cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mark-to-market and its effects on community banking during the financial crisis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of the relaxation of mark-to-market (MTM) standards on community banks’ share prices. Mark-to-market valuation of securities became increasingly common in the late 1990s and 2000s, as regulators sought to create more transparent and more current depictions of bank financial positions. However, MTM accounting may be sub-optimal in the presence of severe market frictions, such as those experienced during the financial crisis of the late 2000s. To comply with capital requirements associated with MTM accounting, banks of the late 2000s dramatically liquidated portfolios with potentially solvent assets in illiquid markets, taking huge losses. During the financial crisis, mortgage-backed securities held by banks began to plummet in value. Banks were forced to either liquidate these assets even though there were no buyers or dramatically reduce the values of their portfolios based on fire-sale prices. On a cash-flow basis, these securities had value, as ...
Multiplexed detection of protein and phosphorylation variation in response to androgen withdrawal in LNCaP cells

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 2825 The ability to measure protein concentrations and activation states from multiple proteins in a very low volume, multiplexed format would have valuable applications in cancer studies. Here we report the development of an antibody-array platform for the parallel measurement of the abundances and phosphorylation states of numerous signaling proteins using <2 µl of whole-cell extract per assay. With two-to-four antibodies per targeted protein, sandwich assays were developed and tested efficiently for MAP kinases, AKT, GSK3B, SHIP, androgen receptor (AR), Smad family proteins, STAT5, TGFb, and HIF1A in a study of androgen-related signaling. In addition, the phosphorylation levels of those proteins were assessed using either pan-specific phospho-serine, phospho-threonine, or phospho-tyrosine antibodies, or antibodies against specific protein phosphorylation sites. Various slide blocking reagents, cell lysis buffers, and cell lysate concentrations were tested to optimize the specificity and sensitivity of the assay. Changes in the protein levels and phosphorylation states of the targeted proteins were examined in response to androgen withdrawal and di-hydrotestosterone re-stimulation of LNCaP, an androgen-dependent prostate cancer cell line. AR and Smad4 protein levels were steadily repressed after androgen withdrawal (using charcoal/dextran-treated serum), relative to control cells grown in normal serum, and AR protein levels but not Smad4 levels were restored after androgen re-stimulation. AKT protein levels dropped after androgen withdrawal and rose after about nine days, but its phospho-protein levels initially rose, then dropped (in replicate assays). Other proteins showed less dramatic but consistent androgen-related variation. These results give preliminary insights into different pathway responses to androgen withdrawal and re-stimulation and a possible shift from cell-survival activation after extended androgen withdrawal. These results also demonstrate the usefulness of miniaturized, multiplexed methods for measuring both protein and phosphorylation levels in parallel immuno-assays. [Supported by MTTC GR687 and U54DA021519]
Adhesive Shear Strength of Impact Ice

A quasistatic experimental technique was developed to determine the adhesive shear strength of impact ices formed inside an icing wind tunnel. Parametric studies were carried out to determine the dependence of the adhesive shear strength with various factors: 1) tunnel air temperature, 2) wind speed, 3) water drop size, 4) substrate material, 5) substrate surface roughness, and 6) substrate/imp act ice interface temperature. The adhesive shear strength property was found to be statistical in nature, and on the average the mean varies between 17 and 60 psi (0.12-0.41 MPa) for rime and glaze ice, respectively. The property is also found to be strongly dependent on substrate surface roughness and substrate/impact ice interface temperature above 25°F ( —3.9°C). There is a weak statistical linear correlation between wind speed and droplet size (momentum), but the shear strength appears to be independent of tunnel air temperature, accreted thickness, and substrate material used. Comparison is made with values obtained by other investigators and differences are discussed.
Dental caries pathogenicity: a genomic and metagenomic perspective

In this review we address the subject of dental caries pathogenicity from a genomic and metagenomic perspective. The application of genomic technologies is certain to yield novel insights into the relationship between the bacterial flora, dental health and disease. Three primary attributes of bacterial species are thought to have direct impact on caries development, these include: adherence on tooth surfaces (biofilm formation), acid production and acid tolerance. Attempts to define the specific aetiological agents of dental caries have proven to be elusive, supporting the notion that caries aetiology is perhaps complex and multi-faceted. The recently introduced Human Microbiome Project (HMP) that endeavors to characterise the micro-organisms living in and on the human body is likely to shed new light on these questions and improve our understanding of polymicrobial disease, microbial ecology in the oral cavity and provide new avenues for therapeutic and molecular diagnostics developments.
Association Between Childhood Residential Mobility and Non-medical Use of Prescription Drugs Among American Youth.

Introduction Prescription drug abuse is a public health epidemic, resulting in 15,000 deaths annually. Disruption of childhood residence has been shown to increase drug-seeking behavior among adolescents; however, little research has explored its association specifically with non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD). The objective of the study was to measure the association between residential mobility and NMUPD.
Inhibition of β-Propiolactone-induced Neoplasia of the Forestomach and Large Bowel by 4-Mercaptobenzene Sulfonate in Mice and Rats

Abstract Studies have been initiated to find compounds that can trap direct-acting carcinogens within the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract and thus prevent these carcinogens from attacking tissues of the host. Sodium 4-mercaptobenzene sulfonate (4-MBSNa) is a potent nucleophile and was found to react rapidly in vitro with the direct-acting carcinogen β-propiolactone (BPL). In further investigations 4-MBSNa was shown to inhibit mutagenesis resulting from exposure of Salmonella typhimurium strain TA-100 to BPL and a second direct-acting carcinogen, N -methyl- N′ -nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine. Subsequent experiments were performed to determine if 4-MBSNa would inhibit BPL-induced carcinogenesis in vivo . In the first of these, 4-MBSNa was administered by p.o. intubation to female A/J mice 5 min before p.o. administration of BPL. Under these conditions inhibition of carcinogenesis of the forestomach occurred. In a second experiment, 4-MBSNa was given by rectal intubation 5 min before BPL also administered intrarectally. Administration of BPL intrarectally produced adenomatous polyps of the large intestine. The occurrence of these neoplasms was inhibited by the prior administration of 4-MBSNa. The data presented show that 4-MBSNa has the capacity to trap direct-acting carcinogens and to inhibit the occurrence of BPL-induced neoplasia.
2LP: A double-lazy XML parser

XML is acknowledged as the most effective format for data encoding and exchange over domains ranging from the World Wide Web to desktop applications. However, large-scale adoption into actual system implementations is being slowed down due to the inefficiency of its document-parsing methods. The recent development of lazy parsing techniques is a major step towards improving this situation, but lazy parsers still have a key drawback-they must load the entire XML document in order to extract the overall document structure before document parsing can be performed. We have developed a framework for efficient parsing based on the idea of placing internal physical pointers within the XML document that allow the navigation process to skip large portions of the document during parsing. We show how to generate such internal pointers in a way that optimizes parsing using constructs supported by the current W3C XML standard. A double-lazy parser (2LP) exploits these internal pointers to efficiently parse the document. The usage of supported W3C constructs to create internal pointers allows 2LP to be backward compatible-i.e., the pointer-augmented documents can be parsed by current XML parsers. We also implemented a mechanism to efficiently parse large documents with limited main memory, thereby overcoming a major limitation in current solutions. We study our pointer generation and parsing algorithms both theoretically and experimentally, and show that they perform considerably better than existing approaches.
Costs and Benefits of Foraging Alone or in Mixed-Species Aggregations for Forster's Terns

Abstract Forster's Terns (Sterna forsteri) often forage alone or within mixed- species foraging aggregations. We investigated the relative costs and benefits of these two foraging strategies. Metrics used to assess differences in strategies included the number of attempts for prey (both successful and missed), capture efficiency, and capture rate. Forster's Terns foraging socially cue on presence and behavior of other aggregating species, especially Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula). Joining aggregations significantly increased their capture rate, but not their capture efficiency, compared to solitarily foraging terns. However, total aggregation size, influenced primarily by the two most abundant species, Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla) and Snowy Egrets, affected tern behavior. For example, diving terns often collided with Laughing Gulls, causing frequent missed attempts for socially foraging individuals. Thus, large aggregation sizes had a negative effect on foraging success, perhaps because of interference ...
Using Home Gardens to Decipher Health and Healing in the Andes

Home gardens are a pervasive component of Andean agricultural systems, but have been ignored in anthropological and agronomic research. Recent research in the indigenous community of Saraguro, Ecuador, employed a combination of in-depth interviews, free-listing, videotaped walk-throughs, and mapping to explore the role of home gardens, which are established and controlled by women. Findings reveal that, although gardens offer multiple benefits, they are overwhelmingly devoted to the cultivation of medicinal plants, operating as de facto medicine cabinets that supply women with most of the resources they need to treat family illnesses. Results also suggest that the natural history of home gardens mirrors transformations within the family, and that Saraguro women study the contents of their neighbors' gardens, using this knowledge as a foundation for deciphering the owners' economic and health status. New threats to the sustainability of home gardens threaten the foundation of Saraguro's ethnomedical system and women's authority in the home and community. [ethnobotany, gardens, Ecuador, women healers, family health] A l humans remake the world in their own image, transforming land- and seascapes into domestic, production, and ritual spaces. Perhaps, then, one might gain insights about individuals or groups by examining how and why people remodel the natural world. Our research in the Ecuadorian highlands suggests that the environment of the huerta, or home garden, illuminates some critical dynamics of a household. In particular, we argue that the home garden embodies a family's health needs, and stands as a tangible and conspicuous affirmation of a woman's identity as family health provider. In the literature, home gardens are alternately termed house, kitchen, or dooryard gardens. We adopt the term home garden to place emphasis on the domestic focus of these plots and to avoid conveying a misleading impression that such gardens
Optimization of 2D median filtering algorithm for VLIW architecture

Recently, several commercial DSP processors with VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word) architecture were introduced. The VLIW architectures offer high performance over a wide range of multimedia applications that require parallel processing. In this paper, we implement an efficient 2D median filter for VLIW architecture, particularly for Texas Instrument C62x VLIW architecture. Median filter is widely used for filtering the impulse noise while preserving edges in still images and video. The efficient median filtering requires fast sorting. The sorting algorithms were optimized using software pipelining and loop unrolling to maximize the use of the available functional units while meeting the data dependency constraints. The paper describes and lists the optimized source code for the 3 X 3 median filter using an enhanced selection sort algorithm.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Antibody-catalyzed cleavage of the D-Ala-D-Lac depsipeptide: An immunological approach to the problem of vancomycin resistance

Vancomycin resistance is currently a major healthcare problem. The development of a catalytic monoclonal antibody (mAb) that hydrolyzes the D-Ala-D-Lac depsipeptide provides a potentially novel antibiotic strategy. A phosphonate hapten design was used to program antibody catalysis. The characteristics of the hapten were shown to be important for obtaining a viable immune response and several catalytic mAbs that cleave a peptidoglycan model substrate. The best mAb afforded a >500-fold rate enhancement over background.
Improving Access to Care and Clinical Outcome for Pediatric Behavioral Problems: A Randomized Trial of a Nurse-Administered Intervention in Primary Care

ABSTRACT:Objective:To determine the effectiveness of an on-site modular intervention in improving access to mental health services and outcomes for children with behavioral problems in primary care relative to enhanced usual care. The study includes boys and girls from six primary care offices in me
Electromagnetic dissociation of Au targets by relativistic Pb projectiles

Abstract Electromagnetic Dissociation (ED) occurs in collisions of relativistic heavy ions involving impact parameters larger than the nuclear interaction radius. In such collisions strong electromagnetic fields acting at the nucleus can produce, for high charges and ultrarelativistic energies, cross sections much larger than the total nuclear interaction cross section. In ED collisions absorption of a virtual photon generally leads to excitation of a nuclear giant resonance. The NA53 experiment studied ED by bombarding Au targets with 158 GeV/nucleon Pb projectiles from the SPS accelerator. Preliminary values of σ ED for the one- and two-neutron removal processes were determined to be 26.4 ± 4.0 and 4.6 ± 0.7 barns, respectively. Theoretical predictions for σ ED were calculated including the effects of both the E1 and E2 giant resonances. The calculations are extended to energies planned for heavy ion collisions at the RHIC and LHC colliders.
Accretion Disk Structure and Orientation in the Lensed and Microlensed Q0957+561 Quasar

Because quasars are unresolved in optical imaging, their structures must currently be inferred. Gravitational microlensing offers the possibility of producing information about the luminous structure provided that the Einstein ring diameter of the microlensing particle is comparable to or smaller than the radiating quasar components. Particularly interesting is the case of multiple-image gravitational lenses, where differences in the brightness histories of the multiple images can reveal the presence of the microlensing particles and allow inferences about the quasar's structure. The long brightness history measured for the Q0957 quasar has been analyzed previously for information about the microlensing particles, and evidence for the existence of a cosmologically significant population of planetary-mass particles has been reported. The microlensing results have also directly determined the sizes of the ultraviolet light emitting surfaces in the quasar. Autocorrelation analysis of the same brightness record has produced evidence for complex structure in the quasar; if the quasar suddenly brightens today, it is probable that it will brighten again after 129, 190, 540, and 620 days. We interpret these lags as the result of luminous structure around the quasar, and in particular we interpret them in the context of the Elvis model of the quasar's structure. We find that the autocorrelation peaks imply that beyond the luminous inner edge of the accretion disk, the biconic structures of the Elvis model must lie at a radial distance of 2 × 1017 cm from the black hole, and 2 × 1016 cm above and below the plane of the accretion disk. The quasar is apparently inclined 55° to the line of sight. A second possible solution with lower inclination and larger structure is also indicated but statistically less probable.
Studies of the cell walls of Schizophyllum commune.

Mechanically isolated cell wall materials of eight strains of Schizophyllum commune were studied by chemical and enzymatic procedures. Isolated wall material of each strain was separated by chemical methods into three fractions: A (cold alkali soluble, amorphous), B (warm alkali-soltuble, amorphois), and C (alkali-insoluble, retaining appearance of hyphal fragrrents). Chemical tests indicated the presence of chitin in Fraction C and the absence of cellulose, lignin and pectic substances from all fractions. Analyses of acid hydrolysates indicated the presence of glucose in Fractions A, B and C, of hexosamine in Fraction C and the absence of galactose, mannose, 6-deoxyhexoses, xylose and other pentoses from all fractions. - Unfractionated material, Fraction A and Fraction B were slightly attacked by comTrercial cellulase whereas Fraction C was heavily attacked. Commercial chitinase by itself did not attack Fraction C or unfractionated material to a significant extent. In the presence of cellulase, it was active upon Fraction C. Qualitative differences in cell wall composition between strains were not detected; however, quantitative differences were observed in the proportion of Fraction A and Fraction C as well as in the amount of the various breakdown products in certain strains. It is visualized that the cell wall of this fungus consists of a core of chitin covered by or intermeshed with glucose-containing polymers.
Release of the herpes simplex virus 1 protease by self cleavage is required for proper conformation of the portal vertex.

Abstract We identify an NLS within herpes simplex virus scaffold proteins that is required for optimal nuclear import of these proteins into infected or uninfected nuclei, and is sufficient to mediate nuclear import of GFP. A virus lacking this NLS replicated to titers reduced by 1000-fold, but was able to make capsids containing both scaffold and portal proteins suggesting that other functions can complement the NLS in infected cells. We also show that Vp22a, the major scaffold protein, is sufficient to mediate the incorporation of portal protein into capsids, whereas proper portal immunoreactivity in the capsid requires the larger scaffold protein pU L 26. Finally, capsid angularization in infected cells did not require the HSV-1 protease unless full length pU L 26 was expressed. These data suggest that the HSV-1 portal undergoes conformational changes during capsid maturation, and reveal that full length pU L 26 is required for this conformational change.
Results of surgical management for posterior cerebral artery aneurysms: 7-year experience in the endovascular era.

Purpose Unlike most posterior circulation aneurysms, posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysms can be surgically approached, we believe, without significant technical difficulty or procedural morbidity. We report our recent experience to assess procedural complications and clinical outcomes for PCA aneurysms.
Theoretical Investigation of Electrocyclic Ring Closure Reactions in Bis(aryloxy)bis(η2-iminoacyl)zirconium and Isoelectronic Complexes

A theoretical investigation of the ligand coupling reactions in the isoelectronic series (HO)2Zr(η2-CHO)2, 9, (HO)2Zr(η2-CHNH)2, 10, and (HO)2W(η2-HCCH)2, 11, has been carried out at the hybrid density functional level of theory. The structures of 9−11 and their experimentally observed analogues are isolobal to 20-valence-electron species of the form Cp2M(η2-L)2 which have previously been shown to have a Cp2M(η2-L)(η1-L) structure. Our calculations show that the bent geometry of the (HO)2M fragment greatly reduces metal−oxygen π-overlap in two of the four metal−oxygen π-interactions, which allows the (HO)2M metal fragment to bind two ligands in an η2-fashion without exceeding coordinative saturation at the metal. The mechanism of formyl, iminoformyl, and acetylene coupling in 9−11 follows a path in which the coordinated ligands undertake a scissors-like motion that pulls the carbon atoms away from the metal and toward one another. In agreement with experimental observations, formyl coupling in 9 occurs mo...
Governing the ungovernable: The challenge of a global disaggregation of authority

The processes of globalization have led to a proliferation of spheres of authority and significant challenges for global governance. In this paper is discussed the concept of spheres of authority, the factors that encourage their proliferation, and the prospects for global governance in a world of disaggregated authority. The proliferation of spheres of authority does not mean that global governance is impossible, but that it will not result from a global government. Instead, governance will emerge from the interaction of overlapping spheres of authority; regulation will be achieved not through centralized authority but through the spread of norms, informal rules, and regimes.
DBH, MHPG, and MAO in children with depressive, anxiety, and conduct disorders: Relationship to diagnosis and symptom ratings

Abstract Plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), plasma dopamine- β -hydroxylase (DBH) activity, and platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) were obtained in 42 boys (7–14 years old) consecutively evaluated at a community mental health clinic. The boys were diagnosed according to DSM-III criteria by a child psychiatrist using a semistructured interview with the parent and child. The Revised Behavior Problem Checklist (RBPC) and the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) were consecutively obtained on the last 24 subjects. No relationship of any of the plasma measures was found with respect to the DSM-III diagnoses. Plasma MHPG was positively correlated with the parent's rating of the child's anxiety on the Anxiety-Withdrawal factor of the RBPC. Plasma MHPG, as well as platelet MAO activity, correlated positively with the child's self-rating of anxiety on the RCMAS. Children classified by the RBPC as having high conduct symptoms and low anxiety symptoms had significantly lower plasma MHPG than those subjects with low conduct problems and high anxiety. Platelet MAO activity was found to be negatively correlated to the child's score on the Lie Scale of the RCMAS.
An in silico DNA cloning experiment for the biochemistry laboratory

This laboratory exercise introduces students to concepts in recombinant DNA technology while accommodating a major semester project in protein purification, structure, and function in a biochemistry laboratory for junior- and senior-level undergraduate students. It is also suitable for forensic science courses focused in DNA biology and advanced high school biology classes. Students begin by examining a plasmid map with the goal of identifying which restriction enzymes may be used to clone a piece of foreign DNA containing a gene of interest into the vector. From the National Center for Biotechnology Initiative website, students are instructed to retrieve a protein sequence and use Expasy's Reverse Translate program to reverse translate the protein to cDNA. Students then use Integrated DNA Technologies' OligoAnalyzer to predict the complementary DNA strand and obtain DNA recognition sequences for the desired restriction enzymes from New England Biolabs' website. Students add the appropriate DNA restriction sequences to the double-stranded foreign DNA for cloning into the plasmid and infecting Escherichia coli cells. Students are introduced to computational biology tools, molecular biology terminology and the process of DNA cloning in this valuable single session, in silico experiment. This project develops students' understanding of the cloning process as a whole and contrasts with other laboratory and internship experiences in which the students may be involved in only a piece of the cloning process/techniques. Students interested in pursuing postgraduate study and research or employment in an academic biochemistry or molecular biology laboratory or industry will benefit most from this experience.
Four dimensions and reference “frames”: Some operational interpretations

Operational interpretations of the four-dimensionality of our universe and of the reference “frames” of relativity theory are presented. The interpretations display a property intriguingly similar to the Pauli exclusion principle of quantum physics.
Ethical Issues in Government Sponsored Public Health Campaigns

Health communications campaigns are a major strategy used by governments to promote health. This article discusses key issues in the ethics of health communications campaigns, including the compatibility of health campaigns with the principle of respect for autonomy and how conflicts with this principle can be justified. Five potential justifications for state-sponsored health communications campaigns are reviewed: the public's health as an independent value; collective efficiency and majoritarian preferences; third party or state's interests; harm to the health of others; and countering the short-term contingencies of a market.
Motivational Interviewing Tailored Interventions for Heart Failure (MITI-HF): Study Design and Methods

Objective Lack of engagement in self-care is common among patients needing to follow a complex treatment regimen, especially patients with heart failure who are affected by comorbidity, disability and side effects of poly-pharmacy. The purpose of Motivational Interviewing Tailored Interventions for Heart Failure (MITI-HF) is to test the feasibility and comparative efficacy of an MI intervention on self-care, acute heart failure physical symptoms and quality of life.
1500 km transmission over NZ-DSF without in-line or post-compensation of dispersion for 38×10.7 Gbit/s channels

Dispersion-limited DWDM transmission at 10.7 Gbit/s with 38 channels at the worst-case long-wavelength end of the C-band is demonstrated up to 1500 km without optical in-line or post-compensation. Duobinary modulation, MLSE-EDC, and NZ-DSF are combined to achieve practical distances with a simple system well-suited to optical networking.
Evaluating verbose query processing techniques

Verbose or long queries are a small but significant part of the query stream in web search, and are common in other applications such as collaborative question answering (CQA). Current search engines perform well with keyword queries but are not, in general, effective for verbose queries. In this paper, we examine query processing techniques which can be applied to verbose queries prior to submission to a search engine in order to improve the search engine's results. We focus on verbose queries that have sentence-like structure, but are not simple "wh-" questions, and assume the search engine is a "black box." We evaluated the output of two search engines using queries from a CQA service and our results show that, among a broad range of techniques, the most effective approach is to simply reduce the length of the query. This can be achieved effectively by removing "stop structure" instead of only stop words. We show that the process of learning and removing stop structure from a query can be effectively automated.
A layout abstraction for user-system interface

The strict separation of the functionality of a system from the user-system interface is considered as a reasonable design principle. One promising way to enforce the separation is to supply the system designer with a "user interface toolkit", a set of integrated software tools for implementing the user-system interface. The difficulty resides in determining the "right" abstractions to be implemented by the toolkit. So far, there is no satisfactory answer to this problem, only propositions. Little has been proposed for object-oriented I/O as a toolkit facility. Yet, applications are currently bound to express I/O in terms of low level abstractions. As a result, they are in charge of tasks that are irrelevant to their functionality. In this paper, we propose the Box as a mechanism to permit applications to handle I/O in terms of their own abstractions and to be relieved from irrelevant tasks. The box mechanism has been implemented and integrated in a user interface toolkit.
Self-advertisement: relations to dominance in black-billed magpies

Etude, chez Pica pica hudsonia, du comportement antipredateur. Cette etude est realisee en prenant en compte le statut social des individus ayant ce comportement dans les volees
Is use of the intraaortic balloon pump in octogenarians justified

Increasing numbers of octogenarians are seen in the operating room or critical care unit with circumstances for which intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) assistance is appropriate, but it has been suggested that the complication rate for IABP use in octogenarians is excessive. From 1980 to 1990, 25 octogenarians needed an IABP in our institution, as an adjunct to operation in 20 patients (1 had repair of a ventricular rupture and 19 underwent coronary grafting); 5 patients did not have operation. The indications for IABP use were unstable angina, 12 (48%); cardiogenic shock, 10 (40%); and difficulty weaning off cardiopulmonary bypass, 3 (12%)--these 3 were the only ones who had insertion through a femoral cut-down. No serious insertion difficulties were noticed with the percutaneous route in the other 22 patients. Without operation, 4 of 5 patients died in the hospital (80%), and the 5th died 2 years 8 months after discharge. After operation, there were two hospital deaths (10%) and two late deaths, neither from cardiac causes. A fatal outcome occurred in 6 of 9 patients with cardiogenic shock. Intraaortic balloon pump-related complications were rare, minor, and unrelated to IABP assistance duration, which ranged from 24 to 146 hours (mean, 49.9 hours). No long-term vascular complications resulted. Hospital stay averaged 22.2 days. At follow-up from 9 to 81 months (mean, 51.8 months), of the 16 survivors, 12 (75%) were in New York Heart Association class I/II and 2 each were in classes III and IV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Inhibition of cell-free protein synthesis initiation by amphetamine: association with reduction in tRNA aminoacylation.

Summary Using homologous initiating and non-initiating protein synthesis systems prepared from rabbit reticulocytes, it was found that 4 to 10 mM amphetamine preferentially inhibited initiation-dependent amino acid incorporation without affecting elongation, in agreement with previous results using wheat germ initiating and rat elongating systems. A test of several para-substituted amphetamines yielded an order of potency p OH p F ≅ amphetamine p Cl p Br. Over the same concentration range at which these compounds inhibited protein synthesis, they proportionately inhibited aminoacylation of tRNA, suggesting that this may be responsible for their inhibitory action on protein synthesis.
Outcome of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube placement for nutritional support in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients

Abstract Purpose: Gastrointestinal function is adversely affected in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients. The most common abnormality is delayed gastric emptying. Among the options for postpyloric feeds, direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) provides a permanent, reliable, and direct access to the small bowel and can be used for full enteral feedings, thus eliminating the need for parenteral nutrition. Patients and Methods: All patients who underwent direct PEJ tube placement while mechanically ventilated in the intensive care unit (ICU) were evaluated. For each patient the following factors were identified: age, indication for ICU admission and PEJ placement, nutritional support before and after PEJ placement, calories received, complications, and outcome. Results: Seventeen patients underwent the procedure. All had successful placement of direct PEJ tube. There was a single complication. Within 24 hours of PEJ placement, 16 of 17 patients tolerated jejunal feedings. All patients progressed to their established nutritional goals. There were no cases of aspiration of enteral feedings. In the 16 patients, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was not required once PEJ tubes were placed. Thirteen patients were discharged home or to a rehabilitation facility with jejunal feedings. Conclusions: Direct PEJ placement is a safe and reliable device that can be successfully placed in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. With this procedure, all patients can meet their nutritional requirements and eliminate the need for TPN. Copyright © 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company
Internal focus as a subset of attention.

Abstract This report attempts to marshall more evidence on internal focus of attention in humans. The theoretical model used capitalizes on changes in EEG states as the dependent variable and a verbal command of the experimenter to start alpha generation as the independent variable, in order to predict internal focus of attention.
Response of sliding structures to harmonic support motion

The problem of response of a single degree of freedom structure supported on a sliding foundation and subjected to harmonic support motions is considered. The non-linear governing equations of motion are derived. It turns out that these equations are linear in each sliding and non-sliding phase and can be solved in closed forms in each phase. The equations for evaluation of the beginning and ending times of different phases are also formulated and solved numerically. The response for different coefficients of friction and various levels of excitation is evaluated and presented graphically. It is concluded that sliding supports can be quite effective in isolating structures from support excitations.
Super-ion-beams and advanced target concepts for thermonuclear microbomb rocket propulsion

Abstract Expected advances in the generation of ultraintense ion beams with currents above the Alfven limit will make possible the ignition of neutron-poor advanced thermonuclear reactions suitable for thermonuclear microbomb propulsion. The superbeams can be produced by magnetically insulated multistage pulse accelerators. The high thermonuclear yields as they are desirable for an efficient propulsion system can be obtained by target staging and autocatalytic detonation. This will make possible the fast economical transportation of large payloads within the solar system.
The continuing evolution of weeds

Distinguished Economic Botanists’ address delivered 12 June 1990 at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Society for Economic Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison (delayed publication resulting from illness of the author).
Too quick? Log analysis of Quick Links from an academic library website

Purpose – To study the use of “Quick Links”, a common navigational element, in the context of an academic library website.Design/methodology/approach – Transaction log files and web server logs are analyzed over a four‐year period to detect patterns in Quick Link usage.Findings – Provides information about what Quick Links have been used over time, as well as the relationship of Quick Link usage to the rest of the library website. Finds generally that Quick Link usage is prevalent, tilted toward a few of the choices, and is drawn largely from the library homepage as referral source.Research limitations/implications – Log analysis does not include IP referral data, which limits the ability to determine different patterns of use by specific locations including services desks, off‐campus, and in‐house library usage.Practical implications – This paper is useful for website usability in terms of design decisions and log analysis.Originality/value – This paper targets a specific website usability issue over time.
In Search of the Hair-Cell Gating Spring: Elastic Properties of Ankyrin and Cadherin Repeats

Mechanotransduction in vertebrate hair cells involves a biophysically defined elastic element (the "gating spring") that pulls on the transduction channels. The tip link, a fine filament made of cadherin 23 linking adjacent stereocilia in hair-cell bundles, has been suggested to be the gating spring. However, TRP channels that mediate mechanotransduction in Drosophila, zebrafish, and mice often have cytoplasmic domains containing a large number of ankyrin repeats that are also candidates for the gating spring. We have explored the elastic properties of cadherin and ankyrin repeats through molecular dynamics simulations using crystallographic structures of proteins with one cadherin repeat or 4 and 12 ankyrin repeats, and using models of 17 and 24 ankyrin repeats. The extension and stiffness of large ankyrin-repeat structures were found to match those predicted by the gating-spring model. Our results suggest that ankyrin repeats of TRPA1 and TRPN1 channels serve as the gating spring for mechanotransduction.
Queueing analysis of polled service classes in the IEEE 802.16 MAC protocol

This paper considers the performance of the polling based service classes of IEEE 802.16 based broadband wireless access networks and develops queueing models to evaluate their delay distributions and loss rates. Both single and multiple carrier OFDMA operations are considered and models are proposed for two polling strategies. The models can be used to provide probabilistic service guarantees and explore the impact of various system parameters on the performance, thereby aiding in system design. The models are verified using simulations.
The Instability of the Work Hardened State. II. Slip in “Alien” Dislocation Distributions

Abstract : The mechanism of slip in copper crystals with extraneously deformed surfaces was investigated using an etch pit technique. Some suggestions are made as to the deformation of crystals with hard surface layers. Slip in crystals oriented for multiple glide and in polycrystals is also discussed. Experiments of the latent hardening type were carried out on copper crystals by altering the slip system during the course of deformation. Phenomena characteristic of slip in alien dislocation distributions were observed when the slip plane was changed but not when only the slip direction was altered. The stability of Stage II dislocation distributions is discussed in the light of these experiments. It is concluded that the character of slip in Stage II is determined by the geometry of the dislocation distribution. (Author)
Interpretation of the Sun's Aureole Based on Atmospheric Aerosol Models.

Theoretical calculations of forward scattered sunlight are carried out assuming single scattering. Analytic models for the altitude–size distribution of atmospheric aerosols are used of the separable form η(yr) = ρ(y)n(r), where ρ(y) is a vertical density profile and n(r) is the differential aerosol size distribution. The functions considered for n(r) include the models of Junge, Deirmendjian, a generalized distribution function, and a mathematical spline model. For ρ(y), we use an exponential model, a mixing height model involving a step function profile, and a two-term generalized distribution function. The theory is set up so that optimum fits to the experimental data at several wavelengths can be achieved by adjusting the parameters of the aerosol model. Both photoelectric and photographic measurements of daytime sky brightness are made, and the data are analyzed with several different aerosol models.
Roberts Mountains thrust relationships in a critical area, northern Sulphur Spring Range, Nevada

At the orogenic front of the Antler orogeny, the Roberts Mountains allochthon lies on Lower Mississippian Dale Canyon Formation and consists of Middle and Upper Devonian Woodruff Formation, slivers of Silurian to Lower Devonian Roberts Mountains Formation, and Ordovician Vinini Formation, in structural succession. Devonian Pilot Shale, mapped unconformably below Dale Canyon flysch, was mapped previously as allochthonous Woodruff Formation. The Vinini recognized here was also mapped previously as Woodruff. The Dale Canyon was mapped previously as Chainman Shale. Recognition of Pilot Shale here necessitates the elimination of a previously postulated thrust plate in which Woodruff was shown thrust upon Devonian carbonate rocks; it also makes more consistent the structural sequence within the Roberts Mountains allochthon along its frontal margin. Assignment of fine-grained siliciclastic turbidites in the flysch trough of the Antler foreland to the Dale Canyon Formation eliminates anomalous use of Chainman Shale as a stratigraphic term and allows its useful retention for delta-slope deposits distal to the Diamond Peak molasse. The so-called Dry Creek fault, previously interpreted to cross the mapped area, cannot be recognized. Some outcrops of Devonian carbonate rocks, previously mapped as in structural windows below Woodruff Formation, are actually Quaternary landslide blocks.
Infrared spectra, structure and bonding in the LiO2, LiO2Li, LiO and Li2O molecules in solid neon

Laser-ablated lithium atoms react with oxygen molecules, as do thermal lithium atoms, to form the LiO2 and LiO2Li ionic molecules. In addition excess energy associated with the laser ablation process fosters the endothermic reaction to give LiO and ultimately Li2O, which form in higher yield from the analogous N2O reactions. The subject molecules were trapped in solid neon and identified by isotopic shifts, comparison with earlier argon and nitrogen matrix results, and DFT frequency calculations. The observed neon–argon matrix shifts follow the molecular polarities. Molecular orbitals from theoretical analysis show the highly ionic nature of the electron distribution in the LiO2 and LiO2Li molecules.
A practical time-delay estimator for localizing speech sources with a microphone array

Abstract A frequency-domain-based delay estimator is described, designed specifically for speech signals in a microphone-array environment. It is shown to be capable of obtaining precision delay estimates over a wide range of signal-to-noise ratio conditions and is computationally simple enough to make it practical for real-time systems. A location algorithm based upon the delay estimator is then developed. With this algorithm it is possible to localize talker positions to a region only a few centimetres in diameter (not very different from the size of the source), and to track a moving source. Experimental results using data from a real 16-element array are presented to indicate the true performance of the algorithms.
Temperature regulation in emperor penguins foraging under sea ice.

Abstract Inferior vena caval (IVC) and anterior abdominal (AA) temperatures were recorded in seven emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) foraging under sea ice in order to evaluate the hypothesis that hypothermia-induced metabolic suppression might extend aerobic diving time. Diving durations ranged from 1 to 12.5 min, with 39% of dives greater than the measured aerobic dive limit of 5.6 min. Anterior abdominal temperature decreased progressively throughout dives, and partially returned to pre-dive values during surface intervals. The lowest AA temperature was 19°C. However, mean AA temperatures during dives did not correlate with diving durations. In six of seven penguins, only minor fluctuations in IVC temperatures occurred during diving. These changes were often elevations in temperature. In the one exception, although IVC temperatures decreased, the reductions were less than those in the anterior abdomen and did not correlate with diving durations. Because of these findings, we consider it unlikely that regional hypothermia in emperor penguins leads to a significant reduction in oxygen consumption of the major organs within the abdominal core. Rather, temperature profiles during dives are consistent with a model of regional heterothermy with conservation of core temperature, peripheral vasoconstriction, and cooling of an outer body shell.
Nanoparticles: Strained and Stiff

Nanoparticles may contain unusual forms of structural disorder that can substantially modify materials properties and thus cannot solely be considered as small pieces of bulk material. We have developed a method to quantify intermediate-range order in 3.4-nanometer-diameter zinc sulfide nanoparticles and show that structural coherence is lost over distances beyond 2 nanometers. The zinc-sulfur Einstein vibration frequency in the nanoparticles is substantially higher than that in the bulk zinc sulfide, implying structural stiffening. This cannot be explained by the observed 1% radial compression and must be primarily due to inhomogeneous internal strain caused by competing relaxations from an irregular surface. The methods developed here are generally applicable to the characterization of nanoscale solids, many of which may exhibit complex disorder and strain.
Work in progress — Advising tool to improve the time for graduation and the transfer of students from a community college to engineering school

The objective of this work is to demonstrate a mechanism to improve the advising of students in a nontraditional environment. We applied two project management tools designed to help the students complete their degree plan sooner. The first tool provides a visualization map of course sequences, customized for each student, making advising adjustments that will optimize the time to obtain the degree under a constrained set of resources. The second tool collects information from multiple students through several semesters and can be used to identify bottlenecks in the curriculum. This article shows the application of the first tool in our university and in the local community college. The purpose is to optimize the time for graduation and align the students before transferring to our programs.
A survey on analytic studies of Delay‐Tolerant Mobile Sensor Networks

This paper presents a survey of analytic studies on the Delay-Tolerant Mobile Sensor Network (DTMSN). We first give an overview of the analytic study on DTMSN, by identifying several key design components, that is, nodal mobility model, data delivery scheme, and queue management scheme. Then, several representative analytic models of DTMSN are exemplified and discussed in detail, with thorough comparison presented and possible open research issues enumerated. We expect that this paper will provide a deep understanding of the characteristics of DTMSN, and at the same time reveal the key design issues in its modeling and performance analysis, leading to useful insights for future theoretic study and protocol design. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.