cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuropathogenesis and Neurologic Manifestations of the Coronaviruses in the Age of Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Review.

Importance Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 2019, causing human coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has now spread into a worldwide pandemic. The pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19 have been well described in the literature. Two similar human coronaviruses that cause Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) are known to cause disease in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Emerging evidence suggests COVID-19 has neurologic consequences as well. Observations This review serves to summarize available information regarding coronaviruses in the nervous system, identify the potential tissue targets and routes of entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the central nervous system, and describe the range of clinical neurological complications that have been reported thus far in COVID-19 and their potential pathogenesis. Viral neuroinvasion may be achieved by several routes, including transsynaptic transfer across infected neurons, entry via the olfactory nerve, infection of vascular endothelium, or leukocyte migration across the blood-brain barrier. The most common neurologic complaints in COVID-19 are anosmia, ageusia, and headache, but other diseases, such as stroke, impairment of consciousness, seizure, and encephalopathy, have also been reported. Conclusions and Relevance Recognition and understanding of the range of neurological disorders associated with COVID-19 may lead to improved clinical outcomes and better treatment algorithms. Further neuropathological studies will be crucial to understanding the pathogenesis of the disease in the central nervous system, and longitudinal neurologic and cognitive assessment of individuals after recovery from COVID-19 will be crucial to understand the natural history of COVID-19 in the central nervous system and monitor for any long-term neurologic sequelae.
The effects of adolescent laparoscopic adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy on markers of bone health and bone turnover.

25-hydroxy vitamin D (25 OHD) deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism have been seen after metabolic and bariatric surgery, but data are lacking on the bone health outcomes of adolescent sleeve gastrectomy (SG). The purpose of this study was to examine bone-related nutrition after SG, compared to laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB), and trend bone turnover markers following SG. This is an observational study of 197 adolescents who underwent LAGB (n = 98) or SG (n = 99). Bone health labs were collected at baseline and 6 and/or 12 months after LAGB or SG, with additional analysis of bone turnover markers in the SG group. Calcium and 25 OHD levels increased at 6 and 12 months after LAGB and SG, with no difference between the surgeries. Parathyroid hormone levels decreased only in the SG group. SG patients had increased osteocalcin and carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) at 6 and 12 months post-SG, although CTX decreased between 6 and 12 months. Excess weight loss at 6 months predicted the rise in CTX, but the changes in osteocalcin and CTX could not be attributed to 25 OHD deficiency, hypocalcemia or hyperparathyroidism. Patients had improved 25 OHD levels post-surgery, which may be secondary to stringent vitamin supplementation guidelines. However, there were marked increases in bone turnover markers following SG. More studies are needed to evaluate the effects of SG on adolescent bone health and to correlate the early changes in bone turnover with bone mineral density and fracture risk.
Characterization of User PM Exposure During the Application of Aerosol Mineral-Based Sunscreens Shows Minimal Risk

This study characterizes particles emitted from three commercial sunscreen sprays with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30. Sample collection and measurement were made at 20 cm longitudinally and 36 cm laterally from the emission point to simulate the point of inhalation for an application on one’s arm. Over 85% of all particles by count had a diameter of less than 100 nm. The three products had a mass median diameter of 0.65 µm, 1.40 µm, and 1.70 µm, respectively. The collected aerosols in the breathing zone from application of the sunscreen sprays with TiO2 and ZnO contained less than advertised. The product containing only TiO2 as active ingredient generated aerosols with a higher mass fraction of TiO2. The total particle mass concentrations of the sunscreens were 0.77 µg/m3, 0.57 µg/m3, and 0.80 µg/m3, respectively. The PM2.5 mass concentrations were 0.45 µg/m3, 0.30 µg/m3, and 0.37 µg/m3, respectively. The estimated mass concentrations for total particles, PM2.5, TiO2, ZnO, and SiO2 did not exceed the regulatory limits by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) or the recommended limits by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), meaning 8-h daily average exposures at these levels throughout a typical career would comply with current regulations. Consequently, applying the three sunscreen sprays does not pose a significant hazard via respiratory exposure under these conditions, and considering the transient and relatively infrequent use by most consumers, a substantial factor of safety exists.
Reasoning from Principles of Religious Liberty to a Test of Corporate Sincerity

A substantially revised version of this Irving Oberman Memorial Prize winning article now appears under the title "Justice Kennedy and the Unfolding Doctrine of Corporate Religious Sincerity" at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2716699. The article explores how Justice Kennedy's Hobby Lobby concurrence synthesizes competing narratives about religious liberty and points toward a doctrinal test of corporate religious sincerity that is legally and politically justifiable.
The Interplay of Sex Steroids, the Immune Response, and the Intestinal Microbiota

The role of sex steroids in mammalian maturation is well established. Recently, it has been increasingly appreciated that sex steroids also play an important role in the propensity of adults to develop a myriad of diseases. The exposure and responsiveness of tissues to sex steroids varies among individuals and between the sexes, and this has been correlated with gender-specific differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and in susceptibility to metabolic, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases. Here we focus on recent studies that demonstrate an interplay between sex steroids, the intestinal immune response, and the intestinal microbiota. While correlations between biological sex, the intestinal innate immune response, intestinal inflammation, and intestinal microbiota have been established, many gaps in our knowledge prevent the emergence of an overarching model for this complex interaction. Such a model could aid in the development of prebiotic, probiotic, or synthetic therapeutics that decrease the risk of autoimmune, metabolic, neoplastic, and infectious diseases of the intestine and mitigate the particular health risks faced by individuals receiving sex steroid treatment.
Renal arteriography and interventions

One to five percent of children are hypertensive and of those it is not well known how many will have an arterial cause but this number ranges from 5 to 25 %. It is beyond the scope of this chapter to assess the complex issue of children with hypertension and how the different modalities (US, Doppler, CTA, MRA) should be used in the workup. The renal arteriogram remains the gold standard in identifying or excluding an arterial abnormality as the cause of hypertension.
Securing Data in Life Sciences—A Plant Food (Edamame) Systems Case Study

Efforts to identify specialty crop genetics and agronomics, such as for edamame (vegetable soybean), that improve crop yields, resilience, and sustainability often fail to account for data on nutritional content, sensory profile, and/or consumer acceptability. Limited exchange of data across agricultural and food sectors challenges the design of specialty crops that meet consumer needs and expectations and the value chain, and can increase cyberbiosecurity risks. Communication and collaboration within the multi-sector system are essential to address cyberbiosecurity issues related to privacy of data producers, ownership of original data, risks of data sharing, security protection for data transfer and storage, and public perceptions of the food supply chain. This paper introduces a new exploration to design domestic (U.S.) edamame, which is based on both our domain knowledge of life science and our information-sharing mechanisms across the agriculture and food sectors. A case study, involving a multidisciplinary team of breeders and non-breeder researchers with expertise in crop/food production, processing, quality, and economics, serves as a model. We introduce the value chain attributed to combining and linking data from different sectors in the research and development phase, and explain why we believe such data-sharing mechanism can facilitate better analyses that resonate throughout the full system, from seed to consumer. Our perspective illustrates that, by securely sharing and interpreting data across sectors and identifying cyberbiosecurity risks, we can design promising agricultural and food systems to better meet consumers’ need and protection of life science data.
Psychiatric rehabilitation through teaching smartphone skills to improve functional outcomes in serious mental illness.

Abstract This study measured the impact of a digital competencies and skills course on participants with serious mental illness. Close to 75% of participants reported an improvement in a smartphone related skill, and the majority of participants that reported improvement in one skill reported improvement in at least one other. Qualitative feedback from participants suggests how digital competencies acquired were used to immediately support functional outcomes. Objective To improve functional outcomes in patients with serious mental illness through a multi-session curriculum designed to improve smartphone skills and engage participants in group learning and problem solving, targeting negative and cognitive symptoms of illness. Methods An eight-week smartphone digital competencies and skills course was offered to two distinct groups of youth with serious mental illness. Pre and post self-report measurements were captured for each participant for each session. Results Group participation varied by session, but overall 28 unique patients attended. From survey results, 75% reported improvement in smartphone related skills because of the groups. Qualitative feedback suggests how skills acquired by patients were immediately utilized to gain insight into health and support functional outcomes. Conclusions and implications for practice Smartphone skills groups are a means to provide practical psychiatric rehabilitation that may enable some patients to compensate for cognitive and social deficits due to illness. While ensuring groups are responsive to patients with varying degrees of skills remains a challenge, adapting lesson structures and mediums, as well as creating new measurement tools, offers a means to modify the course with the clinical need.
You Can Teach Every Patient: A Health Literacy and Clear Communication Curriculum for Pediatric Clerkship Students.

Introduction Poor health literacy has a negative impact on various health care outcomes. Medical schools are not consistently providing health literacy training; when they do, they overly rely on d...
Towards Sustainable Food Security: An Interdisciplinary Approach

As urbanization moves towards globalization in the next century, the evolution of smart city technologies has also brought new approaches to traditional public wellbeing problems such as food accessibility at both global and local scales. Technology implemented using the Internet of Things and data analytics offers unique advantages and challenges to address issues related to food access. In addition, interdisciplinary efforts are necessary to effectively utilize emerging technologies to address the issue of food insecurity while considering the underlying complex social, economic, and environmental dimensions. In this paper, we discuss the multi-dimensional nature of the food accessibility problem in U.S. metropolitan regions and explore the connection between the fields of engineering, social science, agriculture, education, and life sciences, with respect to their collective impact on addressing the food accessibility problem. We also present our team’s ongoing efforts to identify and address food insecurity problems in Richmond, Virginia through interdisciplinary research.
Geïntegreerde zorgprogramma’s voor COPD?

De afgelopen jaren zijn huisartsen, onder druk van de overheid en zorgverzekeraars, geprotocolleerde zorgprogramma’s voor COPD gaan invoeren in hun praktijk. In de nieuwe bekostigingsstructuur maken geintegreerde zorgprogramma’s voor chronische aandoeningen zoals COPD, diabetes en cardiovasculair risicomanagement tot wel 15% van ons inkomen uit.
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MEMORY RESOURCES IN THE SECURITY OF KEY EXCHANGE PROTOCOLS

We present a protocol for key exchange which relies on the existence of permutations which are not necessarily trap-door, and which are one-way in a weaker sense than that usually assumed in the literature. Our main result is that, under this assumption, two players can exchange a secret key over an open channel in such a way that an eavesdropper must spend time proportional to TIME · SPACE, where TIME is the time spent by the two players and SPACE is the amount of information which can be stored and transmitted by the two players. Hence the importance of storage technology for security.
The American Isolates: Assimilation, Separation, and Out-Migration in an American Indian Group

The alternative strategies of assimilation, separation, or out-migration which face most rural minority populations are discussed in light of the Mississippi Choctaw experience. Existing in a local society dichotomized between White and Black, the Choctaw response has been similar to that of mestizo groups described by Berry. A combination of employment opportunity, White attitudes, and community size seem to determine which strategy will predominate in a given Choctaw community.
Were the 2010 Pakistan floods predictable

During July 2010, a series of monsoonal deluges over northern Pakistan resulted in catastrophic flooding, loss of life and property and an agricultural crisis that may last for years. Was the rainfall abnormal compared to previous years? Furthermore, could a high probability of flooding have been predicted? To address these questions, regional precipitation is analyzed using three dataset sets covering the 1981–2010 time period. It is concluded that the 2010 average May to August (MJJA) rainfall for year 2010 is somewhat greater in magnitude than previous years. However, the rainfall rate of the July deluges, especially in North Pakistan was exceptionally rare as deduced from limited data. The location of the deluges over the mountainous northern part of the country lead to the devastating floods. The European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) 15-day Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) is used to assess whether the rainfall over the flood affected region was predictable. A multi-year analysis shows that Pakistan rainfall is highly predictable out to 6–8 days including rainfall in the summer of 2010. We conclude that if these extended quantitative precipitation forecasts had been available in Pakistan, the high risk of flooding could have been foreseen. If these rainfall forecasts had been coupled to a hydrological model then the high risk of extensive and prolonged flooding could have anticipated and actions taken to mitigate their impact.
On Bullshit, by Harry G. Frankfurt On Truth, by Harry G. Frankfurt

Apparently, Bullshit has a long shelf life. Who knew? Published in 2005, Harry G. Frankfurt's thin little volume, On Bullshit, remains one of the more popular of the many books piled high in Amazon...
Ultra-low phase noise optical pulses generated by coupled opto-electronic oscillator

Ah EDFA-based coupled opto-electronic oscillator (COEO) can generate ultra-low noise optical pulses and microwave signals. The phase noise of the COEO is lower than -135 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz away from a 10 GHz carrier.
Mengovirus replication: III. Virus reproduction in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Abstract Following infection of Chinese hamster ovary cells with Mengovirus there is an initial, rapid reduction in the rates of synthesis of RNA and protein, followed by an increase in both synthetic rates at the time of virus maturation. The time required for release of virus is approximately 6 times as long in hamster cells as in L cells, and the yield of infective virus from hamster cells is only 20% of that from L cells.
International portfolio diversification: US and Central European equity markets

Abstract This paper examines the short- and long-term relationships between the US stock market and three Central European markets. Low short-term correlations between these markets and the US are found. Application of the Johansen cointegration procedure indicates that there is no long-term relationship. The Granger-causality test does reveal a causality running from the Hungarian to the Polish market, but none with the US. Overall, the results suggest that US investors can obtain benefits from international diversification into these markets.
Electronic quenching of Bi2 A(0u+) v′ = 18–23 by rare gases and nitrogen

Abstract The rates for electronic quenching of the A ( 0 u + ) state of Bi2 by rare gases and nitrogen near the onset of predissociation, v′ = 18–23, have been measured using pulsed laser induced fluorescence. The rate coefficient for helium is 2.2 ± 0.1 × 10−11 cm3/molecule s for v′ = 18–22, and increases to 1.0 ± 0.1 × 10−10 cm3/molecule s for v′ = 23. The probability of quenching per collision for v′ = 22 by rare gases ranges from 0.03 to 0.44 and for v′ = 23 from 0.15 to 0.80. The quenching probabilities for nitrogen are slightly larger than those for argon. Despite the onset of rotationally dependent predissociation at v′ = 21, no significant dependence of quenching rates on rotational state J′
Intestinal epithelial cell surface membrane glycoprotein synthesis. I. An indicator of cellular differentiation.

Abstract Cell surface glycoproteins, which have been implicated in the control and expression of cell turnover, differentiation, and malignant transformation in tissue culture studies, were examined for a possible similar role in the intestinal epithelial cell. This cell is characterized by a rapid cell turnover and by a gradient of differentiation from crypt to villus. A method was developed which isolated epithelial cells from different levels of crypt and villus areas and when radioactive labeled d-glucosamine, l-fucose, or d-galactosamine were given intraperitoneally into a rat, a sharp gradient of radioactive incorporation paralleled the specific activity gradients of sucrase and alkaline phosphatase. Isolated epithelial cells incubated with d-[1-14C]glucosamine also showed that the upper villus cells had a much higher incorporation of d-[1-14C]glucosamine than did crypt cells. Subcellular fractionation of the intestinal cells labeled in vivo demonstrated that the highest specific activity was in the purified microvillus plasma membranes and the lowest specific activity was in the microsomal and cytosol fractions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of microvillus membranes showed peaks of d-[1-14C]glucosamine incorporation which coincided with peaks of sucrase and alkaline phosphatase activities and most of the bands which stained for protein also stained for glycoprotein. Microvillus core proteins separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide did not show peaks of d-[1-14C]glucosamine incorporation and did not stain for glycoprotein. These results suggest that the more differentiated upper villus cells incorporate more labeled sugar precursors into membrane glycoproteins than the less differentiated lower villus or crypt cells and that these membrane glycoproteins are associated with membrane-bound enzymes.
New Possibilities for a Light Gluino

Despite many positive indirect indications of light gluinos direct searches for the expected signatures of gluino containing hadrons have so far turned up negative severely restricting the allowable windows in gluino mass. After briefly reviewing the status, we discuss a possible new decay scenario that could have allowed light gluinos to evade direct detection with possible consequences for other measurements.
Learning Disabilities and Social Competence: A Social Ecological Perspective

To explore the relationship between learning disabilities (LD) and social competence, various indexes of social and academic competence were collected from a sample of students with LD, as well as a matched sample of children without disabilities, in Grades 3-6. Measures included academic grades, teacher perceptions, peer perceptions, self-perceptions, social network outside of school, and direct observation of social interactions. Results suggest that children with LD differ from children without disabilities on virtually all indexes of academic competence, regardless of social status. In the social domain, children with LD had higher self-concept scores than did children without disabilities. Most social differences were linked to the child's peer status, independent of disability.
Soy isoflavone analysis: quality control and a new internal standard

Development of a database of the soy isoflavone content of foods requires accurate and precise evaluation of different food matrixes. To evaluate accuracy, we estimated recoveries of both internal and external standards in 5 different soyfoods weekly. Standards were evaluated daily for system quality assurance. To evaluate sample precision, we analyzed soybeans and soymilk bimonthly for within-day precision and over 4 d for day-to-day precision. CVs should be 20,000 microg/g, was found in different soy products. The glucoside forms are almost twice the molecular weight of the aglycones; reported isoflavone concentrations should be normalized to the aglycone mass (or an isoflavonoid equivalent) rather than a simple sum of all isomers.
Open field, learned helplessness, conditioned defensive burying, and forced-swim tests in WKY rats

Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar rats were observed in four tests; the open field test (OFT), the conditioned defensive burying (DB) test, and two tests which are considered animal models of depressive behavior, namely the Porsolt forced-swim test (FST) and the shuttlebox escape responding following exposure to inescapable shock, that is, learned helplessness (LH). The four tests were administered according to a semirandomized schedule to control for sequence effects. All rats were later exposed to water-restraint stress and stomachs were subsequently inspected for ulcers. Stress ulcer severity was greater in WKY rats. WKY rats, as compared to Wistar rats, were hypoactive in the OFT, did not engage in DB, rapidly acquired the LH task, and were significantly more immobile in the FST. The FST was positively correlated with behaviors in the LH procedure and, to a lesser degree, with DB, but these relationships were observed only with WKY rats, not Wistar rats. The data suggested that the use of WKY rats represented a more sensitive procedure for detecting possible relationships between putative animal models of depressive behavior.
Alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor regulates CD4 lymphocyte levels and is rate limiting in HIV-1 disease

Adult stem cell migration through human hematopoietic tissue requires the chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4. In addition, human leukocyte elastase (HLE) plays a key role. When HLE is located on the cell surface (HLECS), it acts not as a proteinase, but as a receptor for α1proteinase inhibitor (α1PI, α1antitrypsin). Binding of α1PI to HLECS forms a motogenic complex. We previously demonstrated that α1PI deficiency attends HIV-1 disease. Here we investigate the mechanism and therapeutically address the α1PI deficiency of HIV-1 infection.
Electron- He + P -wave elastic scattering and photoabsorption in two-electron systems

In a previous paper [Bhatia, Phys. Rev. A 69,032714 (2004)], electron-hydrogen P-wave scattering phase shifts were calculated using the optical potential approach based on the Feshbach projection operator formalism. This method is now extended to the singlet and triplet electron-He(+) P-wave scattering in the elastic region. Phase shifts are calculated using Hylleraas-type correlation functions with up to 220 terms. Results are rigorous lower bounds to the exact phase shifts and they are compared to phase shifts obtained from the method of polarized orbitals and close-coupling calculations. The continuum functions calculated here are used to calculate photoabsorption cross sections. Photoionization cross sections of He and photodetachment cross sections of H(-) are calculated in the elastic region, i.e. leaving He(+) and H in their respective ground states, and compared with previous calculations. Radiative attachment rates are also calculated.
Defect detection in thin plates using So Lamb wave scanning

ABSTRACT This paper describes work towards the development of a Lamb wave scanning method for the detection of defects in thinplates. Theapproach requires thegeneration ofan ultrasonicS o -ModeLambwaveusing an incident transmitter excited witha tone burst centered at a near non-dispersive frequency. A pair of receiving transducers, with a fixed relative separation,remotely scans line sections of the thin plate. The global position of the r eceiver pair is moved to cover a large plate area.The arrival time information coming from incident and reflected waves contain information associated with the location ofreflection surfaces or potential flaws. The cross-correlation between the excitation signal and the receivers waveforms isobtained and subsequently demodulated using a quadrature amplitude method in order to facilitate the determination ofarrival times. Distances from the source, to the reflection surface and to the r eceivers are found from the arrival times ofthereflected waves and the Lamb wave phase velocity. The distances and the source and receiver locations are incorporated inan elliptical solution to find coordinates of the reflection points. In a line scanning the set of predicted reflection pointsdefine the extent of the defect. The Lamb wave scanning approach is tested using 1.6 mm-thick Aluminum plates withnotches of various lengths and orientations from 0, 22.5 and 45 degreeswith respect tothefar edgeoftheplates. Theresultsare summarized with defect maps that compare favorablyto the actual notch locations.Keywords: Lamb waves, ultrasonics, waveforms, nondestructive evaluation, defect localization.
The Use of Rating Scales in Teacher Evaluation: Concerns and Recommendations

Discussions regarding the problems and inadequacies of many state and local school teacher evaluation systems are plentiful and consistent (McGreal, 1983; Medley, Coker, & Soar, 1984; Stiggins & Bridgeford, 1985; Wise et al., 1984). One problem contributing significantly to the ineffectiveness of teacher evaluation involves the nature and type of instrumentation used within the systems (Medley, Coker, & Soar, 1984; Shulman, 1988; Stiggins & Duke 1988). Specifically, this criticism has focused on the use and abuse of high inference rating scale formats as the primary source of summative feedback (McGreal, 1988a). It is suggested that some form of scaling format exists in over 70 percent of all teacher evaluation systems in this country (McGreal, 1983; Medley, Coker, & Soar, 1984). Although there are a number of espoused purposes of teacher evaluation (Bolton, 1973; McGreal, 1988a), they are normally combined under the headings of purposes meeting formative evaluation concerns or summative evaluation concerns (Stiggins & Duke, 1988; Wise et al., 1984). The growth and development function of evaluation (formative) is often viewed in competition with the accountability function (summative). Since most teacher evaluation systems have been traditionally driven by accountability concerns (Stiggins & Bridgeford, 1985; Stiggins & Duke, 1988), those concepts or practices that seem to satisfy legalistic issues have played a strong role in shaping the processes and instrumentation within teacher evaluation.
The Roots of Anger: An Economic Perspective on Zephaniah’s Oracle Against the Philistines

Abstract The superscription of the book of Zephaniah places the composition in the 7th century BCE, during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. While some scholars support a monarchic date for composition on the grounds of geopolitical details, others have accepted the book as a post-monarchic composition, in which geopolitical details are merely functions of literary techniques. Critical in the discussions of date and historicity are the oracles found in the book’s second chapter. This essay examines the introductory poem found in Zeph 2:4 and argues that the oracle is representative of 7th century Judean sentiments toward the city of Ekron because of a specific pun, which should be read in light of the city’s impressive olive oil industry dating to the 7th century BCE.
Risk of ovarian cancer in relation to use of phenolphthalein-containing laxatives.

We examined ovarian cancer risk in relation to use of phenolphthalein-containing laxatives in 410 epithelial ovarian cancer cases and 713 controls. Compared to women who never used a laxative, ever use of a phenolphthalein-containing laxative was not associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer (odds ratio, OR, 1.1, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.9–1.4). Risk was slightly, but not significantly, higher with more frequent use (OR 1.2 for 75 or more days of use). When women who used non-phenolphthalein containing laxatives was used as the reference group, the associations were slightly, but not significantly larger (OR 1.4 for any use of phenolphthalein-containing laxatives and OR 1.5 for 75 or more days of use) © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign
Biofilm reactors for ethanol production

Abstract Whole cell immobilization has been studied in the laboratory during the last few years as a method to improve the performance and economics of most fermentation processes. Among the various techniques available for cell immobilization, methods that provide generation of a biofilm offer reduced diffusional resistance, high productivities, and simple operation. This paper reviews some of the important aspects of biofilm reactors for ethanol production, including reactor start-up, steady state behavior, process stability, and mathematical modeling. Special emphasis is placed on covalently bonded Saccharomyces cerevisiae in packed bed reactors.
Phase I/II study of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and methotrexate in advanced transitional cell carcinoma: a well-tolerated regimen with activity independent of p53 mutation.

Objectives. To evaluate the feasibility and activity of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and methotrexate in advanced transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelium and to relate the activity of this combination to the mutational status of p53. Methods. In the Phase I portion, paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 (3-hour infusion), carboplatin dosed to an area under the curve (AUC) of 6 mg/mL · min, and methotrexate 10 mg/m2, increasing in 10-mg/m2 increments, were administered on day 1 and every 21 days thereafter with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and leucovorin support. Subsequently, a Phase II study was initiated in which the carboplatin dose was lowered to an AUC of 5 to allow treatment without G-CSF. p53 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Results. Thirty-three patients were accrued. Median age was 66 years. No dose-limiting toxicities were seen in the Phase I portion despite escalation of the methotrexate to 60 mg/m2. Principal toxicities were myelosuppression and neuropathy. The overall response rate (Phase I and II) was 56% (95% confidence interval 38% to 74%). Median survival was 15.5 months; 88% of patients overexpressed p53 at the primary site. Conclusions. Paclitaxel, carboplatin, and methotrexate were well tolerated and active in advanced TCC. The high response rate to this regimen despite frequent p53 mutation is consistent with the p53-independent mechanism of paclitaxel. Whether this regimen is superior to methotrexate/vinblastine/doxorubicin/cisplatin, other paclitaxel-based regimens, or to paclitaxel alone will require comparative trials.
Failure of periodic ultraviolet radiation treatments to prevent sensitization to nitrogen mustard: a case report

SUMMARY We have reported that prior ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure significantly delayed development of contact sensitivity to nitrogen mustard (Halprin et al. 1981). We felt that this effect was due to disruption of functional Langerhans cells in skin by UVR and suggested that periodic UVR treatments might prevent sensitization to the mustard. We now report on a patient with mycosis fungoides whose epidermal Langerhans cell count was monitored with the ATP-ase stain in order to determine when such ‘booster’ UVR therapy was to be given. Our attempts to interfere with Langerhans cell function in this manner failed to prevent delayed contact sensitivity to nitrogen mustard and may have been partly responsible for the development of contact urticaria to nitrogen mustard after 28 days of use. Whether the reaction was a delayed, cell-mediated reaction, or an antibody mediated reaction is not clear, but the use of UVR did fail to prevent contact sensitivity to the nitrogen mustard in our patient.
Chlorophyll derivatives for pest and disease control: Are they safe?

Chlorophyll derivatives are getting widespread acceptance among the researchers as natural photosensitizers for photodynamic control of pests and disease vectors; however, rare attention has been given to evaluation of their toxicity to non-target organisms in the environment. This perspective article highlights that chlorophyll derivatives may not be as safe as believed and can possibly pose risk to non-target organisms in the environment. We invite the attention of environmental biologists, particularly ecotoxicologists, to contribute their role in making the application of chlorophyll derivatives more environmentally friendly and publicly acceptable.
The Urban School Reform Opera The Obstructions to Transforming School Counseling Practices

Over the past 20 years, there have been numerous calls to reform the practices of school counselors. Some have situated these calls for school counseling reform within the context of urban schooling. This study examined the practices of school counselors in one urban school district, and how those practices aligned with the school district’s vision of ideal school counselor practices. Using Q methodology, 79 school counselors and 1 director of guidance sorted the 43 American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) standards for school counselor performance. Results indicate dissonance between the ideal practice as construed by the district and director of guidance and the practices of current school counselors. Finally, the factors that foster or inhibit congruence between ideal and reality are explored.
An empirical investigation of the effects of data warehousing on decision performance

Organizations implement data warehouses to overcome the limitations of DSS by adding this database component and thereby improve decision performance. However, no empirical evidence is available to show the effects of a data warehouse (DW) on decision quality and performance. To examine this, a laboratory experiment was conducted. The data warehouse variables considered were the time horizon of the data and its level of aggregation.It was found that using a full data warehouse resulted in significantly better performance and that using it resulted in better performance than using a partial data warehouse (long-time history with no aggregated data). However, using a partial data warehouse was not significantly better than not using a data warehouse at all.
HYPERTENSIVE ENCEPHALOPATHY FOLLOWING UROLOGICAL SURGERY

This report describes severe hypertension with encephalopathy developing during recovery from anaesthesia for corrective urological surgery. A therapeutic regimen for the paediatric patient in hypertensive crisis is outlined.
Pulmonary aneurysms and intracardiac thrombi due to Behçet's disease in an African-American adolescent with oculocutaneous albinism

Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis that may involve a variety of organs. We describe a girl with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) who, on initial evaluation for popliteal artery occlusion, was noted to have multiple cardiac thrombi. She later developed hemoptysis, which was the result of bilateral pulmonary artery aneurysms. Her clinical picture was consistent with BD. She was initially treated with prednisone and cyclophosphamide, followed by maintenance therapy with infliximab. This case describes a unique patient with OCA who developed BD with large pulmonary aneurysms and has remained stable for over 1 year while receiving infliximab.
The effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation and inducibility of ventricular arrhythmia in short- and long-term feline infarction models

Previous investigation, predominantly in the short-term canine model, has documented a potent antifibrillatory effect of beta-adrenergic blockade. To determine whether the protection afforded by beta blockade is species- and model-specific, we studied 23 chloralose-anesthetized cats. Eight animals were studied over a short term and underwent serial determinations of the ventricular fibrillation (VF) threshold prior to and 1 minute after occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and immediately following reperfusion of a 10-minute occlusion. Beta-blocking doses of intravenous propranolol (P) (0.5 mg/kg) attenuated the fall in VF threshold during acute ischemia. Increasing the dose of P to 1 mg/kg did not provide further protection, nor did P protect against reperfusion VF. The other 15 animals underwent a preliminary surgical procedure during which the LAD was completely and irreversibly occluded (nine animals) or in which a sham procedure was performed (six animals). Two weeks later, we measured ventricular refractoriness at several left ventricular sites, ventricular inducibility using programmed electrical stimulation, and VF thresholds both before and after administration of intravenous P (1 mg/kg). Ventricular refractory periods in the infarcted zones were significantly increased compared with normal sites and with values obtained in sham-operated animals. In addition, VF thresholds in the infarcted animals were lower than those obtained in the sham-operated group. Before treatment, a reproducible sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia was induced by means of programmed stimulation in seven of the nine chronically infarcted animals but in none of the sham-operated animals (p less the 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Selective Potentiation of Gynecologic Cancer Cell Growthin Vitroby Electromagnetic Fields

Abstract Objective. Epidemiological data suggest that exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) may increase the risk of various cancers. We evaluated EMF effects on the in vitro growth response of human cell lines isolated from various reproductive tract tissues. We also assessed the effects of EMF on cisplatin- or paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity. Methods. Endometrial, ovarian, and prostate cancer cell lines as well as immortalized endometrial stromal cells and immortalized ovarian epithelial cells were exposed continually to EMF. Proliferation was assessed by the metabolic activity assay, MTT, direct cell counting, and anchorage-independent colony formation in soft agar. Cytotoxicity induced by cisplatin or paclitaxel was assessed using the MTT assay. Results. Continuous exposure to EMF at field strengths of 2 G enhanced proliferation of two human prostate and three endometrial, but only one ovarian, cancer cell lines. EMF enhanced metabolic activity of cancer cells within 96 h and increased absolute cell number (anchorage-dependent proliferation) and colony-forming efficiency (anchorage-independent proliferation) over sham-treated controls. EMF had no effect on cytotoxicity induced by the chemotherapeutic agents Taxol or cisplatin. Conclusions. Continuous exposure to EMF can enhance growth rates of transformed cells for some human epithelial cancers. Cancer cells from the steroid sex hormone regulated tissues of endometrium and prostate appeared to be more responsive to EMF than cells from ovarian cancers.
Analytical Study of Self-Motivations among a Southwest Public University Nonpolitical Science Major Students in Required Political Science Courses

All undergraduate students are required by state law to take six credited hours in political science. This study will help us identify if differences exist in self-determination among students enrolled in American Public Policy and American Government at a large, Southwestern public university. Because some types of motivation are associated with more positive educational outcomes than others, the results of this study may help us understand why some students excel when others struggle and make modifications to existing course structure to facilitate positive motivational outcomes. The study will use standard survey questionnaires developed by scholars in the area of self-determination theory (SDT).
The automated generation of architectural form

A systematic framework for discussion of automation of the solution of architectural problems is established, based on an examination of the concepts of solution representation, generation, and testing. Some of the more important implications of various different techniques and principles of representation, generation, and testing are then illustrated by a discussion of procedures for solution of some simple spatial arrangement games and puzzles. It is shown that when we attempt to write procedures for solution of the rather larger and more complex problems encountered in practical architectural design, we discover some quite severe limitations on our current ideas about architectural design automation. The major limitations are outlined, and progress made towards overcoming them recounted.
Pathogenetic implications of muscular ventricular septal defect in Holt-Oram syndrome.

Abstract In summary, the findings show the frequent occurrence of the previously undescribed muscular VSD (often multiple) in the case of HOS. The heterogeneity of anatomic defects in this single gene disorder suggests an abnormality of the embryogenetic process of cell death.
1182 EXPERIMENTAL MODELS OF MICROVESICULAR FATTY CHANGE IN RAT LIVER

An association of microvesicular hepatic fatty change with hyperammonemia and orotic aciduria (OAuria) has been noted in several pediatric conditions, including Reye's syndrome. Experimental OA supplementation produces fatty changes in rat liver. In the present study severe hyperammonemia (2-3 mg%), without OAuria was produced by repeated administration of urease (25 U/kg) for periods up to 24 hrs. The hyperammonemic rats were found to have hyperglycemia (374±21 mg%: controls: 172±6 mg%), elevated plasma FFA (815±62 μEq/1: controls 491±25 μEq/1) and hepatic triglycerides (15.6±1.4 mg/gm: controls: 2.7±0.2 mg/gm) (SEM). Liver sections stained with oil red O showed microvesicular fatty changes. To evaluate the role of OA in the development of fatty changes, conversion of OA to uridine monophosphate (UMP) was blocked with azauridine. Under these conditions fatty changes resulting from urease-induced hyperammonemia were markedly less than those observed without azauridine. It is concluded that increased availability of carbamyl phosphate in hyperammonemia leads to overproduction of OA and that the conversion of increased amounts of OA to UMP rather than OA elevation was an essential prerequisite to the induction of hepatic microvesicular fatty changes.
Assessing long-term brand potential

Long-term brand value depends on how well a firm understands and recognises the potential of a brand, as well as how well a firm capitalises on that brand potential in the marketplace. Realising this potential, in turn, depends on maximising long-term brand persistence and growth. Brand persistence comes from current customers maintaining their spending on the brand; brand growth results from current customers increasing their spending and from new customers being attracted to the brand in the future. Based on this conceptualisation, guidelines are offered and future research directions suggested.
Contractility of rat testicular seminiferous tubules in vitro: Prostaglandin F1α and indomethacin☆☆☆

Abstract The frequency of spontaneous in vitro contractions of seminiferous tubules of the rat appeared to be increased in a dose-dependent manner by prostaglandin F1α. PGF1α treatment increased the tonus of the smooth muscle cells in the wall of the tubules as indicated by a reduction in the diameter of the tubules. When the tubules were rinsed successively with fresh Tyrode's solution, the contractile frequency was diminished. Returning the original bathing medium to the tubules restored their contractile frequency, as did treatment of the rinsed tubules with PGF1α (10−7 M). Pre-injecting the rats with indomethacin tended to reduce the contractile frequency of the extirpated tubules. Treating the tubules with a solution of indomethacin for 90 min. in vitro was more effective than pretreatment in vivo in reducing contractile frequency, but a combination of these two procedures produced the greatest inhibition. PGF1α restored the contractile frequency of the indomethacin-treated tubules. Our results indicate that PGs modulate the in vitro contractility of the tubules.
A model for the design of zone control automated guided vehicle systems

SUMMARY An analytical modelling strategy is proposed as a screening device for use prior to the simulation phase in the design of zone control automated guided vehicle systems (AGVS). The proposed model predicts the effects of the major AGVS design variables on system-performance measures including maximum throughput capacity and risk factors associated with shop locking. This is done through a process which specifically evaluates the system operating dynamics associated with vehicle fleet size, guidepath layout, workstation storage capacity, routeing, and, to a less precise extent, vehicle dispatching. Operating dynamics are defined to include vehicle blocking resulting from guidepath contention and variation of in-process storage levels. The objective of the analytical model is to reduce the extent of simulation modelling necessary to design a zone-control AGVS for a given materials-handling workload. The model is illustrated for a sample AGVS with variation in the fleet size, workstation storage capaci...