cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Marketing Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Rural Communities

As a state-federal program, vocational rehabilitation is an eligibility program; however, the decision to participate is voluntary. Many persons with disabilities in rural areas remain unaware of the existence or have a misunderstanding about the purpose of the program, and the same often occur among employers. The intent of this chapter is to present approaches of marketing VR services and improving outreach among rehabilitation counselors when providing services in rural communities. A review of existing models from human service programs will provide a backdrop for various marketing approaches applicable to state vocational rehabilitation agencies.
Toward sclera-force-based robotic assistance for safe micromanipulation in vitreoretinal surgery

In vitreoretinal surgery instruments are inserted through the sclera to perform precise surgical maneuvers inside the eyeball, which exceeds typical human capabilities. Robotic assistance can enhance the skills of a novice surgeon, provide guidance during tool manipulation based on the desired behavior defined by expert surgeons' maneuvers, and consequently improve the surgical outcome. This paper presents an experimental study characterizing the safe/desired magnitude of forces between the surgical instrument and the sclera insertion port as a function of the tool insertion depth. We explore two types of regressions, a polynomial and a sum of sines fit, to describe the observed user behavior during our one-user pilot study, based on which a variable admittance control scheme can be implemented to robotically guide other users towards this desired behavior for a safe operation.
Frontiers of Citizenship: A Black and Indigenous History of Postcolonial Brazil

Frontiers of Citizenship is an engagingly-written, innovative history of Brazil's black and indigenous people that redefines our understanding of slavery, citizenship, and the origins of Brazil's 'racial democracy'. Through groundbreaking archival research that brings the stories of slaves, Indians, and settlers to life, Yuko Miki challenges the widespread idea that Brazilian Indians 'disappeared' during the colonial era, paving the way for the birth of Latin America's largest black nation. Focusing on the postcolonial settlement of the Atlantic frontier and Rio de Janeiro, Miki argues that the exclusion and inequality of indigenous and African-descended people became embedded in the very construction of Brazil's remarkably inclusive nationhood. She demonstrates that to understand the full scope of central themes in Latin American history - race and national identity, unequal citizenship, popular politics, and slavery and abolition - one must engage the histories of both the African diaspora and the indigenous Americas.
A three-stage enhanced reactive power and voltage optimization method for high penetration of solar

This paper presents a three-stage enhanced volt/var optimization method to stabilize voltage fluctuations in transmission networks by optimizing the usage of reactive power control devices. In contrast with existing volt/var optimization algorithms, the proposed method optimizes the voltage profiles of the system, while keeping the voltage and real power output of the generators as close to the original scheduling values as possible. This allows the method to accommodate realistic power system operation and market scenarios, in which the original generation dispatch schedule will not be affected. The proposed method was tested and validated on a modified IEEE 118-bus system with photovoltaic data.
Spore Acquisition and Survival of Ambrosia Beetles Associated with the Laurel Wilt Pathogen in Avocados after Exposure to Entomopathogenic Fungi

Laurel wilt is a disease threatening the avocado industry in Florida. The causative agent of the disease is a fungus vectored by ambrosia beetles that bore into the trees. Until recently, management strategies for the vectors of the laurel wilt fungus relied solely on chemical control and sanitation practices. Beneficial entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are the most common and prevalent natural enemies of pathogen vectors. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that commercial strains of EPF can increase the mortality of the primary vector, Xyleborus glabratus, and potential alternative vectors, Xylosandrus crassiusculus, Xyleborus volvulus and Xyleborus bispinatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Our study provides baseline data for three formulated commercially-available entomopathogenic fungi used as potential biocontrol agents against X. crassiusculus, X. volvulus and X. bispinatus. The specific objectives were to determine: (1) the mean number of viable spores acquired per beetle species adult after being exposed to formulated fungal products containing different strains of EPF (Isaria fumosorosea, Metarhizium brunneum and Beauveria bassiana); and (2) the median and mean survival times using paper disk bioassays. Prior to being used in experiments, all fungal suspensions were adjusted to 2.4 × 106 viable spores/mL. The number of spores acquired by X. crassiusculus was significantly higher after exposure to B. bassiana, compared to the other fungal treatments. For X. volvulus, the numbers of spores acquired per beetle were significantly different amongst the different fungal treatments, and the sequence of spore acquisition rates on X. volvulus from highest to lowest was I. fumosorosea > M. brunneum > B. bassiana. After X. bispinatus beetles were exposed to the different suspensions, the rates of acquisition of spores per beetle amongst the different fungal treatments were similar. Survival estimates (data pooled across two tests) indicated an impact for each entomopathogenic fungus per beetle species after exposure to a filter paper disk treated at the same fungal suspension concentration. Kaplan–Meier analysis (censored at day 7) revealed that each beetle species survived significantly shorter in bioassays containing disks treated with EPF compared to water only. This study demonstrated that ambrosia beetles associated with the laurel wilt pathogen in avocados are susceptible to infection by EPF under laboratory conditions. However, the EPF needs to be tested under field conditions to confirm their efficacy against the beetles.
Examining interactive effects of characteristics of the social and physical environment on aggravated assault

Abstract Prior studies have largely focused on socioeconomic and demographic correlates of neighborhood crime rates. A largely distinct literature has highlighted the criminogenic influence of the built environment. Recent research cross-pollinated these literatures and demonstrated that, controlling for structural socioeconomic disadvantage, an aggregated neighborhood risk of crime (ANROC) measure capturing the influence of the built environment has a strong and robust influence on neighborhood crime rates. Instead of viewing variation in crime as a product of social factors or characteristics of the built environment, the current study advances the literature by exploring an interactive model viewing crime as a product of social factors and the built environment. Conceptually, we describe two distinct processes (attenuation and amplification) by which social structural sources of violence and characteristics of the environmental backcloth may interact. In assessing the salience of these processes, the current study provides a more accurate assessment of how divergent ecological contexts work contemporaneously to influence neighborhood levels of crime. Results of our block-group level analyses of a single city indicate structural disadvantage is an exceptionally robust predictor of crime, but the influence of the ANROC measure is contingent upon levels of socioeconomic disadvantage in the neighborhood at-large.
Disparities in Women’s Prison Sentences: Exploring the Nexus Between Motherhood, Drug Offense, and Sentence Length:

Drawing upon focal concerns and familial paternalism frameworks, we explore the effects of motherhood, various maternal indicators, and type of offense on prison sentences using official and self-r...
Aortic Atherosclerosis, Hypercoagulability, and Stroke: The APRIS (Aortic Plaque and Risk of Ischemic Stroke) Study

Objective To assess the effect of hypercoagulability on the risk of stroke in patients with aortic plaques.
Optimal kinetic exposures for classic and candidate antitrypanosomals

OBJECTIVES Efficacy is determined not only by size, but also by shape, of drug exposure. Here the critical importance of the temporal pattern of drug concentrations (pharmacokinetic profile) is examined for antitrypanosomals in vitro. METHODS An in vitro hollow-fibre cartridge system was used to study contrasting drug profiles with four clinically used agents and two experimental candidates against the deadly parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Artificial kinetics were employed intentionally to favour either high peak concentration or sustained duration of drug. RESULTS Changing the shape of drug exposure significantly impacted drug efficacy. Suramin, melarsoprol and pentamidine were concentration-driven and therefore more efficacious when applied as short-lived high peaks. In contrast, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) was time-driven, and therefore maximally effective as a constant infusion. Kinetic preference was robust over a wide range of drug exposures. Promising clinical candidates SCYX-7158 (acoziborole) and fexinidazole (parent and sulfone) were concentration-driven, suggesting optimal clinical regimens would involve relatively high but intermittent dosing. CONCLUSIONS Antitrypanosomals have an intrinsic pharmacokinetic driver for optimal efficacy, with important implications for clinical management and future candidate development.
Sweet's syndrome in a granulocytopenic patient with acute myeloid leukemia on FLT3 inhibitor.

Gilteritinib is a FLT3 kinase inhibitor approved for FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We present a case of febrile neutropenia and neutrophilic dermatosis consistent with Sweet’s syndrome...
The Impact of Peer Interactions on Language Development Among Preschool English Language Learners: A Systematic Review

Studies showing that early language skills are important predictors of later academic success and social outcomes have prompted efforts to promote early language development among children at risk. Good social skills, a competence identified in many children who are English Language Learners (ELLs), have been posited in the general literature as facilitators of language development. Yet to date, a comprehensive review on the nature and impact of social interaction on language development among children who are ELLs has not been conducted. Using PRISMA procedures, a systematic review was conducted and 10 eligible studies published between 2008 and 2019 were identified. Findings revealed that despite their limited language capabilities, children who are ELLs can engage in complex speech during peer interaction. However, the nature and frequency of interactions, as well as the unique skill sets of communication partners may affect their development of relevant language skills. These findings have implications for policy and intervention development for preschool settings in the United States.
Is the Iliopsoas a Femoral Head Stabilizer? A Systematic Review.

Purpose To perform a systematic review of biomechanical and clinical studies to determine whether the iliopsoas is a femoral head stabilizer. Methods A systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Inclusion criteria were any human clinical (Levels I-IV evidence) or laboratory studies that investigated the role of the iliopsoas as a stabilizer of the hip. Exclusion criteria included studies that investigated patients undergoing spine surgery or those with a total hip arthroplasty or hip hemiarthroplasty. Study methodologic quality for clinical-outcomes studies were analyzed using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. Because of the heterogeneity in the participants and interventions, no quantitative assimilative meta-analysis was performed. Results Eight articles were analyzed (3 biomechanical [35 cadavers and 18 healthy subjects]; 5 clinical outcomes studies [537 subjects, 207 arthroscopic iliopsoas tenotomies]). Two in vivo biomechanical studies identified the iliopsoas as an anterior hip stabilizer. One cadaveric study identified the iliopsoas as a femoral head stabilizer at 0o-15o of hip flexion. Two clinical studies demonstrated the role of the iliopsoas as a dynamic hip stabilizer, particularly in patients with increased femoral version (greater than 15˚-25˚). Two studies reported cases of atraumatic anterior hip dislocations after arthroscopic iliopsoas tenotomies. Conclusions Evidence from biomechanical and clinical studies may suggest that the iliopsoas is a dynamic anterior femoral head stabilizer. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV plus biomechanical studies.
Locating California on the Vertical Axis of Diplomacy

Having explored the external players and the diplomatic background, this chapter lays out each point along the vertical axis of California’s international activities from tribes, to cities and counties, through to state government and governors. While identifying those areas where California operates in parallel to other subnationals, this chapter also offers a wider perspective by framing the questions through the organizations that make up what has been called the “Big 7”. This helps expand the analysis from the state of California to the larger issues presented by globalization and the activities of other subnationals while and further developing the theme of space vs place.
Subclinical Auditory Dysfunction: Relationship Between Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions and the Audiogram.

Purpose Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and audiometric thresholds have been used to account for the impacts of subclinical outer hair cell (OHC) dysfunction on auditory perceptio...
Experimental and numerical study of high-order complex curvature mode shape and mode coupling on a three-bladed wind turbine assembly

Abstract Experimental and numerical modal analysis on wind turbine blades has been previously studied, considering mainly low order bending modes. However, high-order modes are also critical modes for understanding blade dynamics. The mode coupling is essential because a better understanding of the high-frequency blade dynamics can support advances in model validation, blade aeroelastic simulations, blade design, and structural health monitoring. However, these high-order modes and the associated mode couplings of wind turbine blades have not been studied. This work presents a comprehensive experimental and numerical study based on three modal tests and a correlated finite element simulation to study the complex curvature mode shapes and mode coupling dynamics for a three-bladed wind turbine assembly. Three tests are conducted: Test 1, ten accelerometers are deployed on the whole assembly under impact excitation; Test 2, nine accelerometers are deployed on a single blade under impact excitation; and Test 3, a non-contact 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer (SLDV) test is performed on a single blade under shaker excitation. This is the first work to use a 3D SLDV for an experimental modal test on the wind turbine blade. With 300–400 points measured with the 3D SLDV, experimental mode shapes having a high spatial resolution with 3D response are used to characterize the coupling for the low-order and high-order modes with complex curvatures. A reliable finite element model of the three-bladed assembly, including the composite blade modeling, is also developed and is well correlated with Test 2 and Test 3. With the high-fidelity 3D SLDV test and well-correlated finite element model, this is also the first work of using experimental and numerical approaches to investigate the high-order mode shape with complex curvatures and mode coupling of bending and torsional behavior that is present in the wind turbine blade for these high-order modes.
1. Elastic Properties of Rocks and Minerals

Publisher Summary Elastic properties are desired as a function of several parameters, including pressure, temperature, pore fluid pressure, nonhydrostatic stress, and failure history. Acoustic velocities are generally measured for these samples by ultrasonic transmission techniques. Often the experiments are defined to determine both the acoustic velocities and acoustic attenuation. This chapter discusses all of these experimental techniques with particular emphasis on their utility in addressing earth science problems. Each of the subjects has, at one time or another, been the focus of broad and careful reviews. The chapter demonstrates the important considerations in each of the experimental approaches. The major experimental restriction is imposed by the availability of suitable samples. Only a few relevant minerals occur naturally as large single crystals. Two types of experimental responses have been made to these extremes in sample availability. One has been to sinter many crystallites to form a polycrystalline sample. Then ultrasonic transmission measurements are made on the aggregate. The second approach has been to develop single-crystal methods that require smaller samples than were needed previously. To this end, ultrasonic transmission and resonance techniques have been used for samples of millimeter dimensions, and Brillouin spectroscopy has proved useful for elasticity characterizations for samples with dimensions of tens of micrometers.
Separation of normal and abnormal vectorcardiograms: Use of spatial orientation of initial, central and terminal segmental planes of the QRS loop

Abstract By combination of manual measurements of selected instantaneous vectors from orthogonal X, Y, Z leads (SVEC III) and the use of a small digital computer (PDP-5), vectorcardiograms from 14 normals and 74 cardiac patients were analyzed, with special attention to the planarity, tortuosity or “twist” of the QRS and TsE loops and loop segments. Quantitative analyses were made of (a) mean planarity of the QRS and T planes, (b) the spatial angles between the initial and the main and terminal QRS planes, taken two at a time, (c) the pre-maximal, maximal and post-maximal planes, taken two at a time, (d) the segmental (or instantaneous) polar vectors, and (e) the spatial orientation of the plane containing the maximal QRS and T vectors and the plane including the QRS and T polar vectors. In this admittedly small sample, these parameters differentiated the normal from the various pathologic conditions and various conditions one from the other quite satisfactorily, and in many respects were superior to differentiation by-qualitative loop inspection and quantitative instantaneous vectors.
Reconciliation puzzles [separately hosted strings reconciliation]

We consider the problem of exchanging two similar strings held by different hosts with a minimum amount of communication. We reduce the problem of string reconciliation to a problem of multi-set reconciliation, for which nearly optimal solutions exist. Our approach involves transforming a string into a multi-set of substrings, which are reconciled efficiently and then put back together on a remote host using recent graph-theoretic results. We present an analysis of our algorithm to show that its communication complexity compares favorably to two existing methods for string reconciliation.
Abstract 18720: The Impact of Prolonged Clopidogrel Use Beyond 12 Months After Coronary Stenting in Smokers and Non-smokers

Background: Cigarette smoking potentiates the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. Guidelines recommend clopidogrel for 12 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with bare-metal (BMS) or drug-eluting (DES) stents. Whether smoking affects the risk of ischemic events related to clopidogrel use beyond 12 months after PCI is unknown Methods: We identified all PCIs performed in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system from 2002-2006 and linked the information with the VA pharmacy database. VA and non-VA clinical outcomes were identified by ICD-9 codes from the VA National Patient Care and CMS/Medicare databases. All patients who were event-free at 12 months were followed for death, myocardial infarction (MI), or target vessel revascularization (TVR) up to 4 years following PCI. Prolonged (i.e., > 12 months) vs. clopidogrel use for < 12 months was assessed for each outcome within each stent type using propensity score adjusted inverse probability of weighting (IPW) Cox-proportional hazards analyses...
A comparison of acid-elution techniques and alpha-fetoprotein levels for the detection of fetomaternal bleeding

Practical and reliable methods to identify and/or quantitate fetal blood are becoming more important in the modern practice of obstetrics. In this study, two commercially available acid-elution techniques were compared with plasma -alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) by simultaneously testing samples of fetal blood mixed with adult blood in fixed ratios. Thirty-one samples representing a range of amounts of fetomaternal hemorrhage, from 0.024 to 48 ml, were analyzed. The acid-elution techniques were equally effective in detecting fetomaternal hemorrhage greater than 15 ml, but the bmc Reagent set was the most accurate for detection of small numbers of fetal erythrocytes. The accuracy of AFP was greater than that of either acid-elution technique, but its clinical usefulness is limited by the necessity for a prehemorrhage sample.
Specific heat of the random-field Ising system Fe 0.46 Zn 0.54 F 2

Heat pulse specific-heat measurements are compared with data from optical linear birefringence techniques in the dilute antiferromagnet ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{0.46}$${\mathrm{Zn}}_{0.54}$${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ for applied magnetic fields H\ensuremath{\le}1.5 T. The optical technique is shown to reproduce the dynamically rounded symmetric specific-heat peak for H\ensuremath{\ne}0. Hysteretic effects resulting from cooling the sample in the field are observed in a similar manner for both techniques. The relationship to previous specific-heat measurements in other random-field systems is discussed.
Fractography of glassy networks formed from ethylene glycol dimethacrylate

Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM) was polymerized to provide specimens suitable for three-point bending tests. Fracture surfaces were generally similar to those reported previously for relatively brittle materials such as silicate glasses. Attention was concentrated on linear features which lay in roughly parallel arrays in the direction of crack propagation. Generally the features had a circular cross section which, in a few cases, tapered to a fine point. In other cases partially detached features were observed to have an irregular radius of curvature. The two preceding observations were interpreted as evidence of localized plastic deformation. The linear arrays of surface features were explained by adoption of Preston's mechanism for formation of “stries” in brittle materials. However, this mechanism calls for a characteristic cross section which in the case of poly(EGDM) was replaced by a circular cross section. To account for this difference, localized plastic deformation was invoked.
Effect of alkyl and aryl substitutions on 1,2,4-triazolium-based ionic liquids for carbon dioxide separation and capture

A series of 1,2,4-triazolium-based ionic liquids have been synthesized and evaluated for their use in supported ionic liquid membrane based CO2 separations. The properties of these triazolium-based compounds have proven sensitive to isomeric substitutions, such as isopropyl and propyl groups, as well as ortho and para substitutions in the aryl derivative compounds. While physical properties such as viscosity did not vary significantly between structural isomers, the CO2 permeability, selectivity, and solubility exhibited significant changes allowing for development of task-specific triazolium-based ionic liquids for separation applications. COSMOtherm studies were also completed to gain a better understanding of the ionic liquids which demonstrated a strong correlation between experimental and computational values for the alkyl bearing ionic liquids. Hence, 1,2,4-triazolium-based liquids comprise a class of compounds offering unique opportunities to examine how structural changes affect the physicochemical properties which are necessary for the continuous development of ionic liquids with enhanced adsorption capacity and selectivity in separations.
Comparative purification of myocardial myosin and antigenic specificity of the two light chains.

Abstract Dog myocardial myosin preparations, purified according to the procedures presented here, utilizing either one or two (NH4)2SO4 fractionations, contained no major contaminants which could be detected by disc gel electrophoresis, and exhibited high myosin ATPase activity. The low molecular weight components (light chains) were dissociated from the rest of the molecule by denaturing with urea; the chains were further purified by column chromatography. Procedures were a modification of those used for purification of skeletal muscle myosin light chains. According to immunoanalyses the two myocardial myosin light chains showed antigenic specificity.
Dimensions and characteristics of time perceptions and perspectives among older consumers

The study of the impact of time as a variable in consumer behavior goes back to at least the early seventies. It has been studied from both objective and subjective perspectives. The purpose of this article is to further explain the impact of subjective time perceptions on consumer behavior, with a focus on the elderly as a subgroup. Several frameworks for understanding time perceptions are discussed and coupled with various theories of aging to present, explain, and hypothesize age-related differences in time perceptions and the behavioral consequences of these differences. The article concludes with an integration of these time frameworks into the five-stage consumer decision-making process, and some suggested impacts on the marketing mix. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Differential effects of Vespula wasp venom and its components, mastoparan, and bradykinin: toxicity and feeding tests with the cotton bollworm

Abstract 1. The abilities for sublethal concentrations of mastoparan, bradykinin, and Vespula venom to disrupt ingestion and utilization of food were determined in the fourth instar Heliothis zea . 2. Mastoparan and Vespula venom severely decreased the metabolic efficiency for conversion of nutrients to biomass, thus, reducing larval growth rate. Although bradykinin reduced larval feeding, a stable growth rate was maintained due to increased metabolic efficiency. 3. The ld 50 s of mastoparan and Vespula venom in H. zea larvae were 40 and 41 μg/larva, respectively. Each caused a spastic-contractile paralysis when injected, suggesting neurotoxicity.
Molecular Dynamics Study of the Freezing of Clusters of Chalcogen Hexafluorides

Because knowledge about homogeneous nucleation in supercooled molecular liquids is largely indirect, a molecular dynamics investigation of the freezing of liquid clusters was initiated to furnish a plausible account of the molecular behavior involved. Results of the first stage of research are reported. Clusters with free boundaries were chosen instead of bulk systems in order to avoid the interference introduced by periodic boundary conditions. Systems of 150-molecule clusters of SF6, SeF6, and TeF6 were examined. Analyses of Voronoi polyhedra in the warm systems prepared confirmed that the clusters were genuinely liquid, containing no crystalline seeds capable of initiating freezing. As the clusters cooled, random structural fluctuations created short-lived embryonic nuclei. At deeper supercooling, a nucleus of critical size ultimately appeared in each cluster and freezing began. When cooled at a rate of 2 × 1010 K/s or more slowly, all clusters froze to bcc single crystals and these transformed to mono...
Beyond bean counting: Establishing high ethical standards in the public accounting profession

Business professions are increasingly faced with the question of how to best monitor the ethical behavior of their members. Conflicts could exist between a profession's desire to self-regulate and its accountability to the public at large. This study examines how members of one profession, public accounting, evaluate the relative effectiveness of various self-regulatory and externally imposed mechanisms for promoting a climate of high ethical behavior. Specifically, the roles of independent public accountants, regulatory and rule setting agencies, and undergraduate accounting education are investigated. Of 461 possible respondents, 230 questionnaires (a 49.6% response rate) indicated that the profession's own rule setting body (The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and the use of peer review were perceived as the most effective mechanisms, while government regulation was ranked least. Respondents also evaluated the extent to which ethics should be covered in the accounting curriculum. For every course, the CPAs believed a greater emphasis on ethics is appropriate than presently exists. Suggestions for more effectively integrating ethics into accounting courses are made. Finally, respondents were also asked whether in answering the questionnaire they used a definition of ethics as either the “Professional Code of Conduct” or a “moral and philosphical framework for guiding beliefs.” Those who viewed ethics as abiding by a professional code had more confidence in the mechanisms addressed in this study to aid the public accounting profession's ability to ensure high ethical standards of conduct. Methodological implications of this distinction for future studies in business ethics are discussed.
The morphology of the Weberian ossicles of two species of the genus Astyanax (ostariophysi: characidae).

The morphology of the Weberian ossicles of Astyanax mexicanus, an eyed river fish, and A. jordani, the Mexican blind cave fish, was investigated and the results were correlated with behavioral data on the auditory capacities of the two species. Several characteristics of the ossicles of the two species were inter-specifically significantly different while other characteristics varied as much intra-specifically as inter-specifically. The ascending arm of the scaphium was shorter in the blind fish than in the river fish and the ascending arm of the intercalarium was further from the distal end of the base of the bones in the blind fish than in the river fish. A previously unreported ligament between the scaphium and the sinus atrium impar was found in Astyanax. It was hypothesized that this connective tissue retained perilymphatic fluid within the inner ear, helped the ossicles return to an anterior position after moving posteriorly, and might protect the inner ear during intense acoustical stimulation.
Failure of Rabbit Anti-Streptococcus mutans Serum to Penetrate In Vitro Plaque

An indirect fluorescent antibody technique indicated that specific antiserums did not penetrate in vitro Plaque formed by Streptococcus mutans. Specific reactions did occur between the antiserums and antigens in the surface layers of plaque globules. Measurements of plaque diameters indicated that the serums exerted a nonspecific effect of enhancing plaque growth.
Desensitization induces hyporesponsiveness and cell-surface phenotype changes on mouse mast cells

Background Rapid drug desensitization (DST) protocols have been developed based on clinical evidence, but in vitro studies are lacking. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the early stages of DST will allow improvements in patients’ treatment, overcome unwanted adverse reactions, and identify markers for therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this study is to demonstrate and characterize the induction of hyporesponsiveness in murine mast cells by desensitization and activation, phenotyping the cell surface.
The mechanism of action of the cytotoxic nuclease α-sarcin and its use to analyse ribosome structure

Abstract α-Sarcin is a cytotoxin produced by a mold; it inhibits protein synthesis by inactivating ribosomes. The toxin selects and cleaves a single phosphodiester bond near the 3′ end of the large RNA ribosomal subunit, whereas it hydrolyses naked RNA at purines in both single- and double-stranded regions. These remarkable properties have made α-sarcin valuable in analysing the structure of ribosomes and in determining the binding sites for proteins in ribonucleoprotein complexes.
Age and sex differences in childhood and adulthood obesity association with phthalates: Analyses of NHANES 2007–2010

a b s t r a c t Background: Exposure to environmental chemicals may play a role in the development of obesity. Evidence suggests phthalate exposure may be associated with obesity in children and adults. Objective: To examine the association of ten urinary phthalate metabolites mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP), mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl phthalate (MEHHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono(carboxylnonyl) phthalate (MCNP), and mono-(carboxyoctyl) phthalate (MCOP) grouped by molecular weight of their parent compounds with body weight outcomes in children, adolescent and adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2010. Methods: We performed multinomial logistic regression to analyze the association between obesity and urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in children and adolescents and adults. Results: Low molecular weight (LMW) phthalate metabolites (MnBP, MEP and MiBP) are significantly (p < 0.05) associated with higher odds for obesity in male children and adolescents. High molecular weight (HMW) phthalate metabolites (MECPP, MEHHP, MEOHP, MEHP, MBzP, MCNP, and MCOP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites (MEHHP, MEOHP, MEHP and MECPP) are significantly (p < 0.05) associated with higher OR for obesity in all adults. Additionally, DEHP metabolites are significantly associated with obesity in all female adults; whereas DEHP and HMW metabolites are significantly associated with OR for obesity in males 60 years and older. Conclusions: We found age and sex differences in the association between urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and body weight outcomes. Reverse causation cannot be excluded since overweight and obese people will have more fat mass, they may store more phthalates, thus leading to higher excretion concentrations. © 2014 Published by Elsevier GmbH.
Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency in Multiple Sclerosis: Fact or Fiction!?

We read with great interest the article ‘‘Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe Commentary on the Treatment of Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency’’ by Reekers et al. [1], with particular interest about the suggestions for future performance of endovascular procedures in patients with MS and ultrasonographic verification of CCSVI. Having in mind significant impact of this discussion on medical community and MS patients population in general, we would like to make a few comments on the subject. We could not agree more with the authors that ‘‘harm can be caused by offering treatments without any scientific proof of efficacy...’’ and that balloon dilatation should not be offered to MS patients outside of a well-designed clinical trial. Furthermore, the cost of the procedure makes additional difficulty for the country with depressed financial resources in medicine, like Serbia happens to be at present! Yet, after substantial pressure by the MS patients, community, and the public, we started endovascular treatment in patients with MS who had two or more CCSVI Zamboni criteria without stenting [2, 3]. The procedure was performed in 34 of 64 patients with MS, in which CCSVI was detected by Duplex scanning, with no complications, including puncture site hematoma so far! Furthermore, because we performed CT—angiography in all of our patients, in an additional 10 patients we revealed various external compressions on jugular veins, which we termed ‘‘jugular compressive syndrome’’ and morphological venous anomalies, which resulted in CCSVI, thus leading to conclusion that Duplex scanning alone might be insufficient for CCSVI diagnosis. Under circumstances that our patients are reporting immediate improvement of their disease, and after short term follow-up showed neurological improvement (to be reported soon), we chose to continue with the procedure that so far proved to have no complications and no neurological deterioration or to discontinue with such a practice and to wait for a presumably long time until major studies are completed! In a country like Serbia, with limited number of centers that perform endovascular procedures and very high incidence of atherosclerosis, the answer to the question of whether to perform dilatation of the jugular vein in MS patient, with limited resources, goes far beyond ‘‘constructive scientific debate!’’
Preexisting bone loss associated with ovariectomy in rats is reversed by parathyroid hormone

Previous studies have demonstrated that when parathyroid hormone (PTH) administration to rats is started immediately following ovariectomy, it prevents bone loss due to ovarian hormone deficiency. In this study, we examined whether bone loss induced by ovariectomy could be reversed by parathyroid hormone if hormone therapy is started after the bone loss had already occurred. In the first experiment, two groups of animals were ovariectomized or sham operated, killed after 40 days, and their bones examined to ensure that bone loss occurred. In the second experiment, three groups of rats were studied. Group 1 rats were sham operated, and rats in groups 2 and 3 were ovariectomized. Each rat in group 3 received a single subcutaneous injection of 8 micrograms parathyroid hormone [hPTH-(1-34); Bachem, CA] per 100 g body weight per day, starting 40 days following ovariectomy. Rats in groups 1 and 2 received solvent vehicle, and all animals were sacrificed on day 60. Ovariectomized rats had lost an appreciable amount of bone 40 days after surgery, as indicated by a significant decrease in femoral and vertebral densities and calcium and an over 55% loss of cancellous bone in the tibial metaphysis. The loss of bone was reversed by intermittent PTH administration. Increased cancellous bone in the parathyroid hormone-treated ovariectomized rats was associated with increased trabecular osteoblasts, decreased trabecular osteoclasts, and increased serum osteocalcin and urinary hydroxyproline. Our findings indicate that parathyroid hormone can substantially augment bone mass after the loss due to ovarian hormone deficiency has already occurred. The hormone caused positive bone balance in vivo in ovarian hormone-deficient animals by increasing bone formation and decreasing bone resorption.
Industrial benchmarking: A case study of performance analysis techniques

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to review two techniques to analyze the performance of industrial entities. Performance analysis can be applied to benchmarking of facilities. A case study of industry data is the basis for the application of measures. The reference data set contains information on sixteen warehouses belonging to the nationwide service parts distribution network of a large manufacturer. First, we document the application of productivity ratios to warehouses. “Data Envelopment Analysis” is the second technique. The results of both approaches are compared using the Spearman coefficient of rank correlation and linear regression analysis. We conclude that simple cost-based ratios appear to be the most suitable for situations where pricing structures for resources and services are uniform and known, such as for company internal benchmarking.
Changes in metabolic syndrome status after initiation of antiretroviral therapy.

Background Data on changes in metabolic syndrome (MetS) status in HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are limited.
Fluctuating asymmetry predicts human reactive aggression.

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) represents non-directional deviations from perfect symmetry in morphological characters. Prenatal stressors contribute to the imprecise expression of symmetrical phenotypes and display of agonistic behavior in children and adults. Because prenatal stress affects neurological function and overt behavior, and FA is often used as a marker for prenatal stress, we hypothesized that high FA would be associated with elevated levels of human reactive aggression. Data were collected from 100 males and females (average age = 20.1) on FA of 11 bilateral traits (second, third, fourth, and fifth digit length, palm height, wrist diameter, elbow width, ear height, ear width, foot breadth, and ankle circumference). Additional relationships were also investigated among FA, testosterone (T), and type of provocation to test a comprehensive aggression model. Experimental participants solicited donations for a fictitious charity organization via telephone and selected follow-up letters after the calls. High FA and T values were independently associated with elevated reactive aggression (force of terminating the call) under low provocation in males, and under high provocation in females. In the absence of phenotypical markers, i.e., FA and T, sex differences in response to provocation disappeared and a “passive-aggressive” response emerged. Both males and females selected hostile follow-up letters, but showed low reactive aggression when terminating the call under high provocation. This pattern was reversed under low provocation. Taken together, these data suggest that individuals' phenotype and intensity of provocation are important determinants of individual and sex differences in aggression. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:458–469, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Computed tomographic cholangiography in living liver transplant donors: factors determining the degree of contrast enhancement.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors affecting liver and bile duct contrast enhancement during computed tomographic cholangiography (CTC) in living-donor transplant candidates. METHODS: Forty-four candidates underwent preoperative triphasic CT followed by intravenous infusion of 20 mL of iodipamide for CTC. Body size indices and liver volume were correlated to parenchymal and biliary enhancement. Bile duct visibility was compared to duct enhancement. RESULTS: Poorly visualized first- and second-order bile ducts demonstrated diminished enhancement (P < 0.015). Both CTC parenchymal and biliary enhancement correlated inversely with body surface area, height, and weight (P < 0.001); inverse correlation was also seen between liver volume and parenchymal enhancement (P < 0.001). A moderately positive correlation was noted between CTC biliary and parenchymal portal venous enhancement (r = 0.421; P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomographic cholangiography parenchymal and biliary enhancement diminishes with increased body size and liver volume, supporting a need for adjustable contrast dosing. Portal venous parenchymal enhancement may serve as a preinfusion indicator.
Hierarchy of lens proteins requiring protection against heat-induced precipitation by the α crystallin chaperone

Gel filtration of the water-soluble extract from bovine lens yields a group of proteins, emerging between the peaks of beta H and beta L crystallins, which show a considerably greater sensitivity to heat-induced aggregation/precipitation than the far more abundant beta and gamma crystallins. However, the small heat shock protein: alpha crystallin was effective in protecting these trace constituents of the lens from precipitating out of solution at 55 degrees C (measured under the standard conditions in a pH 7.5 buffer containing 50 mM sodium phosphate, 100 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA and 0.05% NaN3). Prominent components of the precipitate, formed in the absence of a recombinant alpha B crystallin chaperone could be resolved by one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Identification by amino acid sequencing revealed that the heat-sensitive group of lens proteins comprised glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (M(r) approximately 39 kDa), enolase (approximately 48 kDa), leucine aminopeptidase (approximately 52 kDa) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (approximately 53 kDa). These findings indicate for the first time that the aggregation of such minor lens constituents could possibly contribute to initiating the process of opacification in the development of cataracts.
Structure and Dynamics of Two Monsoon Depressions. Part II: Vorticity and Heat Budgets

Abstract This paper discusses selected aspects of the vorticity and thermal fields of the two depressions described in Part I. The growth rate of the onset vortex is shown to be about three times that of the July depression. The most significant difference between the evolution of the two depressions lay in the growth rate at 500 mb, with the onset vortex showing a large vorticity increase and the July monsoon depression only a small increase. Vorticity budgets of the rain areas west of each depression's center showed that the observed westward motion of the depressions resulted from dominance of the divergence term in the lower troposphere. Heat-budget calculations for the rain areas showed an approximate balance between warm advection and adiabatic cooling at 850 mb, though diabatic heating was large above this level. For both depressions the region of maximum rainfall was coincident with the location of the maximum warm advection in the lower middle troposphere. In the suppressed northeast quadrant of ...
The potential benefits and costs of an increase in US gasoline tax

Abstract This paper examines the impact that an increase in the tax on gasoline would have on the US economy. That is, in the context of a general equilibrium model, the effect that a 15¢/gallon increase in the tax on gasoline would have on producing sectors, consuming sectors, households and the government is estimated. The results suggest that there will be a reduction in output by all producing sectors by about $9.4 billion, there will be a fall in the consumption of goods and services by about $9.6 billion and there will be a decline in aggregate social welfare (measured as utility) by about $15.0 billion. The government will realize an increase in revenue of about $8.0 billion.
Jean Toomer, Sojourner: Striking Experience in the South and Southwest

Nearly nine decades after the publication of Cane (1923), reading Jean Toomer is still problematic. Alice Walker offers one way to reconcile Cane’s place in African American literature and Toomer’s debated status and consent to a black identity when she concludes that Toomer “would want us to keep [Cane’s] beauty, but let him go” (65). Respecting Toomer’s cherished work and apparent wishes is an appealing idea, but Walker’s solution deepens the problem, for it collides with familiar practices of canon-making by imagining that a work can win a place in an ethnic literature irrespective of the identity of its author. Such separation of writer and work may not be possible, judging by the tendency to conflate Cane’s style, setting, and subject matter with Toomer’s racial identity. Rudolph Byrd and Henry Louis Gates, Jr., focus on Toomer’s identity in the introduction of the new Norton critical edition of Cane, and their introduction also serves as the afterword to the new authoritative text from Liveright that is likely to be the most readily available classroom edition for years to come. In these essays and elsewhere, Gates and Byrd argue that after the publication of Cane, Jean Toomer decided to pass for white. Although they acknowledge Toomer’s role as a “pioneering theorist of hybridity,” they dismiss his writing about a new American race as justification for his passing (“Song” xxxviii). The story of Toomer passing is now ascendant and sits unopposed in the Liveright edition despite a considerable scholarly tradition of disagreement over the matter.