cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of the novel applications of cannabinoids in dementia care: food refusal and neuropsychiatric symptoms

Introduction In recent years, there has been increased research interest investigating the novel use of cannabinoids in the treatment of patients living with dementia. Early clinical research suggests that cannabinoids may be beneficial in a variety of areas, including pain, sleep, weight loss, and behavioral aggression. In particular, cannabinoids may be especially valuable in dementia care in areas where there are currently limited therapies, including food refusal and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as agitation and sleep disruption. Pharmacologic interventions for disordered eating in dementia are limited. And although atypical antipsychotics are commonly used to treat NPS, they are associated with an increased risk of serious adverse events and all-cause mortality in older patients. Thus, this study aims to review the current literature on the potential applications of cannabinoids in the treatment of food refusal and neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia populations. Methods A systematic literature review was performed utilizing six major electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, Cochrane CENTRAL) for articles published from database inception to November 2020. Search strings including keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH terms) related to cannabinoids, dementia, food refusal, weight loss, agitation, and neuropsychiatric symptoms were used to identify relevant articles. Results A total of 23 relevant articles were identified that examined the use of cannabinoids including tetrahydrocannabinol, dronabinol, and nabilone in dementia patients. Regarding treatment of NPS in dementia, numerous studies found that use of cannabinoids was associated with potential benefits including reduced nighttime motor activity, improved sleep duration, reduced agitation, and lower Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores. With regards to food refusal, multiple articles documented use of cannabinoids being associated with increased percentage of meals consumed, with one crossover placebo-controlled trial finding increased overall body weight in dementia patients on dronabinol. Documented potential side effects include possible worsening of psychosis and anxiety, although overall, the literature appears to show cannabinoids to be generally well-tolerated. Conclusions Use of cannabinoids as potential treatments for food refusal and neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia populations is an ongoing area of research. Completed clinical studies done on the subject to date have been small in scale, but have shown cannabinoids to be relatively well-tolerated and have yielded positive results. Thus, cannabinoids may have potential as a therapeutic intervention in dementia care, and these findings warrant further investigation. Funding Not applicable
Oxytocin and Vasopressin in Autism and Genetic Syndromes

Oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) are two small, related neuropeptides found in many mammalian species, including humans. These neuropeptides are associated with a range of social behaviors and their dysregulation has been associated with deficits in social behavior. In particular, the OT neuropeptide system has been investigated in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as in Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), Williams Syndrome (WS) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), all of which are characterized by marked social deficits. PWS, WS and FXS are caused by identified genetic mutations and provide insight into the developmental influences of the OT system. In particular, FXS is caused by a mutation in a single gene and up to 47 % of patients with FXS are diagnosed with ASD or also have autism related behaviors. Animal models of genetic neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are becoming a valuable tool to examine the role and relatedness of OT and AVP in the developing brain. We provide an example of how OT and AVP systems are altered with a mutation in the mouse Fragile X mental retardation 1 (Fmr1) gene which leads to FXS-like symptoms in Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice. By studying the OT and AVP systems in these rare disorders, we may further understand their mechanisms of action in ASD and in typical development. This chapter will summarize the current data pertaining to these NDD and the systems of OT and AVP.
Bank Customer Contact Personnel: Training Needs and Issues

Customer contact personnel in banks face increasingly difficult jobs because of the changes that are taking place in their industry. In recent times, customers have become more and more frustrated with the inability of the customer contact person to successfully explain the myriad new products that financial institutions are offering. At the same time, the financial institutions are becoming increasingly concerned with the inability of its customer contact personnel to successfully cross sell these new products. This paper addresses both sides of the issue, and offers training solutions for the banks.
Pathogenesis of respiratory infections caused by Mycoplasma dispar

The capacity to avoid phagocytosis, the impairment of the bactericidal activity of bovine alveolar macrophages (BAM) and the activation of BAM by encapsulated Mycoplasma dispar or purified M. d/spar capsule was investigated. Encapsulated and unencapsulated M. dispar were cocultured with BAM in the presence or absence of antisera prepared against unencapsulated M. dispar or purified capsule antiserum. Unopsonized mycoplasma resisted phagocytosis while only anticapsular antibodies enhanced the phagocytosis of encapsulated mycoplasmas. Bovine alveolar macrophages, cultured in presence of viable unencapsulated or encapsulated M. dispar or purified capsule, were tested for their killing activity on Serratia marcescens and Staphylococcus aureus. Killing of both bacterial species was reduced when BAM were treated with purified capsule or encapsulated M. dispar. In contrast, no reduction in the bactericidal activity was observed when unencapsulated mycoplasma were used. Bovine alveolar macrophages were cultured in presence of purified M. dispar capsule or either live or heat killed encapsulated or unencapsulated M. dispar. The supernatant of these cultures were assayed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1 (iL-1), and glucose consumption, as indicators of macrophage activation. Tumor necrosis factor and IL-1 were produced by BAM when stimulated with unencapsulated M. dispar but not when encapsulated M dispar or its purified capsule was used. Similarly, glucose consumption was increased in presence of unencapsulated M dispar, but not when BAM were cocultured with encapsulated M. dispar or purified capsule. These results indicate that encapsulated M. dispar or purified capsule exert an inhibitory effect on the activity of BAM.
A Parallel/Distributed Srchitecture for Hierarcally Heterogeneous Web-Based Cooperative Applications

A new class of applications is described which requires cooperation among diverse users in multiple data and problem instance domains. The hierarchy of parallelism includes heterogeneity within a single instance of the problem, homogeneity among subsets of users within a problem domain, and multiple problem domains which share computational resources-software and hardware. The core of the architecture is a socket-server which registers clients and servers (both statically and dynamically), and assures isolation of users in separated problem domains. The users all see the system as a set of functions accessible via the WWW. The particular problem of genetic linkage analysis is used as a case study to illustrate and implement the architecture. GenoMap, the first implementation of this system is being deployed for several groups of cooperating users at multiple institutions in a study to isolate the genomic locus of the controlling gene(s) in several diseases including autism. More than 400 genetic markers are being analyzed from more than 300 individuals in this study. The users span geneticists, clinical physicians, statisticians, disease specialists, laboratory technicians, and computer scientists/engineers.
What's Next? A Visual Editor for Correcting Reading Order

The reading order, i.e. the serialized form, of the webpage should be a meaningful order for alternative representations such as the audible forms needed for visually impaired users. However, the serialized form rarely receives attention because it is visually elusive for authors using the existing WISIWYG authoring environments. Therefore we propose a new visualization technique called "reading flow" that visualizes the order of the serialized form with variable granularity by using a visible path extending through the elements in the content. This allows the authors to instantly evaluate the ordering by the visual pattern of the path. Our approach also allows them to interactively and intuitively reorganize the order of the serialized form. The results of two comparative experiments show that our reading flow greatly increases the ability of the authors to understand and organize the ordering compared to the existing techniques.
Mexican American Parent’s Perceptions of Culturally Congruent Interpersonal Processes of Care During Childhood Immunization Episodes: A Pilot Study

One of the goals of Health People 2010 is to eliminate health disparities among minority populations by 2010, including improved childhood immunization rates among Mexican-American children. Prior research has identified the importance of interpersonal process-related factors as significant components of care sought by Mexican-Americans, but more knowledge is needed about what Mexican-American parents view as a beneficial relationship with the nurse during the immunization encounter. The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive pilot study was to explore and describe the perceptions of Mexican-American parents‟ regarding their relationships with clinic nurses in a rural, primarily agricultural community. Thematic analysis of data describes a beneficial relationship between Mexican American women, their children, and nurses during immunization encounters as consisting of 1) trust in the nurse, 2) building confidence in the mother and child, and 3) language concordance.
Using the open network lab

The Open Network Laboratory is a resource designed to enable experimental evaluation of advanced networking concepts in a realistic operating environment. The laboratory is built around a set of open-source, extensible, high performance routers, which can be accessed by remote users through a remote laboratory interface (RLI). The RLI allows users to configure the testbed network, run applications and monitor those running applications using built-in data gathering mechanisms. Support for data visualization and real-time remote display is provided. The RLI also allows users to extend, modify or replace the software running in the routers' embedded processors and to similarly extend, modify or replace the routers' packet processing hardware, which is implemented largely using field programmable gate arrays. The routers included in the testbed are architecturally similar to high performance commercial routers, enabling researchers to evaluate their ideas in a much more realistic context than can be provided by PC-based routers. The Open Network Laboratory is designed to provide a setting in which systems researchers can evaluate and refine their ideas and then demonstrate them to those interested in moving their technology into new products and services. This tutorial will teach users how to use the ONL. It will include detailed presentations on the system architecture and principles of operation, as well as live demonstrations. We also plan to give participants an opportunity for hands-on experience with setting up and running experiments themselves.
Pan myeloid antigen‐negative pediatric acute megakaryoblastic leukemia

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is a relatively common type of acute myeloid leukemia in children. We describe two unusual cases of AMKL that by flow cytometry (FC) lacked expression of any commonly evaluated myeloid antigens. One case presented as a periorbital myeloid sarcoma and clinically was thought to be a solid tumor. In both cases, the leukemic blasts were variably positive for the megakaryocytic marker CD61. Cytogenetics confirmed the presence of the t(1;22) in one case. Cytogenetics and inclusion of megakaryocytic markers in FC panels when evaluating pediatric specimens is critical for appropriate diagnosis for myeloid antigen negative AMKL. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2089–2091. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Weighing the Costs of Transitional Justice

The Costs of Justice: How New Leaders Respond to Previous Rights Abuses. By K. Grodsky Brian . Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2010. 392 pp., $40.00 (ISBN-13: 978-0-268-02977-7). With The Costs of Justice, Brian K. Grodsky offers critical insight into one of the most fundamental questions underlying the field of transitional justice: namely what are the “primary determinants” (p. 19) within transitional societies that decide the nature of the justice interventions employed by new leaders to respond to gross human rights violations committed by former regimes? Combining theoretical innovations with findings derived from in-depth qualitative fieldwork and a comparative case study analysis of transitional justice decision-making processes in postcommunist states, Grodsky offers a vital contribution to this debate. Accordingly, this is an important new book that will be of major interest to those engaged in the study of transitional justice as well as scholars and practitioners working in the related literatures of political science, human rights, and democratization. The key contribution of Grodsky's book centers on challenging the prevailing wisdom that a transitional society's approach to providing justice to deal with previous human rights violations can be predicted by comparing the “relative power” of old elites complicit in past abuses with that of the new leadership (Huntington 1991; Zalaquett 1992; Huyse 1995). In essence, such arguments hold that where the relative power of members of the old regime allows them to directly influence justice decisions or to potentially …
Distance of Conidial Discharge of Entomophthora muscae and Entomophthora schizophorae (Zygomycotina: Entomophthorales)

The distance traveled by conidia of the E. muscae species complex from cadavers of Musca domestica was measured. Laboratory strains of E. muscae and E. schizophorae, as well as a field-collected strain of E. muscae, were compared in darkness under still air conditions at 21°C. Most conidia were discharged <3.75 cm from the cadaver, with a range of 0 to 8.75 cm. When a fly cadaver was affixed to a vertical surface (normal death orientation), conidia discharged from the dorsum of the abdomen traveled further than conidia discharged from the lateral regions. Cadavers suspended in midair discharged similar numbers of laboratory strain E. muscae conidia similar distances from the venter, dorsum, or lateral abdomen. This suggested a boundary layer effect caused the reduced lateral discharge distance in earlier trials. Average discharge distance was positively related to cadaver size. A laboratory strain of E. muscae discharged conidia further than did a field strain of E. muscae and a laboratory strain of E. schizophorae.
Chapter 1 Fluctuation Analysis of Apical Sodium Transport

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the fluctuation analysis of apical sodium transport. One of the biggest problems in studying the apical sodium-selective channel is that its kinetics are very slow and many of the artifacts arising from chamber design and membrane mounting give rise to large-amplitude, low-frequency noise. Such low-frequency noise can obscure the fluctuations due to the sodium channels. Fluctuation analysis is a kinetic tool that offers the possibility of obtaining new information not available using traditional methods. The relationship between current power and the steady state current makes it likely that the fluctuations arise from a blocking-unblocking action of a conducting channel. Fluctuation analysis makes it possible to estimate single-channel current and channel density. Although estimates for these quantities are obtained using an exogenously applied blocking agent, their values appear to be relatively independent of the blocker and reflect intrinsic channel properties. The magnitude of the single channel current makes it probable that the transport mechanism is a channel and not a carrier. Access to such quantities makes it possible to study the mode of action of regulatory agents including hormones, which stimulate transport whether their actions are through an increase in channel density or the magnitude of the single-channel current. Thus far, it seems that both ADH and aldosterone act by increasing channel density rather than single-channel current. Additional parameters measured are the association and dissociation rate constants for the blocking agent. The chapter concludes that this technique will become another useful tool available to all epitheliologists.
Humanitarian uses of drones and satellite imagery analysis: the promises and perils.

The use of drones and satellite imagery for humanitarian purposes raises threats to the core humanitarian principles of impartiality and respect for the independence of those being aided if disaster victims are not included in disaster planning.
A single input–single output mass sensor based on a coupled array of microresonators

Abstract This paper summarizes the results of a joint analytical and experimental investigation of a new class of resonant microsensors. The key feature of these devices is that they exploit vibration localization in a set of functionalized, frequency mistuned microbeam resonators, each coupled to a common shuttle mass, to facilitate the detection of multiple analytes using a single sensor input and a single sensor output (measurement readout). The work details a wide variety of issues related to the development of such a sensor, with particular emphasis placed on the formulation of a representative lumped-mass model for the sensor, the analysis of the sensor model’s frequency response, preliminary experimental results, which verify the feasibility of the proposed sensor design, and pertinent design and integration issues.
Becoming-shaman, becoming-Sherpa, becoming-healer: leisure as becoming

This article highlights the lived leisure experiences of three artists’ engagement with songwriting. Leveraging post-intentional phenomenology alongside other theoretical and philosophical traditions, the songwriters’ experiences are discussed as a becoming-shaman, a becoming-Sherpa and a becoming-healer. Each songwriter forwarded self-generated concepts, which are used to illustrate their processes. These experiences are then brought into conversation with leisure theory, in which the authors contend for leisure as a site rife with potential for shifts in identity. Ultimately, this article demonstrates through these songwriters’ experiences of becoming-otherwise a momentary and modest solution to the problem of how to dwell, here and now, in a world that is often inhospitable and hostile.
The three-dimensional structure of scorpion neurotoxins.

Abstract The crystal and molecular structure of a toxin from the scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus has been solved by standard x-ray crystallographic methods at 3 A resolution. Subsequently, the 3 A model has been refined and the resolution has been extended to 1.8 A using the gradient-curvature method. The final reliability index is 0.17 The structure has two and a half turns of α-helix, a three-strand stretch of antiparallel β-sheet and several β-turns. Three of the four disulfide bridges are found in close interaction with the α-helix and β-sheet structures in what constitutes a very rigid part of the molecule. Examination of available scorpion toxin sequences reveals several sections containing invariant and/or semiinvariant amino acids. Many of these residues are found clustered on a rather large flat surface which is also clearly more hydrophobic than other areas on the molecule. These observations suggest that this surface may play a role in the biological action of scorpion toxins. Secondary structure predictions calculated using the method of Dufton and Hider agree well with the x-ray structure. This is also true for other scorpion toxins and reinforces the idea that scorpion toxins are a family of structurally related proteins.
Physiologic specialization of Puccinia triticina on wheat in the United States in 2007.

ABSTRACT In 2007, leaf rust of wheat was severe throughout the Great Plains region of North America. Yield losses in wheat due to leaf rust were estimated to be 14% in Kansas. Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeast, California, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2007. Single uredinial isolates (868 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, and Lr28, and on winter wheat lines with genes Lr41 and Lr42. Fifty-two virulence phenotypes were found. Virulence phenotypes TDBJG, MFPSC, and TDBJH were among the four most common phenotypes and were all virulent...
T cell receptor assembly and expression in the absence of calnexin.

Abstract Most subunits of the αβδϵγϵζζ T cell antigen receptor (TCR) complex associate with the molecular chaperone calnexin shortly after their synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum, including clonotypic TCRα,β molecules and invariant CD3γ,δ,ϵ chains. While calnexin interaction is suggested to be important for the stability of newly synthesized TCRα subunits, the role of calnexin in the survival and assembly of remaining TCR components is unknown. Here we evaluated the expression of TCR proteins in CEM T cells and the calnexin-deficient CEM variant CEM.NK R . We found that CEM and CEM.NK R cells constitutively synthesized all TCR subunits except for TCRα and that CD3-γ,δ,ϵ components and CD3-β complexes were effectively assembled together in both cell types. The stability and folding of core CD3ϵ chains were similar in CEM and CEM.NK R cells. Interestingly, TCRα synthesis was differentially induced by phorbol myristate acetate treatment in CEM and CEM.NK R cells and TCRα proteins synthesized in CEM.NK R cells showed reduced survival compared to those made in CEM cells. Importantly, these data show that TCR complexes were inducibly expressed on CEM.NK R cells in the absence of calnexin synthesis. These results demonstrate that TCR complexes can be expressed in the absence of calnexin and suggest that the role of calnexin in the quality control of TCR assembly is primarily restricted to the stabilization of newly synthesized TCRα proteins.
Oral and vulvar changes in pregnancy

The endocrinologic, immunological, and vascular changes that occur during pregnancy are far-reaching. These systemic factors produce profound local impact on the physiology and pathology of the oral cavity, vagina, and vulva. Physiological changes can be expected and tolerable or of such severity that they are viewed as pathological. Existing disease can be exacerbated and dermatoses specific to pregnancy can erupt. Each of these conditions can pose potentially challenging treatment considerations.
Process and device modeling

Abstract Computer simulation offers a potentially powerful tool for designing new semiconductor devices or processes. Process and device simulators have been used for many years, but it is only in recent years that their use has become widespread. The reason for this increased use is simply that modern device structures are so complex that purely experimental design is very difficult and very expensive. The approach taken at Stanford in developing these kinds of simulators has been to base them on the best available physical models. We believe that this approach increases the range of design problems that the simulators can address.
Telling Secrets, Revealing Lives: Relational Ethics in Research With Intimate Others

This article focuses on relational ethics in research with intimate others. Relational ethics requires researchers to act from our hearts and minds, acknowledge our interpersonal bonds to others, and take responsibility for actions and their consequences. Calling on her own research studies, the author examines relational ethics in ethnographies in which researchers are friends with or become friends with participants over the course of their projects. Then she examines autoethnographic narratives in which researchers include intimate others in stories focusing on their own experience. Considering ethical responsibilities to identifiable others, she discusses writing about those who are alive and those who have died. She then reflects on the ways co-constructed autoethnographies circumvent some of the ethical issues in traditional qualitative studies on unfamiliar others, yet avoid some of the ethical concerns in writing about intimate others. The last section presents advice for those who long to write a...
Injection of irradiated b16 melanoma genetically-modified to secrete IFN-alpha causes regression of an established tumor.

Highly aggressive murine B16 melanoma was engineered to secrete IFN-alpha constitutively. Cells expressing IFN-alpha were injected into syngeneic C57BL/6 mice and the mice were monitored for tumor development. Secretion of IFN-alpha by B16 melanoma cells completely abrogated their tumorigenicity in syngeneic mice. LFN-alpha-secreting cells also abrogated the tumorigenicity of IFN-gamma-secreting and TNF-alpha-secreting cells when injected in combination whereas cells secreting either IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha grow progressively in mice when injected alone. Moreover, protected animals developed significant immunity against subsequent challenge with parental cells. Injection of parental cells and IFN-alpha-secreting cells together in a mixed tumor transplantation assay resulted in a significant reduction of tumorigenicity of the parental cells. Histopathological studies of the tissues from the injection site of the mice inoculated with a combination of parental and B16.IFN-alpha cells revealed the existence of a massive cellular infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and granulocytes at an early stage (7-11 days). In the later stages (22 days), no recognizable tumor tissue was detected. Injection of irradiated IFN-alpha-secreting cells in the mice carrying an established tumor completely prevented tumor development in 80% of the treated mice when injection was performed on the same side as the tumors. Injection of irradiated IFN-alpha-secreting cells in the contralateral site showed much less effect on the established tumor. Systemic antitumor effects on the established tumor can be enhanced by using a combination of irradiated IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma secreting cells as a vaccinating inoculum.
Falling films of pseudoplastic liquids

Abstract An experimental and analytical study has been conducted on thin film flow of pseudoplastic, non-Newtonian liquids down a smooth vertical plate. Mean film thickness, friction coefficient, wavelength and entrance length preceding the first noticeable waves have been examined experimentally. A boundary layer form of the equation of motion has been solved to analyse experimental data Satisfactory predictions for film thickness and friction coefficient were found, but predictions for wavelength were less successful Both the analysis and experimental data show that the friction coefficient increases when the flow behavior index decreases.
Laser Ranging Systems Calibration And Practical Error Sources

The theoretical performance of laser ranging systems is easily determined with appropriate analysis and the correct ranging link parameters. Few systems achieve this performance in real ranging situations because of unexpected variations in the link parameters. The practical effects of such parameters as pulse modulation, coherent fading, detection error, atmospheric propagation error and calibration techniques on the accuracy of the range measurement will be discussed.
Simultaneous production of inulase and lactase in batch and continuous cultures of Kluyveromyces fragilis

Abstract Under different induction conditions, the industrial yeast Kluyveromyces fragilis is an excellent producer of the enzymes inulase (β- d -fructofuranoside fructohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.26) and lactase (β- d -galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.23), producing 27 and 1.6 U mg−1 dry cell weight, respectively. In order to improve overall enzyme yields, conditions for the simultaneous production of both enzymes in a one-stage fermentation have been examined. Techniques employed include carbon-limited batch and continuous culture, single and mixed carbon substrates, and the use of a mutant semi-constitutive for inulase production. Synthesis of both enzymes suffered strongly from carbon catabolite repression in batch cultures grown on single and mixed inducing substrates. Only glycerol and dl -malate did not repress either enzyme. The non-metabolizable analogues of lactose, isopropyl-β- d -thiogalactoside and methyl-β- d -thiogalactoside induced lactase in glycerol grown batch cultures, but were ineffective in sucrose grown continuous cultures. They also depressed the normally high levels of inulase in such continuous cultures. The highest simultaneous inulase and lactase activities in the wild-type yeast were obtained in continuous culture on an equal mixture of d -fructose and d -galactose; 25 and 0.78 U mg−1 dry cell weight, respectively. In this fermentation the combined yield per unit carbon substrate of the two enzymes was 141%, compared to a reference value of 100% for the highest yield of each enzyme in separate fermentations. On the same mixture of d -fructose and d -galactose, the mutant produced ∼60 and 0.70 U mg−1 dry cell weight, respectively. The combined enzyme yield per unit of carbon substrate was 172%.
Quantitative analysis of trace chromium in blood samples. Combination of the advanced oxidation process with catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry.

A new method for pretreating blood samples for trace Cr analysis is described. The advanced oxidation process (AOP with H2O2 and 5.5-W UV irradiation for 60 min) is used to remove biological/organic species for subsequent analysis. Prior to the AOP pretreatment, acid (HNO3) is used at pH 3.0 to inhibit the enzyme catalase in the blood samples. Catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry at a bismuth film electrode gives a Cr concentration of 6.0 ± 0.3 ppb in the blood samples. This concentration was confirmed by dry-ashing the blood samples and subsequent analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy. This current method may be used to monitor chromium, a trace metal in humans, and the efficacy and safety of chromium supplements as adjuvant therapy for diabetes.
Glutathione Peroxidase Activity and Glutathione Concentration in Genetically Dystrophic Mice

The present studies were conducted to determine whether inherited muscular dystrophy in the 129/ReJ-dy mouse was associated with differences in specific activity, substrate availability, or apparent Km of glutathione peroxidase. The results indicate that glutathione peroxidase is elevated in skeletal muscle of mice with genetic muscular dystrophy when the activity is expressed on a protein basis. This elevation precedes the development of severe paralysis since muscles from the fore legs showed increased enzyme activity as early as the more severely affected hind legs. There was no difference in glutathione peroxidase activity in tissues other than skeletal muscle. GSH concentration was elevated in muscle and normal in other tissues of dystrophic mice, showing that adequate substrate was available to the enzyme. The apparent Km for cumene hydroperoxide was also similar for muscle of normal and dystrophic mice. This report provides further evidence that mice with dystrophia muscularis have a functional glutathione peroxidase system in all tissues including skeletal muscle, and that a defect in this in vivo protective system is apparently not a contributing factor in the pathology of the disease.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence of convolution products of non-identical distributions on finite abelian semigroups

Given a sequence of probability measures (γ n ) on a finite abelian semigroup, we present necessary and sufficient conditions which guarantee the weak convergence of the convolution productsμ k,n ≡μ k+1*···*μ n (k<n), asn→∞ for allk≧0. These conditions are verifiable in the sense that they are based entirely on the individual measures in the sequence (μ n ).
The PRODUCTION CODE Under New Management: Geoffrey Shurlock, The Bad Seed, and Tea and Sympathy

(1994). The PRODUCTION CODE Under New Management: Geoffrey Shurlock, The Bad Seed, and Tea and Sympathy. Journal of Popular Film and Television: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 2-10.
Hypoxia-induced modification of the inositol triphosphate receptor in neuronal nuclei of newborn piglets: role of nitric oxide.

Previous studies have shown that hypoxia results in increased Ca2+ influx in neuronal nuclei and generation of nitric oxide (NO) free radicals in the cerebral cortical tissue of newborn piglets. The present study tests the hypothesis that hypoxia results in modification of the inositol triphosphate (IP3) receptor characteristics in neuronal nuclei and that the hypoxia-induced modification of the IP3 receptor is NO mediated. Studies were performed in piglets, 3-5 days old, divided into normoxic (n = 5), hypoxic (n = 5), and NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine (NNLA)-treated hypoxic (n = 5) groups. The NNLA-treated hypoxic group received an infusion of NNLA (40 mg/kg) over 1 hr prior to hypoxic exposure. The hypoxia was induced by lowering the FiO2 to 0.05-0.07 for 1 hr. Brain tissue hypoxia was documented biochemically by determining ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) levels. Neuronal nuclei were isolated from the cerebral cortical tissue, and IP3 receptor binding was performed in a medium containing 50 mM HEPES (pH 8.0), 2 mM EDTA, 3H-IP3 (7.5-100 nM), and 100 microg nuclear protein. Nonspecific binding was determined in the presence of 10 microM unlabelled IP3. The IP3 receptor characteristics Bmax (number of receptor sites) and Kd (dissociation constant) were determined. In normoxic, hypoxic, and NNLA-hypoxic groups, ATP levels were 4.46 +/- 0.35, 1.52 +/- 0.10 (P <.05 vs. normoxic), and 1.96 +/- 0.33 micromoles/g brain, respectively (P <.05 vs. normoxic). PCr levels were 3.75 +/- 0.35, 0.87 +/- 0.09 (P <.05 vs. normoxic), and 1.31 +/- 0.10 micromoles/g brain, respectively (P <.05 vs. normoxic). IP3 receptor binding characteristics in normoxic nuclear membranes showed that the Bmax value was 150.0 +/- 14.1 pmoles/mg protein compared with 239.3 +/- 13.6 pmoles/mg protein in the hypoxic group (P <.05). In the NNLA-treated hypoxic group, the Bmax value was 159.0 +/- 42.6 pmoles/mg protein (P <.05 vs. hypoxic a, P = NS vs. normoxic). Similarly, the Kd was 25.2 +/- 0.28 nM in the normoxic group, 44.6 +/- 5.4 nM in the hypoxic group (P <.05), and 28.1 +/- 6.4 nM in the NNLA-treated hypoxic group. (P <.05 vs. hypoxic and P = NS vs. normoxic). The results show that hypoxia results in increased Bmax and Kd values for the IP3 receptor. Furthermore, the data demonstrate that administration of NNLA prior to hypoxia prevents the hypoxia-induced modification of the IP3 receptor in neuronal nuclei of newborn piglets. Because NNLA inhibits NOS and prevents generation of NO, we conclude that the mechanism of hypoxia-induced modification of the neuronal nuclear membrane IP3 receptor is NO mediated. We propose that NO-mediated modification of the IP3 receptor during hypoxia may lead to increased intranuclear Ca2+, resulting in altered transcription of apoptotic genes and activation of cascades of hypoxia-induced programmed neuronal death.
Removal of Nickel and Phenanthrene from Kaolin Soil Using Different Extractants

Numerous sites exist where low permeability clayey soils have been contaminated with both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. To remediate these sites, innovative treatment methods are urgently required. Electrokinetically enhanced in situ flushing offers great potential to remediate low permeability soils, but this method is highly dependent on the type of extracting solution used. This study investigated the feasibility of using different extracting solutions at various concentrations to remove PAHs as well as heavy metals from low permeability clayey soils. The most efficient extracting solutions could be used as purging/extracting solutions in electrokinetic remediation and other technologies such as soil washing. For the present study, kaolin was selected as a model clayey soil, and it was spiked with phenanthrene as well as nickel at concentrations of 500 mg/kg each to simulate typical field contamination. Several batch tests were conducted using a known amount of the spiked ka...
Leadership, followership, self, and others.

Abstract This paper reviews the development of an approach to leadership based on a more active conception of the follower role in reacting to leader qualities. The leader-follower relationship is seen to be affected by perceptions, misperceptions, and self-oriented biases on both parts. Greater attention to follower expectations and perceptions is emphasized.
Dilatations in Rochelle Salt

The inverse piezoelectric effect of Rochelle salt has been studied by means of mechanical dilatometers. The dilatation of a crystal along a direction 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to the $b$ and $c$ axes and 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to the $a$ axis, caused by an electric field impressed in a given direction along the $a$ axis, has been found, in general, not to be the same as the dilatation caused by an equal field impressed in the opposite direction. This indicates a permanent electric polarization within the crystal. A prolonged application of voltage along the $a$ axis slowly changes this "permanent" polarization, which gives rise to an inverse piezoelectric fatigue effect, and is associated with the fatigue effect as observed by Valasek. Oscillograms showing the rate of deformation of a Rochelle salt crystal were taken. The forms of these curves, for small distortions of the crystal or small applied fields along the $a$ axis, are in approximate agreement with the exponential type as required by the theory of Schulwas-Sorokin and Posnov. The relaxation times varied from zero at the Curie points to a maximum approximately midway between the critical temperatures. The thermal expansion of Rochelle salt along the three crystallographic axes was determined through the upper critical temperature. No discontinuities were observed, but a change in the rate of expansion occurred at the Curie point for the $b$ and $c$ axes.
Backjump-based backtracking for constraint satisfaction problems

The performance of backtracking algorithms for solving finite-domain constraint satisfaction problems can be improved substantially by look-back and look-ahead methods. Look-back techniques extract information by analyzing failing search paths that are terminated by dead-ends. Look-ahead techniques use constraint propagation algorithms to avoid such dead-ends altogether. This paper describes a number of look-back variants including backjumping and constraint recording which recognize and avoid some unnecessary explorations of the search space. The last portion of the paper gives an overview of look-ahead methods such as forward checking and dynamic variable ordering, and discusses their combination with backjumping.
Divergent seven transmembrane receptors are candidate chemosensory receptors in C. elegans

Using their senses of taste and smell, animals recognize a wide variety of chemicals. The nematode C. elegans has only fourteen types of chemosensory neurons, but it responds to dozens of chemicals, because each chemosensory neuron detects several stimuli. Here we describe over 40 highly divergent members of the G protein-coupled receptor family that could contribute to this functional diversity. Most of these candidate receptor genes are in clusters of two to nine similar genes. Eleven of fourteen tested genes appear to be expressed in small subsets of chemosensory neurons. A single type of chemosensory neuron can potentially express at least four different receptor genes. Some of these genes might encode receptors for water-soluble attractants, repellents, and pheromones.
Insights from Mathematical Modeling of Renal Tubular Function

Mathematical models of proximal tubule have been developed which represent the important solute species within the constraints of known cytosolic concentrations, transport fluxes, and overall epitheli
Adolescence and very low birth weight infants : a disproportionate association

The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates defined as those weighing less than 1500 g delivered by adolescents as compared with the general obstetric population. A retrospective observational study of 16857 women delivering liveborn infants from January 1 1989 to June 30 1993 was conducted at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. Adolescents were defined as those having a maternal age of 18 years or less at the time of delivery. The rate of VLBW infants delivered to adolescent mothers was compared with the general obstetric population (women at least 19 years old) using chi square analysis multiple analysis of variance and multiple linear regression. During the study period 204 VLBW infants were delivered yielding an overall VLBW delivery rate of 1.2%. Adolescents had a VLBW delivery rate that was considerably higher than the general obstetrical population: 35 of 1758 (2.0%) vs. 169 of 15099 (1.1%; p = .002). Whereas adolescents accounted for 10.6% of the total deliveries during the study period they delivered 17% of the VLBW neonates. The relative risk of an adolescent delivering a VLBW infant was 1.7 (95% confidence interval 1.2-2.2). Preterm birth is one of the major unresolved problems in modern obstetrics. Although the association between adolescence and preterm birth has been reported previously specific attention has not been focused on the VLBW neonate. The authors conclude that adolescents deliver a disproportionate number of VLBW infants. (authors)
Expression of pluripotent stem cell markers in the human fetal testis.

Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) have proven to be a source of pluripotent stem cells called embryonic germ cells (EGCs). However, the developmental potency of these cells in the fetal gonad still remains elusive. Thus, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of pluripotent and germ cell marker expression in human fetal testis 7–15 weeks postfertilization (pF) and compares this expression to their ability to derive EGCs. Although the majority of germ cells expressed stem cell markers stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA) 1, SSEA4, EMA-1, and alkaline phosphatase, only a small percentage of those (<1%) expressed OCT4, CKIT, and NANOG. Specifically, the number of OCT4+/CKIT+/NANOG+ cells significantly increased in the developing cords during weeks 7–9, followed by a gradual decline into week 15 pF. By week 15 pF, the remaining OCT4+/CKIT+/NANOG+ cells were found in the cords surrounding the periphery of the testis, and the predominant germ cells, CKIT+ cells, no longer expressed OCT4 or NANOG. Based on morphology and early germ cell marker expression, including VASA, PUM2, and DAZL, we suggest these cells are mitotically active gonocytes or prespermatogonia. Importantly, the number of OCT4+ cells correlated with an increase in the number of EGC colonies derived in culture. Interestingly, two pluripotent markers, Tra-1–60 and Tra-1–81, although highly expressed in EGCs, were not expressed by PGCs in the gonad. Together, these results suggest that PGCs maintain expression of pluripotent stem cell markers during and after sexual differentiation of the gonad, albeit in very low numbers. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Mitomycin-C/5-fluorouracil/leucovorin and hyperfractionated radiation therapy for rectal carcinoma: a phase II study with long-term follow-up.

Abstract Purpose Preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy is a standard treatment for most patients with rectal cancer. We aimed to determine efficacy and tolerability of preoperative mitomycin, fluorouracil (5-FU), and leucovorin (LV) concurrent with hyperfractionated radiation therapy (RT) followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients and Methods Patients with clinical stage II/III disease were treated with mitomycin 10 mg/m2 on day 1, continuous venous infusion 5-FU 600 mg/m2 per day for 96 hours, and oral LV 25 mg every 6 hours on days 1–5. All patients received concurrent RT in fractions of 150 cGy twice daily beginning on day 1. Unfixed tumors received 3000 cGy, whereas fixed tumors received a dose of 4500 cGy. Patients then underwent resection and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with oral LV and continuous venous infusion 5-FU 600 mg/m2 per day on days 1–5 on a 28-day cycle for 6 cycles. Primary endpoints were to determine the rate of pathologic response and downstaging, long-term locoregional control, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Results Between the years 1993 and 2000, 83 patients were enrolled. Eighteen patients (31%) were downstaged. Six patients (7%) had pathologic complete response. Median follow-up was 62 months with a 5-year overall survival of 71%. Local control rate was 96%. Treatment was well tolerated with stomatitis, diarrhea, and radiation proctitis being the most common toxicities. Conclusion This regimen is effective in the treatment of rectal carcinoma. The favorable toxicity profile of mitomycin and hyperfractionated RT allows these strategies to be utilized with the newer chemotherapies for this disease.
A fine- and hyperfine structure analysis of heavy quarkonia: (bb̄)- and (tt̄)-states

Abstract The fine- and hyperfine structure of (bb)-states is analyzed in a spin-dependent one-parameter potential model. Since this model reproduces the observed masses and leptonic widths of the upsilon family with remarkable accuracy, it is used to predict properties of toponium for a recently suggested t-quark mass of 35 GeV.
An electronic feedback constant flow controller for high volume samplers and air movers.

(1979). An electronic feedback constant flow controller for high volume samplers and air movers. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal: Vol. 40, No. 9, pp. 835-837.
[(CyPF-(t)Bu)PdCl2]: an air-stable, one-component, highly efficient catalyst for amination of heteroaryl and aryl halides.

An air- and moisture-stable palladium catalyst, [(CyPF-tBu)PdCl2] (1), for coupling of heteroaryl chlorides, bromides, and iodides with a variety of primary amines is described. Most of these reactions occurred in high yield with 0.001−0.05 mol % catalyst loading. The reactions tolerated a wide range of functional groups.