cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teachers’ Union Power in a Budget Crunch: Lasting Ramifications of Differential Spending Responses to the Great Recession:

In the wake of the 2007 housing crash and subsequent economic recession, state legislatures across the country faced substantial declines in revenues, and by 2011, for the first time in more than a...
The Clinical Genome and Ancestry Report: An interactive web application for prioritizing clinically implicated variants from genome sequencing data with ancestry composition

Genome sequencing is positioned as a routine clinical work-up for diverse clinical conditions. A commonly used approach to highlight candidate variants with potential clinical implication is to search over locus- and gene-centric knowledge databases. Most web-based applications allow a federated query across diverse databases for a single variant; however, sifting through a large number of genomic variants with combination of filtering criteria is a substantial challenge. Here we describe the Clinical Genome and Ancestry Report (CGAR), an interactive web application developed to follow clinical interpretation workflows by organizing variants into seven categories: (1) reported disease-associated variants, (2) rare- and high-impact variants in putative disease-associated genes, (3) secondary findings that the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommends reporting back to patients, (4) actionable pharmacogenomic variants, (5) focused reports for candidate genes, (6) de novo variant candidates for trio analysis, and (7) germline and somatic variants implicated in cancer risk, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. For each variant, a comprehensive list of external links to variant-centric and phenotype databases are provided. Furthermore, genotype-derived ancestral composition is used to highlight allele frequencies from a matched population since some disease-associated variants show a wide variation between populations. CGAR is an open-source software and is available at https://tom.tch.harvard.edu/apps/cgar/.
123 – Interval Analysis

Publisher Summary This chapter elaborates the yield and procedure of interval analysis. It is applicable to ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations. It yields an analytical approximation with an exact bound on the error. The solution between an upper and lower bound is described. Iterating a contraction mapping, one can generate a sequence of approximations in which the upper bound decreases and the lower bound increases. One can use the interval notation [a, b] to indicate some number between the values of a and b. The coefficients of polynomials were allowed to be intervals. There exists algebra of interval polynomials. It is found that to approximate the solution of an ordinary differential equation, one can search for a contraction mapping.
“Gilded Misery”: The Robie Women in Loyalist Exile and Repatriation, 1775–1790

Forced to flee Marblehead, Massachusetts, in late April 1775, Thomas Robie, his wife Mary Bradstreet Robie, and their four children were among the earliest Loyalist refugees to land in Nova Scotia. The arrival of thousands more Loyalists in 1783 brought widespread hardship to the region, but the collective suffering also provided Mary Bradstreet Robie and her two daughters the opportunity to contribute to the Loyalist community and assert their will within the family. This study of the Robie family demonstrates that Loyalist women were not simply domestic figures of support nor were they resigned to exile as passive followers of husbands and fathers.
Timing and Application Rate for Sequential Applications of Glufosinate are Critical for Maximizing Control of Annual Weeds in LibertyLink® Soybean

Preserving the utility of glufosinate in both LibertyLink soybean and other glufosinate-resistant crops is critical for managing herbicide-resistant weeds. An experiment with a two-factor factorial arrangement was conducted at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville, AR, in 2015, 2016, and 2017 to evaluate the efficacy of glufosinate in single and sequential applications at various rates on 8–32 cm tall Palmer amaranth, barnyardgrass, and broadleaf signalgrass. Herbicide treatments consisted of glufosinate applied at 454, 595, 738, and 882 g ai ha−1 (Factor 1) with either no sequential application or a sequential application occurring 7, 10, 14, or 21 days after the initial application (DAI) (Factor 2). For treatments that contained a sequential application, the same rate used in the initial application (e.g., 451 g ai ha−1) was also used in the sequential. Regardless of species and rate, sequential applications were always superior to single applications. Palmer amaranth control 3 weeks after the final treatment (WAF) was 8% greater when the sequential application occurred 10 DAI compared to 21 DAI, averaged over glufosinate rates. When at least 595 g ai ha−1 glufosinate was used in a treatment, no differences between the 7-, 10-, 14-, and 21-day sequential application intervals were observed for barnyardgrass or broadleaf signalgrass control, 3 WAF. Soybean yields were greater when the glufosinate applications occurred 7 or 10 d apart compared to 21 d, averaged over glufosinate rates. When large weeds are present in the field, these data suggest that glufosinate should be applied sequentially with a 7- to 14-day interval between applications. If sequential applications of glufosinate are used in combination with a comprehensive weed control management program, the value of the LibertyLink technology should be preserved by mitigating the risk of glufosinate resistance.
Characterization of exosome release and extracellular vesicle-associated miRNAs for human bronchial epithelial cells irradiated with high charge and energy ions

ABSTRACT Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that mediate transport of nucleic acids, proteins, and other molecules. Prior work has implicated exosomes in the transmission of radiation nontargeted effects. Here we investigate the ability of energetic heavy ions, representative of species found in galactic cosmic rays, to stimulate exosome release from human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. Immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC3-KT F25F) were irradiated with 1.0 Gy of high linear energy transfer (LET) 48Ti, 28Si, or 16O ions, or with 10 Gy of low-LET reference γ-rays, and extracellular vesicles were collected from conditioned media. Preparations were characterized by single particle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and immunoblotting for the exosomal marker, TSG101. Based on TSG101 levels, irradiation with high-LET ions, but not γ-rays, stimulated exosome release by about 4-fold, relative to mock-irradiated controls. The exosome-enriched vesicle preparations contained pro-inflammatory damage-associated molecular patterns, including HSP70 and calreticulin. Additionally, miRNA profiling was performed for vesicular RNAs using NanoString technology. The miRNA profile was skewed toward a small number of species that have previously been shown to be involved in cancer initiation and progression, including miR-1246, miR-1290, miR-23a, and miR-205. Additionally, a set of 24 miRNAs was defined as modestly over-represented in preparations from HZE ion-irradiated versus other cells. Gene set enrichment analysis based on the over-represented miRNAs showed highly significant association with nonsmall cell lung and other cancers.
Perceptions, Barriers, and Strategies Towards Nutrition Counseling in Healthcare Clinics: A Survey Among Health Care Providers and Adult Patients

Nutrition counseling, although effective, is limited in clinics due to various barriers. The objectives of this study were to (1) develop a survey and (2) assess providers’ and patients’ nutrition knowledge, barriers, and strategies towards nutrition counseling. This descriptive study was conducted in 7 family medicine clinics in the South Eastern United States. A 15-item multi-response survey was developed for providers (n = 48) and a 14-item multi-response survey was developed for patients (n = 185). Surveys were distributed to providers and patients. Responses were analyzed using RedCap and Excel v10. Results indicated that 98.5% of providers and 87% of patients agreed that following a nutritious diet is important for overall health. Providers indicated time (87.5%) and uncertainty of nutrition resources available (35.4%) prohibited them from providing nutrition counseling in the clinic. Patients identified lack of healthy recipe ideas (36.6%) and cost of purchasing nutritious foods (35.5%) as their main barriers to adhering to a nutritious diet. Tools and strategies to provide nutrition counseling as indicated by providers were a dietitian on site, nutrition education materials, and community-based nutrition/cooking classes. Patients identified grocery store coupons/discounts and sample meal plans as tools and strategies to consume a more nutritious diet. Providers and patients differed in the types of tools and strategies to help one consume a more nutritious diet. Providers perceived patients needing interactive strategies such as nutrition/cooking classes and a referral to see a dietitian whereas patients wanted non-interactive strategies such as grocery store coupons and sample meal plans. Even though patients did not perceive providers as an effective strategy to help them consume a nutritious diet, it is important that providers have a conversation with their patients about the types of tools and strategies that would set them up for success.
Greenwashing No More: The Case for Stronger Regulation of Environmental Marketing

Fraudulent and deceptive environmental claims in marketing (sometimes called “greenwashing”) are a persistent problem in the United States, despite nearly thirty years of efforts by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prevent it. This Essay focuses on a recent trend in greenwashing—fraudulent “organic” claims for nonagricultural products, such as home goods and personal care products. We offer three recommendations. First, we suggest ways that the FTC can strengthen its oversight of “organic” claims for nonagricultural products and improve coordination with the USDA. Second, we argue for inclusion of guidelines for “organic” claims in the next revision of the FTC’s Guidelines for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (often referred to as the “Green Guides”), which the FTC is scheduled to revise in 2022. Finally, we assert that the FTC should formalize the Green Guides as binding regulations, rather than their current form as nonbinding interpretive guidance, as the USDA has done for the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations. This Essay concludes that more robust regulatory oversight of “organic” claims, together with efforts by the FTC to prevent other forms of greenwashing, will ultimately bolster demand for sustainable products and incentivize manufacturers to innovate to meet this demand.
Analysis of tire wet grip mechanisms and their respective weightings in a wet braking test

Car drivers constantly demand a higher level of road safety, whether in terms of road infrastructure, vehicle and/or tires. They also ask for more information about the level of safety they have when driving. To meet this need, the tire label – which has existed since 2012 in Europe – gives them information about the tire’s wet grip performance as well as its noise and fuel consumption impact. However, this information is worth for a new tire, and it is known that wet grip performance is one of the few tire performances that reduces as a tire wears.
Regional analysis of femoral head perfusion following displaced fractures of the femoral neck

Purpose To assess regional variations in the arterial and venous blood supply to the femoral head following displaced fracture of the femoral neck using dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MRI quadrant analysis. Materials and Methods A total of 27 subjects with displaced femoral neck fractures were enrolled in the study. Quadrant specific DCE-MRI perfusion analysis was performed on a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner. Simultaneous imaging of control and displaced fractured hips was done for comparison. Results Quadrant specific decreases were found in the arterial (A (0.52 versus 0.27; P = 5.7E-13), Akep (1.0/min−1 versus 0.41/min−1; P = 1.3E-9) and venous (kel (0.05/min−1 versus −0.02/min−1; P = 5.1E-5) supply to the femoral head between control and injured sides using a two-factor analysis of variance test. The fractional perfusion (initial area under the curve) in the supero/inferolateral quadrants was 49% min/54% min, in the supero/inferomedial quadrants was 43% min/46% min and for the total femoral head was 39% min on the fracture versus control sides. Conclusion Quadrant specific decreases in arterial and venous perfusion on the fracture side were observed when compared with control. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:550–554.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cytotoxic, genotoxic, and neurotoxic effects of Mg, Pb, and Fe on pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells

Metals such as lead (Pb), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) are ubiquitous in the environment as a result of natural occurrence and anthropogenic activities. Although Mg, Fe, and others are considered essential elements, high level of exposure has been associated with severe adverse health effects including cardiovascular, hematological, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, and neurologic abnormalities in humans. In the present study we hypothesized that Mg, Pb, and Fe are cytotoxic, genotoxic and neurotoxic, and their toxicity is mediated through oxidative stress and alteration in protein expression. To test the hypothesis, we used the pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cell line as a neuro cell model and performed the LDH assay for cell viability, Comet assay for DNA damage, Western blot for oxidative stress, and HPLC-MS to assess the concentration levels of neurological biomarkers such as glutamate, dopamine (DA), and 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT). The results of this study clearly show that Mg, Pb, and Fe, respectively in the form of MgSO4 , Pb(NO3 )2 , FeCl2 , and FeCl3 induce cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity in PC-12 cells. In addition, exposure to these metallic compounds caused significant changes in the concentration levels of glutamate, dopamine, and 3-MT in PC-12 cells. Taken together the findings suggest that MgSO4 , Pb(NO3 )2 , FeCl2 , and FeCl3 have the potential to induce substantial toxicity to PC-12 cells.
Adduct Formation of Tantalum(V)- and Niobium(V) Fluoride with Neutral Group 15 Donor Ligands, an Example for Ligand Induced Self-Ionization†

The complexes [MF4(py)4][MF6], [MF4(2, 2′-bipy)2][MF6] and [MF4(dppe)2][MF6]·½CH3CN (M = Nb, Ta) were obtained from niobium and tantalum pentafluoride by reaction with the donor ligands pyridine (py), 2, 2′-bipyridine (2, 2′-bipy), and bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane (dppe) in acetonitrile solution. The complexes were characterized by their vibrational spectra and, in case of the pyridine and dppe adducts, by their crystal structure. The pairs of corresponding niobium and tantalum compounds [NbF4(py)4][NbF6] and [TaF4(py)4][TaF6], as well as [NbF4(dppe)2][NbF6]·½CH3CN and [TaF4(dppe)2][TaF6]·½CH3CN were found to be isostructural and to consist of isolated, distorted square-antiprismatic cations [MF4D4]+ (D = donor atom) and octahedral [MF6]– anions. In all cases, the donor ligands induce self-ionization of these pentafluorides.
Monitoring database objects

A method of monitoring objects in an interactive object-­ oriented database system. Any of a plurality of client programs can request monitoring of attributes of objects in the database. A record is kept of update transactions initiated by a client. When the client commits the changes, any client which has requested monitoring is notified of any change in the value of an attribute being monitored at the request of that client. The notification interrupts the client and invokes a predesignated client procedure. Overhead is minimized by creating partial view materialization paths and defining monitors ahead of time and by localizing the monitoring.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (Hbs Ag) Subtypes and Indices of Clinical Disease

Serial serum samples of prospectively studied patients exposed to plasma containing both adw and ayw subtypes of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBS Ag) were studied for the relationship of HBS Ag subtype to several indices of clinical type B hepatitis. Seventy-four patients circulated HBS Ag that could be subtyped; 50 subtype adw, 22 ayw, and 2 adyw. Although the average incubation period among adw cases was shorter than among ayw cases (P less than 0.05), no additional significant differences were detected between these two groups of patients when analyzed for severity and chronicity of disease. The chronic HBS Ag carrier state developed in 16% (8 of 50) adw cases and in 9% (2 of 22) ayw cases, but this difference was not statistically significant. Judging from these data, it was concluded that the severity and outcome of type B hepatitis are probably independent of HBS Ag subtypes d and y.
J-Shaped Distribution, Topp and Leone's

A distribution attributable to Topp and Leone is revisited and some of its properties discussed. Keywords: J-shaped distributions; Gauss hypergeometric function
Immunocytochemical localization on β-hexosaminidase and electron-microscopic characterization of human fibroblasts following treatment with monensin and nigericin

Immunocytochemical localization of 8-hexosaminidase in cultured human skin fibroblasts was performed in the presence or absence of the Na+/K+ ionophores monensin and nigericin. In the presence of monensin, β-hexosaminidase accumulated in the periphery of swollen vesicles in the paranuclear region of fibroblasts from normaI individuals and from patients with mucolipidosis II. Nigericin-treated cells had more extensive vacuolization of the cytoplasm and the localization of the enzyme was more diffuse within these vacuoles. Morphological studies at the ultrastructral level indicated that a perturbation of the Golgi region occurred during ionophore treatment. These findings suggest that β-hexosaminidase in ionophore-treated fibroblasts is trapped in a time- and dose-dependent manner in the paranuclear region presumed to be the swollen cisternae of the Golgi region, or adjacent vesicles derived from the Golgi region. Furthermore, fibrobiasts are more sensitive to perturbation by nigericin than by monensin at similar concentrations and exposure times. These data support biochemical findings that the two ionophores differentially inhibit the transport of lysosomal enzymes in the Golgi region.
CARICOM countries and appropriate technology

Abstract CARICOM governments believe that the growth and development of regional economies depend upon export-oriented production. Moreover, they are liberalizing their trade regimes. In this environment, some writers are urging them to adopt a more appropriate, namely, labor- intensive technology. This paper contends that the commitment to export-oriented production, the liberalization of trade regimes, the shortage of financial resources and the poverty of regional infrastructure preclude the adoption of a labor-intensive technology. It therefore concludes that, within the context of CARICOM, the most appropriate technology is the most recent, which is also the most capital intensive.
Cyclic nitrogen uptake by greenhouse roses

Abstract A recirculating nutrient solution system was constructed to study N uptake by greenhouse ‘Royalty’ rose plants in relation to irradiance and the developmental stage of the crop. The rate of N uptake followed a cyclical pattern that was related to shoot development and harvest, but independent of transpiration rate. The N uptake rate changed four- to five-fold during a single cycle of flower shoot growth (e.g. 29–146 mg N per plant day −1 ). Following a flower harvest, the N uptake rate decreased even as the new flower shoots began to develop. The lowest N uptake occurred when the shoot elongation rate was at its maximum. Thereafter, uptake rates increased, with the highest rate occurring as the flower shoots reached commercial maturity. Potassium, Ca, Mg and P followed the same pattern of uptake observed for N. Irradiance did not control the periodicity of the N uptake cycles but did affect the average daily plant N demand. Uptake rates in summer days (approximately 60–70 mg N per plant day −1 ) were about twice of those in winter (approximately 30 mg N per plant day −1 ). The total annual plant N uptake (16.8 g N per plant year −1 ) was in close agreement with the yearly plant N demand calculated for container-grown roses.
Membrane Targeting of ATP-sensitive Potassium Channel EFFECTS OF GLYCOSYLATION ON SURFACE EXPRESSION

Oligosaccharides play significant roles in trafficking, folding, and sorting of membrane proteins. Sulfonylurea receptors (SURx), members of the ATP binding cassette family of proteins, associate with the inward rectifier Kir6.x to form ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)). These channels are found on the plasma membrane in many tissues and play a pivotal role in synchronizing electrical excitability with cell metabolic state. Trafficking defects resulting from three independent SUR1 mutations involved in the disease persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy have been described. Two of these mutations displayed notable decreases in glycosylation. Here we have investigated the relationship between the two N-linked glycosylation sites (Asn(10) and Asn(1050)) and SUR1 trafficking. Using patch clamp analysis, surface biotinylation, and immunofluorescence microscopy, we demonstrate a significant decrease in surface expression of SUR1 single or double glycosylation site mutants (N10Q,N1050Q) when co-expressed with Kir6.2. Additionally, we show prominent retention within the ER of the SUR1 double glycosylation mutant under the same conditions. Further investigation revealed that mutation of the ER retention signal was able to partially restore surface expression of the SUR1 double glycosylation mutant. These studies suggest that SUR1 glycosylation is a key element for the proper trafficking and surface expression of K(ATP) channels.
The primary structure of yeast initiator transfer ribonucleic acid.

Abstract The nucleotide sequence of a yeast formylatable methionine transfer RNA, which had previously been shown to initiate the synthesis of proteins in eukaryotic systems, has been deduced. This tRNA contains a total of 75 nucleotide units, including twelve modified nucleosides. The sequence G-T-ψ-C- common to all tRNAs which are active in protein synthesis and which have been sequenced to date, is absent in this tRNA and is replaced by G-A-U-C-.
The history of lamaze continues: an interview with elisabeth bing.

Elisabeth Bing—physiotherapist, childbirth educator, and cofounder of the American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics (now Lamaze International)—is well known to most childbirth educators in the United States. She has been a true pioneer in the education of parents for pregnancy and birth. Her book, Six Practical Lessons for an Easier Childbirth, served to guide many parents and childbirth educators in the use of the Lamaze Method for labor and birth. She has prepared a countless number of parents for their birth experience in both her hospital classes in the 1950s and 1960s and in her private classes in the “studio” of her New York City apartment building, where she began teaching in the 1960s and continues to teach today. Elisabeth is beloved by all those who have had the opportunity to meet her or work with her. She has created a legacy that will continue for decades to come.
A Modified, Slowly Varying Parameter Approach for Systems With Impulsive Loadings

Many oscillating systems in practice are subject to periodic, impulsive loads during their motion. For nonlinear systems traditional methods, such as the slowly varying parameter technique, have been used to study the response of such systems by “smearing“ the effect of the impulse over one cycle of the oscillation. Unfortunately, in many instances this approach violates the basic assumption used in the application of the averaging technique, resulting in limited predictive capability. This paper presents a modification to the standard slowly varying parameter technique for nonlinear systems which addresses this problem by assuming a solution form which admits a discontinuity in velocity at the time the impulse is applied. Examples are given which outline the improvement in accuracy of the new technique.
Comment on “Dynamical Implications of Block Averaging” by G. Treviño and E.L Andreas

A 2006 article in Boundary-Layer Meteorology by G. Trevino and E.L Andreas presents a derivation that questions the use of time averaging for computing turbulence statistics. Their derivation shows that time averaging over a finite interval always leads to a zero integral time scale. As a result, Trevino and Andreas argue that any turbulence quantities derived from time averaging are tainted and incompatible with the Navier–Stokes equations. While Trevino and Andreas are correct that time averaging does produce integral scales that are quite different from what researchers commonly expect, this comment demonstrates that the theoretical implications are not as dire as they claim.
A Feasibility Study of a Parent Care Planning Model with Two Faith-Based Communities

SUMMARY Parent care is a normative, mid-life responsibility for most American families, but religious communities need evidence-based models to help prepare congregational members for these religiously endorsed obligations. The purposes of this article are to discuss caregiving as a developmental task deserving attention by religious leaders; to briefly describe an efficacious parent care model for use by congregations; and to review the results from a feasibility study of the model with participants from two faith-based communities. Members of Protestant congregations in Alabama and Texas attended parent care readiness workshops, where they completed a structured Parent Care Readiness Assessment. Following completion, they were given evidence-based information on how to complete salient parent care tasks through lecture/discussions provided by workshop leaders and through a parent care CD-ROM with Internet links that they could use at home. At the Texas site, adult children and aging parent participants ...
Metropolitan and access network architecture design for optical flow switching

In this work, we provide design concepts of efficient physical and lightpath topology architectures for a LAN/MAN all-optical network that support optical flow switching. We found good architectures are coupled intimately with media access control protocol designs and must be optimized jointly. Two architectures that represent extreme cases were examined: Quasi-Static Architecture and Dynamic Per Flow Routing Architecture. The performance and costs are compared to provide an economical architecture building strategy.
Characteristics of premature ventricular complexes as correlates of reduced left ventricular systolic function: study of the burden, duration, coupling interval, morphology and site of origin of PVCs.

PVCs and Left Ventricular Dysfunction. Background: Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) can cause a decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We investigated whether the site of origin and other PVC characteristics are associated with LVEF. Methods: We retrospectively studied 70 consecutive patients (mean age 42 ± 17 years, 40 [57%] female) with no other cause of cardiomyopathy undergoing ablation of PVCs. We analyzed the association of a reduced LVEF, defined by LVEF <50% on echocardiography, with features of PVCs obtained from electrocardiography, 24- or 48-hour Holter monitor and electrophysiology study. Results: Patients with reduced LVEF (n = 17) as compared to normal LVEF (n = 53) had an increased burden of PVCs (29.3 ± 14.6% vs 16.7 ± 13.7%, P = 0.004), higher prevalence of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) [13 (76%) vs 21 (40%), P = 0.01], longer PVC duration (154.3 ± 22.9 vs 145.6 ± 20.8 ms, P = 0.03) and higher prevalence of multiform PVCs [15 (88%) vs 31 (58%), P = 0.04]. There was no significant difference in prevalence of sustained VT, QRS duration of normally conducted complexes, PVC coupling interval, or delay in PVC intrinsicoid deflection. Patients with fascicular PVCs (n = 5) had higher mean LVEF compared to others (66.2 ± 4.0% vs 53.0 ± 10.0%, P = 0.002). There was no association of LVEF with other PVC foci or with left-bundle versus right-bundle branch block morphologies. The threshold burden of PVCs associated with reduced LVEF was lower for right as compared to left ventricular PVCs. Conclusion: In addition to the PVC burden, other characteristics like a longer PVC duration, presence of nonsustained VT, multiform PVCs and right ventricular PVCs might be associated with cardiomyopathy. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 791-798, July 2011)
CA8-04: Health Plan Implementation of a Major Risk Mitigation Initiative for Chronic Opioid Therapy

Background/Aims Increased opioid prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain has been accompanied by large increases in prescription opioid abuse and overdose. In April 2011, when the US government initially outlined a plan of action to stem a national epidemic of prescription drug abuse, Group Health (GH) had already implemented a major initiative to increase opioid prescribing safety. Group Health Research Institute had been conducting NIH-funded research on Chronic Opioid Therapy (COT). This research had shown rapid growth in COT prescribing and significant dose-related risks.
The symptom of insomnia in university students.

Abstract The treatment of insomnia in a university health setting is discussed. Transient, stress-related insomnia is distinguished from chronic insomnia, and methods of treatment for each condition are presented. The causes of chronic insomnia include depression, conditioned-arousal insomnia, anxiety, chronic overwork or stress, the Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, and abuse of alcohol and drugs. The author reviews medications used for the treatment of insomnia, emphasizing the importance of communicating to the patient that medication use is to be short term and that the aim of treatment is to restore the ability to sleep without drugs. A list of suggestions designed to help patients encourage normal sleep is included.
Mechanisms of insulin resistance in cultured fibroblasts from a patient with leprechaunism: resistance to proteolytic activation of glycogen synthase by trypsin

Post-receptor or post-binding events in the action of insulin have been investigated in cultured skin fibroblasts from an infant with leprechaunism. Both diminished binding of insulin and multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA) to these cells as well as deficits distal to binding were described in a previous publication. Exposure of control fibroblasts to low concentrations (0.001 to 0.01%) of trypsin for one min without glucose in the medium activated the enzyme glycogen synthase; activation was less than that observed with a maximally effective concentration (10−6 M) of insulin alone. In cells from the patient with leprechaunism, the effect of trypsin was much smaller than in the control fibroblasts. Exposing the control cells to soybean trypsin inhibitor before addition of trypsin prevented activation of glycogen synthase and demonstrated the specificity of the proteolytic action of trypsin. The rates of activation and inactivation of glycogen synthase in vitro were similar in extracts of the control subject's and the patient's fibroblasts and indicated that the enzymes regulating the phosphorylation/ dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase were intact in the patient's cells. Total glycogen synthase activity and glycogen content were also indistinguishable in control and leprechaun fibroblasts. These results are compatible with the presence of an abnormality in the structure or availability of the protease substrate from which chemical mediators of insulin action are formed in the patient's cells. Two possible models for a receptor-coupling complex are proposed. Either a mutation in a regulator-substrate unit of the receptor-coupling complexes for insulin and certain insulin-like growth factors or an alteration in the environment of the unit are postulated to explain the findings.
Planter Skips and Impaired Stand Favors Potato Virus Y Spread in Potato

High incidence of virus infection in potato crops can cause stand loss, reduced yields, and undersized tubers, leading to reduced quality and downgrading or rejection of potato seed lots. Initial colonization of potato fields by aphid vectors of potato viruses is predominately concentrated on field margins. In fields with poor stands, there are gaps in the crop canopy that can be attractive to alighting aphids. Thus, occurrence of stand gaps could render ineffective any pest management tactic that exploits the colonization behavior of aphids, such as barrier crops or reflective mulches. Field studies were undertaken to determine if the occurrence of localized stand gaps in potato fields would increase potato virus Y (PVY) infections and, if so, whether there was a relationship between gap size and PVY spread. PVY infection was 13% around stand gaps of ≤0.6 m2, while PVY infection was 29% around gaps ≥0.6 m2. Our results indicate that a stand gap equivalent to a loss of three or more consecutive plants within a row favored PVY spread. Trials were conducted to compare effects of roguing (physical removal of plants), seeding with oats to reduce potato canopy/soil contrast, and insecticide applications to gaps on PVY spread. Roguing, seeding gaps with oats and insecticides did not prevent PVY spread. This research indicates that suboptimal plant stands increase PVY incidence and may be contributing to the current PVY epidemic.
Gust Front Evolution and Tornado Genesis as Viewed by Doppler Radar

Abstract Doppler radar observations are utilized to describe the evolution of the severe thunderstorm updraft mesocyclone and its associated gust front. Tornadoes form within the elliptical mesocyclonic circulation, apparently along the major axis, and may denote a critical development stage.
Metabolism of the 2-oxoaldehyde methylglyoxal by aldose reductase and by glyoxalase-I: roles for glutathione in both enzymes and implications for diabetic complications.

Abstract Numerous physiological aldehydes besides glucose are substrates of aldose reductase, the first enzyme of the polyol pathway which has been implicated in the etiology of diabetic complications. The 2-oxoaldehyde methylglyoxal is a preferred substrate of aldose reductase but is also the main physiological substrate of the glutathione-dependent glyoxalase system. Aldose reductase catalyzes the reduction of methylglyoxal efficiently ( k cat =142 min −1 and k cat / K m =1.8×10 7 M −1 min −1 ). In the presence of physiological concentrations of glutathione, methylglyoxal is significantly converted into the hemithioacetal, which is the actual substrate of glyoxalase-I. However, in the presence of glutathione, the efficiency of reduction of methylglyoxal, catalyzed by aldose reductase, also increases. In addition, the site of reduction switches from the aldehyde to the ketone carbonyl. Thus, glutathione converts aldose reductase from an aldehyde reductase to a ketone reductase with methylglyoxal as substrate. The relative importance of aldose reductase and glyoxalase-I in the metabolic disposal of methylglyoxal is highly dependent upon the concentration of glutathione, owing to the non-catalytic pre-enzymatic reaction between methylglyoxal and glutathione.
Photochemistry on surfaces. Photochemical behavior of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran over alumina

Abstract The photodegradation of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) over an alumina surface at various coverages was investigated by diffuse reflectance measurements. DPBF over an alumina surface exhibits strong absorption (λ max =425 nm) and emission (λ max =480 nm) in the visible region. At submonolayer coverages, the air-equilibrated DPBF/Al 2 O 3 samples undergo rapid photodegradation as DPBF reacts with singlet oxygen. The dependence of the half-life of the decay on the surface coverage highlights the role of the support material in the promotion of the photodegradation of furan.
Biological markers in urologic cancer

Tumor markers (TMs) play an important part in the management of urologic cancer. Alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and occasionally lactic dehydrogenase serological determinations have become indispensable in the management of nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumor patients, particularly after initial therapy, whereas human chorionic gonadotropin and probably placental alkaline phosphatase are important in seminoma. Prostatic acid phosphatase has long been important for the monitoring of patients with carcinoma of the prostate. The availability of the immunologic assays instead of the enzymatic assays has improved sensitivity somewhat but clinical interpretation has also become more complicated. Prostatic specific antigen is already an important tissue marker for carcinoma of the prostate and promises to be an important serological one, possibly surpassing prostatic acid phosphatase in importance. Analysis of DNA by automated flow cytometry is becoming important in the early detection and follow-up of bladder cancer patients. Studies concerning the tissue analysis of blood group antigens in bladder cancer continue to demonstrate that this approach can provide unique clinical information and interesting biological insights, but its role in routine clinical management remains to be determined. Currently, TMs have little clinical significance in renal cell carcinoma, but the availability of monoclonal antibodies to renal cell carcinoma preferential antigens may change this deficiency soon. In fact, in the near future, monoclonal antibodies will probably reveal many new substances for many urological cancers which can be used for markers serologically, histochemically, and, with their corresponding antibody, for radioimmune imaging and possibly immunotherapy. Now, as then, familiarity with the nuances of the marker and good clinical judgement will be essential.
A CEO's Perspective - Making Innovation Work

During 2001-2003, it wasn’t easy to lead Motorola's painful restructuring worldwide, but simultaneously, it was a delight for me to lead innovation in my role as CEO, partnering closely with a spectacularly imaginative team of Motorola innovators then. We created the vast array of Motorola’s new products that sold so well and gained market share in 2004-2006, including the RAZR, which was completed in 2003. Global technology buyers purchase greater quantities and pay much higher prices for breakthrough innovation in new products. The RAZR and the GSM V series phones became two of the top five mobile phone sellers ever at $150-$200 or higher price point. High innovation pays off. Just like Apple Inc. produces terrific financial results today, Motorola, back then, doubled Mobile Devices sales from $11 billion to $28 billion, gained 8% global market share to 22%, and more than quintupled earnings, from $500 million to $2.7 billion from 2003 to 2006.
A critical evaluation of the effect of population size and phenotypic measurement on QTL detection and localization using a large F2 murine mapping population

Population size and phenotypic measurement are two key factors determining the detection power of quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. We evaluated how these two controllable factors quantitatively affect the detection of QTL and their localization using a large F2 murine mapping population and found that three main points emerged from this study. One finding was that the sensitivity of QTL detection significantly decreased as the population size decreased. The decrease in the percentage logarithm of the odd score (LOD score, which is a statistical measure of the likelihood of two loci being lied near each other on a chromosome) can be estimated using the formula 1 - n/N, where n is the smaller and N the larger population size. This empirical formula has several practical implications in QTL mapping. We also found that a population size of 300 seems to be a threshold for the detection of QTL and their localization, which challenges the small population sizes commonly-used in published studies, in excess of 60% of which cite population sizes <300. In addition, it seems that the precision of phenotypic measurement has a limited capacity to affect detection power, which means that quantitative traits that cannot be measured precisely can also be used in QTL mapping for the detection of major QTL.
Mead's theory of self and schizophrenia

Abstract This article develops a sociology of schizophrenia by focusing on how schizophrenia is socially defined from the viewpoint of the afflicted person. Drawing upon George Herbert Mead's concepts of selfhood, reflexiveness, self-consciousness, role-taking, and communication, the meaningfulness of the schizophrenic's behavior is examined with respect to self. First person accounts from Is There No Place On Earth For Me?, Welcome Silence, and Autobiography of a Schizophrenic Girl are used for purposes of explication.
FORMALIZATION AND THE ORGANIZATIONAL LIFE CYCLE[1]

The theoretical importance of formalization has often been obscured in empirical investigation. This article discusses two outcomes of formalization: administrative efficiency, and influence. As formalization contributes to administrative efficiency, it also bestows upon the administrator power and influence. While some theoretical attention has been paid to the efficiency theme, influence has been largely ignored. The article suggests that formalization as code, as channel, and as standard can be best understood in the context of the organizational life cycle. Formalization (as efficiency) is likely to contribute to effectiveness early in an organization's history. Later in the life cycle, however, formalization (as influence) may contribute to organizational ineffectiveness and decline.
Adrenergic Activation, Fuel Substrate Availability, and Insulin Resistance in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure

Objectives This study sought to investigate plasma levels of glucose and free fatty acids (FFA) and their relationship with adrenergic activation and insulin resistance (IR) in patients with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF). Background Adrenergic activation and IR are hallmarks of advanced heart failure. The resulting changes in fuel substrate availability and their implications for exercise capacity have not been elucidated. Methods Subjects with CHF underwent maximal exercise testing. Plasma glucose, FFA, insulin, and norepinephrine (NE) levels were measured at rest and at peak exercise. Beta-receptor sensitivity to NE was assessed using the Chronotropic Responsiveness Index (CRI). Homeostasis Model Assessment Index >2.5 defined IR. Left ventricular ejection fraction was estimated by 2-dimensional echocardiography. Results Ninety-six subjects were enrolled. CHF subjects without IR (CHF/No-IR), but not those with IR (CHF/IR), significantly increased glucose and insulin in response to exercise. Only CHF/No-IR subjects increased FFA in response to exercise (0.14 ± 0.27 mmol/l; p = 0.027). NE increased significantly less with exercise, and CRI was lower in CHF/IR subjects compared with CHF/No-IR subjects (1.3 ± 1.4 vs. 2.5 ± 2.1; 6.4 ± 2.6 vs. 8.5 ± 3.4; p = 0.069). CRI correlated with the exercise-induced increase in FFA (r = 0.41; p Conclusions Circulating FFA levels increased during exercise in CHF subjects without IR, but not in those with IR or DM. Increased FFA availability during exercise may represent a catecholamine-dependent compensatory fuel shift in CHF.
Extensions of the kaplan-meier estimator

The Kaplan–Meier estimation (KME) (1958) is a popular nonparametric method in analyzing the survival data. Efron (1967) proposes a re-distribution-to-the-right algorithm for right censored data, which can also be re-distributed from right to left by a method of Dinse (1985). We extend the above approaches to include the left censored data and other incomplete observations. Comparisons are made for the three methods: the KME, and the re-distributions by Efron and by Dinse.
Attributional style in children of substance abusers

This study examined attributional style in children of substance abusers. We hypothesized that children of substance abusers are more likely to develop a depressogenic attributional style. Forty children between the ages of 8 and 14 participated in the study. Twenty children were from families with a history of substance abuse and 20 were from families without such a history. Each child completed self-report measures of depression and attributional style. After controlling for depression and other factors, the results revealed that children of substance abusers had a more depressogenic attributional style than did children without such a family history. Implications of the results for children of substance abusers and for hopelessness theory are discussed.
One disease, two epidemics--AIDS at 25.

Dr. Kent Sepkowitz writes that for the past 25 years, the lessons learned about HIV prevention and control in one country have failed to inform decisions in others. As a result, the world has witnessed a slow-motion domino effect, as the disease overwhelms country after country.
Factors Associated with Adjustment to Marital Separation

Abstract The dramatic increase in divorce in the United States over the past two decades has resulted in a need for closer examination of the factors associated with the adjustment to marital separation. This article reports a multivariate examination of health and social factors associated with post-separation adjustment In depth interviews were completed with 205 individuals, separated no longer than 26 months, about their marriage, its failure, and its aftermath. The study examines the role of social contact, health, economic stability, and dating behavior in the adjustment to marital separation. Multiple regression analysis is used to examine the independent and collective influences on adjustment, measured both by the Bradburn Affect Balance Scale and the Cantril Ladder technique. The analysis consistently demonstrated that economic stability, health status, and frequency of dating are significant predictors of post-separation adjustment. The implications of these findings are considered with special...
Retrogradation characteristics of high hydrostatic pressure processed corn and wheat starch

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) has been investigated as an alternative to thermal processing for food preservation. HHP has been known to affect high molecular weight polymers causing phase change. Starch is gelati- nized at a pressure on the order of 600-700 MPa, at 25 C. Gelatinized starch recrystallizes during storage affecting the texture and shelf life of food products. The effect of HHP processing on the crystallization of starches from different botanical origins during storage at 4 and 23 C was inves- tigated. Crystallization kinetics of HHP treated wheat and corn starch gels were compared using DSC. The effect of crystallization on structure was evaluated in terms of stor- age modulus. The rate of retrogradation depended on the storage temperature (23 C and 4 C) and the botanical origin of the starch. The least crystallization was observed in HHP treated wheat starch stored at 23 C. The storage modulus increased with crystallization of starch.