cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A collaborative product commerce approach to value‐based health plan purchasing

Purpose – Collaborative product commerce (CPC) techniques are being applied with greater frequency in the health care sector. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential barriers to their success in influencing cost and quality. Design/methodology/approach – The health care supply chain (SC) is analyzed and five national health initiatives attempting to apply CPC techniques are described. Findings – Five national-level programs designed to improve health care quality and control costs use a variety of CPC techniques to create incentives and/or disincentives to influence suppliers’ behavior. Six barriers to success are identified that threaten healthcare CPC initiatives. They include: widespread resistance to change; information system limitations; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); the required time investment; lack of commitment to CPC principles; and the sustainability of the CPC business model. Research implications/limitations – Investigation into the barriers to success is warranted to develop evidence-based solutions to improve effectiveness of CPC approaches in health care. Practical implications – No national health care initiative to date can be described as an unqualified success in terms of its ability to align the SC. Nevertheless, individually, and to some extent collectively, the aforementioned programs are making some headway. Originality/value – This work is one of the first to present information on how collective CPC efforts are taking shape in health care and to describe key national-level projects currently underway in the field. Such information can offer policymakers and employers insight into how CPC techniques might improve effectiveness in health benefit contracting.
Simplifications under the kirchhoff hypothesis of taber's nonlinear theory for the axisymmetric bending and torsion of elastic shells of revolution

Abstract We show that, under the Kirchhoff hypothesis, Taber's recent theory for the simultaneous axisymmetric bending and torsion of shells of revolution undergoing large strains can be simplified considerably. In general, his 33 equations can be reduced to four first-order ordinary differential equations and two algebraic equations for six unknowns. For small strains, the equations can be reduced further to two coupled nonlinear equations for the meridional angle of rotation and a stress function, as in Reissner's theory of torsionless, axisymmetric deformation.
Dynamical group for a ring potential

Abstract We show that the problem of a point particle moving in the ring potential of Hartmann possesses SO(2, 1) ⊗SO(2, 1) as a dynamical (or noninvariance) group.
For Counselors Only Steps To Take in Evaluating a School's Guidance Program

If counselors are to survive in an endangered profession, accountability procedures must become an integral part of the total program. Evidence— not good intentions —is needed to defend counseling and counselors, this writer explains.
Developing software performance with the performance refinement and evolution model

Performance is an important attribute of a software system. To develop a software system of acceptable performance, the team needs to specify precise performance requirements, design appropriate test cases, and use suitable techniques to analyze the performance characteristics. However, the lack of a structured framework for performance engineering may impair the effectiveness of the techniques. We propose the Performance Refinement and Evolution Model (PREM) as a performance management framework. Based on the specification of quantitative measurement and workloads, PREM classifies performance requirements specification, analysis activities, and testing into four levels. In this paper, we provide an overview of this model.
Predictors of Major Toxicity after Theophylline Overdose

Objective: To identify patients at high risk for major toxicity after theophylline intoxication who might benefit from early charcoal hemoperfusion. Design: A 67-month prospective study. Setting: M...
Selective excitation of vibrational wave packet motion using chirped pulses.

Chirped ultrashort pulses are used to selectively excite vibrationally coherent populations in the ground and excited electronic states of a molecule in liquid solution. Negatively chirped pulses are shown to enhance the nonstationary ground state component, while positively chirped pulses discriminate against its formation. Separation of the ground and excited state contributions to the signal allows us to obtain state-specific information about the vibrational dephasing.
NMR spectroscopic studies of the DNA-binding domain of the monomer- binding nuclear orphan receptor, human estrogen related receptor-2: The carboxyl-terminal extension to the zinc-finger region is unstructured in the free form of the protein

Unlike steroid and retinoid receptors, which associate with DNA as dimers, human estrogen related receptor-2 (hERR2) belongs to a growing subclass of nuclear hormone receptors that bind DNA with high affinity as monomers. A carboxyl-terminal extension (CTE) to the zinc-finger domain has been implicated to be responsible for determining the stoichiometry of binding by a nuclear receptor to its response element. To better understand the mechanism by which DNA specificity is achieved, the solution structure of the DNA-binding domain of hERR2 (residues 96–194) consisting of the two putative zinc fingers and the requisite 26-amino acid CTE was analyzed by multidimensional heteronuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The highly conserved zinc-finger region (residues 103–168) has a fold similar to those reported for steroid and retinoid receptors, with two helices that originate from the carboxyl-terminal ends of the two zinc fingers and that pack together orthogonally, forming a hydrophobic core. The CTE element of hERR2 is unstructured and highly flexible, exhibiting nearly random coil chemical shifts, extreme sensitivity of the backbone amide protons to solvent presaturation, and reduced heteronuclear {1H-15N} nuclear Overhauser effect values. This is in contrast to the dimer-binding retinoid X and thyroid hormone receptors, where, in each case, a helix has been observed within the CTE. The implications of this property of the hERR2 CTE are discussed.
Heuristic solutions for loading in flexible manufacturing systems

Production planning in flexible manufacturing system deals with the efficient organization of the production resources in order to meet a given production schedule. It is a complex problem and typically leads to several hierarchical subproblems that need to be solved sequentially or simultaneously. Loading is one of the planning subproblems that has to be addressed. It involves assigning the necessary operations and tools among the various machines in some optimal fashion to achieve the production of all selected part types. In this paper, we first formulate the loading problem as a 0-1 mixed integer program and then propose heuristic procedures based on Lagrangian relaxation and tabu search to solve the problem. Computational results are presented for all the algorithms and finally, conclusions drawn based on the results are discussed.
A labelled hypocholesteremic agent, preparation OF 2-(2-pyridine)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-phenyl-1-methylethanol uniformly tritiated on the 2-phenyl ring

2-(2-Pyridine)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-phenyl-1-methylethanol (I), containing tritium uniformly distributed in the 2-phenyl ring, was synthesized in two steps with tritiated benzene as the labelled starting material. An improved procedure was employed for the coupling of m-chloroacetophenone and 2-benzylpyridine. The higher melting of two enantiomeric pairs, known for its hypocholesteremic activity in rats, was isolated and found to have a chemical purity of >95% and a specific activity of 0.11 mCi/mmole.
Balancing need with numbers: assessing need by downscaling and weighting vulnerability data with population density

Hurricane Katrina showed Americans and the world that disasters can happen wherever there are people and clearly illustrated that being poor, old (or young), a minority, or a female puts one at greater risk to suffer negative short- and long-term impacts, with people with more than one of these characteristics having even an higher risk (Laska and Morrow 2006). In other words, belonging to these groups makes one more vulnerable. Hurricane Katrina also illustrated how actionable information on the degree of vulnerability must be balanced with the numbers of people affected. In other words, in order to maximize the effectiveness of public resources, it may sometimes be necessary to focus on more densely populated areas with lower rates of social vulnerability because, due to the sheer number of people, there are actually more vulnerable people located in these areas than in areas with high rates of vulnerability and lower population densities.This research mathematically weights vulnerability data with 90 meter residential gridded population data from LandScan USA (Bhaduri et al. 2007) to create a dataset that provides more actionable information to local authorities who need to balance rates of need with the number of individuals affected to ensure an efficient use of limited resources.The methods explored by this research successfully integrate vulnerability data with high resolution gridded population data. Based on the analyses it can be stated that the resulting population-weighted vulnerability data is significantly different from the unweighted vulnerability data and selectively different from the population data depending upon population density. More importantly, the method explored by this research allows for the combination of vulnerability and population density (two factors that are often examined separately) to create a surface with very high spatial resolution (90m) that shows where the greatest need is based both upon the levels of vulnerability and the number of people who are affected.
Face to face with an enactive approach: A sensorimotor account of face detection and recognition

The enactive approach to perception describes experience as a temporally extended activity of skillful engagement with the environment. This paper pursues this view and focuses on prosopagnosia both for the light that the theory can throw on the phenomenon, and for the critical light the phenomenon can throw on the theory. I argue that the enactive theory is insufficient to characterize the unique nature of experience specific to prosopagnosic subjects. There is a distinct difference in the overall process of detection (with respect to eye movement sequence) of familiar and unfamiliar faces in prosopagnosia; in contrast, normal subjects use the same scanning strategy when exploring both kinds of faces despite an obvious difference in qualitative character. In light of this limitation I outline a supplemental view basing sensorimotor contingencies upon the establishment and reaffirmation of regularities within the organism as it engages with the environment.
Impotence and abnormal sexual behavior in the stallion

Abstract Clinical observations have been made on stallions exhibiting impotence and other abnormal forms of sexual behavior. Procedures for diagnosing and retraining consisted of presenting the patient to one or more estrcus mares and observing his sexual behavior. Following sufficient observations, patients were classified into one or more of the following categories: (a) failure to obtain or maintain an erection; (b) incomplete intromission, or lack of pelvic thrusts after intromission; (c) dismounting at onset of ejaculation; (d) failure to ejaculate despite a complete, prolonged erection and repeated intromissions; and (e) ejaculate normally for several ejaculates, then cannot ejaculate without sexual rest, although libido remains high. To successfully diagnose and treat patients with abnormal sexual behavior the following are needed: (a) a variety of mares in estrus; (b) other stallions to provide a competitive environment; (c) a phantom; (d) an artificial vagina and laboratory equipment for seminal evaluation; and (e) extreme patience. Selected clinical cases are presented, including history, diagnosis and treatment with recommendations in relation to reproductive management. Some of the more important observations were: (a) impotence was often diagnosed as aspermatogenesis, due to failure of the impotent stallion to ejaculate; (b) erection was not always essential for ejaculation; (c) pain from injury or disease was often the etiology of abnormal sexual behavior; (d) in excess of 125 ml of semen were collected from a stallion without the occurrence of complete ejaculation; (e) the presence of gelatinous material (gel) in the semen did not necessarily mean complete ejaculation occurred; (f) occasionally seminal emissions from some stallions contained spermatozoa, usually nonmotile, with a large proportion of morphologically abnormal forms, without complete ejaculation. It was concluded that the most common cause of abnormal sexual behavior was mismanagement, such as excessive use, abusive training procedures, injuries during breeding, etc. The majority of the stallions responded well to retraining and recovery was essentially complete without the use of drugs.
Differential expression of mRNA coding for heparin-binding growth factor type 2 in human cells

The proliferation of normal human fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and melanocytes in vitro can be controlled by purified polypeptide growth factors and serum. We have studied the cellular expression of the heparin-binding growth factor type 2/basic fibroblast growth factor (HBGF-2/bFGF) gene to determine whether these cell types synthesize mRNA for this mitogen. Our results indicate that normal human fibroblasts synthesize four distinct mRNAs of 7.0, 3.7, 2.2, and 1.5 kilobases, which hybridize to a specific HBGF-2/bFGF cDNA probe. In fibroblasts, the level of all four of these transcripts increases dramatically (more than tenfold) within 4 hours of treatment of quiescent cells with fresh fetal bovine serum. Of the purified growth factors tested, transforming growth factor type-beta also increased HBGF-2/bFGF mRNA abundance, but not to the levels attained by serum treatment. Treatment of fibroblasts with cycloheximide before and during serum treatment blocked the ability of serum to induce the expression of the HBGF-2/bFGF gene. The gene is expressed at low levels in human fibroblasts rapidly growing in serum-free medium and at higher levels in cells rapidly growing in serum-containing medium. In contrast to fibroblasts, mRNA coding for HBGF-2/bFGF is undetectable in proliferating normal human keratinocytes, melanocytes, or mammary epithelial cells. Because keratinocytes and melanocytes proliferate in response to purified HBGF-2/bFGF, our results suggest that HBGF-2/bFGF may mediate the proliferation of epidermal cells through paracrine mechanisms involving stromal fibroblasts. Moreover, we have shown that a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCC-25) expresses mRNA coding for HBGF-2/bFGF, suggesting that the gene may become activated in some carcinomas.
Novel anti-infective activities of chitosan immobilized titanium surface with enhanced osteogenic properties

We have covalently immobilized chitosan onto a titanium (Ti) surface to manage implant-related infection and poor osseointegration, two of the major complications of orthopedic implants. The Ti surface was first treated with sulfuric acid (SA) and then covalently grafted with chitosan. Surface roughness, contact angle and surface zeta potential of the samples were markedly increased by the sulfuric acid treatment and the subsequent chitosan immobilization. The chitosan-immobilized Ti (SA-CS-Ti) showed two novel antimicrobial roles: it (a) prevented the invasion and internalization of bacteria into the osteoblast-like cells, and (b) significantly increased the susceptibility of adherent bacteria to antibiotics. In addition, the sulfuric acid-treated Ti (SA-Ti) and SA-CS-Ti led to significantly increased (P<0.05) osteoblast-like cell attachment, enhanced cell proliferation, and better osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast-like cells.
Energy conservation in the retail sector

A survey of 638 randomly selected retail establishments was undertaken in Florida during the Summer of 1977. Data were collected about temperature and lighting levels and also executive attitudes about energy conservation. Analysis of survey data indicates the proportion of establishments outside Federal temperature and lighting guidelines. Analysis also provides a basis for suggested energy conservation programs in the retail sector. Potential energy savings in the sector are estimated.
The Use of Dietary Supplements in the Elderly: Current Issues and Recommendations

Abstract Research on dietary intake in the elderly shows evidence of both adequate and inadequate nutrient consumption from food. More recent studies have documented inadequate mineral intake from food and confirmed the overall decline in nurient intake from food as people age. Food is incontrovertibly the best vehicle for nutrient consumption. However, some authorities have found reason to recommend a daily multivitamin-mineral for the elderly as a reasonable way to assure adequate micronutrient intake. There appears to be no reason to recommend complete liquid supplements or modular macronutrient supplements to the active free-living elderly population. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97(suppl 2):S181–S183.
The potential scientist pool

A study of movement toward scientific careers reveals the importance of the junior high school. In addition to his position in the Graduate School of Education, the author is a Research Associate at Harvard's new Center for Research in Careers.
Generation of antigen-specific, interleukin-10-producing T-cells using dendritic cell stimulation and steroid hormone conditioning.

Abstract The mechanisms by which regulatory T-cell populations are generated in vivo are poorly understood. Nonetheless, the possibility of generating T-cells with regulatory capacity ex vivo using pharmacologic agents or modified antigen presenting cells has been raised by a number of recent studies. In this study, the effect of combined glucocorticoid and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ) agonists on dendritic cell (DC)-stimulated, antigen-specific CD4 +ve T-cells was investigated. Following multiple rounds of DC-mediated stimulation in the presence of dexamethasone and an analog of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , the resulting T-cells were characterized by: (a) enhanced IL-10 secretion upon subsequent antigen exposure, (b) attenuated secretion of IL-2 and interferon gamma, (c) lack of induction of Th2 (IL-4-secreting) phenotype, (d) significant antigen-specific suppression of primary T-cell proliferation and (e) retention of the ability to survive and proliferate to antigen in vivo. These IL-10-secreting T-cells were termed ‘steroid hormone-conditioned T-cells’. When a co-stimulation-deficient population of DCs was employed for the in vitro, steroid hormone-conditioned stimulations, two additional effects were observed: (a) a further skewing towards antigen-specific IL-10 production and (b) enhanced activation-induced up-regulation of the inhibitory receptor CTLA-4 (CD152). It was concluded that DC-mediated generation of antigen-specific T-cells in vitro can be modulated to promote an IL-10-secreting, regulatory T-cell population using glucocorticoid and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 agonists. This T-cell phenotype can be further enhanced by the use of co-stimulation-deficient DCs.
A comparison of three variable performance devices for postoperative oxygen therapy.

Summary Eleven patients in the intensive care unit following major abdominal surgery with a nasogastric tube in situ and receiving oxygen via facemask were allocated to receive in a random sequence oxygen at 4l.min-1 via a Hudson mask, nasal cannulae or a nasal catheter with foam collar at the distal end. A significantly greater Pao2 was achieved using both the nasal catheter with foam collar (p < 0.01) and Hudson mask (p < 0.05) compared to the nasal cannulae. There were no significant differences in the PacO2 or SpO2 values obtained between the devices. In the majority of postoperative patients in whom a variable performance device is indicated, nasal devices appear preferable in terms of patient comfort and compliance. The nasal catheter with foam collar produced a significantly greater PaQ2 than nasal cannulae in patients with a nasogastric tube in situ.
Analysis of Linear Nonconservative Vibrations

The coefficients of a linear nonconservative system are arbitrary matrices lacking the usual properties of symmetry and definiteness. Classical modal analysis is extended in this paper so as to apply to systems with nonsymmetric coefficients. The extension utilizes equivalence transformations and does not require conversion of the equations of motion to first-order forms. Compared with the state-space approach, the generalized modal analysis can offer substantial reduction in computational effort and ample physical insight.
Design patterns for marine biology simulation

We specify and implement a GUI application that simulates marine biological systems by making extensive use of object-oriented design patterns.The key design patterns are model-view-control, observer/observable, visitor, command, factory method and decorator. These design patterns help delineate the roles and responsibilities of the objects in the system, establish loose coupling between objects and arrange for the objects to communicate and cooperate with one another at the highest level of abstraction. The result is an application that exhibits minimal control flow, yet is powerful, robust, flexible and easy to maintain.Our work entails a non-trivial redesign of the current AP Computer Science Marine Biology Simulation case study and may serve as a case study for an introductory "object-first" curriculum.
Synthesis and molecular structure of [Cp′2V(μ-S)2VCp′]2(μ-O)

Abstract [Cp′ 2 V( μ -S) 2 VCp′] 2 ( μ -O) ( 4 ) (Cp′ = η 5 -CH 3 C 5 H 4 ) was isolated from the reaction of the Na-reduced. form of cyclo (CH 3 AsS) 3,4 ( 1 ) and Cp′ 2 VCl 2 in THF at room temperature. The molecular structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecule consists of two oxygen-bridged Cp′ 3 V 2 S 2 units. The oxygen-bonded vanadium atoms have each lost one Cp′ group in a reaction that is assumed to be the hydrolysis of Cp′ 2 V( μ -S) 2 VCp′Cl ( 3 ) to give the product ( 4 ). The most striking structural feature of the molecule is the presence of asymmetrical V-S bond distances; the V-S distances for the oxygen-bonded vanadium atoms are considerably shorter (2.17–2.21 A) than those for the all-sulfur bridged vanadium atoms (2.36–2.39 A). The complex is diamagnetic, as was found from its 1 H NMR spectrum, which can be explained either by the presence of a V(IV)–V(IV) bond or the presence of mixed oxidation states as V(III) and V(V).
Bio-inspired method and system for actionable intelligence

This paper describes a bio-inspired VISion based actionable INTelligence system (VISINT) that provides automated capabilities to (1) understand objects, patterns, events and behaviors in vision data; (2) translate this understanding into timely recognition of novel and anomalous entities; and (3) discover underlying hierarchies and relationships between disparate labels entered by multiple users to provide a consistent data representation. VISINT is both a system and a novel collection of novel bio-inspired algorithms/modules. These modules can be used independently for various aspects of the actionable intelligence problem or sequenced together for an end-to-end actionable intelligence system. The algorithms can be useful in many other applications such as scene understanding, behavioral analysis, automatic surveillance systems, etc. The bio-inspired algorithms are a novel combination of hierarchical spatial and temporal networks based on the Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART). The novel aspects of this work are that it is an end-to-end system for actionable intelligence that combines existing and novel implementations of various modules in innovative ways to develop a system concept for actionable intelligence. Although there are other algorithms/implementations of several of the modules in VISINT, they suffer from various limitations and often system integration is not considered. The overall VISINT system can be viewed an incremental learning system where no offline training is required and data from multiple sources and times can be seamlessly integrated. The user is in the loop, but due to the semi-supervised nature of the underlying algorithms, only significant variations of entities, not all false alarms, are shown to the user. It does not forget the past even with new learning. While VISINT is designed as a vision-based system, it could also work with other kinds of sensor data that can recognize and locate individual objects in the scene. Beyond that stage of object recognition and localization, all aspects of VISINT are applicable to other kinds of sensor data.
Missaukee: A Round White Potato Variety Combining Chip-Processing With Resistance to Late Blight, Verticillium Wilt and Golden Cyst Nematode

Previously identified as breeding line MSJ461-1, Missaukee is a round white chip processing potato variety resulting from a cross between Tollocan and NY88 and has foliar resistance to potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans de Bary). This variety has an attractive round shape and mildly netted, bright skin. Seven years of field testing in Michigan indicate that the yield of total marketable tubers in Missaukee is similar to that of Snowden. However, Missaukee has a lower incidence of internal defects than Snowden. Specific gravity ranged from 1.069 to 1.086 in Michigan trials and out-of-the-field chip scores were similar to those of Snowden. Missaukee showed some resistance to Verticillium wilt in 2-years of trials. DNA marker and greenhouse tests indicate that Missaukee is also resistant to the golden cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis Woll) pathotype Ro1.
Phase II trial of chemotherapy, external and intraluminal radiation plus surgery for oesophageal cancer

A pilot study was performed to assess the feasibility of combining 5-fluorouracil, recombinant alpha-2b-interferon, external radiation therapy and intraluminal high dose rate brachytherapy with surgery in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma. 5-fluorouracil, 750 mg m-2, was administered via continuous 5-day infusion beginning day 1 and weekly thereafter; interferon, 10 mu subcutaneously, was administered three times per week beginning day 1 and sargramostin, 5 micrograms kg-1, was administered on days without 5-fluorouracil. External radiation began on day one using 1.5 daily fractions to 55.5 Gy. Intraluminal brachytherapy was delivered concomitantly once each week for 5 fractions of 4 Gy. None of the first eight patients went to surgery. The external radiation was changed to 1.5 Gy BID to 45 Gy followed by BID intraluminal radiation to 15 Gy. Of the last four patients, there was one case of radiation myelitis. It was found that successful surgery was not possible and excessive toxicities, including radiation myelitis, occurred with this aggressive regimen.
A note on the effect of PCAOB inspections on the audit quality of triennial CPA firms

Abstract This note reports the results of a study conducted regarding PCAOB inspections of triennial CPA firms. The purpose was to see if there was any evidence that inspections contributed to improved audit quality. It was found that small firms did not correct staffing deficiencies, which were related to previous audit deficiencies determined by the PCAOB. However, deficient firms did increase their audit fees significantly more following their first inspections than non-deficient firms. This result is consistent with applying greater audit effort after the inspection. Interestingly, this response does not persist through second inspections.
Noise reduction as affected by the extent and distribution of acoustic treatment in a turbofan engine inlet

An inlet noise suppressor for a TF-34 engine designed to have three acoustically treated rings was tested with several different ring arrangements. The configurations included: all three rings; two outer rings; single outer ring; single intermediate ring, and finally no rings. It was expected that as rings were removed, the acoustic performance would be degraded considerably. While a degradation occurred, it was not as large as predictions indicated. The prediction showed good agreement with the data only for the full-ring inlet configuration. The underpredictions which occurred with ring removal were believed a result of ignoring the presence of spinning modes which are known to damp more rapidly in cylindrical ducts than would be predicted by least attenuated mode or plane wave analysis.
SOME CHEMICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ARTIFICIALLY PRODUCED PARTHENOCARPIC FRUITS AND NORMAL SEEDED FRUITS OF TOMATO

BOTANISTS, OR more especially horticulturists, have been interested in parthenocarpy for a number of years. The fact that some fruits are of better quality when seedless has stimulated studies on methods of production and quality of these fruits. In the early studies comparisons were made between two varieties, one being parthenocarpic and the other seeded, as for example grapes, oranges and bananas. In 1889 Sturtevant brought together a large number of observations, both his own and those of others, which tended to show that the seedless fruits were of better quality than the seeded. Besides comparisons of varieties there have also been several studies made in which a single variety was used. Ewert (1910) used a variety of pear which produced both parthenocarpic and seeded fruits, and he found that there was less acid and more sugar in the parthenocarpic fruits than in the seeded fruits. Hume (1914) and Condit (1919) working with the Japanese persimmon found that the seeded fruits were dark and non-astringent even when hard, but that the seedless fruits were light colored and astringent until quite soft. Condit (1920) has assembled a series of analyses of caprified and uncaprified figs made by a number of workers and he found that in several of the varieties studied there was more sugar and a higher dry weight in the uncaprified than in the caprified figs.2 The development of a method of producing parthenocarpic fruit artificially by the use of growth promoting substances (Gustafson, 1936) has made it possible to produce both parthenocarpic and seeded fruits on the same plant or even on the same cluster. This makes it possible to make a much more accurate comparison between the parthenocarpic and seeded fruits and to learn something of the effects of the developing seeds on the fruit. The data reported here are a portion of those obtained in making a comparison of the chemical composition of artificially produced parthenocarpic and normal seeded fruits of
Clinical Research on the Utility of Hypnosis in the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Medical and Psychiatric Disorders

The authors summarize 4 articles of special interest to the hypnosis community in the general scientific and medical literatures. All are empirical studies testing the clinical utility of hypnosis, and together address the role of hypnosis in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical and psychiatric disorders/conditions. The first is a randomized controlled study of smoking cessation treatments comparing a hypnosis-based protocol to an established behavioral counseling protocol. Hypnosis quit rates are superior to those of the accepted behavioral counseling protocol. A second study with pediatric patients finds hypnosis critically helpful in differentiating nonepileptic seizure-like behaviors (pseudoseizures) from epilepsy. The remaining 2 papers are randomized controlled trials testing whether hypnosis is effective in helping patients manage the emotional distress of medical procedures associated with cancer treatment. Among female survivors of breast cancer, hypnosis reduces perceived hot flashes and associated emotional and sleep disruptions. Among pediatric cancer patients, a brief hypnotic intervention helps control venepuncture-related pain.
Lipid links to better bone: A hyPOThesis

The combined resorptive activity of osteoclasts and the bone-generating function of osteoblasts result in the constant renewal of this vital tissue. It has long been appreciated that the coupled degradation and formation of bone is coordinately regulated by a complex interplay between endocrine and paracrine effectors; a recent report by Idris et al. (2005) now documents the possibility that cannabinoid receptors may also impact bone mass.
ESOPHAGEAL/PYLORIC LIGATION ENHANCES THE DEVELOPMENT OF MURINE FETAL STOMACH IN ORGAN CULTURE. 409

Developmental abnormalities such as pure esophageal atresia that result in microgastria implicate the luminal contents of the stomach in the regulation of its development. The mechanisms for this are unknown (nutritive, pressure, stretch, growth factors?). Whole organ culture allows the integrity of the developing organ to be maintained while the environment is precisely controlled. Murine fetal stomachs at gestational day 14 can be maintained in serum-free whole organ culture. When the esophagus and pylorus are ligated, preventing the egress of intraluminal fluid, the organs appear more turgid in organ culture. We hypothesize that the increased intraluminal pressure/volume enhances organ development. Stomachs were harvested from 14d gestation CD-1 mice (term=20d). Some specimens were ligated at the pylorus and esophagus with 10-0 nylon suture, while others were left unligated. Stomachs were then cultured (37°C, 95% air, 5% CO2) in BGJb medium with vitamin C and antibiotics for 7 days. Some organs were fixed in 10% formalin and parafin embedded for histology and morphometric analysis (Optimas Imaging). Others were analyzed for total protein using the Biorad protein microassay (Bradford method). Values differ significantly at p = 0.005. We conclude after biochemical and morphometric analysis that restricting the egress of intraluminal fluid enhances the in vitro development of murine fetal stomachs. This model facilitates the study of organogenesis in a controlled environment and may allow the elucidation of the mechanisms that control growth and development of the stomach. Table
Intraovarian expression of GnRH-1 and gonadotropin mRNA and protein levels in Siberian hamsters during the estrus cycle and photoperiod induced regression/recrudescence

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is the key reproductive regulator in vertebrates. While gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle stimulating (FSH), and luteinizing (LH) hormones are primarily produced in the hypothalamus and pituitary, they can be synthesized in the gonads, suggesting an intraovarian GnRH-gonadotropin axis. Because these hormones are critical for follicle maturation and steroidogenesis, we hypothesized that this intraovarian axis may be important in photoperiod-induced ovarian regression/recrudescence in seasonal breeders. Thus, we investigated GnRH-1 and gonadotropin mRNA and protein expression in Siberian hamster ovaries during (1) the estrous cycle; where ovaries from cycling long day hamsters (LD;16L:8D) were collected at proestrus, estrus, diestrus I, and diestrus II and (2) during photoperiod induced regression/recrudescence; where ovaries were collected from hamsters exposed to 14 weeks of LD, short days (SD;8L:16D), or 8 weeks post-transfer to LD after 14 weeks SD (PT). GnRH-1, LHβ, FSHβ, and common α subunit mRNA expression was observed in cycling ovaries. GnRH-1 expression peaked at diestrus I compared to other stages (p 0.05). SD exposure decreased ovarian mass and plasma estradiol concentrations (p<0.05) and increased GnRH-1, LHβ, FSHβ, and α subunit mRNA expression as compared to LD and, except for LH, compared to PT (p < 0.05). GnRH and gonadotropin protein was also dynamically expressed across the estrous cycle and photoperiod exposure. The presence of cycling intraovarian GnRH-1 and gonadotropin mRNA suggests that these hormones may be locally involved in ovarian maintenance during SD regression and/or could potentially serve to prime ovaries for rapid recrudescence.
Combined Agonist-Antagonist Treatment for Nicotine and Other Drug Dependencies

Co-administration of an agonist with an antagonist may regulate receptor activation, resulting in relief of withdrawal symptoms and blockade of drug reward. In one study, 12 smokers rated the rewarding effects of cigarette smoke after separate and combined administration of nicotine and the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine. While each drug offset potential side effects of the other, they acted in unison to attenuate smoking reward. In a second study, 48 subjects participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled smoking cessation trial. Nicotine skin patch therapy (21 mg/day for 6-8 weeks) + oral mecamylamine (2.5-5 mg b.i.d. for 5 weeks) was compared to nicotine patch + placebo. Mecamylamine treatment began two weeks before smoking cessation. Combined agonist-antagonist treatment produced significantly higher continuous smoking abstinence than agonist-alone treatment: 50% vs 16.7% at seven weeks (p=.015), 37.5% vs 12.5% at six months (p=.046) and 37.5% vs 4.2% at twelve months (p=.004). Concurrent agonist-antagonist treatment may prove useful in treating other drug dependencies, and has potential advantages over treatment using agonists alone, antagonists alone or partial agonists.
Statistical mechanics of noncovalent bonds in polyamino acids. IX. The two‐state theory of protein denaturation

The two-state theory of protein denaturation, in which it is assumed that a protein exists as two species, native and denatured, is examined by three approaches in this paper. First, the point is made that denaturation of an isolated molecule involves a continuous shift in the probabilities of occurrence of many states generated by the partition function for the protein. It is argued that the maximum term approximation does not lead to a two-state mechanism of denaturation, and that the extent of cooperation implied by the two-state theory should give very much sharper transitions than are actually found in proteins. Second, the two-state theory is applied to the various model systems treated in this series of papers, and is found to be inadequate. Since the detailed behaviour of the models is known, it is possible to deduce the effect of the incorrect application of the two-state theory to a system that “denatures” by gradual unwinding. This exercise is useful when, thirdly, we examine experimental data that seem to depart radically from a two-state interpretation. We conclude that a mechanism of gradual unwinding is the most generally valid assumption, and that the two-state theory has no theoretical or experimental support.
Complexity of Boolean algebras

Abstract We show that the elementary theory of Boolean algebras is ⩽ log -complete for the Berman complexity class ⋃ c STA(∗, 2 cn , n ), the class of sets accepted by alternating Turing machines running in time 2 cn for some constant c and making at most n alternations on inputs of length n ; thus the theory is computationally equivalent to the theory of real addition with order. We extend the completeness results to various subclasses of Boolean algebras, including the finite, free, atomic, atomless, and complete Boolean algebras. Finally we show that the theory of any finite collection of finite Boolean algebras is complete for PSPACE, while the theory of any other collection is ⩽ log -hard for ⋃ c STA(∗, 2 cn , n ).
Energy levels of 91Nb, 93Mo, 95Tc and 97Tc via (p, n) reactions and the reaction Q-values

Abstract The (p, n) reactions on isotopically enriched targets of 91Zr, 95Mo and 97Mo and monoisotopic 93Nb were investigated for a bombarding energy range 4 to 5.4 MeV. The neutron groups populating the low-lying excited states of 91Nb, 93Mo, 95Tc and 97Tc were studied by the use of a time-of-flight system. The reaction Q-values for 91Zr, 95Mo and 97Mo target nuclei were determined to be −2.045 ± 0.006, −2.490 ± 0.006 and −1.128 ± 0.008 MeV, respectively. Many low-lying states were populated by these reactions and their excitation energies determined with a high precision.
Pathogen-free substrates for gerontologic research: Review, sources, and comparison of barrier-sustained vs conventional laboratory rats☆☆☆

Abstract The evolution of disease control methodology has been briefly reviewed to describe the different categories of disease-exclusionary environments for laboratory rodents. The science of gnotobiology has been used to provide laboratory rats living in the absence of pathogenic microbes. The reliability of commercial sources (US) for such rats is discussed, and it is concluded that the only current center for quality is the integrity of the commercial source. The main thrust of the review is to develop same-train comparisons of barrier-sustained vs conventional laboratory rats. By dissecting away the infectious disease component from the experimental animal we might reach a clearer understanding of the physiology of aging without the superimposition of extraneous variables.
Susceptibility to cytomegalovirus infection may be dependent on the cytokine response to the virus.

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in an immunocompromised host. Pulmonary infection with CMV results in an inflammatory response, which includes the local production of cytokines. Cytokine production stimulated by CMV infection serves to activate a series of immunologic responses involved in viral clearance. Previous work has demonstrated that different mouse strains express variable sensitivity to CMV infection. Methods Using mouse strains that express sensitive (BALB/cj) and resistant (C57BL/6) CMV phenotypes, we asked whether the differences in susceptibility to infection were caused by differences in pulmonary cytokine production after intraperitoneal infection with CMV. Results C57 mice demonstrated a higher total bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and BAL lymphocyte count at 3 and 7 days after intraperitoneal infection compared with BALB mice. There were no differences in BAL cytokine production; however, we were able to demonstrate differences in CMV DNA load in the lungs of BALB mice compared with that of C57 mice. In addition, there appeared to be increased whole-lung production of the TH2 cytokine IL-10 in the BALB mice versus the C57 mice. Conclusions This observation suggests that the genetic susceptibility to CMV infection may, in part, be regulated by differences in cytokines production within the local environment.
STRUCTURAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ADDITION OF LITHIUM HALIDES IN ENOLIZATION AND ALDOL REACTIONS

Aggregates consisting of lithium halides with either lithium amides or lithium enolates have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Two structural types, solvated heterodimers and heterotrimers, have been found for halide/amide combinations. Two compounds containing both lithium halide and lithium enolate have also been identified as heterodimers. Using this information, we propose a reaction sequence for enolization and subsequent aldol addition reaction involving halide-containing aggregates. An ab initio and PM3 theoretical study of model systems shows that solvated heterodimers between LiBr and either LiNH2 or LiOC(H)=CH2 are favored over the respective homodimers. Calculations reveal a stable eight-membered ring transition state for the enolization step between LiCl·LiNH2 and acetaldehyde. Two independent transition states, a 4,8 and a 4,4,6 ring system, were calculated for the model reaction between the heterotrimer [(LiNH2)2·LiCl] and acetaldehyde. Dissociation of donor solvent was computed t...
Personality traits distinguishing dementia with Lewy bodies from Alzheimer disease

Objective: To identify personality traits that distinguish dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) from Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods: We examined 290 participants enrolled in a longitudinal study (nondemented control = 34, DLB = 128, AD = 128) followed to autopsy. As part of the annual interview with the collateral source, the clinician asked about specific changes in personality, interests, and drives based on items from the Blessed Dementia Scale (BDS). Statistical analysis was performed using χ 2 and Fisher exact tests. Factor analysis was performed to determine underlying structure and receiver operating characteristic curves assessed the ability for each of three derived factors to discriminate DLB from AD. Results: The sample was evaluated for a mean of 4.8 visits (range 1 to 14) with a mean age of 77.6 ± 9.9 years. The participants9 cognitive status ranged from nondemented (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR] 0) through all stages of dementia (CDR ≥ 0.5). Personality traits that distinguished DLB included diminished emotional responsiveness ( p = 0.004), relinquishing hobbies ( p = 0.01), growing apathy ( p = 0.03), and purposeless hyperactivity ( p = 0.003). Factor analyses of the BDS revealed a PASSIVE factor (diminished emotional responsiveness, relinquished hobbies, growing apathy, and purposeless hyperactivity) explaining 10.4% of variance and that DLB was more likely to manifest these personality traits than AD ( p = 0.001). The PASSIVE factor discriminated DLB from AD (area under the curve = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.68, p = 0.006). Any change in personality is associated with the presence of visual hallucinations. Conclusions: Our results suggest that incorporating a brief, simple inventory of personality traits may improve the identification of individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies.
Disparities in osteoporosis screening between at-risk African-American and white women.

BACKGROUND: Despite a lower prevalence of osteoporosis in African-American women, they remain at risk and experience a greater mortality than white women after sustaining a hip fracture. Lack of recognition of risk factors may occur in African-American women, raising the possibility that disparities in screening practices may exist.
Nonlinear analysis of sitting postural sway indicates developmental delay in infants

Abstract Background Upright sitting is one of the first developmental motor milestones achieved by infants, and sitting postural sway provides a window into the developing motor control system. A variety of posture sway measures can be used, but the optimal measures for infant development have not been identified. Methods We have collected sitting postural sway data from two groups of infants, one with typical development ( n = 33), and one with delayed development and either diagnosed with or at risk for cerebral palsy ( n = 26), when the infants had developed to the point where they could just maintain sitting for about 10 s. Postural sway data was collected while infants were sitting on a force platform, and the center of pressure was analyzed using both linear and nonlinear measures. Findings Our results showed that a nonlinear measure, the largest Lyapunov exponent, was the only parameter of postural sway that revealed significant differences between infants with typical versus delayed development. The largest Lyapunov exponent was found to be higher for typically developing infants, indicating less repeated patterning in their movement coordination. Interpretations A nonlinear measure such as largest Lyapunov exponent may be useful as an identifier of pathology and as a yardstick for the success of therapeutic interventions.