cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrated Analysis of Transcriptomic and Proteomic Data

Until recently, understanding the regulatory behavior of cells has been pursued through independent analysis of the transcriptome or the proteome. Based on the central dogma, it was generally assumed that there exist a direct correspondence between mRNA transcripts and generated protein expressions. However, recent studies have shown that the correlation between mRNA and Protein expressions can be low due to various factors such as different half lives and post transcription machinery. Thus, a joint analysis of the transcriptomic and proteomic data can provide useful insights that may not be deciphered from individual analysis of mRNA or protein expressions. This article reviews the existing major approaches for joint analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic data. We categorize the different approaches into eight main categories based on the initial algorithm and final analysis goal. We further present analogies with other domains and discuss the existing research problems in this area.
Distribution of dynorphin and enkephalin peptides in the rat brain.

The neuroanatomical distribution of dynorphin B-like immunoreactivity (DYN-B) was studied in the adult male and female albino rat. The distribution of DYN B in colchicine- and noncolchicine-treated animals was also compared to that of another opioid peptide derived from the prodynorphin precursor dynorphin A (1-8) (DYN 1-8), and an opioid peptide derived from the proenkephalin precursor met-enkephalin-arg-gly-leu (MERGL). DYN B cell bodies were present in nonpyramidal cells of neo- and allocortices, medium-sized cells of the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, lateral part of the central nucleus of the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, preoptic area, and in sectors of nearly every hypothalamic nucleus and area, medial pretectal area, and nucleus of the optic tract, periaqueductal gray, raphe nuclei, cuneiform nucleus, sagulum, retrorubral nucleus, peripeduncular nucleus, lateral terminal nucleus, pedunculopontine nucleus, mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, parabigeminal nucleus, dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, lateral superior olivary nucleus, superior paraolivary nucleus, medial superior olivary nucleus, ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body, lateral dorsal tegmental nucleus, accessory trigeminal nucleus, solitary nucleus, nucleus ambiguus, paratrigeminal nucleus, area postrema, lateral reticular nucleus, and ventrolateral region of the reticular formation. Fiber systems are present that conform to many of the known output systems of these nuclei, including major descending pathways (e.g., striatonigral, striatopallidal, reticulospinal, hypothalamospinal pathways), short projection systems (e.g., mossy fibers in hippocampus, hypothalamo-hypophyseal pathways), and local circuit pathways (e.g., in cortex, hypothalamus). The distribution of MERGL was, with a few notable exceptions, in the same nuclei as DYN B. From these neuroanatomical data, it appears that the dynorphin and enkephalin peptides are strategically located in brain regions that regulate extrapyramidal motor function, cardiovascular and water balance systems, eating, sensory processing, and pain perception.
Women Candidates and the Media: 1992-2000 Elections

Studies examining newspaper coverage of gubernatorial and senatorial candidates running in the 1980s found women to be at a disadvantage compared to men. Although women are still underrepresented as senators and governors, they have increased their numbers in more recent years. With greater representation, has press coverage become more gender neutral? To answer this important question, coverage of men and women senatorial and gubernatorial candidates running between 1992 and 2000 is analyzed. Findings suggest, in general, that newspaper coverage of candidates has become increasingly gender-balanced. Although certain disparities exist, some differences now actually favor women candidates. Some possible explanations for more balanced newspaper coverage are also discussed.
Incorporating Ice Crystal Scattering Databases in the Simulation of Millimeter-Wavelength Radar Reflectivity

Abstract The Canadian CloudSat/Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) Validation Project (C3VP) was designed to acquire aircraft, surface, and satellite observations of particle size distributions during cold season precipitation events for the purposes of validating and improving upon satellite-based retrievals of precipitation and the representation of cloud and precipitation processes within numerical weather prediction schemes. During an intensive observation period on 22 January 2007, an instrumented aircraft measured ice crystal size distributions, ice and liquid water contents, and atmospheric state parameters within a broad shield of precipitation generated by a passing midlatitude cyclone. The 94-GHz CloudSat radar acquired vertical profiles of radar reflectivity within light to moderate snowfall, coincident with C3VP surface and aircraft instrumentation. Satellite-based retrievals of cold season precipitation require relationships between remotely sensed qua...
Complications in arthroscopic surgery performed by experienced arthroscopists

Summary Twenty-one experienced arthroscopists participated in a prospective, 19-month study to analyze complications in arthroscopic surgery of the knee and other joints. Participants responded to a monthly questionnaire that provided information on a case-by-case basis for the duration of the study. A total of 63 specific procedures were studied. A total of 10,262 procedures were recorded. Procedures performed on the knee joint were most prevalent in the study (8,741 or 86%). Complications were placed in one of 11 descriptive categories for analysis; 173 complications occurred and the overall complication rate was 1.68%. The types of complications recorded in order of frequency were hemarthrosis, 60.1%; infection, 12.1%; thromboembolic disease, 6.9%; anesthetic complications, 6.4%; instrument failure, 2.9%; reflex sympathetic dystrophy, 2.3%; ligament injury, 1.2%; and fracture and neurologic injuries, 0.6% each. The remainder were miscellaneous complications, 6.9%. No vascular injuries were reported. The two most frequent procedures reported were medial meniscectomy (2,468) with a complication rate of 1.78%, and lateral meniscectomy (1,149) with a complication rate of 1.48%. Overall, there was a lower incidence of complications in meniscal repair (1.29%), including both inside-out and outside-in techniques, than in meniscectomy (1.69%). In-depth information was gathered on each complication. In addition, profiles on surgical techniques and surgical equipment were obtained from each of the contributing surgeons. The complication rate in arthroscopic surgery was found to be higher than had been previously found in retrospective surveys. With further analysis of the complication data and profiles of the surgeons, protective techniques can be further identified to help reduce the incidence of complications in arthroscopic surgery.
Migration to Defense Enterprise Computing Centers

Mirroring commercial datacenters utilizing best-of-breed maintenance, storage and monitoring practices, the Defense Enterprise Computing Centers (DECC) are establishing a new paradigm for Service, COCOM and Agency hosted information systems. The DECC provides a secure environment, trained staff, affordable hardware and flexible services which can accommodate virtually any system requirements. This paper will describe the services provided by the DECC and the process for migrating existing systems into a hosting site. It will provide an example of the process by outlining the experiences and lessons learned by DISA GE23 during the initial steps of migrating the content management servers of the CENTCOM DVB-RCS system from the DoD Gateway in Landstuhl, Germany to DECC Mechanicsburg.
A note on the dynamics of population density gradients

The aim of this paper is to show how the density gradient can be modified to take account of population increase and income growth (reflected in a decline in the slope of the gradient). It is shown that central city densities and the slope of gradient are related exponentially. Given certain assumptions about the income elasticity of demand for space, it is possible to draw inferences about the relative contribution of income growth and population growth. An illustration using four American cities suggested population changes have been more important than income, effects, especially since 1930.
Personality, Family Satisfaction, and Demographic Factors That Help Mexican American Students Succeed Academically:

This study examined 122 high academic achieving Mexican American seniors from 7 schools in South Texas. The results found that fathers’ education, families’ equal use of English and Spanish, family support of students’ growth into areas of their own particular interests, and students’ openness to experience had the highest correlations with achievement. The authors provide policy recommendations to increase adolescent reasoning over memorization, exploration over conformity, and responsible expressiveness over repression in the classroom, the community, and the home.
Multiple-radionuclide autoradiography in evaluation of cerebral function.

Summary: We have developed the mathematical model and experimental technique for quantitative simultaneous multiple-radionuclide autoradiography. The technique is an extension of previously described dual-tracer methods and offers the advantage of a general approach in which any two or more radionuclides with different half-lives can be used to measure multiple parameters of cerebral function. The model allows the selection of nuclide doses and exposure times to balance cross-contamination of the multiple images with nuclide requirements. The technique was validated with homogeneous tissue sections containing combinations of 123I, 124I, 131I, 18F, 99mTc, 68Ga, and 14C, and then used in qualitative and quantitative investigations of interrelationships of local cerebral blood flow, glucose metabolism, and protein synthesis in normal and several pathological conditions in rats.
Translational inefficiency of acid beta-glucosidase mRNA in transgenic mammalian cells

The cDNA for acid beta-glucosidase, the Gaucher disease enzyme, was overexpressed in a variety of mammalian cells and in Sf9 insect cells. Whether overexpressed from the MFG-GC retrovirus or the tetracycline transactivator system, there was a large discrepancy between the amounts of mRNA (>750-fold) and acid beta-glucosidase protein (approximately 6- to 14-fold) produced in mammalian cells. This was not observed in Sf9 insect cells. Quantitative evaluation of translation of this mRNA in intact mammalian cells indicated a 55- to 135-fold inefficiency in cell lines compared to normal human skin fibroblasts. In vitro translation efficiency with acid beta-glucosidase mRNAs from overexpressing mammalian or insect cells was similar to that from normal human fibroblasts. A cytoplasmic, heat labile protein was suggested as inhibitory to in vitro translation of these RNAs. North-Western blots and cytoplasmic depletion experiments showed this to be an 80-kDa cytoplasmic mRNA-binding protein that recognized acid beta-glucosidase coding sequences. The cytoplasmic protein was not detected in insect cells. These results implicate acid beta-glucosidase coding sequences and a heat labile cytoplasmic protein in modulating the translation of overexpressed mRNA in transgenic cell lines.
Ultrastructural study of the neurosecretory granules in the sinus gland of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus.

Seven morphologically different types of neurosecretory granules have been found in the axon terminals of the sinus gland of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. They differ from each other in size, shape, staining characteristics, solubility characteristics, core matrix characteristics, axon terminal matrix characteristics, presence or absence of space between the granule membrane and granule core matrix, and frequency of occurrence. Five of the types are segregated in different axon terminals and are believed to represent different hormone-protein complexes. Two of the types, which have lost part or all of their granular contents, are thought to be variants of the other five types. The differences in granular morphology are better revealed by some fixation procedures than others. Palade's acetate-veronal buffered osmium tetroxide, in particular, reveals striking differences. The following observations suggest that different hormone-protein complexes are segregated in different axon terminals and that these complexes may be morphologically distinguished at the level of the electron microscope.
Cocaine—why so lethal?

Abstract Cocaine is among the more lethal drugs of abuse. Its classic stimulant toxicity results from modulation of excitatory amino acids, central nervous system stimulation, and blockade of the reuptake of catecholamines. When combined, these properties produce the characteristic sympathomimetic toxic syndrome that includes hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia and severe psychomotor agitation. Additional toxic effects include blockade of both neuronal and cardiac sodium channels and blockade of cardiac potassium channels. The ability of cocaine to modulation of cardiac channels classifies it best as a type IC antiarrhythmic agent. Importantly, since type I antiarrhythmics demonstrate use-dependent blockade (ie they are more toxic at faster heart rates) the sympathomimetic effects act synergistically to exacerbate cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity. Sudden death most likely results from either direct anesthesia of the central medullary sites that control respiration and cardiac function or malignant cardiac rhythms. While true tolerance to cocaine plays little if any role in toxicity, toxicogenetics may contribute to idiosyncratic responses to cocaine. Specifically, among the three basic metabolic pathways of cocaine, the role of plasma cholinesterase (also known as butyryl cholinesterase or pseudocholinesterase) has been extensively studied. Since plasma cholinesterase (PChE) has no known function in normal life, wide variations in PChE activity are described in clinically normal individuals. Additionally, PChE is inhibited by a variety of pharmaceuticals and toxins and greatly influenced nutritional status. Since PChE controls the only pathway that converts cocaine to a non-toxic metabolite, it's function may greatly influence individual responses to the drug. Current treatment for cocaine toxicity is largely supportive and emphasizes sedation, volume resuscitation and cooling, with the occasional use of direct acting vasodilators. New therapies are targeting cholinesterase in an attempt to enhance metabolism to nontoxic metabolites. Although this approach is scientifically interesting it is unclear as to whether it can be applied to clinical events.
Phorbin steryl esters in Black Sea sediment traps and sediments: A preliminary evaluation of their paleooceanographic potential

Abstract The distributions of pyropheophorbide- a steryl esters in one-year deployments of sediment traps at two locations in the Black Sea are described. In nearly all our trap samples, phorbin steryl esters (PSEs) contribute a significant portion of the total phorbin flux. The relative abundances of sterols esterified to pyropheophorbide- a varied throughout the year, and we suggest these changes result from the observed seasonal variation of phytoplankton species in the overlying water column. The distribution of free sterols in a one-year composite sediment trap sample closely approximates the distribution of sterols derived from the hydrolysis of sedimentary PSEs collected at an adjacent site. From these results, we suggest that the distribution of sedimentary PSE sterols provides a record of sterol deposition to the sediment-water interface. Esterification of sterols to pyropheophorbide- a apparently prevents the preferential removal of 4-desmethyl sterols relative to 4-methyl sterols, and the reduction of stenols to stanols during degradation. Analysis of PSEs in a gravity core covering the last 8–10 Kyr shows that the abundance and distribution of PSEs change with downcore variations in sedimentology. Detailed analysis of PSEs in sediments may, therefore, provide a means to evaluate paleooceanographic changes in phytoplankton community structure and sterol early diagenesis. The synthesis, NMR, CI-MS, and visible spectroscopic properties of four abundant PSEs found in the Black Sea are also described.
Retardation and K X-Ray Relative Intensities

The matrix elements for electric dipole transitions with retardation have been numerically evaluated for transitions between the $1s$ and higher discrete states of a single Dirac electron in a Coulomb field. The results are used to calculate the relative intensities of the principal $K$ x-ray lines in elements of high atomic number. Comparison of the retarded and nonretarded matrix elements confirms the earlier result for lead that the effect of retardation is significant in heavy elements only when the total angular momentum of the electron changes. Comparison with the experiments of Beckman indicate that this conclusion is correct, and that in the $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{2}$ to $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ intensity ratio the effect of retardation is more significant than screening effects.
Calcium Channel and NMDA Receptor Activities Differentially Regulate Nuclear C/EBPβ Levels to Control Neuronal Survival

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) promotes the survival of cerebellar granule neurons by enhancing calcium influx through L-type calcium channels, whereas NMDA receptor-mediated calcium influx can lead to excitotoxic death. Here we demonstrate that L and NMDA receptor channel activities differentially regulate the transcription factor C/EBPβ to control neuronal survival. Specifically, we show that L channel-dependent calcium influx results in increased CaMKIV activity, which acts to decrease nuclear C/EBPβ levels. Conversely, NMDA receptor-mediated influx rapidly elevates nuclear C/EBPβ and induces excitotoxic death via activation of the calcium-dependent phosphatase, calcineurin. Moderate levels of AMPA receptor activity stimulate L channels to improve survival, whereas higher levels stimulate NMDA receptors and reduce neuronal survival, suggesting differential synaptic effects. Finally, N-type calcium channel activity reduces survival, potentially by increasing glutamate release. Together, these results show that the L-type calcium channel-dependent survival and NMDA receptor death pathways converge to regulate nuclear C/EBPβ levels, which appears to be pivotal in these mechanisms.
Galanin-like immunoreactivity in the adult and developing Brazilian opossum brain

The distribution of galanin-like immunoreactivity has been characterized in the brain of the adult and developing Brazilian opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Two commercially available antisera were used to examine the distribution of galanin-like immunoreactive (GAL-IR) cells and fibers. Nuclear groups containing GAL-IR cell bodies and fibers were seen throughout the adult opossum brain. The distribution of GAL-IR elements seen is similar to that reported for other mammals. Based on these findings, we believe that galanin may have similar physiological functions in the adult Brazilian opossum as has been reported for other mammals. In the developing brain, GAL-IR structures were seen as early as 1 day postnatal (PN) in the developing hypothalamus and brainstem. By days 5 and 10 PN, there was a robust expression of galanin-like immunoreactivity in specific regions of the brain. Since neurogenesis and brain morphogenesis are actively occuring postnatally in the opossum, galanin may be playing a role in the differentation of specific regions of the brain.
Imaging in Staging and Management of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer is a relatively common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract for which complete surgical excision remains the only curative option. Being infiltrative in nature and bearing a complex anatomical relationship with various organs, peritoneal ligaments and vascular structures, accurate anatomical staging is key in treatment of these patients. In this article, we will discuss and provide a brief overview of anatomy and use of imaging in staging pancreatic cancer.
Orthogonal cylindrical diffractive lens for parallel readout optical disk system

A single hybrid refractive/diffractive lens element is designed to replace the multiple refractive cylindrical lenses present in the parallel readout optical disk system. The new system has less elements, simplified alignment, and significantly reduced aberrations. Experimental results are presented.
Development of a multi-tiered approach to the in vitro prescreening of clay-based enterosorbents

Abstract The successful inclusion of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate clay (HSCAS) in diets for the prevention of aflatoxicosis in animals has led to the investigation of other sorbents that bind mycotoxins. Unfortunately, in vitro studies are not always predictive of in vivo results. In the current study, three previously established in vitro methods: single-concentration sorption, isotherms and chemisorption index (Cα) were compared as methods for predicting the adsorption of aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) from solution by four sorbents: HSCAS, charcoal, clinoptilolite and sand. In addition, a gastrointestinal (GI) model was utilized to measure adsorption. Finally, maize was included in modified isotherm studies to examine interactions. As supported by published in vivo studies, HSCAS proved efficacious in all testing methods (>99% bound in single-concentration and GI sorption studies, Cα=0.89, Qmax=0.26 mol kg−1). Binding of AfB1 by charcoal was comparable to HSCAS (>99% bound in single-concentration and GI sorption studies, Cα=0.78, Qmax=0.889 mol kg−1) but was hindered in the presence of maize as seen by the distribution constant (Kd=1.19×106 versus 1.11×105). Under GI conditions, clinoptilolite demonstrated catalytic activity not observed in the other methods. Results indicate that the GI model is a rapid and more physiologically relevant method of screening sorbents. A three-tiered system that includes: (1) an aqueous binding study; (2) a GI study and (3) isotherms (with and without matrix inclusion), may be used to prescreen mycotoxin/sorbent combinations more effectively before testing in animals.
Communication and memory optimal parallel data cube construction

Data cube construction is a commonly used operation in data warehouses. Because of the volume of data that is stored and analyzed in a data warehouse and the amount of computation involved in data cube construction, it is natural to consider parallel machines for this operation. This paper addresses a number of algorithmic issues in parallel data cube construction. First, we present an aggregation tree for sequential (and parallel) data cube construction, which has minimally bounded memory requirements. An aggregation tree is parameterized by the ordering of dimensions. We present a parallel algorithm based upon the aggregation tree. We analyze the interprocessor communication volume and construct a closed form expression for it. We prove that the same ordering of the dimensions in the aggregation tree minimizes both the computational and communication requirements. We also describe a method for partitioning the initial array and prove that it minimizes the communication volume. Finally, in the cases when memory may be a bottleneck, we describe how tiling can help scale sequential and parallel data cube construction. Experimental results from implementation of our algorithms on a cluster of workstations show the effectiveness of our algorithms and validate our theoretical results.
Diagnostic Procedures for Bridges

There is a need for efficient diagnostic procedures for evaluation of the current capacity of a structure, monitoring of load and resistance history, and evaluation of the accumulated damage. The available diagnostic techniques are reviewed. They include the methods based on various interrogating media: electromagnetic wave, stress wave, electricity, magnetism, and charged particles. Also considered are the approaches to signal processing. Failure detection and isolation procedures developed in other branches of engineering are summarized. The current trends in the development of new techniques are discussed. The areas considered include microwave, acoustic and optical techniques, integrated sensor systems and motion measurements. Currently used bridge load monitoring procedures are also summarized.
Large and moderate deviations of empirical processes with nonstandard rates

We discuss the large and moderate deviations of a type of empirical processes whose finite-dimensional distributions do not satisfy the Cramer condition. Nonstandard speeds and rate functions appear.
The caecilian ear

A study of the ear and its responses to acoustic stimuli was carried out in two caecilian species, Geotrypetes seraphini and Dermophis mexicanus. There is no external ear opening or tympanic membrane. The middle ear mechanism consists of a single element, the stapes, with its footplate in the oval window and a headpiece extending anterolaterally to the quadrate. The inner ear contains a single auditory endorgan, the amphibian papilla, somewhat similar to this organ in anurans. The mode of stimulation by sounds, however, involves a reentrant fluid circuit as in certain of the reptiles. In terms of the electrical potentials this ear is rather uniformly sensitive, though in low degree, to tones over the low-frequency range.
Estimating dynamic models for gene regulation networks

Motivation: Transcription regulation is a fundamental process in biology, and it is important to model the dynamic behavior of gene regulation networks. Many approaches have been proposed to specify the network structure. However, finding the network connectivity is not sufficient to understand the network dynamics. Instead, one needs to model the regulation reactions, usually with a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Because some of the parameters involved in these ODEs are unknown, their values need to be inferred from the observed data. Results: In this article, we introduce the generalized profiling method to estimate ODE parameters in a gene regulation network from microarray gene expression data which can be rather noisy. Because numerically solving ODEs is computationally expensive, we apply the penalized smoothing technique, a fast and stable computational method to approximate ODE solutions. The ODE solutions with our parameter estimates fit the data well. A goodness-of-fit test of dynamic models is developed to identify gene regulation networks. Contact: hongyu.zhao@yale.edu
Considerations on size reduction of UWB antennas

To successfully reduce the size of UWB antennas requires a good understanding of radiation mechanisms, impedance behaviour, acceptable trade-off between gain and bandwidth and effective methods to reduce phase near-field velocity. The fact that theoretical limitation of a small antenna is determined by the antenna's size in terms of free-space wavelength regardless of the geometry or composition the antenna should also be acknowledged. Our current finding seems to indicate, inductive loading is more advantageous over capacitive loading due to the increase of antenna impedance associated with this treatment.
Blinatumomab A First-in-Class Bispecific T-Cell Engager for Precursor B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Objective: To review the clinical pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of blinatumomab for the treatment of pediatric and adult precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Data Sources: A literature search of EMBASE (1947 to April 2015), Medline (1946 to April 2015), PubMed (1996 to April 2015), the U.S. National Institutes of Health Clinicaltrials.gov, the Food and Drug Administration, and relevant meeting abstracts was conducted using the terms blinatumomab, BiTE, bispecific T-cell engager, MT103, MEDI-538, and Blincyto. Study Selection/Data Extraction: Human and animal studies describing the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety of blinatumomab for precursor B-ALL were identified. Data Synthesis: Blinatumomab is a first-in-class bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody derived from a B-lineage specific antitumor mouse monoclonal antibody that binds to both CD19 of B-cells and CD3 of T-cells. A pivotal phase II trial demonstrated that response rates were hig...
Thermionic and field electron emission from nanostructured carbon materials for energy conversion and vacuum electronics

While initial interest in using diamond materials for electron emission was derived from the observation of a negative electron affinity of the material, the nanoscale structure of the material has proven to be critical to obtaining field emission at an applied field of less than 2 V//spl mu/m. This study presents topographic and emission site images of nanocrystalline diamond films. The results suggest that morphology variations are insufficient to explain the observed emission patterns. The thermionic properties of sulphur doped nanocrystalline diamond films and carbon nanotubes were measured and analyzed in terms of Schottky barrier lowering. The results indicated a general consistency of the field emission and thermionic emission from the same films. The potential for thermionic energy conversion based on these films is presented.
Incretin Therapy and Islet Pathology – A Time for Caution

The past 25 years have seen the introduction of a number of new classes of medications for treating type 2 diabetes. The primary goal of these drugs is to safely lower plasma glucose in order to simultaneously reduce vascular complications and improve quality of life. It is equally critical to demonstrate an agent’s therapeutic effectiveness as it is to prove its safety. Frequently, this determination of safety occurs in the very early stages of drug development. However, in some instances, it is only after sufficient clinical experience has been obtained that the potential for harm becomes apparent. Recent examples include two therapeutically effective thiazolidinediones: troglitazone, which increased the risk of hepatic injury (1), and rosiglitazone, which a meta-analysis suggested increased the risk of cardiovascular events (2). Two recently introduced classes of glucose-lowering agents increase incretin action. One is the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. In 2005, exenatide was the first of these agents to be introduced (3). The other is the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, of which sitagliptin was initially approved in 2006 (3). These medications are widely used, and are associated with a reduced risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain. This, despite the fact that they may increase the risk of pancreatitis (4,5), a condition that is known to be more common in type 2 diabetes (6). In this issue of Diabetes , authors from Florida and California together report pancreatic morphology from a limited series of samples from diabetic individuals who did or did not receive incretin therapy and a cohort not known to have diabetes (7). Seven of the diabetic samples were from patients who received sitagliptin and one who received exenatide, all for unknown periods of time beyond 1 year. Pancreata were procured from brain-dead organ donors by the Network for Pancreatic …
A Communication Approach to Campus Bottled Water Campaigns

This article applies a communication/persuasion model to examine what characteristics of students on a United States university campus are associated with drinking bottled water. Survey results sho...
Synthesis and biochemical evaluation of triazole/tetrazole-containing sulfonamides against thrombin and related serine proteases.

Abstract A small library of 25 triazole/tetrazole-based sulfonamides have been synthesized and further evaluated for their inhibitory activity against thrombin, trypsin, tryptase and chymase. In general, the triazole-based sulfonamides inhibited thrombin more efficiently than the tetrazole counterparts. Particularly, compound 26 showed strong thrombin inhibition (Ki = 880 nM) and significant selectivity against other human related serine proteases like trypsin (Ki = 729 μM). Thrombin binding affinity of the same compound was determined by ITC and demonstrated that the binding of this new triazole-based scaffold is enthalpically driven, making it a good candidate for further development.
Effects of information on perceptions of stimulant medication efficacy for treatment of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder

A study on the perceptions of stimulant medications prescribed for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) was conducted. Students, enrolled in introductory level psychology courses at a midwestern university participated voluntarily in the study (N= 36). After viewing a video that simulated the feelings a child with AD/HD experiences, participants were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. The popular information group read an article on AD/HD similar to that which is most often presented to the public. This article included personal testimonials and lacked a discussion of side effects and areas where the medications have not been demonstrated to be efficacious. The scientific information group read a page of information that was compiled from the scientific literature and included both the positive effects, side effects, and areas where the medication has not been demonstrated to be efficacious. All participants then completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions of the efficacy of the medications. A second scale measured participants' likelihood of recommending the use of stimulant medications for children with suspected AD/HD. Two 2×2 between-subjects ANOVA's were employed. There were main effects for the type of article that was read, but no main effects for gender of participant. No significant interactions were found. There were no differences found between the gender of participants and their perceptions of stimulant medications based on the reading material presented to them. However, the type of information presented to the participants did influence their view of the efficacy of stimulant medications. In addition, the type of reading material also influenced the participants' view of the safety and recommended use of stimulant medications prescribed for children with AD/HD. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Is Linux Better than Windows Software

The evidence is not that clear-cut on whether Linux's performance and quality are higher than those of Windows.
Power-efficient nonreciprocal interferometer and linear-scanning fiber-optic catheter for optical coherence tomography

A nonreciprocal fiber-optic interferometer is demonstrated in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. The increased power efficiency of this system provides a 4.1-dB advantage over standard Michelson implementations. In addition, a new linear-scanning fiber-optic catheter is demonstrated that avoids the rotary optical junction that is required in circumferential scanning systems. These advancements have permitted the clinical implementation of OCT imaging in the human gastrointestinal tract.
The relative importance of persons, items, subtests and languages to TOEFL test variance:

The purpose of this project was to explore the relative contributions to TOEFL score dependability (which is analogous to classical theory reliability) of various numbers of persons, items, subtests, languages and their various interactions. To these ends, three research questions were formulated: (1) What are the characteristics of the distributions, and how high are the classical theory reliability estimates for the whole test and its subtests? (2) For each of the 15 languages, what are the relative contributions to test variance of persons, items, subtests and their interactions? (3) Across all 15 languages, what are the relative contributions to test variance of persons, items, subtests and languages, as well as their various interactions?The study sampled 15 000 test takers, 1000 each from 15 different language backgrounds, from the total of 24 500 participants in the TOEFL generic data set which itself was a sample from the May 1991 worldwide administration of the TOEFL. The test was administered un...
Optical selectionist approach to optical connectionist systems

I hope to show that a true hybrid selectionists/connectionist system of useful proportions can be put together optically. That is multiple, parallel neural networks can be assembled to work in parallel optically. Each seeks to learn the task independently, but those which do best are allowed to exchange information among themselves to produce a new generation which replaces the old. I will then argue that a parallel, evolving, coordinating neural network population is superior in principle to single, even 'optimum,' neural network for real world problems and that optics is far better suited for such a system than electronics.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Kashmir Crisis as a Political Platform for Jama'at-i Ahmadiyya's Entrance into South Asian Politics*

This paper looks at Jama'at-i Ahmadiyya's political involvement in the Kashmir crisis of the 1930s under its second and most influential khalīfat al-masīh, Mirza Bashir al-Din Mahmud Ahmad, who took over the movement in 1914, six years after the death of his father, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Communal tensions springing from the Kashmir riots of 1931 provided Mirza Mahmud Ahmad with an opportunity to display the ability of his Jama'at to manage an international crisis and to lead the Muslim mainstream towards independence from Britain. Mahmud Ahmad's relations with influential Muslim community leaders, such as Iqbal, Fazl-i Husain, Zafrulla Khan, and Sheikh Abdullah (Sher-i Kashmīr), enabled him to further both his religious and political objectives in the subcontinent. This paper examines Jama'at-i Ahmadiyya's role in establishing a major political lobby, the All-India Kashmir Committee. It also shows how the political involvement of Jama'at-i Ahmadiyya in Kashmir during the 1930s left Ahmadis susceptible to criticism from opposition groups, like the Majlis-i Ahrar, amongst others, in later years. Ultimately, this paper will demonstrate how Mahmud Ahmad's skilful use of religion, publicity, and political activism during the Kashmir crisis instantly legitimized a political platform for Jama'at-i Ahmadiyya's entrance into the mainstream political framework of modern South Asia, which thereby has facilitated the development of the Ahmadi controversy since India's partition.
Fuzzy spatial models

Most political issues are more than one-dimensional in scope. For example, budget bills contain funding across a number of issue areas, and political parties engaged in cabinet formation must concern themselves with several issue dimensions in determining a government program capable of uniting a legislative majority. Hence, spatial models must incorporate n > 1 dimensions to be useful. Unfortunately, increasing the space to include multiple dimensions opens the possibility of cycling. The conditions under which cycling can occur have been the object of study for decades, and the conclusion is that the possibility of cycling is pervasive. Plott (1967), for instance, found that a maximal set exists in two-dimensional space only when ideal points are arrayed symmetrically to one another (the radial symmetry condition); and McKelvey (1976) found that in the absence of a maximal set, cycling is possible over the entire two-dimensional space. In order to reduce the likelihood of cycling, scholars have adopted increasingly restrictive assumptions in their models. While this has permitted the models to predict outcomes, increasingly restrictive assumptions remove the models further from reality, and empirical tests have often falsified the predictions. As a consequence, formal models have come under increasing criticism for the gap between their predictions and their empirical implications. The empirical implications in theoretical models (EITM) movement is one reflection of these criticisms (see Achen et al., 2002; De Marchi, 2005).
Abstract 12775: Sixty is the New Ninety: Ten Year Experience of the In-Hospital 24X7 Interventional Cardiology Team

Introduction: Expeditious reperfusion in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with goal door-to-balloon time (DBT) &lt 90 minutes (ACC/AHA guidelines) is of utmost importance. The innovative 7-day 24-hour (24x7) in-hospital cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) program (24-hour in-hospital availability of an interventional cardiologist and dedicated lab staff) has been previously described by our institution. Here we present our 10-year experience on sustained gains of the program. Hypothesis: From a systems point, there is room for improvement in DBT as an integral process metric for measuring cardiovascular quality. Methods: A cohort of 1233 consecutive non-transfer STEMI patients [69.9% males (n=863), median age 61 years] presenting within 12 hours of symptom onset, formed the study population. Patients were studied for DBT, survival benefit and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, i.e., reinfarction, stroke, and cardiogenic shock) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Using a precise protocol to allow quick entry into the CCL (door-to-CCL time) PPCI was used as the choice reperfusion strategy. Results: Median DBT was 50 minutes (interquartile range 39-67) with 91.65% of patients reperfused within the 90-minute goal. Of note, majority of the patients (66.59% n= 821) were reperfused within 60 minutes and approximately 10% of patients within 30 minutes. DBT &lt 60 minutes compared with DBT &gt 60 minutes was associated with statistically significant less in-hospital mortality (3.87 % vs. 7.66 %, p= 0.004), 1-year mortality (7.23 % vs. 12.99%, p= 0.0009) and MACE (10.7% vs. 16.01%, p= 0.0076) {(Figure 1).} Conclusions: A committed in-hospital 24x7 interventional cardiology team continues to succeed in breaking time inertia in achieving a new standard of 60 minutes. It decreases MACE and mortality in STEMI (in-hospital and 1-year) and thus justifies continued efforts to improve reperfusion times.
Nitrogenous excretion in Colpidium campylum.

SummaryUrea and ammonia were estimated every day for 14 days in sterile cultures of Colpidium campylum. Qualitative tests for uric acid were also made. Ammonia production increased linearly with age of culture. Urea was produced only during the logarithmic phase of growth. The cause of the disappearance of urea is unknown. No uric acid was present at any time.
Shock-Tube Measurement of Acetone Dissociation Using Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy of CO

A direct measurement for the rate constant of the acetone dissociation reaction (CH3COCH3 = CH3CO + CH3) was conducted behind reflected shock wave, utilizing a sub-ppm sensitivity CO diagnostic achieved by cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS). The current experiment eliminated the influence from secondary reactions and temperature change by investigating the clean pyrolysis of <20 ppm acetone in argon. For the first time, the acetone dissociation rate constant (k1) was directly measured over 5.5 orders of magnitude with a high degree of accuracy: k1 (1004–1494 K, 1.6 atm) = 4.39 × 1055 T–11.394 exp(−52 140K/T) ± 24% s–1. This result was seen to agree with most previous studies and has bridged the gap between their temperature and pressure conditions. The current work also served as an example demonstration of the potential of using the CEAS technique in shock-tube kinetics studies.
Entrepreneurial Cooperation on the Great Lakes: The Origin of the Methods of American Grain Marketing

The abilities of Western grain merchants to adapt their business practices to changing market conditions are revealed in this analysis of mid-nineteenth century developments.
THE SO-CALLED OINTMENT PRAYER IN THE COPTIC VERSION OF THE DIDACHE: A RE-EVALUATION*

In the extant fragment (corresponding to 10:3-11:2 of the Greek text) of the Coptic translation of the Didache , after the prayer over the bread and the permission for “prophets” to improvise the benedictions if they so wish (10:7), there is a passage which has no parallel in the Greek. It has much potential importance for the early history of the liturgy; however, none of the several interpretations which have been offered to date is entirely satisfactory. The text and a provisional translation of the passage will be first presented, followed by our own analysis and interpretation.
Effects of Deviations from Normality on Selection Intensities for Shell Deformation and Egg Weight in Chickens

Abstract Distributions of egg weight and egg deformation values of 10,548 eggs, obtained from 530 pullets, were examined. The deviations from normality based on mean values of all eggs from individual pullets over the experimental period were small relative to the estimates obtained when all 10,548 values were used. The effect of these deviations from normality on selection intensities was studied when 5 to 95% of the pullets were hypothetically retained for reproduction. Distribution of both egg weight and deformation using individual data showed considerable departure from presumed normal distribution in the form of positive skewness and positive kurtosis. The nonnormality of distribution tended to over- or underestimate the selection intensities, depending upon the fraction saved and type and extent of deviations from normality.
MIS at IBM: Improving the Business Through Better Communications

Our topic is MIS (management information systems), and the twist I want to give it is the executive perspective. Ask chief executive officers if MIS is important to their businesses, and unanimously they'll say "yes." Ask information officers the same question and, obviously, you'll get the same answer. But go a step further and ask them why it's important then the agreement isn't so clear. Part of the reason is perspective. Most information officers concentrate on the internal operations of the business, making it run better. A CEO looks behind these operations to customers, suppliers, and competitors. Today, I want to submit that those views are really two sides of the same coin. However, the danger is that MIS specialists within an organization may lose sight of or not even be aware of an organization's business goals when, in fact, they are in an ideal position to develop ways of meeting those goals more effectively. What I'd like to do this afternoon is tell you a little about IBM; how we use MIS, and how it helps us be more competitive. Then I'd like to discuss what we believe CEOs in other companies are looking for from their MIS departments.
Supportive care in cancer: a general overview.

Advanced cancer is associated with symptoms that negatively affect the quality of life of patients and their families. One significant effect is the change cancer evokes in the nociceptive system. The patient's pain threshold may change to the point where stimuli not previously considered painful (eg, touching, coughing, and walking) are now perceived as painful, and painful stimuli evoke an exaggerated perception of pain. About 75% of patients with advanced cancer experience moderate to severe pain.