cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cryptographic Key Derivation from Biometric Inferences for Remote Authentication

Biometric authentication is getting increasingly popular because of its appealing usability and improvements in biometric sensors. At the same time, it raises serious privacy concerns since the common deployment involves storing bio-templates in remote servers. Current solutions propose to keep these templates on the client's device, outside the server's reach. This binds the client to the initial device. A more attractive solution is to have the server authenticate the client, thereby decoupling them from the device. Unfortunately, existing biometric template protection schemes either suffer from the practicality or accuracy. The state-of-the-art deep learning (DL) solutions solve the accuracy problem in face- and voice-based verification. However, existing privacy-preserving methods do not accommodate the DL methods, as they are tailored to hand-crafted feature space of specific modalities in general. In this work, we propose a novel pipeline, Justitia, that makes DL-inferences of face and voice biometrics compatible with the standard privacy-preserving primitives, like fuzzy extractors (FE). For this, we first form a bridge between Euclidean (or cosine) space of DL and Hamming space of FE, while maintaining the accuracy and privacy of underlying schemes. We also introduce efficient noise handling methods to keep the FE scheme practically applicable. We implement an end-to-end prototype to evaluate our design, then show how to improve the security for sensitive authentications and usability for non-sensitive, day-to-day, authentications. Justitia achieves the same, 0.33% false rejection at zero false acceptance, errors as the plaintext baseline does on the YouTube Faces benchmark. Moreover, combining face and voice achieves 1.32% false rejection at zero false acceptance. According to our systematical security assessments conducted through prior approaches and our novel black-box method, Justitia achieves ~25 bits and ~33 bits of security guarantees for face- and face&voice-based pipelines, respectively.
Surgical Management of Duodenal Perforation in a Patient With Gardner Syndrome and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Duodenal perforation is a rare complication of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and may be caused by direct injury from the endoscope during the procedure. This complication has a relatively high mortality rate but can be reliably managed with surgical repair. We present the case of a young man with Gardner syndrome who obtained a duodenal perforation during a surveillance EGD with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Our patient was deemed a poor surgical candidate due to previous excision of a large abdominal wall desmoid tumor with cadaveric graft reconstruction that in turn created limited access for any subsequent abdominal surgeries. As such, he underwent multiple failed endoscopic repairs before definitive surgical management with a Graham patch repair using a unique entry approach. This case highlights the treatment course of this rare patient. J Curr Surg. 2021;11(3):61-64 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jcs443
Advocacy Leadership: Toward a Post-Reform Agenda in Education

In this timely and important new book, Gary Anderson provides a devastating critique of why a managerial role for educational leaders is counterproductive, especially for improving opportunities for low-income students and students of color, and instead proposes ways of re-theorizing educational leadership to emphasize its advocacy role. Advocacy Leadership lays out a post-reform agenda that moves beyond the neo-liberal, competition framework to define a new accountability, a new pedagogy, and a new leadership role definition. Drawing on personal narrative, discourse analysis, and interdisciplinary scholarship, Anderson delivers a compelling argument for the need to move away from current inauthentic and inequitable approaches to school reform in order to jump-start a conversation about an alternative vision of education today.
Abstract 4170: Oncogenic activation of LMO2 by EGFR signaling regulates STAT3 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity in human glioma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly heterogeneous disease characterized by multiple genetic abnormalities. Amplification and mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene represent signature genetic abnormalities occurred in over 60% of GBM. The successful application of EGFR-targeted therapy for the treatment of GBM is thus dependent on a thorough understanding of the intricate signal pathways cross-linkage that underlies the pathobiology of this disease. The LIM-domain only factor 2 (LMO2) gene is a crucial oncogene involved in hematopoietic development and leukemogenesis. Herein, we showed, from the TCGA GBM data, that LMO2 is highly expressed in EGFR-aberrant GBM samples and might serve as a downstream effector of EGFR signaling in GBM. Depletion of LMO2 expression impairs the maintenance of glioma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. In addition, EGFR signaling induces LMO2 nuclear translocation and enables LMO2 to form a triplex with EGFR and Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). More importantly, LMO2 serves as a bridging molecule to promote the formation of EGFR/STAT3 complex and to enhance EGFR-mediated STAT3 Y705 phosphorylation upon EGF stimulation, which in turn up-regulates the expression of STAT3-responsive genes involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and tumor development. In conclusion, these findings reveal that LMO2 might serve as a critical effector of EGFR signaling in human glioma and highlight the essential function of LMO2 in EGF-stimulated STAT3 activation and tumorigenesis. Citation Format: Jun Fu, Dimpy Koul, Shaofang Wu, Siyuan Zheng, Roel G. Verhaak, W.K Yung. Oncogenic activation of LMO2 by EGFR signaling regulates STAT3 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity in human glioma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4170. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4170
The unique experiences of women and their families after the death of a baby

This study sought to discover the ways in which the woman's experience of a baby's death affects her as an individual and within the family system. More specifically, this study asked: Does a woman's experience of stillbirth appear to have long-lasting effects, and what variables influence such changes? Expressed through their own narratives, it appears that a baby's death has long-lasting effects for a woman. Variables that affect her perceptual experience include social support, legitimization of her loss, opportunities for rituals, and existential emotions such as shame and guilt. Results revealed that enhanced understanding of the experience and psychosocial support may help some women and their family systems cope with the long-term effects of this loss.
Volume Dependence of Raman Frequencies in α-N 2

The volume dependence of the Raman frequencies ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{i}$ in $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ has been measured yielding the following values of the Gr\"uneisen parameter ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{i}\ensuremath{\equiv}\ensuremath{-}\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}\mathrm{ln}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{i}}{\ensuremath{\partial}\mathrm{ln}V}$ at 8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K: 2.09\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.12, 1.74\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10, and 1.70\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10, where $i$ refers to the ${E}_{\mathrm{g}}$, low-frequency ${T}_{\mathrm{g}}$, and high-frequency ${T}_{\mathrm{g}}$ modes, respectively. These values are insensitive to temperature within experimental errors. The broad feature between 70 and 100 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ is identified as a two-libron band.
“What I Love about Technology”: Older Adults and Mobile Communication Technologies

In a series of in-depth interviews, ten older adults described their use and experience with mobile technologies (e.g., E-readers and tablets). The results reveal that while older adults may not be leaders in new technology adoption, they do utilize mobile technology when they find it useful. The participants expressed both satisfaction and some frustration with their mobile devices. Participants suggested that the devices allowed them to partake in behaviors they might not be able to otherwise enjoy for a variety of physical and social reasons.
Phosphorylation of Simian Virus 40 Proteins in a Cell-Free System

Abstract We have shown previously that all the structural proteins of simian virus 40 (SV40) are phosphoproteins. Virus phosphorylated in vivo could be further phosphorylated with exogenous cellular protein kinases in a cell-free system containing γ-32P-ATP as phosphate donor. In intact infectious virus only polypeptides 1 and 2 (mol wt 49,000 and 40,800, respectively) were further phosphorylated in vitro. However, when infectious SV40 was partially disrupted, treated with nucleases, and then phosphorylated in vitro, all five structural polypeptides accepted additional phosphate groups. Similarly, all polypeptides of intact empty capsids, derived from infected cells, were further phosphorylated in vitro. Phosphorylation of empty capsids and infectious SV40 in vitro was enhanced from 4- to 11-fold after prior treatment of virus with alkali. The phosphate group was linked only to serine residues of the viral polypeptides phosphorylated both in vitro and in vivo.
Promoting Positive Airway Pressure Adherence in Children Using Escape Extinction within a Multi-Component Behavior Therapy Approach

Publisher Summary Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) are types of mechanical respiratory assistance prescribed for individuals with breathing disorders. Examples of such disorders in children include hypoventilation, hypercarbia, obstructive sleep apnea, and central apnea. Positive airway pressure (PAP) has been used successfully in infants and children However, behavioral tolerance and adherence with these devices pose a significant challenge in pediatrics. When PAP is not successful with children, the vast majority of the time it is because of poor behavioral tolerance and therefore poor adherence. Behavior therapy protocols have been used to increase child tolerance of and adherence to PAP therapy, and there is published preliminary evidence to support effectiveness of these protocols with preschool and school-aged children. Behavior therapy to increase cooperation and adherence with PAP regimens is indicated for children of all ages, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, there is some preliminary evidence that behavior therapy for PAP tolerance and adherence is more easily accomplished with children who are older and cognitively are more typically developing.
Iron Status and Stores Decline with Age in Lewis Rats

In the context of a larger study examining the interaction of vitamin A (VA) status and age on immune function, we examined age-related changes in hematologic and iron status variables in male Lewis rats. Animals were fed a nutritionally adequate purified diet containing either 0.35 (marginal), 4.0 (control) or 50 (supplemented) mg retinol equivalents (as retinyl palmitate) per kg of diet from the time of weaning until killing at 8-10 (middle-aged) or 20-22 (old) mo of age. Neither VA nor VA and age interaction effects were significant for most iron variables examined. After controlling for body weight, old rats had significantly lower hemoglobin, hematocrit and plasma iron than middle-aged rats. This decrease in hematologic and transport iron variables was not accompanied by a shift of iron into other storage compartments. Old rats also had significantly lower total iron content and iron concentration in liver, spleen and bone marrow. Hemosiderin iron in marrow smears correlated significantly (r = 0.43-0.76, P: < 0.05) with chemical estimates of iron in storage, transport and functional pools. Old rats also tended to have less stained iron in femur marrow smears. Thus, body iron in functional, transport and storage compartments, namely the liver, spleen and bone marrow, were significantly lower in old than in middle-aged rats. Although iron stores and status are usually considered to increase with advancing age, our data show a consistent pattern of lower hematologic and storage iron variables in old than in middle-aged Lewis rats. Future research is indicated to understand the biology and functional consequences of the observed age-associated decline in body iron.
Influence of light on the EPR-detectable, electron transport components in whole cell Rhodospirillum rubrum.

—The influence of light upon the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-active components of R. rubrum, both in whole cells and in subcellular particle preparations, is presented. In the whole cells, 16 EPR signals can be detected, 11 of which are influenced by illumination of the bacteria. Four of these are also affected by illumination at 77 K. The effects of K3Fe(CN)6, Na2S2O4 and heating upon the signals observed in the whole cells are also presented. The whole cells contain several photoinfluenced, EPR-active components that are missing in the subcellular particle preparations. The kinetics of most of the signals in the whole cells are complex, whereas in the subcellular particles the kinetics are generally monotonic. For comparison, some of the EPR signals detected in whole-cell Chromatium D are also presented. The signals observed in these two strains of bacteria differ considerably. A discussion of the possible identities of the R. rubrum signals and speculation as to the role of some of them in the photosynthetic electron transport system are also included.
Norm of symmetric product compared with norm of tensor product

Suppose each of mm,n and k is a positive integerA is a (real-valued) symmetric n-linear function on Em and B is a symmetric k-linear function on Em . An inner product norm on the vector space of all (n+k)-linear functions on Em is defined. The tensor and symmetric products of A and B are denoted, respectively, by A⊗B and AċB.lt is shown that and that this result is best possible.
Studies relating morphine hypothermia with serotonin reuptake in the rat hypothalamus

Experiments were conducted to determine if the acute hypothermia elicited by morphine in the rat resulted from morphine-induced inhibition of serotonin reuptake into hypothalamic nerve-endings. The acute hypothermia elicited by morphine (30 mg/kg, s.c.) was reversed by pretreatment with naloxone (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a narcotic antagonist, which alone did not alter body temperature. In vitro uptake of serotonin into synaptosomes prepared from rat hypothalamus was inhibited 53% by the addition of morphine (7 × 10−4 M) and 53.9% by naloxone (1 × 10−3 M). Simultaneous addition of both drugs in these same concentrations further inhibited synaptosomal serotonin uptake 77.8%. Uptake of serotonin uptake into synaptosomes isolated from rats injected with morphine (30 mg/kg, s.c.) was not altered as compared to controls. These data suggest that the acute hypothermic action in morphine in the rat is not related to an inhibition of the serotonin reuptake mechanism in hypothalamic nerve-endings.
Anxiety in children with epilepsy

Abstract Although the prevalence is unknown, affective disorders are more common in children with epilepsy than in healthy controls. The purpose of the present study was to examine the occurrence of anxiety in children and adolescents with epilepsy and to determine factors associated with elevation of these symptoms. Children and adolescents ( n =101) between the ages of 6 and 16 years were given the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS). Mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety were reported by 23% of the patients. Based on regression analysis, factors significantly associated with increased anxiety included the presence of comorbid learning or behavioral difficulties, ethnicity, and polytherapy. Results suggest the need to monitor children and adolescents with epilepsy for affective symptoms in order to provide appropriate interventions.
Carotid artery ligation-induced cerebral ischemia in old, male, Sprague-Dawleyrats

Virgin, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained free of disease until they were 34 months old. These rats were subjected to acute cerebral ischemia by surgical ligation of one carotid artery; young (6 to 7 month-old) males were used for purposes of comparison. The old animals convulsed and died, all within a few hours of ligation, despite the protective effect of deep anesthesia. The young rats manifested extensor rigidity and other signs of cerebral ischemia but only 20% died. Serum iipids, glucose, corticosterone, and BUN levels were acutely elevated in the old but not the young rats concomitant with the onset of acute cerebral ischemia. The old males gained and then lost weight progressively with age, their pituitary and adrenal glands were heavier than young rats, and their thymi were greatly involuted. The old rats manifested fatty infiltration of the liver and islet beta cell degranulation concomitant with hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and elevated circulating corticosterone. Spontaneous arteriosclerosis was found in these old rats. The acute induction of cerebral ischemia was associated with myocardial infarction in the old but not the young rats.
Extended object oriented model to design relational databases (abstract)

The recent trend in designing relational databases systems has been toward using object oriented model in high level. The next step is to convert the high level model into the relational diagrams from which relational are extracted. Finally the relations are examined to make it sure that they are fully normalized. In the current Object Oriented model a number of important concepts of the relational data bases such as generalization, subset hierarchy, the relation of a record type to itself..etc either can not be represented or it hard to represent them. In this presentation the object oriented model is extended to have a better representation of the concepts such as optional or mandatory relationship, aggregation objects, association objects, generalization, subset hierarchy and others.
Strategic tariff equilibrium and optimal tariffs

Abstract For constant production and demand given by the linear expenditure system we prove for m goods, n countries a unique optimum tariff and strategic tariff equilibrium exists. We also compute various other quantities and give algorithms for computation of optimum tariffs
In Search of Lost Tribes: Anthropology and the Federal Acknowledgement Process

Recently adopted federal regulations outline a procedure whereby nonfederally recognized Indian tribes can "petition" the Bureau of Indian Affairs for formal acknowledgement. Such a change in status offers significant enhancement of services available to members of previously unrecognized tribes, as well as formal legitimacy of their status. It is estimated that more than 100 Indian tribes in the United States do not have federal recognition. Submittinga petition involves compiling ethnohistorical and ethnographic data which demonstrate the origins and contemporary sociopolitical structure of the group. The process, which has been in effect since 1978, has proved to be very burdensome to petitioning groups due to the large amount of research required to provide the necessary data. It is suggested that more involvement by anthropologists in recognition research would help to alleviate the petitioners' problems and would offer unique opportunities for applied anthropologists.
Factors affecting the adoption of e-commerce in SMEs in Kenya

Research has shown that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are rapidly adopting the electronic commerce (e-commerce), to enable them to compete on par with their larger counterparts. Previous studies have indicated that significant benefits are achieved by those SMEs that adopt and use e-commerce in their organisations. However, such benefits have not been realised in SMEs in developing economies like Kenya owing to the slow adoption of e-commerce. Consequently, this paper establishes that there exists a positive relationship between costs of e-commerce implementation, Information Technology (IT) skills and training, with e-commerce adoption by SMEs.
Patron-Driven Acquisitions: An Introduction and Literature Review

Libraries exist for their users, so librarians take user needs into consideration when building collections. In the past, this consideration took many forms. Past use suggested that more books of a...
University investment in drug discovery.

Although your special section on Drug Discovery (29 July, pp. [721][1]-[735][2]) highlighted important contributions from academia, it did not recognize an increasingly relevant but underappreciated and underutilized role for academic research in drug discovery. Universities invest many millions in
Soybean Response to Plant Density and Residual Soil Management

ABSTRACT Proximity determines the feasibility of using animal manures in cash crop farming systems. However, sustainable farming practices balance nutrient inputs and outputs to minimize the buildup of potentially deleterious levels of soil nutrients. The objectives of our research were to determine the residual effect of dairy (Bos taurus) manure application to corn (Zea mays L.) on subsequent continuous soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] growth and seed yield at different plant densities under previous soil management regimes. The 3-year study was conducted on a Quakertown silt loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludult) at an upland New Jersey location. Soybean was planted at 371,494, and 618,000 seeds ha−1 and previous soil management treatments applied to corn from 1995–1998 were a control (no sidedress N or manure), sidedress N, manure, and manure plus sidedress N. Light interception, dry matter, and nitrogen accumulation at R1-R2 were poor predictors of seed yield. Seed yield in manure treatments...
Antibody labeling of bovine neurofilaments: implications on the structure of neurofilament sidearms

Abstract We carried out immunolabeling studies of purified bovine spinal cord neurofilaments (NFs) and filaments reconstituted from several combinations of the NF triplet polypeptides, NF-H, NF-M, and NF-L. Six antibodies with known epitopes in either the rod domains or the tailpiece extensions of the NF triplet were used in these studies, and the immune complexes were visualized directly by the glycerol-spray, rotary shadowing technique, which permitted unambiguous identification of the NF sidearms. Antibodies directed against the tailpiece extensions of NF-H and NF-M labeled the sidearms of native NFs and reconstituted filaments containing those two polypeptides, but not the backbone of the filaments. Combining these two antibodies in the same labeling experiment resulted in more intense labeling than either of the antibodies alone, indicating that both NF-H and NF-M are capable of forming sidearms. The anti-NF-L tailpiece antibody recognized only a limited number of sites along native NFs, but labeled reconstituted NF-L homopolymers uniformly and heavily. This suggests that the NF-L tailpiece extension is relatively inaccessible in native filaments, but is accessible in reconstituted homopolymers. One possible explanation is that, in native NFs, the NF-H and NF-M-containing sidearms curtailed antibody access to NF-L. A second possibility that is not mutually exclusive with the first is that, when both NF-L and another triplet polypeptide are present, they preferentially form heterodimers such that the NF-L tailpiece epitope becomes hidden. Taken collectively, and in combination with published structural information, our data are consistent with a subunit packing scheme in which an NFL-containing dimer serves as the fundamental building block of most mammalian NFs, such that their sidearms consist of pairs of NF-H/NF-L, NF-M/NF-L, or NFL/NF-L tailpiece extensions
Indirect Neural Network Adaptive Robust Control of Linear Motor Drive System

In this paper, an indirect neural network adaptive robust control (INNARC) scheme is developed for the precision motion control of linear motor drive systems. The proposed INNARC achieves not only good output tracking performance but also excellent identifications of unknown nonlinear forces in system for secondary purposes such as prognostics and machine health monitoring. Such dual objectives are accomplished through the complete separation of unknown nonlinearity estimation via neural networks and the design of baseline adaptive robust control (ARC) law for output tracking performance. Specifically, recurrent neural network (NN) structure with NN weights tuned on-line is employed to approximate various unknown nonlinear forces of the system having unknown forms to adapt to various operating conditions. The design is actual system dynamics based, which makes the resulting on-line weight tuning law much more robust and accurate than those in the tracking error dynamics based direct NNARC designs in implementation. With a controlled learning process achieved through projection type weights adaptation laws, certain robust control terms are constructed to attenuate the effect of possibly large transient modelling error for a theoretically guaranteed robust output tracking performance in general. Experimental results are obtained to verify the effectiveness of the proposed INNARC strategy. For example, for a typical point-to-point movement, with a measurement resolution level of ±1μm, the output tracking error during the entire execution period is within ±5μm and mainly stays within ±2μm showing excellent output tracking performance. At the same time, the outputs of NNs approximate the unknown forces very well allowing the estimates to be used for secondary purposes such as prognostics.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Bring Fish to the Surface

I have to admit that I don't think much about fish beyond planning an evening's meal. Like most biologists, I have my faunal likes and dislikes, and fish have never been high on my list of favorites. But I feel an obligation to them. After all, they represent major components of aquatic ecosystems, an ancient group of vertebrates, and some of the most beautiful creatures on the planet. As such they deserve my attention, both in my teaching and in this column, where I do try to pay attention to the diversity of life, though I admit that I've been heavily into flora lately. So I think it's time to look more closely at fish, particularly because they have been in the news recently for a number of reasons, relating to their use as food, their ecological significance, and their contribution to basic research. As I did some reading for this column, even I became excited by the fish stories I found, perhaps not enough to become an ichthyologist or to buy a fish tank, but enough to want to pay more attention to them in my teaching. I came to realize that students need to have their fish appreciation developed as well.
The consequences of stereotype threat on the academic performance of White and non-White lower income college students

This research examined whether socioeconomic stereotypes produce stereotype threat among lower, middle, or upper income college students who are either White or non-White. Before completing an academic test, participants were either told that the purpose of the research was to understand why lower income students generally perform worse on academic tests or to examine problem-solving processes. Results showed that lower income students exposed to stereotype threat experienced greater test anxiety and performed worse on the academic test than their middle income and higher income counterparts. However, lower income students who experienced stereotype threat exerted as much effort on the test as lower income students who did not experience stereotype threat. Nonetheless, they were less likely to identify with school-related subjects. Stereotype threat and reduced performance did not influence lower income students’ self-esteem. Participant race did not influence these findings. The research is discussed in light of cognitive dissonance theory.
Mechanisms of Localized Vibration Control in Complex Structures

This paper describes a numerical study of mechanisms for controlling all six degrees of freedom in localized areas of a complex structure. In localized vibration control, the controller attempts to stabilize one or more localized areas on the structure rather than attempting to stabilize the entire structure. The relative performance levels of different control strategies are evaluated by examining a frequency-dependent disturbance rejection property. A flat plate supported by two box girders is used as an example realistic structure. Plant dynamics from a finite-element model are used to draw general conclusions regarding the mechanisms by which localized vibration control is exerted.
Figure drawings: A popular method

Research, commentary, and interpretive procedures reflecting varied perspectives on figure drawings are presented in order to suggest contemporary practice models for school psychologists. The review of the extensive literature includes measures with scoring systems that are normed and those systems that rely on clinical traditions for interpretation. Available scoring systems demonstrate adequate reliability and validity for screening purposes, but evidence of their utility for diagnosis of an individual by interpretation of drawings is nonexistent. Drawing data can be useful when they are aggregated with other data and interpreted in a configural manner to obtain a description of the individual, or when the focus of assessment is on overarching constructs such as well-being. Finally, figure drawings may aid in establishing rapport with youth and provide a springboard for practitioner hypotheses, guiding the course of the assessment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 44: 257–270, 2007.
Molecular analysis of LHX3 and PROP-1 in pituitary hormone deficiency patients with posterior pituitary ectopia

The cause of posterior pituitary ectopia associated with anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies is unknown. We describe children with combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) or isolated GH deficiency. In all cases, magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed abnormal pituitary gland development featuring ectopic posterior lobe location and frequently hypoplastic anterior lobes. Embryonic development of the pituitary requires the coordinated expression of specific transcription factors. Mutations of the PIT-1 and PROP-1 transcription factors are responsible for CPHD in some patients with normally positioned posterior pituitaries. In mice, the Lhx3 LIM homeodomain transcription factor is required for both structural development and cellular differentiation of the pituitary gland. Thus, we hypothesized that mutations in one or both of the two human LHX3 isoforms are responsible for posterior pituitary ectopia associated with anterior pituitary hypopituitarism. Comprehensive molecular analysis of the LHX3 isoforms was performed to test this hypothesis. No loss of function mutations in the LHX3 gene were detected. In addition, analysis of PROP-1 did not reveal mutations that might cause this phenotype. These studies suggest that the abnormal processes leading to the development of CPHD or GH deficiency associated with posterior pituitary ectopia are not a result of aberrant LHX3 or PROP- 1 function, but may be caused by defects at other gene loci.
Synthesis of Aromatic Sphingosine Analogues by Diastereoselective Amination of Enantioenriched trans-γ,δ-Unsaturated β-Hydroxyesters

An effective route to N-Boc-protected aromatic sphingosine analogues is accomplished. The strategy is based on the diastereoselective amination of enantioenriched trans-γ,δ-unsaturated β-hydroxyesters to establish anti,N-Boc-α-hydrazino-β-hydroxyesters. Nonreductive E1cB elimination is essential for the successful N–N bond cleavage of hydrazine while preserving the trans double bond. Either the (3R,2S) and (3S,2R) enantiomer of N-Boc-protected sphingosine analogues has been synthesized in five steps with excellent optical purity with ∼99% ee and >99% de.
Utilization of sulfonates as sole sulfur source by soil bacteria including Comamonas acidovorans

Bacteria able to use cysteate, taurine or isethionate as sole source of carbon and energy were isolated from the soil. Tests of sulfur assimilation showed that sulfonate sulfur and sulfate sulfur supported comparable cell yields. Methanesulfonate, 1-dodecanesulfonate and p-toluenesulfonate also served as sole source of sulfur for strain I91, identified as Comamonas (Pseudomonas) acidovorans. Competition studies with strain I91 showed that the presence of sulfate inhibits cysteate, isethionate or taurine incorporation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Comamonas acidovorans 14 and 105, and Acidovorax (Pseudomonas) facilis 332 used cysteate, isethionate, or taurine as sole source of sulfur while P. aeruginosa PAO716 and PAO718 used only taurine.
Practising medicine in the global village: use of guidelines and virtual networks

See related guidelines by Pottie and colleagues on page [E824][1] and at [www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.090313][2]. The Clinical Preventive Care Recommendations for Newly Arriving Immigrants and Refugees to Canada are launched with this issue.[1][3] Immigrant-specific, evidence-based clinical
Finite-temperature elasticity of fcc Al: Atomistic simulations and ultrasonic measurements

Though not very often, there are some cases in the literature where discrepancies exist in the temperature dependence of elastic constants of materials. A particular example of this case is the behavior of ${C}_{12}$ coefficient of a simple metal, aluminum. In this paper we attempt to provide insight into various contributions to temperature dependence in elastic properties by investigating the thermoelastic properties of fcc aluminum as a function of temperature through the use of two computational techniques and experiments. First, ab initio calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) are used in combination with quasiharmonic theory to calculate the elastic constants at finite temperatures through a strain-free energy approach. Molecular dynamics (MD) calculations using tight-binding potentials are then used to extract the elastic constants through a fluctuation-based formalism. Through this dynamic approach, the different contributions (Born, kinetic, and stress fluctuations) to the elastic constants are isolated and the underlying physical basis for the observed thermally induced softening is elucidated. The two approaches are then used to shed light on the relatively large discrepancies in the reported temperature dependence of the elastic constants of fcc aluminum. Finally, the polycrystalline elastic constants (and their temperature dependence) of fcc aluminum are determined using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) and compared to previously published data as well as the atomistic calculations performed in this work.
Glia Pathology in the Prefrontal Cortex in Alcohol Dependence with and without Depressive Symptoms

Background Reductions in glial density and enlargement of glial nuclei have been reported in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) in mood disorders. In alcohol dependence, often comorbid with depression, it is unclear whether there are changes in the density and size of glial cells in the dlPFC.
Cracking the Smart ClickBot

Nowadays, almost every task involving Web traversing and information retrieval recurs to Web robots. Web robots are software programs that automatically traverse the Web's hypertext structure. They proliferate rapidly aside with the growth of the Web and are extremely valuable and important means not only for the large search engines, but also for many specialized services such as investment portals, competitive intelligence tools, etc. While many web robots serve useful purposes, recently, there have been cases linked to fraudulent activities committed by these Web robots. Click fraud, which is the act of generating illegitimate clicks, is one of them. This paper details the architecture and functionality of the Smart ClickBot, a sophisticated software bot that is designed to commit click fraud. It was first detected and reported by NetMosaics Inc. in March, 2010, a real time click fraud detection and prevention solution provider. We discuss the machine learning algorithms used, to identify all clicks exhibiting Smart ClickBot like patterns. We constructed a Bayesian classifier that automatically classifies server log data as being Smart ClickBot or not. We also introduce a Benchmark data set for Smart ClickBot. We disclose the results of our investigation of this bot to educate the security research community and provide information regarding the novelties of the attack.
Verbal retention lateralizes patients with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy and bilateral hippocampal atrophy.

Summary: Purpose: To examine the lateralization utility of preoperative verbal retention in patients with and without bilateral hippocampal atrophy. Methods: The sample consisted of 74 patients with EEG-defined unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) who had also undergone volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Verbal retention was operationalized by the Logical Memory percentage retention subtest (LM%) of the Wechsler Memory Scale. Patients were divided into groups with (a) bilaterally normal hippocampal volumes, (b) unilateral atrophy, or (c) bilateral atrophy. Two different thresholds (empirically derived vs. normative) were used to lateralize on the basis of LM%. LM% lateralization was then examined by group using χ2, sensitivity, positive predictive values, and odds ratios. Analyses were also conducted separately in the subset of patients who were seizure free after surgery. Results: Mean LM% performance was significantly lower in patients with left versus right TLE in the subset with bilateral hippocampal atrophy (p = 0.018), but not in patients with a normal MRI (p = 0.918) or unilateral atrophy (p = 0.087). The odds of a correct lateralization by LM% increased from 1.67 in patients with normal MRI to 36.11 in patients with bilateral hippocampal atrophy. The power of a right and left lateralization prediction by LM% was 100% and 75%, respectively, in patients with bilateral hippocampal atrophy. Similar results were obtained when analysis was restricted to patients who were seizure free after surgery. Conclusions: Preoperative verbal retention as measured by LM% may provide meaningful lateralization information in patients who are difficult to lateralize via MRI.
VARIATION WITH ENERGY OF NUCLEAR COLLISION CROSS SECTIONS FOR HIGH ENERGY NEUTRONS

Nuclear total cross sections for high energy neutrons have been measured for approximately known neutron energies in the range 90 to 270 Mev. It is observed that cross sections in every case drop rather rapidly between 100 and 180 Mev to a level which continues with little further variation up to the highest neutron energies available in the experiment. Comparisons are made with nuclear attenuation data for cosmic rays.
Frequency Analysis and Norms of Distributed Spatially Periodic Systems

We investigate several fundamental aspects of the theory of linear distributed systems with spatially periodic coefficients. We develop a spatial-frequency domain representation analogous to the lifted or frequency response operator representation for linear time periodic systems. Using this representation, we introduce the notion of the H2 norm for this class of systems and provide algorithms for its computation. A stochastic interpretation of the H2 norm is given in terms of spatially cyclostationary random fields and spectral-correlation density operators. When the periodic coefficients are viewed as feedback modifications of spatially invariant systems, we show how they can stabilize or destabilize the original systems in a manner analogous to vibrational control or parametric resonance in time periodic systems. Two examples from physics are provided to illustrate the main results.
Functional inclusion and controllability of nonlinear neutral functional differential systems

Consider the nonlinear neutral functional differential inclusion (i) $$(d/dt)D(t, x_t ) \in R(t, x_t )$$ , whereD is a continuous operator onIXC, linear inx t , indeed of the form (4) below, with kernelD(t, ·)={0}, and atomic at 0, andR is nonempty, closed, and convex. Here,I≡[t 0,t I ] andC=C([-h,0],E n ). In (i), the derivative is specified in terms of the state at timet as well as the state and the derivative of the state for values oft precedingt. We use the Fan fixed-point theorem to prove the existence of a solution of (i) which satisfies two-point boundary values $$x_\omega = \phi _0 ,x_{t_1 } = \phi _1$$ , where φ0, φ1 belong toC. We next apply this existence result to study the exact function space controllability of the neutral functional differential system (ii) $$(d/dt)D(t, x_t ) = f(t, x_t , u), u(t) \in \Omega (t, x_t )$$ . We present sufficient conditions onf and Ω which imply exact controllability between two fixed functions inC.
Flexible electronics: stretching our imagination.

Composites containing ultralong single-walled carbon nanotubes can be integrated with transistors to make stretchable and flexible electronic devices.
Development of improved electrical-substitution radiometers at the National Research Council of Canada

We describe the development of a third generation of electrical-substitution radiometers (ESR's) at the National Research Council of Canada. The new ESR's follow the same general design as before, but incorporate improved thermopiles and electrical heating elements. The ESR's have a responsivity between 0.6 and 1.0 VW(-1), a time constant of approximately 2.0 s, a uniformity of 0.1% over a 6-mm-diameter region, and a noise level of approximately 6 nW. Performance characteristics of the new ESR's are discussed. It is shown that calibrations performed with these ESR's agree with those made with the previous generation of ESR's to better than 0.05%.
Hydrogen bond connectivity patterns and hydrophobic interactions in crystal structures of small, acyclic peptides

Crystal structures of all available unblocked linear peptides with two to five residues were retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database and their intermolecular contacts and packing modes studied using molecular graphics. This survey reveals that interactions between hydrophobic portions of the molecules are critically important in determining the overall features of their crystal packing patterns. Distinct hydrophobic columns or layers are observed in almost all crystal structures. Analyses of the relationships between these interactions and crystal growth properties of small peptides are given. It is suggested that needle growth is promoted by hydrophobic packing, usually along a short crystallographic axis (4.6-6.0 angstroms). Also contributing to these morphologic characteristics are entropic factors associated with hydrophobic aggregation as well as tightly bound water molecules on hydrophobic faces. The paper also provides a comprehensive overview of hydrogen bond patterns in acyclic peptide crystals. It is demonstrated that one of their primary roles is to provide a scaffolding within which hydrophobic groups can aggregate. Even though there is a high density of hydrogen bonds in the crystals, often with complex patterns and networks, certain motifs are found to recur in a number of structures indicating specific hydrogen bond preferences. Water, for example, is an integral part of the hydrogen bond networks in these crystals, usually acting as the primary donor for main-chain carboxylate groups in peptide hydrates.
Cytomegalovirus inhibition of embryonic mouse tooth development: A model of the human amelogenesis imperfecta phenocopy

Objective Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common causes of major birth defects in humans. Of the approximately 8400 children born each year in the U.S. with CMV-induced birth defects, more than 1/3 of these children exhibit hypoplasia and hypocalcification of tooth enamel. Our objective was to initiate the investigation of the pathogenesis of CMV-induced tooth defects.
Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Retinal Development: Differential Levels of bFGF Expression and Content in Normal and Retinal Degeneration ( rd ) Mutant Mice

The spatial and temporal patterns of expression and content of bFGF during postnatal development of the retina were established in C57BL/6J mice. Western blot analysis, using an anti-rodent bFGF antibody, shows multiple molecular weights of 18, 20.5, and 22 kDa of bFGF protein isolated from the adult retina. A bioassay indicates that this putative basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulates proliferation of BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner identical to an authentic bFGF standard. Immunocytochemistry reveals that bFGF immunoreactivity is located primarily in the immature photoreceptors during postnatal development and is associated with the photoreceptor outer segment/interphotoreceptor matrix complex in the adult retina. bFGF mRNA expression pattern and levels were evaluated using mouse bFGF riboprobes with in situ hybridization and quantitative ribonuclease protection assay. bFGF mRNA expression is not detectable in the retina until Postnatal Day 10 (P10), although high levels of bFGF mRNA signals were consistently observed in astrocytes in the optic disc at all postnatal ages examined. From P10 to the adult stage, bFGF mRNA was localized mainly to the photoreceptor inner segments, and the bFGF mRNA levels were approximately the same at P10 and in the adult retina. The patterns of retinal bFGF expression and content during normal development established above were compared to these parameters in the retina of rd (C57BL/6J rd/rd), a spontaneous mouse mutant in which photoreceptors degenerate shortly after birth. More bFGF immunoreactivity was detected in the outer retina during photoreceptor degeneration than was present in normal photoreceptors at equivalent ages. Densitometry measurements indicate that the level of immunoreactivity is 56% to 1.8-fold higher in rd than in the normal retina between P6 and P10, respectively. This is at least partially due to elevated bFGF mRNA expression in rd retinas during photoreceptor degeneration. In situ hybridization showed more intense bFGF mRNA hybridization signals in rd photoreceptors from P10 to P15, and RNase protection assay demonstrated much higher hybridization signals in rd retinas from P6 to P10 than in the normal retinas at these stages. More bFGF mRNA hybridization signals were also present in some cells in the inner nuclear layer following photoreceptor cell death in the rd retina but were only weakly evident in the inner nuclear layer in the normal adult retina. These results provide the first evidence that a naturally occurring neuronal degeneration is accompanied by elevated expression of bFGF in degenerating neurons prior to cell death.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Three basaltic earth-approaching asteroids and the source of the basaltic meteorites

Diameters of 1.2, 1.0, and 3.4 km are respectively derived for the earth-approaching asteroids 1983 RD, 1980 PA, and 1985 DO2, whose spectra are virtually identical to that of the basaltic-surfaced large asteroid, Vesta. While probably not fragments of Vesta, the three asteroids may be fragments of one or more Vesta-like parent bodies; it is suggested that they may be fragments of the source body or bodies of the HED meteorites. While these asteroids' regoliths have significant insulating properties, they differ from that of the moon in that lunar-like glasses and agglutinates are largely absent. It is noted that asteroids of this kind may have impacted the earth without leaving the chemical signatures associated with the K-T boundary event.