cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transgenic Expression of Bcl-2 Modulates Energy Metabolism, Prevents Cytosolic Acidification During Ischemia, and Reduces Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

The antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 is targeted to the mitochondria, but it is uncertain whether Bcl-2 affects only myocyte survival after ischemia, or whether it also affects metabolic functions of mi...
On the practical complexity of solving the maximum weighted independent set problem for optimal scheduling in wireless networks

It is well known that the maximum weighted independent set (MWIS) problem is NP-complete. Moreover, optimal scheduling in wireless networks requires solving a MWIS problem. Consequently, it is widely believed that optimal scheduling cannot be solved in practical networks. However, there are many cases where there is a significant difference between worst-case complexity and practical complexity. This paper examines the practical complexity of the MWIS problem through extensive computational experimentation. In all, over 10000 topologies are examined. It is found that the MWIS problem can be solved quickly, for example, for a 2048 node topology, it can be solved in approximately one second. Moreover, it appears that the average computational complexity grows polynomially with the number of nodes and linearly with the mean degree of the conflict graph.
A modified cluster sampling method for estimating the bacterial density in Xanthan gum

Abstract Suppose particles are randomly distributed in a certain medium, powder or liquid, which is conceptually divided into N cells. Let pi denote the probability that a particle falls in the ith cell and Yi denote the number of particles in the ith cell. Assume that the joint probability function of the Yi follows a multinomial distribution with cell probabilities pi respectively. Take n (≤N) cells at random without replacement and put each of the cells separately through a mixing mechanism of dilution and swirl. These n cells constitute the first stage samples and the number of particles in these cells are not observable. Now conceptually divide each of n cells into M subcells of equal size and let Xij denote the number of particles in the jth subcell of the ith cell selected in the first stage; i=1,2,…,N and j=1,2,…,M. Consequently assume that the conditional joint probability function of the Xij given Yi=yi follows a multinomial distribution with equal cell probabilities. Now take m (≤M) subcells at random from each of the cells selected in the first stage sample. Assume that the numbers of particles in M×N subcells are observable. The properties of the estimator of the particle density per sample unit are investigated under the modified two-stage cluster sampling method. A laboratory experiment for Xanthan Gum Products is analyzed in order to examine the appropriateness of the model assumed in this paper.
Lower health risk with increased job control among white collar workers

Associations between increased job control and health status were tested with questionnaire data from a random sample of full-time workers (n = 8504) from the national Swedish white collar labor federation, TCO (representing 25 per cent of the Swedish work force). Of these subjects, 1937 had undergone a company-initiated job reorganization during the previous several years. Workers in the job reorganization group who had influence in the reorganization process and obtained increased task control as a result had lower levels of illness symptoms on 11 of 12 health indicators controlling for age and sex (11 of 12 associations significant for males, four of 12 associations significant for females). A previously validated measure of coronary heart disease was significantly lower in circumstances of increased job control for males (8.6 per cent symptom frequency with decreased control versus 3.4 per cent with increased control; p = 0.05). Absenteeism was lower: 10.7 per cent versus 5.0 per cent (0.01). Depression was lower 27.8 per cent to 13.7 per cent (0.001). However, smoking was significantly higher for women 11.0 per cent versus 23.5 per cent (0.01). All illness indicators showed that the process of job reorganization itself was associated with significantly higher symptoms (‘change stress’). However for males (only) symptoms levels when reorganization was accompanied by increased control were often as low or lower than symptom levels for no reorganization at all. Unfortunately, job reorganizations involving employee influence and increased task control were less frequent than job reorganizations involving reduced influence and no increased control, especially for women and older workers.
Chromosomal Localization of the Major Histocompatibility (B) Complex (MHC) and Its Expression in Chickens Aneuploid for the Major Histocompatibility Complex/Ribosomal Deoxyribonucleic Acid Microchromosome

By the cytogenetic method of trisomy mapping, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (B) was located on the microchromosome that also contains all of the ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rDNA) genes that are detected as a nucleolar organizer region. Crosses involving aneuploid chickens homozygous or heterozygous for particular B haplotypes yield an F1 of disomic, trisomic, and tetrasomic offspring suitable for studies of gene dosage effects and gene regulation. Studies to date show that MHC genes are expressed on each chromosome in aneuploid cells unlike the rDNA gene cluster, which is regulated to produce only diploid levels of mature rRNA. Biological effects of extra MHC chromosome dosage range from altered cell surface content of glycoproteins to altered growth potential of chickens. In addition, enhanced MHC-encoded cell surface products may influence the progression of B-cell differentiation and cell population dynamics in the developing bursa of Fabricius. Recent research shows a possible mechanism to account for the formation of unequal products in meiosis within the rDNA and MHC gene clusters. Unequal recombinational events may be promoted in the meiotic process in trisomic chickens.
Plastic responses of native plant root systems to the presence of an invasive annual grass

 Premise of the study: The ability to respond to environmental change via phenotypic plasticity may be important for plants experiencing disturbances such as climate change and plant invasion. Responding to belowground competition through root plasticity may allow native plants to persist in highly invaded systems such as the cold deserts of the Intermountain West, USA.  Methods: We investigated whether Poa secunda , a native bunchgrass, could alter root morphology in response to nutrient availability and the presence of a competitive annual grass. Seeds from 20 families were grown with high and low nutrients and harvested after 50 d, and seeds from 48 families, grown with and without Bromus tectorum , were harvested after ~2 or 6 mo. We measured total biomass, root mass fraction, specifi c root length (SRL), root tips, allocation to roots of varying diameter, and plasticity in allocation.  Key results: Plants had many parallel responses to low nutrients and competition, including increased root tip production, a trait associated with tolerance to reduced resources, though families differed in almost every trait and correlations among trait changes varied among experiments, indicating fl exibility in plant responses. Seedlings actively increased SRL and fi ne root allocation under competition, while older seedlings also increased coarse root allocation, a trait associated with increased tolerance, and increased root mass fraction.  Conclusions: The high degree of genetic variation for root plasticity within natural populations could aid in the long-term persistence of P. secunda because phenotypic plasticity may allow native species to persist in invaded and fl uctuating resource environments.
Social Learning Theory and Partner Violence: A Research Note

Despite being a well-established area of inquiry, the study of intimate partner violence and aggression is limited by a lack of theoretical development. In this study we show how the key theoretical elements of two of the more prominent explanations for partner violence, intergenerational transmission theory and male peer support theory, are easily subsumed by Akers' social learning theory. We then test the explanatory power and scope of social learning theory against self-report data on the prevalence of physical aggression in marital and dating relationships among a large sample of university students. The results show that our models account for a modest amount of the variation in intimate partner violence with several indicators of two of the four social learning theory constructs (differential association and differential reinforcement) attaining statistical significance; the effects of both imitation and definitions fail to attain significance.
Feasibility of thoracoscopic U-clip esophageal anastomosis: an alternative for esophageal atresia reconstruction.

Abstract Background The authors propose that U-Clips can significantly decrease the technical difficulty of performing thoracoscopic esophageal reconstruction, thus, reducing operating time, the incidence of postoperative leak, and stricture rate. Methods After obtaining Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval, 3 4-kg female piglets underwent complete thoracoscopic esophageal transections. The esophagus was reconstructed thoracoscopically using S50 and S60 U-Clips over an 8F transanastomotic tube. Esophagrams were performed on postoperative day (POD) 7, 21, 44, and 77. Results Mean operating time was 57 minutes (45 to 75 min). Two of 3 piglets had no evidence of leak on POD 7 esophagrams. One animal had a small leak that resolved spontaneously on antibiotics. All 3 piglets tolerated a formula diet orally by POD 8. Over a 77-day survival period all 3 piglets had steady weight gain on an oral diet. Conclusions U-Clips are a feasible alternative to sutures for esophageal reconstruction in thoracoscopic surgery. Further study is warranted to investigate the full potential of U-Clips in minimally invasive pediatric surgery.
Induction-based gate-level verification of multipliers

We propose a method based on unrolling the inductive definition of binary number multiplication to verify gate-level implementations of multipliers. The induction steps successively reduce the size of the multiplier under verification. Through induction, the verification of an n-bit multiplier is decomposed into n equivalence checking problems. The resulting equivalence checking problems could be significantly sped up by simple structural analysis. This method could be generalized to the verification of more general arithmetic circuits and the equivalence checking of complex data-path.
Critical appraisal of emergency medicine education research: the best publications of 2013.

Objectives The objective was to critically appraise and highlight medical education research studies published in 2011 that were methodologically superior and whose outcomes were pertinent to teaching and education in emergency medicine (EM). Methods A search of the English language literature in 2011 querying PubMed, Scopus, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), and PsychInfo identified EM studies that used hypothesis-testing or observational investigations of educational interventions. Six reviewers independently ranked all publications based on 10 criteria, including four related to methodology, that were chosen a priori to standardize evaluation by reviewers. This method was used previously to appraise medical education published in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Results Forty-eight educational research papers were identified. Comparing the literature of 2011 to that of 2008 through 2010, the number of published educational research papers meeting the criteria increased over time from 30, to 36, to 41, and now to 48. Five medical education research studies met the a priori criteria for inclusion as exemplary and are reviewed and summarized in this article. The number of funded studies remained fairly stable over the past 3 years, at 13 (2008), 16 (2009), 9 (2010), and 13 (2011). As in past years, research involving the use of technology accounted for almost half (n = 22) of the publications. Observational study designs accounted for 28 of the papers, while nine studies featured an experimental design. Conclusions Forty-eight EM educational studies published in 2011 and meeting the criteria were identified. This critical appraisal reviews and highlights five studies that met a priori quality indicators. Current trends and common methodologic pitfalls in the 2011 papers are noted. © 2013 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.
Efficiency and Equity in Health: Philosophical Considerations

Efficiency and equity are central concepts for the normative assessment of health policy. Drawing on the work of academic philosophers and philosophically sophisticated economists, this article identifies important philosophical questions implicated by the notions of efficiency and equity and then summarizes influential answers to them. Promising avenues for further philosophical research are also highlighted, especially in the context of health equity and its elusive ethical foundations.
State-Building as Market-Building in China*

By examining the history of the development of the tobacco industry, a key state industrial sector in China's reform era, this article shows how market-building processes and state-building processes have produced and reproduced each other in economic transitions from planned toward market economies. First, the market competition between state-owned tobacco firms and non-state tobacco firms in the early 1980s resulted in the establishment of a vertical bureaucracy, through a statemonopoly institution. Second, new market dynamics resulted in the transfer of monopoly power from the central government to the local governments. During this process the horizontal bureaucracies governing the tobacco industry in localities were driven into market competitors, while the vertical bureaucracy was greatly undermined. The evidence from the Chinese tobacco industry shows that the project of market-building for postcommunist countries is not a unilateral process. To obtain a complete understanding of transitional economies of postcommunist countries, I suggest that the key is the interaction between state-building and market-building, with a focus on how the specific market dynamics have rebuilt the state structures.
Theory and applications of electromagnetic band-gap structures in microwaves

In recent years, there has been significant research interest in microwave applications of electromagnetic (photonic) band-gap structures. There has been much debate on the distinction of band-gap structures and the frequency selective surfaces or general periodic structures in microwaves. This paper provides an overview of the recent research effort on the new applications of microwave band-gap structures with emphasis on the integrated circuit applications. Examples of circuits on substrates without surface-waves are given to demonstrate the loss reduction. An example of the same structure for high-gain leaky-wave antenna is also shown.
The role of dietary fiber in the etiology of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The San Luis Valley Diabetes Study

To investigate the hypothesis that a low intake of dietary fiber could increase the risk of developing non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), we ascertained prior dietary intake of 242 persons with known diabetes and 460 persons without a prior diagnosis of diabetes among 20- to 74-year-old residents of two counties in southern Colorado from 1984 to 1986. When persons with diabetes were compared to nondiabetic controls, a higher reported fiber intake prior to diagnosis was found among persons with diabetes. A decrease in fiber of 10 g/d was associated with a decrease in risk of NIDDM of 0.75 (95% confidence interval: 0.59 to 0.96), rather than an increase as hypothesized. However, when the diabetic group was limited to those with diabetes for less than 5 years, this association was no longer present. Two further analyses were carried out on 1317 persons without a prior diagnosis of diabetes seen between 1984 and 1988. Among these persons, current fiber intake was inversely associated with fasting plasma insulin concentration. However, fiber explained less than 1% of the variation in fasting insulin levels. When persons with previously undiagnosed NIDDM were compared to normal controls, the odds ratio relating a decrease in fiber consumption of 10 g/d to NIDDM was 1.21 (95% confidence interval: 0.70 to 2.10) adjusting for calorie and carbohydrate intake. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, and body mass index. The inconsistent findings reported here do not support the hypothesis that increasing dietary fiber intake could reduce the future occurrence of NIDDM.
Storytelling for Social Justice: Connecting Narrative and the Arts in Antiracist Teaching

In a time when social justice is becoming a catchphrase in the field of education (Adams, Brigham, Cook Whitlock, & Johnson, 2009), Storytelling for Social Justice: Connecting Narrative and the Art...
Latino Educational Outcomes and the Campus Climate

The authors present a longitudinal study aimed at understanding the factors that affect educational outcomes for Latinos. They explore Latino students’ perceptions of the campus climate, their sense of belonging in college, their analytical skills and abilities, and their development of a pluralistic orientation necessary to function in a diverse workplace. They conclude with a discussion of implications for improving the climate of public, 4-year institutions.
Fabrication of zeolite/polymer composite membranes in a roller assembly

Abstract Membranes are cost-effective solutions for many industrial separations. Polymer membranes are widely used in gas separations. Because of the solubility-diffusion mechanism of transport, the permeance and selectivity of polymer membranes are inversely related, and is considered a limitation. Zeolite membranes do not have this limitation, but zeolite membrane synthesis is a batch process with long synthesis times and presence of defects. The resulting high costs of manufacture make zeolite membranes non-competitive for most applications. In this study, we present a roll-to-roll method for zeolite synthesis on a polymer support exploiting a gel that leads to rapid zeolite crystallization and a bendable zeolite membrane structure. Membranes were grown under both compressive and tensile stress, and with zeolite structure both on top and within the pores of the polyethersulfone (PES) support. The structure of the membranes was evaluated by electron microscopy. Membranes were coated with a thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane, and evaluated for CO 2 /N 2 separation, relevant for CO 2 capture from flue gas of power plants. As long as the zeolite membrane is grown within the PES support, highly reproducible CO 2 /N 2 separation performance with CO 2 permeance of 1881 ± 204 GPU and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of 34 ± 4 was observed immaterial of the stress conditions under which it was grown. For zeolite membrane grown on top of the PES support, the compressive stress resulted in crack formation, with poor transport properties. Demonstration of zeolite membrane fabrication with roll-to-roll method has the potential for industrial level scale up.
Properties of polyferrocenylsilane dissolved in ionic liquids

Abstract The main block of polyferrocenylsilane (PFS) polymer is composed of ferrocene molecules bridged by silicon atoms. In this study, we found that PFS was insoluble in an imidazolium-based ionic liquid. On the other hand, PFS dissolved easily in an ionic liquid based on pyrazolium, under ordinary conditions and at room temperature. Furthermore, dissolving PFS in this ionic liquid afforded a p-type doped material. We found that the secondary amine in pyrazolium acted as an oxidant for ferrocene, allowing the PFS to dissolve in the ionic liquid. The measured thermal properties of the PFS-ionic liquids allowed us to show the existence of an attractive interaction between PFS and the ionic liquid.
Serous microcystic adenoma of the pancreas.

75-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of diffuse abdominal pain and emesis. According to the patient, the pain was dull and relieved by vomiting. She was admitted for a possible small bowel obstruction. A computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a large vascular tumor in the distal pancreas that was inhomogeneous and suggestive of multiple, very small cysts. No other masses were visualized in the abdomen, and no lymphadenopathies were present. The patient’s medical history was significant for diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease. Her social history was negative for smoking and drinking. A distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were performed. The specimen consisted of a portion of distal pancreas and a spleen. Most of the pancreatic tissue received was replaced by a slightly bosselated mass measuring 9 cm in greatest dimension (Figure 1). Only a 1.5-cm segment of normal pancreas was present. The mass appeared to be well circumscribed with no invasion of the splenic vessels or the spleen. The cut sections of the mass showed a central scar with radiating fibrous bands. A closer inspection revealed multiple small cysts ranging in size from less than 0.1 to 0.5 cm. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of multiple cysts containing proteinaceous fluid that were lined by low cuboidal cells with centrally located nuclei and clear cytoplasm (Figure 2). Nuclei were round and had inconspicuous nucleoli. The cells lacked atypia, and there were no mitoses present. Focal areas of intracystic papillary projections were also present. At the periphery and within the fibrous stroma, blood vessels were identified, explaining the vascular appearance of the tumor on CT. The cells contained periodic acid‐Schiff‐positive granules (Figure 3), which were digested by diastase, indicating the presence of intracytoplasmic glycogen. Five peripancreatic lymph nodes showed no evidence of malignancy. A diagnosis of serous microcystic adenoma (SMA) was rendered. Serous microcystic adenomas are benign tumors of the pancreas and are also known as glycogen-rich cystadenomas or serous cystadenoma. 1,2 Two thirds of patients present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal mass, nausea, vomiting, or weight loss. The remaining one third of the tumors are discovered incidentally on rou
The Productive Plasticity of Rights: Globalization, Education and Human Rights

Globalization, education, and, in the last 65 years, human rights, interact in complex ways not reducible to a singular, linear argument. In this chapter, I examine the ways in which the contemporary forces of globalization and human rights are refracted differentially in educational policy discussions, textbook revisions, teacher education, and in the everyday life of schools. For better and worse, as I will argue, rights frameworks have become the primary organizing force for diverse actors from international organizations to lawyers, educational scholars, and policymakers at national and local levels. In particular, I examine what I believe to be the productive plasticity of rights discourse. Culminating with a case study of the Right to Education Act in India, I look at how “human rights” concepts often assume different meanings, uses, and definitions. I also consider that the international currency and discursive popularity of these frameworks can be and are utilized by local actors strategically and usefully, even if in ways whose ends are not at-the-moment determined, in promoting greater access to quality education.
Transformation of Probiotic Yeast and Their Recovery from Gastrointestinal Immune Tissues Following Oral Gavage in Mice

Development of recombinant oral therapy would allow for more direct targeting of the mucosal immune system and improve the ability to combat gastrointestinal disorders. Adapting probiotic yeast in particular for this approach carries several advantages. These strains have not only the potential to synthesize a wide variety of complex heterologous proteins but are also capable of surviving and protecting those proteins during transit through the intestine. Critically, however, this approach requires expertise in many diverse laboratory techniques not typically used in tandem. Furthermore, although individual protocols for yeast transformation are well characterized for commonly used laboratory strains, emphasis is placed here on alternative approaches and the importance of optimizing transformation for less well characterized probiotic strains. Detailing these methods will help facilitate discussion as to the best approaches for testing probiotic yeast as oral drug delivery vehicles and indeed serve to advance the development of this novel strategy for gastrointestinal therapy.
Using Virtual Simulation to Teach Inclusivity: A Case Study

Abstract Background The topics of inclusivity, diversity, and cultural awareness are difficult to adequately explore in a traditional classroom setting. The use of the virtual platform of Second Life® afforded a unique opportunity to use virtual role-play simulation to experience what it is like to walk in another's shoes. Method Fifteen graduate nurse educator students enrolled in a course titled "Inclusivity in Nursing Education" were randomly assigned a customized avatar, representing a marginalized person for use in a role-play simulation in the virtual world of Second Life®. Two written assignments regarding the learning experience were evaluated using a simple qualitative analysis. Results Students indicated that they increased their own capacity to understand, appreciate, and relate to people different from themselves. Conclusion Although future research is needed to determine the full extent to which virtual platforms can be used effectively in nursing education, this case study demonstrated that valuable learning regarding complex topics can take place in the virtual world.
Changing Agricultural Magic in Southern Illinois: A Systematic Analysis of Folk-Urban Transition

is relatively free from the psychological pressure of white society which may be expressed in the following conditions: 1. The society is marked by an underlying, egalitarian philosophy. 2. There is an absence of color differentiation in the definition and motivation of social classes. 3. There is a minimum of lower class status frustration as evidenced by harmonious relations in interand intra-class communication, low crime rate, and conventional sex mores.. 4. The lower class is aware of its potency in the economic life of the community but makes no attempt to become articulate as a class group. 5. There is relatively little exploitation of lower class members by those of the elite group.
The Effects of a Computer-Assisted, Schema-Based Instruction Intervention on Word Problem-Solving Skills of Low-Performing Fifth Grade Students:

This study examined the effects of computer-assisted, schema-based instruction on the problem-solving skills of fifth grade students with below average problem-solving skills. In a randomized contr...
Specific MRI findings help distinguish acute transverse myelitis of Neuromyelitis Optica from spinal cord infarction

Abstract Background There is substantial overlap between MRI of acute spinal cord lesions from neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and spinal cord infarct (SCI) in clinical practice. However, early differentiation is important since management approaches to minimize morbidity from NMO or SCI differ significantly. Objective To identify MRI features at initial presentation that may help to differentiate NMO acute myelitis from SCI. Methods 2 board-certified neuroradiologists, blinded to final diagnosis, retrospectively characterized MRI features at symptom onset for subjects with serologically-proven NMO (N=13) or SCI (N=11) from a single institution. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors associated with NMO or SCI. Results SCI was more common in men and Caucasians, while NMO was more common in non-Caucasian women (P 0.05). Conclusion Along with patient demographic characteristics, lesion features on MRI, including lesion location, extension to pial border and presence of ‘bright spotty lesion’ can help differentiate acute myelitis of NMO from SCI in the acute setting.
Silaffin primary structure and its effects on the precipitation morphology of titanium dioxide

Inorganic oxides exhibit numerous applications influenced by particle size and morphology. While industrial methods for forming oxides involve harsh conditions, nature has the ability to form intricate structures of silicon dioxide (silica) using small peptides and polyamines under environmentally friendly conditions. Recent research has demonstrated that these biomaterials will precipitate other inorganic oxides, such as titanium dioxide (titania). Using the diatom-derived R5 peptide, new peptides with systematic changes (e.g., truncation and substitution) in the R5 primary structure were surveyed for reactivities and the impact on the morphology of the titania. The results demonstrated that (i) basic residues are vital to initiating the reaction, and a minimum local concentration is necessary to sustain the precipitation, (ii) residues containing hydroxyl side chains are important to imparting morphological control on the precipitate, and (iii) buffer conditions can dramatically alter both precipitation and morphology.
Recent advances in cardiac surgery in the young infant.

Better understanding of the pathophysiology of neonatal illnesses has improved the management of sick newborns and infants, especially in the area of pulmonary care. Simultaneous advances in surgical techniques, such as optical magnification, microsurgery, and deep hypothermia, have made cardiac surgery in infants easier and safer.
The fine structure of large dense-core organelles in human locus coeruleus neurons.

Protein bodies, the characteristic spherical organelles present in human monoamine neurons, have been shown in previous electron microscope studies to originate as dense bodies in mitochondria. Thi...
Marrow transplantation for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in second remission

Fifty-seven children between the ages of 3 and 17 years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in chemotherapy-induced second bone marrow remission were given cyclophosphamide, total body irradiation, and bone marrow transplants from HLA-matched donors. Sixteen died of transplant-related complications. Eighteen relapsed between 56 and 833 days after transplantation, and 16 died of leukemia. Two survive in remission off treatment following chemotherapy. Twenty-three survive in continuous remission from 1.4 to 10.4 years after transplantation and the actuarial analysis shows disease-free survival of 40% with a plateau extending from 2.5 to 10.4 years.
Techniques of Open Mesenteric Reconstructions

Over the past decade, endovascular therapy has changed the role for open reconstructions to treat atherosclerotic mesenteric artery stenoses. While initially reserved for high-risk patients, endovascular therapy is now routinely used at most institutions to treat all patients with favorable lesions. However, there still is a role for open surgery. Patients with flush occlusions, thick calcified lesions, those with long stenoses, and individuals who have failed angioplasty and stenting are best served with an open operation. Herein, the surgical exposures and techniques of antegrade and retrograde reconstructions will be reviewed.
The Pros and Cons of Ecological Risk Assessment Based on Data from Different Levels of Biological Organization

Ecological risk assessment (ERA) is the process used to evaluate the safety of manufactured chemicals to the environment. Here we review the pros and cons of ERA across levels of biological organization, including suborganismal (e.g., biomarkers), individual, population, community, ecosystem and landscapes levels. Our review revealed that level of biological organization is often related negatively with ease at assessing cause-effect relationships, ease of high-throughput screening of large numbers of chemicals (it is especially easier for suborganismal endpoints), and uncertainty of the ERA because low levels of biological organization tend to have a large distance between their measurement (what is quantified) and assessment endpoints (what is to be protected). In contrast, level of biological organization is often related positively with sensitivity to important negative and positive feedbacks and context dependencies within biological systems, and ease at capturing recovery from adverse contaminant effects. Some endpoints did not show obvious trends across levels of biological organization, such as the use of vertebrate animals in chemical testing and ease at screening large numbers of species, and other factors lacked sufficient data across levels of biological organization, such as repeatability, variability, cost per study and cost per species of effects assessment, the latter of which might be a more defensible way to compare costs of ERAs than cost per study. To compensate for weaknesses of ERA at any particular level of biological organization, we also review mathematical modeling approaches commonly used to extrapolate effects across levels of organization. Finally, we provide recommendations for next generation ERA, submitting that if there is an ideal level of biological organization to conduct ERA, it will only emerge if ERA is approached simultaneously from the bottom of biological organization up as well as from the top down, all while employing mathematical modeling approaches where possible to enhance ERA. Because top-down ERA is unconventional, we also offer some suggestions for how it might be implemented efficaciously. We hope this review helps researchers in the field of ERA fill key information gaps and helps risk assessors identify the best levels of biological organization to conduct ERAs with differing goals.
Physiological Ecology of Back‐Arc Basin Fauna: Explorations of the Known and Unknown

The physiological ecology of back-arc basin fauna is only just beginning to be studied. We expect that it will differ from that of other deep ocean vent sites to the extent that the habitats and faunas are different. The critical parameters for the habitats include (1) thermal environment, (2) temporal stability of conditions, (3) concentrations of toxic dissolved materials, and (4) availability of substrates for chemoautotrophy. Of particular interest with regard to chemistry is the question of the use of sulfide or another sulfur species as the primary substrate for chemoautotrophic symbioses or the use of methanotrophic symbionts in such symbioses. Issues of the toxicity of certain metals may also be important in the andesitic sites. The faunal compositions have been previously described, but the interactions among the faunal components are still largely unknown. The critical abilities and capacities of the major faunal components remain to be studied.
U.S. Bases and Empire: Global Perspectives on the Asia Pacific

This paper is a review of the U.S. military basing system, its history and its current extent and impact.
Deserving Veterans’ Disability Compensation: A Qualitative Study of Veterans’ Perceptions

Veterans recently returned from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) experience many health and mental health problems after deployment. These OEF/OIF veterans are applying and appealing for veterans' disability compensation (VDC) at rapidly increasing rates, often for "invisible conditions" such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Little is known about how veterans experience the process of applying and receiving VDC. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with OEF/OIF veterans ages 35 and younger (N = 18). This article addresses how veterans perceive themselves, and other veterans, of being deserving and undeserving of VDC. Veterans' rationales can be categorized into four primary areas: (1) risking and suffering, (2) the cause of the condition, (3) intentions to become self-sufficient, and (4) putting VDC to "good use."
Hippocampal dose volume histogram predicts Hopkins Verbal Learning Test scores after brain irradiation

Abstract Purpose Radiation-induced cognitive decline is relatively common after treatment for primary and metastatic brain tumors; however, identifying dosimetric parameters that are predictive of radiation-induced cognitive decline is difficult due to the heterogeneity of patient characteristics. The memory function is especially susceptible to radiation effects after treatment. The objective of this study is to correlate volumetric radiation doses received by critical neuroanatomic structures to post–radiation therapy (RT) memory impairment. Methods and materials Between 2008 and 2011, 53 patients with primary brain malignancies were treated with conventionally fractionated RT in prospectively accrued clinical trials performed at our institution. Dose-volume histogram analysis was performed for the hippocampus, parahippocampus, amygdala, and fusiform gyrus. Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised scores were obtained at least 6 months after RT. Impairment was defined as an immediate recall score ≤15. For each anatomic region, serial regression was performed to correlate volume receiving a given dose (VD(Gy)) with memory impairment. Results Hippocampal V53.4Gy to V60.9Gy significantly predicted post-RT memory impairment (P Conclusions The hippocampal V55Gy is a significant predictor for impairment, and a limiting dose below 55 Gy may minimize radiation-induced cognitive impairment.
Arthroscopic Repair of Hip Labrum With Suture Anchors

Abstract The acetabular labrum and the transverse acetabular ligament form a continuous ring of tissue on the periphery of the acetabulum that provides a seal for the hip joint and increases the surface area to spread load distribution during weight-bearing. When a labral tear is suspected, the treatment algorithm always begins with conservative management, including physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. When conservative management fails, patients become candidates for arthroscopic labral repair. In the last 2 decades, the rate of hip arthroscopy has increased nearly 4-fold. However, as hip arthroscopy is performed more frequently, there is a need for a proper technique to minimize morbidity, because hip arthroscopy has been known to have a steep learning curve. We present a method for arthroscopic hip labral repair using suture anchors without a capsular repair. This Technical Note highlights our technique for labral repair, along with pearls and pitfalls of hip arthroscopy.
Reactive intermediates in biological systems: what have we learned and where are we going?

During the past 25 years and the six meetings in this series, there have been many advances in the study of reactive intermediates and their relevance to health. Many issues of risk assessment remain controversial. Nevertheless, the science has advanced considerably and has enabled real progress in many difficult areas. Two areas of major advancement in the field involve the availability of new technology and approaches—analytical chemistry and recombinant DNA technology (Guengerich, 2000). Since 1975 we have seen extensive development of HPLC, and both NMR and mass spectrometry are orders of magnitude more sensitive. Recombinant DNA technology has not only greatly facilitated studies of the involved enzymology but has also made possible the development of model cellular systems to deal with questions that could not have been addressed before.
Bowman capsulitis predicts poor kidney allograft outcome in T cell-mediated rejection.

Summary Acute T cell–mediated rejection (TCMR) is an important cause of renal allograft loss. The Banff classification for tubulointerstitial (type I) rejection is based on the extent of both interstitial inflammation and tubulitis. Lymphocytes may also be present between parietal epithelial cells and Bowman capsules in this setting, which we have termed “capsulitis.” We conducted this study to determine the clinical significance of capsulitis. We identified 42 patients from the pathology archives at The University of Chicago with isolated Banff type I TCMR from 2010 to 2015. Patient demographic data, Banff classification, and graft outcome measurements were compared between capsulitis and noncapsulitis groups using Mann-Whitney U test. Capsulitis was present in 26 (62%) and was more frequently seen in Banff IB than in IA TCMR (88% versus 44%, P = .01). Patients with capsulitis had a higher serum creatinine at biopsy (4.6 versus 2.9 mg/dL, P = .04) and were more likely to progress to dialysis (42% versus 13%, P = .06), with fewer recovering their baseline serum creatinine (12% versus 38%, P = .08). Patients with both Banff IA TCMR and capsulitis have clinical outcomes similar to or possibly worse than Banff IB TCMR compared with those with Banff IA and an absence of capsulitis. Capsulitis is an important pathologic parameter in the evaluation of kidney transplant biopsies with potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications in the setting of TCMR.
Directional-oriented wavefield imaging: a new wave-based subsurface illumination imaging condition for reverse time migration

The key objective of an imaging algorithm is to produce accurate and high-resolution images of the subsurface geology. However, significant wavefield distortions occur due to wave propagation through complex structures and irregular acquisition geometries causing uneven wavefield illumination at the target. Therefore, conventional imaging conditions are unable to correctly compensate for variable illumination effects. We propose a generalised wave-based imaging condition, which incorporates a weighting function based on energy illumination at each subsurface reflection and azimuth angles. Our proposed imaging kernel, named as the directional-oriented wavefield imaging, compensates for illumination effects produced by possible surface obstructions during acquisition, sparse geometries employed in the field, and complex velocity models. An integral part of the directional-oriented wavefield imaging condition is a methodology for applying down-going/up-going wavefield decomposition to both source and receiver extrapolated wavefields. This type of wavefield decomposition eliminates low-frequency artefacts and scattering noise caused by the two-way wave equation and can facilitate the robust estimation for energy fluxes of wavefields required for the seismic illumination analysis. Then, based on the estimation of the respective wavefield propagation vectors and associated directions, we evaluate the illumination energy for each subsurface location as a function of image depth point and subsurface azimuth and reflection angles. Thus, the final directionaloriented wavefield imaging kernel is a cross-correlation of the decomposed source and receiver wavefields weighted by the illuminated energy estimated at each depth location. The application of the directional-oriented wavefield imaging condition can be employed during the generation of both depth-stacked images and azimuth–reflection angle-domain common image gathers. Numerical examples using synthetic and real data demonstrate that the new imaging condition can properly image complex wave paths and produce high-fidelity depth sections.
A novel assay to evaluate action selection in escape behavior.

Abstract Background How experience and individuality shape action selection remains a major question in neuroscience. Visually-evoked escape behavior within Drosophila melanogaster provides a robust model to study these mechanisms within neural circuits but requires novel assays to circumvent limitations of current behavior assays. Method Here we describe and characterize a simple, low to moderate cost, and flexible assay for studying visually-evoked escape responses in tethered flies. This assay consists of a DLP projector, cylindrical rear projection screen, and an automated flight interruption motor all controlled within a MATLAB environment. Results We find this assay effectively recapitulates fly behaviors previously observed in free behavior assays, and provides a novel opportunity to investigate the behavior of individual flies over the course of numerous stimulus presentations. Comparison to existing methods Current Drosophila escape assays do not permit multiple stimulus presentations and can be highly complex and expensive to implement. Conclusions This assay provides an effective system to further identify neural components and mechanisms underlying action selection within parallel sensorimotor pathways.
Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with pathologic node-positive esophageal cancer after induction chemotherapy is associated with improved survival.

Abstract Objectives The study objectives were to identify variables associated with the use of adjuvant chemotherapy among patients with node-positive esophageal cancer who received induction therapy and to evaluate its relationship with overall survival. Methods Treatment data for patients with esophageal cancer receiving induction chemotherapy ± radiotherapy and esophagectomy were abstracted from the National Cancer Data Base. Pathologic node-positive patients were dichotomized by whether they received 2 or more cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy or none. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were generated, and a Cox proportional hazards model was done to identify factors associated with overall survival. Results From 2006 to 2012, 3100 patients had pathologic positive nodes after induction therapy and esophagectomy. A total of 2625 patients (84.7%) did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, and 475 patients (15.3%) did. N3 nodal stage was associated with an increased likelihood of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (reference: N1, odds ratio, 1.82, 95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.97, P = .01), whereas increasing age (by year, odds ratio, 0.97, confidence interval, 0.96-0.98, P Conclusions Patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy after induction therapy and esophagectomy show a survival benefit at all positive nodal stages. Prospective studies may help further delineate this benefit.
The Use of Social Indicators in Environmental Planning

Over the past decade, much effort has gone into the development of environmental planning methods that concentrate on ways to improve the quality of the environments in which we live. Accompanying these methods, there must be procedures or techniques through which we are able to judge whether or not environmental quality has changed as a result of the implemented plans. We must have ways to determine if plans serve to move the quality of our social and physical environments toward the achievement of societal goals. For example, we might be interested in increasing the amount and quality of urban recreational facilities so that individuals spend a proportionately larger amount of their leisure time using these facilities. If we are to determine whether the goal of having individuals spend more leisure time using these facilities is met, a measure of that time must be devised so that change can be recognized. This specific example is discussed later in greater detail.