cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Naturally Occurring and Experimentally Induced Rhesus Macaque Models for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Translational Gateways to Clinical Application

Indian rhesus macaque nonhuman primate models for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) implicate both female hyperandrogenism and developmental molecular origins as core components of PCOS etiopathogenesis. Establishing and exploiting macaque models for translational impact into the clinic, however, has required multi-year, integrated basic-clinical science collaborations. Paradigm shifting insight has accrued from such concerted investment, leading to novel mechanistic understanding of PCOS, including hyperandrogenic fetal and peripubertal origins, epigenetic programming, altered neural function, defective oocytes and embryos, adipogenic constraint enhancing progression to insulin resistance, pancreatic decompensation and type 2 diabetes, together with placental compromise, all contributing to transgenerational transmission of traits likely to manifest in adult PCOS phenotypes. Our recent demonstration of PCOS-related traits in naturally hyperandrogenic (High T) female macaques additionally creates opportunities to employ whole genome sequencing to enable exploration of gene variants within human PCOS candidate genes contributing to PCOS-related traits in macaque models. This review will therefore consider Indian macaque model contributions to various aspects of PCOS-related pathophysiology, as well as the benefits of using macaque models with compellingly close homologies to the human genome, phenotype, development and aging.
Long-term treatment retention in West Virginia's comprehensive opioid addiction treatment (COAT) program.

Abstract Background The United States continues to experience an opioid epidemic of unprecedented proportions despite FDA approval of life saving medications, such as buprenorphine. This paper describes a novel group-based buprenorphine treatment model and summarizes patient characteristics and treatment retention. This model, known as the Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment (COAT) program, was developed in West Virginia, the epicenter of the opioid epidemic. Methods Data on 454 patients actively enrolled in the COAT program were extracted from an administrative clinical data set and electronic medical records and analyzed using descriptive and quantitative analysis to determine long-term retention in treatment using frequencies and means. Results The characteristics of the 454 patients are as follows: average age of 39, 53% female, predominantly white (94%) and Medicaid was the primary insurance provider (68%). Analysis of retention showed 37.8% of patents were retained less than one year and 14.7% were retained 10 or more years. Initiating treatment at a younger age was associated with long-term retention. Conclusion Opioid use disorder is a chronic relapsing disease and treatment models that retain patients long-term have the greatest benefit. The COAT model has been successful in retaining patients long-term in a rural setting where barriers to treatment are many.
Molybdenum Disubstituted Alkylidene Complexes

Through relatively straightforward techniques that begin with Mo(NAr)(CH-t-Bu)[OCMe(CF3)2]2 (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3), we have prepared Mo(NAr)(CMePh)(OMesityl)2, [Mo(NAr)(CMePh)(OC6F5)2]2, Mo(NAr)(CMeP...
Racial Health Disparities and Covid-19 - Caution and Context.

Racial Health Disparities and Covid-19 In documenting Covid-19 racial disparities, we must contextualize such data with adequate analysis. Disparity figures without explanatory context can perpetua...
"Vera" Crossing the Fourth Wall

"Vera" is an adaptation of a short story by New Zealand's early XXth-century feminist writer, Katherine Mansfield. It is a unique artificial reality experience that allows viewers to cross the so-called fourth wall between the film reality and the audience's reality. The experience allows the viewer to "enter" a film frame via a mixed reality tabletop experience. To our knowledge, "Vera" is the first immersive experience that utilizes both volumetric capture (instead of avatar animation) and photogrammetric reconstruction of the set decoration and props. It is also the first experiment that literally rather than metaphorically crosses the fourth wall.
Basic Science of Resident Stem Cells

A natural reservoir of stem/progenitor cells exists in most tissues of the musculoskeletal system including cartilage, meniscus, ligament, tendon, bone, muscle, and the synovial membrane. These resident stem cells are important during development, but also for replacement of tissue cells during aging and in injury. Most stem cells exist in a resting, quiescent state and in a tissue –specific specialized microenvironment known as a stem cell niche. Resident stem cells are activated during injury to facilitate endogenous repair but the natural response is often insufficient for functional tissue repair. Autologous approaches that leverage resident stem cells in regenerative medicine could enhance the facilitated recruitment of stem cells to the site of injury or the retention of stem cells in their native niche during autologous transplantation. Evolving knowledge about resident stem cells and the stem cell niche will lead to a better understanding about musculoskeletal injury and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue repair.
Observation of magneto-electric rectification at non-relativistic intensities

The subject of electromagnetism has often been called electrodynamics to emphasize the dominance of the electric field in dynamic light-matter interactions that take place under non-relativistic conditions. Here we show experimentally that the often neglected optical magnetic field can nevertheless play an important role in a class of optical nonlinearities driven by both the electric and magnetic components of light at modest (non-relativistic) intensities. We specifically report the observation of magneto-electric rectification, a previously unexplored nonlinearity at the molecular level which has important potential for energy conversion, ultrafast switching, nano-photonics, and nonlinear optics. Our experiments were carried out in nanocrystalline pentacene thin films possessing spatial inversion symmetry that prohibited second-order, all-electric nonlinearities but allowed magneto-electric rectification.
Where Old Birds go to Die: Spaces of Precarity in Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

This article aims at connecting recent work on precarity and post-colonial theory, focusing on Arundhati Roy’s representation of spaces of precarity in her novel, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, set in New Delhi, India. The novel complicates claims that precarity in post-colonies is a recent occurrence ushered in by the liberalization of their economies in the late 1980s, tracing the genealogy of earlier forms of precarity through the histories of its characters, specifically that of its protagonist Anjum, a Hijra. Such histories offer not merely ways of understanding marginal constituents of a seemingly all-encompassing neoliberal order but also local spatial traditions of resistance. These traditions converge onto the space of a graveyard, offering a model of dissidence that defies conventional parameters legible to the state. The novel posits such illegibility of resistance as an antidote to cooption by the neoliberal state, mirroring the taxonomic resistance that the Hijra offers to the heteronormative nation state. I read The Ministry of Utmost Happiness as an attempt at mapping the neoliberal state and possibilities of resistance that escape its frameworks of surveillance.
A Game Theoretic Approach to Analysis and Design of Survivable and Secure Systems and Protocols

This paper proposes a game theoretic methodology for analysis and design of survivable and secure systems and protocols. Modern game theory provides a natural setup for dealing with adversarial situations, which may involve multiple adversaries with different objectives, resources, access and risk tolerance, e.g., hackers, terrorists, and national intelligence organizations. The solution based on the game theoretic methodology balances ease of access and cost-effectiveness on the one hand, with survivability, fault tolerance, and security on the other hand. The main methodological difficulty in developing game theoretic model of real systems is quantifications of the “rules of the game”, including set of feasible strategies and utility function for each player. Computational challenges result from difficulty of solving games with realistic number of players and feasible strategies.
Tanaka‐Matsumi, Junko

Junko Tanaka-Matsumi completed work for the B.A. degree at Osaka University of Foreign Studies in 1971. She subsequently studied at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she received the Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1978. She was a Japanese graduate scholarship student at the East-West Center in Honolulu, where she studied cross-cultural psychology. Following 20 years at Hofstra University (where she was named professor emerita), Tanaka-Matsumi returned in 2000 to Japan, where she is professor in the Department of Integrated Psychological Sciences at Kwansei Gakuin University. Keywords: abnormal; psychopathology; psychotherapies
MORAL MEANING IN FELONY JURY TRIALS: A DRAMATURGIC PERSPECTIVE

Sociologists are only now beginning the vast amount of research required to determine through study of social usage the meanings of morality. Douglas (1970 9) has called for systematic participant observation studies of moral meaning in use. This paper involves a systematic participant observation study of moral meaning in use in the jury trial. The study design recognizes the principle of th contextual determination of meaning. This incorporates the idea that the concrete meaning of anything is adequately given to actors only when its concrete or situated context is provided (Douglas 1967 235). Rather than focusing on moral experiences in the abstract, I focus on them as firmly tied to their social context. I am interested in ongoing everyday use of morality, and in morality as process rather than as structure.
The Tree-Thinking Challenge

Phylogenetic trees are widely used to study the relationships among living species and genes. In their Perspective, [ Baum et al. ][1] discuss how it has become apparent that trees are commonly misunderstood, leading to confusion about the concept of common ancestry. Although challenging, tree thinking should be taught as an element of evolution training at all levels. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/310/5750/979
Quantification of turbulence in cryogenic liquid using high speed flow visualization

Abstract A high speed flow visualization experiment was conducted to characterize the boiling induced turbulence when a cryogenic liquid is released on water. The advective transport of turbulent structures traversing through the liquid was captured and reconstructed using image processing software to obtain information on velocity components. The numerical results obtained from image processing were used to determine turbulence parameters like turbulent intensity, turbulent kinetic energy and eddy dissipation rate. An interesting aspect of the study was the formation of wavy structures called ‘thermals’ which were characteristic of turbulent convection. The thermals were found to act as a catalyst in increasing heat transfer and turbulence between water and cryogenic pool. The turbulent intensity was influenced by the turbulent velocity and had direct effects on the vaporization flux. Among the turbulence parameters, increase in turbulent kinetic energy resulted in faster vaporization of cryogenic liquid through enhanced mixing, whereas variations in the eddy dissipation rate had weak dependence on vaporization. Additionally, the initial height of cryogenic liquid was also found to strongly affect the vaporization mass flux.
The pot-holed path to happiness, possibly paved with money: A research dialogue

Abstract The path to happiness is not always clear. Research suggests that even money (when one has enough to take care of basic needs) does not enhance happiness. This Research Dialogue explores how individuals can take steps to use money in a way that does increase happiness. In addition, four commentaries provide suggestions above and beyond money as possible paths to happiness, as well as the reason why money may not lead to happiness.
Clinical Application of In-Room Positron Emission Tomography for In Vivo Treatment Monitoring in Proton Radiation Therapy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential of using in-room positron emission tomography (PET) for treatment verification in proton therapy and for deriving suitable PET scan times. Methods and Materials Nine patients undergoing passive scattering proton therapy underwent scanning immediately after treatment with an in-room PET scanner. The scanner was positioned next to the treatment head after treatment. The Monte Carlo (MC) method was used to reproduce PET activities for each patient. To assess the proton beam range uncertainty, we designed a novel concept in which the measured PET activity surface distal to the target at the end of range was compared with MC predictions. The repositioning of patients for the PET scan took, on average, approximately 2 minutes. The PET images were reconstructed considering varying scan times to test the scan time dependency of the method. Results The measured PET images show overall good spatial correlations with MC predictions. Some discrepancies could be attributed to uncertainties in the local elemental composition and biological washout. For 8 patients treated with a single field, the average range differences between PET measurements and computed tomography (CT) image-based MC results were Conclusions Our first clinical trials in 9 patients using an in-room PET system demonstrated its potential for in vivo treatment monitoring in proton therapy. For a quantitative range prediction with arbitrary shape of target volume, we suggest using the distal PET activity surface.
Incorporation of Cerium and Neodymium in a Uranyl Hydroxide Solid

The migration behavior of radionuclides in a nuclear-waste repository will be influenced, in part, by their equilibrium solubilities in the presence of radionuclide-bearing solids and/or adsorption affinities as trace components onto the surfaces of solid host phases. Uranium phases that precipitate on the surface of altered spent nuclear fuel may thus influence the mobility of radionuclides released in the near-field environment, since by proximity, these will be the first phases that the radionuclides encounter following their release from the spent fuel matrix. We have evaluated the potential for incorporating radionuclides into crystalline compounds by precipitating uranyl phases from aqueous solutions containing dissolved rare earth elements (REE; 2.1 ppm Ce4+, 4.6 ppm Ce4+, or 286 ppm Nd3+). Rare earth elements serve both as monitors for evaluating the potential behavior of REE radionuclides and as surrogate elements for the actinides (e.g., Ce4+ and Nd3+ for Pu4+ and Am3+, respectively). Although the crystalline compound that formed in the present set of experiments has not been positively identified, x-ray diffraction profiles suggest the presence of a uranyl hydroxide (UO2(OH) 2) as the principal reaction product. An analysis of the crystalline products indicate a progressive decrease in concentration of cerium; from 26, to 20, and finally 11 ppm for crystals produced in 7-, 35-, and 190-day tests, respectively (Kd = 14, 11, 3, respectively). Results with neodymium display a similar trend, with concentrations in the solid decreasing from 1240 to 922 ppm between 7 and 35 days of reaction (Kd = 14 and 11, respectively). The decreasing concentration of REEs in the uranyl crystals can be correlated with both a coarsening in crystal size and a decrease in the concentration of dissolved uranium over time. Thus, REE incorporation in the crystalline solids decreases in conjunction with a decrease in the ratio of surface area/volume of the crystals, a decrease in the rate of crystal growth as uranium concentrations are lowered, or both. These data also suggest that adsorption of REE (and by analogy, actinides) onto crystal surfaces and subsequent trapping by crystal overgrowth processes may play key roles in the limiting the mobility of radionuclides in a nuclear waste repository.
Use of shell chitin extracted from seafood processing waste in recycling of industrial wastewater

Chitin is an unbranched polymer of ?(1?4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and chitosan is deacetylated chitin derivatives. These polysaccharides are widely distributed in the shells of crustacea (lobster, crab, and shrimp), in the cuticles of insects, in the shells and skeletons of mollusks and in the cell walls of fungi. The shells of crab, shrimp and lobster, which are currently waste materials of the food processing industries, are the best available sources of chitin and chitosan. Due to their unique biological, physicochemical properties and abundance, chitin and chitosan have been found to have many exciting potential applications in medicine, food, and in wastewater treatment. The environmental applications of chitin and chitosan for clarifying water, recovering proteinaceous materials, removing lipids, grease, pesticides, PCB, toxic heavy metals and textile dye residues from industrial effluents and polluted water bodies have been reviewed. Some recent results on the mechanisms and kinetics for the adsorption of textile dyes on chitin have also been reported. The adsorption results showed that chitin adsorbs up to 7% of its weight in an azo dye, Orange (II), because of the interaction between the positively charged acetamido/amino groups in chitin/chitosan and negatively charge functional groups in the dyes. The data presented suggest that the application of chitin could solve several environmental problems at once for aquaculture, shellfishing and other industries.
Davidoff-Dyke-Masson Syndrome Presenting as Childhood Schizophrenia

The problem of differential diagnosis of childhood schizophrenia versus gross brain pathology is a difficult one. The clinical picture, for instance, of dementia infantalis (Heller's Disease) is indistinguishable from that of schizophrenia (Shaw & Lucas, 1970). The same is true of some major metabolic disorders (Bray,1970). Coexisting neurological and EEG findings for seizures are not helpful since these are often seen in schizophrenia (Bender, 1947; Fish, 1977). Mental retardation may coexist with schizophrenia or any of the other disorders. The following is an unusual case illustration of a child presenting symptoms of schizophrenia, seizures, and retardation without neurological abnormalities. Until his gross anatomical brain pathology was found by neurologic evaluation, he was subjected to the inappropriate treatment of psychotherapy.
Hydroisomerization of normal pentane over a zeolite catalyst

The most active zeolite hydroisomerization catalyst found during the course of a series of screening experiments was palladium impregnated hydrogen mordenite. The high activity of hydrogen mordenite catalyst was also reported by research workers of the Shell Oil Company. (11) Typical conditions used in this study were 550°F., 450 lb./sq.in. gauge, 8 g. of n-pentane fed /h./g. of catalyst, and a hydrogen/pentane molar ratio of 3.4. Process variable studies have shown that neither gas toparticle mass transfer, intraparticle (macro-pore) diffusion, nor the chemical reactions at the palladium sites are rate limiting. The data can be correlated by a mathematical model based on the assumptions that a first-order, reversible isomerization reaction on the mordenite acidic sites is rate-controlling, and the apparent rate constant is an Arrhenius function of thetemperature of the system. The pressure dependency of the reaction rate constant is consistent with a dual-site mechanism and Langmuir adsorption isotherms.
Evaluation of sexually abused child and adolescent

Abstract Physicians are increasingly faced with the task of evaluating and reporting possible sexual abuse of children. All suspected sexual abuse cases should begin with a careful history from the child and her parents. The child should be interviewed in a supportive, nonthreatening setting. The medical examination should be thorough and carefully documented for possible use in future prosecution. The physician should have a gentle, unhurried approach to the patient with careful explanations of all procedures in advance. Forensic data should be collected and tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) should be administered. Vulvar/hymenal appearance should be carefully noted for comparison with nonsexually abused children. A multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and treatment of the sexually abused child is important and should involve pediatricians, gynecologists, mental health professionals.
Regional distribution of GABAA receptor binding sites in cat somatosensory and motor cortex.

Inhibition in primary sensory cortex plays a role in neuronal response to periperal stimuli. For many neurons in cat primary somatosensory cortex, blockade of GABAA receptors by bicuculline results in receptive field enlargement. The magnitude of this effect varies with the neuron's adaption characteristics and its location in particular laminae and submodality regions. To test whether these variation are correlated with the distribution of GABAA receptors, we analyzed [3H] muscimol binding in cat primary somatosensory and motor cortical areas. The highest levels of binding were in layers IV was distinguished by highest levels were in layers V–VI. In somatosensory cortical areas, layer IV, levels of binding were significantly higher in posterior area 3b than in anterior area 3b. These difference may correspond to the rapidly adaption and slowly adapting submodality regions which have been described in this area. The laminar distribution of [3H] muscimol binding differed from that of [3H]flunitrazepam, and neither resembled the distribution of magnitude of bicuculline's effects on receptive field size. The laminar distribution of [3H] muscimol binding was highly correlated with the area density of GABA-immunoreactive neurons described in a companion study. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dynamic light scattering studies of poly-L-lysine HBr in the presence of added salt.

Clipped autocorrelation functions for the fluctuating intensity of light scattered from dilute solutions of poly-L-lysine in 0.2 M NaBr have been observed over a wide range of time scales down to 1.83 μsec, and over a wide range of pH. Two poly-L-lysine samples of molecular weight 35,000 and 200,000, respectively, were compared to determine the extent of draining of the so-called random-coil configuration. The observed correlation functions were in general very satisfactorily represented by simple translation diffusion of single molecules. At high pH ∼10–10.4, there was evidence of considerable aggregation, but no indication whatsoever of any unusually fast component, as reported recently by Jamieson et al. for poly-L-lysine HBr in the absence of salt. A 30% rise in the diffusion coefficient to a peak at pH 10 parallels the previously reported dip in the intrinsic viscosity, and is interpreted in terms of a more compact structure in that pH region between the coil and helix extremes.
Health determinants and podiatry.

Public health and podiatry have a natural union both through historical development and a shared interest in prevention. Podiatry is considered in terms of health determinants such as income, socia...
Analysis of vascular closure devices after transbrachial artery access.

Introduction:We seek to determine whether vascular closure devices (VCDs) are safe and effective for brachial artery access.Methods:A retrospective review of brachial artery access using either manual compression (MC) or a VCD for hemostasis from November 2005 to February 2011 was performed.Results:Brachial artery access was performed on 154 limbs: MC on 134 limbs and VCD on 20 limbs. The incidence of thrombotic (VCD n = 0 [0%] vs MC n = 7 [5.2%], P = .37), hemorrhagic complications (VCD n = 1 [5%] vs MC n = 7 [5.2%], P = .72), or major adverse events (VCD n = 1 [5%] vs MC n = 16 [12%], P = .32) was not significantly different between the techniques. After univariate and multivariate analysis, female sex (P = .07, relative risk [RR] = 5.7), sheath size > 6F (P = .008, RR = 14.6), and diagnostic versus interventional procedure (P = .04, RR = 0.4) all impacted the occurrence of thrombosis.Conclusions:Use of VCD in the brachial artery following an endovascular procedure showed equivalence to MC.
Asymptotic modal analysis of a rectangular acoustic cavity excited by wall vibration

Asymptotic modal analysis, a method that has recently been developed for structural dynamical systems, has been applied to a rectangular acoustic cavity. The cavity had a flexible vibrating portion on one wall, and the other five walls were rigid. Banded white noise was transmitted through the flexible portion (plate) only. Both the location along the wall and the size of the plate were varied. The mean square pressure levels of the cavity interior were computed as a ratio of the result obtained from classical modal analysis to that obtained from asymptotic modal analysis for the various plate configurations. In general, this ratio converged to 1.0 as the number of responding modes increased. Intensification effects were found due to both the excitation location and the response location. The asymptotic modal analysis method was both efficient and accurate in solving the given problem. The method has advantages over the traditional methods that are used for solving dynamics problems with a large number of responding modes.
Notes on the stabilized space-time finite-element formulation of unsteady incompressible flows

This paper gives a review of our research efforts on the stabilized space-time finite element formulation of unsteady incompressible flows, including those involving moving boundaries are interfaces. Iterative solution techniques employed to solve the equation systems resulting from the space-time finite element discretization of these flow problems are also reviewed. Results are presented for certain unsteady flow problems, including large-amplitude sloshing and flows past oscillating cylinders.
3.2.2 Enabling Economics‐Driven Systems Engineering Through Reusable Software Architectures and Components

Economics-driven systems engineering integrates system design principles with measurement-based analyses of value, options, and tradeoffs. This study helps enable economics-driven systems engineering by describing an example of measurement-based analysis of software reuse in large-scale systems. Software reuse enables developers to leverage past accomplishments and facilitates significant improvements in software productivity and quality. Software reuse catalyzes gains in productivity by avoiding redevelopment and gains in quality by incorporating components whose reliability has already been established. The purpose of this study is to characterize software reuse empirically by investigating one development environment that actively reuses software. Twenty-five software systems ranging from 3000 to 112,000 source lines have been selected for analysis from a NASA systems development environment. The amount of software either reused or modified from previous systems averages 32% per project in this environment. Non-parametric statistical models are applied to examine numerous development variables across the software modules in the systems. This research focuses on initial results and graphical characterizations of the data. Four classes of software modules are analyzed: (a) modules reused without revision, (b) modules reused with slight revision (< 25% changes), (c) modules reused with major revision (≥ 25% changes), and (d) newly developed modules. The modules reused without revision had the fewest faults, lowest fault correction effort, and lowest fault densities. In conclusion, we outline future research directions that build on these strategies and ideas.
Asymmetrical Duty-Cycle and Phase-Shift Control of a Novel Multiport CLL Resonant Converter

In this paper, a novel multiport CLL resonant converter with a phase shift and asymmetrical duty-cycle control is analyzed. The power flow can be maintained with the phase shift between ports, whereas the asymmetric duty cycle manages the output voltage at the load terminals. Series connected transformers at the secondary side enable to split the power in each port and reduce the voltage stresses on the switches compared with the parallel connected transformers. Even under the unbalanced input conditions, the power flow between ports can be managed by the central control without any need for communication devices. In order to investigate the power distribution in each port, two different isolated dc sources and a variable load are used. The converter operation is tested at 40, 80, or 120 V inputs, with the output of 200 V at a full power of 1 kW with a maximum efficiency of 97.4%. The experimental results show that the multiport CLL resonant converter with the proposed controller is an appropriate topology for sustainable energy platforms, which are supplied by different types of energy sources, such as photovoltaic, fuel cell, wind, and so on, at various power capacities.
Institution Advocacy and the Political Behavior of Charter Schools

Scholars know that institutions such as corporations and nonprofits make up much of the lobbying community, yet there is no general theory as to why these organizations, which are not primarily est...
The physiological basis for ethylene-induced dormancy release in three Echinacea species with special reference to the influence of the integumentary tapetum

Abstract Seeds of Echinacea species have endogenous physiological dormancy. Dormancy release is induced by moist chilling stratification, but seeds treated with ethylene can show increased germination comparable to stratification. The primary aims of this work were to discover whether endogenous ethylene production was required for dormancy release and germination in Echinacea seeds and to investigate the physiological basis for stratification and ethylene-induced dormancy release. There were no significant differences in ethylene production in untreated versus stratified seeds. Seeds subjected to a dormancy release treatment showed reduced sensitivity to exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). Isolated embryos were completely released from dormancy when the outer envelope surrounding the embryo was removed. Isolated embryos with the envelope intact were also induced to germinate when treated with ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) to increase ethylene production. It was determined that the covering envelope was derived from enlargement of the endothelium layer surrounding the egg sac (integumentary tapetum) plus several crushed layers of the outer integument. Ethylene does not appear to be required for dormancy release and germination in Echinacea seeds. Two possible physiological mechanisms were discovered to explain stratification and ethylene-induced dormancy release. These included a change in seed sensitivity to ABA and changes in the tissues covering the embryo. The data suggests that ethylene-induced dormancy release is independent of stratification and possibly acts by inducing physiological events that are normally downstream of stratification.
Spatial recognition memory deficits without notable CNS pathology in rats following herpes simplex encephalitis

Survivors of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) experience intellectual impairment and an inability to store and recall information. Because the temporal lobes and associated limbic structures are central to storage and retrieval of memories, and are predominantly affected in adult HSE, injury to these areas is postulated to cause behavioral and learning disabilities. A previous study (Beers et al., 1993) demonstrated that intranasal inoculation of Lewis rats with herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) induced acute partial complex seizures, and hemorrhagic and inflammatory lesions of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Consequently, it was of interest to determine whether rats that had recovered from HSE had limbic system-associated memory impairments. Therefore, rats were evaluated when signs and symptoms of encephalitis were no longer apparent using an eight arm radial maze to assess the acquisition and retention of learned information. An allocentric-spatial location paradigm revealed HSV-1 infected rats performed at chance levels on both acquisition and retention which were statistically different from sham-inoculated controls. However, using an egocentric-spatial left/right discrimination task, infected rats performed statistically similar to sham-inoculated controls. Furthermore, HSV-1 nucleic acids were detected in the nuclei of neurons within the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex using in situ hybridization techniques. Of interest was the observation that rats with learning and memory deficits had no apparent histopathological or immunocytochemical evidence of antecedent CNS infection. This is the first experimental demonstration that HSV-1 can cause behavioral impairments in the absence of obvious inflammatory injury to the temporal lobe memory system.
Collective Activation of MRI Agents via Encapsulation and Disease-Triggered Release

An activation mechanism based on encapsulated ultrasmall gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (Gd oxide NPs) in bioresponsive polymer capsules capable of triggered release in response to chemical markers of disease (i.e., acidic pH, H2O2) is presented. Inside the hydrophobic polymeric matrices, the Gd oxide NPs are shielded from the aqueous environment, silencing their ability to enhance water proton relaxation. Upon disassembly of the polymeric particles, activation of multiple contrast agents generates a strong positive contrast enhancement of >1 order of magnitude.
Customer Lifetime Value: Empirical Generalizations and Some Conceptual Questions

Abstract From the extant literature on Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), we identify four empirical generalizations (well-defined, consistent effects found by at least three different sets of authors): customer satisfaction, marketing efforts, cross-buying and multichannel purchasing all have positive relationships with CLV. The frequency and monetary value of previous purchases generally have a positive effect on CLV, although there are some contradictory findings in this regard. We identify additional issues that have received limited attention in the literature, but require further empirical study: the effects of pricing, earned rewards and promotions on CLV, managing a sequence of contacts to maximize response rates and CLV, and whether CLV can be forecasted sufficiently accurately. We also discuss additional conceptual issues that merit further research.
The impact of malpractice burden on Michigan obstetrician-gynecologists' career satisfaction.

Background Medical services for pregnancy and childbirth are inherently risky and unpredictable. In many states, obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNS) who attend the majority of childbirths in the United States and provide the most clinically complex obstetric procedures are struggling with increasing malpractice insurance premiums and litigation risk. Despite its significant implications for patient care, the potential impact of malpractice burden on OB-GYN physicians' career satisfaction has not been rigorously tested in previous research. Methods Drawing on data from a statewide survey of obstetric providers in Michigan, this paper examined the association between medical liability burden and OB-GYNs' career satisfaction. Malpractice insurance premiums and malpractice claims experience were used as 2 objective measures for medical liability burden. Descriptive statistics were calculated and multivariable logistic regressions estimated for data analysis. Results Although most respondents reported satisfaction with their overall career in medicine, 43.7% had become less satisfied over the last 5 years and 34.0% would not recommend obstetrics/gynecology to students seeking career advice. Multivariable regression analysis showed that compared to coverage through an employer, paying ≥$50,000/year for liability insurance premium was associated with lower career satisfaction among OB-GYNs (odds ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.13–0.93). We found no significant impact of malpractice claims experience, including both recent malpractice claims (during the last 5 years [2001–2006]) and earlier malpractice claims (>5 years ago), on overall career satisfaction. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that high malpractice premiums negatively affect OB-GYN physicians' career satisfaction. The impact of the current medical liability climate on quality of care for pregnant women warrants further investigation.
Stimulation of neuronal KATP channels by cGMP-dependent protein kinase: involvement of ROS and 5-hydroxydecanoate-sensitive factors in signal transduction

The ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel couples intracellular metabolic state to membrane excitability. Recently, we demonstrated that neuronal KATP channels are functionally enhanced by activat...
Discussion of “p-value adjustments for subgroup analyses”

(1997). Discussion of “p-value adjustments for subgroup analyses”. Journal of Biopharmaceutical Statistics: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 323-331.
Epistemic Closure and Epistemic Logic I: Relevant Alternatives and Subjunctivism

Epistemic closure has been a central issue in epistemology over the last forty years. According to versions of the relevant alternatives and subjunctivist theories of knowledge, epistemic closure can fail: an agent who knows some propositions can fail to know a logical consequence of those propositions, even if the agent explicitly believes the consequence (having “competently deduced” it from the known propositions). In this sense, the claim that epistemic closure can fail must be distinguished from the fact that agents do not always believe, let alone know, the consequences of what they know—a fact that raises the “problem of logical omniscience” that has been central in epistemic logic. This paper, part I of II, is a study of epistemic closure from the perspective of epistemic logic. First, I introduce models for epistemic logic, based on Lewis’s models for counterfactuals, that correspond closely to the pictures of the relevant alternatives and subjunctivist theories of knowledge in epistemology. Second, I give an exact characterization of the closure properties of knowledge according to these theories, as formalized. Finally, I consider the relation between closure and higher-order knowledge. The philosophical repercussions of these results and results from part II, which prompt a reassessment of the issue of closure in epistemology, are discussed further in companion papers. As a contribution to modal logic, this paper demonstrates an alternative approach to proving modal completeness theorems, without the standard canonical model construction. By “modal decomposition” I obtain completeness and other results for two non-normal modal logics with respect to new semantics. One of these logics, dubbed the logic of ranked relevant alternatives, appears not to have been previously identified in the modal logic literature. More broadly, the paper presents epistemology as a rich area for logical study.
Organizational design and agribusiness management research

Many tasks one performed by markets are being carried out by large and complex business organizations. Consequently, the question of how to design effective organizations is an important research issue. This article explores existing research on the design of organizational structures for what it teaches about developing priorities for research on agribusiness management. It concludes that the theory of structural design implies that different designs may be required for agribusiness organizations which operate under different conditions than general business organizations. Specific research topics designed to examine whether and why this may be true are developed.
Movements of Juvenile Common Ravens in an Arid Landscape

Movement patterns of juvenile birds are poorly understood, yet critically important ecological phenomena, especially for species with a prolonged juvenile period. We evaluated postfledging movements of juvenile common ravens (Corvus corax) in a western Mojave Desert landscape composed of a mosaic of natural and anthropogenic elements. Generally, ravens do not begin breeding until after their fourth year. We marked 2 annual cohorts of juvenile ravens and followed them from dispersal from their natal territory for up to 33 months. Movements of juvenile common ravens were similar for males and females. Conspecifics and confined livestock feeding operations represented important resources for juvenile ravens, and juveniles were rarely located in open desert. However, initial movements from the natal territory to the nearest communal point subsidy rather than the closest anthropogenic resource suggested juvenile dispersal was influenced by the combination of conspecifics and anthropogenic resources, rather than the distribution of those resources. Land managers concerned with growing raven populations should reduce access to concentrated anthropogenic resources such as landfills and dairies, which serve as important resources for juveniles. Because juvenile ravens rarely venture into open desert, reducing their numbers by lethal removal or other means is unlikely to lessen raven predation of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii).
Nurturing Development of Foster and Adopted Children.

The goal of this study is to investigate early childhood teachers' perspective of teaching foster and adopted children. The main purpose is to seek suggestions how teachers can nurture the development of foster and adopted children. A 6 question survey was sent to 44 teachers pursuing graduate studies in early childhood education. Of this 50% responded. The teachers give advice regarding dispositions and academic strategies that promote nurturing development of foster and adopted children.
ADVANCES IN NEONATAL SURGERY

Neonatal surgery has reached a high degree of sophistication. Anomalies that were highly lethal in the 1950s and 1960s are now expected to yield nearly 100% survival. This achievement is based not only on “maturation” of the techniques of repairs but more so on refinement of neonatal care in general (e.g., anesthesia, neonatology, and radiology) and concomitant deeper understanding of neonates' physiology and special needs. We are now entering a new era of widespread screening of the unborn by means of ultrasound, with planned intrauterine, intrapartum, and immediate postpartum interventions. In general, pediatric surgeons now believe that early (neonatal) correction of many of the anomalies will achieve better long-term functional results and, in many instances, will shorten total hospitalization time, reduce number of admissions, and minimize the psychologic stresses to the baby and family. The advent of rapid computed tomography (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and refined ultrasound have eliminated most diagnostic errors so that carefully planned operations can be carried out to an ultimate success. Many pediatric surgical centers are now focusing their investigative efforts on elucidating the cellular, molecular, and biochemical response to disease and therapeutic agents. Nitric oxide (NO) is a more recent such example whose influence on the functions of smooth muscles in various organ systems is being worked out (initially investigated and used for pulmonary arteriolar dilation on babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia [CDH] or persisting fetal circulation but is looked at for a range of other conditions). Liquid ventilation, using perflurocarbon medium, was successful in laboratory testing in various pulmonary failure syndromes and is now entering clinical trials. The discovery and isolation of tumor angiogenic factor contribute to the understanding of tumor growth and the potential for antiangiogenic therapy. In the operative sphere, newly developed instruments and their applications to pediatric care, especially minimally invasive endoscopic procedures (laparoscopy and thoracoscopy) are now used in most pediatric surgical care centers with ever-increasing frequency and for a variety of conditions. Since the topic of neonatal surgery is so wide and encompassing, I will limit the presentation to some of the newer applications, techniques, and approaches that were entered into our discipline.
Hedgehog signaling pathway: development of antagonists for cancer therapy.

The hedgehog pathway, initially discovered in Drosophila by two Nobel laureates, Dr. Eric Wieschaus and Dr. Christiane Nusslein-Volhard, is a major regulator for cell differentiation, tissue polarity, and cell proliferation. Studies from many laboratories—cluding ours—eal activation of this pathway in most basal cell carcinomas and nearly one third of extracutaneous human cancers, including medulloblastomas and gastrointestinal and prostate cancers. Even more exciting is the discovery and synthesis of specific signaling antagonists for the hedgehog pathway, which have significant clinical implications in novel cancer therapeutics. This review discusses the current understanding of the hedgehog signaling pathway and its activation in human cancers. It also discusses putative and confirmed signaling antagonists and their perspectives in therapeutic applications.
Recombinant human activin-A stimulates basal FSH and GnRH-stimulated FSH and LH release in the adult male macaque, Macaca fascicularis.

Abstract Activin-A is a homodimer of the BA inhibin subunit that stimulates FSH secretion by pituitary cells in vitro; however, the physiological relevance of this effect is unknown. We have examined whether recombinant human activin-A (activin-A ; 80 μg/kg/day iv infusion for 50.5 h) has in vivo bioactivity in the adult male macaque (n=5). Serum FSH and LH bioactivity and serum testosterone (T) levels were measured on 2 control days and after 24 and48 h of activin-A administration. Basal FSH levels increased significantly (p<0.05) by 17% at 24 h and 82% at 48 h during activin-A administration. No changes in basal LH or T levels were seen. The FSH and LH responses toGnRH (5 Hg/kg, iv bolus) increased significantly (p<0.05) by 117% and 55% after 48 h of activin-A, respectively. A small (16%), but statistically significant (p<0.05), increase in the T response to the GnRH challenge was also noted. These data are preliminary evidence in support of a physiological role for activin-A in the control of gonadotro...
Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia: A retrospective case series and review of the literature

Introduction Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is characterized by hypoxemia, pulmonary infiltrates and pulmonary eosinophilia. Data is limited and the purpose of this study is to better understand this disorder.
Breast hamartomas – Differential consideration in slow developing breast asymmetry

Abstract Breast hamartoma is a relatively rare entity with an incidence of approximately 0.7% of benign breast masses. Hamartomas may become large and cause breast asymmetry. Hamartomas, although benign, have the potential for malignant transformation and should be treated or monitored closely when encountered especially if microcalcifications or speculated lesions are seen within the mass. The following cases demonstrate two of the largest documented harmartomas since they were recognized as distinct entities in the early 1970's. Proper referral to the appropriate specialists can result in earlier detection and resolution of symptoms.