Empirical Evaluation of the Genetic Similarity of Samples From Twin Registries in Australia and the Netherlands Using 359 STRP Markers

One way to achieve the large sample sizes required for genetic studies of complex traits is to combine samples collected by different groups. It is not often clear, however, whether this practice is reasonable from a genetic perspective. To assess the comparability of samples from the Australian and the Netherlands twin studies, we estimated F,, (the proportion of total genetic variability attributable to genetic differences between cohorts) based on 359 short tandem repeat polymorphisms in 1068 individuals. IF,, was estimated to be 0.30% between the Australian and the Netherlands cohorts, a smaller value than between many European groups. We conclude that it is reasonable to combine the Australian and the Netherlands samples for joint genetic analyses.

Opressão econômica e violência social: retratos do cotidiano em três parábolas da Fonte Q (Q 12,39-40; 42-46; 19,12-27)

Num ambiente como o da Galiléia do século I, onde o ensino era realizado nas comunidades religiosas, vilarejos e núcleos familiares de forma oral, o método de fixação de ensinos mediante a assimilação de símbolos do cotidiano era fundamental. Por conta disso, acreditamos que, dentre as fontes orais ou escritas preservadas e organizadas pelos Evangelhos Sinóticos, as parábolas de Jesus compõem o gênero literário mais original por terem sido preservadas na memória, com maior precisão pelos primeiros seguidores de Jesus. Muitos estudiosos empreenderam importantes trabalhos para pesquisar o lugar social das parábolas de Jesus, a maioria deles partindo dos próprios textos dispostos como estão nos Evangelhos. Neste trabalho, nos propomos trabalhar as parábolas de Jesus como ditos bem preservados pela oralidade a partir da teoria da Fonte Q, que é tratada como um dos estratos mais primitivos da tradição formativa dos Evangelhos Sinóticos e do movimento de Jesus. As parábolas do Ladrão (Q 12,39-40), Servo Infiel (Q 12,42-46) e do Dinheiro Confiado (Q 19,12-27) sempre foram vistas pela tradição eclesial como parábolas que tratam da necessária vigilância do cristão por conta da repentina parusia de Jesus. No entanto, nesse trabalho vamos além, pois acreditamos que essas parábolas tratam do contexto social da Galiléia do século I, onde são retratadas a opressão econômica e a violência social imposta aos pequenos proprietários e camponeses empobrecidos.(AU)

Statnote 39: The binomial distribution: comparing two proportions

Many populations consist of two classes only, e.g., alive or dead, present or absent, clean or dirty, infected or non-infected, and it is the proportion or percentage of observations that fall into one of these classes that is of interest to an investigator. An observation that falls into one of the two classes is considered a ‘success’ (S), and ‘p’ is defined as the proportion of observations falling into that class. If a random sample of size ‘n’ is obtained from a population, the probability of obtaining 0, 1, 2, 3, etc., successes is then given by the binomial distribution. The binomial distribution can be used as the basis of a number of statistical tests but is most useful when comparing two proportions. This statnote describes two such scenarios in which the binomial distribution is used to compare: (1) two proportions when the samples are independent and (2) two proportions when the samples are paired.

Lys9 for Glu9 substitution in glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide confers dipeptidylpeptidase IV resistance with cellular and metabolic actions similar to those of established antagonists glucagon-like peptide-1(9-36)amide and exendin (9-39)

The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide (GLP-1) has been deemed of considerable importance in the regulation of blood glucose. Its effects, mediated through the regulation of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, are glucose-dependent and contribute to the tight control of glucose levels. Much enthusiasm has been assigned to a possible role of GLP-1 in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. GLIP-l's action unfortunately is limited through enzymatic inactivation caused by dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV). It is now well established that modifying GLP-1 at the N-terminal amino acids, His7 and Ala8, can greatly improve resistance to this enzyme. Little research has assessed what effect Glu9-substitution has on GLP-1 activity and its degradation by DPP IV. Here, we report that the replacement of Glu9 of GLP-1 with Lys dramatically increased resistance to DPP IV. This analogue (Lys9)GLP-1, exhibited a preserved GLP-1 receptor affinity, but the usual stimulatory effects of GLP-1 were completely eliminated, a trait duplicated by the other established GLP-1-antagonists, exendin (9-39) and GLP-1 (9-36)amide. We investigated the in vivo antagonistic actions of (Lys9)GLP-1 in comparison with GLP-1(9-36)amide and exendin (9-39) and revealed that this novel analogue may serve as a functional antagonist of the GLP-1 receptor.

On Projective Plane of Order 13 with a Frobenius Group of Order 39 as a Collineation Group

One of the most outstanding problems in combinatorial mathematics and geometry is the problem of existence of finite projective planes whose order is not a prime power.

Schumann's Opus 39 "Liederkreis": The story of an engagement

The objective of this thesis is twofold: (1) to confirm Robert Schumann's selection of the twelve poems by Josef von Eichendorff for Schumann's own purposes in the song cycle entitled Eichendorff Liederkreis opus 39; and (2) to establish a theme or story line in the final order of the poems. ^ The methodology employed first a research into the biography of Josef von Eichendorff, including an understanding of his use of poetic images that represented Catholicism and nostalgia for his privileged childhood, and a contrast with Robert Schumann's biography and his very different motivations during his song year (Liederjahr) of 1840: love and his traumatic 1835–1840 engagement to Clara Wieck. The songs were then analyzed as a collection and as pairs, both musically and with regard to textual meaning. Finally, the events of the Schumann/Wieck engagement were weighed against the twelve song texts. ^ The results of the findings confirm the likely existence of a theme for the Liederkreis, which is Robert Schumann's 4-1/2 year engagement to Clara Wieck. ^

Medical School Donor Recognition Reception Photo 39

http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/com_images/1044/thumbnail.jpg

Global compilation of benthic data sets I

Approaches to quantify the organic carbon accumulation on a global scale generally do not consider the small-scale variability of sedimentary and oceanographic boundary conditions along continental margins. In this study, we present a new approach to regionalize the total organic carbon (TOC) content in surface sediments (<5 cm sediment depth). It is based on a compilation of more than 5500 single measurements from various sources. Global TOC distribution was determined by the application of a combined qualitative and quantitative-geostatistical method. Overall, 33 benthic TOC-based provinces were defined and used to process the global distribution pattern of the TOC content in surface sediments in a 1°x1° grid resolution. Regional dependencies of data points within each single province are expressed by modeled semi-variograms. Measured and estimated TOC values show good correlation, emphasizing the reasonable applicability of the method. The accumulation of organic carbon in marine surface sediments is a key parameter in the control of mineralization processes and the material exchange between the sediment and the ocean water. Our approach will help to improve global budgets of nutrient and carbon cycles.