to determine the importance of differences in immunogenicity between vaccines among health care workers (HCWs). Design: Randomized clinical trial and decision analysis. Participants: HCWs. Main Outcome Measures: Development of seroprotective levels of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and the number of expected chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections associated with lack of protection. Results: Overall, 88% of HCWs developed seroprotection. Risk factors associated with failure to develop seroprotection included increasing age, obesity, smoking, and male gender ( P P P P Conclusions: Hepatitis B vaccines are highly immunogenic, but have decreased immunogenicity associated with increasing age, obesity, smoking, and male gender; and among older adults, the presence of a chronic disease. One of the two available vaccines is more immunogenic among older adults; however, this finding has little clinical or public health importance. Hepatitis B vaccines should be administered to persons at occupational risk for HBV infection early in their career, preferably while they are still in their training.
A Model for Quantifying Information Leakage

We study data privacy in the context of information leakage. As more of our sensitive data gets exposed to merchants, health care providers, employers, social sites and so on, there is a higher chance that an adversary can “connect the dots” and piece together a lot of our information. The more complete the integrated information, the more our privacy is compromised. We present a model that captures this privacy loss (information leakage) relative to a target person, on a continuous scale from 0 (no information about the target is known by the adversary) to 1 (adversary knows everything about the target). The model takes into account the confidence the adversary has for the gathered information (leakage is less if the adversary is not confident), as well as incorrect information (leakage is less if the gathered information does not match the target’s). We compare our information leakage model with existing privacy models, and we propose several interesting problems that can be formulated with our model. We also propose efficient algorithms for computing information leakage and evaluate their performance and scalability.
Erythrocyte shape alteration "in vitro": relationship to plasma and cellular factors. Abstract.

Erythrocytes in plasma at 37° C change from disc to sphere when ATP falls to 85 %) crenated spheres after 18 hours (ATP 75 %) discs at 18 hours and many were discoidal from 18 to 36 hours if examined in fresh plasma indicating a plasma factor in spherogenicity although injury does become irreversible.
Flexible Ureterorenoscopy, Dilatation of the Narrow Calyceal Neck and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: A New, Minimally Invasive Approach to Stones in Calyceal Diverticula

Between January 1988 and December 1988,15 patients with symptomatic stones in calyceal diverticula or non-visible calices received treatment at the UCLA Stone Center. All patients were further evaluated with flexible ureterorenoscopy to identify narrow intrarenal segments. Dilatation of narrow intrarenal segments was performed along with direct endoscopic stone removal and/or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) under the same anesthesia. In all cases access to the targeted cavity was gained, and dilatation of the narrow connection was successfully performed. Eleven of 15 patients were rendered completely stone free;two of four with residual debris remained symptom free. No complications from the endoscopic procedures or the ESWL treatments were noted.
Thermal effects due to air flow and vapor transport in dry snow

The thermal effects of air flow forced through a snow sample are investigated numerically. A new method for calculating vapor transport in snow is presented which allows for the determination of the effects of sublimation. In this method, the snow is not assumed to be saturated with water vapor. Results of the model show very good agreement with analytical and experimental results. The effects of heat conduction, heat advected by the dry air and heat associated with sublimation are examined in a comprehensive theory, and then each effect is isolated to determine its overall contribution. It is demonstrated that the heat transfer associated with vapor transport is significant in the determination of the overall temperature profile of a ventilated snow sample but that the major effects are controlled by the heat carried by the dry air flow through the snow and heat conduction due to the temperatures imposed at the boundaries. The thermal effects of ventilation of snow are more likely to be observed when there is a smaller temperature gradient over the entire snowpack and a greater flow rate of air in the snow than would be observed when there is a greater overall temperature gradient and lesser air-flow rate.
A GTP Hydrolase Activity Purified from Transitional Endoplasmic Reticulum of Rat Liver Binds Retinol

GTP hydrolysis by an endoplasmic reticulum fraction from rat liver enriched in part-rough, part-smooth transition elements (transitional endoplasmic reticulum is inhibited by all-trans retinol (Zhao et al. 1990). The inhibition is non-competitive and the Km for GTP is 0.3 mM. The inhibitory effect is most apparent with GTP as substrate. Retinol did not significantly inhibit hydrolysis of the nucleoside diphosphates or of ATP or UTP. A GTP hydrolase enriched fraction from transitional endoplasmic reticulum of rat liver binds retinol. This protein may fulfill some role in mediating intracellular interactions, such as regulation of membrane traffic. GTP-binding proteins appear to be required for most vesicle formation-fusion events in eukaryotic secretory pathways (Bourne 1988). Within the cell, the transfer of materials from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus occurs via transition vesicles. Retinol stimulates formation of transition vesicles, but not their fusion with the cis Golgi apparatus in a cell-free system from rat liver (Nowack et al. 1990). This study further characterizes the GTP hydrolase that is inhibited by retinol.
Experimental Designs and ANOVA for Microarray Data

Microarray experiments are complex, multistep processes that represent a considerable investment of time and resources. Proper experimental design and analysis are critical to the success of a microarray experiment, and must be considered early in the planning of the experiment. Many aspects of experimental design from low-throughput experiments, such as randomization, replication, and blocking, remain applicable to microarray experiments as well. Similarly, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) remains a valid approach for analyzing data from most microarray experiments. However, the high-dimensional nature of microarrays introduces additional considerations into the design and analysis. This chapter provides an overview of the unique statistical challenges presented by microarrays and describes computational methods for implementing these statistical algorithms.
Out of the shadows: supporting social workers with a mental illness

Social workers with mental illnesses offer unique contributions to service delivery, but also face unique challenges. They must weigh the risks and benefits of disclosing their condition in the wor...
An integrated competency acquisition progress tracking system in competency-based higher education

This conceptual paper aimed to address the gap with competency tracking as seen in the current literature. Thereby, we propose a standalone comprehensive competency acquisition progress tracking system (iCAPTS). The integrated learning and competency tracking system (iCAPTS) integrates critical aspects of individualised learning and differentiated support in competency-based education (CBE) within a digital ecosystem, namely: 1) planning component; 2) assessment component; 3) curriculum sequencing component; 4) achievements, credentialing, and progress dashboard component. The proposed interactive iCAPTS would offer stakeholders a single access to the individual learner's aggregated progress data, including chosen goals, learning pathways, and competency acquisition process in order to ensure the individualisation of academic and professional career goals that meet students' needs.
The First Mapping of America: The General Survey of British North America, by Alexander Johnson

Great Britain’s 1763–1775 General Survey of North America, despite its grand scale and massive significance to the fortunes of two nations, has received surprisingly little attention from scholars....
Thoracic Diseases in the Elderly

This chapter provides a broad-based review of common thoracic diseases and their etiologies within the geriatric population. Acute surgical care of these patients can be highly challenging given the variability in pathology, overlap of symptomatic presentations, and life-threatening nature of many of the conditions. Specific topics discussed include airway obstruction, hemoptysis, lung abscess, empyema, pneumothorax, nontraumatic disease of the thoracic aorta, and esophageal pathology.
Advances in prescription drug monitoring program research: a literature synthesis (June 2018 to December 2019).

Purpose of review Nearly every U.S. state operates a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to monitor dispensing of controlled substances. These programs are often considered key policy levers in the ongoing polydrug epidemic. Recent years have seen rapid growth of peer-reviewed literature examining PDMP consultation and the impacts of these programs on diverse patient populations and health outcomes. This literature synthesis presents a review of studies published from June 2018 to December 2019 and provides relevant updates from the perspective of three researchers in this field. Recent findings The analyzed studies were primarily distributed across three overarching research focus areas: outcome evaluations (n = 29 studies), user surveys (n = 23), and surveillance (n = 22). Identified themes included growing awareness of the unintended consequences of PDMPs on access to opioids, effects on benzodiazepines and stimulant prescribing, challenges with workflow integration across multiple specialties, and new opportunities for applied data science. Summary There is a critical gap in existing PDMP literature assessing how these programs have impacted psychiatrists, their prescribing behaviors, and their patients. Although PDMPs have improved population-level monitoring of controlled substances from medical sources, their role in responding to a drug epidemic shifting to illicitly manufactured drugs is under scrutiny.
Gender-based differences in the cardiovascular response to standing.

The cardiovascular responses of men and women to the stand test were compared by measuring respective values for heart rate, blood pressure, stroke volume, cardiac output, and total peripheral resistance during a 5-min supine and a 5-min standing test in ten subjects of each gender. It was found that, while the male and female subjects had similar heart rate values, all other responses exhibited greater changes in men than in women. While differences in the height of the subjects did not account for differences in cardiovascular responses, no mechanism responsible for these differences could be identified.