cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Ransomware in the Windows Platform

Malware proliferation and sophistication has drastically increased and evolved continuously. Recent indiscriminate ransomware victimizations have imposed critical needs of effective detection techniques to prevent damages. This form of malware has drawn attention among cyberspace researchers. This paper contributes a comprehensive overview of ransomware attacks and summarizes existing detection and prevention techniques in the Windows platform. Additionally, it highlights the strengths and shortcomings of those techniques as well as current challenges. Then, aiming to educate, it gives recommendations to users and system administrators.
Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2009

This case, a supplement to the "Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2001 (Abridged)" case (710-450) and the "Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2007" case (710-451), reviews the FBI's progress in its transformation effort from 2007 to 2009.
Current state of the art and future needs for automotive exhaust catalysis

For the foreseeable future, we will continue to rely on the internal combustion engine for mobility of people and goods. The ubiquitous three-way catalyst does not work below 350 °C, with appreciable O2, nor does it control soot. Low temperature catalysis, chemical trapping and filtration will grow in need, and represent research opportunities.
A Conversation with Annette Michelson

Film scholar Edward Dimendberg spoke to Annette Michelson in July 2014 for a series of interviews sponsored by the Getty Research Institute. In their conversation, which is published for the first ...
Signals, epigenetics, regulation of gene expression

Abstract This chapter explores molecular steps involved in the transfer of information into cells and passage into the nucleus to alter genes expression. Passage into the cell is accomplished through binding of ligands to receptors or through ion channels. Mechanism of transfer of signals into the nucleus are discussed. Details on epigenetic modifications of DNA and chromatin and impact on gene expression are presented. Environment, nutrition sources and metabolic impacts on epigenetic modifications are considered in some detail. A subsequent section reviews regulatory elements that control gene expression, aspects of transcription, alternative mRNA splicing and RNA modifications. Recent information on chromatin architecture, folding, looping and remodeling is presented.
Quantum Limits of Optical Beam Deflection Measurements of a Nanomechanical Resonator

Optical lever detection is a simple and robust method to measure small displacements. We report on our experimental efforts toward reaching and surpassing the quantum backaction limits of this method when probing a high Q nanomechanical resonator.
Change Matters: Binge Drinking and Drugging Victimization over Time in Three College Freshman Cohorts

The “once bitten, twice shy” (OBTS) hypothesis argues that crime victims who change their involvement in risky lifestyle behaviors reduce their likelihood of experiencing repeat victimization. Test...
Can Automation Reduce the Effect of Independence Conflicts on Audit Firm Liability

We conduct three experiments to examine whether increased automation can reduce the effects of independence conflicts on audit firm liability. Our experiments manipulate (1) whether procedures are performed by an auditor or an artificial intelligence and (2) whether the audit firm was careful in maintaining the appearance of independence from the audit client. Results of the first experiment identify that automation significantly reduces the effect of the appearance of independence conflicts on jurors’ judgments of audit firm liability. This effect is driven by changes in jurors’ trust in the audit process. A second experiment replicates this finding and provides additional process evidence, including evidence that jurors’ judgments are intentional. Our third experiment replicates the findings in a simpler setting with simpler manipulations to provide further robustness. Our study contributes to literature on auditor negligence, and advances understanding of how changes in the audit landscape might affect audit firm liability.
Pro-government militias and civil war termination:

Why do governments choose to fund pro-government militias (PGMs) if doing so could extend costly civil conflict? While PGMs are active in a majority of civil wars, their impact on conflict terminat...
Two new inference controls for statistical databases and a definition of domain reduction dependencies

This research concentrated on the study of methods for limiting release of confidential information while maximizing the release of exact values or aggregate values. The general results include the development of a theoretical foundation for methods known as memoryless inference controls. Additionally, two new methods, the Maximum Relative Virtual Tablesize control, and the Partial Table Level Control (PTLC) were formally defined, investigated and tested. A hybrid of these was defined and investigated. A set of restrictions was formally stated for database under which the Maximum Relative Table Size (MRTS) inference control method could be proven to calculate the identification risk. The MRTS inference control method was formally proven to calculate identification risk in a database meeting 3 of these restrictions. These three restrictions are that the database be in the universal form with no nulls, that all attribute domains distributions be uniform, and that all attributes be independent. The Restricting Power of a group of attributes was formally defined, a method for calculating the restricting power was developed and formally proven to be correct. The method of using Restricting Power as a measure of Identification risk was shown to be equivalent to the MRTS inference control method. A new type of data dependency for data security, the Domain Reduction Dependency (DRD) is defined to provide a formal means of combining dependencies among attributes for use in the MRVTS model. A set of properties of DRDs similar to Armstrong's Axioms are defined and proven. These properties allow the manipulation of DRDs to estimate risk for a statistical database.
Cost-effectiveness of medical, endovascular and surgical management of peripheral vascular disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is responsible for 20% of all US hospital admissions. Management of PAD has evolved over time to include many medical and transcatheter interventions in addition to the traditional surgical approach. Non-invasive interventions including supervised exercise programs and antiplatelets use are economically attractive therapies that should be considered in all patients at risk. While surgery offers so far a clinically and economically appropriate option, the improvement of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) technique with the addition of drug-coated balloons offers a reasonably clinically and economically attractive alternative that will continue to evolve in the future.
Inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis in yeast.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis in yeasts. Studies of macromolecular metabolism in eukaryotic cells have been aided by the availability of inhibitors that specifically block nucleic acid or protein synthesis. There are several inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis that have been used in yeasts—for example, actinomycin D suppresses rRNA synthesis at low concentrations, cordycepin prevents the formation of poly A during nuclear mRNA metabolism, and camptothecin is a reversible inhibitor of nuclear RNA synthesis, which allows continued mitochondria1 RNA synthesis. Such inhibitors cannot be used in similar studies of yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae , because yeasts are impermeable to many drugs. The chapter catalogs the known inhibitors of macromolecular functions that inhibit the growth of yeast and discusses the inhibitors that have been used in physiological studies and their specificity in in vitro systems. The chapter considers the interrelationships among DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis and examines the effects of inhibitors on such interdependent processes in yeasts.
Thermomechanical deformation of powder-based porous aluminium

Abstract Thermomechanical deformation of powder-based porous aluminium from the partially to the fully consolidated states requires specific attention to accurate description of the evolution of pore structure and the stress—strain behavior at elevated temperature. Part I of this study aims at developing the understanding of pore morphology changes with deformation. The effects of initial porosity and the evolution of global porosity and pore morphology with applied thermomechanical deformation are examined. Only densification is tested experimentally. Rapidly solidified aluminium powders are compacted into preforms with relative porosities varying from 0 to 20%. The preforms are then subjected to a uniaxial stress compression test at elevated temperature with a controlled true strain rate varying from 0.01 to 10 per second. At various stages of deformation, the pore structures are evaluated at room temperature. The changes of mean pore size, pore shape, pore size distribution and orientation of pores with respect to principal strain are quantified using optical image analysis and SEM. The mechanism of compaction of porous aluminium is also discussed. The experimental results will be used in Part II of this study, in which a constitutive model is evaluated and the evolutions of porosity and pore structure simulated.
Comparing the levels of individualism/collectivism between baby boomers and generation X

Purpose – This paper seeks to examine the attitudes of the largest groups in today's workforce, the baby boomers (born between 1945 and 1962) and generation X (born between 1963 and 1982) on team formation. The study measures individualism‐collectivism levels on five dimensions in both groups.Design/methodology/approach – Based on survey research (n=434), data were analyzed using factor analyses (extraction and rotation choices) consistent with previous research.Findings – The findings demonstrate that an updated paradigm for team‐building needs to be developed that encourages individual identity and personal values as well as those of the group.Research limitations/implications – The authors did not examine all of the potential social and cultural influences on team behaviour (e.g. nationality, ethnicity or religious influences). Future research should attempt to either measure or control for more of these variables.Practical implications – Past management paradigms on team formation must be adapted to c...
Educational Leadership in the Age of Technology: The New Skills.

AbstractThis article analyzes the concept of educational technology leadership. It is argued that leadership in the domain of educational technology is different in various ways from leadership in general. In particular, the skills underlying technology leadership need to be identified so they can be incorporated into training programs for teachers and school administrators. It is concluded that this is a critical research area because many educational technology efforts fail due to lack of good leadership at all levels of school systems.
Etiology, diagnosis, and management of facial palsy: 2000 patients at a facial nerve center

Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate the range and incidence of facial palsy etiologies in cases presenting to a tertiary facial nerve center, and to review the broad and evolving spectrum of diagnostic and management approaches to the condition. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Methods Records of patients referred for facial weakness between 2003 and 2013 were reviewed for cases of facial palsy. Cases of muscle dysfunction and primary hemifacial spasm were excluded. The remainder were analyzed by age, sex, and diagnosis. Diagnostic and treatment strategies were reviewed. Results There were 1,989 records that met inclusion criteria. Bell's palsy accounted for 38% of cases, acoustic neuroma resections 10%, cancer 7%, iatrogenic injuries 7%, varicella zoster 7%, benign lesions 5%, congenital palsy 5%, Lyme disease 4%, and other causes 17%. Sixty-one percent of patients were female. Mean age at presentation was 44.5 years (±18.6 years). Diagnoses were revealed primarily by history, though serial physical examinations, radiography, and hematologic testing also contributed. Management strategies included observation, physical therapy, pharmacological therapy, chemodenervation, facial nerve exploration, decompression, repair, and the full array of static and dynamic surgical interventions. Conclusions Bell's palsy remains the most common facial palsy; females present more often for evaluation. Comprehensive diagnostic investigation is mandatory in atypical cases, and thorough management must be multidisciplinary. The algorithms presented herein outline a single center's approach to the facial palsy patient, providing a framework that clinicians caring for these patients may adapt to their specific settings. Level of Evidence 2b Laryngoscope, 124:E283–E293, 2014
Regulation of Glucose Metabolism in the Liver

The liver plays a critical role in control of glucose homeostasis via its dual capacities for glucose disposal and glucose production. This chapter provides a review of the mechanisms by which key pathways of glucose metabolism are regulated in liver. This includes a detailed discussion of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogen metabolism, and glucose transport, and changes in activity of these pathways in response to changes in nutritional status and in diabetes. The advent of modern molecular biology and genetics has resulted in many fresh insights into new regulatory proteins and transcription factors that influence key steps of hepatic glucose metabolism, as well as a new appreciation for the importance of spatial organization and compartmentalization in control of flux through the relevant pathways. These new findings are highlighted and integrated with the large body of prior knowledge in the field. Keywords: liver; glucose; glycogen; glycolysis; gluconeogenesis; glucose transport; glucose homeostasis; regulation
Embrittlement of 4130 steel by low-pressure gaseous hydrogen

A study has been made of the embrittlement of fully hardened 4130 steel in low-pressure, <760 torr, gaseous hydrogen. It was found that the embrittlement was caused by hydrogen-induced, slow crack growth. In the range of temperature from 80° to 25°C, the crack growth rate increased with decrease in temperature; in the range from 0° to −80°C, the rate decreased with decrease in temperature. It was also found that the crack growth rate had a different pressure dependence at high temperatures than at low temperatures. From a consideration of these experimental data as well as data from earlier investigations, it was determined that gaseous-hydrogen embrittlement and the embrittlement of hydrogen-charged steels are basically the same phenomenon. The data are discussed in terms of a surface-reaction model that adequately explains both gaseous-hydrogen embrittlement and the embrittlement of hydrogencharged steels.
McSween Receives 2013 Whipple Award: Response

Not so long ago, our forebears in planetary science—people like Fred Whipple—could truthfully have stated, “Half of what we have been taught is wrong. Unfortunately, we don't know which half.” That does not apply to us anymore, but it remains true that in studying the planets, we must use every scrap of available information, weaving disparate data sets into a tapestry that reveals how these bodies formed and evolved.
Reinterpreting The Bartered Bride: Vašek as a Model for Britten’s Albert Herring

The musical and textual delineation of the eponymous hero of Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring can be linked to the fascination Britten and his creative team had with the character of Vasek from Smetana’s The Bartered Bride. Smetana’s stuttering character became one of Peter Pears’s signature roles after the Sadler’s Wells 1943 production of The Bartered Bride, with an English text prepared by Eric Crozier, the librettist of Albert Herring. Whereas mid-twentieth-century performers and stage directors approached Vasek as a buffoonish simpleton, Crozier and Pears depicted him sympathetically as an oppressed social misfit, prefiguring the comedic, yet compassionate, portrayal of Albert.
Effect of R&D investments on persistence of abnormal earnings

Purpose – This paper sets out to test the effects of firms’ and industry's R&D intensity on persistence of abnormal earnings.Design/methodology/approach – Ohlson's valuation model is used with pooled regressions along with Fama–Macbeth methodology on yearly regressions and partitioning on Herfindahl index to conduct the tests.Findings – It was found that firms’ and industries’ R&D intensities are both positively correlated with persistence of abnormal earnings. The evidence suggests that the positive effect on earnings persistence caused by R&D's effectiveness in mitigating competition dominates the negative effect brought by more risk from R&D projectsPractical implications – The fact that the firm's own R&D investment leads to incremental earnings persistence beyond that of the industry suggests the importance of incorporating both industry and firm's R&D intensity in earnings persistence. While industry R&D investment leads to competition mitigation via creation of entry barriers, a firm's own investme...
Selenium-containing formate dehydrogenase H from Escherichia coli: a molybdopterin enzyme that catalyzes formate oxidation without oxygen transfer.

Formate dehydrogenase H, FDH(Se), from Escherichia coli contains a molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide cofactor and a selenocysteine residue in the polypeptide. Oxidation of 13C-labeled formate in 18O-enriched water catalyzed by FDH(Se) produces 13CO2 gas that contains no 18O-label, establishing that the enzyme is not a member of the large class of Mo−pterin-containing oxotransferases which incorporate oxygen from water into product. An unusual Mo center of the active site is coordinated in the reduced Mo(IV) state in a square pyramidal geometry to the four equatorial dithiolene sulfur atoms from a pair of pterin cofactors and a Se atom of the selenocysteine-140 residue [Boyington, J. C., Gladyshev, V. N., Khangulov, S. V., Stadtman, T. C., and Sun, P. D. (1997) Science 275, 1305−1308]. EPR spectroscopy of the Mo(V) state indicates a square pyramidal geometry analogous to that of the Mo(IV) center. The strongest ligand field component is likely the single axial Se atom producing a ground orbital configurat...
On Better Performance from Scheduling Threads According to Resource Demands in MMMP

The Multi-core Multi-threading Microprocessor introduces not only resource sharing to threads in the same core, e.g., computation resources and private caches, but also isolates those resources within different cores. Moreover, when the Simultaneous Multithreading architecture is employed, the execution resources are fully shared among the concurrently executing threads in the same core, while the isolation is worsened as the number of cores increases. Even though fetch policies regarding how to assign priorities in fetch stage are well designed to manage the shared resources in a core, it is actually the scheduling policy that makes the distributed resources available for workloads, through deciding how to send their threads to cores. On the other hand, threads consume various resources in different phases and Cycles Per Instruction Spent on Memory (CPImem) is used to express their resource demands. Consequently, aiming at better performance via scheduling according to their resource demands, we propose the Mix-Scheduling to evenly mix threads across cores, so that it achieves thread diversity, i.e., CPImem diversity in every core. As a result, it is observed in our experiment that 63% improvement in overall system throughput and 27% improvement in average thread performance, when comparing the Mix-Scheduling policy with the reference policy Mono-Scheduling, which keeps CPImem uniformity among threads in every core on chips. Furthermore, the Mix-Scheduling also makes an essential step towards shortening load latency, because it succeeds in reducing the L2 Cache Miss Rate by 6% from Mono-Scheduling.
Elicitation of water ingestion in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) by intracranial injections of angiotensin II and 1-norepinephrine

Abstract Intracranial injections of Angiotensin II (AII) through permanent brain chemodes aimed for the lateral hypothalamic, lateral preoptic, or septal region evoked drinking of tap water from Mongolian gerbils in normal water balance. When lettuce was the only available free water source, AII injections elicited prolonged lettuce-eating responses. l-Norepinephrine injections did not elicit eating of food pellets but, like AII, proved to be a reliable and potent dipsogenic agent. Carbachol, a cholinergic agonist, failed to elicit any ingestive behaviors over a wide dose range. The species-typical foot-thumping behavior of the gerbil was seen during some tests with all drugs utilized. It is suggested that the dipsogenic property of AII across a wide variety of species reflects the nature of a primitive, i.e., phylogenetically old, brain mechanism shared by most mammals to deal with problems of water economy, while the organization and utilization of other central neurochemicals in thirst-related substrates may vary among species.
A genome-wide association study identifies a locus for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate on 8q24

Objective To identify, in a non-hypothesis manner, novel genetic factors associated with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P). Study design We performed a genome-wide association study in a pediatric cohort of European decent consisting of 111 NSCL/P cases and 5951 control subjects. All subjects were consecutively recruited from the Greater Philadelphia area from 2006 to 2009. High throughput genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping was carried out with the Illumina Infinium II HumanHap550 BeadChip technology. Results We observed association at the genome-wide significance level with SNP rs987525 at a locus on 8q24, which harbors no characterized genes to date ( P = 9.18 × 10 −8 ; odds ratio=2.09, 95% confidence interval=1.59 to 2.76). While searching for a replication cohort, the same genetic determinant was established through a genome-wide association study of NSCL/P in Germany, so this previous report acts as a de novo replication for our independent observation outlined here. Conclusions These results strongly suggest that a locus on 8q24 is involved in the pathogenesis of NSCL/P.
An ultrastructural study of two forms of chilling-induced injury to the rind of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi, Macfed).

Abstract The ultrastructural manifestations of storage chilling-injury and concentric ring stipple indicate that the two types of injury are similar in some respects and different in others. The low temperature storage-induced injury involves the epidermal cells and several layers of epicarpal cells below. It is manifested as an increase in lipid material in the cytoplasm and vacuole and in eventual degradation and collapse of the cytoplasm. The field injury, concentric ring stipple, apparently involves primarily the epidermal cells which become extremely electron dense. The epicarp cells of the injured region do not show extensive damage but do exhibit increased lipid accumulation. This accumulation of lipid is a phenomenon common to both types of injury and may be indicative of an altered metabolism due to the low temperatures. The apparent loss of organization and compartmentation in the chilling injury is also suggestive of membrane degradation. The storage chilling-injury occurs after exposure to low temperatures for several weeks, whereas the concentric ring stipple is evidently induced by an exposure in the field for only a few hours. The ultrastructural differences observed in these two injuries, therefore, may be due to the different time- and stress- factors involved.
Computer simulation of diffusely-connected neuronal populations

This paper describes computer simulations of diffusely-connected neuronal populations. Main findings are that diffuse monosynaptic linkages between populations are selectively sensitive to synchronized clusters of action potentials in the pre-synaptic population; that diffusely-connected excitatory recurrent collaterals tend to produce rhythmic series of synchronized clusters; and that diffusely-connected inhibition (both recurrent and afferent) tend to reduce the number of cells participating in a given synchronized cluster and thereby the overall transfer rate. However, recurrent inhibition tends to increase the rate at which synchronized clusters are produced by recurrent excitation. These results suggest the speculation that diffusely connected neuronal populations are particularly prone to deal with synchronized clusters of action potentials.
POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS OF ACCESS' TO BENEFIT SHARING PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY TO MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE RESERVES

Doi: 10.4038/jnsfsr.v31i1-2.3041 J. Natn. Sci. Foundation Sri Lanka 2003 31(1&2): 299-306 Proceedings of the South and Central Asian MAB Meeting of Experts on Environmental Conservation, Management and Research, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka 15-18 October 2002
Solar influence on a major mode of atmospheric variability

[1] We find that the North Annular Mode (NAM) of the wintertime geopotential height anomalies between 10 and 1000 hPa is influenced by solar changes and that the effect is statistically significant. This evidence suggests that a mechanism of solar influence on climate operates through the excitation of this mode. The influence depends on the phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). In early winter for the west QBO and late winter for the east QBO the solar changes affect the NAM in both the stratosphere and the troposphere almost equally. The results are compared with earlier studies of the role of the QBO and solar UV changes on near-polar temperatures and geopotential heights. Thus the late winter effect for the west QBO found by Labitzke and van Loon [1988] is clearly evident in the NAM in the stratosphere but does not appear in the troposphere.
Stroke after cardiac surgery: short- and long-term outcomes.

Abstract Background . Stroke remains a devastating complication of cardiac surgery, but stroke prevention remains elusive. Evaluation of early and long-term clinical outcomes and brain-imaging findings may provide insight into stroke prognosis, etiology, and prevention. Methods . Five thousand nine hundred seventy-one cardiac surgery patients were prospectively studied for clinical evidence of stroke. Stroke and nonstroke patients were compared by early outcomes. Data collected for stroke patients included brain imaging results, long-term functional status, and survival. Outcome predictors were then determined. Results . Stroke was diagnosed in 214 (3.6%) patients. Brain imaging demonstrated acute infarction in 72%; embolic in 83%, and watershed in 24%. Survival for stroke patients was 67% at 1 year and 47% at 5 years. Independent predictors of survival were cerebral infarct type, creatinine elevation, cardiopulmonary bypass time, preoperative intensive care days, postoperative awakening time, and postoperative intensive care days. Long-term disability was moderate to severe in 69%. Conclusions . Stroke after cardiac surgery has profound repercussions that are independently related to infarct type and clinical factors. These data are essential for clinical decision making and prognosis determination.
Gain/Loss Asymmetry in Risky Intertemporal Choice

Abstract Managers′ reports of their own reactions to risk suggest that decision makers may feel they can control both the likelihood and the magnitude of future potential losses (March & Shapira, 1987). As a consequence, delayed losses appear much less intimidating than immediate losses because delayed losses are heavily discounted. However, if decision makers discount losses more heavily than gains, or if future loss seems less credible than gain, decision makers will make more risky choices when outcomes are delayed than when they are immediate. These are the ideas explored in this study. The questions addressed are: (1) Do decision makers discount gain and loss asymmetrically, with higher loss than gain rates, and (2) is the uncertainty (implicit risk) associated with future loss outcomes greater than that associated with gain outcomes? Lottery ratings were used to fit three intertemporal choice models, each of which represents a particular time-discounting or implicit-risk hypothesis. The resulting time and implicit risk parameter estimates were used to test hypotheses about discounting asymmetries. A significant number of subjects discount loss faster than gain. Both implicit risk and time discount rates were higher for loss than gain. Thus, the asymmetry detected in this study is in the direction that would induce greater risk tolerance with delay as predicted in Miller′s (1959) conflict theory. The results also reflect managers′ optimistic view of the future and their belief in their eventual mastery of it.
Heavy metals in oyster tissue around three coastal marinas.

The past decade has presented an unprecedented period of growth and development along the coastline of South Carolina. The majority of this development has been to serve the recreation and tourism industry and, as such, has included the construction of numerous recreational marinas in the coastal waters of the State. Various plans have been presented for the siting of marinas in pristine estuarine waters. This has raised much concern due to the possible impacts of such development on the plentiful oyster resource found in those waters. Marinas present the potential for the introduction of pollutants such as heavy metals into the surrounding waters. This investigation was conducted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) during 1983, and yielded a multifaceted data base composed of physiocochemical and bacteriological analyses from water, chemical analyses from sediment and chemical/bacteriological physiological analyses from the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin). C. virginica was chosen as the organism of interest due to its wide distribution in the estuaries of South Carolina, its importance as an economic and recreational resource and its suitability as a sentinel organism for monitoring coastal pollution.
Theoretical and experimental approaches for studying factors defining the Helicobacter pylori–host relationship

Mathematical modeling has helped develop hypotheses about the role of microbial and host parameters in the initial and subsequent phases of Helicobacter pylori colonization. Transgenic mice have been used to test the hypothesis that the outcome of colonization is influenced by whether bacteria can adhere to available epithelial cell receptors. Complementary use of modeling and experimental approaches should facilitate studies of H. pylori pathogenesis.
Sheep self-medicate when challenged with illness-inducing foods

People learn to take aspirin for headaches, antacids for stomach aches and ibuprofen to relieve pain, and often obtain prescriptions from doctors for medications. Is it also possible that herbivores write their own prescriptions? From prehistoric times, people have looked to the presumed self-medicative behaviour of animals for remedies of ailments but it is still not clear whether animals seek medicinal compounds to recuperate from illness. Evidence of self-medication is based almost exclusively on observations rather than experimental analyses. We examined whether lambs select specific protective chemicals to recuperate from ingesting malaise-inducing foods. In pen studies, lambs in a treatment group were conditioned to consume foods and toxins (grain, tannins, oxalic acid) that led to negative internal states and then allowed to eat a substance known to attenuate each state (sodium bentonite, polyethylene glycol and dicalcium phosphate, respectively). Control lambs ate the same foods and medicines, but disassociated temporally, so they did not recuperate from illness. After conditioning, lambs ingested grain or food with tannins or oxalates and then received a choice of the three medicines. Only the treatment animals preferred to eat the specific compound known to rectify the state of malaise induced by the food previously ingested. Control animals never changed their pattern of use of the medicines, regardless of the food consumed before the choice. This first demonstration of multiple malaise–medicine associations supports suppositions in zoopharmacognosy and current hypotheses of homeostatic endeavour, and has implications for the well-being of wild and domestic animals.
X-chromosome linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein inhibits muscle proteolysis in insulin-deficient mice.

Loss of muscle protein is a serious complication of catabolic diseases and contributes substantially to patients' morbidity and mortality. This muscle loss is mediated largely by the activation of the ubiquitin–proteasome system; however, caspase-3 catalyzes an initial step in this process by cleaving actomyosin into small protein fragments that are rapidly degraded by the proteasome-dependent proteolytic pathway. We hypothesized that X-chromosome linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), an endogenous caspase-3 inhibitor, would block this first step in the cleavage of actomyosin that would make XIAP a candidate for treating muscle wasting. To determine if XIAP could attenuate muscle protein degradation, we used a recombinant lentivirus (Len-XIAP) encoding the full-length human XIAP cDNA to express XIAP in vivo. In muscle of streptozotocin-treated insulin-deficient mice, total muscle protein degradation, caspase-3 activity, and myofibril destruction were increased while XIAP was decreased. Overexpression of XIAP in these mice attenuated the excessive muscle protein degradation. Increased proteasome activity, caspase-3 activity and myofibril protein breakdown were all reduced. The ability of XIAP to prevent the loss of muscle protein suggests that XIAP could be a therapeutic reagent for muscle atrophy in catabolic diseases.
Glycoprotein secretion by isolated Rana pipiens gastrula chordamesoderm.

Abstract It has been confirmed that involuted chordamesoderm, when placed in the blastocoele cavity of early Rana pipiens gastrulae, induces the formation of anterior neural structures. Isolates of chordamesoderm grown in vitro release macromolecules which incorporate [ 3 H]leucine, [ 14 C]glucosamine and [ 14 C]acetate but not [ 3 H]uridine or Na 2 35 SO 4 . This glycoprotein substance tracks as a single band on sieving columns and DEAE-cellulose columns. A portion of the radioactive exported preparation may be bound to and specifically eluted from Ricin affinity columns. It is not bound to Concanavalin A (Con A) or wheat germ agglutinin. The Ricin eluted glycoprotein has a pI of 2.18 as determined by isoelectric focusing.
Effect of Donor Body Mass Index on the Outcome of Donation After Cardiac Death Kidneys: How Big is Too Big?

Abstract Introduction Morbid obesity (MO) has become an epidemic in the United Sates and is associated with adverse effects on health. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of MO on the short-term outcomes of kidneys transplanted from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors. Patients and Methods Using a prospectively collected database, we reviewed 467 kidney transplantations performed at a single center between January 2008 and June 2011 to identify 67 recipients who received transplants from 40 DCD donors. The outcomes of 14 MO DCD donor kidneys were compared with 53 non-MO DCD grafts. MO was defined as a body mass index ≥35. Mean patient follow-up was 16 months. Results The MO and non-MO DCD donor groups were similar with respect to donor and recipient age, gender, race, cause of death and renal disease, time from withdrawal of life support to organ perfusion, mean human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch, and overall recipient survival. Organs from MO DCD donors also had comparable rates of delayed graft function (21.4% vs 20.0%; P = not significant [NS]). At 1 year post-transplantation, a small but statistically insignificant difference was observed in the graft survival rates of MO and non-MO donors (87% vs. 96%; P = NS). One MO kidney had primary nonfunction. Conclusions These data demonstrate that kidneys procured from MO DCD donors have equivalent short-term outcomes compared with non-MO grafts and should continue to be used. Further investigation is needed to examine the effect of MO on long-term renal allograft survival.
Stent graft infection after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: A case report

A 77-year-old man had clinical and radiologic signs of graft infection develop 1 year after stent grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Blood cultures grew Bacteroides fragilis, and cultures of the aneurysm sac grew Enterococcus. The patient's condition was successfully managed with staged extraanatomic revascularization followed by graft excision. Although stent graft infection to date is extremely rare, some aspects peculiar to the placement of these devices potentially could increase their susceptibility to infection. Recognition and standard techniques in management can lead to successful outcome.
A 3D LIF system for turbulent buoyant jet flows

A Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) system for mapping the three dimensional tracer concentration field in turbulent flows is described. The system is particularly suited to studies of single or multiple buoyant jets discharged into unstratified and stratified flowing environments for conditions typical of wastewater discharges into surface water bodies. A laser beam is scanned through the flow and LIF images are obtained in parallel planes with a high-speed synchronized CCD camera. Refractive index matching is used to minimize refractive index variations due to local density gradients. An application to vertical round buoyant jets discharging into unstratified and stratified cross flows is presented. The three-dimensional system can obtain vastly more data than is possible with probe-based techniques and can yield far more insight into the flow and mixing processes.
Bibliography on the Surge Performance of Transformers and Rotating Machines-Second Supplement

This second supplement is a follow-up of a bibliography on the surge performance of transformers and rotating machines and a first supplement published in 1958 and 1962, respectively. It presents 77 additional references from 1903 through 1963. The activity in this field does appear to be decreasing.
Exploratory neuropharmacological evaluation of a conformationally constrained thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue.

Abstract A conformationally constrained peptidomimetic derived from the endocrine and neuroactive tripeptide thyrotropin-releasing hormone (pGlu-His-Pro-NH 2 ) was synthesized by convenient solid-phase organic chemistry and evaluated as a potential central nervous system agent. While this ethylene-bridged peptide analogue has been reported to lack the hormonal effect of the native peptide, we have shown in animal models that it possesses central nervous system activity characteristic of thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Compared to control, the peptidomimetic showed significant analeptic and antidepressant-like potencies. Moreover, an enhanced selectivity in antidepressant-like effect was measured when compared to that of the native peptide. Immobilized artificial membrane chromatography and in vitro metabolic stability studies also revealed that this constrained peptidomimetic has higher affinity to the blood–brain barrier than the native peptide and is metabolically stable. Consequently, this structure may be used as a template to design centrally selective and metabolically stable thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogues as potential neuropharmaceutical agents.
Subcellular localization and partial characterization of bovine corpus luteum adenylate cyclase.

Abstract The subcellular localization of adenylate cyclase (ATP pyroposphatelyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1) in bovine corpus luteum was studied using isotonic and hypotonic homogenization and fractionation conditions. All fractions prepared were assayed for adenylate cyclase, marker enzymes and DNA. Only plasma membrane marker enzyme, 5′-nucleotidase paralleled the distribution of adenylate cyclase under both isotonic and hypotonic conditions (coefficient of correlation = 0.95). Two main fractions prepared under hypotonic conditions were subfractionated by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation. The highest amount of adenylate cyclase was found in a fraction having a density approximately equal to 1.13 g/cm3. The specific activity of this fraction was 4–6 times higher than that of the homogenate. The electron microscopic study of this fraction revealed the presence of a single type of particulate material consisting of small vesicles exhibiting a typical unit membrane structure. It is concluded that this adenylate cyclase is primarily localized in the plasma membranes. Basal adenylate cyclase activity of plasma membranes was stimulated 2–3 times by luteinizing hormone (10 μ/ml), 3–4 times by prostaglandin E2 (10 μm/ml), 4–6 times by NaF (0.01 M) and two times by methanol (0.2%).
The induction of fatty liver in neonatal animals by a purified protein (EGF) from mouse submaxillary gland.

Abstract EGF, a purified protein isolated from the submaxillary gland of male mice, will induce a fatty liver when the material is injected into neonatal rats and mice. This fatty liver appears to be, almost exclusively, the result of the net accumulation of triglycerides.
Stridulatory Mechanisms in the Lygaeidae, with a New American Genus of Orsillinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)

A review of the terms applied to stridulatory structures has led the authors to coin a new term, stridulitrum, for the stationary part and to accept the term plectrum for the movable part of the mechanism. Four distinct types of stridulatory mechanisms, based on the position of the stridulitrum, have been found in the Lygaeidae. Two are found in single genera: the metathoracic wing type, found in members of the genus Kleidoeerys (Ischnorhynchini); and the prothoracic type, found in the monotypic genus Pseudocnemodus (Rhyparochrominae, Myodochini). The other two types are more widely distributed. The hemelytral margin type is found in the orsilline genera Xyonysius (name newly proposed for Nysius californicus Stal and its allies), Oceanides , and Metrarga ; the pamphantine genera Pamphautus (in Cuban species only) and Abpamphantus ; and the cleradine (Rhyparochrominae) genera Balboa, Prosomoeus , and Primierus . The abdominal type is found in the blissine genus Heteroblissus ; the cleradine (Rhyparochrominae) genera Pactye and Dyakana ; and the myodochine (Rhyparochrominae) genera Ligyrocoris, Sphaerobis, Encosmetus (one species), Erlacda , and Altomerus . The evidence suggests that stridulatory mechanisms evolved 7 or 8 times in the family. Analysis of the distribution of stridulatory structures in the Lygaeidae shows that several taxonomic conclusions can be drawn from the study. The following are suggested: a New World origin for some of the Hawaiian orsilline fauna; support for the suggestion that the Cleradini is a polyphyletic group; possible synonomy of the genera Prosomoeus and Primierus ; and possible generic separation of the non-Cuban species of Pamphantus . The structures are of excellent taxonomic value, where they occur, both as generic characters and as higher category characters, but overreliance on them is as unwarranted with these as with any other group of characters. Stal defined Ligyrocoris on the basis of stridulatory structures, but the genus has been shown to be not a natural unit.
Storage. effect on selected characteristics and lipids of defatted soy flours

Three defatted soy flours (fully toasted, white and enzyme active) 92 days after production date were stored at 23 C for periods of 0, 60, 120 and 180 days. At each storage period, lipoxygenase activity, thiobarbituric acid number (TBA), Nitrogen Solubility Index (NSI) and total lipid were determined in 5 replications of each flour. The lipid was separated into 3 fractions by silicic acid column chromatography and the fatty acid composition of each fraction was determined by GLC. Lipids in each fraction were identified by TLC procedures. Toasted flour had the greatest amount of total lipid and lowest TBA of the flours and no lipoxy-genase activity. Enzyme active soy flour had the highest NSI and the greatest lipoxygenase activity. During storage, lipoxygenase activity of enzyme active flour and TBA and total lipid of each flour de-creased. Percentages of lipids in fraction I, II or III were different among the soy flours, and the percentages of lipids in fractions I and II changed during storage. In each lipid fraction during storage, linoleic acid decreased in toasted and white flours but remained constant in enzyme active flour. Linoleic acid in any lipid fraction of enzyme active flour was lowest of the soy flours.
Global atmospheric effects of massive smoke injections from a nuclear war: results from general circulation model simulations

We report three-dimensional calculations of regional and global climatic effects of smoke generated by a large-scale nuclear war. Tropospheric aerosols of absorption optical depth 3, when injected into Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes and maintained for 1–3 weeks, cause intense radiative heating of the mid-troposphere with substantial surface cooling over land. Mid-latitude surface temperatures in continental interiors can drop well below freezing in a matter of days regardless of season. Our results, although based on several assumptions, suggest that circulation changes caused by aerosol-induced atmospheric radiative heating could spread the aerosols well beyond the altitude and latitude zones in which the smoke was initially generated.
Effects of water management practices on discharge of nutrients and organic matter from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ponds

Abstract A water quality data set generated by sampling commercial ponds for 2 years was used in a hydrological model of pond overflow volume to describe the effects of water management practices on discharge of nutrients and organic matter from channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus ponds in northwest Mississippi, USA. Average concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, and biochemical oxygen demand in pond waters were highest in the summer but waste discharge was strongly influenced by pond overflow volume, and the model indicated that greatest quantities of nutrients and organic matter were discharged in the winter when pond overflow volume was greatest. The model also showed that managing pond water levels to maintain a minimum 7.5-cm water storage potential reduced average discharge of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter in pond overflow by about 70% compared with ponds not managed to maintain storage potential. The model further showed that harvesting fish without draining ponds between fish crops could reduce average annual nutrient and organic matter discharge by over 60% relative to annually drained ponds. Maintaining water storage potential and not draining ponds between fish crops therefore appear to be simple and effective methods of reducing waste discharge from aquaculture ponds and have the added benefit of substantially reducing the need for pumped water to maintain pond water levels.