cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Reexamination of Price Dynamics in the International Wheat Market

This paper examines price relationships in the international wheat market for the years 1981–93 using a cointegration and error correction approach. Price series are found to be first-differenced stationary and cointegrated. Our results provide evidence that the United States, Australia, the European Union and Argentina react to Canada's pricing decisions, whereas Canada does not respond to any other price changes except Australia's. Similarly, the United States also plays a strong role in the pricing of other exporters (except Canada) and its pricing decision is affected by changes in Canadian and Australian prices. The remaining exporters such as the European Union and Argentina respond to the U.S. and Canadian price changes but do not have any influence on other prices. Overall, our results suggest that there is no distinct price leader in the international wheat market. Nous examinons les rapports deprixjouantsur le marche international du ble durant la periode 1981–1993, suivant une demarche de co-integration et de correction des erreurs. Nous avons constate et verifie que les series de prix se revelent stationnaires lorsqu‘exprimees en premiere difference et qu‘elles sont cointegrees. Nos observations demontrent que les Etats-Unis, I'Australie, I'Union europeenne et I'Argentine reagissent aux decisions de tariflcation prises au Canada et que de son cote, le Canada ne reagit a aucun autre changement du regime de tarification sauf a celui de I'Australie. De meme, les Etats-Unis jouent egalement un role important dans la tarification des autres exportateurs (le Canada excepte) et ses decisions de tarification sont sensibles aux changements affectant les prix canadiens et australiens. Le reste des exportateurs, notamment I'Union europeenne et I'Argentine, sont en mesure de reagir aux changements des prix appliques aux Etats- Unis et au Canada, mais Us n‘ont aucune influence sur la tarification des autres exportateurs. Toutes ces observations nous amenent a conclure qu'il n'y a pas vraiment de leader dans l'etablissement des prix du ble sur le marche international.
Flooding in Counter-Current Two-Phase Flow

This summary presents the various definitions which have been proposed for the flooding phenomenon. A collection of experimental results for vertical flooding is presented to show that although the research has included many parameters, a large portion of the work has centered on air and water in tubes ranging from 38 mm to 50 mm in diameter. Some detail of individual experiments is presented to demonstrate various types of apparatus and instrumentation in use. The well known correlations of Wallis and Kutateladze as well as some early empirical correlations are given with a discussion of the limits of these correlations. Recent attempts by Crowley, Dilber, and Richter to provide an analytical base for flooding are discussed. In closing, the authors highlight an interesting work by Maron and Dukler with suggestions for extending this approach to provide a more complete analytical solution for flooding. For simplicity in this survey of flooding literature, the experimental aspects of flooding will be presented first as a summary of the range of experimental data available. The analytical aspects of the experimental works will be included with the purely analytical works.
Acute recurrent gingivitis: A clinical entity

A typical case of a previously undescribed form of gingivitis which is self-limiting and recurrent is discussed. The signs and symptoms include acute pain and swelling of interdental papillae with regional lymphadenopathy. As the disease progresses the localized swelling quickly spreads to the adjacent marginal and papillary gingiva. Ulceration is infrequent and without pseudomembrane formation or interdental cratering. We believe this to be a unique form of gingivitis and suggest the name acute recurrent gingivitis (ARG).
Vulnerable victims, monstrous offenders, and unmanageable risk: Explaining public opinion on the social control of sex crime

With the possible exception of terrorists, sex offenders in the United States experience a greater degree of punishment and restriction than any other offender group, nonviolent or violent. Members of the public overwhelmingly support "get tough" sex crime policies and display an intense hostility toward persons labeled "sex criminals." The theoretical literature has identified three models potentially explaining public opinion on the social control of sex crime: the victim-oriented concerns model, the sex offender stereotypes model, and the risk-management concerns model. However, empirical work that directly tests these models is absent. This article addresses that gap by analyzing national survey data that includes measures of the key concepts outlined in the different theoretical models and items gauging support for punitive sex crime laws as well as support for sex offender treatment. The findings provide partial support for all three models but suggest that extant theories can better explain support for punitive sex crime policies than views about sex offender treatment. Language: en
The Complexity Of Local Stratification

The class of locally stratified logic programs is shown to be Pi-1-1 complete by the construction of a reducibility of the class of infinitely branching nondeterministic finite register machines.
Serum Alkaline Phosphatase: Total Activity and Isoenzyme Determinations Made by Use of the Centrifugal Fast Analyzer

We present a kinetic method in which the centrifugal analyzer is used to determine total alkaline phosphatase activity and to measure the isoenzymes in bone, liver, and the L-phenylalanine-sensitive fraction (intestine, tumor, and placenta). Measurements were made at 30°C in diethanolamine buffer, with p -nitrophenylphosphate as substrate. The alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes were separated and measured by selective chemical inhibition with 10 mmol/liter L-phenylalanine and 3.3 mol urea per liter. Analyses were performed on sera of a group of healthy pediatric and young adult volunteers and, in addition, on sera from patients with clinically documented osteoblastic disorders and hepatobiliary diseases. The precision and accuracy of the centrifugal analyzer were evaluated, as was the suitability of the instrument for routine clinical laboratory use.
Ymer: a statistical model checker

We present Ymer, a tool for verifying probabilistic transient properties of stochastic discrete event systems. Ymer implements both statistical and numerical model checking techniques. We focus on two features of Ymer: distributed acceptance sampling and statistical model checking of nested probabilistic statements.
Efficacy of videostroboscopy in the diagnosis of voice disorders.

While videostrobolaryngoscopy is not a new technique, its acceptance as a routine part of the voice evaluation has not been as forthcoming. Many are in agreement that the rigid fiberoptic telescope...
A model of spatiotemporal tactile sensitivity linking psychophysics to tissue mechanics.

Sensitivities were measured for tangible spatiotemporal sinusoids applied to the index fingertip. The sinusoids had temporal frequencies of 8 and 128 Hz, in order to selectively activate the non‐Pacinian I (NP I) and Pacinian (P) cutaneous mechanoreceptor systems, respectively, and had spatial frequencies from 0.00–1.03 cycles/mm. The sensitivity of the NP I system increased as the spatial frequency increased, whereas the sensitivity of the P system generally decreased as the spatial frequency increased. A mechanical model of the fingertip was used to calculate the normal and shear strains in the tissue, and a psychophysical linking hypothesis was introduced to predict tactile sensitivities based on the calculated strains. Specifically, the fingertip was modeled as a slab of a linear, isotropic, homogeneous, viscoelastic material. The boundary conditions were imposed by the spatiotemporal sinusoid at the top of the slab and the rigidly attached bone at the bottom of the slab. It was then assumed that the detection threshold was equal to the stimulus amplitude, which produced a constant, criterion strain at the location of the receptor. For both the P and NP I responses, the agreement between the predicted and measured sensitivities was best for calculations based on the normal strain, and for spatial frequencies below 0.5 cycles/mm. At higher spatial frequencies, the measured sensitivities were higher than predicted. The model also predicted the location of the P and NP I receptors in the tissue, the thickness of the tissue, and the value of the threshold strain for both receptor types. The predicted values agreed reasonably well with independent anatomical and physiological measurements.
Action Research for Improving Educational Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide by KOSHY, VALSA

A review of the book "Action Research for Improving Educational Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide," by Valsa Koshy is presented.
International Diabetes Federation European Policy Group Standards for Diabetes

Purpose: To review studies relevant to European guidelines for glycemic control. Findings: A strong and growing concept among European investigators is that diabetes needs to be redefined as a "killer disease" and not only as an abnormality in glycemic control. Macrovascular disease--and in particular cardiovascular disease--is a major cause of reduction in life expectancy in patients with diabetes. Treatment of patients with diabetes should target glycemic control, blood pressure, blood lipids, and cholesterol. The International Diabetes Federation European Policy Group sets the following treatment targets for type 2 diabetes: (1) glycated hemoglobin =6.5%, ( 2) blood pressure <140/85 mm Hg, (3) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <3.0 mmol/L (<115 mg/dL), and (4) triglycerides <1.7 mmol/L (<150 mg/dL). Conclusion: For optimal management of diabetes, simply targeting the plasma glucose level is insufficient.
Application of the Integrated Lake-Watershed Acidification Study model to watershed liming at Woods Lake, New York

Woods Lake, in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, was the site of the Experimental Watershed Liming Study (EWLS) in which base addition was investigated as a method for mitigation of lake acidity. In an effort to predict the duration of effects, the treatment was simulated using the Integrated Lake-Watershed Acidification Study (ILWAS) model. To simulate terrestrial liming, calcite was applied to treated subcatchments as a rapidly weathering mineral in the upper horizon. Soil solution and lake outlet chemistry showed a response to calcite addition within four months of the start of the simulation. Calcium concentrations, acid neutralizing capacities (ANC), and pH increased in the upper soil layer and aluminum concentrations decreased in the upper three soil layers (0-70 cm). The response of ANC was delayed in lower soil layers due to proton production associated with aluminum hydrolysis. Moreover, soil water pH in the third soil layer decreased in response to calcite treatment due to the displacement of hydrogen ions by calcium added to the exchange complex. Calcium concentrations, ANC and pH increased and aluminum concentrations decreased in the simulated lake outlet.
Comparison of solvent-refined lignite with solvent-refined bituminous coals

Abstract Comparison of laboratory-deashed samples of solvent-refined lignite, subbituminous and bituminous coals on the basis of gross combustion analysis, acid and basic titres, molecular weight, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet and electron spin resonance spectra including various derived parameters indicated that there is relatively little difference between the range of values for lignite- and bituminous coal-derived solvent-refined products. The probability that coal nitrogen content is reflected in the solvent-refined product was noted.
Keeping the psyche in psychiatry

s my patient leaves the office, I reflect on how valuable and efficient it has been to see her in psychotherapy as well as to adjust medications during the session. While the medications help in modulating strong emotions and negative thoughts, the psychotherapy gets to the heart of the matter in the patient’s inner conflicts, interpersonal relations, and long-standing reactions from past experience. The patient’s palpable relief after calling me in a crisis reminds me of how important our ongoing relationship has been to the patient’s peace of mind and quality of life—and how much we have learned from it. The door closes, and the sad thought occurs that such efficient, integrated service may no longer be available in the psychiatry of the future. One more time, I think that I want to do something about it. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Norman Clemens, a psychiatrist who has been in private office practice for many years in a full-service, university-related, ambulatory-care medical building. As clinical professor at Case Western Reserve University and training psychoanalyst in the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Institute, I also help to develop the psychiatrists and psychoanalysts of the future. However, my concern about the environment for psychotherapy by psychiatrists has led me to become heavily involved in the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as well, in which I was formerly speaker of the Assembly and am now area trustee representing the upper Midwest. After 4 years as the founding chair of the APA’s Commission on Psychotherapy by Psychiatrists, which I’ll come back to in a moment, I presently head the committee overseeing APA’s high-priority business initiative to improve value and access to mental health care in the private sector. I’ve assumed responsibility for the psychotherapy column in this journal with great respect for the way in which Marcia Goin has conducted it in the last few years. I intend to keep the focus close to clinical reality, and I can only hope to come close to the elegance, freshness, and immediacy of her scholarly essays. I shall take on clinical problems in future issues, starting with issues of confidentiality and documentation. Psychiatrists need to know much more about how the Supreme Court’s 1996 decision in Jaffee v. Redmond protects psychotherapy.
Workers' Compensation, Federalism, and the Heavy Hand of History

Workers' compensation was the first social insurance program to gain widespread acceptance in the United States, and as such became one of the foundations of the modern American welfare state.The original and more gendered name for this program was workmen's compensation. The term “workers' compensation” did not become common until the 1970s. I will use both names in this article, depending on the context. Most states passed workmen's compensation laws between 1911 and 1920, and all but two states did so by 1935. The other major social policy innovation of this era were mothers' pensions laws, which were targeted at the poor children of single mothers. These laws also spread rapidly in the 1910s and were on the books in virtually every state by 1935.Although minimum wage and maximum hours laws for women also passed in many states prior to the New Deal, they have generally received less scholarly attention than workmen's compensation or mothers' pensions. The major histories of the American welfare stateEdward D. Berkowitz, America's Welfare State: From Roosevelt to Reagan (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991); Edward D. Berkowitz and Kim McQuaid, Creating the Welfare State: The Political Economy of Twentieth-Century Reform revised ed. (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1992); Michael B. Katz, In the Shadow of the Poorhouse: A Social History of Welfare in America (New York: Basic Books, 1986); Roy Lubove, The Struggle for Social Security, 1900–1935, 2nd ed. (1968; Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1986; Charles Noble, Welfare As We Knew It: A Political History of the American Welfare State (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997); Theda Skocpol, Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in the United States (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1992); Theda Skocpol, Social Policy in the United States: Future Possibilities in Historical Perspective (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1995); Walter I. Trattner, From Poor Law to Welfare State: A History of Social Welfare in America, 6th ed. (New York: Free Press, 1999); Margaret Weir, Ann Shola Orloff, and Theda Skocpol, eds., The Politics of Social Policy in the United States (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988). always acknowledge the importance of workmen's compensation and mothers' pensions in the early twentieth century, and some authorsBarbara J. Nelson, “The Gender, Race, and Class Origins of Early Welfare Policy and the Welfare State: A Comparison of Workmen's Compensation and Mothers' Aid,” in Women, Politics, and Change, ed. Louise A. Tilly and Patricia Gurin (New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1990), 413–35. argue that these two programs established the major fault lines of social provision – between social insurance and public assistance, between employed male workers and unpaid mothers – for the rest of the century.
The Application of Social Network Analysis in Agenda Setting Research: A Methodological Exploration

This article presents the innovative application of social network analysis to agenda setting research. It suggests that the approach of network analysis enables researchers to map out the interrelationships among objects and attributes both in the media agenda and the public agenda. Further, by conducting statistical analysis, researchers are able to compare the media agenda networks and public agenda networks in order to explore a third level of agenda setting effects. Concrete procedures for applying network analysis in agenda setting research are presented, and a set of hypotheses are suggested in this article.
Weight gain in newly diagnosed first-episode psychosis patients and healthy comparisons: One-year analysis

Abstract Background Various antipsychotics are associated with body weight gain. However, most study samples include high proportions of patients with chronic schizophrenia. We examined neuroleptic-induced weight gain in drug-naive first-episode psychotic patients to limit confounding variables such as multiple past medication trials, history of partial adherence; or poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, associated with chronic mental illness. Methods Newly diagnosed first-episode psychosis patients treated with antipsychotic medication, a small group of patients not receiving antipsychotics, and healthy comparisons were followed for one year. Body weight differences and proportions of subjects with more than 7% weight gain were calculated. The effects of concomitant psychotropic medication on weight gain were explored. Results Ninety-eight first-episode psychotics patient and 30 healthy controls were examined. Patients receiving neuroleptics gained significantly more weight than healthy controls (p = 0.002). Olanzapine (91% gained > 7%) increased body weight by 37.3 ± 27.7 lb, followed by risperidone (51%; + 16.6 ± 22) and haloperidol (47%; + 9 ± 12), and perphenazine (10%; + 3.4 ± 6). Younger patients (r = − 0.24, p = 0.02) and patients with more negative symptoms at baseline (SANS global; r = 0.22, p = 0.04) gained more weight. A greater number of co-medications per patient, and co-prescription of antidepressants significantly and independently increased antipsychotic-associated weight gain. Discussion The results confirm substantial and clinically significant weight gain introduced by antipsychotic treatment in drug-naive first-episode psychotic patients, and identify several treatment-associated risk factors for weight gain. The magnitude of weight gain induced highlights potential health risks and points to the need for preventive measures such as behavioral weight control programs along with the initiation of pharmacotherapy.
Pathological subgroups may predict complications but not late failure after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for indeterminate colitis.

Introduction Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for indeterminate colitis (IndC) may lead to an increased risk of perineal complications and pouch loss. This study evaluated pathological subgroups of IndC to identify a predictor of increased complication rates after IPAA for IndC. Patients and methods Of 171 IPAAs with a postoperative diagnosis of IndC, IndC was confirmed in 115 of the 140 specimens available for re-examination. These were divided into IndC favouring ulcerative colitis (Group I; n = 99), ‘true’ IndC (Group II; n = 8), and IndC favouring Crohn's (Group III; n = 8). 61 presented with fulminant colitis. Patients in Group I were subdivided into having (A) deep ulcers (B) transmural lymphoid aggregates (C) skip lesions (D) terminal ileal inflammation and/or (E) a caecal patch. Outcome was determined by chart analysis, and compared to 231 randomly selected patients with IPAA for ulcerative colitis (UC) matched for age, gender, and follow-up. Results Only patients with evidence of deep ulceration (Group IA) had a significant increase in the incidence of Crohn's disease (4.3%vs. 0.43%, P = 0.04), complex perianal fistulae (4.3%vs. 0.43%, P = 0.04), and pelvic abscess (12.9%vs. 2.2%, P < 0.001). No pathological subgroup of IndC patients had a significantly different rate of pouch failure or pouch loss. Conclusions Pathological stratification may predict those more likely to develop Crohn's disease or other complications, but not pouch failure. On this basis, we feel that patients with IndC should not be precluded from having IPAA surgery.
Factors Influencing Penetration of Synthetic Detergents and Certain other Compounds Into Dental Plaque Material

A number of attempts have been made to prevent the onset of dental caries, and to arrest the progress of the disease once it has begun, by the use of germicidal mouth washes and dentifrices. In 1929 Bunting, Crowley, Hard and Keller reported favorable clinical results from the local application of hexylresorcinol and metaphen on the teeth (1). Recent studies have been confined almost entirely to observations on dental plaques, or micro-organisms associated with them, to provide the experimental basis for additional clinical studies with antibacterial compounds. We have reported the inhibitory effect of a surfaceactive, quaternary ammonium compound (Zephiran) on the flora of the dental plaque (2, 3). Certain organic mercurial compounds have been suggested for use in a mouth wash (4). Recently, Wach, O'Donnell and Hine have shown that a mouth wash containing quinine is effective against organisms found in dental plaques (5). Stephan has employed a solution of urea which is sufficiently concentrated to inhibit the metabolism of the bacteria in plaques (6). Despite these reports, it is not certain that any one germicidal mouth wash or dentifrice will prevent the onset, or stop the progress of dental caries. With present knowledge it is impossible to predict whether a given concentration of a germicidal compound will act effectively on dental plaques or the carious process, since the factors influencing such action are not completely understood. The primary purpose of this paper is to investigate some of these factors. In previous experiments with Zephiran2 it was shown that topical applications of a 1:1000 solution of this compound to plaques on the teeth could inhibit completely their ability to produce lactic acid from glucose, as well as prevent any fall in pH when plaques so treated were subsequently removed and incubated with glucose (3). In these experiments, care was taken to remove all superficial material so that only the bacterial layers immediately adjacent to the teeth were treated. Consequently the inhibitor was applied to very thin plaques, and was able to prevent the metabolism of the bacteria in these bacterial deposits. If such an inhibitory compound were used in a dentrifice, the conditions that obtained in the above experiments would be met only on the surfaces that are readily accessible to the toothbrush. The areas that are most susceptible to
A reexamination of the properties of spinach nitrite reductase: Protein and siroheme content heterogeneity in purified preparations

Recent preparations of nitrite reductase do not display the heterodimeric quaternary structure obtained previously (total molecular weight 85,000; subunit molecular weights 24,000 and 61,000), but rather yield only the 61,000 molecular weight subunit, even when buffers containing the protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride are used. Nevertheless, such preparations retain the high ratio of ferredoxin-linked to methyl viologen-linked enzyme activity which has been previously taken as a characteristic of only the heterodimeric form. These preparations display a siroheme prosthetic group to protein ratio of 1.1. When nitrite reductase samples are frozen during the purification scheme, even though the ferredoxin-linked specific activity does not significantly decrease, enzyme activity-stained native gel electrophoresis of the subsequently purified protein reveals that gels with several bands of activity can be obtained. Further evidence of protein heterogeneity in these preparations comes from N-terminal amino acid analysis which reveals that even nonfrozen preparations contain two major peptides with valine and cysteine as the N-termini. Formation of complexes of purified nitrite reductase with ferredoxin resulted in siroheme difference electronic spectra which resembled those observed previously for monomeric preparations. However, the siroheme midpoint potential of recent preparations of nitrite reductase (-287 mV) is close to that of the heterodimeric preparations. Ultrafiltration studies of crude extracts of the enzyme indicate that, at least at certain stages of the preparation, higher molecular weight forms of the enzyme may exist. We conclude that the 24,000 molecular weight polypeptide is a contaminant and that the heterodimeric quaternary structure model for spinach nitrite reductase is incorrect. Furthermore, the monomeric preparations we do obtain display both significant protein heterogeneity and facile loss of siroheme upon gel filtration.
Exploratory visualization research at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell

Abstract This paper describes research activities in the University of Massachusetts—Lowell's ongoing Exvis project, a perception-driven approach to the visualization and exploration of data. We discuss the evolution of the Exvis exploratory visualization systems and provide a variety of examples of multidimensional data representations based on visual perception of line texture and color, and on auditory perception of aggregations of complex time-varying sounds. We also discuss future activities.
Redox active, hybrid dendrimers containing Fréchet- and Newkome-type blocks.

A new series of dendrimers was prepared by covalently attaching a Newkome dendron, a Frechet dendron, and a redox active, aminoferrocene group to a central triazine core. Growth of the Newkome dendron has a more pronounced effect on the half-wave potential for the one-electron oxidation of the ferrocene residue than growth of the Frechet dendron. All dendrimers show reversible or quasireversible voltammetric behavior at scan rates in the range 0.10−2.0 V s-1.
The influence of blood pressure and carbohydrate tolerance on vascular compliance in humans

Abstract We conducted noninvasive measures of vascular compliance and glucose tolerance in 275 normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Of the total, 194 (70.5%) were hypertensive, 73 (26%) diabetic, 7 (2.5%) normotensive and diabetic and 66 (24%) both hypertensive and diabetic, and 74 (27%) normotensive and nondiabetic. In addition, 57 of the nondiabetic subjects had impaired glucose tolerance based on the results of blood glucose levels 2 h after a glucose challenge. For the entire population, large artery compliance was correlated with systolic (P These findings confirm the close relationship between elevated blood pressure (BP) and carbohydrate intolerance and indicate that the vascular effects of both are separate, additive, and primarily on small blood vessel compliance. These findings have important implications for the preclinical detection and potential prevention of hypertension, diabetes, and associated vascular disease.
Teaching chest disease; house staff chest conference.

A chest x-ray conference has developed in our hospital that has become one of the most enthusiastically attended teaching sessions for the house staff. The conference was initiated by the house staff and is conducted by them. The success of the conference seems to come from the informal manner of its conduction, the appeal of participation, and the fact that it is meeting a need expressed by the staff itself. The teaching material that forms the basis for discussion at these conferences is drawn from the patients having chest disease who have been treated on the section of thoracic surgery during the preceding week. No attempt is made to limit the time of discussion of the problem presented by any particular patient, since in the course of time a broad cross section of problems presented by patients having chest disease will be encountered. The only choice of material that is attempted is to present the more interesting and unusual conditions at the first part of the weekly session. This is followed by more routine material if time is available. The meeting is conducted by the resident in thoracic surgery and a
Chlorination of Ketones with Trichloroisocyanuric Acid

Abstract Trichloroisocyanuric acid is an effective reagent for the chlorination of ketones in the alpha position.
An Experimental Examination of Biological Sex as a Status Cue in Decision-Making Groups and Its Influence on Information Use:

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of biological sex as a nonverbal indicator of status on the use of information in a decision-making group. Drawing on status characteristics theory, this article posits that the sex of the group member who introduces a piece of information into discussion affects the likelihood of the information's use in making a decision. More specifically, the author hypothesizes that information introduced by males has a higher probability of use than information introduced by females. The results of the statistical analyses support the hypothesis. Furthermore, if the information is known to all members of the group before discussion, the sex of the group member who introduces it in the discussion has less impact on its use than if the information is unique to one member
Construction of plastic registration trays

Abstract With the use of cold curing acrylic resin and commercially available screws and nuts, the time necessary for constructing registration trays is less than is required for other methods; no special instruments are necessary. The "split trays" are easy for the dentist to handle and comfortable for the patient. These registration trays combine the accuracy of cast aluminum with the simplicity and economy of self-curing acrylic resin. Outlining the border of the registration tray with strips of wax facilitates its construction and saves time in finishing procedures.
The SV40 a gene product is required for the production of a 54,000 MW cellular tumor antigen

Abstract Mouse 3T3 cells contain low levels of a 54,000 molecular weight protein that is specifically immunoprecipitated by sera from animals bearing SV40-induced tumors. Following infection or transformation of 3T3 cells with SV40, the levels of the 54,000 MW protein increased 25- to 50-fold. In SV40-infected 3T3 cells the rate of synthesis of the viral 94,000 M WT antigen increased over the first 14 hr after infection and then declined. In contrast, the rate of synthesis and/or the stability of the 54,000 MW protein increased over a 22-hr period and then remained at maximal levels for an additional 30 hr. Temperature-sensitive A gene mutants of the SV40 large T antigen, at the nonpermissive temperature, failed to initiate or maintain the maximal increased levels of the 54,000 MW protein observed in virus-infected or -transformed cells. SV40 deletion mutants in the small t antigen unique region of the genome stimulated the production of wild-type virus levels of the 54,000 MW protein in virus-infected cells. The results of these experiments demonstrate that the SV40 A gene product is required to initiate and possibly maintain the high levels of the 54,000 MW protein found in virus-infected and -transformed cells.
B cell function in SCID mice reconstituted with allotype-disparate spleen and peritoneal cavity B cells.

Abstract Severe combined immune-defective (SCID) mice reconstituted with immunoglobulin heavy chain-disparate spleen (SP) and peritoneal cavity (PerC) B cells exhibit serologic dominance of IgM bearing the PerC allotype. Immunization fails to elicit IgM production from donor SP B cells although flow cytometric analyses indicate the presence of these cells in the spleen of (SP + PerC) → SCID chimeras. This observation suggests that donor SP B cell function is absent or inhibited in the SCID chimera. In this report, ELISAspot and proliferation assays were employed to further investigate the functional properties of B cells in these mice. Plasma cells derived from the donor SP were present in the spleen of SCID recipients at a lower number than those derived from donor PerC B cells. Spleen cells isolated from SCID recipients could be activated with insolubilized MAbs directed against IgM or IgD allotypes expressed by either the SP or PerC B cell donor. In contrast, the peritoneal cavity of SCID chimeras lacked B cells responsive to MAbs specific for the donor SP IgM and IgD allotypes. These results demonstrate that B cells derived from the SP donor are functional in (SP + PerC) → SCID chimeras.
Insights into Primate Dietary Ecology: Methods and Theory

The theme of this special issue of the International Journal of Primatology centers onrecent advances in primate feeding ecology methods. These articles represent lecturesand the essence of demonstrations given during a two-day National Science Foun-dation-sponsored workshop hosted by the Center for Advanced Studies of HominidPaleobiology and the Department of Anthropology at the George Washington Uni-versity. In organizing this workshop and special issue, our aim was to bring togethernot only researchers using novel methods, but also those employing familiar methodsin new ways to address a broad array of topics in primate feeding ecology. Thisworkshop was modeled after a three-day workshop held in 1982 by the PrimateSociety of Great Britain and the Anatomical Society of Great Brittan and Ireland,which resulted in the classic volume Food Acquisition and Processing in Primates(Chivers et al. 1984). The series of articles presented here echo the breadth ofresearch topics explored in that volume and describe new and exciting methods thatinform our understanding of primate adaptations related to diet.Historically, primarily observational studies have dominated the field of primatefeeding ecology. These long-term studies have laid the foundation for testing ecolog-ical and behavioral hypotheses regarding primate feeding. However, even when long-term observational data are available, answering questions concerning primate diet
Exploiting diversity for spoken term detection

The paper describes a state-of-the-art spoken term detection system in which significant improvements are obtained by diversifying the ASR engines used for indexing and combining the search results. First, we describe the design factors that, when varied, produce complementary STD systems and show that the performance of the combined system is 3 times better than the best individual component. Next, we describe different strategies for system combination and show that significant improvements can be achieved by normalizing the combined scores. We propose a classifier-based system combination strategy which outperforms a highly optimized baseline. The system described in this paper had the highest accuracy in the 2012 DARPA RATS evaluation.
Constraints on rheology of obsidian lavas based on mesoscopic folds

The geometry of mesoscopic single and multiple layer folds in rhyolitic obsidian flows is investigated. Folds are composed of obsidian embedded in a matrix of pumice. Folds form by buckling processes as indicated by discontinuous deformation between obsidian and pumice layers and by the geometries of wavetrains. Buckling occurs through a continuum of styles controlled largely by the thickness ratio of pumice to obsidian (N). Styles of folds include chevron, harmonic, polyharmonic, disharmonic and single-layer assemblages. Harmonic and chevron folds are observed for small values of N. For large values of N, folds buckle independently of one another and form disharmonic and single-layer assemblages. Wavelength-to-thickness ratios of single-layer folds are compared to theoretically predicted ratios for Newtonian and power law fluids as a means of estimating shear viscosity ratios of obsidian and pumice. While all folds indicate that bubble-free rhyolite is more viscous during flow than bubbly rhyolite, estimates of shear viscosity ratio based on Newtonian theory (010‐ 500), may exceed estimates based on power law rheologies by more than an order of magnitude. Newtonian buckling theory involves a number of simplifications and does not account for the possibly complex rheology of bubble-bearing rhyolite. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
The functions of grainy head-like proteins in animals and fungi and the evolution of apical extracellular barriers.

The Grainy head (GRH) family of transcription factors are crucial for the development and repair of epidermal barriers in all animals in which they have been studied. This is a high-level functional conservation, as the known structural and enzymatic genes regulated by GRH proteins differ between species depending on the type of epidermal barrier being formed. Interestingly, members of the CP2 superfamily of transcription factors, which encompasses the GRH and LSF families in animals, are also found in fungi – organisms that lack epidermal tissues. To shed light on CP2 protein function in fungi, we characterized a Neurospora crassa mutant lacking the CP2 member we refer to as grainy head-like (grhl). We show that Neurospora GRHL has a DNA-binding specificity similar to that of animal GRH proteins and dissimilar to that of animal LSF proteins. Neurospora grhl mutants are defective in conidial-spore dispersal due to an inability to remodel the cell wall, and we show that grhl mutants and the long-known conidial separation-2 (csp-2) mutants are allelic. We then characterized the transcriptomes of both Neurospora grhl mutants and Drosophila grh mutant embryos to look for similarities in the affected genes. Neurospora grhl appears to play a role in the development and remodeling of the cell wall, as well as in the activation of genes involved in defense and virulence. Drosophila GRH is required to activate the expression of many genes involved in cuticular/epidermal-barrier formation. We also present evidence that GRH plays a role in adult antimicrobial defense. These results, along with previous studies of animal GRH proteins, suggest the fascinating possibility that the apical extracellular barriers of some animals and fungi might share an evolutionary connection, and that the formation of physical barriers in the last common ancestor was under the control of a transcriptional code that included GRH-like proteins.
Evolution of reproductive seasonality in bears

1. Of the eight species of Ursidae, six are currently at risk of extinction and the remainder face significant risks to their future survival. One of the greatest threats to bears is human-imposed environmental alteration (e.g. global warming, chemical pollutants, deforestation). An examination of the reproductive biology and phylogeny of the Ursidae reveals reproductive seasonality as a probable adaptation to adverse environmental conditions. 2. Seven of the eight extant species exhibit distinct mating and birth seasons, with the most ancient species evolving facultative seasonality as an adaptation to the increasingly seasonal climate of the Pliocene. The remainder of the extant species evolved during the Pleistocene glaciations, under conditions of severe seasonal food restriction. Under these conditions, an obligate mode of seasonality emerged and persists to the present. 3. Knowledge of the natural history of seasonal reproduction in the ursids and how it evolved in response to global climatic change provides a context for understanding the ramifications of current environmental change on the reproduction of these important species.
Dose levels due to neutrons in the vicinity of high-energy medical accelerators

High‐energy photons are generated for use in radiation therapy by the deceleration of electrons in metal targets. Fast neutrons are also generated as a result of (γ, n) and (e, e′n) interactions in the target, beam compensator filter, and collimator material. In this work the absorbed dose due to neutrons was measured at the center of a 10×10‐cm photon beam and 5 cm outside of the beam edge for a number of treatment units (Varian Clinac‐18, Allis–Chalmers 25‐MeV betatron, and Brown Boveri 45‐MeV betatron).Dose levels due to slow and fast neutrons were also established outside of the treatment rooms and a Bonner sphere neutron spectrometer system was employed to determine the neutronenergy spectrum due to stray neutronradiation at each accelerator. For the linac it was found that the neutrondose at the beam center was 0.0039% of the photondose and values of 0.04% and 0.053% were observed for the Allis–Chalmers betatron and the Brown Boveri betatron.Dose‐equivalent rates in the range 0.3–22.5 mrem were measured for points outside the treatment rooms when the accelerators were operated at a photondose rate of 100 rad/min at the treatment position.
A map of the biotin repressor-biotin operator interface: binding of a winged helix-turn-helix protein dimer to a forty base-pair site.

The Escherichia coli biotin repressor is a member of the “winged helix-turn-helix” class of site-specific DNA binding proteins. The protein binds as a dimer to the 40 bp biotin operator sequence. Although the structure of the aporepressor has been solved by X-ray crystallographic techniques, no structure of the holorepressor-DNA complex is yet available. In order to characterize the structural features of the biotin repressor-biotin operator interface we have applied a number of solution techniques including DNase I, hydroxyl radical and dimethyl sulfate footprinting and the circular permutation or “bending” assay. Results of these combined studies indicate that each repressor monomer forms a bipartite interface with each half-site of the biotin operator sequence. The results imply that, in addition to the helix-turn-helix module of each monomer, a second structural element participates in the protein-DNA interface. The two bipartite protein-DNA interfaces appear, moreover, to primarily involve the two 12 bp termini of the operator site. Results of combined DNase I footprinting and circular permutation analysis indicate, furthermore, that the central 16 bp region that links the two termini becomes distorted concomitant with binding of holoBirA.
Laser marking process in an oriented dye film.

A laser marking process is described which is based upon a unique phenomenon of photothermally transforming oriented microcrystallites of a vapor-deposited dichroic dye. It is shown that writing with linearly polarized laser light on an oriented film improves contrast and sensitivity over the unoriented film. The improvement stems from the increased optical sensitivity when an oriented film of one polymorphic form of the dye is photothermally transformed by irradiation with suitably oriented linearly polarized laser light. It is shown that the laser marking process proceeds via three stages. At low power the laser pulse causes a crystal-crystal transformation within microcrystallites of an oriented film of the dichroic dye. At medium power the dye also migrates and coalesces around nucleating sites in the written spot during the crystal transformation process. At the highest powers the unovercoated film ablates. A simple polishing process is described for producing large areas of oriented thin vapor-deposited films.
Distal Tunnel Placement Improves Scaphoid Flexion With the Brunelli Tenodesis Procedure for Scapholunate Dissociation

Purpose Treatment of scapholunate dissociation remains difficult. The modified Brunelli procedure, a flexor carpi radialis tenodesis through the scaphoid and secured with dorsal wrist ligaments, has shown promising results. This study compares the biomechanical effects on scaphoid flexion and scapholunate gap between proximal and distal tunnel placement in the modified Brunelli procedure. Methods Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric forearms were used. A dorsal approach to the wrist through the floor of the fourth compartment was used. Metallic markers were implanted into the scaphoid and lunate. Tunnels were drilled through the proximal and distal poles of the scaphoid. Wrists were positioned in neutral and loaded to 100 N through the wrist flexor and extensor tendons. Posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were taken with the scapholunate interval intact, with the scapholunate interval sectioned, and after the modified Brunelli tenodesis was performed through the proximal and then distal tunnels using Mersilene tape. Radiographs were analyzed for change in scapholunate angle and scapholunate gap. Multivariate analysis of variance was performed to assess statistical significance for each state compared with the intact wrist. Results In the intact wrist, the mean scapholunate gap was 1.6 mm ± 0.1. With the scapholunate interval sectioned, the scapholunate angle increased by 26° ± 12 and gap increased to 4.2 mm ± 1.2. With a proximal tunnel for the modified Brunelli procedure, the change in scapholunate angle decreased to 15° ± 10 and gap decreased to 1.8 mm ± 0.3. With a distal tunnel for the modified Brunelli procedure, the change in scapholunate angle decreased to 4° ± 7 and gap decreased to 1.3 mm ± 0.2. Conclusions These biomechanical data suggest that a tunnel exiting in the distal pole of the scaphoid results in better correction of scaphoid flexion when performing the modified Brunelli procedure.
Multifocal inflammatory leukoencephalopathy associated with cocaine abuse: Is levamisole responsible?

To the Editor:Larocque and Hoffman’s recent review of levamisole, which has emerged as a ubiquitous adulterant of cocaine, noted that this immune-modulatory drug is clearly linked to agranulocytosi...
Obesity increases wound complications in rectal cancer surgery

Background Obesity increases the risk of wound infections following surgery for colon cancer. Considerably less data is available, however, regarding the impact of obesity on infections and wound complications after resection for rectal cancer. Additionally, the impact of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) on complications in rectal surgery remains unclear. We hypothesized that obesity is associated with prolonged operative time and more infectious complications in obese patients undergoing both MIS and open surgery for rectal cancer. Materials and Methods Review of retrospective surgical database. Results One hundred fifty patients underwent surgery for rectal cancer from 2002 to 2009. Open cases accounted for 72% (n = 108) and MIS for 28% (n = 42) of cases. BMI did not correlate with increased operative time in open rectal surgery, but in MIS patients, operative time increased from a median of 254 min in the lowest quartile of BMI to 333 min in the highest quartile (P Conclusions Elevated BMI is associated with increased wound complications in both minimally invasive and open rectal surgery. This trend may be related to prolonged operative time in obese patients, particularly in MIS. Our observations suggest that more aggressive techniques to prevent infection are warranted in obese patients undergoing rectal surgery.