cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Payments for Costs and Investments in Banking 5.0

The management of costs and investment is essential in any organization. Banking is no exception. Finances are crucial for financial institutions due to the reserve’s relevance. Due to the distribution and assistance structure, most financial institutions’ costs depend on commissions and non-performing credit expenses. Due to their significance in both cases, careful contract management is essential. This chapter analyzes in detail these aspects and considers its contracts in the vision of banking 5.0. The model consists of moving to smart contracts. The rewards from this method could be highly relevant in the case of traditional financial institutions.
Long-term neurodevelopment in children born with esophageal atresia: a systematic review.

Background Although the survival rate of esophageal atresia (EA) has increased to over 90%, the risk of functional long-term neurodevelopmental deficits is uncertain. Studies on long-term outcomes of children with EA show conflicting results. Therefore, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of children with EA. Methods We performed a structured literature search in Embase, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google scholar on November 8, 2020 with the keywords 'esophageal atresia', 'long-term outcome', 'motor development', 'cognitive development', and 'neurodevelopment'. Results The initial search identified 945 studies, of which 15 were included. Five of these published outcomes of multiple tests or tested at multiple ages. Regarding infants, one of six studies found impaired neurodevelopment at 1 year of age. Regarding preschoolers, two of five studies found impaired neurodevelopment; the one study assessing cognitive development found normal cognitive outcome. Both studies on motor function reported impairment. Regarding school-agers, the one study on neurodevelopmental outcome reported impairment. Cognitive impairment was found in two out of four studies, and motor function was impaired in both studies studying motor function. Conclusions Long-term neurodevelopment of children born with EA has been assessed with various instruments, with contrasting results. Impairments were mostly found in motor function, but also in cognitive performance. Generally, the long-term outcome of these children is reason for concern. Structured, multidisciplinary long-term follow-up programs for children born with EA would allow to timely detect neurodevelopmental impairments and to intervene, if necessary.
Diabetic Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Mutant (ALDH2*2) Mice Are More Susceptible to Cardiac Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury Due to 4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal Induced Coronary Endothelial Cell Damage.

Background Aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 (ALDH2), a mitochondrial enzyme, detoxifies reactive aldehydes such as 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (4HNE). A highly prevalent E487K mutation in ALDH2 (ALDH2*2) in East A...
A comparative analysis of current phasing and imputation software

Whole-genome data has become significantly more accessible over the last two decades. This can largely be attributed to both reduced sequencing costs and imputation models which make it possible to obtain nearly whole-genome data from less expensive genotyping methods, such as microarray chips. Although there are many different approaches to imputation, the Hidden Markov Model remains the most widely used. In this study, we compared the latest versions of the most popular Hidden Markov Model based tools for phasing and imputation: Beagle 5.2, Eagle 2.4.1, Shapeit 4, Impute 5 and Minimac 4. We benchmarked them on three input datasets with three levels of chip density. We assessed each imputation software on the basis of accuracy, speed and memory usage, and showed how the choice of imputation accuracy metric can result in different interpretations. The highest average concordance rate was achieved by Beagle 5.2, followed by Impute 5 and Minimac 4, using a reference-based approach during phasing and the highest density chip. IQS and R 2 metrics revealed that IMPUTE5 obtained better results for low frequency markers, while Beagle 5.2 remained more accurate for common markers (MAF>5%). Computational load as measured by run time was lower for Beagle 5.2 than Impute 5 and Minimac 4, while Minimac utilized the least memory of the imputation tools we compared. ShapeIT 4, used the least memory of the phasing tools examined, even with the highest density chip. Finally, we determined the combination of phasing software, imputation software, and reference panel, best suited for different situations and analysis needs and created an automated pipeline that provides a way for users to create customized chips designed to optimize their imputation results.
Some Estimates on the Transition Probability Functions

In the derivation of our basic uniqueness theorem, Theorem 7.2.1, we made essential use of an analytic representation for the transition probability function associated with diffusion coefficients which are nearly independent of the spatial variables. We have already seen that this representation not only allows us to prove uniqueness, but also leads to regularity properties of the transition probability function as a function of the “backwards” variables. The purpose of the present chapter is to exploit this same representation to conclude properties about the transition probability function as a function of its “forward ” variables. More specifically, we will show that the transition probability function has a density with respect to Lebesgue measure and that this density satisfies certain L p -estimates.
INTEGRAL EQUATION PERTURBATION METHODS

In the previous chapter, we solved the Fredholm integral equations of the first kind by converting them to Volterra integral equations and to Fredholm integral equations of the second kind. One of the reasons for the simplicity of that formulation was that we had only one variable of integration. We need to develop methods that solve the integral equations relating to boundaries such as a cylinder or a sphere.
Evaluation of Soybean Varieties Resistant to Soybean Cyst Nematode

Introduction Use of resistant soybean varieties is a very effective strategy for managing soybean cyst nematode (SCN), and numerous SCN-resistant soybean varieties are available for Iowa soybean growers. Each year, public and private SCN-resistant soybean varieties are evaluated in SCN-infested fields in Iowa by Iowa State University personnel. The research described in this report was performed to assess the agronomic performance of SCNresistant soybean varieties and to determine the effects of the varieties on SCN numbers or population densities.
It's Broke, Let's Fix It: Rethinking Financial Regulation

This paper considers a wide range of financial reform issues, focusing on macroprudential regulation and on the recent reforms in the United States—although the principles apply globally. It emphasizes such issues as the needs for a systemic risk regulator and an orderly resolution mechanism for systemically important financial institutions, the risks posed by proprietary trading and skewed compensation incentives, and the design of new capital and liquidity requirements for banks. Throughout, an attempt is made to relate concrete regulatory proposals to the abstract principles that should govern financial regulation.
Tolerance trial of neostigmine methylsulfate in pregnancy

Abstract Seventy patients in various stages of pregnancy ranging from the seventh week through delivery received intramuscular injections of neostigmine methylsulfate. Twenty patients in the first trimester received 2 c.c. of 1:2,000 on three successive days. There was no interference with normal gestation, and fifteen patients have been delivered of sixteen infants who are living and well. The five patients remaining undelivered are following normal prenatal courses. Fifty patients from the fourteenth week through delivery received 1 c.c. of 1:2,000 neostigmine methylsulfate every three hours for six doses. The drug did not produce any noteworthy subjective symptoms or objective signs of an alarming nature. Forty patients have been delivered of thirty-three infants who are living and well. Two infants died following delivery. There were four stillbirths, one a twin. Two patients underwent therapeutic abortion. Ten patients remain undelivered.
Indian hedgehog signaling and the role of graft tension in tendon-to-bone healing: Evaluation in a rat ACL reconstruction model

The structure and composition of the native enthesis is not recapitulated following tendon-to-bone repair. Indian Hedgehog (IHH) signaling has recently been shown to be important in enthesis development in a mouse model but no studies have evaluated IHH signaling in a healing model. Fourteen adult male rats underwent ACL reconstruction using a flexor tendon graft. Rats were assigned to two groups based on whether or not they received 0N or 10N of pre-tension of the graft. Specimens were evaluated at 3 and 6 weeks post-operatively using immunohistochemistry for three different protein markers of IHH signaling. Quantitative analysis of staining area and intensity using custom software demonstrated that IHH signaling was active in interface tissue formed at the healing tendon-bone interface. We also found increased staining area and intensity of IHH signaling proteins at 3 weeks in animals that received a pre-tensioned tendon graft. No significant differences were seen between the 3-week and 6-week time points. Our data suggests that the IHH signaling pathway is active during the tendon-bone healing process and appears to be mechanosensitive, as pre-tensioning of the graft at the time of surgery resulted in increased IHH signaling at three weeks.
An inorganic capping strategy for the seeded growth of versatile bimetallic nanostructures

Metal nanostructures have attracted great attention in various fields due to their tunable properties through precisely tailored sizes, compositions and structures. Using mesoporous silica (mSiO2) as the inorganic capping agent and encapsulated Pt nanoparticles as the seeds, we developed a robust seeded growth method to prepare uniform bimetallic nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous silica shells (PtM@mSiO2, M = Pd, Rh, Ni and Cu). Unexpectedly, we found that the inorganic silica shell is able to accommodate an eight-fold volume increase in the metallic core by reducing its thickness. The bimetallic nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous silica shells showed enhanced catalytic properties and thermal stabilities compared with those prepared with organic capping agents. This inorganic capping strategy could find a broad application in the synthesis of versatile bimetallic nanostructures with exceptional structural control and enhanced catalytic properties.
Mutually controlled routing with independent ISPs

We present Wiser, an Internet routing protocol that enables ISPs to jointly control routing in a way that produces efficient end-to-end paths even when they act in their own interests. Wiser is a simple extension of BGP, uses only existing peering contracts for monetary exchange, and can be incrementally deployed. Each ISP selects paths in a way that presents a compromise between its own considerations and those of other ISPs. Done over many routes, this allows each ISP to improve its situation by its own optimization criteria compared to the use of BGP today. We evaluate Wiser using a routerlevel prototype and simulation on measured ISP topologies. We find that, unlike Internet routing today, Wiser consistently finds routes that are close in efficiency to that of global optimization for metrics such as path length. We further show that the overhead of Wiser is similar to that of BGP in terms of routing messages and computation.
Identification and characterization of espin, an actin-binding protein localized to the F-actin-rich junctional plaques of Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations.

Ectoplasmic specializations are membrane-cytoskeletal assemblages found in Sertoli cells at sites of attachment to elongate spermatids or neighboring Sertoli cells. They are characterized in part by the presence of a unique junctional plaque which contains a narrow layer of parallel actin bundles sandwiched between the Sertoli cell plasma membrane and an affiliated cistern of endoplasmic reticulum. Using a monoclonal antibody, we have identified ‘espin,’ a novel actin-binding protein localized to ectoplasmic specializations. By immunogold electron microscopy, espin was localized to the parallel actin bundles of ectoplasmic specializations at sites where Sertoli cells contacted the heads of elongate spermatids. The protein was also detected at the sites of ectoplasmic specializations between neighboring Sertoli cells. Espin exhibits an apparent molecular mass of approximately 110 kDa in SDS gels. It is encoded by an approximately 2.9 kb mRNA, which was found to be specific to testis among the 11 rat organs and tissues examined. On the basis of cDNA sequence, espin is predicted to be an 836 amino acid protein which contains 8 ankyrin-like repeats in its N-terminal third, a potential P-loop, two proline-rich peptides and two peptides which contain clusters of multiple glutamates bracketed by arginines, lysines and glutamines in a pattern reminiscent of the repetitive motif found in the protein trichohyalin. The ankyrin-like repeats and a 66 amino acid peptide in the C terminus show significant sequence similarity to proteins encoded by the forked gene of Drosophila. A fusion protein containing the C-terminal 378 amino acids of espin was found to bind with high affinity (Kd = approximately 10 nM) to F-actin in vitro with a stoichiometry of approximately 1 espin per 6 actin monomers. When expressed by transfected NRK fibroblasts, the same C-terminal fragment of espin was observed to decorate actin fibers or cables. On the basis of its structure, localization and properties, we hypothesize that espin is involved in linking actin filaments to each other or to membranes, thereby potentially playing a key role in the organization and function of the ectoplasmic specialization.
Dementia Care Training for Primary Care Providers: Project ECHO™ (P6.182)

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate the feasibility of training primary care providers in the delivery of dementia care in New Mexico using the Project ECHO ™ model. BACKGROUND: Aging of the baby boom generation is creating an epidemic of dementia. Concern for adequate delivery of dementia care, including diagnosis, treatment and management, has prompted calls for more professionals, more training and more resources to handle this need. Project ECHO ™ , a lifelong learning and guided practice model revolutionizes medical education and exponentially increases workforce capacity to provide best-practice specialty care and reduce health disparities. The University of New Mexico applied this model of distance education to the scarcity of expert dementia care in our state. DESIGN/METHODS: Local experts in neurology, geriatrics, psychiatry, nursing, social work, pharmacy and from community partner NM Alzheimer Association were recruited. A network of community primary care providers, clinics, homecare and other interested professionals were identified. Biweekly multi-point videoconference virtual clinics were held over two years. Clinics consist of case presentation and discussion and a didactic on dementia-related topics. No-cost CME/CUE is an incentive. RESULTS: Two full curricular cycles are complete. Consultations were provided for 43 individuals. More than 450 hours of CME/CEU were granted. Professionals have called in from across the country and the world. Members of 15 different professional disciplines have participated. Evaluation over the term averaged 4.8 on a 1 to 5 scale. The ECHO Dementia Care Clinic serves as a platform for interprofessional education for 8 schools and programs at the University. CONCLUSIONS: The Project ECHO model has proven to be an effective tool for dementia care education and training in the state of New Mexico. The next phase, certification of Centers of Excellence in Dementia Care, is in the planning stages. Study Supported by: Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Disclosure: Dr. knoefel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Herman has nothing to disclose.
Linear Congruential Generators Do Not Produce Random Sequences

One of the most popular and fast methods of generating "random" sequence are linear congruential generators. This paper discusses the predictability of the sequence given only a constant proportion /spl alpha/ of the leading bits of the first few numbers generated. We show that the rest of the sequence is predictable in polynomial time, almost always, provided /spl alpha/ > 2/5.
Monoclonal antibody ELISA test indicates that large amounts of constitutive hsp-70 are present in salamanders, turtle and fish

1. 1. We purified hsp-70 from salamander, Plethodon cinereus, and established mouse myeloma-B lymphocyte hybridoma cell lines to produce monoclonal antibodies against hsp-70. 2. 2. An ELISA test using the monoclonal antibody allows rapid quantification of hsp-70 from tissue homogenates from large numbers of animals. 3. 3. Salamanders (P. cinereus, Eurycea bislineata, Desmognathus ochrophaeus, Ambystoma talpoidium), turtle (Trachemys scripta) and fish (Fundulus heteroclitus, Pimephales promelas) contain large amounts of constitutive hsp-70 and a small but consistent increase in hsp-70 within 1 h of heat shock. 4. 4. ELISA test indicates that there is considerable variation in hsp-70 level among individuals of a species. 5. 5. Constitutive hsp-70 is present at normal ecological temperatures and additional hsp-70 is induced at temperatures as low as 25°C in A. talpoideum.
Voice onset time differences between adult males and females: Isolated syllables

Abstract The purpose of the study was to compare the voice onset times (VOTs) produced by men and women in isolated syllable utterances. Forty male and 40 female speakers of English repeated a series of CV syllables five times each. The syllables were comprised of the plosives /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, and /g/ in combination with the vowels /ɑ/, /i/, and /u/. VOTs were measured from the middle three syllables from each series using a combination of sound spectrogram and oscillogram displays on a computer. No significant differences occurred between the VOTs of the men and women. Significant VOT differences occurred across the vowels, with the plosives before /ɑ/ having shorter VOTs than those before /i/ or /u/. In addition, the VOTs varied by place of production with longer VOTs for alveolar and velar plosives than for bilabial ones. The findings indicated that the speaker's sex was not a factor associated with VOT variability.
Specific heat ofNa0.3CoO2⋅1.3H2O: Two energy gaps, nonmagnetic pair breaking, strong fluctuations in the superconducting state, and effects of sample age

The specific heat of three samples of ${\text{Na}}_{0.3}{\text{CoO}}_{2}\ensuremath{\cdot}1.3{\text{H}}_{2}\text{O}$ shows an evolution of the superconductivity and its eventual disappearance with increasing sample age. The specific heat of two superconducting samples is characteristic of a superconductor with two energy gaps, which implies contributions of two electron bands to the Fermi surface. The changes in the specific heat are associated with a nonmagnetic pair-breaking action that progresses with sample age and acts preferentially in the band with the smaller gap to produce an increasing ``residual'' electron density of states and a shift in the relative contributions of the bands to the superconducting condensate. For the nonsuperconducting sample the pair breaking has weakened the superconducting-state electron pairing to the point that it has given way to a competing order. The similarity of the time scale for these changes to that recently reported for the formation of O vacancies suggests a relation between the two effects and the identification of the O vacancies as the pair-breaking scattering centers. Together, these effects provide an understanding of the strong sample dependence of the properties of this material. They also suggest an unusual competition between two effects of the O vacancies: enhancement of the superconductivity at low concentrations by adjusting the carrier concentration and destruction of the superconductivity at high concentrations by pair breaking. Comparison of the coefficient of the normal-state conduction-electron specific heat, ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{n}=16.1\text{ }\text{mJ}\text{ }{\text{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}\text{ }{\text{mol}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, with band-structure calculations supports the existence of the controversial ${e}_{g}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ hole pockets in the Fermi surface, in addition to the well established ${a}_{1g}$ surface. The onset of the transition to the vortex state is independent of magnetic field, suggesting the presence of unusually strong fluctuation effects. The specific-heat results and their implications for band structure and symmetry of the superconducting-state order parameter are compared with other experimental and theoretical results.
Synthesis of Metal−Semiconductor Core−Shell Nanoparticles Using Electrochemical Surface-Limited Reactions

We report the synthesis of Au/CuI and Au/CdS core-shell nanoparticle (NP) thin films using codeposition and electrochemical atomic layer deposition (EC-ALD). Au nanoparticle films were prepared on glassy carbon supports by depositing alternating layers of poly(diallyl dimethylammonium)-stabilized Au nanoparticles and CoP(2)W(17)O(61)(8-) polyoxometallate interlayers. From there, CuI was deposited onto the surface of Au nanoparticles using electrochemical atomic layer deposition, while CdS films were grown by an atom-by-atom codeposition method. The semiconductor-Au core-shell nanoparticles were characterized by electrochemistry, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Our results indicate that the semiconductors deposit onto the AuNP surface by surface limited electrochemical reactions.
Correspondence patterns: mechanisms and models of human dynamics.

A stochastic queue model of human behaviour developed on the basis of the distribution of timing of tasks, as studied in a sample of e-mail messages at a university and in the written correspondence of Albert Einstein, may not be as simple as it seems. Although this model reproduces the apparently non-Poisson distribution of correspondence delays, its interpretation is more complicated than suggested by Barabasi, who claims that humans execute their tasks based on some perceived priority, setting up queues that generate very uneven waiting-time distributions for different tasks. Such an explanation is intuitively appealing in the context of the queue metaphor, but does not exclude other mechanisms. By attributing delays in the correspondence to task priorities, this explanation ignores two important classes of mechanism that also contribute to the apparent distributions of task timings: the semantic content of an individual's correspondence and the social context in which this correspondence occurs.
Generating the maximum spanning trees of a weighted graph

Abstract The present paper contains an efficient algorithm for generating all the maximum spanning trees of a weighted graph and a polynomial time algorithm for counting them. As known, the tree representations of an acylic hypergraph are exactly the maximum spanning trees of the weighted intersection graph of its edges. Therefore, they can be generated and counted by these algorithms.
Beta-aminopropionitrile-induced dissecting aneurysms of turkeys: treatment with propranolol.

Abstract Immature turkeys were fed 0.04% propranolol and 0.07% β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) for 20 days following the feeding of 0.07% BAPN alone for 15 days (after 3 deaths had occurred from aortic ruptures). There were 2 deaths from aortic ruptures (8.3%) among 24 turkeys fed BAPN-propranolol, and 73.8% mortality from aortic ruptures among those fed BAPN alone. Aortic ruptures resulted from dissecting aneurysms. The feeding of propranolol alone caused no deaths from dissecting aneurysms. There was hypotension and bradycardia among turkeys fed propranolol-BAPN or only propranolol. The histologic and ultrastructural architecture of the abdominal aorta was influenced by the diets consumed. There was profound alteration of the elastic fibers in the tunicae of the aorta when BAPN alone was fed for the entire trial. Alterations of aortic elastic fibers were much less severe when both BAPN and propranolol were fed. The tensile strengths of aortic tissue were highest in turkeys fed only propranolol, and lowest in poults fed only BAPN. Tensile strengths of aortas of turkeys fed BAPN and propranolol were 1.5 times higher than the strengths of arotas of birds fed only BAPN. The efficacy of propranolol as a beta adrenergic blocking agent was indicated by lack of influence of isoproterenol on blood pressure and heart rate of propranolol-treated turkeys. In consideration of the abrupt cessation of mortality that followed propranolol treatment, it is possible that the beneficial therapeutic results achieved with the drug resulted from its influence on both the myocardium and the aorta.
Sodium Atoms in the Lunar Exotail: Observed Velocity and Spatial Distributions

The lunar sodium tail extends long distances due to radiation pressure on sodium atoms in the lunar exosphere. Our earlier observations determined the average radial velocity of sodium atoms moving down the lunar tail beyond Earth along the Sun-Moon-Earth line (i.e., the anti-lunar point) to be 12.4 km/s. Here we use the Wisconsin H-alpha Mapper to obtain the first kinematically resolved maps of the intensity and velocity distribution of this emission over a 15 x times 15 deg region on the sky near the anti-lunar point. We present both spatially and spectrally resolved observations obtained over four nights around new moon in October 2007. The spatial distribution of the sodium atoms is elongated along the ecliptic with the location of the peak intensity drifting 3 degrees east along the ecliptic per night. Preliminary modeling results suggest that the spatial and velocity distributions in the sodium exotail are sensitive to the near surface lunar sodium velocity distribution and that observations of this sort along with detailed modeling offer new opportunities to describe the time history of lunar surface sputtering over several days.
50ème anniversaire de la production d’électricité à partir de réacteurs à eau légère Apports de la science des matériaux à l’essor de ces réacteurs

Le premier reacteur nucleaire a eau legere dedie a la production d'electricite a ete mis en service a Shippingport aux Etats-Unis en 1957, et a alimente la ville de Pittsburgh. Le 50 eme anniversaire de cet evenement est l'occasion de rendre hommage aux hommes et aux femmes qui ont fait de ce type de reacteur l'une des sources majeures d'energie pour l'humanite, et l'une des solutions les plus efficaces pour combattre le changement climatique en ce debut de 21 eme siecle. Le present article participe a cet hommage dans le domaine de la Recherche et Developpement (R&D). On y decrit le role de la R&D dans l'essor des reacteurs a eau legere au travers de quelques exemples qui jalonnent les 50 dernieres annees. Ils ont trait aux apports de la science des materiaux dans la fabrication et l'exploitation du composant le plus important en termes de surete dans ces reacteurs: la cuve. Chacun d'eux illustre la volonte et l'engagement d'equipes qui ont cherche a ouvrir des voies de progres dans des domaines aussi divers que la siderurgie, la chaudronnerie, la mecanique des materiaux, la comprehension des effets d'irradiation, etc. Pas a pas, ces exemples exposent une partie des connaissances et des outils qui contribuent a la surete des cuves des reacteurs a eau legere actuels et/ou qui aideront a definir les cuves des nouvelles generations de reacteur. Ils montrent aussi que l'industrie nucleaire est l'un des secteurs ou les solutions techniques sont systematiquement renforcees par une connaissance tres fine des phenomenes mis en jeu.
Post-translational Modification of Pregnane X Receptor

Pregnane x receptor (PXR, NR1I2) was originally characterized as a broad spectrum entero-hepatic xenobiotic 'sensor' and master-regulator of drug inducible gene expression. A compelling description of ligand-mediated gene activation has been unveiled in the last decade that firmly establishes this receptor's central role in the metabolism and transport of xenobiotics in mammals. Interestingly, pharmacotherapy with potent PXR ligands produces several profound side effects including decreased capacities for gluconeogenesis, lipid metabolism, and inflammation; likely due to PXR-mediated repression of gene expression programs underlying these pivotal physiological functions. An integrated model is emerging that reveals a sophisticated interplay between ligand binding and the ubiquitylation, phosphorylation, SUMOylation, and acetylation status of this important nuclear receptor protein. These discoveries point to a key role for the post-translational modification of PXR in the selective suppression of gene expression, and open the door to the study of completely new modes of regulation of the biological activity of PXR.
Caring touch and anxiety in myocardial infarction patients in the intermediate cardiac care unit.

Abstract The experience of myocardial infarction is a profoundly stressful event in a person's life. High anxiety levels have been observed in the myocardial infarction (MI) patient during the acute coronary care period and at the time of transfer from the coronary care unit to the intermediate cardiac care unit. The nurse is in a position to manipulate the patient and/or the environment to reduce or eliminate anxiety through the use of touch. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the relationship between the type of touch and anxiety experienced by the myocardial infarction patient in the intermediate cardiac care unit. The subjects were male and female patients of any presenting age having sustained an acute myocardial infarction who were transferred from the coronary care unit to the intermediate cardiac care unit. The sample (N = 40) was systematically assigned to study groups. A comparative group received procedural touch while the experimental group received caring touch. State anxiety was measured both pre-touch and post-touch using the Spielberger (1970) State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data on 33 patients were analyzed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results were in the direction of the hypothesis but not at the desired level of significance. Those experiencing the greatest benefits from caring touch were patients with pre-existing coronary artery disease and men under the age of 60 years. Those experiencing the least benefit from caring touch were those touched by both significant others and the investigator, and all women. Trends in the relevant variables supported the scientific rationale, as well as the hypothesis, and previous research.
Silence analysis of AMPA receptor mutated at the CaM-kinase II phosphorylation site.

Direct phosphorylation of the GluR1 subunit of postsynaptic AMPA receptors by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-KII) is believed to be one of the major contributors to the enhanced strength of glutamatergic synapses in CA1 area of hippocampus during long-term potentiation. The molecular mechanism of AMPA receptor regulation by CaM-KII is examined here by a novel approach, silence analysis, which is independent of previously used variance analysis. I show that three fundamental channel properties—single-channel conductance, channel open probability, and the number of functional channels—can be measured in an alternative way, by analyzing the probability of channels to be simultaneously closed (silent). Validity of the approach was confirmed by modeling, and silence analysis was applied then to the GluR1 AMPA receptor mutated at S831, the site phosphorylated by CaM-KII during long-term potentiation. Silence analysis indicates that a negative charge at S831 is a critical determinant for the enhanced channel function as a charge carrier. Silence and variance analyses, when applied to the same sets of data, were in agreement on the receptor regulation upon mutations. These results provide independent evidences for the mechanism of AMPA receptor regulation by CaM-KII and further strengthens the idea how calcium-dependent phosphorylation of AMPA receptors can contribute to the plasticity at central glutamatergic synapses.
Autoinhibition of TFIIIB70 binding by the tetratricopeptide repeat-containing subunit of TFIIIC.

Abstract An important step in the assembly of RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription complexes on tRNA and 5 S genes is the interaction between the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-containing subunit of TFIIIC (TFIIIC131) and the TFIIB-related subunit of TFIIIB (TFIIIB70/Brf1). A fragment of TFIIIC131 that contains the hydrophilic amino terminus and two TPR arrays, with five and four repeats, respectively (Nt-TPR9), is sufficient to support an interaction with TFIIIB70. Here we evaluate the contribution of each TPR array to TFIIIB70 binding. Both TPR arrays bind independently to TFIIIB70 with TPR6–9 having a 4-fold higher apparent affinity than TPR1–5. However, the TPR arrays are not sufficient for a high affinity interaction with TFIIIB70. The addition of amino-terminal sequences increases the affinity of TPR1–5 18-fold to create a high affinity TFIIIB70 binding site (Nt-TPR5, 44 ± 6 nm). Although the Nt-TPR5 and TPR6–9 fragments are contained entirely within the Nt-TPR9 fragment, the affinity of the latter is significantly lower than either of these smaller fragments. The results demonstrate that the TFIIIB70 binding sites in TFIIIC131 are subject to autoinhibition. We propose that the binding of TFIIIB70 to these sites within the TFIIIC complex may proceed in an ordered fashion.
Halteria bifurcataTamar, 1968, distribution and variation, and Halteria grandinellaO. F. Müller, 1773

Summary Waters in large parts of the United States were sampled for Halteria bifurcata and Halteria grandinella. Live specimens were examined and measured by dark phase-contrast microscopy and photomicrography. The two species were mostly found together. H. bifurcata, for which measurements are provided, normally has a barb on one of its bristles number 1. Two new aberrant forms of H. bifurcata, as well as the previously reported aberrant types, are described and discussed. All the aberrant H. bifurcata forms are associated with shallow waters. Dimensions for several H. grandinella stocks are given and effects of ambient temperatures on structure are suggested.
Burst-and-coast swimming in schooling fish (Notemigonus crysoleucas) with implications for energy economy

Abstract 1. 1. The burst-and-coast behavior and tail beat frequency were analysed to determine if an energetic saving was realized for fish when swimming in formation. 2. 2. Individual Notemigonus crysoleucas were compared as they swam singly or in a school of five at 0.15 m/sec in a flow tank. 3. 3. No significant difference was found in time intervals of bursting and coasting between leading fish in the school and solitary fish. 4. 4. Trailing fish in the school were significantly different from the other fish with increased coast time and decreased burst time by 19%, which was calculated to provide a maximum energy saving of over 20%; however, higher tail beat frequencies of trailing fish indicate greater relative velocities compared to solitary or leading fish. 5. 5. These results infer that energy savings through the collective use of schooling and burst-and-coast behaviors is sacrificed.
Demotion-based exclusive caching through demote buffering: design and evaluations over different networks

Multi-level buffer cache architecture has been widely deployed in today's multiple-tier computing environments. However, caches in different levels are inclusive. To make better use of these caches and to achieve the expected performance commensurate to the aggregate cache size, exclusive caching has been proposed. Demotion-based exclusive caching [1] introduces a DEMOTE operation to transfer blocks discarded by a upper level cache to a lower level cache. In this paper, we propose a DEMOTE buffering mechanism over storage networks to reduce the visible costs of DEMOTE operations and provide more flexibility for optimizations. We evaluate the performance of DEMOTE buffering using simulations across both synthetic and real-life workloads on three different networks and protocol layers (TCP/IP on Fast Ethernet, IBNice on InfiniBand, and VAPI on InfiniBand). Our results show that DEMOTE buffering can effectively hide demotion costs. A maximum speedup of 1.4x over the original DEMOTE approach is achieved for some workloads. Speedups in the range of 1.08--1.15x are achieved for two real-life workloads. The vast performance gains results from overlapping demotions and other activities, reduced communication operations and high utilization of the network bandwidth.
Observations on the Impact of Uncertainty in Strategic Analysis

The effects of uncertainty in strategic analysis are generally not well understood, but are increasingly important in relating the strategic calculations by means of which we evaluate the adequacy of our strategic forces to the deterrence of attack in the world of real political leaders, in real crises. Assumptions must be made about many unknowns and uncertainties—ranging from the behavior of national leaders to the technical characteristics of weapons systems—in order to make the problem calculable. The assumptions we make for purposes of analysis, however, are not necessarily the same as those that political leaders can make in considering the actual use of nuclear forces. This distinction is at the root of the relationship between strategic analysis and real-world deterrence. Systematic examination of the uncertainties in strategic analysis, therefore, can help us to better understand the difference between our analytical model and the real world, and hence to put our strategic problems in better perspective.
Experimental potential functions for open and closed shell molecular ions: Adiabatic and nonadiabatic corrections in X3Σ− OH+ and X1Σ+ ArH+

Abstract We have measured 43 transitions in the pure rotational and fundamental vibrational spectra of 18 OH + . These data, together with all ground state transitions and combination differences of OH + and 16 OH + available from the literature, have been fit to an explicity internuclear distance dependent rovibrational Hamiltonian to yield several descriptions of the OH + potential function. Significant adiabatic and rotationally and vibrationally nonadiabatic corrections are required to fit all 407 isotopomeric transitions simultaneously. Similar fits are also performed on the closed shell species ArH + , yielding an approximate vibrational correction to the recently determined experimental permanent dipole moment of that ion.
Disparate Diasporas: Identity and Politics in an African-Nicaraguan Community

Disparate Diasporas: Identity and Politics in an African-Nicaraguan Community. Edmund T. Gordon. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1998. xiv. 330 pp., map, photographs, notes, acronyms, references, index.
A Finished Dietary Supplement Stimulates Lipolysis and Metabolic Rate in Young Men and Women

Background: Dietary supplements are often marketed to increase lipolysis and thermogenesis, with the proposed end result being weight loss and body fat reduction. It was the purpose of the present investigation to study the acute effects of a weight/fat loss supplement within a sample of healthy human subjects. Methods: Twelve subjects (men 24.8 ± 4.3 yrs; women 22.8 ± 0.4 yrs) ingested a dietary supplement (OxyELITE Pro™) or a placebo, on two separate days in a double-blind, cross-over design. Blood samples were collected immediately before ingestion, and at 60 and 120 minutes post ingestion, and analyzed for plasma glycerol and free fatty acids (FFA). Breath samples were collected immediately before ingestion and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post ingestion, for a measure of kilocalorie expenditure using indirect calorimetry. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded at all times and rate pressure product (RPP) was calculated. Results: AUC was greater for supplement compared to placebo for glycerol (22.74 ± 1.98 µg • mL-1 • 2 hr-1 vs. 15.76 ± 1.36 µg • mL-1 • 2 hr-1; P = 0.001), FFA (1.62 ± 0.07 mmol • L-1 • 2 hr-1 vs. 0.78 ± 0.12 mmol • L-1 • 2 hr-1; P < 0.0001), and kilocalorie expenditure (149 ± 7 kcal • 2 hr-1 vs. 122 ± 8 kcal • 2 hr-1; P = 0.005). Heart rate (P = 0.02), systolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001), and RPP (P = 0.002) were higher for supplement compared to placebo. Conclusion: Ingestion of OxyELITE Pro™ resulted in an increase in blood markers of lipolysis, as well as metabolic rate, during a two-hour post ingestion time period. An increase in hemodynamic variables was also observed. These findings are in reference to a sample of healthy men and women who were naive to treatment with the dietary supplement. Additional work is needed to determine if the acute changes observed here would persist with chronic use of the supplement and possibly lead to weight/body fat loss over time.
Early mobility in the intensive care unit: Standard equipment vs a mobility platform.

BACKGROUND: Despite the general belief that mobility and exercise play an important role in the recovery of functional status, mobility is difficult to implement in patients in intensive care units. OBJECTIVES: To compare a mobility platform with standard equipment, assessing efficiency (decreased time and staff required to prepare patient), effectiveness (increased activity time), and safety (no falls, unplanned tube removals, or emergency situations) for intensive care patients. METHODS: This observational study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from the patient or the medical decision maker. Intensive care patients were assigned to a room in the usual manner, with platforms in odd-numbered rooms and standard equipment in even-numbered rooms. Standardized data collection tools were designed to collect data for 24 hours for each patient. The nurses caring for the patients completed the data collection tools in real time during the activity. The stages of activity and the physiological states that would preclude mobility were very specifically defined for the research study. RESULTS: Data were collected for a total of 71 patients and 238 activities. Important (although not significant) descriptive statistics regarding early mobility in the intensive care unit were discovered. The unintended result of the research study was a change in the culture and practice regarding early mobility in the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: Early mobility can be implemented in intensive care units. Standard equipment can be used to mobilize such patients safely; however, for patients who ambulate, a platform may increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Isolation and structure of another hypothalamic peptide possessing MSH-release-inhibiting activity.

Abstract A second peptide with the biological activity of an MSH-release-inhibiting factor (MIF) and with the amino acid composition His 1, Arg 1, Pro 1, Gly 1, Phe 1 was isolated from bovine hypothalami. This pentapeptide, when subjected to the combined Edman-dansyl degradation, yielded the sequence Pro-His-Phe-Arg-Gly-NH 2 , which was confirmed by derivatisation and mass spectral fragmentation. A peptide of similar structure was then synthesized. The chromagraphic and electrophoretic mobilities, biological activities, and mass spectral fragmentation patterns of the synthetic and natural peptides were compared and found to be similar. These studies suggest the existence of a hypothalamic pentapeptide, H-Pro-His-Phe-Arg-Gly-NH 2 , possessing MIF-activity.
Summarizing textual information about locations

This paper describes the summarization of textual material about locations in the context of a geo-spatial information display system. Both structured data and unstructured web pages are linked to maps. When the amount of associated textual data is large, it is organized and summarized before display. A hierarchical summarization framework, conditioned on the small space available for display, has been fully implemented. A case study is conducted on a fully implemented system to show how users interact with text in an integration context. Eye-tracking results are presented to illustrate and verify the observations in case study.
Effects on growth and sporulation of inactivation of a Bacillus subtilis gene (ctc) transcribed in vitro by minor vegetative cell RNA polymerases (E-σ37, E-σ32)

The E-σ37 gene ctc was inactivated by a site-specific insertion into the Bacillus subtilis chromosome. The resulting mutation inhibited sporulation by 95% at elevated temperatures (48° C). If the ctc- mutation is placed in a strain that carries a mutation in the closely linked but distinct spoVC gene, ctc now affects both growth and sporulation at elevated temperatures. Growth of the ctc- spoVC285 strain was transiently inhibited when exponentially growing cultures were shifted from 37° C to 48° C. A similar, but less pronounced “growth lag”, was also seen in a B. subtilis strain carrying only the spoVC-285 mutation. This finding suggests that both the ctc and spoVC products function in vegetatively growing B. subtilis.
Role Overload, Role Conflict, and Stress: Addressing Consequences of Multiple Role Demands

Previous studies provide contradictory evidence regarding the relationship between multiple role demands and psychological well-being. Some of the inconsistency in this research may stem from the conceptual confusion surrounding the concepts of role overload and role conflict. This study clarifies these concepts in order to examine their effects on stress-related outcomes. A model is tested which specifies that role overload (e.g., domestic and paid work time expenditures) and role conflict (e.g., perceptions of work-family interference) affect satisfaction with various role domains (e.g., job satisfaction and marital satisfaction) which in turn influences stress (e.g., psychophysical symptoms and well-being). Covariance structure models are estimated for employed, currently married women and men. As expected, marital and job satisfaction strongly affect both psychophysical symptoms and well-being. Findings also suggest that role conflict decreases both sexes' job satisfaction and men's marital satisfaction and increases zvomen's psychophysical symptoms. Role overload does not affect role satisfaction or stress for either sex. It is concluded that perceived role conflict decreases wvomen's psychological health, but role overload does not.