cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gender and Publication Patterns: Female Authorship Is Increasing, But Is There Gender Parity?

Women's authorship has historically been underrepresented in criminal justice publications. The current study updates previous research by examining the authorship patterns of articles published in 8 criminological journals spanning 2007 to 2013. Women's representation increased from earlier rates but remained below that of their male contemporaries. This growth corresponded with general trends of increasing coauthorship, suggesting that the recent gains in women's representation do not indicate decreases in gender disparities. Men also were more likely to have sole-authored articles and be lead authors in papers coauthored by men and women. In addition, the vast majority of articles included at least 1 male author, and far fewer included a female giving men a larger visual presence. Gender representation also varied considerably between mainstream/traditional journals and 2 gender-specialized journals.
EFFECT OF OXYGEN‐ENRICHED ATMOSPHERES ON STORAGE QUALITY OF PACKAGED FRESH MEAT

SUMMARY —The extension of fresh meat shelf-life is important from both practical and theoretical points of view. Color is usually used as a measure of fresh meat quality during storage. Beef top-round slices were prepared using sanitary precautions. Meat slices were enclosed in a thermally sealed semi-rigid polyvinyl chloride tray system of special design. Face-to-face meat samples were used to compare the effects of high oxygen with normal air atmospheres. One package from each pair was evacuated and the atmosphere readjusted to approximately 90% oxygen through a septum. Packages were kept at 4 ± 0.5°C and gas chromatographic readings for CO2, O2 and N2 were conducted daily. Spectrophotometric and bacteriological evaluations were made on selected pack ages during storage to determine pigment oxidation and microbial growth. Three experiments each containing six to eight pairs of samples were conducted. The generation of CO2 was observed in two periods–the first immediately after packaging and lasting for 1–2 days, after which the CO2 level remained approximately stable up to 8—9 days, when it again started to increase in correspondence with increased bacterial growth. There was more CO2 produced than O2 utilized in the stored samples. In the first stage, samples stored in oxygen-enriched atmospheres had higher O2 uptake than samples stored in air. Microbial growth was similar in both atmospheres. Under conditions of this study, head space enrichment to about 90% oxygen prolonged acceptable meat color when compared with samples stored in an air atmosphere.
Focusing New Teachers on Diversity and Equity: Toward a Knowledge Base for Mentors.

Abstract New teachers in the US often are unprepared to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Preparing teachers for diversity has generated widespread interest in mentoring, yet little research has explored a knowledge base for equity-focused mentoring. Drawing on expertise of leading mentor practitioners and a case study, this article builds a framework for what mentors need to know and be able to do to focus new teachers on equity. Mentors need a bi-level and multi-domain knowledge base, targeting both students and teachers. Using a bifocal perspective, mentors view the new teacher up close, but also focus on the larger picture of students. Analyses delineate challenges and tensions in tapping this knowledge base in the action of mentoring.
A relational theory of ministry

The many forms that the practice of ministry assumes raise the question whether there is any central purpose or principle that serves as a valid criterion of authentic ministry. The work of the minister is here seen as interpersonal in character (either immediately or ultimately) and the heart of this interpersonal relation is the agapic ideal of reconciling love, the purpose of which is to overcome one's estrangement from himself, his neighbor, and from God.
A modified alpha-root technique for image processing

Abstract Image enhancement using Fourier transform coefficient rooting (often referred to as alpha-rooting) suffers from certain objectionable artifacts due to the processing. Such artifacts are caused by well-defined high contrast edges within the image. A modification of the usual alpha-rooting process is proposed whereby these artifacts are suppressed while the desirable enhancement features of the processing are retained.
Punch tip effects in diffusional impression creep

Abstract The effect of a surface cavity on the diffusional creep of a half space by impression of a punch whose end fits the cavity was studied analytically and numerically and compared with the normal case of the same punch of a flat end pushed into a flat surface without the cavity. A straight punch with a half cylindrical tip pushed into a half cylindrical groove of the same size as the tip produces the same impression velocity as the normal case. However, for a cylindrical punch with a semi-spherical tip pushed into a semi-spherical hole of the same size as the tip, the impression velocity is 4/π faster than the normal case. By using the finite element method (ABAQUS program), a cylindrical punch with a flat end pushed into a cylindrical cavity of the same size as the punch was also studied. If the depth of the cavity is 1.5 times the punch radius, the impression velocity is only about 5% smaller than the normal case provided that the lateral contact area is a free surface. If the lateral contact area is impermeable to vacancies, the impression velocity is about 28% smaller.
Survival and development of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes transplanted into adult myocardium.

Abstract Transplantation of neonatal cardiomyocytes is a novel approach for the treatment of heart failure and myocardial infarction, but quantitative information on long-term cell survival and development is limited. Male donor cardiomyocytes were isolated from neonatal Fischer 344 rats (1–2 days), purified, and injected into the left ventricular wall of female syngeneic adult rats. One hour to 12 weeks later, genomic DNA was isolated from recipient hearts. The amount of male DNA per sample was determined by quantitative real-time TaqMan PCR of the male-specific Sry gene. Transplanted cell survival was 57±9% at 0–1 h, 24±6% at 24 h, 28±11% at 7 days, 27±3% at 14 days, 23±8% at 4 weeks and 15±3% at 12 weeks. The caspase inhibitor AcYVADcmk failed to improve transplanted cell survival at 24 h, suggesting that apoptosis did not play a major role in cell loss. Histology revealed that transplanted cells became more elongated over time, developed cross-striations, and that their nuclei increased in size. However, at 12 weeks, transplanted cells and their nuclei were still smaller than those of host myocardium. We established a quantitative survival profile for neonatal cardiomyocytes transplanted into normal adult myocardium. There was significant loss of cells within 24 h, but 15% of transplanted cells survived 12 weeks. Those cells that did survive underwent differentiation and developed visible sarcomeres, suggesting a potential contribution toward ventricular function.
The Color of Their Collar: Effects of Social Status Portrayal in Advertising on Self-Esteem

The social identity framework suggests that exposure to high-status ingroup or low-status outgroup portrayals enhances self-esteem through positive ingroup distinctiveness. In this study, the effects of racial group portrayals in print advertisements on Blacks’ and Whites’ self-esteem and advertising responses were investigated in an experiment. A series of mock ads were pretested and developed manipulating character race (Black, White) and social status (high-status, low-status), resulting in four conditions. Blacks higher in ethnic identity reported enhanced self-esteem when exposed to lower-status White characters (negative outgroup portrayal), whereas Blacks lower in ethnic identity reported enhanced self-esteem when exposed to higher-status Black characters (positive ingroup portrayal). Advertising outcome measures (attitude toward the ad, purchase intentions) also revealed that level of ethnic identity moderates responses by Black subjects. White subjects reported lower self-esteem after exposure to...
Simplified Construction of Demountable ICP Torches

Demountable ICP torch bases make possible the rapid and inexpensive replacement of the portions of the torch glassware which become opaque, fused closed, or broken. The demountable torch base, designed by Windsor et al., has performed very satisfactorily in our laboratories for a number of years. This design has evolved into two simpler, more versatile designs which utilize readily available Cajon Co. (Macedonia, OH) Ultra-Torr fittings to minimize the machining necessary for torch base construction. This note describes two recent torch base designs: a one-piece base and a two-piece base.
ANGULAR MOMENTUM POLES OF THE NON-RELATIVISTIC S MATRIX FOR SPIN 1/2 PARTICLES

The study of the structure of the two-particle S matrix as a function of the angular momentum in potential theory is extended to spin-dependent interactions between two spin 1/2 particles, including the tensor force. The results reveal considerable similarity with the spin zero case, including the symmetry properties. The main differences are two branch points at j = 0 and j = -1 and a pole at j = -1/2. It is shown that judicious combinations of S-matrix elements contain none of these singularities, and, as a result, neither do the scattering amplitudes. Certain modifications of the canonical situation are found in the presence of spin-orbit forces or other orbital angnlar momentum- dependent potentials. The factorization of the residue of the S matrix is also discussed. (auth)
Accuracy of data entry of patient race/ethnicity/ancestry and preferred spoken language in an ambulatory care setting.

Objective To describe data collection methods and to audit staff data entry of patient self-reported race/ethnicity/ancestry and preferred spoken language (R/E/A/L) information. Data Source/Study Setting Large mixed payer outpatient health care organization in Northern California, June 2009. Study Design Secondary analysis of an audit planned and executed by the Department of Clinical Services. Data Collection/Extraction Methods We analyzed concordance between patient written responses and staff data entry. Principal Findings The data entry accuracy rate across questions was high, ranging from 92 to 97 percent. Inaccuracies were due to human error (62 percent), flaws in system design (2 percent), or some combination of both (35 percent). Conclusions This study highlights the high accuracy of patient self-reported R/E/A/L data entry and identifies some areas for improvement in staff training and technical system design to facilitate further progress.
The Paradox of Parks

This article focuses on the Fort Circle Parks of Washington, DC, and also provides examples from other cities to explore the histories, problems, and possibilities of urban parks. As public space, parks are crucial to community and identity. They provide important natural habitats and healthful environments, but they can also become toxic sites. Planners have tried to organize how they are used through how they are designed; then other people have used them in different, contested ways. Parks are sites of deeply rooted folk traditions, shifting ideologies, and corporate power. They attract loyal champions and volunteers, and engage fervent place-based activism. Parks express and exacerbate shifting inequalities in cities. In parks, people with power may slight and denigrate the poor, the problematic, and the aimless, and sometimes blame them for the parks’ problems. But diverse people also come together there in startling, serendipitous ways. Parks tell stories about power, and about democracy.
Redundant gastric mucosa simulating carcinoma of the stomach

A case of prolapse of the gastric mucosa of the stomach is presented in which the lesion was misinterpreted is gastroseopic as being gastric carcinoma. Reapeated gastroscopic examination undoubtedly will obviate such gastroscopic errors in the future. Palpation of the abdomen during the process of gastroscopy is undoubtedly of definite value in the gastroscopic study of gastric disease.
Hausdorff dimension and conformal dynamics II: Geometrically finite rational maps

This paper investigates several dynamically defined dimensions for rational maps f on the Riemann sphere, providing a systematic treatment modeled on the theory for Kleinian groups.¶We begin by defining the radial Julia set Jrad(f), and showing that every rational map satisfies¶\( {\rm H.\,dim}\,J_{{\rm rad}}(f) = \alpha(f) \)¶where \( \alpha(f) \) is the minimal dimension of an f-invariant conformal density on the sphere. A rational map f is geometrically finite if every critical point in the Julia set is preperiodic. In this case we show¶\(\),¶where \( \delta(f) \) is the critical exponent of the Poincare series; and f admits a unique normalized invariant density μ of dimension \( \delta(f) \).¶Now let f be geometrically finite and suppose \( f_n \to f \) algebraically, preserving critical relations. When the convergence is horocyclic for each parabolic point of f, we show fn is geometrically finite for \( n \gg 0 \) and \( J(f_n) \to J(f) \) in the Hausdorff topology. If the convergence is radial, then in addition we show \( {\rm H.\,dim}\,J(f_{n}) \to {\rm H.\,dim}\,J(f) \).¶We give examples of horocyclic but not radial convergence where \( {\rm H.\,dim}\,J(f_{n}) \to 1 > {\rm H.\,dim}\,J(f) = 1/2 + \epsilon \). We also give a simple demonstration of Shishikura's result that there exist \( f_n(z) = z^2 + c_n \) with \( {\rm H.\,dim}\,J(f_{n}) \to 2 \).¶The proofs employ a new method that reduces the study of parabolic points to the case of elementary Kleinian groups.
Seasonal flooding, soil salinity and primary production in northern prairie marshes.

Hydrologic regime is an important control of primary production in wetland ecosystems. I investigated the coupling of flooding, soil salinity and plant production in northern prairie marshes that experience shallow spring flooding. Field experiments compared whitetop (Scolochloa festucacea) marsh that was: (1) nonflooded, (2) flooded during spring with 25 cm water and (3) nonflooded but irrigated with 1 cm water · day-1. Pot culture experiments examined whitetop growth response to salinity treatments. The electrical conductivity of soil interstitial water (ECe) at 15 cm depth was 4 to 8 dS· m-1 lower in flooded marsh compared with nonflooded marsh during 2 years. Whitetop aboveground biomass in flooded marsh (937 g · m-2, year 1; 969 g · m-2, year 2) exceeded that of nonflooded marsh (117 g · m-2 year 1; 475 g · m-2, year 2). Irrigated plots had lower ECe and higher aboveground biomass than nonflooded marsh. In pot culture, ECe of 4.3 dS · m-1 (3 g · L-1 NaCl) reduced total whitetop biomass by 29 to 44% and ECe of 21.6 dS · m-1 (15 g · L-1 NaCl) reduced biomass by more than 75%. Large reductions of ECe and increases of whitetop growth with irrigation indicated that plants responded to changes in soil salinity and not other potential environmental changes caused by inundation. The results suggest that spring flooding controls whitetop production by decreasing soil salinity during spring and by buffering surface soils against large increases of soil salinity after mid-summer water level declines. This mechanism can explain higher marsh plant production under more reducing flooded soil conditions and may be an important link between intermittent flooding and primary production in other wetland ecosystems.
A note on norm ideals and the operatorX→AX−XB

For operatorsA andB on a Hilbert space ℋ, let τ denote the operator on ℒ(ℋ) defined by τ(X)=AX−XB. Several equivalent conditions are given for τ to be surjective or bounded below. Analogues of these results are given for the restrictions of τ to norm ideals, and the norms of these restrictions are estimated.
Task variables determine which biological clock controls circadian rhythms in human performance

There are circadian (∼24 h) rhythms for a wide range of human physiological and psychological functions including mood and performance efficiency1. These rhythms are self-sustaining in conditions of temporal isolation, indicating that internal oscillators (or biological clocks) control them2. Recent research has proposed an endogenous two-oscillator model of the human circadian system, with one oscillator indicated by the core body temperature rhythm and a second oscillator responsible for the daily cycle of sleep and wakefulness3,4. The present study was designed to produce a desynchronization in period between the two oscillators, to assess directly the behaviour of the rhythms of different performance tasks. The results, reported here, indicate that a simple manual dexterity task is almost entirely under the control of the temperature rhythm oscillator, whereas a more complex cognitive task demonstrates a periodicity which appears to be influenced by those oscillators controlling temperature and the sleep/wake cycle.
On the possibility of a convective vortex sheet in a fluid heated from below

A theoretical explanation for equatorial accelerations is briefly reviewed. A simple laboratory dishpan experiment is suggested to explore the possibility of the formation in a fluid of what may be termed aconvective vortex sheet, characterized by a sharp zone of horizontal shear in the mean motion field and whose dynamics should tend to produce an equatorial acceleration.
Conference to focus on solutions to the jobs crisis in STEM fields

The inaugural “U.S. News STEM Solutions 2012: A Leadership Summit,” which will take place 27–29 June in Dallas, Tex., will bring together hundreds of leaders in business, education, and government to develop solutions to the jobs crisis in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. With unemployment rates high at the same time that many STEM jobs are going unfilled, the conference will focus on what is working now and what is needed to develop successful local, state, and national action plans to accelerate the development of the STEM workforce in the United States. A broad array of STEM workforce issues will be examined, including how to engage young students and how technology can better align educators with job creators and the skill sets that are required. Summit organizers hope that a key result of the conference will be a national consensus on best practices and the steps needed—in both the short and long term—to ensure a competitive workforce. Another summit objective is to find effective ways to increase public awareness of STEM and its connection to jobs.
Female business owners in industries traditionally dominated by males

This study examined selected demographics, personality traits, and job-related characteristics of females and males operating small businesses in traditionally male-dominated industries. Of the 56 participating businesses owners, all but 2 were Caucasian. Organizational characteristics were also observed. Significant gender differences were found in marital status, industry experience, age of firms, number of females hired, and effectiveness of communication scores.
Potential effect of lidocaine on ischemic myocardial injury: experimental and clinical observations.

The effect of lidocaine on ischemic myocardial injury was studied in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In 20 anesthetized dogs coronary artery ligation (CAL) was performed. Dogs were divided into three groups. Group I (n = 8) had CAL only, Group II (n = 6) received 3 mg/kg of lidocaine (L) 30 min post-CAL, Group III (n = 6) received the same bolus injection of L and an L infusion of 2 mg/min for 120 min. In Group I the sum of ST segment elevation (Σ ST) and the number of sites showing >1 mV ST elevation (NST), as measured from epicardial mapping, were unchanged between 30 and 150 min post-CAL, the mean R magnitude decreased significantly, and 12 new Q waves were recorded. In Groups II and III, 15 min after L administration, Σ ST and NST decreased significantly (P < 0.05) and remained unchanged until the end of the study. There was no difference in Σ ST and NST changes between Groups II and III. No R wave magnitude changes or Q waves were observed between 30 and 150 min post-CAL in Groups II and III. Coronary sinus CPK at 150 min post-CAL increased more in Group II than in Group I (23 ± 3 vs 49.7 ± 9, P < 0.05). A negative inotropic effect was demonstrated by decreases in peak dp/dt (510 ± 50 mm Hg/sec, P < 0.05) and dQ/dt (28 ± 2%, P < 0.05) 5 min after the L bolus. This effect of lidocaine on Σ ST and NST was studied in six patients with anterior AMI. L decreased significantly both Σ ST and NST in the patients studied. These data suggest that lidocaine has a beneficial effect, decreasing ischemic injury and/or delaying the process of ischemic necrosis. This appears to be caused by a negative inotropic effect, which may be beneficial in the early post-open-heart surgery period and in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Applications of approximation algorithms to cooperative games

The Internet, which is intrinsically a common playground for a large number of players with varying degrees of collaborative and sel sh motives, naturally gives rise to numerous new game theoretic issues. Computational problems underlying solutions to these issues, achieving desirable economic criteria, often turn out to be NP-hard. It is therefore natural to apply notions from the area of approximation algorithms to these problems. The connection is made more meaningful by the fact that the two areas of game theory and approximation algorithms share common methodology { both heavily use machinery from the theory of linear programming. Various aspects of this connection have been explored recently by researchers [8, 10, 15, 20, 21, 26, 27, 29]. In this paper we will consider the problem of sharing the cost of a jointly utilized facility in a \fair" manner. Consider a service providing company whose set of possible customers, also called users, is U . For each set S U C(S) denotes the cost incurred by the company to serve the users in S. The function C is known as the cost function. For concreteness, assume that the company broadcasts news of common interest, such as nancial news, on the net. Each user, i, has a utility, u 0 i , for receiving the news. This utility u 0 i is known only to user i. User i enjoys a bene t of u 0 i x i if she gets the news at the price x i . If she does not get the news then her bene t is 0. Each user is assumed to be sel sh, and hence in order to maximize bene t, may misreport her utility as some other number, say u i . For the rest of the discussion, the utility of user i will mean the number u i . A cost sharing mechanism determines which users receive the broadcast and at what price. The mechanism is strategyproof if the dominant strategy of each user is to reveal the
Recommended effect size statistics for repeated measures designs.

Investigators, who are increasingly implored to present and discuss effect size statistics, might comply more often if they understood more clearly what is required. When investigators wish to report effect sizes derived from analyses of variance that include repeated measures, past advice has been problematic. Only recently has a generally useful effect size statistic been proposed for such designs: generalized eta squared (η G 2 ; Olejnik & Algina, 2003). Here, we present this method, explain that η G 2 is preferred to eta squared and partial eta squared because it provides comparability across between-subjects and within-subjects designs, show that it can easily be computed from information provided by standard statistical packages, and recommend that investigators provide it routinely in their research reports when appropriate.
Robust error‐in‐variables estimation using nonlinear programming techniques

For systems described by algebraic or differential equation models where all variables are subject to error, the error-in-variables method (EVM) for parameter estimation has been shown to be superior to standard least-squares techniques. Previous EVM algorithms were developed assuming linear (or linearized) model equations. Unfortunately, many chemical engineering processes operate in strongly nonlinear regions where linear approximations may be inaccurate. In this paper, new algorithms using nonlinear programming techniques for the error-in-variables methods are proposed. In addition, a method for discerning when these methods are necessary is discussed. The proposed algorithms are compared to the least-squares method and traditional error-in-variable approaches. Improved parameter estimates for several steady-state nonlinear processes are demonstrated.
Dosimetric impact of prostate volume change between CT-based HDR brachytherapy fractions.

Abstract Purpose: The objective is to evaluate the prostate volume change and its dosimetric consequences after the insertion of catheters for high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: For 13 consecutive patients, a spiral CT scan was acquired before each of the 2 fractions, separated on average by 20 hours. The coordinates of the catheters were obtained on 3 axial CT slices corresponding to apex, mid portion, and base portion of the prostate. A mathematical expansion model was used to evaluate the change of prostate volumes between the 2 fractions. It is based on the difference in the cube of the average distance between the centroid and catheter positions. The variation of implant dose–volume histograms between fractions was computed for plans produced by either inverse planning based on simulated annealing or geometric optimization. Results: The average magnitude of either increase or reduction in prostate volume was 7.8% (range, 2–17%). This volume change corresponds to an average prostate radius change of only 2.5% (range, 0.7–5.4%). For 5 patients, the prostate volume increased on average by 9% (range, 2–17%), whereas a reduction was observed for 8 patients by an average of 7% (range, 2–13%). More variation was observed at the prostate base than at mid or apex gland. The comparison of implant dose–volume histograms showed a small reduction of V100 receiving the prescription dose, with an average of 3.5% (range, 0.5–12%) and 2.2% (range, 1–6%) for inverse planning based on our simulated annealing and geometric optimization plans, respectively. Conclusion: Small volume change was observed between treatment fractions. This translates into small changes in dose delivered to the prostate volume.
Specialized Care Of Overweight Children In Community Health Centers

We have developed a new approach to child obesity that supports the delivery of so-called secondary care—referral-based specialized visits—by primary care teams within community health centers. The Healthy Weight Clinic reorganizes care to provide access to a trained team consisting of a pediatric provider, nutritionist, and case manager during dedicated weight management visits. Our model improves obesity care by promoting local specialization and increasing capacity for specialized care; building multidisciplinary teams within primary care; focusing on health behavior change as a critical determinant of chronic disease outcomes; and using health information technology to promote high-quality care.
Auxin–cytokinin and auxin–gibberellin interactions during morphogenesis of the compound leaves of pea ( Pisum sativum )

A number of mutations that alter the form of the compound leaf in pea (Pisum sativum) has proven useful in elucidating the role that auxin might play in pea leaf development. The goals of this study were to determine if auxin application can rescue any of the pea leaf mutants and if gibberellic acid (GA) plays a role in leaf morphogenesis in pea. A tissue culture system was used to determine the effects of various auxins, GA or a GA biosynethesis inhibitor (paclobutrazol) on leaf development. The GA mutant, nana1 (na1) was analyzed. The uni-tac mutant was rescued by auxin and GA and rescue involved both a conversion of the terminal leaflet into a tendril and an addition of a pair of lateral tendrils. This rescue required the presence of cytokinin. The auxins tested varied in their effectiveness, although methyl-IAA worked best. The terminal tendrils of wildtype plantlets grown on paclobutrazol were converted into leaflets, stubs or were aborted. The number of lateral pinna pairs produced was reduced and leaf initiation was impaired. These abnormalities resembled those caused by auxin transport inhibitors and phenocopy the uni mutants. The na1 mutant shared some morphological features with the uni mutants; including, flowering late and producing leaves with fewer lateral pinna pairs. These results show that both auxin and GA play similar and significant roles in pea leaf development. Pea leaf morphogenesis might involve auxin regulation of GA biosynthesis and GA regulation of Uni expression.
Sterile testis complementation with spermatogonial lines restores fertility to DAZL-deficient rats and maximizes donor germline transmission.

Despite remarkable advances in assisted reproductive capabilities ∼4% of all couples remain involuntarily infertile. In almost half of these cases, a lack of conception can in some measure be attributed to the male partner, wherein de novo Y-chromosomal deletions of sperm-specific Deleted-in-Azoospermia (DAZ) genes are particularly prevalent. In the current study, long-term cultures of rat spermatogonial stem cells were evaluated after cryo-storage for their potential to restore fertility to rats deficient in the DAZ-like (DAZL) gene. Detailed histological analysis of DAZL-deficient rat testes revealed an apparently intact spermatogonial stem cell compartment, but clear failure to produce mature haploid gametes resulting in infertility. After proliferating >1 million-fold in cell number during culture post-thaw, as few as 50,000 donor spermatogonia transplanted into only a single testis/recipient effectively restored fecundity to DAZL-deficient rats, yielding 100% germline transmission to progeny by natural mating. Based on these results, the potency and efficacy of this donor stem cell line for restoring fertility to azoospermic rodents is currently unprecedented. Prospectively, similar successes in humans could be directly linked to the feasibility of obtaining enough fully functional spermatogonial stem cells from minimal testis biopsies to be therapeutically effective. Thus, regeneration of sperm production in this sterile recipient provides an advanced pre-clinical model for optimizing the efficacy of stem cell therapies to cure a paradoxically increasing number of azoospermic men. This includes males that are rendered infertile by cancer therapies, specific types of endocrine or developmental defects, and germline-specific de novo mutations; all of whom may harbor healthy sources of their own spermatogonial stem cells for treatment.
A factor tree inference algorithm for Bayesian networks and its applications

In a Bayesian network, a probabilistic inference is the procedure of computing the posterior probability of query variables given a collection of evidences. In This work, we propose an algorithm that efficiently carries out the inferences whose query variables and evidence variables are restricted to a subset of the set of the variables in a BN. The algorithm successfully combines the advantages of two popular inference algorithms - variable elimination and clique tree propagation. We empirically demonstrate its computational efficiency in an affective computing domain.
Sudden Hearing Loss

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a medical emergency in search of an appropriate treatment. Almost all aspects of this disease process are disputed in the literature. The natural course of the disease process has not been well defined, although spontaneous recovery in a percentage of patients appears well accepted. Little scientific data exist to develop an evidence-based treatment protocol. The more common elements of treatment in the United States include oral steroid therapy, transtympanic steroid therapy, and potentially oral antiviral therapy. Other therapies are used with great frequency, and their potential should not be discounted.
Differentiating Components of Sexual Well-Being in Women: Are Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Distress Independent Constructs?

ABSTRACT Introduction Sexual satisfaction and sexual distress are common outcome measures in studies of sexual health and well-being. However, confusion remains as to if and how the two constructs are related. While many researchers have conceptualized satisfaction and distress as polar opposites, with a lack of satisfaction indicating high distress and vice versa, there is a growing movement to view satisfaction and distress as relatively independent factors and measure them accordingly. Aim The study aimed to assess the level of independence between sexual satisfaction and distress in female clinical and nonclinical samples. Methods Ninety-nine women (mean age = 25.3) undergoing treatment (traditional sex therapy and/or gingko biloba) for sexual arousal disorder with or without coexistent hypoactive sexual desire disorder and/or orgasmic disorder completed surveys assessing sexual satisfaction, sexual distress, sexual functioning, and relational functioning at pretreatment, mid-treatment, posttreatment, and follow-up. Two hundred twenty sexually healthy women (mean age = 20.25) completed similar surveys at 1-month intervals. Main Outcome Measures Sexually dysfunctional women completed the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Sexually healthy women completed the SSS-W, the FSFI, the Relationship Assessment Scale, and the Dimensions of Relationship Quality Scale. Results Sexual satisfaction and distress were generally closely and inversely related; however, distress was more closely related to sexual functioning variables than was satisfaction in the clinical sample, and satisfaction was more closely related to relational variables than was distress in the nonclinical sample. Additionally, satisfaction and distress showed partially independent patterns of change over time, and scales of distress showed a larger change in response to treatment than did scales of satisfaction. Conclusion Although sexual satisfaction and distress may be closely related, these findings suggest that they are, at least, partially independent constructs. Implications for research on sexual well-being and treatment outcome studies are discussed. Stephenson KR, and Meston CM. Differentiating components of sexual well-being in women: Are sexual satisfaction and sexual distress independent constructs?
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in human P-glycoprotein: its impact on drug delivery and disposition

Drug efflux pumps belong to a large family of ATP-binding cassette transporter proteins. These pumps bind their substrate and export it through the membrane using energy derived from ATP hydrolysis. P-glycoprotein, the main efflux pump in this family, is expressed not only in tumour cells but also in normal tissues with excretory function (liver, kidney and the intestine). It has a broad specificity of substrates and plays an important role in drug delivery and disposition. Recently, genetic screening of P-glycoprotein has yielded multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms, which seem to alter transporter function and expression. This review discusses the various polymorphisms of this gene and its impact on drug disposition and diseases.
Influencia de la nefropatía crónica en los resultados del tratamiento endovascular de la arteria femoral superficial

Aunque el tratamiento endoluminal agresivo para la patologia oclusiva de la arteria femoral superficial (AFS) es habitual, no estan claras las implicaciones de la nefropatia cronica (NC) en los desenlaces a largo plazo en esta poblacion. Examinamos las consecuencias del tratamiento endovascular de la AFS en pacientes sin y con diversos estadios de NC. Se examino una base de datos de pacientes sometidos a tratamiento endovascular de la AFS entre 1986 y 2007, y se definieron dos grupos: tasa de filtracion glomerular estimada (TFGe) ≤ 60 y > 60 ml/min/1,73 cm2. Se efectuo un analisis por intencion de tratar. Los resultados se estandarizaron segun los criterios del TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC-II) y la Society for Vascular Surgery. Para evaluar las variables tiempodependientes se efectuaron analisis de Kaplan-Meier. Tambien se efectuaron analisis de factor utilizando un modelo de riesgos proporcionales de Cox para las variables tiempodependientes. Los datos se presentan como medias ± desviacion estandar cuando es apropiado. Se trataron 525 extremidades en 535 pacientes (68% de hombres, edad media 66 ± 14 anos) que se sometieron a tratamiento endovascular por claudicacion o isquemia critica cronica de la extremidad (51%). Los pacientes del grupo con TFGe ≤ 60 eran de mayor edad y experimentaban con una frecuencia significativamente mayor coronariopatia, insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva, diabetes mellitus, e hiperlipemia. La distribucion de las lesiones TASC II fue equivalente (37% de lesiones TASC II C y D) pero el runoff tibial fue significativamente peor en dicho grupo. Ademas, en este grupo se efectuaron un mayor numero de intervenciones de flujo eferente y aferente. En pacientes con claudicacion, no se detectaron diferencias en la permeabilidad o salvamento de la extremidad entre aquellos con TFGe ≤ 60 y > 60. En pacientes con isquemia critica de la extremidad, no hubo diferencias de permeabilidad entre ambos grupos. Las tasas de salvamento de la extremidad fueron peores en pacientes con TFGe ≤ 60. Al respecto, seis factores se asociaron significativamente con su disminucion: presencia de perdida de tejido en el momento de la presentacion (riesgo relativo [RR] = 6,45, p = 0,003), runoff tibial de 0 o 1 vaso (RR = 2,56, p
Physiological mechanisms for the modulation of pannexin 1 channel activity

It is widely recognized that ATP, along with other nucleotides, subserves important intercellular signalling processes. Among various nucleotide release mechanisms, the relatively recently identified pannexin 1 (Panx1) channel is gaining prominence by virtue of its ability to support nucleotide permeation and release in a variety of different tissues. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the factors that control Panx1 channel activity. By using electrophysiological and biochemical approaches, diverse mechanisms that dynamically regulate Panx1 channel function have been identified in various settings; these include, among others, activation by caspase-mediated channel cleavage in apoptotic immune cells, by G protein-coupled receptors in vascular smooth muscle, by low oxygen tension in erythrocytes and neurons, by high extracellular K(+) in various cell types and by stretch/strain in airway epithelia. Delineating the distinct mechanisms of Panx1 modulation that prevail in different physiological contexts provides the possibility that these channels, and ATP release, could ultimately be targeted in a context-dependent manner.
Vascular endothelial growth factor expression is up-regulated by EWS-ETS oncoproteins and Sp1 and may represent an independent predictor of survival in Ewing's sarcoma.

Purpose: Tumor markers ideally allow monitoring and prediction of disease progression. In Ewing’s sarcoma, a devastating childhood cancer, only a few reliable prognostic markers have been identified. To this end, we analyzed the expression of four tumor-promoting proteins, cyclin D1, HER2/Neu, Mdm2, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in Ewing’s sarcoma. Experimental Design and Results: Thirty-one tissue samples from patients with Ewing’s sarcoma were stained with antibodies against cyclin D1, HER2/Neu, Mdm2, or VEGF. Whereas no significant expression of HER2/Neu and Mdm2 was detected, positive cyclin D1 and VEGF staining was observed in 42% and 55% of all tumors, respectively. Importantly, VEGF expression was found to be an independent negative predictor of survival in Ewing’s sarcoma patients, whereas cyclin D1 expression did not correlate with survival in these patients. Consistently, the Ewing’s sarcoma-specific EWS-ETS oncoproteins were capable of activating both the cyclin D1 and VEGF promoters in transient transfections of tissue culture cells. Furthermore, this activation was enhanced by coexpression of the Sp1 transcription factor. Using a mammalian two-hybrid system, some evidence was obtained that this may involve a physical interaction between EWS-ETS and Sp1 proteins. Conclusions: Our data reveal that VEGF may serve as a prognostic marker in Ewing’s sarcoma patients and provide a molecular mechanism by which VEGF and cyclin D1 expression is up-regulated in approximately half of all Ewing’s sarcomas.
Priming Effects of Late-Night Comedy

Having become fully integrated into the contemporary political landscape, infotainmentoriented media extend Americans’ traditional news (e.g. newspaper, radio, and television) to include a greater number of sources for political information, and in some cases, political mobilization. Given the increasing prominence of infotainment-oriented media in contemporary politics, this study addresses the effects of one particular type of infotainment—late-night comedy—during the 2000 presidential campaign. Specifically, we are interested in whether watching late-night comedy shows influences viewers’ evaluations of the candidates who have appeared on these shows; in particular, we investigate priming as the mechanism by which such influences occur. Findings from the 2000 National Annenberg Election Survey (N = 11,482) indicate that evaluations of candidates are based in part on respondents’ sociodemographics, perceptions of candidates to handle certain issues, and their character traits. There was a main effect of watching latenight comedy on evaluations of candidates; more importantly, viewers were more likely than nonviewers to base their evaluations of George W. Bush on character traits after he appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. A large corpus of political communication scholarship grounded in the election
Periodontal disease and the incidence of tooth loss in postmenopausal women.

Background: The role of periodontal disease as a predictor of incident tooth loss in postmenopausal women has not been determined. The aim of this cohort study was to determine the extent of the association between baseline periodontal status and incident tooth loss in a population of postmenopausal women. Methods: The study population included 106 dentate white postmenopausal women who participated in a cross-sectional study between 1989 and 1991 who were willing and eligible to have a repeat examination after 10 to 13 years. At baseline, full-mouth assessment of periodontal status was performed clinically and radiographically. Assessment of tooth loss during follow-up was assessed clinically by a periodontist. Odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) for each periodontal variable was obtained from separate multiple logistic regression analyses adjusting for the effect of age, household income, smoking, hormone therapy, snack consumption, and number of decayed teeth. Results: Sixty-one (57.5%) subjects lost at least one tooth during follow-up. Mean tooth loss per person was 1.81 ± 2.77. After adjusting for confounders, each millimeter of alveolar bone loss at baseline increased the risk of tooth loss 3-fold (OR = 3.26; 95% CI: 1.60 to 6.64). The risk of tooth loss also increased 2.5 times for each millimeter of clinical attachment loss (OR = 2.50; 95% CI: 1.24 to 5.07). Probing depth (OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 0.98 to 6.53), gingival bleeding (OR = 1.99; 95% CI: 0.21 to 18.94), calculus (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 0.91 to 4.61), and plaque (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.13 to 3.34) were not significantly associated with incident tooth loss. Conclusion: Periodontal disease, especially measured by alveolar bone loss, is a strong and independent predictor for incident tooth loss in postmenopausal women. J Periodontol 2005;76:1123-1128.
Three-dimensional shoulder kinematics during a pressure relief technique and wheelchair transfer.

Abstract Nawoczenski DA, Clobes SM, Gore SL, Neu JL, Olsen JE, Borstad JD, Ludewig PM. Three-dimensional shoulder kinematics during a pressure relief technique and wheelchair transfer. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2003;84:1293–300. Objective: To assess 3-dimensional scapulothoracic and glenohumeral kinematics in able-bodied subjects during a weight-relief raise and while transferring to and from a wheelchair. Design: Repeated-measures analysis of variance. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: Twenty-five able-bodied subjects without spinal cord injury or shoulder symptoms (20 men, 5 women; age range, 20–37y). Interventions: Completion of weight-relief raise and transfer tasks. Main Outcome Measures: An electromagnetic motion capture system tracked 3-dimensional position and orientation of the thorax, scapula, and humerus. Absolute angular values assessed included scapular downward and upward rotation, internal and external rotation, and posterior and anterior tipping all relative to the thorax, as well as humeral internal and external rotation relative to the scapula. Data were compared across 3 phases of the weight-relief raise and for transfer direction (leading arm, trailing arm). Results: Key findings included significantly increased anterior tipping and internal rotation of the scapula and decreased scapular upward rotation and external rotation of the humerus during the weight-relief raise. The leading arm showed significantly greater scapular anterior tipping and internal rotation and less scapular upward rotation and humeral external rotation than the trailing arm during the final phase of the transfer. Conclusions: Both the weight-relief raise and transfer result in scapular and humeral positions and directions of motion that may negatively impact the available subacromial space. This may present increased risk for injury or progression of shoulder pain in persons who must routinely perform these tasks.
Phosphate toxicity: new insights into an old problem

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient required for critical biological reactions that maintain the normal homoeostatic control of the cell. This element is an important component of different cellular structures, including nucleic acids and cell membranes. Adequate phosphorus balance is vital for maintaining basic cellular functions, ranging from energy metabolism to cell signalling. In addition, many intracellular pathways utilize phosphate ions for important cellular reactions; therefore, homoeostatic control of phosphate is one of the most delicate biological regulations. Impaired phosphorus balance can affect the functionality of almost every human system, including musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, ultimately leading to an increase in morbidity and mortality of the affected patients. Human and experimental studies have found that delicate balance among circulating factors, like vitamin D, PTH (parathyroid hormone) and FGF23 (fibroblast growth factor 23), are essential for regulation of physiological phosphate balance. Dysregulation of these factors, either alone or in combination, can induce phosphorus imbalance. Recent studies have shown that suppression of the FGF23–klotho system can lead to hyperphosphataemia with extensive tissue damage caused by phosphate toxicity. The cause and consequences of phosphate toxicity will be briefly summarized in the present review.