cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quenching of Singlet Oxygen by Pyocyanin and Related Phenazines

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a human pathogen, which causes infections of various organs, including lung, skin and eye, particularly in individuals who are immunocompromised. Pyocyanin (1-hydroxy-5-methylphenazine), a cytotoxic pigment secreted by the bacterium, is among the factors that contribute to virulence of this pathogen. We have previously shown that rose bengal and riboflavin photosensitize oxidation of pyocyanin to a product(s) with diminished reactivity and toxicity. Singlet oxygen was suggested as the major oxidant, based on the inhibitory effect of sodium azide. In the present study, we used the time resolved technique to investigate direct interaction of pyocyanin and related phenazines (1-hydroxyphenazine [1-OH-Phen], 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazine [1-MeO-PCN] and phenazine methosulfate [PMS]) with (1)O(2). The rate constants for the (1)O(2) quenching (physical + chemical) by pyocyanin and 1-OH-Phen in D(2)O buffer (pD approximately 7.2) have been determined to be 4.8 x 10(8) and 6.8 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. 1-MeO-PCN and PMS were markedly less efficient (1)O(2) quenchers. Among the phenazines studied only phenazine methosulfate photogenerated (1)O(2) (Phi((1)O(2)) = 0.56 in acetonitrile). Interaction of (1)O(2) with pyocyanin and other related phenazines produced by the bacteria may be important in determining the potential utility of photochemical/pharmacological approaches to eradicate P. aeruginosa from infected tissues.
Critically Questioning the Discourse of Transformative Learning Theory.

In this article, the authors critically examine the way discourse enters into and becomes embedded in transformative learning theory, especially from the extrarational or depth psychology perspective. The authors begin by providing an overview of how transformative learning theory has developed in diverse directions, including the extrarational approach. In this latter perspective, concepts from depth psychology tend to be used to describe transformative learning, without there being a critical analysis or a common understanding of the meaning of these concepts. By treating knowledge about transformative learning as practical knowledge (from the perspective of Habermas’s framework), the authors are able to critically question the knowledge claims inherent in the discourse within the extrarational approach to transformative learning theory development.
Bifurcations and edge oscillations in the semiconductor Fabry-Pérot interferometer

Abstract We show how spatially inhomogeneous pumping generates edge oscillations in a model of photoexcited carrier density and temperature in the cavity of a semiconductor Fabry-Perot interferometer. Two bifurcation mechanisms that destabilize standing pulses are found. Under the simplification of homogeneous pumping, one yields traveling pulses while the other is a pitchfork of standing pulses. Restoring inhomogeneous pumping converts both to Hopf bifurcations, producing in-phase and out-of-phase edge oscillations.
Measuring defect depths by thermal-wave imaging

We describe a thermal wave technique for making defect depth determinations. Both theory and experiment are presented, and the results are compared. Examples of defects having different lateral dimensions and boundary conditions are given.
Meal patterns following changes in procurement cost for rats with fornix transection

The purpose of the present study was to explore the effects of a varied procurement cost on the foraging behavior of rats with fornix transection. An operant analog of foraging requirements was used to examine the feeding patterns of the animals under free feeding, low procurement cost (FR5), and high procurement cost (FR80) situations, in an environment with minimal sensory distraction. It was found that animals with fornix transection did not differ from control rats in general consumption. Both groups were also able to adapt their feeding behavior to the varied procurement cost. As the procurement cost increased, the number of meals consumed decreased while the meal duration increased. The meal patterns themselves were different for the fornix transected animals and the control group. Animals with fornix transections ate more meals over the course of a day than did control animals; their meals were of a longer duration, and their intermeal intervals were shorter than those of control animals. During the course of a meal, the rats with fornix transections took a larger number of breaks, during which they drank, explored, or engaged in activities other than eating. These differences in the feeding patterns were seen across all procurement cost levels. The data support the possibility of hippocampal involvement in behavioral organization or sequencing.
Reproductive biology: pillow talk in plants.

Flowering plants have sophisticated mating systems that determine whether a pollen suitor is accepted or rejected. Knowledge of how such systems operate has just taken two steps forward.
Nanoscale characterization of gold colloid monolayers: a comparison of four techniques.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) have been used to characterize the nanostructure of Au colloid-based surfaces. Because these substrates are composed of particles whose dimensions are known prior to assembly, they are well-suited for a critical comparison of the capabilities and limitations of each nanoscale imaging technique. The three criteria for this comparison, which are relevant to the field of nanoparticle assemblies in general, are (i) accuracy in establishing particle size, particle coverage, and interparticle spacing; (ii) accuracy in delineating surface topography; and (iii) ease of sample preparation, data acquisition, and image analysis. For colloidal Au arrays, TEM gives the most reliable size and spacing information but exhibits the greatest constraints with regard to sample preparation; in contrast, AFM is widely applicable but yields data that are t...
Permeability to Methyl Bromide of Wrappers Found on Shipments of Imported Plants

A method of determining the permeability to methyl bromide of wrappers and other materials used to ship imported plants is described. Common brown (kraft), tissue, and glazed papers, and corrugated cardboard were readily penetrated by methyl bromide and could be left intact during quarantine fumigation. Tar, laminated, and wax papers, polyethylene films, masking tape, wall-board, and several other materials had comparatively low permeability. These and parchment-type papers, which have low to intermediate permeability, should be opened or removed from the commodity as long as present schedules of fumigation are used.
Cooperation or Conflict in a Changing Arctic

The possibility of conflict among nations has dominated discussions of the future of the Arctic. Are there no opportunities for cooperation? This article explores the avenues and incentives for Arctic cooperation through the common issues outlined in the strategy statements of the five coastal Arctic states. Incentives to cooperate can be found in all the thematic areas examined: sovereignty, scientific research, resource development, shipping, and environmental concerns. Cooperation is already occurring on some salient issues. Additional cooperation may occur as issues become increasingly pressing. From this perspective, Arctic conflict is by no means inevitable. Numerous avenues for cooperation exist.
PRINClPLES IN THE VALUATION OF HUMAN CAPITAL

Human capital concepts and measures have been applied and misapplied to an increasing variety of economic problem areas, two of which are examined. One of these is measurement of human capital gains and losses through migration. First requirements here are specification of the gaining or losing entities and of the relevant welfare functions. Alternatives in these respects are outlined. It is then argued that an appropriately adapted Fisherian present-value assessment of human capital is normally the correct measure. Replacement costs are a legitimate substitute only for young migrants with little cumulated learning through experience and even then they have usually been fallaciously applied. Probability adjustments for migration and re-migration are required in both cost and present-value assessments of human capital effects of migration-relevant policy alternatives, but the nature of those adjustments differs with the measurement approach used. For longitudinal analysis of contributions of human capital to economic growth, all measures of human capital stocks are inappropriate. A first principle of such analysis is measurement of resource inputs as flows. A coordinate principle requires that disaggregation be carried as far as necessary to distinguish essentially homogeneous categories of labor inputs. Though a way of separating out the schooling versus on-the-job-experience components of human capital is illustrated, it requires some strong assumptions. Splitting men into abstracted human capital components is better avoided in growth analysis. Furthermore, categorization of labor-force sub-groups could equally well provide the basis for rate-of-return assessments of marginal changes in the pace of investments in humans. Such assessments would incorporate the main elements of capital theory except valuation of the capital asset itself. Ultimately, human resource measurements for use in major public policy decisions relating to either growth or migration (or both) must incorporate modifications or error components that allow for development phenomena that elude marginal assessments. Among developing countries especially, a consideration of educational diffusion processes and dynamic productivity scale effects, for example, could have critical measurement and policy implications.
Phonological Change and the Development of an Urban Dialect in Illinois.

The distribution of raised, nasalized variants of /ae/ in such words as hat, bag, and back in the speech of many Illinoisans cannot be explained by geographical or historical processes; rather the correlations are nearly isomorphic between raised variants of /ae/ and the size of the community in which the speaker was raised. Generally, the higher the variants, the more urban the speaker's background. Raised variants of /ae/ are discussed as they relate to contemporary sound change, to urban distributions, and to phonological context. (Urban dialects, sound change, American English, Illinois.)
Effects of Peer-Group Intervention on Metabolic Control of Adolescents With IDDM: Randomized Outpatient Study

In children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), deterioration in metabolic control frequently occurs during early adolescence. To prevent this predictable increase in blood glucose levels, we randomly assigned young adolescents with IDDM to an intervention based on problem solving with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) integrated into standard outpatient care or to standard care only for an 18-mo period. At follow-up, 50% of the standard-care adolescents exhibited greater than 1% increase in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) levels over baseline values, indicating a deterioration in metabolic control, compared to only 23% of the intervention group. Follow-up HbA1 means +/- SD were 10.10 +/- 2.00% for intervention and 11.04 +/- 2.28% for standard-care adolescents, indicating a significantly lower value in the intervention group (P = .04). At follow-up, a greater percentage of intervention than standard-care adolescents reported using SMBG information when they exercised (60.0 vs. 33.3%, chi 2 = 4.29, P = .04). Our data suggest that clinic-based problem-solving groups can be more effective with young adolescents with IDDM than conventional treatment in preventing the expected deterioration in blood glucose.
Adipose tissue content, muscle performance and physical function in obese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

Aims To determine leg intermuscular (IMAT) and subcutaneous (SQAT) adipose tissue and their relationships with muscle performance and function in obese adults with and without type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (T2DMPN).
Algorithmic fusion of gene expression profiling for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma outcome prediction

Many different methods and techniques have been investigated for the processing and analysis of microarray gene expression profiling datasets. It is noted that the accuracy and reliability of the results are often dependent on the measurement approaches applied, and no single measurement so far is guaranteed to generate a satisfactory result. In this paper, an algorithmic fusion approach is presented for extracting genes that are predictive to clinical outcomes (survival-fatal) of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on a set of microarray data for gene expression profiling. The approach integrates a set of measurements from different aspects in terms of the discrepancy indications and merit expectations of the gene expression patterns with respect to the clinical outcomes. A combination of statistical and nonstatistical criteria, continuous and discrete parameterizations, as well as model-based and modeless evaluations is applied in the approach. By integrating these measurements, a set of genes that are indicative to the clinical outcomes are better captured from the gene expression profiling dataset.
Dyeing Characteristics of Acala Cotton Seed Fibers

The dyeing characteristics of fibers from three Acala cotton varieties, i.e., Maxxa, SJ-2, and SJC-9, are investigated using direct and reactive dyestuffs along with the Goldthwait cotton maturity test. Dyed and less-dyed fibers are detached from the dyed seed fibers, separated, and characterized by seed fiber weight, single fiber strength, and color measurement. With Direct Blue 1, SJC-9 fibers are dyed to the darkest shade across all seed fiber weights, whereas the Maxxa fibers have the lightest shade. The SJC-9 seed fibers have the least amounts ( ~5%) of less-dyed fibers and the proportions of such fibers are independent of seed fiber weights. For the Maxxa and SJ-2 varieties, the proportions of less-dyed fibers decrease with increasing seed fiber weights. The proportions of less-dyed Maxxa and SJ-2 fibers are above 30% on seed fibers weighing less than 100 mg and are 10% or less on seeds weighing more than 150 mg. The SJ- 2 seed fibers contain higher proportions of less-dyed fibers, but their overall...
Proactive recovery in distributed CORBA applications

Unanticipated runtime events, such as faults, can lead to missed deadlines in real-time systems. While it is not always possible to know when a fault will occur, we can sometimes exploit pre-fault "symptoms" to initiate proactive (rather than reactive) fault-recovery. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a proactive recovery strategy for distributed CORBA applications in the presence of resource-exhaustion faults. We analyze the effect of different proactive recovery schemes on client/server response times, and we demonstrate a significant reduction, both in jitter and in the number of client-side failures.
Modeling early failure in integrated circuit interconnect

Abstract A model based on the random electron–atom scattering is developed to characterize the effects of defects and grain sizes on electromigration caused failure in confined sub-micron metal interconnect lines. Our study shows that lines at sub-micron widths with a more uniform microstructure exhibit a greater consistency in time to failure. Taking mean time to failure and dispersion in time to failure as criteria, the simulator predicts that grain sizes in the 0.03–0.05 μm range are optimal for 0.125 μm wide Al alloy lines. We also argue that the early failure mechanism associated with the missing metal defects is eliminated by using a homogeneous, fine-grained material. The uniformity of the structure results in a mono-modal failure distribution and contributes to increasing the built-in reliability of the interconnect lines.
Convex hull representation of the deterministic bipartite network interdiction problem

We consider a version of the stochastic network interdiction problem modeled by Morton et al. (IIE Trans 39:3---14, 2007) in which an interdictor attempts to minimize a potential smuggler's chance of evasion via discrete deployment of sensors on arcs in a bipartite network. The smuggler reacts to sensor deployments by solving a maximum-reliability path problem on the resulting network. In this paper, we develop the (minimal) convex hull representation for the polytope linking the interdictor's decision variables with the smuggler's for the case in which the smuggler's origin and destination are known and interdictions are cardinality-constrained. In the process, we propose an exponential class of easily-separable inequalities that generalize all of those developed so far for the bipartite version of this problem. We show how these cuts may be employed in a cutting-plane fashion when solving the more difficult problem in which the smuggler's origin and destination are stochastic, and argue that some instances of the stochastic model have facets corresponding to the solution of NP-hard problems. Our computational results show that the cutting planes developed in this paper may strengthen the linear programming relaxation of the stochastic model by as much as 25 %.
Tracing the Flow of Policy Ideas in Legislatures: A Text Reuse Approach

This article proposes a new approach to investigating the substance of lawmaking. Only a very small proportion of bills become law in the U.S. Congress. However, the bills that do become law often serve as vehicles for language originating in other bills. We investigate “text reuse” methods as a means for tracing the progress of policy ideas in legislation. We then show how a focus on policy ideas leads to new insights into the lawmaking process. Although our focus is on relating content found within bills, the same methods can be used to study policy substance across many research domains
Likelihood ratio statistics based on an integrated likelihood

An integrated likelihood depends only on the parameter of interest and the data, so it can be used as a standard likelihood function for likelihood-based inference. In this paper, the higher-order asymptotic properties of the signed integrated likelihood ratio statistic for a scalar parameter of interest are considered. These results are used to construct a modified integrated likelihood ratio statistic and to suggest a class of prior densities to use in forming the integrated likelihood. The properties of the integrated likelihood ratio statistic are compared to those of the standard likelihood ratio statistic. Several examples show that the integrated likelihood ratio statistic can be a useful alternative to the standard likelihood ratio statistic.
Reverend bayes on inference engines: a distributed hierarchical approach

This paper presents generalizations of Bayes likelihood-ratio updating rule which facilitate an asynchronous propagation of the impacts of new beliefs and/or new evidence in hierarchically organized inference structures with multi-hypotheses variables. The computational scheme proposed specifies a set of belief parameters, communication messages and updating rules which guarantee that the diffusion of updated beliefs is accomplished in a single pass and complies with the tenets of Bayes calculus.
Quantitative axial oblique contrast left ventriculography: Validation of the method by demonstrating improved visualization of regional wall motion and mitral valve function with accurate volume determinations

Abstract To compare the relative merits of conventional and axial RAOLAO angiography, we performed biplane left ventricular (LV) cineangiograms in 36 patients in both the conventional 30-degree RAO60-degree LAO projection and in the axial 45-degree RAO60-degreeLAO25-degree cranial projection, in random sequence. LV volumes were calculated by a computerized system utilizing modification of the area-length method. End-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction correlated closely between the two projections ( r = 0.93, 0.95, and 0.86, respectively). The axial 60-degree LAO view projected the LV apex inferiorly, the LV outflow tract superiorly, reduced LV foreshortening, and "uncovered" the LV outflow tract in all cases. Segmental wall motion abnormalities of the ventricular septum, apex, and posterior wall were better evaluated by the axial 60-degree LAO view in patients with regional asynergy in these zones. The 45-degree RAO, compared to the 30-degree RAO view, allowed a true tangential view of the mitral valve and provided a large "clear area" between the mitral valve and descending aorta, which improved the ability to quantify mitral regurgitation. Thus, axial oblique LV angiography improves evaluation of LV regional wall motion and mitral valve function without compromising LV volume quantitation.
Next-generation sequencing analysis of gene regulation in the rat model of retinopathy of prematurity

The purpose of this study was to identify the genes, biochemical signaling pathways, and biological themes involved in the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on the RNA transcriptome of rats with the Penn et al. (Pediatr Res 36:724–731, 1994) oxygen-induced retinopathy model of ROP at the height of vascular abnormality, postnatal day (P) 19, and normalized to age-matched, room-air-reared littermate controls. Eight custom-developed pathways with potential relevance to known ROP sequelae were evaluated for significant regulation in ROP: The three major Wnt signaling pathways, canonical, planar cell polarity (PCP), and Wnt/Ca2+; two signaling pathways mediated by the Rho GTPases RhoA and Cdc42, which are, respectively, thought to intersect with canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling; nitric oxide signaling pathways mediated by two nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes, neuronal (nNOS) and endothelial (eNOS); and the retinoic acid (RA) signaling pathway. Regulation of other biological pathways and themes was detected by gene ontology using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and the NIH’s Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery’s GO terms databases. Canonical Wnt signaling was found to be regulated, but the non-canonical PCP and Wnt/Ca2+ pathways were not. Nitric oxide signaling, as measured by the activation of nNOS and eNOS, was also regulated, as was RA signaling. Biological themes related to protein translation (ribosomes), neural signaling, inflammation and immunity, cell cycle, and cell death were (among others) highly regulated in ROP rats. These several genes and pathways identified by NGS might provide novel targets for intervention in ROP.
Prognostic characteristics of surgical stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma

Abstract abPurpose: To evaluate and correlate the expression of pathologic characteristics, flow cytometric DNA content analysis, and estrogen and progesterone receptor levels with survival in patients with surgical Stage I endometrial carcinoma. Methods and Materials: Hospital tumor registry records were surveyed, and this identified 232 patients diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma between July 1, 1989, and December 30, 1993. DNA content analysis was performed on either paraffin-embedded or fresh tissue samples. Survival was calculated from the date of diagnosis by the Kaplan-Meier method. Postoperative irradiation (whole pelvis external beam therapy and low dose rate vaginal cuff brachytherapy) was delivered to patients felt to be at high risk for failure. Results: One hundred seventy-one patients had Stage I tumors and were available for analysis. Patients with Stage IC tumors had a statistically significant lower survival rate compared to patients with Stages IA or IB ( p = 0.03 and p p = 0.12). Logistic regression analysis failed to identify an independent prognostic factor that could predict for disease specific survival in patients with Stage I cancers. Conclusion: Logistic regression analysis did not identify a single independent prognostic factor in patients with Stage I tumors. Pathologic characteristics reported to predict survival advantage correlated with pathologic stage. Additional translational research is needed to identify molecular characteristics of tumors that may indicate more aggressive treatment for patients at high risk for recurrence.
Perioperative management of special populations: Immunocompromised host (cancer, HIV, transplantation)

Optimal perioperative care of the immunocompromised patient requires an understanding of the consequences of disease-specific pharmacologic therapies. The toxicity profile of these therapies can strongly influence the decision algorithms for delivering care in the perioperative period. In this manuscript, the investigators describe the potential effects of drugs commonly used for treatment of patients with cancer, HIV, or transplanted organs, and the impact of these drugs on the care of these patients in the perioperative setting. The article addresses such topics as cardiotoxicity, pulmonary toxicity, hepatotoxicity, genitourinary toxicity, neurotoxicity, myelosuppression, cutaneous toxicity, mitochondrial toxicity, lipodystrophy, hypersensitivity, and liver dysfunction. The article also describes the use of corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, sirolimus, and antimetabolites.
Emerging targeted therapies in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in United States, accounting for more than one-fourth of the deaths annually. Although comparatively rare and relatively less studied, genetic abnormalities other than epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements, and Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) mutations account for significant proportion of the driver mutations identified thus far. The targeted agents against B-rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (BRAF) V600E mutation, MNNG-HOS transforming gene (MET) pathway, ROS1 rearrangement, rearranged during transfection (RET) rearrangement, and HER2 pathways offer promising therapeutic options. Recruiting patients with these rarer mutations to well-designed, large multicenter trials to further validate the use of targeted agents remains a challenge. The clinical data and ongoing trials with these agents are reviewed in this article.
Facile radiolytic synthesis of ruthenium nanoparticles on graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes

Abstract Ruthenium nanoparticles on pristine (MWCNT) and functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNT), and graphene oxide have been prepared through a facile, single step radiolytic method at room temperature, and ambient pressure. This synthesis process relies on the interaction of high energy gamma rays from a 60 Co source with the water in the aqueous solutions containing the Ru precursor, leading to the generation of highly reducing species that further reduce the Ru metal ions to zero valence state. Transmission electron microscopy and X-Ray diffraction revealed that the nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed on the surface of the supports with an average size of ∼2.5 nm. X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed that the interaction of the Ru nanoparticles with the supports occurred through oxygenated functionalities, creating metal-oxygen bonds. This method demonstrates to be a simple and clean approach to produce well dispersed nanoparticles on the aforementioned supports without the need of any hazardous chemical.
The Era of Neuroendoscopy: Just How Far Can We Go?

euroendoscopy as a technique is a century old: in 1910, the urologist Victor Darwin Lespinasse became the N first person to directly visualize the ventricles of the brain using a cystoscope. A decade later, in 1922, Walter Dandy again used a cystoscope to visualize the lateral ventricles and perform choroid plexus cauterization (CPC). Although poor instrumentation and optics initially resulted in high rates of morbidity and mortality, neuroendoscopy continued to be used in the treatment of hydrocephalus with some regularity during the next 3 decades. In 1949, however, Nulsen and Spitz developed the valved shunt, and neuroendoscopy fell out of favor. The landscape changed dramatically in the 1960s, when endoscopes were developed that allowed for a smaller system, a wider viewing angle, greater light transmission, and improved image and color resolution compared with conventional lenses. Pioneered by neurosurgeons such as Griffith in England, Fukushima et al in Japan, and Jones et al in Australia, the 1970s and 1980s saw an expansion of indications for neuroendoscopy well beyond the treatment of hydrocephalus. For the past 20 years, neuroendoscopy has been increasingly used for a variety of indications including third ventriculostomy (ETV), CPC, septostomy, cyst fenestration, biopsy, drainage, or resection of intraventricular tumors, colloid cysts, hematoma evacuation, pituitary surgery, craniosynostosis surgery, spine surgery, and as an adjuvant in microsurgery, allowing the operating surgeon to “look around the corner.”
Intensity of treadmill walking exercise on acute mood symptoms in persons with multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACTBackground/Objectives: An acute bout of moderate-intensity treadmill walking exercise has previously been associated with improvements in overall mood disturbance and vigor, without worsening fatigue, among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).This study examined the effects of light-, moderate-, and high-intensity bouts of treadmill walking exercise on immediate and delayed mood states in MS. Design: This was a within-subjects, randomized, and counter-balanced study. Methods: 23 women and 1 man with MS undertook 20-minute bouts of light-, moderate-, and high-intensity treadmill walking, and seated quiet rest. Participants completed the profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire before, immediately after, and 45 minutes after each condition. Total mood disturbance (TMD) and six subscales of the POMS were analyzed using 2-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: There was a significant condition-by-time interaction on TMD scores () and vigor scores (). The moderate-intensity t...
Financing Foreign Affiliates: An Overview of the Canadian Proposals and the Rules in Selected Countries

This article discusses the policy aspects of the March 2007 federal budget proposals and the May 2007 revised proposals concerning the deductibility of interest expense relating to certain foreign investments. It also provides an overview of recent developments concerning the measurement and taxation of foreign income in a number of other countries. Readers should note that this article was submitted for publication in mid-September 2007. Soon after, on September 21, 2007, the Canadian and US governments concluded their negotiations on the fifth protocol to the Canada-US income tax convention, which will amend the treaty provisions on source-country taxation of certain interest income. Then, on October 2, 2007, the Department of Finance released draft legislation to implement the new interest deductibility rules, followed by a notice of ways and means motion tabled in the House of Commons on November 13, 2007. These developments are noted but not discussed in detail in the article.
Thermal Characterization of Electrosurgery

The volumetric heating response of soft tissues to electrosurgical cutting and coagulation was studied. A series of experiments was conducted with thermistor probes embedded in a surrogate medium during controlled application of the electrosurgery current. A series of temperature profiles was obtained for various thermistor probe locations. These temperature profiles were found to be linear, exponential, or double exponential, depending upon the probe-incision distance. Temperatures next to the site of tissue destruction approached 70°C, within 2 seconds of application of power. Temperature changes due to lateral heating were an order of magnitude greater than temperature changes directly under the incision. Anisotropic heat conduction was observed for muscle fibers oriented in different directions.
Covalent O-H bonds as electron traps in proton-rich rutile TiO2 nanoparticles.

The cation in the electrolyte of the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has a profound effect on electron trapping and transport behavior in TiO2 nanocrystalline film; this is one of the important factors that determines the overall efficiency of DSSCs. Here, we present a quantum mechanical investigation on the structures and energetics of proton-induced electron trap states and the thermodynamical barrier heights for the ambipolar diffusion of proton/electron pair using a large cluster model for the computations. Our calculations indicate that protons react with TiO2 to form covalent O–H bonds. This is in contrast to the reaction of Li+ with TiO2, in which case the alkali metal is more accurately described as a simple coordinating cation. The covalent O–H bonding leads both to deeper electron trap states and to significantly higher barriers for the diffusion of carriers. These results are qualitatively consistent with experimental observations, and they extend our understanding of the cation effect in DSSC...
Histochemical and immunohistochemical study of diffuse large-cell lymphomas.

Ninety diffuse large-cell lymphomas (diffuse histiocytic lymphoma) were sub-classified into B-cell, T-cell, and histiocytic types according to their enzyme histochemical and immunohistochemical characteristics. The B-cell type was characterized by presence of intracellular monoclonal immunoglobulin; negative or weakly positive diffuse acid phosphatase activity; and an occasional focal nodular pattern or preceding nodular lymphoma. The T-cell type was characterized by moderate, focal acid phosphatase activity; convoluted nuclear structure; and frequent preceding cutaneous manifestations. The histiocytic type was characterized by strong nonspecific esterases and diffuse acid phosphatase activity and presence of lysozyme and phagocytic activity. Most of the lesions (74 cases) were of the B-cell type. This group was further subdivided into follicular center cell type and B-cell immunoblastic sarcoma, according to the stage of cellular transformation. Preliminary clinical correlation suggests that the histiocytic type is most resistant to treatment. B-cell immunoblastic sarcomas were much more aggressive than neoplasms of the follicular center cell type.
Public Health, Hypertension, and the Emergency Department

Hypertension (HTN) is the most common cardiovascular disease worldwide and is associated with severe long-term morbidity when not treated appropriately. Despite this, blood pressure (BP) control remains suboptimal, particularly among underserved populations and those who rely on emergency departments (EDs) as a source of primary care. ED providers encounter patients with severely elevated BP daily, and yet adherence to minimal standards of BP reassessment and referral to outpatient medical care, as recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians, is limited. Barriers such as provider knowledge deficits, resource constraints, and negative attitudes towards patients who utilize EDs for nonurgent complaints are compounded by perceptions of HTN as a condition that can only be addressed in a primary care setting to contribute to this. Efforts to reduce this gap must go beyond government mandates to address systemic issues including access to care and payment models to encourage health promotion. Additionally, individual physician behavior can be shifted through targeted education, financial incentives, and the accumulation of high-quality evidence to encourage more proactive approaches to the management of uncontrolled HTN in the ED.
Innate lymphoid cell function in the context of adaptive immunity

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a family of innate immune cells that have diverse functions during homeostasis and disease. Subsets of ILCs have phenotypes that mirror those of polarized helper T cell subsets in their expression of core transcription factors and effector cytokines. Given the similarities between these two classes of lymphocytes, it is important to understand which functions of ILCs are specialized and which are redundant with those of T cells. Here we discuss genetic mouse models that have been used to delineate the contributions of ILCs versus those of T cells and review the current understanding of the specialized in vivo functions of ILCs.
Color Preference and Discrimination in the Wild Turkey

Two wild turkeys were tested to determine if they had a preference for and could discriminate between certain stimuli. The turkeys were found to prefer hues around the wavelength of 510 nm followed by 620 nm. Brightness was also varied; however, it was not found to affect the preference response. One turkey was trained to discriminate between two pairs of stimuli and it was ascertained that hue, not brightness, determined the response.
Recovery of renal dysfunction after catheter ablation of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ventricular premature depolarization-mediated cardiomyopathy

Frequent ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) may cause cardiomyopathy (VPDCM), which often improves after VPD suppression. This study aimed to evaluate whether ablation of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (OT VAs) in patients with VPDCM improves renal in addition to left ventricular (LV) function. We retrospectively evaluated 153 patients with OT VAs and examined VPD burden and LV ejection fraction (LVEF), as well as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) pre- and post-ablation. LV dysfunction was defined as LVEF <50 % and impaired renal function was defined as eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73m2. Fifty-five patients had VPDCM. During mean follow-up of 14 months, 140 (92 %) were free from arrhythmia. In patients with VPDCM, patients with baseline LVEF 40–50 % had greater improvement in the post-ablation LVEF compared to patients with baseline LVEF <40 % (p < 0.01). At baseline, 36 (72 %) patients had renal dysfunction, 29 (81 %) of whom had improvement in eGFR from baseline after successful ablation from eGFR 51 to 57 mL/min/1.73m2. There was a significant association between cardiac (ΔLVEF ≥10 %) and renal (ΔeGFR ≥10 %) improvement (r = 0.54, p = 0.04). Using logistic regression analysis, procedural success was an independent predictor of improvement of cardiac (odds ratio [OR] = 13.7, p = 0.03) and renal function (OR = 21.0, p = 0.047). Successful catheter ablation of OT VA reduces VPD burden and is associated with improved cardiac and renal function in patients with VPDCM.
Biomaterials Sterilization Methods

Following the choice of the ideal biomaterial for a certain application, it is necessary to sterilize it. Sterilization is the final step in the manufacture of any biomaterial, being responsible for microorganism removal from the material surface. Since it is an important process related to the future application and the consequences for the human body, the effect of sterilization and the possible modifications at the material’s surface and characteristics should be clearly understood and assessed.
Staff nurses as antimicrobial stewards: An integrative literature review

Background Guidelines on antimicrobial stewardship emphasize the importance of an interdisciplinary team, but current practice focuses primarily on defining the role of infectious disease physicians and pharmacists; the role of inpatient staff nurses as antimicrobial stewards is largely unexplored. Methods An updated integrative review method guided a systematic appraisal of 13 articles spanning January 2007-June 2016. Quantitative and qualitative peer-reviewed publications including staff nurses and antimicrobial knowledge or stewardship were incorporated into the analysis. Results Two predominant themes emerged from this review: (1) nursing knowledge, education, and information needs; and (2) patient safety and organizational factors influencing antibiotic management. Discussion Focused consideration to empower and educate staff nurses in antimicrobial management is needed to strengthen collaboration and build an interprofessional stewardship workforce. Conclusions Further exploration on the integration and measurement of nursing participation is needed to accelerate this important patient safety initiative.
Investigation of goldmann perimetry in evaluation of patients for upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

ABSTRACTPurpose: To determine if preoperative Goldmann Visual Field (GVF) testing in patients with functional dermatochalasis accurately depicts the postoperative superior visual field (SVF) outcom...
Upgrade possibilities for continuous wave rf electron guns based on room-temperature very high frequency technology

The past decade was characterized by an increasing scientific demand for extending towards higher repetition rates (MHz class and beyond) the performance of already operating lower repetition rate accelerator-based instruments such as x-ray free electron lasers (FELs) and ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) and microscopy (UEM) instruments. Such a need stimulated a worldwide spread of a vibrant R activity targeting the development of high-brightness electron sources capable of operating at these challenging rates. Among the different technologies pursued, rf guns based on room-temperature structures resonating in the very high frequency (VHF) range (30--300 MHz) and operating in continuous wave successfully demonstrated in the past few years the targeted brightness and reliability. Nevertheless, recently proposed upgrades for x-ray FELs and the always brightness-frontier applications such as UED and UEM are now requiring a further step forward in terms of beam brightness in electron sources. In this paper, we present a few possible upgrade paths that would allow one to extend, in a relatively simple and cost-effective way, the performance of the present VHF technology to the required new goals.
Competition decreases with relatedness and lek size in mole crickets: a role for kin selection?

Are “leks,” where males advertise in groups for females to gain mating opportunities, the result of competition, or cooperation? In the prairie mole cricket Gryllotalpa major, we present evidence that 1) males display near relatives and 2) males on smaller, more highly related leks experience lower levels of competition. These data suggest that kin selection may be operating within kin clusters on leks and males likely gain a reproductive benefit by displaying nearby relatives.
Environmental Attenuation of Brain-Lesion Symptoms

The present chapter deals with the possibility that some behavioral manifestations of brain damage can be modified by general environmental conditions. Specifically, it examines the hypothesis that brain-lesion effects might be increased or decreased in severity as a function of the level of environmental stimulation before or after damage, or between successive injuries. It might be expected that marked changes in brain lesion symptomatology would follow severe deprivation or exposure to aberrant or very restrictive stimulus conditions. However, deprivation effects, while interesting in their own right, shed only indirect light on how maximum recovery might be achieved. In contrast, exposure to stimulating environments could reveal more information about the recovery potential of an organism after a specific brain lesion. Hence, the effects of enhanced stimulation will be emphasized in this review.
Law (Scientific Law or Principle)

A scientific law is a basic principle, generalization, regularity or rule that holds true universally under particular conditions. Laws are developed from facts or developed mathematically to explain and predict individual occurrences or instances (Carey, 1994; Carnap, 1966; Mayer, 1988).
Why People Matter in Ecological Restoration

Ecological restoration is a practice of hope; hope because restorationists envision a better future as a result of their efforts. Ecological restoration is a practice of faith; faith because restorationists work in a world of uncertainty. Finally, ecological restoration is a practice of love; love because restorationists care about, and give their lives to, efforts that protect and enhance the lives of humans and other-than-human beings alike. Ecological restoration is a human practice, and because it is, people matter.
Anticoagulation management of valve replacement patients.

Anticoagulation regimens vary according to surgeon, nature of the valve (mechanical or biological), its position and other risk factors for stroke. The American College of Chest Physicians (2001) have made the following recommendations to protect patients with prosthetic heart valves from developing a stroke: (i) For mechanical heart valves: Anticoagulation with Warfarin at an INR range 2-3 for patients with a bileaflet mechanical valve in the aortic position; (ii) in the mitral position, an INR of 2.5-3.5 is recommended; an alternative recommendation is an INR of 2-3 in combination with aspirin (80 mg/day); and (iii) in patients with a mechanical valve and a history of systemic embolization, an INR of 2.5-3.5 combined with low-dose aspirin (80-100 mg) is recommended; when Warfarin therapy is initiated, the doses for patients aged 70 years it is 3 mg. While it is important to recognize that the therapeutic range for Warfarin is narrow, recommendations have also been established to manage patients with high INRs and for the temporary discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy when they undergo surgical procedures. Rapid anticoagulation can be achieved either with unfractionated heparin or with low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Heparin is initiated with an intravenous bolus of 80 U/kg bodyweight, and an infusion of 18 U/kg/h. The activated thromboplastin time should be 60-80 s. An alternative to intravenous heparin is subcutaneous LMWH, which is prescribed in a mg/kg dose. In the event of valve thrombosis in patients who are hemodynamically unstable, surgical exploration with thrombectomy is indicated, with or without valve replacement. In patients who are hemodynamically stable, thrombolytic therapy is recommended initially.
The economic power of women in early South Asian Buddhism

This article serves as a contribution to the financial primacy of Buddhist women in early historic South Asia. Presented here is a single case study from the first century bce monastic stūpa site f...
DeepNNCar: A Testbed for Deploying and Testing Middleware Frameworks for Autonomous Robots

This demo showcases the features of an adaptive middleware framework for resource constrained autonomous robots like DeepNNCar (Figure 1). These robots use Learning Enabled Components (LECs), trained with deep learning models to perform control actions. However, these LECs do not provide any safety guarantees and testing them is challenging. To overcome these challenges, we have developed an adaptive middleware framework that (1) augments the LEC with safety controllers that can use different weighted simplex strategies to improve the systems safety guarantees, and (2) includes a resource manager to monitor the resource parameters (temperature, CPU Utilization), and offload tasks at runtime. Using DeepNNCar we will demonstrate the framework and its capability to adaptively switch between the controllers and strategies based on its safety and speed performance.