cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glycosylated hemoglobin and the risk of death and cardiovascular mortality in the elderly.

Abstract Background and aims Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ) has been associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the findings are inconsistent. We tested the hypothesis that HbA 1c may be associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular mortality in older adults. Methods and results We evaluated the association between HbA 1c with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in 810 participants without a history of diabetes in a sub-study of the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a community cohort study of individuals ≥65years of age. Glycosylated hemoglobin was measured at baseline and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was assessed during the follow-up period. The relation between baseline HbA 1c and death was evaluated with multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. After a median follow-up of 14.2years, 416 deaths were observed. The crude incidence rates of all-cause mortality across HbA 1c groups were: 4.4% per year, 4.3% per year and 4.6% per year for tertile 1 (≤5.6%), tertile 2 (5.61–6.20%) and tertile 3 (≥6.21%), respectively. In unadjusted and fully adjusted analyses, baseline HbA 1c was not associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio: 1.16 [95% confidence interval 0.91–1.47] and hazard ratio: 1.31 [95% confidence interval 0.90–1.93], respectively for the highest HbA 1c tertile compared with the lowest). Conclusion These results suggest that HbA 1c does not significantly predict all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in non-diabetic community-dwelling older adults.
Cross-Sectional Estimation in Marketing: Direct Versus Reverse Regression

Empirical results in marketing research are often derived from linear additive models estimated on cross-sectional data. An underlying assumption of these model specifications is that each exogenous variable contributes an additive effect to the endogenous variable. Measuring these additive effects is problematic if some components of the endogenous variable are not observable to the researcher. Reliance on observable correlates to capture those aspects of the endogenous variable might require reverse regression to ensure unbiasedness of the estimated effects. In contrast to direct regression used exclusively in marketing research, reverse regression first estimates the effect of the endogenous variable on those correlates and then derives unbiased estimates of the additive effect of other exogenous variables specified in the basic model. This paper discusses the reverse regression approach relying on recently published analytic results. A statistically powerful and analytically simple test is developed which allows the marketing researcher to assess a priori whether direct or reverse regression will provide unbiased parameter estimates. An empirical illustration focuses on the measurement of potential market share rewards for pioneering businesses contained in the PIMS data base. Other areas in marketing where the issue of direct versus reverse regression is pertinent are mentioned.
NEW DEVICES FOR EUS STUDY

It is likely that new endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided therapies, particularly those that aim to provide local therapy to a neoplastic lesion, will require more sophisticated instrumentation than currently available. In particular, current linear array echoendoscopes are able to image only in two dimensions. New EUS-guided interventions to ablate tumors might benefit from the development of echoendoscopes which can provide three-dimensional (3D) images of tumors or lymph nodes. This paper describes the development of such a system.
The role of protein characteristics in the formation and fluorescence of Au nanoclusters

Protein-encapsulated gold nanoclusters have shown many advantages over other gold nanocluster systems, including green synthesis, biocompatibility, high water solubility, and the ease of further conjugation. In this article, we systematically investigated the effects of the protein size and amino acid content on the formation and fluorescent properties of gold nanoclusters using four model proteins (bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, trypsin, and pepsin). We discovered that the balance of amine and tyrosine/tryptophan containing residues was critical for the nanocluster formation. Protein templates with low cysteine contents caused blue shifts in the fluorescent emissions and difference in fluorescent lifetimes of the gold nanoclusters. Furthermore, the protein size was found to be a critical factor for the photostability and long-term stability of gold nanoclusters. The size of the protein also affected the Au nanocluster behaviour after immobilization.
Putting science over supposition in the arena of personalized genomics

Colleen McBride and colleagues argue that progress on a multifaceted research agenda is necessary to reap the full benefits and avoid the potential pitfalls of the emerging area of personalized genomics. They also outline one element of this agenda, the Multiplex Initiative, which has been underway since 2006.
Estimation of three-dimensional intrinsic dosimetric uncertainties resulting from using deformable image registration for dose mapping

Purpose: This article presents a general procedural framework to assess the point-by-point precision in mapped dose associated with the intrinsic uncertainty of a deformable image registration (DIR) for any arbitrary patient. Methods: Dose uncertainty is obtained via a three-step process. In the first step, for each voxel in an imaging pair, a cluster of points is obtained by an iterative DIR procedure. In the second step, the dispersion of the points due to the imprecision of the DIR method is used to compute the spatial uncertainty. Two different ways to quantify the spatial uncertainty are presented in this work. Method A consists of a one-dimensional analysis of the modules of the position vectors, whereas method B performs a more detailed 3D analysis of the coordinates of the points. In the third step, the resulting spatial uncertainty estimates are used in combination with the mapped dose distribution to compute the point-by-point dose standard deviation. The process is demonstrated to estimate the dose uncertainty induced by mapping a 62.6 Gy dose delivered on maximum exhale to maximum inhale of a ten-phase four-dimensional lungCT. Results: For the demonstration lungimage pair, the standard deviation of inconsistency vectors is found to be up to 9.2 mm with a mean σ of 1.3 mm. This uncertainty results in a maximum estimated dose uncertainty of 29.65 Gy if method A is used and 21.81 Gy for method B. The calculated volume with dose uncertainty above 10.00 Gy is 602 cm 3 for method A and 1422 cm 3 for method B. Conclusions: This procedure represents a useful tool to evaluate the precision of a mapped dose distribution due to the intrinsic DIR uncertainty in a patient. The procedure is flexible, allowing incorporation of alternative intrinsic error models.
Can Online Discussion Participation Predict Group Project Performance? Investigating the Roles of Linguistic Features and Participation Patterns

Although many college courses adopt online tools such as Q&A online discussion boards, there is no easy way to measure or evaluate their effect on learning. As a part of supporting instructional assessment of online discussions, we investigate a predictive relation between characteristics of discussion contributions and student performance. Inspired by existing work on dialogue acts, project-based learning, and instructional analysis of student-generated text in generating predictive models, we make use of dialogue roles, linguistic features, and work patterns. In particular, we model the Q&A dialog roles that participants play, emotional features covered by LIWC (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count), cohesiveness of the dialogue, the coherence captured by Coh-Metrix, and temporal patterns of participation. We use a discussion corpus from eight semesters of a computer science course, covering conversations of 173 student groups (370 students). We first remove various noises in student discussion data and normalize the discussion data. We then apply machine learning techniques and text analysis tools for classifying dialogue features efficiently. The extracted dialogue and participation features are used as predictive variables for project grades. The correlation and regression analyses indicate that the number of answers provided to others, the number of positive emotion expressions, and how early students communicate their problems before the deadline correlate with project grades. This finding confirms the argument that in assessing student online activities, we need to capture how they interact, not just how often they participate.
Preparation of human immunoglobulin free of plasmin and anticomplement activities.

Human IgG separated by Cohn fractionation showed variability in the content of aggregates, plasminogen and anticomplement activity. The plasminogen was removed or markedly reduced by affinity chromatography on Sepharose-lysine. Anticomplement activity was reduced by chromatography of Cohn fraction II on DEAE-cellulose. Preparations of IgG obtained by chromatography of intermediates from Cohn fractionation (e.g. Cohn FII + FIII or FII + FIII W) on DEAE-cellulose were devoid of aggregates, plasminogen and exhibited reduced anticomplement activity. The initial levels of specific antibody activity to viral agents were recovered in the IgG fractions. Fragmentation of IgG during storage was prevented or greatly reduced by removal of plasminogen by affinity chromatography on Sepharose-lysine.
Interactive toxicity and stress protein expression by vinylidene chloride and monochloroacetate in precision-cut rat liver slices.

Vinylidene chloride (VDC) is a groundwater and drinking water contaminant. Monochloroacetic acid (MCA) is a chlorination by-product of drinking water. Because environmental or occupational exposure...
Altered phospholipid metabolism in a temperature-sensitive mutant of a thermophilic bacillus

The phospholipid metabolism of a temperature-sensitive mutant of a thermophilic bacillus was studied after the shift from a permissive (58 degrees C) to a restrictive (65 degrees C) growth temperature. During the short period of growth of the mutant at 65 degrees C, the proportions of cardiolipin and its 3-acyl derivative (lyso-cardiolipin) increased, and the proportions of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine decreased on cell dry weight basis. In 32P incorporation and turnover experiments, phosphatidylglycerol showed the most rapid uptake and loss of the label. Turnover of cardiolipin, limited to a short period, ceased 18 min after the shift, as did the turnover of phosphatidylethanolamine. In the absence of net phospholipid synthesis, there was a quantitative conversion of phosphatidylglycerol to cardiolipin and an increase in the proportion of lyso-cardiolipin. Chloramphenicol, added to the medium at the time of the shift, reduced the rate of phospholipid synthesis, prevented the increase in the proportions of cardiolipin and lyso-cardiolipin, and slowed the decrease in the proportions of the other two phospholipids. The results indicated a defect in the regulatory mechanism(s) of phospholipid metabolism in the mutant at the restrictive temperature.
Impaired aquaporin and urea transporter expression in rats with adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome

Impaired aquaporin and urea transporter expression in rats with adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is associated with abnormal regulation of renal water excretion. To investigate the role of collecting duct water channels and solute transporters in this process, we have carried out semiquantitative immunoblotting of kidney tissues from rats with adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome. These experiments demonstrated that adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome is associated with marked decreases in expression of aquaporin-2, aquaporin-3, aquaporin-4, and the vasopressin-regulated urea transporter in renal inner medulla, indicative of a suppression of the capacity for water and urea absorption by the inner medullary collecting duct. In contrast, expression of the α 1 -subunit of the Na,K-ATPase in the inner medulla was unaltered. Light and electron microscopy of perfusion-fixed kidneys demonstrated that the collecting ducts are morphologically normal and unobstructed. Inner medullary expression of the descending limb water channel, aquaporin-1, was not significantly altered, pointing to a selective effect on the collecting duct. Aquaporin-2 and aquaporin-3 expression was also markedly diminished in the renal cortex, indicating that the effect is not limited to the inner medullary collecting duct. Differential centrifugation studies and immunocytochemistry in inner medullary thin sections demonstrated increased targeting of aquaporin-2 to the plasma membrane, consistent with the expected short-term action of vasopressin on aquaporin-2 trafficking. The extensive down-regulation of aquaporin and urea transporter expression may represent an appropriate renal response to the extracellular volume expansion observed in nephrotic syndrome, but may occur at the expense of decreased urinary concentrating and diluting capacity.
PTERIDINE COMPONENTS OF WING PIGMENTATION IN THE BUTTERFLY COLIAS EURYTHEME.

PTERIDINE pigments were first described by Hopkins1 from the wings of pierid butterflies, and the first chemical characterization of several pteridines from this source was performed by Wieland, Schopf, Purrman and their associates, as reviewed by Gates2. Relatively little attention has been directed to pierid pteridines since, though Weygand and his associates have recently examined some aspects of pteridine biosynthesis in Pieris brassicae Linne3.
Automatic segmentation of bones from digital hand radiographs

The purpose of this paper is to develop a robust and accurate method that automatically segments phalangeal and epiphyseal bones from digital pediatric hand radiographs exhibiting various stages of growth. The algorithm uses an object-oriented approach comprising several stages beginning with the most general objects to be segmented, such as the outline of the hand from background, and proceeding in a succession of stages to the most specific object, such as a specific phalangeal bone from a digit of the hand. Each stage carries custom operators unique to the needs of that specific stage which will aid in more accurate results. The method is further aided by a knowledge base where all model contours and other information such as age, race, and sex, are stored. Shape models, 1-D wrist profiles, as well as an interpretation tree are used to map model and data contour segments. Shape analysis is performed using an arc-length orientation transform. The method is tested on close to 340 phalangeal and epiphyseal objects to be segmented from 17 cases of pediatric hand images obtained from our clinical PACS. Patient age ranges from 2 - 16 years. A pediatric radiologist preliminarily assessed the results of the object contours and were found to be accurate to within 95% for cases with non-fused bones and to within 85% for cases with fused bones. With accurate and robust results, the method can be applied toward areas such as the determination of bone age, the development of a normal hand atlas, and the characterization of many congenital and acquired growth diseases. Furthermore, this method's architecture can be applied to other image segmentation problems.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Antiproliferative Cassane Diterpenoids of Cordyla madagascariensis ssp. madagascariensis from the Madagascar Rainforest

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanol extract of a Madagascar collection of the fruits of Cordyla madagascariensis ssp. madagascariensis led to the isolation of the four new cassane diterpenoids 1−4. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of all compounds were fully assigned using a combination of 2D NMR experiments, including COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY sequences. All of the isolates were tested against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line, and compounds 1 and 2 showed mild antiproliferative activity with IC50 values of 10 and 36 µM, respectively.
Risk assessment in distributed authorization

Distributed authorization takes into account several elements, including certificates that may be provided by non-local actors. While most trust management systems treat all assertions as equally valid up to certificate authentication, realistic considerations may associate risk with some of these elements; some actors may be less trusted than others, some elements may be more computationally expensive to obtain, and so forth. Furthermore, practical online authorization may require certain levels of risk to be tolerated. In this paper, we introduce a trust management logic that incorporates formal risk assessment. This formalization allows risk levels to be associated with authorization elements, and promotes development of a distributed authorization algorithm allowing tolerable levels of risk to be precisely specified and rigorously enforced.
Crystal Structure of Protein Farnesyltransferase at 2.25 Angstrom Resolution

Protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) catalyzes the carboxyl-terminal lipidation of Ras and several other cellular signal transduction proteins. The essential nature of this modification for proper function of these proteins has led to the emergence of FTase as a target for the development of new anticancer therapy. Inhibition of this enzyme suppresses the transformed phenotype in cultured cells and causes tumor regression in animal models. The crystal structure of heterodimeric mammalian FTase was determined at 2.25 angstrom resolution. The structure shows a combination of two unusual domains: a crescent-shaped seven-helical hairpin domain and an α-α barrel domain. The active site is formed by two clefts that intersect at a bound zinc ion. One cleft contains a nine-residue peptide that may mimic the binding of the Ras substrate; the other cleft is lined with highly conserved aromatic residues appropriate for binding the farnesyl isoprenoid with required specificity.
In vitro assessment of cellular immunity in human coccidioidomycosis: relationship between dermal hypersensitivity, lymphocyte transformation, and lymphokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy adults.

Dermal hypersensitivity in coccidioidomycosis was compared with three simultaneous measures of in vitro cellular immunity using 35 healthy donors living in an area endemic for coccidioidomycosis. Twenty donors had greater than 5 mm induration to usual-strength spherulin and were considered skin test-positive. Mononuclear cells from these individuals were more responsive by lymphocyte transformation (12,541 +/- 3746 vs. -112 +/- 260 cpm, P = .007) and produced significantly more interleukin-2 (3481 +/- 1067 vs. -5 +/- 69 cpm, P less than .001) and interferon-gamma (1831 +/- 481 vs. 75 +/- 58 pg/ml, P less than .001) than cells from skin test-negative donors in response to a coccidioidal antigen. However, the correlation between the skin test size and the magnitude of the in vitro response among skin test-positive donors was poor (R2 = 0.08, P = .24). These results indicate that healthy individuals with dermal hypersensitivity to Coccidioides immitis can be distinguished from those without hypersensitivity by their cellular in vitro response to a coccidioidal antigen.
Ecological frames of mind: the role of cognition in behavioral ecology.

Cognitive psychology is the study of how information, from the senses and from memory, is used in the production of behavior. Investigation of the specifics of behavioral adaptation has already led some behavioral ecologists into the domain of animal cognition. I make several arguments for the benefits and the necessity of a sophisticated assessment by ecologists of the cognitive aspects of behavioral adaptation. First, because cognition typically serves to produce adaptive behavior, cognitive structure and function should reflect ecological demands; studies of cognition in ecological contexts are opportunities to understand adaptation. Furthermore, constraints on cognitive properties may help determine how behavior meets the environment. Studies of spatial memory in food-caching corvids exemplify how cognitive aspects of behavior may both reflect and determine specifics of adaptation. Second, many models in behavioral ecology assume certain cognitive abilities, such as timing or counting. Cognitive theor...
Implementing Cooperative Learning: A Field Study Evaluating Issues for School-Based Consultants.

Abstract A structured cooperative learning strategy for reading, Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC), was implemented in nine third-grade classes ( n = 198) and compared with a control group of nine classes ( n = 194). Implementation issues for school-based consultants were considered, including treatment integrity and acceptability. Reading subtests of a standardized reading test (California Achievement Test) were utilized in order to compare the CIRC and control groups. Formative evaluation of treatment integrity showed high adherence to the CIRC program, and recommendations are given for consultants to ensure integrity. While teacher ratings indicated general positive attitudes toward CIRC, negative aspects of implementation are discussed. The achievement results showed that as a whole the CIRC group outgained the control group on Reading Comprehension. When the groups were divided into three reading levels (low, middle, and high), significant differences were found for the lower group that favored CIRC.
Angiographic and clinical outcomes of bivalirudin versus heparin in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background Heparin with adjunctive glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet receptor (GP IIb/IIIa) inhibitors has demonstrated its effectiveness in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, has recently been shown to be an effective alternative for patients undergoing elective PCI. Objectives To assess the angiographic and clinical outcomes of adjunctive pharmacological strategies in a high-risk population presenting with ACS. Methods Of 891 consecutive PCI patients with ACS, 304 received bivalirudin (60.5% male, 68±11 years) and were compared with 283 who received heparin (58.7% male, 66±12 years). A 30-day major adverse cardiac event was defined as the occurrence of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, urgent revascularization or major hemorrhage. Results Adjunctive GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used in 14.1% of the bivalirudin group and in 72.4% of the heparin group (P Conclusions In the high-risk cohort undergoing PCI, bivalirudin with provisional GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors achieved better angiographic results. Although not powered to show a difference, and while acknowledging that a selection bias could have affected the data, the present study showed that bivalirudin may be as clinically effective and safe as heparin with adjunctive GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors.
Photoactivated hydrosilylation reaction of alkynes

Abstract The photoactivated (350 nm) hydrosilylation of alkynes by silanes catalyzed by platinum(II) bis(acetylacetonato) has been studied. Platinum(II) bis(acetylacetonato) is an efficient catalyst. High yields of adducts (>98% for terminal alkynes) can be obtained in 2–3 h after a short induction period with a catalyst–reactant molar ratio of 10−3/1. The reaction rate depends on the choice of silane, irradiation time and the concentration of catalyst. The major product is the β-trans adduct. Minor products are the α isomer with a trace of β-cis isomer. Comparisons of hydrosilylation reactions of alkynes with hydrosilylation reactions of alkenes are reported.
A Role for the Lumenal Domain in Golgi Localization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Guanosine Diphosphatase

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) contain localization signals necessary for targeting to their resident subcellular compartments. To define signals that mediate localization to the Golgi complex, we have analyzed a resident IMP of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Golgi complex, guanosine diphosphatase (GDPase). GDPase, which is necessary for Golgi-specific glycosylation reactions, is a type II IMP with a short amino-terminal cytoplasmic domain, a single transmembrane domain (TMD), and a large catalytic lumenal domain. Regions specifying Golgi localization were identified by analyzing recombinant proteins either lacking GDPase domains or containing corresponding domains from type II vacuolar IMPs. Neither deletion nor substitution of the GDPase cytoplasmic domain perturbed Golgi localization. Exchanging the GDPase TMD with vacuolar protein TMDs only marginally affected Golgi localization. Replacement of the lumenal domain resulted in mislocalization of the chimeric protein from the Golgi to the vacuole, but a similar substitution leaving 34 amino acids of the GDPase lumenal domain intact was properly localized. These results identify a major Golgi localization determinant in the membrane-adjacent lumenal region (stem) of GDPase. Although necessary, the stem domain is not sufficient to mediate localization; in addition, a membrane-anchoring domain and either the cytoplasmic or full-length lumenal domain must be present to maintain Golgi residence. The importance of lumenal domain sequences in GDPase Golgi localization and the requirement for multiple hydrophilic protein domains support a model for Golgi localization invoking protein–protein interactions rather than interactions between the TMD and the lipid bilayer.
Astrophysics with Presolar Stardust

▪ Abstract Meteorites and interplanetary dust particles contain presolar stardust grains: solid samples of stars that can be studied in the laboratory. The stellar origin of the grains is indicated by enormous isotopic ratio variations compared with Solar System materials, explainable only by nuclear reactions occurring in stars. Known presolar phases include diamond, SiC, graphite, Si3N4, Al2O3, MgAl2O4, CaAl12O19, TiO2, Mg(Cr,Al)2O4, and most recently, silicates. Subgrains of refractory carbides (e.g., TiC), and Fe-Ni metal have also been observed within individual presolar graphite grains. We review the astrophysical implications of these grains for the sciences of nucleosynthesis, stellar evolution, grain condensation, and the chemical and dynamic evolution of the Galaxy. Unique scientific information derives primarily from the high precision (in some cases <1%) of the measured isotopic ratios of large numbers of elements in single stardust grains. Stardust science is just now reaching maturity and wi...
Database tuning advisor for microsoft SQL server 2005: demo

Database Tuning Advisor (DTA) is a physical database design tool that is part of Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 relational database management system. Previously known as "Index Tuning Wizard" in SQL Server 7.0 and SQL Server 2000, DTA adds new functionality that is not available in other contemporary physical design tuning tools. Novel aspects of DTA that will be demonstrated include: (a) Ability to take into account both performance and manageability requirements of DBAs (b) Fully integrated recommendations for indexes, materialized views and horizontal partitioning (c) Transparently leverage a test server to offload tuning load from production server and (d) Easy programmability and scriptability.
An orthogonal multiprocessor for parallel scientific computations

An architecture called an orthogonal multiprocessor (OMP) is proposed. This OMP architecture has a simplified busing structure and partially shared memory and compares very favorably with fully shared-memory multiprocessors using crossbar switches, multiple buses, or multistage networks. The higher performance comes mainly from significantly increased memory bandwidth, fully exploited parallelism, reduced communication overhead, and lower hardware control complexities. Parallel algorithms being mapped include matrix arithmetic, linear system solver, FFT, array sorting, linear programming, and parallel PDE solutions. In most cases, linear speedup can be achieved on the OMP system. The OMP architecture provides linearly scalable performance and is well suited for building special-purpose scientific computers. >
Medication errors in paediatric outpatients

Background Medication errors are common in many settings and have important ramifications. Although there is growing research on rates and characteristics of medication errors in adult ambulatory settings, less is known about the paediatric ambulatory setting. Objective To assess medication error rates in paediatric patients in ambulatory settings. Methods The authors conducted a prospective cohort study of paediatric patients in six outpatient offices in Massachusetts. Data were collected using duplicate prescription review, two parental surveys and chart review. A research nurse classified all medication errors by stage and type of error. Results The authors identified 1205 medication errors with minimal potential for harm (rate: 68% of patients, 95% CI 64 to 72%; 53% of Rx, 95% CI 50 to 56%) and 464 potentially harmful medication errors (ie, near misses) (rate: 26% of patients, 95% CI 24 to 28%; 21% of Rx, 95% CI 19 to 22%). Overall, 94% of the medication errors with minimal potential for harm and 60% of the near misses occurred at the prescribing stage. The most common types of errors were inappropriate abbreviations followed by dosing errors. The most frequent cause of errors was illegibility. Conclusion With paper prescribing, half the prescriptions had medication errors, and one in five had a potentially harmful error. These rates are very high. Interventions targeting the ordering and administration stages have the greatest potential benefit.
Computational Comparison of Two Algorithms for the Euclidean Single Facility Location Problem

The best known first order and second order methods for the Euclidean single facility location problem are Weiszfeld's algorithm and Newton's algorithm, respectively. With only a linear rate of convergence, Weiszfeld's algorithm is a simple closed form iteration formula. With a quadratic rate of convergence, Newton's algorithm is more complicated and requires a line search at each iteration. In this paper, computational comparisons were made between these two algorithms. Both sequential and parallel versions of each algorithm were compared. These results show that the second order method is more efficient for low dimensional problems while the first order method is more efficient for high dimensional problems. A parallel version of each algorithm was implemented on a NCUBE hypercube with 64 processors and tested on randomly generated problems with space dimension from 2 to 9, and the number of existing facilities from 1000 to 9000. A speedup of as high as 58 was achieved with 64 processors. INFORMS Journa...
Influence of delayed metamorphosis on postsettlement survival and growth in the sipunculan Apionsoma misakianum

. Certain stresses experienced by marine larvae from many groups can dramatically reduce aspects of juvenile performance. This study reports the effects of delayed metamorphosis and nutritional stress on survival and growth of the deposit-feeding sipunculan Apionsoma (=Golfingia) misakianum. Approximately 600 larvae collected from the Florida Current plankton were distributed among 3 treatment groups. Ninety larvae (controls) were offered sediment and adult-conditioned seawater 4 d after collection, to induce metamorphosis; larvae of this species could not be induced to metamorphose by increasing the K+ concentration of seawater. The remaining 500 larvae were kept swimming for either 2 or 4 weeks, with or without phyto-plankton (clone T-ISO). At the end of the periods of prolonged larval swimming, subsampled larvae (360) were induced to metamorphose as in the controls. Surviving individuals were retrieved 6 weeks after the addition of excess sediment in all treatments, and weighed to document growth. Neither delayed metamorphosis nor starvation influenced juvenile survival. However, starving larvae for 2 weeks significantly reduced mean juvenile growth rates relative to the mean growth rate of control individuals (p<0.0001), while prolonging larval life by 4 weeks significantly reduced mean juvenile growth rates (p<0.05) whether or not larvae were fed. Reduced juvenile growth rates may have been caused by nutritional stress experienced by larvae in both the starved and fed treatments. The rapid response of freshly collected larvae to sediment indicates that competent larvae of this species routinely delay metamorphosis in the field. The extent to which they also experience food limitation is not yet clear. If competent larvae are food limited while delaying metamorphosis in the field, our results suggest that juveniles will grow more slowly and may thus exhibit reduced fitness.
United States' National Park Management: Values, Policy, and Possible Hints for Others

National park managers have to make difficult and often controversial decisions regarding how best to protect parks' resources and provide for their continuing use and enjoyment. Strictly speaking, resolution of parks' problems must be based on whether the NPS is adhering to its legislative mandate to regulate development and use and to protect parks' resources. The most basic fiduciary duties of the NPS are to manage resources in natural conditions, provide for use and enjoyment, and provide benefits for present and future generations. However, neither the legislation, judicial interpretations, nor the NPS, has defined the terms natural, appropriate forms (values) of use and enjoyment, or how to resolve intergenerational conflicts between present and future generations. Because neither scientific standards nor criteria of appropriate use have been defined, the NPS traditionally has fashioned policy by compromise—to reflect different citizen constituencies with preferences for different and often conflicting values.
Research of MV Carrier Communication key technology in Smart Distribution Automation

10 kV MV Carrier Communication is a necessary complement for fiber communication in Smart Distribution Automation of SGCC. This paper introduced the MV Carrier Communication key technologies, including Adaptive Frequency-Band Selection, Dynamic Channel Quality Testing, Enhanced adaptive analog front-end technology, Mobile repeater, mixed-line Carrier communication basing on Non-intrusive inductive coupler. These technologies are proved valid and efficient by application of PLC communication system in Smart Power Distribution.
Cognate Effects in Picture Naming: Does Cross-Language Activation Survive a Change of Script?.

Bilinguals are faster to name a picture in one language when the picture's name is a cognate in the other language. We asked whether cognate facilitation in picture naming would be obtained for bilinguals whose two languages differ in script. Spanish-English and Japanese-English bilinguals named cognate and noncognate pictures in English, their second language (L2). Cognate facilitation was observed for both groups. The results suggest that there is cross-language activation of phonology even for different-script bilinguals.
How to Evolve Cooperation

Cooperation is needed for evolution to construct new levels of organiza- tion. The emergence of genomes, cells, multi-cellular organisms, social insects, and human society are all based on cooperation. Cooperation means that selfish repli- cators forgo some of their reproductive potential to help one another. But natural selection implies competition between individuals and therefore opposes coopera- tion unless a specific mechanism is at work. Five mechanisms for the evolution of cooperation are discussed: kin selection, direct reciprocity, indirect reciprocity, net- work reciprocity, and group selection. I will argue that cooperation is essential for evolvability.
Revision of the Padua Inventory of obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms: distinctions between worry, obsessions, and compulsions

The Padua Inventory (PI), a self-report measure of obsessive and compulsive symptoms, is increasingly used in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) research. Freeston, Ladouceur, Rheaume, Letarte, Gagnon and Thibodeau (1994) [Behaviour Research and Therapy, 32, 29-36], however, recently showed that the PI measures worry in addition to obsessions. In an attempt to solve this measurement problem, this study used a content distinction between obsessions and worry to revise the PI. The revision was constructed to measure five content dimensions relevant to OCD i.e. (1) obsessional thoughts about harm to oneself or others; (2) obsessional impulses to harm oneself or others; (3) contamination obsessions and washing compulsions; (4) checking compulsions; and (5) dressing/grooming compulsions. A total of 5010 individuals participated in the study, 2970 individuals completing the PI and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and an additional 2040 individuals completing only the PI. The results provided support for the reliability and validity of the revision. In addition, the revision of the PI was more independent of worry, as measured by the PSWQ, than the original PI. Support was thus found for the validity of the content distinction between obsessions and worry. The importance of this content distinction is also discussed for the evaluation of other hypothesized distinctions between obsessions and worry.
Tiotropium: A Bronchodilator for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

OBJECTIVE:To review the scientific literature evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of tiotropium bromide, a new bronchodilator indicated for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).DATA SOURCES:Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1966–January 2005) using the key words tiotropium, BA 679 BR, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and anticholinergic agents. Additional citations were identified from bibliographies of publications cited.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:Experimental and observational studies of tiotropium bromide were selected. Trials of the efficacy of the drug in humans were the focus of the review.DATA SYNTHESIS:Tiotropium bromide is an effective bronchodilator for patients with COPD. It produces clinically important improvements in lung function, symptoms of dyspnea, quality of life, and exacerbation rates compared with placebo. In comparative studies, tiotropium does not appear to be more efficacious than salmeterol or ipratropium.CONCLUSIONS:Ti...
Interferon-γ-mediated Activation and Ubiquitin-Proteasome-dependent Degradation of PPARγ in Adipocytes

Interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) treatment of adipocytes results in a down-regulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma). The decrease in PPARgamma expression is mediated by inhibition of PPARgamma synthesis and increased degradation of PPARgamma. In this study, we demonstrate that both PPARgamma1 and PPARgamma2 are targeted to the proteasome under basal conditions and that PPARgamma1 is more labile than PPARgamma2. The IFNgamma-induced increase in PPARgamma turnover is blocked by proteasome inhibition and is accompanied by an increase in PPARgamma-polyubiquitin conjugates. In addition, IFNgamma treatment results in the transcriptional activation of PPARgamma. Similar to ligand-dependent activation of PPARgamma, IFNgamma-induced activation was greater in the phosphorylation-deficient S112A form of PPARgamma when compared with wild-type PPARgamma. Moreover, the inhibition of ERKs 1 and 2 with a MEK inhibitor, U1026, lead to an inhibition in the decay of PPARgamma proteins, indicating that serine phosphorylation influences the degradation of PPARgamma in fat cells. Our results also demonstrate that the proteasome-dependent degradation of PPARgamma does not require nuclear export. Taken together, these results indicate that PPARgamma is targeted to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway for degradation under basal conditions and that IFNgamma leads to an increased targeting of PPARgamma to the ubiquitin-proteasome system in a process that is affected by ERK-regulated serine phosphorylation of PPARgamma proteins.
Metformin With Either Histamine H2-Receptor Antagonists or Proton Pump Inhibitors: A Polypharmacy Recipe for Neuropathy via Vitamin B12 Depletion.

According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.8 million people in the United States (8.3% of the population) have diabetes (1). Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90–95% of diabetes diagnoses, and >85% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese (1). Increased BMI, which is common in the type 2 diabetes population, has a well-established association with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (2,3). Central adiposity is an important risk factor in the development of reflux and, subsequently, erosive esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (2,3). Increased BMI is not the only risk factor for the development of GERD, particularly among people with diabetes. Among those with type 2 diabetes, peripheral neuropathy is an independent risk factor for erosive esophagitis (4). In this population, there is a greater incidence of erosive esophagitis among individuals with neuropathy than among those without neuropathy, although those with and without neuropathy experience similar GERD symptoms (4). Approximately 60–70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage, which may partly explain why low-grade esophageal dysplasia is twice as likely in individuals with than in those without diabetes (1,5). Additionally, both asymptomatic and symptomatic reflux is more prevalent in individuals with diabetes than in those without diabetes (6,7). Likewise, type 2 diabetes has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for symptomatic GERD (8). Among individuals with diabetes, 40.7% experience symptomatic GERD, and 70% of those use oral antidiabetic medications. Thus, it is likely that millions of individuals are managing blood glucose and GERD concomitantly with oral medications (1,7) Therefore, it is important to assess the drug interactions and clinical sequelae that may occur with this particular …
Nonlinear spectroscopy in the strong-coupling regime of cavity QED

A nonlinear spectroscopic investigation of a strongly coupled atom-cavity system is presented. A two-field pump-probe experiment is employed to study nonlinear structure as the average number of intracavity atoms is varied from N≈4.2 to N≈0.8. Nonlinear effects are observed for as few as 0.1 intracavity pump photons. A detailed semiclassical simulation of the atomic beam experiment gives reasonable agreement with the data for N≳2 atoms. The simulation procedure accounts for fluctuations in atom-field coupling which have important effects on both the linear and nonlinear probe transmission spectra. A discrepancy between the simulations and the experiments is observed for small numbers of atoms (N≲1). Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine if this discrepancy is a definitive consequence of the quantum nature of the atom-cavity coupling or a result of the severe technical complications of the experiment.
Endometriotic haptoglobin binds to peritoneal macrophages and alters their function in women with endometriosis.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effects of endometriotic haptoglobin on peritoneal macrophage function. Design: Prospective laboratory study. Setting: School of medicine. Patient(s): Twenty-three women with and without endometriosis. Intervention(s): Peritoneal macrophages cultured without or with haptoglobin. Main Outcome Measure(s): Peritoneal macrophage haptoglobin immunoreactivity, adhesion, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production. Result(s): In vivo, significantly more peritoneal macrophages from women with endometriosis bound haptoglobin and exhibited reduced adhesion compared to women without endometriosis. In vitro, haptoglobin treatment significantly decreased peritoneal macrophage adherence only in women without endometriosis; this effect was not seen in women with endometriosis, probably owing to in vivo haptoglobin saturation. Conversely, haptoglobin treatment robustly increased IL-6 production only by macrophages from women with endometriosis, suggesting differential immune response in these women. Conclusion(s): Endometriotic lesions synthesize and secrete a unique form of haptoglobin (endometriosis protein-I) that is up-regulated by IL-6. This study shows that haptoglobin adheres to peritoneal macrophages; decreases adhesion, which may influence phagocytic function; and up-regulates IL-6 production. Hence, a feed-forward loop is proposed whereby endometriotic lesion haptoglobin decreases macrophage phagocytic function while increasing IL-6 production, which in turn increases endometriotic haptoglobin and promotes establishment of endometriosis.
Balancing Requirements for Stability and Maneuverability in Cetaceans

The morphological designs of animals represent a balance between stability for efficient locomotion and instability associated with maneuverability. Morphologies that deviate from designs associated with stability are highly maneuverable. Major features affecting maneuverability are positions of control surfaces and flexibility of the body. Within odontocete cetaceans (i.e., toothed whales), variation in body design affects stability and turning performance. Position of control surfaces (i.e., flippers, fin, flukes, peduncle) provides a generally stable design with respect to an arrow model. Destabilizing forces generated during swimming are balanced by dynamic stabilization due to the phase relationships of various body components. Cetaceans with flexible bodies and mobile flippers are able to turn tightly at low turning rates, whereas fast-swimming cetaceans with less flexibility and relatively immobile flippers sacrifice small turn radii for higher turning rates. In cetaceans, body and control surface mobility and placement appear to be associated with prey type and habitat. Flexibility and slow, precise maneuvering are found in cetaceans that inhabit more complex habitats, whereas high-speed maneuvers are used by cetaceans in the pelagic environment.
Integrating Learning Outcomes Assessment In Information Systems Curriculum Revisions

This paper examines various dimensions of outcomes assessment and analyzes the assurance of learning process that is mandated by business schools’ accrediting agency, AACSB International. We describe learning outcomes assessment, various types of assessment, and why it is important to align assessment with learning goals and instruction. Information systems model curriculum 2002 and AACSB International share similar goals in terms of outcomes assessment. IS programs should make sure that feedback from the assessment process along with input from internal and external sources, are used to make curricular adjustments.
Common Sense: Addressed to Geriatric Psychiatrists on the Subject of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

In 1776 the revolutionary Thomas Paine published his pamphlet, Common Sense, galvanizing American colonists with four powerful ideas and action items for rebellion against British rule: reject British heritage, condemn monarchy, embrace democracy, and enlighten the world. Although some of these ideas do not sound revolutionary now, they were considered so at the time, leading the colonists to see that a critical issue was upon them that required spirited discussion and action. What does Common Sense have to do with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)? My fellow geriatric psychiatrists, we are facing an epidemic: There are an estimated 5 million people with dementia in the United States and 40 million worldwide, and the numbers are expected to almost double by 2030.