cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Plasma Cell Niche Factors on the Recruitment and Maintenance of IRF4hi Plasma Cells and Plasmablasts in Vaccinated, Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques with Low and High Viremia.

In a recent study, we found that protection following simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) exposure correlated with rectal plasma cell frequency in vaccinated female rhesus macaques. We sought to determine if the same macaques maintained high mucosal plasma cell frequencies postinfection and if this translated to reduced viremia. Although delayed SIV acquisition did not predict subsequent viral control, alterations existed in the distribution of plasma cells and plasmablasts between macaques that exhibited high or low viremia. Flow cytometric analysis of cells from rectal biopsy specimens, bone marrow, and mesenteric lymph nodes of vaccinated infected, unvaccinated infected, and uninfected macaques identified two main IRF4hi subsets of interest: CD138+ plasma cells, and CD138- plasmablasts. In rectal tissue, plasma cell frequency positively correlated with plasma viremia and unvaccinated macaques had increased plasma cells and plasmablasts compared to vaccinated animals. Likewise, plasmablast frequency in the mesenteric lymph node correlated with viremia. However, in bone marrow, plasmablast frequency negatively correlated with viremia. Accordingly, low-viremic macaques had a higher frequency of both bone marrow IRF4hi subsets than did animals with high viremia. Significant reciprocal relationships between rectal and bone marrow plasmablasts suggested that efficient trafficking to the bone marrow as opposed to the rectal mucosa was linked to viral control. mRNA expression analysis of proteins involved in establishment of plasma cell niches in sorted bone marrow and rectal cell populations further supported this model and revealed differential mRNA expression patterns in these tissues. Importance As key antibody producers, plasma cells and plasmablasts are critical components of vaccine-induced immunity to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in humans and SIV in the macaque model; however, few have attempted to examine the role of these cells in viral suppression postinfection. Our results suggest that plasmablast trafficking to and retention in the bone marrow play a previously unappreciated role in viral control and contrast the potential contribution of mucosal plasma cells to mediate protection at sites of infection with that of bone marrow plasmablasts and plasma cells to control viremia during chronic infection. Manipulation of niche factors influencing the distribution and maintenance of these critical antibody-secreting cells may serve as potential therapeutic targets to enhance antiviral responses postvaccination and postinfection.
Men Behaving Fretfully

There is a scholarly debate over whether there is a crisis among young men. This article uses portrayals of young men in popular culture as a barometer of how the wider society views the role of men. It maintains that positive images of young men have almost disappeared from popular cultures. This lack of role models has the unintended consequence of confusing and disheartening young men.
Long-Term Fish Monitoring in Large Rivers: Utility of “Benchmarking” across Basins

In business, benchmarking is a widely used practice of comparing your own business processes to those of other comparable companies and incorporating identified best practices to improve performance. Biologists and resource managers designing and conducting monitoring programs for fish in large river systems tend to focus on single river basins or segments of large rivers, missing opportunities to learn from those conducting fish monitoring in other rivers. We briefly examine five long-term fish monitoring programs in large rivers in the United States (Colorado, Columbia, Mississippi, Illinois, and Tallapoosa rivers) and identify opportunities for learning across programs by detailing best monitoring practices and why these practices were chosen. Although monitoring objectives, methods, and program maturity differ between each river system, examples from these five case studies illustrate the important role that long-term monitoring programs play in interpreting temporal and spatial shifts in fish populat...
THE AXILLARY WEB AND ITS LYMPHATIC ORIGIN

Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a frequently overlooked problem that causes morbidity in the early post-operative period following cancer surgery with axillary lymph node removal (1-3). AWS, also known as “cording” was first described in 2001 by Moskovitz as “a visible web of axillary skin overlying palpable cords of tissue that are made taut by shoulder abduction” (1). Over a decade has passed since Moskovitz’s seminal article was published, and we still lack a good understanding of AWS. This condition has been suboptimally studied using widely differing criteria. This has resulted in almost meaningless data such as the incidence of the problem, which varies from 6 to 72% following cancer surgery with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or sentinel node biopsy (SNB) (1-5). AWS continues to perplex the medical and scientific community. For instance, there is no explanation for the observation that individuals with a lower body mass index (BMI) are at higher risk for AWS (1-3). There are differing views on the physiological and etiological aspects of AWS. Some believe there is a vascular component involving the lymphatic and/or venous system (1, 6-11). Others consider the cord to be composed of fascial tissue (12). The terminology used to describe the cord varies dependent on the researcher’s opinions, which are based on their speculations as to the underlying pathophysiology of the condition. The purpose of this paper is to present a new perspective that supports the theory that AWS is associated with the lymphatic system.Based on our clinical experience including more in-depth analysis of specific cases, our clinical research, and the accumulated literature, we present our proposal to explain the pathophysiology of AWS, define the period of onset and duration of AWS, outline possible reasons for the association between AWS and BMI, and postulate why we occasionally see cases of AWS that are associated with conditions that disturb normal lymphatic function but are unrelated to surgery.
Observation of trapped-electron-mode microturbulence in reversed field pinch plasmas

Density fluctuations in the large-density-gradient region of improved confinement Madison Symmetric Torus reversed field pinch (RFP) plasmas exhibit multiple features that are characteristic of the trapped-electron mode (TEM). Core transport in conventional RFP plasmas is governed by magnetic stochasticity stemming from multiple long-wavelength tearing modes. Using inductive current profile control, these tearing modes are reduced, and global confinement is increased to that expected for comparable tokamak plasmas. Under these conditions, new short-wavelength fluctuations distinct from global tearing modes appear in the spectrum at a frequency of f ∼ 50 kHz, which have normalized perpendicular wavenumbers k⊥ρs≲0.2 and propagate in the electron diamagnetic drift direction. They exhibit a critical-gradient threshold, and the fluctuation amplitude increases with the local electron density gradient. These characteristics are consistent with predictions from gyrokinetic analysis using the Gene code, including ...
Force Spectrum Microscopy Using Mitochondrial Fluctuations of Control and ATP-Depleted Cells.

Abstract A single-cell assay of active and passive intracellular mechanical properties of mammalian cells could give significant insight into cellular processes. Force spectrum microscopy (FSM) is one such technique, which combines the spontaneous motion of probe particles and the mechanical properties of the cytoskeleton measured by active microrheology using optical tweezers to determine the force spectrum of the cytoskeleton. A simpler and noninvasive method to perform FSM would be very useful, enabling its widespread adoption. Here, we develop an alternative method of FSM using measurement of the fluctuating motion of mitochondria. Mitochondria of the C3H-10T1/2 cell line were labeled and tracked using confocal microscopy. Mitochondrial probes were selected based on morphological characteristics, and their mean-square displacement, creep compliance, and distributions of directional change were measured. We found that the creep compliance of mitochondria resembles that of particles in viscoelastic media. However, comparisons of creep compliance between controls and cells treated with pharmacological agents showed that perturbations to the actomysoin network had surprisingly small effects on mitochondrial fluctuations, whereas microtubule disruption and ATP depletion led to a significantly decreased creep compliance. We used properties of the distribution of directional change to identify a regime of thermally dominated fluctuations in ATP-depleted cells, allowing us to estimate the viscoelastic parameters for a range of timescales. We then determined the force spectrum by combining these viscoelastic properties with measurements of spontaneous fluctuations tracked in control cells. Comparisons with previous measurements made using FSM revealed an excellent match.
HDL Receptor-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux from Cells and its Regulattion

HDL3 particles can nonspecifically pick up cholesterol from the plasma membrane by desorption, but specific high affinity interaction of particles containing intact apo AI with an HDL receptor protein (110 kDA) on the cell surface is required to signal cholesterol translocation from intracellular compartments to the cell surface, thereby enhancing cholesterol efflux (1). Once at the cell surface, cholesterol is removed from cells by appropriate acceptor particles including, but not limited to, HDL. Treatment of HDL particles with trypsin or tetranitromethane will destroy the ability of these particles to signal cholesterol translocation; however, the ability of trypsinized HDL to accept cholesterol from plasma membrane sterol is preserved (2). Thus, cells excrete intracellular cholesterol by a pathway that involves two major steps: the translocation of cholesterol from intracellular pools to the plasma membrane, and the removal of membrane associated cholesterol from cells by exogenous acceptors. It is only the translocation step of this pathway that requires receptor binding of HDL and this is the step that is regulated.
A novel phantom-less spatial and temporal ultrasound calibration method

This paper introduces a novel method for ultrasound calibration for both spatial and temporal parameters. The main advantage of this method is that it does not require a phantom, which is usually expensive to fabricate. Furthermore, the method does not require extensive image processing. For spatial calibration, we solve an optimization problem established by a set of equations that relate the orientations of a line (i.e., calibration pointer) to the intersection points appearing in the ultrasound image. The line orientation is provided through calibration of both ends of the calibration pointer. Temporal calibration is achieved by processing of the captured pointer orientations and the corresponding image positions of intersection along with the timing information. The effectiveness of the unified method for both spatial and temporal calibration is apparent from the quality of the 3D reconstructions of a known object.
Decreasing Time to Place and Teach Double-Lumen Endotracheal Intubation: Engaging Anesthesia in Lean.

Background This report documents our process to standardize and decrease the time to place and teach double-lumen endotracheal tube (DLETT) intubation. Methods A prospective database of patients who underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy by 1 surgeon was reviewed. A systematic approach was instituted starting in 2009. A monitor in the room displayed the bronchoscopic view as anesthesia residents were taught how to drive a bronchoscope. The bronchial side was placed above the carina, a bronchoscope went into the desired side, and the double-lumen tube slid over it. A head towel protected the ears, face, and hair, and the DLETT was anchored so that rebronching after turning was eliminated. All other nonvalued steps were eliminated. Results There were 2,940 patients. Pulmonary lobectomy was performed in 2,421 patients and segmentectomy in 566. Patients were divided into nine cohorts of 350 consecutive patients, except for the last cohort. Median time for DLETT placement decreased from 13 minutes from January 1997 to February 2001 to a median 45 seconds from June 2016 to May 2017 (p Conclusions DLETT placement can be standardized and taught efficiently. Factors that may lead to this are eliminating nonvalued steps (process of lean), engaging anesthesiologists and surgeons to teach team standardization, improved tracheal-bronchial anatomy and bronchoscopy skills in residents, and displaying the intubation and bronchoscopy on a monitor.
Identifying behaviors predicting early morning emotions by observing permanent supportive housing residents: An ecological momentary assessment

Background Behavior and emotions are closely intertwined. The relationship between behavior and emotions might be particularly important in populations of underserved people, such as people with physical or mental health issues. We used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine the relationship between emotional state and other characteristics among people with a history of chronic homelessness who were participating in a health coaching program. Objective The goal of this study was to identify relationships between daily emotional states (valence and arousal) shortly after waking and behavioral variables such as physical activity, diet, social interaction, medication compliance, and tobacco usage the prior day, controlling for demographic characteristics. Methods Participants in m.chat, a technology-assisted health coaching program, were recruited from housing agencies in Fort Worth, Texas, United States. All participants had a history of chronic homelessness and reported at least one mental health condition. We asked a subset of participants to complete daily EMAs of emotions and other behaviors. From the circumplex model of affect, the EMA included 9 questions related to the current emotional state of the participant (happy, frustrated, sad, worried, restless, excited, calm, bored, and sluggish). The responses were used to calculate two composite scores for valence and arousal. Results Nonwhites reported higher scores for both valence and arousal, but not at a statistically significant level after correcting for multiple testing. Among momentary predictors, greater time spent in one-on-one interactions, greater time spent in physical activities, a greater number of servings of fruits and vegetables, greater time spent interacting in a one-on-one setting as well as adherence to prescribed medication the previous day were generally associated with higher scores for both valence and arousal, and statistical significance was achieved in most cases. Number of cigarettes smoked the previous day was generally associated with lower scores on both valence and arousal, although statistical significance was achieved for valence only when correcting for multiple testing. Conclusions This study provides an important glimpse into factors that predict morning emotions among people with mental health issues and a history of chronic homelessness. Behaviors considered to be positive (eg, physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables) generally enhanced positive affect and restrained negative affect the following morning. The opposite was true for behaviors such as smoking, which are considered to be negative.
Guest Column: Non-abelian Combinatorics and Communication Complexity

Finite groups provide an amazing wealth of problems of interest to complexity theory. And complexity theory also provides a useful viewpoint of group-theoretic notions, such as what it means for a group to be \far from abelian." The general problem that we consider in this survey is that of computing a group product g = x1 . x2 ..... xt over a nite group G. Several variants of this problem are considered in this survey and in the literature, including in [KMR, Mi, BC, IL, BGKL, PRS, Am, AL, Raz1, MV, Mi, GV1].
Assessing democratic engagement through student organizations

The National Survey of Student Leaders (NSSL) is the first initiative extending scholarly insights about democratic benefits of participation in civil society associations to student organizations ...
The Tick Size and Stock Price Informativeness: Evidence from Investment–q Sensitivity

We study the effects of the tick size on stock price informativeness about future investment. Using the Tick Size Pilot Program as a controlled experiment, we find that an increase in the tick size increases the strength of Tobin’s q (a standardized measure of prices) to predict future investment. The increase in investment–q sensitivity is concentrated in firms that experience a reduction in the magnitude of market reactions to earnings announcements, an increase of EDGAR downloading volume, or a reduction in algorithmic trading. These findings suggest that a wider tick size increases the acquisition of information on firm fundamentals and consequently price informativeness about future investment decisions. The investment–q sensitivity also increases more when managers have stronger incentives to learn from stock prices, suggesting that some of the added information with a wider tick size is new to managers and therefore has a real effect on corporate investments.
Rice: Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease

Oryza sativa L. is the most commonly grown rice subspecies and is the staple food for more than one half of the world’s population. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease are two of the primary causes of death, globally. Several population-based studies suggest that white rice consumption is related to the development of the risk factors for these diseases and prevent the management of them. However, several in vitro and some human-based feeding studies indicate the reverse. There are a growing number of traditional genotypes that have been identified and mutation lines developed that are proposed to improve the health-protective properties of rice. Processing methods have also been reported that can enhance these properties. Current scientifically based dietary recommendations for healthy adults indicate that grains should primarily be consumed in its whole grain form (i.e., brown rice). Relative to brown rice, germinated brown rice may have a greater ability to protect rice eaters from developing chronic disease risk factors and managing them after development. Government agencies and the food industry will likely be needed to support bringing some of these rice types into commercial markets. Also, new rice types, both white and brown forms, need to be developed that have the sensory properties that consumers desire and have the phenotype needed to reduce the association between rice consumption and chronic disease.
Equal under the Law: Officers' Perceptions of Equitable Treatment and Justice in Policing

Much research has examined public views about fair treatment of citizens by police, but nearly nothing is known about officers’ perceptions of impartiality and justice within their own occupation. Efforts to improve minority representation in police organizations might be hampered if officers themselves believe that police do not always treat people in neutral, unbiased, and fair ways. The current study analyzes officers’ perceptions of whether their colleagues treat members of the public in ways that display racial impartiality, income impartiality, and procedural justice. Findings indicate that black officers are critical of policing on all three measures; however, controlling for perceived racial and income inequity in a regression model eliminates the race effect for procedural justice. Thus, black officers appear to perceive a greater degree of inequity in how officers treat the public and, in turn, perceived inequity reduces their beliefs that officers consistently engage in procedurally just policing. Implications for research and policy are discussed.
Soft drugs: design principles, success stories, and future perspectives

Soft drugs (SDs) are therapeutically active compounds that undergo a predicted fast metabolism into inactive metabolites after exerting their desired therapeutic effects. The goal of SD design is t...
Surgical outcomes of 14 children with scimitar syndrome

Objective To summarize the diagnostic and surgical experience of children with scimitar syndrome and to explore the immediate/mid-term outcomes of these operations. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed for 14 clinical records of children with scimitar syndrome from January 2010 to December 2017. There were 7 boys and 7 girls with a mean age of (18.23±28.55 months)(23 days to 9 years). The complications included other cardiac abnormalities (n=10), mesocardia (n=8), right pulmonary hypoplasia (n=7) and collaterall circulation (n=8). Follow-ups were conducted for analyzing the immediate/mid-term outcomes of survival and stenosis of corrected scimitar vein (SV). And postoperative survival curves were plotted. Results SVs were dissected from inferior caval vein (IVC) and anastomosed to left artrium (n=9); SVs (2 SVs) were resected together with partial IVC wall and anastomosed to left artrium (n=1); SVs (2 SVs) were resected respectively and anastomosed side-to-side and then anastomosed to left artrium (n=1); SVs were anastomosed to right atrium and interatrium septum be rebuilt (n=2) and SV was connected to artificial conduit and then connected to left atrium (n=1) owing to that SV was too far to left atrium. In the same term of operation, complicated cardiac abnormality was cured. And 2/14 cases died immediately postoperatively with a mortality rate of 14.29%; 1/12 survivors died of pneumonia and respiratory failure at 14 months postoperatively and 1/3/5-year postoperative cumulative survival rates were 86%, 73% and 73% respectively. One corrected SV of 12 survivors was stenosed during discharge and 3 corrected SVs of 11 survivors became stenotic during follow-ups. Conclusions Scimitar syndrome may be complicated with other cardiac abnormality, mesocardia and pulmonary hypoplasia, etc. Most SVs of scimitar syndrome may be cured by anastomosing SV to left artrium. SV should be anastomosed to right atrium instead of left atrium and interatrium septum. Collateral circulation of scimitar syndrome may be plugged during cardiac interventions and even resected intraoperatively. Key words: Scimitar Syndrome; Congenital heart disease; Cardiac surgical procedures
SLE: Novel Postulates for Therapeutic Options

Genetic deficiency in C1q is a strong susceptibility factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There are two major hypotheses that potentially explain the role of C1q in SLE. The first postulates that C1q deficiency abrogates apoptotic cell clearance, leading to persistently high loads of potentially immunogenic self-antigens that trigger autoimmune responses. While C1q undoubtedly plays an important role in apoptotic clearance, an essential biological process such as removal of self- waste is so critical for host survival that multiple ligand-receptor combinations do fortunately exist to ensure that proper disposal of apoptotic debris is accomplished even in the absence of C1q. The second hypothesis is based on the observation that locally synthesized C1q plays a critical role in regulating the earliest stages of monocyte to dendritic cell (DC) differentiation and function. Indeed, circulating C1q has been shown to keep monocytes in a pre-dendritic state by silencing key molecular players and ensuring that unwarranted DC-driven immune responses do not occur. Monocytes are also able to display macromolecular C1 on their surface, representing a novel mechanism for the recognition of circulating "danger." Translation of this danger signal in turn, provides the requisite "license" to trigger a differentiation pathway that leads to adaptive immune response. Based on this evidence, the second hypothesis proposes that deficiency in C1q dysregulates monocyte-to-DC differentiation and causes inefficient or defective maintenance of self-tolerance. The fact that C1q receptors (cC1qR and gC1qR) are also expressed on the surface of both monocytes and DCs, suggests that C1q/C1qR may regulate DC differentiation and function through specific cell-signaling pathways. While their primary ligand is C1q, C1qRs can also independently recognize a vast array of plasma proteins as well as pathogen-associated molecular ligands, indicating that these molecules may collaborate in antigen recognition and processing, and thus regulate DC-differentiation. This review will therefore focus on the role of C1q and C1qRs in SLE and explore the gC1qR/C1q axis as a potential target for therapy.
Post-COVID Courts

As with so much else in American life, COVID-19 delivered a gut punch to our justice system. And the worst is yet to come, as federal and state courts alike are soon to fill with cases reflecting the failing finances and fraying relationships of our sheltered-in-place lives. But in truth, our courts were already at a crossroads: chronically underfunded, increasingly politicized, behind the curve technologically, and shockingly out of touch with the justice needs of ordinary Americans. This Essay argues that it is time—with states, for better or worse, reopening—to begin thinking longer term. For the coronavirus pandemic is quickening a pair of tectonic shifts, both well underway when the first diagnoses were made, with the power to reshape the legal system for good and for ill by fundamentally altering the role lawyers play within it. The first is the erosion of the professional monopoly that lawyers have long enjoyed over the delivery of legal services and the steady empowerment of new legally trained professionals to help satisfy justice needs. The second is the adoption of new technologies, many using artificial intelligence, to supplement or even supplant lawyers’ work. Looking back, the coronavirus’s greatest legacy for the legal system may well be its hastening of the arrival of an age of supersession—the decentering and displacement of lawyers by nonlawyers of both the human and nonhuman sort. The question judges, lawyers, rulemakers, and legislators should be asking is not merely how to safely reopen the courts. We should also ask how the post-pandemic justice system will look different—and how it might even emerge from the current crisis better than before.
Effects of cosmological parameters and star formation models on the cosmic star formation history in LambdaCDM cosmological simulations

We investigate the effects of the change of cosmological parameters and star formation (SF) models on the cosmic SF history using cosmological smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations based on the cold dark matter (CDM) model. We vary the cosmological parameters within 1-sigma error from the WMAP best-fit parameters, and find that such changes in cosmological parameters mostly affect the amplitude of the cosmic SF history. At high redshift (hereafter high-z), the star formation rate (SFR) is sensitive to the cosmological parameters that control the small-scale power of the primordial power spectrum, while the cosmic matter content becomes important at lower redshifts. We also test two new SF models: 1) the `Pressure' model based on the work by Schaye & Dalla Vecchia (2008), and 2) the `Blitz' model that takes the effect of molecular hydrogen formation into account, based on the work by Blitz & Rosolowsky (2006). Compared to the previous conventional SF model, the Pressure model reduces the SFR in low-density regions and shows better agreement with the observations of the Kennicutt-Schmidt law. This model also suppresses the early star formation and shifts the peak of the cosmic SF history toward lower redshift, more consistently with the recent observational estimates of cosmic SFR density. The simulations with the new SF model also predict lower global stellar mass densities at high-z, larger populations of low-mass galaxies and a higher gas fraction in high-z galaxies. Our results suggest that there is room left in the model uncertainties to reconcile the discrepancy that was found between the theory and observations of cosmic SF history and stellar mass density. Nevertheless, our simulations still predict higher stellar mass densities than most of the observational estimates.
Exploring the Feasibility of Partnerships between Public Libraries and the SNAP-Ed Program

This study assessed the feasibility of partnerships between public libraries and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) for delivery of direct nutrition education and ado...
Robust in practice: Adversarial attacks on quantum machine learning

State-of-the-art classical neural networks are observed to be vulnerable to small crafted adversarial perturbations. A more severe vulnerability has been noted for quantum machine learning (QML) models classifying Haar-random pure states. This stems from the concentration of measure phenomenon, a property of the metric space when sampled probabilistically, and is independent of the classification protocol. To provide insights into the adversarial robustness of a quantum classifier on real-world classification tasks, we focus on the adversarial robustness in classifying a subset of encoded states that are smoothly generated from a Gaussian latent space. We show that the vulnerability of this task is considerably weaker than that of classifying Haar-random pure states. In particular, we find only mildly polynomially decreasing robustness in the number of qubits, in contrast to the exponentially decreasing robustness when classifying Haar-random pure states and suggesting that QML models can be useful for real-world classification tasks.
Structural Dynamics of Real and Modeled Solanum Stamens: Implications for Pollen Ejection by Buzzing Bees

An estimated 10% of flowering plant species conceal their pollen within tube-like anthers that dehisce through small apical pores (poricidal anthers). Bees extract pollen from poricidal anthers through a complex motor routine called floral buzzing, whereby the bee applies large vibratory forces to the flower stamen by rapidly contracting its flight muscles. The resulting deformation and pollen expulsion depend critically on the stamen9s natural frequencies and vibration mode shapes, yet these properties remain unknown. We performed experimental modal analysis on Solanum elaeagnifolium stamens to quantify their natural frequencies and vibration modes. Based on morphometric and dynamic measurements, we developed a finite element model of the stamen to identify how variable material properties, geometry and bee weight could affect its dynamics. In general, stamen natural frequencies fell outside the reported floral buzzing range, and variations in stamen geometry and material properties were unlikely to bring natural frequencies within this range. However, inclusion of bee mass reduced natural frequencies to within the floral buzzing frequency range and gave rise to an axial-bending vibration mode. We hypothesize that floral buzzing bees exploit the large vibration amplification factor of this mode to increase anther deformation, which may facilitate pollen ejection.
VAT Triangulation with a US Middleman VSTR, C-587/10

It is not every day that an American firm finds itself in the middle of an EU VAT controversy that significantly develops the law. However, the September 27, 2012 decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) does just that. The case is Vogtlandische Straβen-,Tief- und Rohrleitungsbau GmbH Rodewisch (VSTR) v. Finanzamt Plauen. In November 1998 Atlantic International Trading Company (AIT), an American company established in New York, NY, purchased two stone-crushers from VSTR, a firm established in Germany. AIT quickly re-sold the stone-crushers to an end user established in Finland. The VSTR/AIT contract was “ex works,” that is AIT was responsible for transporting the goods from Germany, and AIT did this by hiring a heavy equipment transport company to move the goods by road and sea directly to Finland (not first to the USA, and then to Finland). The VAT treatment of ABC transactions can be complex. The VAT Directive contains no specific rules for triangular transactions, but it does have a mechanism (Article 141) that provides simplified treatment for one specific type of ABC transaction. This treatment is so favorable for B, that it is common for traders to design their trades to fit the simplification mandate. Triangulation case law has been developing. The most notable developments are the recent cases of EMAG Handel Eder OHG v. Finanzlandesdirektion fur Karnten (Berufungssenat II), followed by Euro Tyre Holding v. Staatssecretaris van Financien, and Both of these cases impact the VSTR decision. Collectively, these three cases define our present understanding of triangulation. This paper presents the law in this area, with particular attention to third country middleman who, like AIT, may find themselves facilitating ABC transactions with EU participants, but who are denied the benefits of simplification because of their place of establishment. The paper concludes that because of penalties provisions in each of the Member States it is advisable for third-country middlemen to register in one Member State and adopt simplified triangulation reporting.
Rates of Channel Erosion in Small Urban Streams

We address four objectives, focused on urban and urbanizing watersheds that drain forested (or once-forested) landscapes in humid regions: to document rates of channel change, to evaluate the relationship between development intensity and the rate of channel change, to evaluate geologic and topographic controls on channel change, and to determine if predevelopment conditions can be used to predict erosion-susceptible reaches. We used an 11-year data set covering 21 urban and suburban channels in western Washington, draining watersheds from 0.1 to 20 km, a range that covers both seasonal and perennial channels that generally respond readily and rapidly to watershed disturbance. The results indicate: 1. Rates of vertical channel change vary from below the range of measurement error (<20 mm vertical change between visits) to about 1 m (width-averaged) per year. The median rate for this sample population was 60 mm per year. 2. Within these lightly to moderately urbanized watersheds, rates of channel change did not correlate with development intensity. 3. The nature of the geologic substrate strongly influenced whether or not significant channel change occurred, but no unconsolidated substrate appears immune to change given sufficiently severe watershed disturbance. Erosion rates are independent of channel gradient within the range investigated (0.013-0.52). 4. Channels with the greatest susceptibility to rapid vertical change share the following characteristics, which can be used to predict and so reduce the consequences of future urban development on natural stream systems: • Erosion-susceptible geologic substrate; • Moderate to high gradient; • Absence of natural or artificial grade controls; • Predevelopment runoff inputs predominantly via subsurface discharge, likely to be converted to surface (point) discharge in the post-development condition.
Promoting the Acceptance of Sexual Diversity in a Class of Fifth Grade Boys

A systemic approach was used to modify school climate in a study involving a boy with stereotypically feminine behaviors. School psychology students held a series of group counseling sessions on al...
Using ‘Smart’ Pricing to Increase Profits and Maximize Customer Satisfaction

A small change in prices can have a significant impact on profits and it is therefore becoming crucial for firms to use innovative approaches to pricing. Smart pricing is a dynamic approach to pricing that requires that firms have accurate information about market demand and profit margins on each item sold. Smart prices take into account differences in the costs of serving different segments and also the different valuations of one’s product by different segments. Firms that use smart pricing will not use a fixed price but will adjust prices, even on a daily basis, as market conditions, consumer demand, and product valuations change. Smart pricing is becoming extremely crucial for firms that wish to survive in the age of the Internet and globalization. Today’s customers use the Internet not only to make price comparisons but also to determine the seller’s actual costs.
Streptococcal proteinase-catalyzed hydrolysis of some ester and amide substrates.

Abstract Streptococcal proteinase was shown to belong to a group of enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and subtilisin that exhibit a high ratio of esterase to peptidase activity. In this respect, streptococcal proteinase is different from other sulfhydryl enzymes, such as papain and ficin, and also different from pepsin. These enzymes hydrolyze a specific ester and amide substrate at comparable rates. A spectrophotometric method is described for following the streptococcal proteinase-catalyzed hydrolysis of substrates of the general type benzyloxycarbonyl-X-Y, where X is lysine, norleucine, and glutamic acid, and Y is phenyl, p-nitrophenyl, aniline, and p-nitroaniline. This method was used to demonstrate that streptococcal proteinase is an efficient esterase in the cleavage of phenyl and p-nitrophenyl esters, and that in the cleavage of these esters the enzyme is favored by the presence of a cationic group in X. Phenyl esters were found to be more versatile substrates than p-nitrophenyl esters for the proteinase, since autolysis of phenyl ester substrates was not observed even at higher pH values (pH 9.0). The effect of pH on the proteinase-catalyzed hydrolyses of benzyloxycarbonylysyl-p-nitrophenyl esters was examined. The data revealed that the ratio of log kcat/Km for the enzyme depends on an ionizable group with a pK of 4.8. When the leaving group, Y, in A-X-Y is changed from phenyl to p-nitrophenyl, kcat/Km values increase 5-fold. However, when Y is changed from aniline to p-nitroaniline, the kcat/Km value unexpectedly decreases 36-fold. Wang's theory of pretransition state protonation was used to interpret these data, and it is proposed that streptococcal proteinase hydrolyzes specific ester or amide substrates by different mechanisms. Tosylnorleucylphenylalanine and tosyllysylphenyl ester were found to be resistant to cleavage by streptococcal proteinase. These two derivatives are competitive inhibitors of streptococcal proteinase, with Ki values near the kinetically determined value of Km(app) for the corresponding benzyloxycarbonyl derivatives.
Binding of nerve growth factor to its p75 receptor in stressed cells induces selective IκB‐β degradation and NF‐κB nuclear translocation

Nerve growth factor (NGF) regulates the activity of the transcription factor NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB) through its low affinity receptor, p75. In the present study we found that NGF binding to p75 induces nuclear translocation of p65 and increases NF-κB binding activity in a cell line overexpressing p75, but only after the cells have been subjected to a previous stress. Under physiological conditions, in the absence of stress, NGF is unable to alter p65 nuclear levels. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induces a down-regulation of IκB-α, -β and -e both in physiological and in stress, i.e. serum-free, conditions. In contrast, NGF only induces the specific degradation of IκB-β after serum withdrawal, without affecting IκB-α or -e either in the presence or in the absence of stress. IκB-β consists of several isoforms, whose relative abundance is regulated by serum withdrawal. NGF does not target all the IκB-β isoforms with the same potency, being more effective in reducing the levels of the isoforms up-regulated by serum withdrawal. TRAF-6 is expressed at the same level under both physiological and stress conditions. These results indicate that NGF is able to induce NF-κB nuclear translocation by a mechanism that involves specific IκB-β degradation only after the cells have been subjected to a severe stress.
Acute kidney injury following surgical aortic valve replacement.

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant complication of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). This study sought to describe AKI following SAVR, its risk factors, predictors and effect on long-term survival. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 2169 patients who underwent isolated SAVR between 2000 and 2012. The main end-points were occurrence of AKI, postoperative complications, and short- and long-term survival rates following SAVR. Patients were divided into two groups: AKI+ (n = 181) and AKI− (n = 1945). Results AKI occurred in 8.5% of patients, of which 3.9% (n = 7) needed dialysis. Predictors of AKI after SAVR were body mass index (BMI) and intraoperative packed red blood cells (PRBC) transfusion. AKI+ patients had a more complicated postoperative course and higher cumulative mortality (25% vs. 17%, p = 0.012) with a median follow-up of 4.1 years. AKI was not found to be an independent predictor of mortality. Conclusions Predictors of AKI after SAVR are increased BMI and intraoperative PRBC transfusion. AKI conferred an increase in hospital length of stay and cumulative mortality while the need for postoperative dialysis was associated with the most complicated hospital stays and the highest in-hospital and cumulative mortalities; therefore careful recognition of patients at risk of AKI is warranted for a better preoperative renal optimization. However, incidence of AKI was lower than what is reported after both on-CPB cardiac surgeries and transcatheter aortic valve replacement, moreover AKI was not found to be an independent predictor of mortality. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12586 (J Card Surg 2015;30:631–639)
Dependence of parabolic pulse evolution and compression on SRS threshold

Limiting effects caused by stimulated Raman scattering on parabolic pulse compression in high power/energy Yb-fiber amplifiers are determined using an analytical model. Numerical simulations verify the analytical results.
Dynamic Equations of a Manipulator With Rigid and Flexible Links: Derivation and Symbolic Computation

The objective of this paper is to present an efficient procedure for computer-generation of the dynamic equations for a planar robot manipulator with arbitrarily assigned rigid or flexible link using any desired flexible mode shape functions. The dynamic equations for the serial-link manipulator are derived using Lagrange's formulation and elastic deflection with the assumed-mode method. Fewer approximations are made than in other approaches, resulting in greater accuracy. A method to determine the Centrifugal and Coriolis matrix is presented that yields an important structural property. The approach is systematic and allows a symbolic program to be written in Mathematica using a system of several groups and a constructed database. Four examples are illustrated to verify of the dynamic equations. The stability of the zero dynamics is compared for different mode shape functions.
Magazine headline themes/emotions that motivate mothers to read nutrition education materials (262.3)

Examining and emulating strategies print media use to arouse consumer interest could result in nutrition communications that more readily gain reader attention. This study content analyzed headline...
Morphology of thermally etched basal surfaces of cadmium selenide

Abstract Sublimated (0001) and (000 1 ) surfaces of CdSe single crystals were studies by scanning electron microscopy. The observations, together with kinetic rate measurements, are shown to be consistent with the terrace-ledge-kink model of sublimation. Other proposed mechanisms of sublimation of II–VI compounds are discussed.
Nonwork Accessibility as a Social Equity Indicator

This study explains a method for deriving nonwork accessibility indicators and evaluates how nonwork accessibility varies among social groups in the Detroit metropolitan region. It finds that vulnerable social groups—including African Americans, Hispanics, low-income households, and households in poverty—experience an advantage in physical accessibility over more privileged groups for several trip purposes, including convenience stores, childcare facilities, religious organizations, and hospitals. However, vulnerable groups experience a distinct disadvantage in accessibility to shopping and supermarkets. These vulnerable social groups experience a substantially larger share of households with extremely low levels of accessibility, as a result of disproportionately low access to private vehicles.
Hypersensitivity reactions to biological drugs.

Objectives To review the current evidence regarding hypersensitivity reactions related to the administration of biological drugs in the management of cancer, and to provide the nurse with appropriate interventions related to the management of hypersensitivity reactions. Data Sources Review articles and research studies from the medical and nursing literature. Conclusion Current evidence is available regarding the types of reactions that are associated with the administration of biological drugs in the management of cancer. Medical and nursing studies that review the most effective management of hypersensitivity reactions related to the administration of biological drugs. A review of “best practice” is offered in this article regarding the management of hypersensitivity reactions related to the administration of biological drugs. Implications for Nursing Practice Nurses play a key role in the early identification of hypersensitivity reactions. Management of hypersensitivity reactions must be rapid for optimal patient outcomes.
The Molecular Biology of Hair Cell Regeneration in the Avian Cochlea

The sensory cells of the ear, the hair cells, are damaged by loud noise or certain types of drugs. In the bird cochlea, new hair cells are produced to replace those that are lost. Regeneration also occurs in the vestibular epithelia of birds, fish, and mammals but does not occur in the mammalian cochlea. In order to further our understanding of the regeneration process in the bird cochlea, we have begun to identify the genes that are involved. However, the small size of this organ has made it difficult to use traditional molecular biology methods to address these problems. Recently, many molecular techniques have been adapted for use with small amounts of tissue. Northern blot analysis, the ribonuclease protection assay, semiquantitative PCR and differential display of mRNA are all techniques that are being used to greatly improve our understanding of hair cell regeneration and may eventually provide the information necessary to induce regeneration in hearing-impaired humans.
Reexamining the link of early childbearing to Marriage and to subsequent fertillty

Using data from the 1980, 1985, and 1990 Current Population Surveys, we show that the link between early fertility and nonmarital births has become stronger. Women who give birth earlier are increasingly likely to be unmarried. In contrast, we find a weaker association between first births at young (versus older) ages and (1) a rapid pace of subsequent childbearing and (2) higher completed fertility. We discuss possible causes and consequences of these changes.