cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
For What Diagnoses Are Psychotropic Medications Being Prescribed? A Nationally Representative Survey of Physicians

Background: Psychoactive medications, such as antidepressants, are one of the most widely prescribed categories of drugs in the US; yet few studies have comprehensively examined the conditions for which psychoactive medications are prescribed. To our knowledge, no prior study has examined the extent to which psychoactive medications are prescribed for non-psychiatric somatic illnesses or the main types of psychiatric disorders for which psychoactive medications are being used.
CMOS-integrated nanoscale memristive crossbars for CNN and optimization acceleration

While memristive crossbars have been reported to offer substantial performance efficiency benefits orders of magnitude above digital processors, there remain high risks in analog computing platforms using emerging non-volatile memory technologies, primarily due to device performance, variability, yield, and interactions with peripheral circuits. We directly integrated CMOS and nanoscale (down to 25 nm) memristors for fully on-chip reading/programming/computing demonstrations. We operate in a low power regime, program with fine control, showing high yield and low variability across our memristive arrays. With the integrated chip, we successfully demonstrated a multi-layer convolutional neural network with MNIST classification accuracy of above 95.3%, demonstrating several concepts in proposed architectures for hybrid analog-digital computing. The ability to tackle NP-hard optimization problems is also experimentally demonstrated with this platform. This work de-risks many of the chief concerns for an accelerator based on analog rather than purely digital computing circuits, as well as validating the core elements of a future in-memory computing architecture.
The Genus Heteroplea (Hemiptera: Pleidae), with Two New Species and a Key to the Genus

Two new species of Pleidae, Heteroplea ornata new species and H. asperscyta new species, are described. With the addition of these species, there are now four species in the Neotropical genus Heteroplea. All species of Heteroplea have a distinct callus on the vertex of the head, which can be used to clearly delineate species. Keys to the genera of the family Pleidae and species of Heteroplea are provided.
A phase I study of intravenous fenretinide (4-HPR) for patients with malignant solid tumors

Fenretinide is a synthetic retinoid that can induce cytotoxicity by several mechanisms. Achieving effective systemic exposure with oral formulations has been challenging. An intravenous lipid emulsion fenretinide formulation was developed to overcome this barrier. We conducted a study to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), preliminary efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of intravenous lipid emulsion fenretinide in patients with advanced solid tumors. Twenty-three patients with advanced solid tumors refractory to standard treatments received fenretinide as a continuous infusion for five consecutive days in 21-day cycles. Five different dose cohorts were evaluated between doses of 905 mg/m2 and 1414 mg/m2 per day using a 3 + 3 dose escalation design. A priming dose of 600 mg/m2 on day 1 was introduced in an attempt to address the asymptomatic serum triglyceride elevations related to the lipid emulsion. The treatment-related adverse events occurring in ≥ 20% of patients were anemia, hypertriglyceridemia, fatigue, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increase, thrombocytopenia, bilirubin increase, and dry skin. Five evaluable patients had stable disease as best response, and no patients had objective responses. Plasma steady-state concentrations of the active metabolite were significantly higher than with previous capsule formulations. Fenretinide emulsion intravenous infusion had a manageable safety profile and achieved higher plasma steady-state concentrations of the active metabolite compared to previous capsule formulations. Single-agent activity was minimal but combinatorial approaches are under evaluation.
Subnational bipartisanship on climate change: evidence from surveys of local and state policymakers

While the US Congress has repeatedly failed to pass the national legislation to address climate change over the years, there has been much more progress among state and local governments. Is this progress on climate change policy at the subnational level merely a reflection of the dominance of the Democratic Party in certain regions of the country, or does it reflect successful bipartisan action? In this essay, we present novel evidence from two surveys of subnational policymakers, conducted in 2015 and 2017, to demonstrate that there is widespread bipartisan agreement among Republican and Democrat policymakers at the subnational level about (1) the existence of global warming and (2) what to do about it. Specifically, a majority in both parties believe global warming is happening and support the use of renewable energy mandates—rather than cap-and-trade, carbon tax, or emissions standards—to address the problem.
Influence of the Environment and Vegetable Cropping Systems on Plant-Parasitic Nematode Communities in Southern Georgia.

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) limit yields in vegetable production in the United States. During the spring and fall cropping seasons of 2018, 436 fields in bare ground and plastic bed cropping sy...
Synthesis of Two Decades of US EPA's Ecosystem Services Research to Inform Environmental, Community, and Sustainability Decision Making.

A conceptual framework is helpful to understand what types of ecosystem services (ES) information is needed to support decision making. Principles of structured decision making are helpful for articulating how ES consideration can influence different elements in a given decision context resulting in changes to the environment, human health, and well-being. This article presents a holistic view of an ES framework, summarizing two decades of the US EPA’s ES research, including recent advances in final ES, those ES that provide benefits directly to people. Approximately 150 peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and book chapters characterize a large ES research portfolio. In introducing framework elements and the suite of relevant US EPA research for each element, both challenges and opportunities are identified. Lessons from research to advance each of the final ES elements can be useful for identifying gaps and future science needs. Ultimately, the goal of this article is to help the reader develop an operational understanding of the final ES conceptual framework, an understanding of the state of science for a number of ES elements, and an introduction to some ES tools, models, and frameworks that may be of use in their case-study applications or decision-making contexts.
The impact of COVID-19 on university students' academic motivation, social connection, and psychological well-being

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted our daily lives. Public health officials are encouraging restrictions on social gatherings, limiting the amount of time and number of people individuals can interact with in-person. However, people have an innate need for belonging, and social isolation can exacerbate psychological distress. Due to school closings, students have shifted to online learning, which may foster feelings of detachment from their respective schools and impact students' motivation to continue learning in an online context. In the present study, we surveyed N = 238 undergraduate students to assess the relationships between academic motivation, sense of belonging to their university, and COVID-19-related distress. Correlational analyses revealed positive relationships between academic motivation and sense of belonging, and negative relationships between these two variables and COVID-19-related distress. A multiple linear regression demonstrated that sense of belonging and socioeconomic status negatively associated with COVID-19-related distress. Believing that online learning is as effective as in-person learning did not moderate the relationship between the sense of belonging and academic motivation. We discuss implications for colleges and universities to improve students' psychological well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Family socioeconomic status, family health, and changes in students' math achievement across high school: A mediational model

In response to recent calls to integrate understandings of socioeconomic disparities in health with understandings of socioeconomic disparities in academic achievement, this study tested a mediational model whereby family socioeconomic status predicted gains in academic achievement across high school through its impact on both student and parent health. Data on over 8000 high school students in the U.S. were obtained from wave 1 (2009-2010) and wave 2 (2012) of the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09), and structural equation modeling with latent difference scores was used to determine the role of family health problems in mediating the well-established link between family SES and gains in academic achievement. Using both static and dynamic indicators of family SES, support was found for this mediational model. Higher family SES in 9th grade reduced the probability of students and their parents experiencing a serious health problem in high school, thereby promoting growth in academic achievement. In addition, parent and student health problems mediated the effect of changes in family SES across high school on math achievement gains. Results emphasize the importance of considering the dynamic nature of SES and that both student and parent health should be considered in understanding SES-related disparities in academic achievement. This relational process provides new mechanisms for understanding the intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic status and the status attainment process more broadly.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Cables with Low Initial Tension

A method of solution for the three-dimensional nonlinear deployment problem associated with single, lightly-stressed cables is presented. Based on the theory of incremental deformations the governing nonlinear equations are reduced to a system of quasilinear equations dependent on the prior history of deployment. The solution to the resulting system of equations is obtained by means of a finite element representation valid during some time interval in which the incremental equations approximate the response of the nonlinear system to a stated order of accuracy. The solution is extended to later time intervals by referring additional incremental deformations to a coordinate system based on the new configuration of the cable at the end of the previous time interval. Numerical planar problems are considered for verification and demonstration purposes.
The Fauna From Ele Bor: Evidence for the Persistence of Foragers Into the Later Holocene of Arid North Kenya

This paper reports on the results of zooarchaeological analysis of fauna from two stratified rockshelters at Ele Bor, 200 km east of Lake Turkana, Kenya. Ele Bor Site A, with radiocarbon determinations from 7000 to 1000 B P, yielded around 4000 identifiable bone specimens. The other site, Ele Bor M, yielded only a hundred bone specimens and will be discussed less extensively in this paper. Fauna from the EBA, although heavily modified by various taphonomic agents, testify to the strong continuity of a broad-based foraging pattern into the first millennium AD, the long stability of human use of a broad range of wild vertebrate species and to a stone-working tradition, augmented but not substantially modified by the introduction of ceramics and grinding equipment during the sixth to third millennium BC.
A Review of “The Decades of Life: A Guide to Human Development”

The Decades of Life: A Guide to Human Development by Donald Capps is an expansion and extension of the developmental psychology research of Erik H. Erikson. The Introduction is critical to the rest...
Optimal structural design for a discrete set of available structural members

Abstract An elastic structure is postulated to consist of members which are taken from a given set of available cross sections, and the structure is to be designed, for given total volume, so as to be as stiff as possible. This condition may be reprepresented either by minimum compliance or by minimum deflection at a prescribed point. The optimization process consists in finding the subrogions which are to be occupied by the given members. This process leads to necessary conditions governing the location of the transition points, and in certain simple cases these conditions are shown also to be sufficient for a local optimum. Examples are introduced to demonstrate both the theory as well as a numerical iterative technique, whose convergence is proved, in arriving at optimal designs of statically determinate and indeterminate beams.
Towards a Personal Health Management Assistant

We describe design and prototyping efforts for a Personal Health Management Assistant for heart failure patients as part of Project HealthDesign. An assistant is more than simply an application. An assistant understands what its users need to do, interacts naturally with them, reacts to what they say and do, and is proactive in helping them manage their health. In this project, we focused on heart failure, which is not only a prevalent and economically significant disease, but also one that is very amenable to self-care. Working with patients, and building on our prior experience with conversational assistants, we designed and developed a prototype system that helps heart failure patients record objective and subjective observations using spoken natural language conversation. Our experience suggests that it is feasible to build such systems and that patients would use them. The system is designed to support rapid application to other self-care settings.
Sodium outflux and influx within nerve terminals from chronic epileptogenic foci

Abstract The Na+-pump (0MNap) or maximal sodium outflux inhibited by ouabain was studied in nerve terminals isolated from the primary and mirror epileptogenic foci of freezing lesions. In addition, the Na+ for Na+ exchange diffusion that is sensitive to ethacrynic acid and furosemide was also analyzed.0MNap in control and epileptogenic states had similar and indistinguishable activation curves for K0 (extracellular K) in a sodium medium except for a two-fold difference in magnitude. However, the apparent affinity of the Na+-pump for K0 as measured byK1/2 was shifted to the right or decreased in epileptogenic foci (2 mM K0 compared to 0.5 mM in controls) when measured in a magnesium medium. A decrease in the apparent affinity for internal sodium was also observed. Of the total sodium outflux (67.7 nmol/mg/min), Na+ movements which are insensitive to ouabain and external K+ but stimulated by external Na+ and inhibited by furosemide and ethacrynic acid (20 nmol/mg/min or 32% of sodium outflux) represented the Na+ for Na+ exchange diffusion in nerve terminals. Na+ influx rising with increasing internal sodium in the presence of ouabain and blocked by furosemide represent the corresponding inward Na+ movement. No differences were observed between controls and epileptogenic states.
High systemic vascular resistance and sudden cardiovascular collapse in recovering Norwood patients.

Abstract Background Sudden death, remote from surgery, in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) after Norwood palliation is an important problem. The episodic nature of this syndrome has made its cause(s) difficult to ascertain. Observations made in hospitalized Norwood patients may afford insight into the pathophysiology of sudden death among these patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review. Results Five patients with HLHS experiencing unremarkable recoveries from Norwood palliation, still hospitalized but extubated (only 1 in intensive care), had unexpected, acute decompensation 8 to 15 days postoperatively. All had acutely decreased peripheral perfusion; severe metabolic acidosis (mean HCO 3 = 9 mEq/L, range 6 to 11 mEq/L; mean arterial lactate=16 mmol/L, range 10 to 20 mmol/L, normal less than 2 mmol/L); relatively high arterial pO 2 , especially considering their low systemic perfusion (mean = 57 mm Hg, range 50 to 66 mm Hg on fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) less than 0.3 in 4 of 5 patients); and relatively high systolic blood pressure (mean systolic blood pressure=91 mm Hg, range 78 to 116 mm Hg). During the preceding 24 hours, all had had systolic blood pressures of more than 85 mm Hg at multiple times. All were resuscitated with mechanical ventilation and administration of HCO 3 and intravenous inotropic agents or vasodilators (1 also required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), with rapid resolution of their acidosis. After decompensating, all were treated with oral antihypertensive agents; 1 had an early hemi-Fontan. All survived to discharge. Conclusions Increased systemic vascular resistance may be especially pernicious in Norwood patients—even remote from operation—as the condition increases myocardial work and O 2 consumption while diminishing systemic perfusion. Chronic and acutely increased systemic vascular resistance may account for some cases of sudden unexpected death in Norwood patients.
The Kleine-Levin syndrome: a review.

Abstract Because of its rarity, the Kleine-Levin syndrome may go unrecognized or be misdiagnosed. Primarily affecting male adolescents, it is characterized by periodic hypersomnia, excessive eating, and psychiatric symptoms ranging from lethargy to hallucinations. This article reviews the manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of the disorder, with particular attention to psychiatric symptoms as described in 33 well-documented cases. Psychiatrically, it may be the mirror image to anorexia nervosa.
GEOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF A HESS GYROSCOPE MOTION

Conditions that characterize the mass distribution of a Hess gyroscope are obtained. For a dynamic system that describes the motion of the Hess gyroscope, we propose a special type of the Poincare section. Using the indicated section, a phase portrait of motions of the Hess gyroscope is constructed and investigated. The Hess solution [8] has unique analytic and qualitative properties and, for this reason, occupies a place of prime importance in modern dynamics of rigid bodies. Two-dimensional invariant manifolds that support the Hess solution determine the boundary of chaos in a dynamic system, which enables one to study possible scenarios of transition from regular motions to chaotic ones. In this solution, invariant tori that bear quasiperiodic motions, limiting cycles, and isolated periodic trajectories, the simplest motions of a physical pendulum, stable and unstable relative equilibriums, homo- and heteroclinic motions, frequency resonances, and splitting of separatrix surfaces are surprisingly combined. All the aforesaid enables us to state that the most significant ideas and results of dynamics of rigid bodies can be explained fairly clearly by one example, namely, the Hess case of the problem of motion of a body about a fixed point. In recent years, due to the intensive development of modern computer systems and technologies, many examples of the numerical solution of nonintegrable solutions of Hamiltonian systems have appeared in the scientific literature [9–11]. In the present work, computer experiments based on the numerical study of twodimensional Poincare maps were performed. We proposed a special type of the Poincare section, and, using it, constructed a phase portrait of motions.
Exogenous and endogenous mechanisms of PPAR activation: implications for inflammation and atherosclerosis

Abstract Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are critical transcriptional regulators of key metabolic pathways. Indeed, synthetic PPAR agonists in clinical use improve lipids, like PPAR-α activated fibrates, and decrease insulin resistance, like PPAR-γ activating thiazolidinediones. More recent work implicates PPAR activation in limiting inflammation and atherosclerosis. This body of data suggests that endogenous PPAR ligands may exert effects similar to those seen with synthetic PPAR agonists, improving metabolism, limiting inflammation, and decreasing atherosclerotic responses. Prior evidence regarding endogenous PPAR ligands is considered. More recent studies from our group establishing lipoprotein lipase as an endogenous mechanism for selective PPAR ligand generation are reviewed.
Second-order conditions for extremum problems with nonregular equality constraints

Combining results of Avakov about tangent directions to equality constraints given by smooth operators with results of Ben-Tal and Zowe, we formulate a second-order theory for optimality in the sense of Dubovitskii-Milyutin which gives nontrivial conditions also in the case of equality constraints given by nonregular operators. Secondorder feasible and tangent directions are defined to construct conical approximations to inequality and equality constraints which within a single construction lead to first- and second-order conditions of optimality for the problem also in the nonregular case. The definitions of secondorder feasible and tangent directions given in this paper allow for reparametrizations of the approximating curves and give approximating sets which form cones. The main results of the paper are a theorem which states second-order necessary condition of optimality and several corollaries which treat special cases. In particular, the paper generalizes the Avakov result in the smooth case.
Angiotensinogen gene expression is dependent on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3-mediated p300/cAMP response element binding protein-binding protein coactivator recruitment and histone acetyltransferase activity.

Angiotensin II, a potent vasoactive peptide produced by proteolysis of the angiotensinogen (AGT) prohormone, plays a critical role in cardiovascular homeostasis. Recently we showed that IL-6 induces human (h)AGT transcription by activating the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). Here we investigated the role of the coactivator p300/cAMP response element binding protein-binding protein (CBP) in STAT3-mediated hAGT gene expression. Overexpression of adenovirus 12S E1A, which binds and inactivates p300/CBP, strongly inhibited basal and stimulated hAGT transcription, whereas a mutant E1A defective in binding p300/CBP did not. Conversely, ectopic expression of p300 and CBP potentiated inducible hAGT promoter activity. Coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed STAT3-p300 interaction upon IL-6 stimulation. The STAT3-p300 association requires the STAT3 C-terminal transactivation domain, as STAT3 deleted of transactivation functions as a dominant-negative inhibitor and does not associate with p...
Treatment and prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Abstract Without treatment, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis is almost always fatal in the immunocompromised host. Here, Walter Hughes discusses proven and potential treatments, and methods of chemoprophylaxis in high-risk patients. Two drugs, pentamidine isethionate and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole, are equally effective therapeutically — permitting the recovery of approximately 75% of patients — but the latter drug combination is preferred because of its lower toxicity and fewer adverse effects. The pneumonitis can be prevented by prophylactic administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Other drugs with proven efficacy or under study include Fansidar, dapsone, trimetrexate and difluoromethylornithine.
Hypothalamic CRF-like immunoreactivity in the rat after hypophysectomy or adrenalectomy

Hypothalamic CRF-like immunoreactivity was measured in normal, hypophysectomized or adrenalectomized adult male rats. As expected, adrenalectomy resulted in decreased levels in plasma corticosterone and increased plasma levels of ACTH; hypophysectomy resulted in decreased levels in both corticosterone and ACTH. The hypothalamic content of CRF-like immunoreactivity in animals two weeks post-hypophysectomy or adrenalectomy was approximately seven times greater than that found in intact animals. At one week, post-surgery, small but statistically significant decreases in content of CRF-like immunoreactivity were observed. The results at one week are consistent with removal of feedback effects of ACTH and corticosterone causing increased release of CRF and decreased content. The increase in CRF-like immunoreactivity two weeks post-surgery is probably not related to direct feedback effects on release but may be due to increased synthesis secondary to long term removal of feedback inhibition.
Diffusion, discontinuous precipitation, metamorphism, and metasomatism : The complex history of South African upper-mantle symplectites

Symplectites composed of Cr-rich spinel plus one or more of the minerals orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, pyrope garnet, Mg-rich amphibole, and phlogopite, are common in depleted peridotites recovered from kimberlites. The symplectites are unusual for being fine-grained intergrowths in a much coarser matrix of grains, and for having high concentrations of Ca and Al in an environment generally depleted in these elements. Various processes, and combinations of processes, including diffusion, discontinuous precipitation, metamorphism, and metasomatism create and alter the symplectites. Clinopyroxene + spinel symplectites are the most basic symplectites and are assumed to be precursors to all other types of symplectites. These symplectites resemble cellular intergrowths formed in alloys during cooling, by processes of diffusion and by discontinuous precipitation. Garnet in symplectites is interpreted to form by prograde mineral reactions between matrix minerals and symplectites. Symplectites containing amphibole and phlogopite are pyroxene + spinel ± garnet symplectites that have been modified by metasomatism.
RNA polymerase alters the mobility of an A-residue crucial to polymerase-induced melting of promoter DNA.

Strand separation in promoter DNA induced by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase is likely initiated at a conserved A residue at position −11 of the nontemplate strand. Here we describe the use of fluo...
Comparison of robot-assisted versus conventional laparoscopic transperitoneal pyeloplasty for patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction: a single-center study.

OBJECTIVES To compare conventional laparoscopic pyeloplasty (C-LPP) and robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RA-LPP), which are both used for correction of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Robotic assistance may further expedite dissection and reconstruction; however it is unclear whether this has an impact on results. METHODS Between 1999 and 2009, 172 conventional or robotic-assisted transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasties were performed by 2 surgeons. Data were obtained from our prospective database, patient charts, and radiographic reports. Statistical analysis was performed for the groups. RESULTS A total of 98 patients underwent R-LPP, and 74 underwent C-LPP. Mean age, body mass index, and gender distribution were similar for the groups. Of the patients, 22 (12.8%) had secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Operative time in minutes was 189.3 ± 62 for RA-LPP, and 186.6 ± 69 for C-LPP (P = .69) respectively. Intraoperative and postoperative complication rates for RA-LPP and C-LPP were 1%, 5.1% and 0, 2.7% (P = .83 and .85) respectively. There was no significant difference in mean suturing time: 48.3 ± 30 and 60 ± 46 (P = .30) for RA-LPP and C-LPP, respectively. Long-term follow up (minimum 6 months; available for 136 patients) showed 93.4% and 95% radiographic success rate based upon diuretic scintirenography for RA-LPP and C-LPP respectively. CONCLUSIONS Operative time, perioperative outcome and success rates are similar for C-LPP and RA-LPP. Mean suturing time for RA-LPP was shorter; however, there was no significant time difference in total operative time. Complications for both procedures are infrequent. Success rates, as measured by diuretic scintirenography, are high for the 2 procedures.
Optical constants and reflectance and transmittance of evaporated rhodium films in the visible

The optical constants and reflectance and transmittance of evaporated rhodium films were determined in the visible. The evaporations were performed in an ion-titanium pumped system at pressures of less than 10−6 torr. Films of various thicknesses were deposited onto glass and fused-silica substrates at 40 and 300 °C. Their optical constants were determined with opaque coatings by an ellipsometric technique, and by reflectance measurements made at various angles of incidence, and with semitransparent films by reflectance, transmittance, and thickness measurements. The results obtained with these three techniques agreed well within the accuracy of measurements. At all wavelengths, both n and k and the reflectance increased with increasing substrate temperature. The transmittance of semitransparent rhodium films of various thicknesses was found to be not as constant throughout the visible region as previously reported. The rhodium mirror coatings were made to adhere to glass and fused silica, by use of a 20-A-thick inner layer of evaporated Nichrome. Pairs of dielectric surface films with alternately low and high indices of refraction were used to enhance the visible reflectance of rhodium mirrors. They consisted of SiO2 + TiO2 and SiO2 + CeO2. Rhodium mirrors with and without dielectric surface films showed no damage or change in reflectance after 1 h of boiling in salt water and 10 h of immersion in 10% NaOH and 10% HCl acid.
The incidence of senile plaques and multiple infarction in aged macaque brain.

IN 1980, shortly after I moved from the Oregon Primate Center to the Wisconsin primate Center, I noticed that the Wisconsin Center had almost 80 animals >20 years of age. This, of course, was the heritage of Dr. Harry Harlow who started a large-scale rhesus monkey colony near the end of the 1940s and early 1950s. Because the Wisconsin Center traditionally focused more on behaviorally oriented research studies that were not terminal experiments, many of animals were retired to a breeding colony. The aged animals have been supported by the set-aside program of the National Institute on Aging for aged animals. We record life span using only those which die spontaneously; those used in experimental studies are not included. For example, in 1980 we had 70 monkeys >20 years. By 1992, about 80 animals were about 20 years. Many monkeys die between 20 and 30 years of age, but an occasional monkey lives to 35-36 years of age, and maximum longevity is about 36 years. In a population of monkeys >20 years approximately 15 can be expected to die annually. How does this compare with humans? The rhesus monkey reaches reproductive age at 3-4 years and menopause is by 25-26 years; histologic examination shows a tremendous decrease of ovarian foUiculogencsis; by 31 years old, there is literally no folliculogenesis. The oldest monkey to givc birth at the Wisconsin Center was 27 years. In comparison to the human age for menopause of 50 years, it is 25 years in the rhesus monkey. The geriatric signs in these '~post-menopausar' monkeys 2026 years of age include drier skin, telangiectasias, tooth decay, muscle atrophy, a decrease in body weight, cataracts, and many bone and joint problems. Cataracts may be a very good sign of aging in the rhesus monkey; severe ones are seen at about 26 years. What is the cause of death for these monkeys? Many have subpleural emphysema, we see it in about 20% of monkeys by 19 years of age. Coronary sclerosis but not atherosclerotic plaque, is quite a prevalent change in the heart, although we do not see stenosis (5). Histologically, the muscle layer in the media is decreased and replaced with fibrous tissues, so blood flow is decreased. We have found 18 monkeys >20 years with cancer of the colon in 20 years; unlike the human, it is mostly in the cecum. Histologically, these tumors are similar to those in humans, a mucus producing adenocarcinoma. We have accumulated about 51 brains from monkeys >25 years of age; they were not behaviorally characterized. We have seen no evidence of atrophy in the cortex nor does the brain weight decline-----even up to 36 years. In the aging human, Alzheimer's disease and multiple infarction are the major causes of dementia. Although we have no behavioral data for dementia in these mon-
Doppler-Based Airborne Ultrasound for Detecting Surface Discontinuities on a Moving Target

This paper presents a novel concept based on the acoustic Doppler effect for detecting defects on the surface of a rapidly moving object. The proof-of-concept tests show the feasibility of this approach. By impinging and detecting airborne ultrasound on a rotating target with surface notches, the Doppler effect was clearly observed in the spectral domain at the time when the transducer passed over the flawed zone. For continuous monitoring, the gated spectral magnitude is used to discriminate the signals returned from a flawed region against those from sound regions. In addition, two real-time signal processing techniques are proposed.
Employed Rural, Low-Income, Single Mothers’ Family and Work Over Time

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine how low-income, single mothers manage their family and work lives. Analysis was based on longitudinal data collected from 28 rural, low-income, single mothers across 11 states who were continuously employed over three waves. Four main themes were identified: demands from family and work, resources the mothers used to maintain employment, work-family conflict, and strategies to retain employment. This study concludes that despite all the difficulties, mothers try to utilize their limited resources and adopt strategies for combining family and work life even though their demands and resources vary over time. Mothers employed in the same jobs receive consistent support from families. Implications for child care and leave policies are discussed.
Bridges and Chasms: Summary of the IMAGE 2 Meeting in Montreal, Canada, 30 April to 3 May 2007

The second iteration of the IMAGE (Integrating Metabolism and Genomics) meeting was characterized by bridges and chasms: between new and old, between computational and experimental, between big and small, between young and old. The goal of the meeting was best described by a question from the audience to Linc Sonenshein: “How do we take that vast storehouse of metabolic intuition and knowledge and get it into a database that is accessible to everyone else?” A dozen years ago, that sort of transfer required either a long apprenticeship with a one-to-one transfer from mentor to disciple or a mind prone to fantasies about artificial intelligence. The IMAGE 2 meeting last May in Montreal, Canada, suggests that the goal may be achieved by the coming generation of scientists. Like the previous IMAGE meeting in 2004, the focus of the meeting was bacteria, but not to the exclusion of other systems.
Role of Neutrophils in Mucus Hypersecretion in COPD and Implications for Therapy

Airway mucus hypersecretion is a serious and presently untreatable symptom of COPD. Over the past several years, emerging evidence has implicated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and activation in mucin production by airway epithelial (goblet) cells. Activated neutrophils recruited to the airways (and their secreted products) play several key roles in EGFR-dependent mucus hypersecretion: (i) activated neutrophils secrete tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which induces EGFR expression in airway epithelial cells; (ii) activated neutrophils release reactive oxygen species, which activate EGFR; (iii) neutrophil elastase cleaves the EGFR proligand, pro-transforming growth factor (TGF)-α, releasing mature TGFα which activates EGFR in a ligand-dependent fashion; and (iv) neutrophil elastase causes potent goblet cell degranulation.
Availability of Calcium in Feed Grade Phosphates to the Chick

Abstract THE availability of the phosphorus content of feed grade phosphates has been reported by numerous workers. There is little information on the availability of the calcium content of these mineral supplements to chicks. A test was designed to determine if calcium availability values could be be assigned to feed grade phosphates. EXPERIMENTAL Twelve diets were fed from one day to three weeks of age to commercial strain broiler cockerels. Each diet was fed to replicate groups of 20 chicks each. The birds were maintained in electrically heated battery brooders with raised wire floors. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The practical type basal diet was one previously used at this station in phosphorus availability studies (Dilworth and Day, 1964). This diet was primarily composed of degerminated corn meal and soybean meal (50% protein). The constant dietary ingredients represented 95% of the total with the remaining 5% being the test…
Balancing Vancomycin Efficacy and Nephrotoxicity: Should We Be Aiming for Trough or AUC/MIC?

Sixty years later, the question that still remains is how to appropriately utilize vancomycin in the pediatric population. The Infectious Diseases Society of America published guidelines in 2011 that provide guidance for dosing and monitoring of vancomycin in adults and pediatrics. However, goal vancomycin trough concentrations of 15–20 μg/mL for invasive infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were based primarily on adult pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data that achieved an area under the curve to minimum inhibitory concentration ratio (AUC/MIC) of ≥400. Recent pediatric literature shows that vancomycin trough concentrations needed to achieve the target AUC/MIC are different than the adult goal troughs cited in the guidelines. This paper addresses several thoughts, including the role of vancomycin AUC/MIC in dosing strategies and safety monitoring, consistency in laboratory reporting, and future directions for calculating AUC/MIC in pediatrics.
Studies of ionization mechanisms involved in thermospray LC-MS

Abstract Earlier we reported that molecular ions were produced when aqueous solutions containing nonvolatile solutes were rapidly vaporized by forcing them through a heated nozzle. This “thermospray” process produces mass spectra for many non-volatile molecules which are very similar to those obtained by field desorption and other soft ionization techniques. Recent efforts have focused on elucidating the mechanisms involved in this ionization process. This paper summarizes our present understanding of the ionization mechanism.
Important Considerations in Conducting Statistical Mediation Analyses

An investigator wishes to examine mediation in a randomized control trial of the effectiveness of an intervention, which consists of a computerized decision aid for promoting colorectal cancer screening. Mediation is a naturally occurring process, and in any given instance, research investigators seek to ascertain whether it has occurred. In the case of a prevention intervention for a specific chain of events, mediation occurs (1) when the prevention intervention effects a change on a targeted intermediate condition: a mediator, for example, a person’s intentions to get a colorectal screening examination; and (2) when, at a later point in time, this condition effects a change on a targeted outcome, for example, the actual behavior of getting a colorectal screening exam. Full mediation is said to occur when the effectiveness of the intervention on the targeted outcome only takes place through the intermediate condition and does not directly affect the targeted outcome. Partial mediation is said to occur wh...
Studying the effects of production loss due to setup in dynamic production scheduling

Abstract We study the effects of production loss during setup in dynamic production scheduling for process industries producing several products on non-identical flexible processors. The production scheduling problem is formulated as a mixed integer programming model and solved using primal and dual Lagrangean based procedures. Real data from a tile company and randomly generated data were used to test the model. Our computational results show the solution procedure to be fast, robust and stable even for cases with large setup costs and production losses, and for cases with demands of up to 52 periods.
Ghosts in the Bureaucratic Machine: Resurrecting the Principles of Administration in the Oklahoma Health Department

An Oklahoma health department scandal erupted when the acting director was arrested for taking a bribe. More revelations quickly followed, including the existence of multiple “ghost employees” on payroll but having no identifiable job functions. More than 30 employees were terminated. Many faced criminal prosecution. TheTulsa World reported that malfeasance at the agency might have contributed to as many as 1,000 deaths in state nursing homes. The state’s governor assigned a cabinet secretary to rectify the situation. In telling the story of an agency’s denigration and eventual rebirth, the authors argue that no substitute exists for institutional regard for basic administrative principles. They revisit the work of Fayol and Gulick, two pioneers within the principles of administration school. Despite long-standing criticisms, their approach seems strongly validated in light of an agency that lost its way by ignoring fundamentals and was set back on course by an administrator who valued them.
Triple Therapy in Cadaveric Renal Transplantation: Role of Induction Cyclosporine and Targeted Levels to Avoid Rejection

AbstractThe updated data on 61 consecutive cadaveric transplants performed at our institution from 1987 to 1990 (followup 31 to 82 months, median 54 months) were analyzed with emphasis on cyclosporine monitoring and long-term results. All patients received triple therapy with cyclosporine induction, azathioprine and prednisone regardless of graft function, and they were preferentially placed on the calcium blocker nifedipine. We monitored 12-hour cyclosporine trough levels in whole blood using high performance liquid chromatography and the dose was adjusted to maintain levels at 150 ng./ml. or greater for the first 3 months. In 17 of 61 patients (28 percent) 22 rejection episodes occurred and 20 nephrotoxicity episodes occurred in 17 of 61 patients (28 percent). There was no significant difference in the mean cyclosporine levels among 32 rejection, nonrejection, nephrotoxic and nonnephrotoxic cases at any interval. Rejection occurred by 1 month in 13 (76 percent) and by 3 months in 15 (88 percent) of 17 p...
Photoaffinity labeling of the allosteric AMP site of biodegradative threonine dehydratase of Escherichia coli with 8‐azido‐AMP

The photoreactive AMP analog, 8-azido-AMP, stimulated the activity of biodegradative threonine dehydratase of Escherichia coli in a reversible manner and, like AMP, decreased the Km for threonine. The concentrations required for half-maximal stimulation by AMP and 8-azido-AMP were 40 μM and 1.5 μM, respectively, and the maximum stimulation by 8-azido-AMP was 25% of that seen with AMP. Gel-filtration experiments revealed that 8-azido-AMP stabilized a dimeric form of the enzyme, whereas AMP promoted a tetrameric species. When present together, AMP and 8-azido-AMP showed mutual competition in influencing catalytic activity as well as the conformational state of the protein. Photolabeling of AMP-free dehydratase with 8-azido-[2-3H]AMP resulted in a time and concentration-dependent enzyme inactivation and concomitant incorporation of 8-azido-AMP into protein. At low 8-azido-AMP concentrations, incorporation of about 1 mol 8-azido-AMP/mol dehydratase tetramer was correlated with almost complete inactivation of the enzyme. The presence of AMP in the photolabeling reaction greatly reduced the extent of enzyme inactivation and 8-azido-AMP binding. Ultraviolet irradiation with 20 μM 3H-labeled 8-azido-AMP revealed one tryptic peptide, Thr230-Thr-Gly-Thr-Leu-Ala-Asp-Gly-Cys-Asp-Val-Ser-Arg242, with bound radioactivity. This peptide, labeled at low concentration of 8-azido-AMP, most likely represents the AMP-binding region on the dehydratase molecule.
Effect of Fat Soluble Vitamins on the Brood Rearing Capabilities of Honey Bees Fed a Synthetic Diet

The requirements of nurse honey bees, Apis mellifera L., for fat soluble vitamins to support brood rearing was studied by feeding a chemically defined diet supplemented with either vitamin A, D, E, or K (0.4 µg/g diet) or with a complex of all 4 vitamins. Control bees were fed the basic diet without fat soluble vitamin supplementation. Bees fed diets containing vitamin A reared more bees to the sealed stage; bees fed vitamin K and ADEK diets reared the next most brood. These 3 diets all resulted in twice as much brood as the control diet. Bees fed diets containing vitamins D or E consumed little diet and reared minimum levels of brood to the sealed stage.
Liver tissue from lactating rats produces a factor that stimulates prolactin release and gene expression.

Liver tissue from nursing rats produces a substance, termed liver lactogenic factor (LLF), that potently stimulates casein release from isolated mammary cells. Inasmuch as the production of LLF is dependent on PRL, we decided to determine whether it could influence the release of the hormone by dissociated pituitary cells in culture. This was accomplished by measuring PRL release with a reverse hemolytic plaque assay and PRL gene expression with a DNA probe complementary to PRL mRNA. Treatment of pituitary cells from day 10 lactating rats with liver slice incubates from the same type of animal caused a 35.3 ± 4.3% increase in PRL release during a 3-h incubation. Likewise, the same dose of LLF activity markedly increased (3.5-fold) the steady state levels of PRL mRNA. The responses were reasonably specific for PRL, since neither GH plaque development nor gene expression was affected by identical treatment. Taken together these results demonstrate that LLF can act directly at the pituitary level to exert po...