bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotyping of Clostridium perfringens Isolates from Domestic Livestock in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Omer Sawsan A. , Al-Olayan Ebtesam M. , Babiker Salah Eldin H. , Aljulaifi Mohammed Z. , Alagaili Abdulaziz N. , Mohammed Osama B.
Published: March 2020

The present study was undertaken to confirm the genetic identity of Clostridium perfringens isolates from domestic livestock in Saudi Arabia and to characterize the genes encoding to alpha, beta, epsilon, and iota (α‐, β‐, ε‐, and ι‐) toxins. C. perfringens were confirmed in 104 out of 136 isolates on multiplex polymerase chain reaction using specific primers amplifying genes related to toxins produced by C. perfringens. Genes encoding α‐toxins were detected in 104 samples. Of the isolates, 80.8% were diagnosed as type A, 15.4% as type D, 2.9% as type C, and 0.96% as type B. None of the isolates has genes encoding iota (ι‐) toxin. All isolates investigated yielded enterotoxin (cpe) products and none yielded β2 (cpb2‐toxin) or NetB products. PLC gene sequences encoding α‐toxin showed >96.7% similarity. Isolates which had α‐toxins as well as enterotoxin (cpe) are regarded as type F. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood analysis yielded two clades, and the majority of the isolates were in one group while only two isolates clustered on the second clade. Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strains, 54 variable positions and 23 polymorphic amino acids were noticed. Isolates with ε‐ and β‐toxins were variable and were found to be close to those published for C. perfringens. ETX gene sequences encoding ε‐toxins were found to be related to CPE sequences.
Generation of Genetically Engineered Mouse Lung Organoid Models for Squamous Cell Lung Cancers Allows for the Study of Combinatorial Immunotherapy
Authors: Hai Josephine , Zhang Hua , Zhou Jin , Wu Zhong , Chen Ting , Papadopoulos Eleni , Dowling Catríona M. , Pyon Val , Pan Yuanwang , Liu Jie Bin , Bronson Roderick T. , Silver Heather , Lizotte Patrick H. , Deng Jiehui , Campbell Joshua D. , Sholl Lynette M. , Ng Christine , Tsao Ming-Sound , Thakurdin Cassandra , Bass Adam J. , Wong Kwok-Kin
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a deadly disease for which only a subset of patients responds to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Therefore, preclinical mouse models that recapitulate the complex genetic profile found in patients are urgently needed.

Experimental Design:

We used CRISPR genome editing to delete multiple tumor suppressors in lung organoids derived from Cre-dependent SOX2 knock-in mice. We investigated both the therapeutic efficacy and immunologic effects accompanying combination PD-1 blockade and WEE1 inhibition in both mouse models and LSCC patient-derived cell lines.

Results:

We show that multiplex gene editing of mouse lung organoids using the CRISPR–Cas9 system allows for efficient and rapid means to generate LSCCs that closely mimic the human disease at the genomic and phenotypic level. Using this genetically defined mouse model and three-dimensional tumoroid culture system, we show that WEE1 inhibition induces DNA damage that primes the endogenous type I IFN and antigen presentation system in primary LSCC tumor cells. These events promote cytotoxic T-cell–mediated clearance of tumor cells and reduce the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating neutrophils. Beneficial immunologic features of WEE1 inhibition are further enhanced by the addition of anti–PD-1 therapy.

Conclusions:

We developed a mouse model system to investigate a novel combinatory approach that illuminates a clinical path hypothesis for combining ICB with DNA damage–inducing therapies in the treatment of LSCC.
CA-125 ELIMination Rate Constant K (KELIM) Is a Marker of Chemosensitivity in Patients with Ovarian Cancer: Results from the Phase II CHIVA Trial
Authors: You Benoit , Robelin Patrick , Tod Michel , Louvet Christophe , Lotz Jean-Pierre , Abadie-Lacourtoisie Sophie , Fabbro Michel , Desauw Christophe , Bonichon-Lamichhane Nathalie , Kurtz Jean-Emmanuel , Follana Philippe , Leheurteur Marianne , Piano Francesco Del , Ferron Gwénael , De Rauglaudre Gaëtan , Ray-Coquard Isabelle , Combe Pierre , Chevalier-Place Annick , Joly Florence , Leary Alexandra , Pujade-Lauraine Eric , Freyer Gilles , Colomban Olivier
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

In patients with ovarian cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the first-line treatment success will depend on both the tumor-primary chemosensitivity and the completeness of interval debulking surgery (IDS). The modeled CA-125 ELIMination rate constant K (KELIM), calculated with the CA-125 longitudinal kinetics during the first 100 chemotherapy days, is a validated early marker of tumor chemosensitivity. The objective was to investigate the role of the chemosensitivity relative to the success of first-line medical–surgical treatment.

Experimental Design:

The CA-125 concentrations were prospectively measured in the randomized phase II trial CHIVA (NCT01583322, carboplatin–paclitaxel regimen ± nintedanib, and IDS, n = 188 patients). The KELIM predictive value regarding the tumor response rate, likelihood of complete IDS, risk of subsequent platinum-resistant relapse (PtRR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) was assessed using univariate and multivariate tests.

Results:

The data from 134 patients were analyzed. KELIM was an independent and major predictor of subsequent PtRR risk, and of survivals. The final logistic regression model, including KELIM [OR = 0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.03–0.49] and complete IDS (no vs. yes, OR = 0.30; 95% CI, 0.11–0.76) highlights the preponderant role of chemosensitivity on the success of the first-line treatment. In patients with highly chemosensitive diseases, the patient prognosis was driven more by the chemotherapy-induced antitumor effects than by the surgery.

Conclusions:

The tumor-primary chemosensitivity, assessed by the modeled CA-125 KELIM calculated during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (http://www.biomarker-kinetics.org/CA-125-neo), may be a major parameter to consider for decision-making regarding IDS attempt, and selecting patients for treatments meant to reverse the primary chemoresistance.

See related commentary by May and Oza, p. 4432
A Case of Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Successfully Treated with Multidisciplinary Therapy
Authors: Tomita Masafumi , Oura Shoji , Makimoto Shinichiro
Published: March 2020

A 42-year-old woman with locally advanced luminal breast cancer was referred to our hospital. Ultrasonography showed marked skin thickening with obscured breast mass. Positron emission tomography showed bilateral swelling in the axillar, parasternal, and supraclavicular lymph nodes in addition to the primary breast cancer. Following the patient’s request, we treated her with primary bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy to the breast due to the histologically proven widely spreading cancer remnants in the skin after chemotherapy. Thereafter, the patient underwent mastectomy and axillary dissection with a vertical rectus abdominis musculo-cutaneous flap to cover the skin defect. Pathological examination showed no viable cancer cells both in the breast and lymph nodes but imperceptible cytokeratin AE1 + 3-positive cells in the skin. Although wound healing needed 3 months due to the influence of preoperative radiotherapy, the patient has been well on endocrine therapy without any recurrence for more than 7 years.
First survey of the ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Piauí: filling a major knowledge gap about ant diversity in Brazil
Authors: Jory Tainara Thais , Feitosa Rodrigo Machado
Published: March 2020

Piauí, a Brazilian Northeast state, has been considered one of the most important regions for the presence of new taxa in ants globally, especially considering the ecosystems’ diversity formed by the transition of the three biomes in the state, the Cerrado, Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest. Despite the recent increase in studies of ant diversity in the Neotropical region, Piauí still represents a major knowledge gap regarding its ant fauna. Therefore, this study aimed to increase the knowledge about the ant fauna of the state by generating a list of species with data obtained from the literature, online repositories and collection expeditions to the Serra da Capivara and Serra das Confusões National Parks. A total of 152 species in 52 genera and nine subfamilies were registered from 24 localities in Piauí. Fifty-eight out the 152 species recorded represent new records for the state, eight are new records for the Brazilian Northeast Region, and one consists of a new record for the country. Eleven species are here recognized as new for science. Considering the field expeditions carried out here, this work represents the first standardized study for the ant fauna of Piauí. The species list presented considerably exceeds the current number of species registered for the state so far. From the present 48 records, the number of species for Piauí raises to more than 150 with a tendency to increase with the accomplishment of future field endeavors and advances in the study of the local ants.
Catalogue of Rangomaramidae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) types housed in the collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Falaschi Rafaela Lopes , Amaral Edna Maria , Lamas Carlos José Einicker
Published: March 2020

This paper provides a catalogue of the type specimens of Rangomaramidae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) held in the collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP). Label data and the condition of 26 type-specimens (three holotypes and 23 paratypes) of four Neotropical species are provided.
Representações internas e processamento de informação em redes neurais
Authors: Caticha Nestor
Published: March 2020

O objetivo deste artigo é mostrar em casos simples como funcionam as redes neurais. Nesse sentido, embora seja possível descrever o funcionamento de uma rede neural de arquitetura profunda de várias formas, neste artigo optou-se pela descrição em termos da construção e reconstrução de representações internas à medida que a informação se propaga pela rede.
Years of life lost by CNCD attributed to occupational hazards in Brazil: GBD 2016 study
Authors: Assunção Ada Ávila , França Elisabeth Barboza
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVE: To assess the years of life lost due to premature death and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) as a result of chronic noncommunicable diseases attributable to occupational hazard factors, and to compare their position according to the risk ranking for chronic noncommunicable diseases in 1990 and 2016. METHODS: Data for the DALY indicator, estimated from the Global Burden of Disease 2016 (GBD 2016) study, were analyzed for noncommunicable chronic diseases attributable to occupational, and other risk factors, selected in Brazil. A descriptive analysis was performed comparing the proportion of DALY by sex and age group (15 to 49 and 50 to 69 years old), as well as the ranking of occupational hazard factors in 1990 and 2016. RESULTS: In 2016, ergonomic risk factors, carcinogenic agents, and noise in the workplace were among the 25 largest contributors to DALY for chronic noncommunicable diseases affecting the age group between 15 and 49 years. The contribution of all occupational hazard factors increased in 2016, except for occupational aerodispersoids affecting men. Concerning the age group between 50 and 69, occupational carcinogens stand out, with an increase of 26.0% for men, and 17.1% for women in 2016. Risk factors evaluated according to their 1990 and 2016 ranking show that occupational hazards have all scored higher on the second evaluation (2016), especially when compared with other risks. CONCLUSIONS: The global burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases attributed to occupational hazard factors has become increasingly important. We suggest the strengthening of the approach of occupational hazard factors in the agendas for tackling these diseases in Brazil.
Compliance of infant formula promotion on websites of Brazilian manufacturers and drugstores
Authors: Prado Isabella Scatamacchia Cordeiro Ferraz , Rinaldi Ana Elisa Madalena
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVE: To verify the compliance with Law No. 11,265/2006 in the promotion strategies for infant formula in Brazilian websites of manufacturers and drugstore networks. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2017. We analyzed the compliance to attributes of the Law No.11,265/2006 (Law for Marketing of Foods for Infants and Toddlers, Feeding Bottles, Teats and Pacifiers) in five websites of infant formula manufacturers and nine websites of drugstore networks. The main attributes assessed were: the presence of drawings or representations of children, the presence of warning statements displayed in conspicuous and prominent spaces informing if products are intended for infants aged under or over 6 months, the adequate display of infant formulas/similar products, and the presence of pop-ups with other infant formulas or links to websites for children’s products. All compliances and non compliances verified were described in absolute and relative frequencies. RESULTS: We verified that 80% of the websites of infant formula manufacturers displayed advertisements for other children’s food products. The main non compliance in infant formula manufacturer’s websites was the absence of warning statements about products intended for infants over 6 months of age. Only 33% of the drugstores’ websites complied with Law No. 11,265/2006. The main non compliances in these websites were the absence of warning statements on products intended for infants over 6 months of age (100%), the presence of pop-up advertisements for other infant foods (77%) and the presence of advertisements for other children’s food products (92%). CONCLUSION: We identified non compliances with the Law No. 11,256/2006 in almost all websites of infant formula manufacturers and in all the websites of drugstore networks. Most promotion strategies were found at drugstore websites, which are the main channels for online sales.
AGRASS Questionnaire: Assessment of Risk Management in Health Care
Authors: Gama Zenewton André da Silva , Saturno-Hernandez Pedro Jesus , Caldas Anna Claudia Sales Gomes , Freitas Marise Reis de , Mendonça Ana Elza Oliveira de , Medeiros Carlos Alexandre De Souza , Medeiros Wilton Rodrigues , Kessler Oliver , Soares Diogo Penha
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the development and the validity analysis of the Assessment of Risk Management in Health Care Questionnaire (AGRASS). METHODS: This is a validation study of a measurement instrument following the stages: 1) Development of conceptual model and items; 2) Formal multidisciplinary assessment; 3) Nominal group for validity analysis with national specialists; 4) Development of software and national pilot study in 62 Brazilian hospitals 5) Delphi for validity analysis with the users of the questionnaire. In stages 3 and 5, the items were judged based on face validity, content validity, and utility and viability, by a 1-7 Likert scale (cut-off point: median < 6). Accuracy and reliability of the questionnaire were analyzed with the Confirmatory Factor Analysis and the Cronbach’s alpha. RESULTS: The initial version of the instrument (98 items) was adapted during stages 1 to 3 for the final version with 40 items, which were considered relevant, of adequate content, useful, and viable. The instrument has 2 dimensions and 9 subdimensions, and the items have closed-ended questions (yes or no). The software for the automatic collection and analysis generates indicators, tables, and automatic graphs for the assessed institution and aggregated data. The adjustment indices confirmed a bi-dimensional model composed of structure and process (X2/gl = 1.070, RMSEA ≤ 0.05 = 0.847, TLI = 0.972), with high reliability for the AGRASS Questionnaire (α = 0.94) and process dimension (α = 0.93), and adequate for the structural dimension (α = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: The AGRASS Questionnaire is a potentially useful instrument for the surveillance and monitoring of the risk management and patient safety in health services.
Activated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induce Recovery Following Stroke Via Regulation of Inflammation and Oligodendrogenesis
Authors: Tobin Matthew K. , Stephen Terilyn K. L. , Lopez Kyra L. , Pergande Melissa R. , Bartholomew Amelia M. , Cologna Stephanie M. , Lazarov Orly
Published: March 2020

Background

Brain repair mechanisms fail to promote recovery after stroke, and approaches to induce brain regeneration are scarce. Mesenchymal stem cells (
MSC
) are thought to be a promising therapeutic option. However, their efficacy is not fully elucidated, and the mechanism underlying their effect is not known.

Methods and Results

The middle cerebral artery occlusion model was utilized to determine the efficacy of interferon‐γ–activated mesenchymal stem cells (
aMSC
γ) as an acute therapy for stroke. Here we show that treatment with
aMSC
γ is a more potent therapy for stroke than naive
MSC
.
aMSC
γ treatment results in significant functional recovery assessed by the modified neurological severity score and open‐field analysis compared with vehicle‐treated animals.
aMSC
γ‐treated animals showed significant reductions in infarct size and inhibition of microglial activation. The
aMSC
γ treatment suppressed the hypoxia‐induced microglial proinflammatory phenotype more effectively than treatment with naive
MSC
. Importantly, treatment with
aMSC
γ induced recruitment and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to myelin‐producing oligodendrocytes in vivo. To elucidate the mechanism underlying high efficacy of
aMSC
γ therapy, we examined the secretome of
aMSC
γ and compared it to that of naive
MSC
. Intriguingly, we found that
aMSC
γ but not
nMSC
upregulated neuron‐glia antigen 2, an important extracellular signal and a hallmark protein of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.

Conclusions

These results suggest that activation of
MSC
with interferon‐γ induces a potent proregenerative, promyelinating, and anti‐inflammatory phenotype of these cells, which increases the potency of
aMSC
γ as an effective therapy for ischemic stroke.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity: Evolution of Race and Ethnicity Considerations for the Cardiology Workforce in the United States of America From 1969 to 2019
Authors: Wang Norman C.
Published: March 2020

Since 1969, racial and ethnic preferences have existed throughout the American medical academy. The primary purpose has been to increase the number of blacks and Hispanics within the physician workforce as they were deemed to be “underrepresented in medicine.” To this day, the goal continues to be population parity or proportional representation. These affirmative action programs were traditionally voluntary, created and implemented at the state or institutional level, limited to the premedical and medical school stages, and intended to be temporary. Despite these efforts, numerical targets for underrepresented minorities set by the Association of American Medical Colleges have consistently fallen short. Failures have largely been attributable to the limited qualified applicant pool and legal challenges to the use of race and ethnicity in admissions to institutions of higher education. In response, programs under the appellation of diversity, inclusion, and equity have recently been created to increase the number of blacks and Hispanics as medical school students, internal medicine trainees, cardiovascular disease trainees, and cardiovascular disease faculty. These new diversity programs are mandatory, created and implemented at the national level, imposed throughout all stages of academic medicine and cardiology, and intended to be permanent. The purpose of this white paper is to provide an overview of policies that have been created to impact the racial and ethnic composition of the cardiology workforce, to consider the evolution of racial and ethnic preferences in legal and medical spheres, to critically assess current paradigms, and to consider potential solutions to anticipated challenges.
REKABET STRATEJİLERİNİN FİRMA PERFORMANSINA ETKİSİ VE GİRİŞİMSEL PAZARLAMANIN ARACILIK ROLÜ: BİR ÖRNEK UYGULAMA
Authors: TERZİOĞLU Erdem , TOPUZ Yusuf Volkan
Published: March 2020

Çalışmanın amacı, rekabet stratejileri ve girişimsel pazarlamanın firma performansı üzerindeki etkisinin incelenmesi ve rekabet stratejileri ile firma performansı arasındaki ilişkide girişimsel pazarlamanın aracılık rolünün incelenmesidir. Bu çalışmada veri, anket yöntemi ile toplanmıştır. Çalışma Doğu Marmara Bölgesinde (Bolu, Düzce, Sakarya, İzmit, Yalova) faaliyet gösteren 15 veya üstünde çalışan sayısı olan firmalar üzerinde uygulanmıştır. Üç ay içerisinde 300 katılımcıya ulaşılan çalışmada anketler yüz yüze görüşme ile yapılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler regresyon testleri kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Yapılan regresyon analizi sonucunda; rekabet stratejileri ve girişimsel pazarlamanın firma performansı üzerinde pozitif yönlü ve istatiksel olarak anlamlı etkisinin olduğu görülmüştür. Buna ek olarak rekabet stratejilerinin firma performansına etkisinin incelendiği modele girişimsel pazarlama dahil edildiğinde söz konusu ilişkide girişimsel pazarlamanın kısmi aracılık etkisi olduğu belirlenmiştir.
The End of Arms Control?
Authors: Brooks Linton F.
Published: March 2020

For almost half a century, the United States and the Soviet Union/Russian Federation have used arms control treaties to help regulate their nuclear relationship. The current such agreement, the 2011 New START treaty, expires in 2021, although the signatories can extend it until 2026. Because of mutual mistrust and incompatible positions on what to include in a follow-on agreement, New START will probably expire without a replacement. This essay examines the reasons for the demise of treaty-based arms control, reviews what will actually be lost by such a demise, and suggests some mitigation measures. It argues for a broader conception of arms control to include all forms of cooperative risk reduction and proposes new measures to prevent inadvertent escalation in crises.
The Role of Family Institutions and Deregulation Policies in Explaining Unemployment Risks in Households of Europe
Authors: Krutova Oxana
Published: March 2020

This research deals with the old, but unsettled, question of the extent to which different European welfare regimes and household strategies minimize the risk of unemployment. The author statistically processed the EU Labour Force Survey microdata for 29 European countries, covering the period from 2006 to 2016. Utilizing representative data and multilevel analysis, this research redresses the lack of understanding of how different household types buffer and mediate the risks of unemployment. The evidence suggests that choosing the strategy of breadwinning, familization of care or decommodification of labour, male-breadwinner households are more liable to increasing risks of unemployment than other types of households. However, male-breadwinner households remain more resilient against the influence of macro-economic shocks.
Tests of Conceptual Metaphor Theory with Episodic Memory Tests
Authors: Katz Albert N. , Nick Reid J.
Published: March 2020

Adopting Lakoff’s (1990) “cognitive commitment”, we make the argument that an under-employed means of testing tenets of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (cmt), and in bridging the gap between studies in cognitive linguistics and experimental cognitive psychology can be through the use of episodic memory tests. We provide examples of the utility of episodic memory for studying cmt, emphasizing the use of the drm False Memory Paradigm. We then describe its utility with other tasks, most notably with Release from Proactive Interference methodology. Although these tasks are based on episodic memory, they are heavily influenced by semantic information, making them useful tools to examine conceptual metaphors. We conclude by describing how episodic memory tasks could be employed to test the automaticity assumption of cmt.
Between Fascination and Reproach: Jews and Judaism in the Writings of Rev. Prof. Józef Kruszyński (1877–1953), Pre-War Rector of the Catholic University of Lublin
Authors: Majdanik Anna Jolanta
Published: March 2020

In the first part of the essay, the author presents a sketch of the life and works of Rev. Józef Kruszyński, the Rector of the Catholic University of Lublin. In the second part, she analyzes Kruszyński’s anti-Jewish writings, collected in the series “From the Field of Judeology”, against the backdrop of his broad literary work, most of which was made up by his original translations (including his translation of books of the Old Testament from Hebrew into Polish) and publications focused on the study of the Bible. Finally, the author retraces and examines the emergence of Kruszyński’s anti-Jewish views.
Stalinism and Revolution in Universities: Democratization of Higher Education from Above, 1947–1956
Authors: Zysiak Agata
Published: March 2020

The first postwar decade in Poland saw a rebuilding of the whole country, including the school system and higher education. Higher education institutions were to mold a new intelligentsia, coming from a wider social background. Initial grassroots efforts to change the elite character of universities were eclipsed from 1947 by a reform introduced from above. On the one hand, the reform curtailed the autonomy of universities and increased censorship and political control; on the other hand, however, its aim was to make university education available on an unprecedented scale to people from the working and peasant classes. This article offers a survey of tools through which this “democratization” of access to higher education was implemented, such as a new admissions process, the induction year and preparatory courses. It also shows how these tools changed the students’ social backgrounds, albeit without permanently altering the general picture of higher education in Poland.
Structural Investigation of the CdS Nanoparticles and Study of the Light Dependent Potential Barrier of CdS NPs/p-Si Heterojunction Device
Authors: Bhunia Amit Kumar , Saha Satyajit
Published: March 2020

Here, a simple chemical precipitation technique is used for the growth of Cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles and a cost effective way is preferred to fabricate a hetero-junction on p-type silicon (100). Chemically grown CdS nanoparticles with tetrahydrofuran (THF) as capping
agent are characterized using XRD, TEM, and Optical absorption spectrum. The average particle size found to be ∼8–10 nm from TEM and ∼13 nm from XRD. The estimated band gap and Urbach energy are found to be ∼3.45 eV and ∼1244.12 meV respectively. The unit cell of CdS
nano-crystal showed mixture of cubic (C) phase and hexagonal phase (HI). The CdS nanoparticles were deposited on p type Si (100) substrate by spin coating process. Heterojunction CdS nanofilm on p-Si characterized by Capacitor (C)–Voltage
(V) study. C–V characteristics in dark as well as in presence of light is done on hetero-junction formed out of CdS/p-Si. Light dependent Potential barrier of CdS/P-Si Heterojunction is estimated.
Development and Characterization of Binary Solid Lipid Nano Suspension of Atorvastatin: In-Vitro Drug Release and In-Vivo Pharmacokinetic Studies
Authors: Kamran Mahwish , Khan Mir Azam , Shafique Muhammad , Rehman Maqsood ur , Ahmed Waqar , Abdullah  , Ahmad Sajjad
Published: March 2020

Atorvastatin is an extensively used lipid lowering agent. But the vital issue associated with it is low oral bioavailability (12%) owing to poor aqueous solubility. To overcome this tribulation, binary solid lipid nano suspension of Atorvastatin (ATO) was formulated by solvent diffusion
method. The combination of stearic acid and oleic acid was utilized as a lipid carrier with Tween-80 (surfactant) along with Polyvinylpyrrolidone (co-surfactant). Optimized nano formulation was prepared by changing the formulation variables. Optimized nano suspension (ATO-4) represented particle
size 228.3 ± 2.1 nm and polydispersity index (PDI) 0.225 ± 0.02 with zeta potential (ZP) – 33.6 ± 0.02 mV. Encapsulation efficiency along with drug loading capacity was 88.3 ± 2.5% and 4.9 ± 0.14% respectively. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis
exposed spherical shaped amorphous particles. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as well as X-ray powder diffraction (P-XRD) established reduction in drug's crystalline state. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy exposed no interaction amongst the drug and formulation contents.
In-vitro studies revealed sustained pattern of drug release. Stability studies confirmed refrigerated temperature as most suitable for storage of binary solid lipid nano suspension. Plasma concentration versus time curve ascertained 2.78-fold increase in oral bioavailability of ATO
nano suspension compared to the marketed product (Lipitor®). Findings proposed desired improvement in oral bioavailability of ATO nano suspension with sustained drug release profile. Thus, binary solid lipid nano suspension could be utilized as an advanced drug delivery system
for oral deliverance of hydrophobic drugs.
Impact of Lateral Groundwater Flow and Subsurface Lower Boundary Conditions on Atmospheric Boundary Layer Development over Complex Terrain
Authors: Forrester Mary M. , Maxwell Reed M.
Published: March 2020

Credible soil moisture redistribution schemes are essential to meteorological models, as lower boundary moisture influences the balance of surface turbulent fluxes and atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) development. While land surface models (LSMs) have vastly improved in their hydrologic representation, several commonly held assumptions, such as free-draining lower boundary, one-dimensional moisture flux, and lack of groundwater representation, can bias the terrestrial water balance. This study explores the impact of LSM hydrology representation on ABL development in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) meteorological model. The results of summertime WRF simulations with Noah LSM, characterized by 2-m-thick soil and one-dimensional flow, are shown for a domain in the Colorado Rocky Mountain headwaters region. A reference WRF simulation is compared to 1) the same model with soil moisture initialized by the hydrologic model ParFlow; 2) a deep, free-draining simulation; and 3) WRF coupled to ParFlow, a three-dimensional, integrated groundwater-surface water model. Results show that both lateral transport of groundwater and the rate of drainage from the lower soil layer can weaken or reverse the coupling strength between evaporative fraction and ABL over a 5-month summer period. The resulting shifts in low-level moist convection in river valleys and thermally driven airflows yield strengthened anabatic upslope winds and perturbations to regional precipitation.
Experience of a Permanent Ventilation and Drainage System in the Management of Purulent Maxillary Sinusitis
Authors: Berg Olof , Lejdeborn Lars
Published: March 2020

Fifty patients with purulent maxillary sinusitis, 11 patients with pressure-induced maxillary pain, and 14 patients undergoing maxillary sinus surgery were treated with a new type of permanent ventilation and drainage tube. With use of local anesthesia and as an office procedure, an inferior meatus antrostomy was performed with a circular-bore trephine, and a medical-grade, x-ray–dense silicone tube was inserted to secure the ventilation and drainage. Experience of 14 months of clinical use demonstrated a high success rate (92%) in cases of recurrent and chronic purulent sinusitis. All patients with pressure-induced pain were free from symptoms throughout the observation time. Only a few minor complications were observed. Among the advantages of the method is a more aggressive and early treatment in cases of purulent maxillary infections, possibly prior to the development of irreversible mucosal damage.
Surgeons’ Reported Attitudes and Practices regarding Alaryngeal Speech
Authors: Webster Patricia M. , Duguay Marshall J.
Published: March 2020

Attitudes and practices of 50 prominent laryngologic surgeons were surveyed to determine current trends and implications for postoperative speech rehabilitation. Data are available for 1,003 laryngectomy operations performed over the past 3-year period by the 22 responders (44%). Those surgeons responding indicated a preference toward tracheoesophageal shunt procedures. A negative correlation was noted between the increased number of tracheoesophageal shunt procedures and the age of the surgeon. Additional responses provided information regarding personal preferences for postlaryngectomy speech types, opinions regarding artificial device use, and speech rehabilitation referral practices.
Curriculum in Action: Teaching Students to Combat Human Trafficking
Authors: Zhu Toby , Crenshaw Christina , Scott Lakia M.
Published: March 2020

Human trafficking severely endangers vulnerable individuals from around the globe. Schools play an important role to educate students the potential harms of human trafficking and should become more intentional in providing support services for children who fall victim to human trafficking. The purpose of this study was to examine how preventive curricula on human trafficking can be successfully implemented in schools because of the direct connection to teaching for social justice. Under the theoretical guise of teaching for social justice, researchers reviewed current literature trends on implementing social justice curricula and current models for teaching about human trafficking. Following the qualitative research case study method, interview data, classroom observation, interval recording, and reflexive notes were collected and analyzed for salient themes to emerge. Findings from this study support the notion that anti–human trafficking curriculum can be implemented in public school settings and yield high engagement among students.
Multiway dynamic nonlinear global neighborhood preserving embedding method for monitoring batch process
Authors: Hui Yongyong , Zhao Xiaoqiang
Published: March 2020

Aiming at the dynamic and nonlinear characteristics of batch process, a multiway dynamic nonlinear global neighborhood preserving embedding algorithm is proposed. For the nonlinear batch process monitoring, kernel mapping is widely used to eliminate nonlinearity by projecting the data into high-dimensional space, but the nonlinear relationships between batch process variables are limited by many physical constraints, and the infinite-order mapping is inefficient and redundant. Compared with the basic kernel mapping method which provides an infinite-order nonlinear mapping, the proposed method considers the dynamic and nonlinear characteristics with many physical constraints and preserves the global and local structures concurrently. First, the time-lagged window is used to remove the auto-correlation in time series of process variables. Second, a nonlinear method named constructive polynomial mapping is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy and reduce computational complexity. Third, the global neighborhood preserving embedding method is used to extract structures fully after the dynamic and nonlinear characteristics are processed. Finally, the effects of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated by a mathematical model and the penicillin fermentation process.
The Anatomy of the Advertising Budget Decision: How Analytics and Heuristics Drive Sales Performance
Authors: Kolsarici Ceren , Vakratsas Demetrios , Naik Prasad A.
Published: March 2020

The authors investigate how heuristics and analytics contribute to the advertising budget decision by decomposing it into four components: (1) baseline spending, (2) adaptive experimentation, (3) advertising-to-sales ratio, and (4) competitive parity. They propose a methodology to estimate and infer the weights of these four components. Applying this methodology to sales and advertising data across eight brands from three categories substantiates for the first time, and uniformly across all brands, that managers depart from optimality through adaptive experimentation, which is in line with dual control theory that suggests they do so to learn about advertising effectiveness. The adaptive experimentation finding, combined with evidence on the use of heuristic methods, suggests that budget decision making is characterized by bounded rationality. Furthermore, budgeting decisions are brand-specific, reflecting the considerations of a brand’s market position and performance. Finally, simulation studies show that brands from categories with high uncertainty in advertising effectiveness can benefit from double-digit revenue lifts by placing higher emphasis on adaptive experimentation.
Cluster Analysis of MMPI Scales of Patients Involuntarily Committed for Chemical Dependency Treatment1
Authors: Hall James E. , Williams Janice G. , Button Kristin
Published: March 2020

This study investigated empirical clusters of MMPI scale T scores for 186 men and 112 women involuntarily committed to a chemical dependency unit of a state psychiatric hospital. Ward's method of cluster analysis produced six clusters which were similar to those reported in other cluster-analytic studies of alcoholics but with a prominent increase in Scale 6 elevations. Average profiles for the six clusters were Spike 6, 6-2-8-4, within normal limits (Clusters 3 and 4), and 2-6-8-3-4-1-9. Results are discussed in terms of treatment planning for this population.
Two Continuing Education Models for Preparing Teachers to use Whole Language
Authors: Henney Maribeth , Strong Mary
Published: March 2020

For teachers in two school systems, a longer initial in-service training time with four follow-up meetings throughout the school year was more effective in increasing knowledge and applications of whole language philosophy than a shorter initial training time with follow-up meetings twice a month for two semesters. A shorter initial training with more frequent follow-up meetings resulted in a more favorable attitude toward whole language.
Anxiety, Cognitive Interference, and School Performance of Italian Children
Authors: Comunian A. L.
Published: March 2020

The relationship between test-anxiety and school performance is thought to be mediated by stress of cognitive appraisal and interference. Worry appears to be the critical component of test-anxiety which affects task performance done in the USA. The present goal was to investigate relationships among cognitive interference, test-anxiety, and school performance of Italian children, 11 to 13 years old (150 boys, 150 girls). The results show that prior findings are applicable to the Italian youngsters, namely, that cognitive interference is positively related to test-anxiety and both are related to school performance.
Accepting Self, Accepting others, and Rating Peers Generously1
Authors: Hurley John R.
Published: March 2020

After participating for more than 20 hr. in 58 small groups, 487 undergraduates rated own and each other's within-group behavior separately for acceptance versus rejection of others and of self. Individuals’ ratings by pooled group peers and self agreed substantially, although more strongly for self-accepting than for other-accepting conduct. Despite moderate positive correlations between self-acceptance and acceptance of others, how favorably one rated one's group peers correlated appreciably, consistently, and positively only with acceptance of others, not with acceptance of self.
Gender, Socioeconomic Status, and Mathematics Achievement by Xhosa Children
Authors: Cherian Varghese I.
Published: March 2020

This study investigated gender and socioeconomic status differences in mathematics achievement of 1021 Xhosa children (369 boys and 652 girls) whose ages ranged from 13 to 17 yr. ( M age, 15.6 yr.). They were chosen at random from the Standard 7 population of Transkei, South Africa. Their marks on the Standard 7 External Examination in mathematics was the criterion measure. A two-way analysis of variance indicated that mathematical achievement of girls was significantly higher than that of boys of low socioeconomic status whereas at middle and high socioeconomic status mathematics achievement of boys was significantly higher than that of the girls.
Sociodemographic and Political Correlates of University Students’ Causal Attributions for Poverty
Authors: Griffin William E. , Oheneba-Sakyi Yaw
Published: March 2020

The effects of sociodemographic and political variables on causal attribution for poverty were measured among college students using the LOGIT form of the general logistic regression. Consistent with past research, our study indicated that students reporting higher parental social class, conservative political orientations, and opinions in favor of the death penalty were significantly more likely to agree with an individual causal attribution for poverty than other students when the effects of all other variables were held constant. It is suggested that such variables be examined as developmental factors in differences in attributional styles.
Relating Verbal Immediacy to Managers’ Influence Techniques
Authors: Lamude Kevin G. , Scudder Joseph
Published: March 2020

Richmond, McCroskey, and Davis's Behavioral Alteration Technique was administered to 134 middle managers from a variety of organizations. Step-wise regression analysis indicated managers’ verbal immediacy was associated with more use of reward and expertise and less use of pressure and position with subordinates.
Management of Death and Grief in Obituary and in Memoriam Pages of Nigerian Newspapers, 2
Authors: Alali A. Odasuo
Published: March 2020

This analysis of obituaries and in memoriam advertisements in Nigerian newspapers provides the identification of dimensions of content used to manage death and grief. Ten dimensions of content were abstracted: pictorial representation is a widespread practice, immediacy of announcement following death is an appropriate etiquette in the management of death, funeral arrangements are included as open invitation to a community of mourners, advertisements indicate direct contact and communication with the deceased, contents suggest the belief in personal immortality of the soul, religion is a pervasive and dominating force in advertisements, there are similarities in choice of words used in death advertisements, there is recognition of the temporal nature of life, mourning seems to be an ongoing process, and often the deceased is perceived as resting in peace. Never do obituaries and in memoriam statements include the flaws of the deceased. Clearly, the dimensions of content in the obituaries and in memoriam advertisements of Nigerian newspapers are a specific cultural behavior of people who exhibit similarity in the management of death and grief.” These advertisements serve as an unbroken link between the deceased and the bereaved. This study also suggests that openness to death is the appropriate etiquette in the management of death and grief in Nigeria.
Neuropsychiatric Update of the Crime “Profile” and “Signature” in Single or Serial Homicides: Rule out Limbic Psychotic Trigger Reaction1
Authors: Pontius Anneliese A.
Published: March 2020

A neuropsychiatric and -psychological update of the crime “profile” and “signature” is a necessary addition to the traditional sociopsychological model likely to miss limbic system dysfunctioning. Thus, occurrence of a brief (c. 20 minutes) limbic seizure has been proposed based on behaviors of 12 white male homicidal loners, who showed a dozen symptoms and signs: Limbic Psychotic Trigger Reaction. Readily overlooked can be (a) a transient psychosis (hallucinations and/or delusions), (b) autonomic hyperactivation (e.g., loss of bladder control, nausea, ejaculation), (c) motiveless, out-of-character, unplanned, and well-remembered homicidal acts, (d) committed with a flat affect (not emotionally or impulsively provoked), (e) typically involving a stranger who happened to provide an objectively harmless and only subjectively important stimulus. (f) Such an individualized stimulus triggered the memory revival of mild to moderate but repeatedly experienced hurts. Such a specific sequence of events implicates the specific mechanism of limbic seizure, “kindling,” which does not necessarily involve motor convulsions. Repetition of such limbic episodes with “criminal acts” is conceivable under specific circumstances including cases in which the triggering stimulus is associated with pleasurable delusions (e.g., of grandiose power or wealth) or constitutes a specific aspect of a basic drive motive. For example, eating or sexual activities might be planned but degenerate into a limbic episode with a specific core symptomatology.
Clinical Note on MMPI Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale (PK)
Authors: Sinnett E. Robert
Published: March 2020

An MMPI scale for the detection of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder has been altered in MMPI-2. The entire scale, not readily retrievable, is presented for the MMPI group form.
Diagnosis of Disruptive Behavior Disorders using the Millon Adolescent Personality Inventory
Authors: Hart Lance Roderic
Published: March 2020

Millon Adolescent Personality Inventory differential diagnosis of disruptive behavior disorder vs no behavior disorder was investigated. Results were twice cross-validated. Millon adolescent Scales 4, 5, 6, G, SS, and TT were closely related to diagnosis of behavior disorder. Two psychometric rules averaged 70% hits and 35% false positives over three samples, Rule 1 of >2 elevations (baserate score >63) among Scales 6-G-SS-TT and Rule 2 of Scale 4 elevated with Scale 5 or with one of 6-G-SS-TT. An ancillary rule was highly specific to behavior disorder (90%). Two broad dimensions or factors appeared to be represented in the key scales; Scales 4 and 5 exemplified a histrionic-narcissistic factor, while the 6-G-SS-TT combination typified behavioral conflict and instability.
Psychology of Computer Use: XXIX. Measuring Computer Users’ Stress: The Computer Hassles Scale1
Authors: Hudiburg Richard A. , Brown Sara R. , Jones T. Morris
Published: March 2020

Measurement of computer users’ stress was based on the Computer Hassles Scale. 65 questionnaires were returned from 113 mailed to users of accounting information systems who worked for manufacturing companies. Correlations were calculated for the total sample and subsamples divided by gender. The analysis indicated that persons with college degrees experienced greater computer users’ stress than those who were without. Those persons who reported more computer hassles experienced more somatic complaints which indicated that the computer hassles were stressful. There were no significant mean differences between women and men on computer hassles or somatic complaints. The correlations of computer hassles with somatic complaints differed by gender. Women's computer hassles were significantly correlated .61 with somatic complaints, but men's computer hassles were not significantly correlated ( r= .18) with somatic complaints. The gender differences suggest that there is a complex relationship between stressors (computer hassles) and stress reactions (somatic complaints).
Effects of UCS Intensity and Duration of Exposure of Nonreinforced CS on Conditioned Electrodermal Responses: An Experimental Analysis of the Incubation Theory of Anxiety
Authors: Chorot Paloma , Sandín Bonifacio
Published: March 2020

Eysenck's incubation theory of fear or anxiety was examined in a human Pavlovian conditioning experiment with skin-conductance responses as the dependent variable. The conditioned stimuli (CSs) were fear-relevant slides (snakes and spiders) and the unconditioned stimuli (UCSs) were aversive tones. Different groups of subjects were presented two tone intensities during the acquisition phase and three durations of nonreinforced CS (extinction phase) in a delay differential conditioning paradigm. Resistance to extinction of conditioned skin-conductance responses (conditioned fear responses) exhibited was largest for high intensity of tone and short presentations of the nonreinforced CS (CS + presented alone). The result tends to support Eysenck's incubation theory of anxiety.