cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mixed mode double-gate FET model

A general purpose double-gate FET (DGFET) model is presented which is capable of handling a wide variety of DGFET configurations and arbitrary potentials on its four terminals. The heart of the model is the mixed-mode algorithm which, under appropriate bias conditions, transforms the DGFET into two single gate FETs (SGFET) in series. The single gate FET model itself uses a new treatment of the space charge region, allowing the DGFET to be realistically simulated well into the punch-through regime. Sub-threshold and short-channel effects are included and an effective perpendicular electric field, modified by the short-channel charge, is derived for the DGFET and used in mobility calculations. Additional mobility terms can be added to account for scattering at either interface. In addition to currents, voltage dependent capacitances are also derived, including sub-threshold gate to gate capacitances, enabling realistic simulations of coupled circuit noise to be undertaken.
COMPETITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG HERBACEOUS GRASSLAND PLANTS

The present state of the art of grassland competition is one of imminence rather than eminence. We know many fragments and bits of information, but heretofore have been unable to unite all of what we do know into an integrated system.
Large yearly production of phytoplankton in the Western bering strait.

Production in the western Bering Strait is estimated at 324 grams of carbon per square meter per year over 2.12x 104 square kilometers. An ice-reduced growing season makes this large amount of primary production unexpected, but it is consistent with the area9s large upper trophic level stocks. The productivity is fueled by a cross-shelf flow of nutrient-rich water from the Bering Sea continental slope. This phytoplankton production system from June through September is analogous to a laboratory continuous culture.
The evolution and discovery of services science in business schools

The pioneering efforts of Arizona State University illustrate what can be accomplished when universities worldwide address the need to create comprehensive interdisciplinary curricula for services science.
Source Apportionment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Urban Atmosphere: A Comparison of Three Methods

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants in urban atmospheres. Several PAHs are known carcinogens or are the precursors to carcinogenic daughter compounds. Understanding the contributions of the various emission sources is critical to appropriately managing PAH levels in the environment. The sources of PAHs to ambient air in Baltimore, MD, were determined by using three source apportionment methods, principal component analysis with multiple linear regression, UNMIX, and positive matrix factorization. Determining the source apportionment through multiple techniques mitigates weaknesses in individual methods and strengthens the overlapping conclusions. Overall source contributions compare well among methods. Vehicles, both diesel and gasoline, contribute on average 16−26%, coal 28−36%, oil 15−23%, and wood/other having the greatest disparity of 23−35% of the total (gas- plus particle-phase) PAHs. Seasonal trends were found for both coal and oil. Coal was the dominate PAH source dur...
Employing paradoxical intention in the treatment of agoraphobia

Abstract The present study assessed the efficacy of paradoxical intention in ameliorating the travel restriction of agoraphobics. A combined score indicating proximity to two difficult target locations represented the dependent variable. A multiple baseline across subjects was used with each of two groups of five clients. This was accomplished by sequentially staggering introduction of treatment. At the conclusion of baseline phase. Group A received 6 weeks of gradual exposure followed by paradoxical intention to criterion. Group B received paradoxical intention to criterion immediately after baseline. Results indicated that paradoxical intention produced greater movement toward targets for clients in Group B when compared both with their baseline and with the performance of Group A following an equal period of gradual exposure.
Comparing Measures of Medication Taking in a Pharmacotherapy Trial for Cocaine Dependence

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare compliance estimates based on 3 methods of measuring medication taking: self-report, an electronic medication event measurement system (MEMS), and a biochemical tracer (riboflavin). During the first 4 weeks of a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, cocaine-dependent participants (N = 55) took their assigned study medications and provided data to assess daily pill-taking behavior. MEMS-based estimates of medication compliance were substantially lower than riboflavin or self-report (28%, 78%, and 87%, respectively). Using MEMS as a reference or “gold standard,” self-report, riboflavin, and their combination demonstrated poor ability to detect non-compliance (AUCs
Hepatic dysfunction after renal transplantation in children.

Nine of 63 (14 per cent) recipients of renal allografts developed clinical and/orbiochemical evidence of hepatic dysfunction. The etiology was considered to be azathioprine toxicity in eight children and cytomegalovirus hepatitis in one. Evidence of hepatic dysfunction abated in seven of eight children after lowering the dosage of or temporarily discontinuing the drug; the cytomegalovirus hepatitis remitted spontaneously without adjustment in immunosuppressive therapy. One patient died from fungal septicemia with persistent hepatic dysfunction despite discontinuation of azathioprine for 50 days. The data indicate the need for frequent surveillance of hepatic function in pediatric allograft recipients in order to determine the need for adjustment in azathioprine dosage.
Combined Location-Routing Problems: A Synthesis and Future Research Directions

Over the past few decades, the concept of integrated logistics systems has emerged as a new management philosophy which aims to increase distribution efficiency. Such a concept recognizes the interdependence among the location of facilities, the allocation of suppliers and customers to the facilities, and the vehicle route structure around depots. As such, it coordinates a broader spectrum of location and routing options available to logistics managers and consequently avoids the suboptimization of distribution solutions. Reflecting the increasing importance of integrated logistics systems, an extensive body of combined location-routing literature has developed in less than 30 years. In this paper, we synthesize the past evolution of location-routing literature and then explore promising research opportunities in incorporation of more realistic aspects, algorithmic design, and model complexity.
Vector computations on an orthogonal memory access multiprocessing system

An Orthogonal Memory Access system allows a multiplicity of processors to concurrently access distinct rows or columns of a rectangular array of data elements. The resulting tightly-coupled multi-processing system is feasible with current technology and has even been suggested for VLSI as a “reduced mesh”. In this paper we introduce the architecture and concentrate on its application to a number of basic vector and numerical computations. Matrix multiplication, L-U decomposition, polynomial evaluation and solutions to linear systems and partial differential equations, all show a speed-up of 0(n) for a n-processor system. The flexibility in the choice of the number of PEs makes the architecture a strong competitor in the world of special-purpose parallel systems. Actually, we prove that the machine exhibits the same performance as any other system with the same number of processors within a factor of 3.
Intrathecal morphine for pediatric renal transplant recipients

Many pediatric renal transplant recipients have significant discomfort in the early postoperative period despite opioid administration. Intrathecal morphine is safe and effective for pain control in children. We examined our results with the use of intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia in renal transplant recipients at our institution. The morphine was administered while the patients were under general anesthesia. Seventeen of 22 patients received excellent pain control and there were few minor and no major complications. Intrathecal morphine is beneficial for postoperative analgesia in pediatric renal transplant recipients.
Identification of a standard for comparing short-term load forecasting techniques

Abstract A review of existing short-term load forecasting techniques is presented first. This is followed by a discussion about the emerging techniques in this field. A standard for comparing short-term load forecasting techniques is proposed based upon this review. According to the literature it is clear that quantitative methods can solve the problem only to some extent, leaving room for research in the area of qualitative forecasting and its integration in the computer based methodologies. This leads to the inclusion of new techniques that will certainly represent future directions in load forecasting. In evaluating the performance of the new as well as conventional forecasting techniques, a need for a standardized testing procedure has been identified, and some suggestions toward this goal are given.
Characterization of the Metabolic Phenotype of Rapamycin-Treated CD8+ T Cells with Augmented Ability to Generate Long-Lasting Memory Cells

Background Cellular metabolism plays a critical role in regulating T cell responses and the development of memory T cells with long-term protections. However, the metabolic phenotype of antigen-activated T cells that are responsible for the generation of long-lived memory cells has not been characterized. Design and methods Using lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) peptide gp33-specific CD8(+) T cells derived from T cell receptor transgenic mice, we characterized the metabolic phenotype of proliferating T cells that were activated and expanded in vitro in the presence or absence of rapamycin, and determined the capability of these rapamycin-treated T cells to generate long-lived memory cells in vivo. Results Antigen-activated CD8(+) T cells treated with rapamycin gave rise to 5-fold more long-lived memory T cells in vivo than untreated control T cells. In contrast to that control T cells only increased glycolysis, rapamycin-treated T cells upregulated both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). These rapamycin-treated T cells had greater ability than control T cells to survive withdrawal of either glucose or growth factors. Inhibition of OXPHOS by oligomycin significantly reduced the ability of rapamycin-treated T cells to survive growth factor withdrawal. This effect of OXPHOS inhibition was accompanied with mitochondrial hyperpolarization and elevation of reactive oxygen species that are known to be toxic to cells. Conclusions Our findings indicate that these rapamycin-treated T cells may represent a unique cell model for identifying nutrients and signals critical to regulating metabolism in both effector and memory T cells, and for the development of new methods to improve the efficacy of adoptive T cell cancer therapy.
Vibrational fluctuations of the hydrogen bonds around a nucleation defect of melting in poly(dG)-poly(dC).

Vibrational fluctuations of the hydrogen bonds around a nucleation defect of strand-separation melting of a DNA polymer, poly(dG)-poly(dC) (dG denotes repeating guanine bases on one strand and dC the repeating cytosine bases on the other strand), are analyzed at 293 and 340 K using a modified self-consistent phonon theory with a complex Green's function. At 293 K the helix is very stable and the important frequency band for fluctuation is the band between 60 and 120 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. This is the same important band as that for the fluctuation of the hydrogen bonds which are far from the defect. At 340 K, near the temperature at which the hydrogen-bond instability in the neighboring cells to the defect occurs, there are two important frequency bands. One is the band between 60 and 120 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ which is essential for the fluctuation of the bond near the major groove. A second band is the band under 20 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ which is critical for the fluctuation of the bond near the minor groove. We also explain the directional effects around the defect when the instability of the bonds begins to occur based on the roles of the particular phonons.
Parallel Out-of-Core Matlab for Extreme Virtual Memory

Summary form only given. Large data sets that cannot fit in memory can be addressed with out-of-core methods, which use memory as a "window " to view a section of the data stored on disk at a time. The parallel Matlab for eXtreme virtual memory (pMatlab XVM) library adds out-of-core extensions to the parallel Matlab (pMatlab) library. We have applied pMatlab XVM to the DARPA high productivity computing systems' HPCchallenge FFT benchmark. The benchmark was run using several different implementations: C+MPI, pMatlab, pMatlab hand coded for out-of-core and pMatlab XVM. These experiments found 1) the performance of the C+MPI and pMatlab versions were comparable; 2) the out-of-core versions deliver 80% of the performance of the in-core versions; 3) the out-of-core versions were able to perform a 1 terabyte (64 billion point) FFT and 4) the pMatlab XVM program was smaller, easier to implement and verify, and more efficient than its hand coded equivalent. We are transitioning this technology to several DoD signal processing applications and plan to apply pMatlab XVM to the full HPCchallenge benchmark suite. Using next generation hardware, problems sizes a factor of 100 to 1000 times larger should be feasible
The magnetic field dependence of the 2Δ/n structure observed in Pb-PbO-Pb superconducting tunneling junctions

Abstract Magnetic field dependence of structure centered at voltages 2Δ/ n in superconducting Pb-PbO-Pb tunneling junctions was investigated. This field dependence indicates this structure is caused by a tunneling process occurring in regions of the junction where there are metallic filaments.
Divergent and Convergent Thinking in Emergency Response Organizations

This laboratory experiment shows how time constraint and event severity affect convergent and divergent thinking processes among professional emergency response personnel addressing a simulated emergency situation. Increasing time constraint resulted in fewer options considered, fewer recommendations made, fewer decisions taken, and less favorable decision outcomes. Increasing event severity had a more ambiguous effect, suggesting the need for further study on the effect of this factor alone and in conjunction with time constraint.
Effect of Nonadsorbing Polyelectrolytes on Colloidal Interactions in Aqueous Mixtures

Abstract The effect of adding a nonadsorbing charged polymer, sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPSS), on the interaction energy profile between a 15 μm diameter polystyrene particle and a glass plate was measured using the optical technique of total internal reflection microscopy. A typical profile consisted of a repulsive barrier at large separations followed by a secondary well. Evidence of a longer-range tertiary well was also observed in salt-free solutions where the polymer molecules are rod-like. Addition of electrolyte causes a reduction in the depth of the tertiary well and produces oscillations at large separations. In addition, the stability of a solution of charged polystyrene particles in the presence of SPSS was measured using optical light scattering. Because of the electrostatic repulsion between the particles, the solution was stable against primary flocculation with no added polymer. However, because of long range attractive depletion forces, reversible secondary flocculation occurred into a local potential energy minimum at low SPSS concentrations (order 0.2 wt%). The polymer caused flocculation at a critical flocculation concentration (v*) which was found to decrease with increasing particle size. No restabilization of the latex dispersions was observed.
A new method for the analysis of titanium, barium, and arsenic in obsidian via epithermal neutron activation analysis

A new instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis procedure to quantitatively determine titanium, barium, and bromine in obsidian with improved sensitivity has been developed. The advantage of epithermal activation for Ti, Ba, and Br is demonstrated with multiple geological standards and the ability to determine arsenic in obsidian is demonstrated. The results for titanium are compared to previous electron-microprobe results for Kenyan obsidian.
Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to equine CD16

The low-affinity Fc receptor CD16 plays a central role in the inflammatory and innate immune responses of many species, but has not yet been investigated in the horse. Using the predicted extracellular region of equine CD16 expressed as a recombinant fusion protein with equine IL-4 (rIL-4/CD16), we generated a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that recognize equine CD16. Nine mAbs were chosen for characterization based upon recognition of CD16, but not IL-4, in ELISA. All nine mAbs recognized full-length, cell-surface CD16 expressed as a GFP fusion protein by CHO cells, but not the closely related Fc receptor CD32 expressed in the same system. In flow cytometric analysis with equine peripheral leukocytes, the mAbs labeled cells in the granulocyte, monocyte, and lymphocyte populations in a pattern consistent with other species. Monocytes that were strongly labeled with CD16 mAb 9G5 were also positive for the LPS receptor CD14. Cytospins made with peripheral leukocytes were immunohistochemically labeled and showed mAb recognition of primarily mononuclear cells. ELISA revealed that the nine mAbs can be grouped into three patterns of epitope recognition. These new antibodies will serve as useful tools in the investigation of equine immune responses and inflammatory processes.
A short-run forecasting model for nitrogen fertilizer prices.

Regression and time-series analysis are integrated to develop a short-run price forecasting model for the retail prices of major nitrogen fertilizer materials. Time-series analysis is conducted to generate future values of the wholesale price of anhydrous ammonia, the source of nearly all nitrogen fertilizers used in the United States. These forecasts are incorporated as an explanatory variable into regression equations to forecast the retail prices of five nitrogen fertilizer materials for the spring, the peak demand season for fertilizer. Results show that this method can perform with reasonable accuracy for short-term forecasting purposes.
Health Impacts of Heat in a Changing Climate: How Can Emerging Science Inform Urban Adaptation Planning?

Extreme heat is one of the most important global causes of weather-related mortality, and climate change is leading to more frequent and intense heat waves. Recent epidemiologic findings on heat-related health impacts have reinforced our understanding of the mortality impacts of extreme heat and have shown a range of impacts on morbidity outcomes, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and mental health responses. Evidence is also emerging on temporal trends towards decreasing exposure-response, probably reflecting population adaptation. Many cities are actively engaged in the development of heat adaptation plans to reduce future health impacts. Epidemiologic research into the evolution of local heat-health responses over time can greatly aid in planning heat adaptation, prevention of adverse health outcomes among vulnerable populations, and the evaluation of new interventions. Such research will be facilitated by the formation of research partnerships involving epidemiologists, climate scientists, and local stakeholders.
One-component plasma bridge function

A method for extending finite-range Monte Carlo simulation data obtained for the classical one-component plasma (OCP) at \ensuremath{\Gamma}=100 is presented. It enforces continuity at the simulation range in the Ornstein-Zernike direct correlation function by adding a single Yukawa correction term to an assumed long-range mean-spherical form. In addition, 1/N corrections to the Monte Carlo data are accounted for in order to obtain a satisfactory value for the OCP isothermal compressibility, as compared to the value directly obtained from the Monte Carlo equation of state. The bridge function E(r) is then extracted, and it is found to follow the hard-sphere bridge function at short range, in agreement with the universality hypothesis of Rosenfeld and Ashcroft. However, at long range there are small but nonuniversal corrections whose form is also discussed.
Obtaining Ising-like expansions for binary alloys from first principles

Many measurable properties of crystalline binary A1−xBx alloys, such as phase diagrams and excess thermodynamic functions, could be predicted via lattice statistical mechanics methods if one knew the `configurational energy'. The latter describes the energy at T = 0 for each of the 2N possible occupation patterns of the N lattice sites by an A or a B atom. Traditional approaches described the configurational energy either via empirically fitted, truncated Ising Hamiltonians, or through highly approximated coherent-potential constructs. We illustrate here the alternative approach of `mixed-basis cluster expansion' which extracts from a set of ab initio local density approximation calculations of the total energies of a few ordered A–B compounds a complete configurational energy function. This method includes both pair and multibody terms, whose number and range of interaction are decided by the variational procedure itself, as well as long-range strain terms. In this paper, we describe the computational details of this method, emphasizing methods of construction, interpolations, fits and convergence. This procedure is illustrated for Ni–Pt, Cu–Au and ScS–S (where denotes cation vacancy). The parameters of the final expansions are provided on our webpage (http://www.sst.nrel.gov).
Superconducting and normal state properties of dilute alloys of LaSn3 containing Ce impurities

Abstract The dependence of the superconducting transition temperature Tc on Ce impurity concentration and the specific heat jump at Tc as a function of Tc are reported for the system ( La Ce)Sn3. The experimental results are analyzed using a theory due to Kaiser concerning the effect on superconductivity of nonmagnetic localized resonant impurity states This analysis yields values for the intraatomic Coulomb repulsion parameter Ueff and the Ce local density of states at the Fermi level Nl (EF). The results of low temperature normal state heat capacity and magnetic susceptibility measurements which give independent estimates of Nl (EF) are also reported. A large pressure dependence of the Tc of ( La Ce)Sn3 alloys was observed for pressures up to 20 kbar. This behavior is similar to that previously observed in several other superconducting matrix-Ce impurity systems in which the Ce solute 4f electron shell undergoes a continuous-pressure induced demagnetization.
Self-assembly and steric stabilization at heterogeneous, biological surfaces using adsorbing block copolymers

Abstract Background: We present the synthesis, characterization and initial structure-function analysis of a new class of bioactive agent that allows the application of techniques from colloid science to biological surfaces. Stable colloidal suspensions can be generated by immobilizing a dense brush of soluble polymer at the colloidal surface, creating a zone protected against the adhesion of approaching particles, a phenomenon termed polymeric steric stabilization. This is often accomplished for aqueous colloidal dispersions using adsorbing block copolymers. We demonstrate that water-soluble block copolymers can be designed to adsorb onto heterogeneous biological surfaces and block cell-cell and cell-surface adhesion, using polymer compositions and architectures that are quite different from surfactants used for stabilizing nonbiological colloidal dispersions. Results: Comb copolymers were synthesized having polycationic backbones (poly-L-lysine, PLL), serving as the anchor for binding to the net negatively charged biological surfaces, grafted with water-soluble polynonionic chains (polyethylene glycol, PEG), to block biological recognition, producing PILL- graft -PEG copolymers. Specific copolymers were found to sterically stabilize red blood cells from lectin-induced hemagglutination and fibroblasts from adhesion to fibronectin-coated surfaces. The polymer design principles, which appear to be unique for adsorption to heterogeneous biological surfaces, require the use of very high molecular weight comb copolymers, perhaps because anionic sites are non-uniformly distributed on biological surfaces, and the ability of larger copolymers to span between highly anionic sites. Conclusions: Water-soluble copolymers were produced that can block recognition at biological surfaces, on the basis of nonspecific physicochemical phenomena rather than specific biochemical interactions.
Proposed new realignments in the angiosperms

Our attempt at putatively phylogenetic classifications of Angiospermae, considering our vast ignorance of more than 120 million years of evolution of the class, must be very tentative and elastic to make full use of the new approaches and new data constantly being made available to us. Some of the realignments thus required in my system of classification are here explained. Among others, the Paeoniales are recognized and include Glaucidiaceae; various shifts of families are made within Thei–florae–Violiflorae–Malviflorae; Thymelaeaceae and Simmondsiaceae are transferred to Euphorbiales; Emblingiaceae, Gyrostemonaceae and Bataceae are added to Sapindineae; Fabineae, with Connaraceae, Surianaceae and Fabaceae, are transferred to Rutiflorae; Proteiflorae are placed near Rutiflorae, especially Fabineae; the largely Australasian–African Pittosporales are explained; Cornaceae are severely pruned; Haemodoraceae and Velloziaceae are transferred to Commelinales; Arecales, Cyclanthales and Pandanales are separated into unrelated superorders; and Typhiflorae are moved into closer proximity with Commeliniflorae.
High order finite difference and finite volume WENO schemes and discontinuous Galerkin methods for CFD

In recent years high order numerical methods have been widely used in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), to effectively resolve complex flow features using meshes which are reasonable for today''s computers. In this paper we review and compare three types of high order methods being used in CFD, namely the weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) finite difference methods, the WENO finite volume methods, and the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element methods. We summarize the main features of these methods, from a practical user''s point of view, indicate their applicability and relative strength, and show a few selected numerical examples to demonstrate their performance on illustrative model CFD problems.
A Flexible, Low-Cost Cart for Proximal Sensing

Increasing interest in deploying multiple types of sensing instruments for agricultural plot- level observations has created a need for sim- ple, high-clearance vehicles that can be easily maneuvered through crops while minimizing damage due to wheel traffic. We describe a simple cart built from a 2-m-wide by 1.2-m-long steel frame that was welded onto two bicycle frames at a height providing 1 m of vertical clearance. Instruments such as radiometers and infrared thermometers are attached to the frame via arms that are secured with U-bolts. A large, horizontal surface allows mounting data log- gers, batteries, or computers. The cart is easily maneuvered by one person on level ground or by two persons on terrain with furrows, berms, or other obstacles. Design sketches and lists of materials are provided in an electronic supple- ment. The basic design is readily modifiable for different interrow spacings and sensor positions. USDA-ARS, U.S. Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center, 21881 North Cardon Ln., Maricopa, AZ 85138. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Received 24 Jan. 2013. *Corresponding author (Jeffrey.white@ars.usda.gov).
A many‐body perturbation theory and coupled cluster study of the water dimer

The interaction energy of two water molecules is evaluated at several levels of theory in a better than double zeta plus polarization basis set. Our CCSD+T(CCSD) results should be quite close to the full CI result in this case. Results are compared with variation–perturbation results for the dispersion energy. Counterpoise-corrected correlated results are used to examine the importance of basis set superposition effects in this system.
A Review of Exenatide in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease, with a rapidly increasing worldwide incidence and prevalence. Diabetes accounts for 8% of the US population, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In terms of individuals, this number comes to a staggering 24 million. In 2007, the total direct medical cost of treating diabetes and its associated complications was $116 billion. More than half of this is spent in treating its complications, both micro and macrovasular. Indirect costs in terms of disability, loss of work or premature mortality amounted to an additional $58 billion. Several trials have shown the benefits of improved glycemic control on microvasular complications and a propensity to reduce macrovasular disease. Furthermore tight glycemic control early in the disease, so called the legacy effect, has shown to reduce mortality. However, these and several other trials have shown the progressive and unrelenting nature of the disease. Reduced efficacies of existing medications over prolonged periods, and continued beta cell dysfunction have lead to unmet glycemic targets. In addition, current antidiabetic medications have significant side effects most of which include hypoglycemia and weight gain. All the above points are rasion d’etre that new additional therapies are needed. Recently, new classes of agents targeting the incretin system have become available. These can be divided into two broad categories; glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists/analogs (exenatide, liraglutide), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (sitagliptin, vildagliptin, and Saxagliptin (undergoing phase 3 trials)). Exenatide, a 39-amino acid peptide produced in the salivary gland of the Gila monster lizard, is a GLP-1 agonist. It is the first of its class approved for use as adjunctive therapy, in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Current data suggests that exenatide, in combination with metformin, glyburide, or a glitazone, results in significant reductions in fasting and postprandial plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Apart from gastrointestinal side effects, exenatide is relatively well tolerated and does not cause hypoglycemia when used alone. Additionally, the drug serves to promote moderate weight loss. The authors aim to provide a comprehensive overview of exenatide, detail its mechanism of action, and discuss its role in the present day treatment of patients with T2DM.
Particle-hole nature of the two lowest 3−states in 24Mg

Abstract Stripping and pickup reactions are performed and show the configuration for the lowest 3−state (7.62MeV) to be mainly a hole in the 1p shell the next 3−level (8.36 MeV) is mainly promoted into the 2p-1f shell.
Heteroboranes of the p-block elements

The syntheses, structures and reactivities of the heteroboranes in which p-block elements have replaced one or more vertices in the parent borane cages have been reviewed. The purpose is to provide an overview of this field, rather than give a detailed history of its development.
Plant Genome Resources at the National Center for Biotechnology Information

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) integrates data from more than 20 biological databases through a flexible search and retrieval system called Entrez. A core Entrez database, Entrez Nucleotide, includes GenBank and is tightly linked to the NCBI Taxonomy database, the Entrez Protein database, and the scientific literature in PubMed. A suite of more specialized databases for genomes, genes, gene families, gene expression, gene variation, and protein domains dovetails with the core databases to make Entrez a powerful system for genomic research. Linked to the full range of Entrez databases is the NCBI Map Viewer, which displays aligned genetic, physical, and sequence maps for eukaryotic genomes including those of many plants. A specialized plant query page allow maps from all plant genomes covered by the Map Viewer to be searched in tandem to produce a display of aligned maps from several species. PlantBLAST searches against the sequences shown in the Map Viewer allow BLAST alignments to be viewed within a genomic context. In addition, precomputed sequence similarities, such as those for proteins offered by BLAST Link, enable fluid navigation from unannotated to annotated sequences, quickening the pace of discovery. NCBI Web pages for plants, such as Plant Genome Central, complete the system by providing centralized access to NCBI's genomic resources as well as links to organism-specific Web pages beyond NCBI.
A scattering chamber using junction counters

Abstract The specifications and characteristics of a versatile scattering chamber are presented. The chamber is designed for use with solid state detectors. It became necessary in the course of a study of the fission of U 238 and Th 232 by a proton beam from the Florida State University Tandem Van de Graaff to design a small scattering chamber in which solid state junction counters could be positioned precisely at various angles around the target. The following features were desirable in the scattering chamber: (a) precise positioning of the target; (b) precise positioning of counters both with respect to the distance from the target and the angle to the beam; (c) ease of rotation of the counters to different angles; (d) provision for both movable and fixed counters; (e) precise positioning of the chamber about the beam tube; (f) precise defining slits for both the beam and the particles to be counted; (g) freedom from trailing lead wires as the counters are rotated; (h) a Faraday cup which provided accurate measurements of the beam current. The chamber which was designed possesses all of these features and has proven to be of sufficient usefulness to warrant journal description.
Radially anisotropic shear velocity structure of the upper mantle globally and beneath North America

[1] A surface wave dispersion data set of unprecedented size is used to obtain a variable-resolution model of the radially anisotropic shear wave velocity structure of the upper mantle beneath North America and globally. Love and Rayleigh wave phase velocities for periods in the range 35–150 s constrain a three-dimensional model of velocity variations on a length scale of a few hundred kilometers within the North American continent and a few thousand kilometers globally. The short- and long-wavelength models are determined simultaneously. Long-period surface wave phase velocities (200–350 s) are used to help constrain longer-wavelength and transition zone structure. Laterally varying velocity sensitivity kernels are used to account for the dependence of the velocity sensitivity on lateral variations in crust and mantle velocity structure. The sensitivity kernels are updated in several iterations to avoid nonlinearities associated with the inverse problem for the determination of mantle structure. Variations in isotropic velocity in the uppermost several hundred kilometers of the mantle are found to correlate well with surface tectonic features. Within the North American craton, the locations of strongest radial anisotropy generally correlate with the locations of fastest isotropic velocity. Variations in radial anisotropy show a clear continent-ocean signature. Strong anisotropy occurs at shallow depths (<100 km) under the continents, with a secondary peak found at a depth of ∼200 km. Maximum anisotropy under the oceans occurs at a depth of ∼125 km, with no secondary maximum. Combined interpretation of isotropic and anisotropic continent-ocean differences suggests a different role for the low-velocity zone under continental and oceanic regions.
The Literary Digest Poll: Making of a Statistical Myth

(1976). The Literary Digest Poll: Making of a Statistical Myth. The American Statistician: Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 184-185.
Assessment of Inhalation Hazards Aboard Inland River Towboats

Three inland river towboats were surveyed for inhalation hazards to the crew by dividing the vessels into five “air zones.” During vessel operation samples were obtained for carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons, suspended particulate matter, and oil mist throughout a 24-hour period. Survey sampling methods and analytical methods are described. Results of the surveys are presented in terms of pollutant concentrations in the designated “air zones”: Pilot House, Captain's Cabin, Engine Room, Galley, and Lounge.
Asymptotic behavior of solutions to viscous conservation laws with slowly varying external forces

This paper considers the existence and large time behavior of solutions to the convection-diffusion equation u t −Δu+b(x)·∇(u|u| q −1)=f(x, t) in ℝ n ×[0,∞), where f(x, t) is slowly decaying and q≥1+1/n (or in some particular cases q≥1). The initial condition u 0 is supposed to be in an appropriate L p space. Uniform and nonuniform decay of the solutions will be established depending on the data and the forcing term.
Pathogenesis of renal calculi

Recent reports suggest that kidney stone disease prevalence is increasing. Despite significant treatment advances, the inciting factor and sequence of events leading to kidney stone formation remain elusive; however, recent efforts to understand the pathogenesis of nephrolithiasis have led to a delineation of the human surgical anatomy, histopathology, and metabolic factors in a variety of kidney stone formers. This article reviews the fundamental concepts of calculus formation, and the leading theories of stone pathogenesis, focusing on recent data from human papillary and renal cortical biopsies in stone formers that provide evidence for the role of Randall's plaque in kidney stone disease pathogenesis. These data suggest there are individual stone-forming phenotypes with unique surgical anatomy, histology, and metabolic profiles.
Reconstructing evolutionary trees from DNA and protein sequences: paralinear distances.

Abstract The reconstruction of phylogenetic trees from DNA and protein sequences is confounded by unequal rate effects. These effects can group rapidly evolving taxa with other rapidly evolving taxa, whether or not they are genealogically related. All algorithms are sensitive to these effects whenever the assumptions on which they are based are not met. The algorithm presented here, called paralinear distances, is valid for a much broader class of substitution processes than previous algorithms and is accordingly less affected by unequal rate effects. It may be used with all nucleic acid, protein, or other sequences, provided that their evolution may be modeled as a succession of Markov processes. The properties of the method have been proven both analytically and by computer simulations. Like all other methods, paralinear distances can fail when sequences are misaligned or when site-to-site sequence variation of rates is extensive. To examine the usefulness of paralinear distances, the "origin of the eukaryotes" has been investigated by the analysis of elongation factor Tu sequences with a variety of sequence alignments. It has been found that the order in which sequences are pairwise aligned strongly determines the topology which is reconstructed by paralinear distances (as it does for all other reconstruction methods tested). When the parts of the alignment that are unaffected by alignment order are analyzed, paralinear distances strongly select the eocyte topology. This provides evidence that the eocyte prokaryotes are the closest prokaryotic relatives of the eukaryotes.
Order-disorder behavior in the phase transition of PbTiO3

We have quantitatively measured the temperature dependence of the local distortions of PbTiO3, crystals below and above the structural ferroelectric phase transition using X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) measurements. Both Pb and Ti edges were measured, providing quantitative determinations of the displacements of the atoms within the unit cell. These distortions vary little with temperature below the transition and decrease only slightly above the transition temperature. In the paraelectric phase, the Pb and Ti distortions are about 50% and 70% of the corresponding low temperature values respectively. These results show that an essential element of order-disorder is present even in this ferroelectric crystal which displays the soft mode behavior and a dielectric constant typical of displacive ferroelectrics. The presence of the local distortions suggests that the displacements should have at least two correlation length scales, one associated with the local distortions, the other with the order pa...
Pharmacogenetic randomized trial for cocaine abuse: disulfiram and dopamine β-hydroxylase.

Background Disulfiram has been an effective cocaine addiction pharmacotherapy, and one of its possible mechanisms of efficacy is through copper chelation and inhibition of an enzyme involved in catecholamine metabolism, dopamine β-hydroxylase (DβH), which converts dopamine to norepinephrine. A variant in the gene encoding DβH leads to reduced DβH activity, and as such, disulfiram might not be an effective treatment of cocaine dependence for individuals with this variant. This study explored that potential matching. Methods Seventy-four cocaine- and opioid-codependent (DSM-V) subjects were stabilized on methadone for 2 weeks and subsequently randomized into disulfiram (250 mg/day, n = 34) and placebo groups ( n = 40) for 10 weeks. We genotyped the DBH gene polymorphism, −1021C/T (rs1611115), that reduces DβH enzyme levels and evaluated its role for increasing cocaine free urines with disulfiram. Results With repeated measures analysis of variance, corrected for population structure, disulfiram pharmacotherapy reduced cocaine-positive urines from 80% to 62% ( p = .0001), and this disulfiram efficacy differed by DBH genotype group. Patients with the normal DβH level genotype dropped from 84% to 56% on disulfiram ( p = .0001), whereas those with the low DBH level genotype showed no disulfiram effect. Conclusions This study indicates that the DBH genotype of a patient could be used to identify a subset of individuals for which disulfiram treatment might be an effective pharmacotherapy for cocaine dependence.
Preterm labor biomarker discovery in serum using 3 proteomic profiling methodologies.

Objective The aim of this study was to identify changes in protein expression in normal pregnancy compared with preterm labor by using 3 proteomic methods. Study Design Serum was collected from 25 nonpregnant (n = 5) and pregnant women at 24–40 weeks' gestation (n = 20) who had preterm labor resulting in preterm delivery (n = 5), preterm labor with term delivery (n = 5), term labor resulting in delivery (n = 5), or at term with contractions (n = 5). Undepleted serum was used for surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization and immune-depleted serum for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization and 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Results Surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization identified significantly different peaks between preterm labor resulting in preterm delivery vs term labor resulting in delivery and preterm labor resulting in preterm delivery vs preterm labor with term delivery using 4 surfaces. In preterm labor resulting in preterm delivery vs preterm labor with term delivery, a peak of 7783.2 m/z was significantly up-regulated and at 3164 m/z down-regulated on 3 surfaces. By using 2-dimensional electrophoresis, protein 5364 was significantly different between preterm labor resulting in preterm delivery and term labor resulting in delivery. In preterm labor resulting in preterm delivery, 6 proteins showed decreasing trend and 1 showed increasing trend vs preterm labor with term delivery. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization showed a striking difference at 55,000 m/z between preterm labor resulting in preterm delivery and term labor resulting in delivery. Conclusion Surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization identified 2 proteins fulfilling the criteria of putative biomarkers. Biomarker identification may aid in identifying women with preterm labor who will deliver preterm.
Preliminary Research on Indoor Mobile Robot Localization using Laser-activated RFID

Localization is a fundamental problem in autonomous mobile robot navigation. This paper introduces a novel localization technique for indoor mobile robot navigation using a collection of laser-activated RFID tags distributed in the indoor environment. The laser-activated RFID tag is designed and used as the artificial landmark in the proposed localization system. The robot localization is achieved through the combination of the stereo vision and RFID technologies and based on the principle of trilateration or triangulation. The localization system functions like an indoor GPS. Preliminary research shows that the proposed system is promising to provide a robust and accurate indoor localization method for mobile robots.
Activation of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells by Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is associated with multiple human malignancies, including Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman's disease. Following primary infection, KSHV typically goes through a brief period of lytic replication prior to the establishment of latency. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are the major producers of type 1 interferon (IFN), primarily in response to virus infection. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key components of the innate immune system, and they serve as pathogen recognition receptors that stimulate the host antiviral response. pDCs express exclusively TLR7 and TLR9, and it is through these TLRs that the type 1 interferon response is activated in pDCs. Currently, it is not known whether KSHV is recognized by pDCs and whether activation of pDCs occurs in response to KSHV infection. We now report evidence that KSHV can infect human pDCs and that pDCs are activated upon KSHV infection, as measured by upregulation of CD83 and CD86 and by IFN-α secretion. We further show that induction of IFN-α occurs through activation of TLR9 signaling and that a TLR9 inhibitor diminishes the production and secretion of IFN-α by KSHV-infected pDCs.
Ugly Duckling No More: Pasts and Futures of Organizational Learning Research

This article addresses theoretical and research frontiers for learning research, a second theme of Professor Argyris essay---the lead article in the “Crossroads” section. We outline three key theoretical questions for further work. We call for more systematic empirical learning research, suggesting that the paucity of such research may have resulted less from defensiveness than from the demanding requirements of doing crisp, systematic learning research. The need for scholarly empirical work is enhanced, we believe, by the growing popularity of organizational learning models among practitioners. Concurring with Professor Argyris' broad concern with enhancing research fruitfulness, we suggest ways to supplement traditional organizational research methods. In particular, we argue that it makes sense to cast wider nets for models of learning and adaptation, to sustain qualitative investigation, to use simulation techniques, and to maintain stronger---and perhaps even experimental---linkages between applied and theoretical research.