cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convergence to IFRS: The Canadian experience

Beginning in January 2006, the Canadian Accounting Standards Board (AcSB) announced its decision to replace Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for public companies. That decision impacted Canadian investors and businesses and changed the way financial information is reported in Canada. So how have things gone since the decision was made? What has Canada learned? And what can the United States learn from the Canadian experience? The authors have found some answers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH) in Pineal and Hypothalamus of the Frog: Effect of Season and Illumination11

The influence of photo-illumination and season on the pineal and hypothalamic content of TRH in the leopard frog (Rana pipiens) was studied. Animals (4–6 in each group) were exposed to constant light or darkness for 72 h and then sacrificed. The pineal and hypothalamus from each frog were extracted for TRH measurement by radioimmunoassay. The experiment was performed in spring, autumn, early winter and mid-winter. In early winter, mid-winter and spring the pineal content of TRH ranged from 0.14–0.70 ng. Significant differences between groups due to season and illumination were recorded. In autumn, mean levels of TRH were 12.95 ng (dark exposed) and 4.19 ng (light exposed)—values 10–20 times higher than at other times of the year (P < 0.001). The hypothalamic content of TRH ranged from 11.4 ng in spring to 19.5 ng in autumn. Seasonal differences were present, but no effect of light or darkness was found. There was no definite relation between the TRH levels in hypothalamus and pineal. The alteration in pin...
Effect of an intergalactic medium on the average sizes of extragalactic jets

Jets emanating from active galactic nuclei are simulated here by a boundary-following code as they propagate through a bimodal external medium consisting of an isothermal galactic halo and a hotter, less dense, uniform intergalactic medium (IGM). The maximum linear sizes of the beams are found as functions of the beam and media parameters, and some of the observed radio source size statistics are produced in a theoretical model which includes an IGM with a constant local density and temperature. Monte Carlo simulations are used to find the median distance for plausible distributions of various input parameters for a number of constant values of IGM density and temperature. 31 refs.
Finite amplitude waves in incompressible perfectly elastic materials

Abstract Propagation of finite amplitude plane shear waves in an incompressible perfectly elastic material is considered. The material occupies the half space, X 2 ⩾ 0, and is initially at rest. A translational motion is imparted to the surface. X 2 = 0, by applying a spatially uniform and time-dependent shear stress on this surface. The subsequent deformation and change of state in the material are calculated. Two special problems are considered in detail. In the first, the material is in a stress-free state and the surface, X 2 = 0, is given a uniform motion for time t > 0. In the second, the unloading problem following the removal of the applied stress is calculated. The loading and unloading processes in the material generally follow a distinctly different pattern. Depending on the nature of the material and the loading programme, the shear waves may or may not coalesce into a transverse shock wave. The influence of materials of different nature on the propagation of shear waves is also discussed.
Effects of guided imagery on biobehavioral factors in women with fibromyalgia

Women diagnosed with fibromyalgia (N = 72) participated in a 10-week randomized trial to examine the effectiveness of guided imagery on self-efficacy, perceived stress, and selected biobehavioral factors (FMS symptoms; immune biomarkers). Participants in both guided imagery and usual care control conditions completed measures and donated 3 cc of blood at baseline, 6- and 10-weeks. A mixed effects linear model to test for differences between groups for all behavioral and biologic variables demonstrated that after 10 weeks of daily intervention use, guided imagery participants reported statistically significant increases in self-efficacy and statistically significant decreases in stress, fatigue, pain, and depression. There were no statistically significant changes in biomarker levels, although total group C-reactive protein was elevated at baseline (4.7 mg/L), indicating an inflammatory process. Subsequent studies should be undertaken to more fully elucidate the biobehavioral aspects of nonpharmacological intervention effectiveness.
The rules of virtual groups: Trust, liking, and performance in computer-mediated communication

Research on virtual groups reflects concerns about the development of trust and liking and about the performance of partners who do not see each other or work proximally. Previous studies have explored behaviors leading to subjectively experienced trust and/or liking, or trusting behaviors associated with group output, but have not linked behaviors, subjective affect, and output quality. Deriving principles from the social information processing theory of computer-mediated communication, this research identified and tested six communication rules for virtual groups. Employing a quasi-experimental procedure to maximize the variance in rule-following behavior, some distributed groups in a cross-university course were assigned to follow rules as part of their grades on group assignments conducted using computer-mediated communication from which messages were collected and later coded. Through self-reported measures of rule following and affect, results reveal correlations between each rule with trust and liking. Less consistent are the relationships between rule following, specific observed behaviors, and actual performance quality. Interpretations suggest that a powerful set of collaboration rules has been identified or that the mere following of any rules and norms reduces uncertainty and enhances trust in distributed work teams.
Induction of Renin Activity by Gonadotropic Hormones in Cultured Leydig Tumor Cells

The hormonal regulation of renin activity in cloned and cultured Leydig tumor cells (designated MA-10) was examined. The treatment of Leydig cell cultures with bovine LH (bLH), hCG, or with (Bu)2cAMP elicited a dose- and time-dependent induction of renin activity and a concomitant increase in steroid biosynthesis. The optimum concentration of hCG was 25 ng/ml, which caused an average 25-fold increase in renin activity compared to the control value. bLH action was optimum at 75-100 ng/ml and induced an approximately 35-fold increase in renin activity. The maximum inducible level of renin activity was attained after 8-9 h of hormone treatments. The addition of progesterone (the major steroid product of the MA-10 cells) did not induce a significant increase in renin activity. Treatment of MA-10 cells with epidermal growth factor also failed to produce any increase in renin activity. The optimum concentration of (Bu)2cAMP was 800 microM for the induction of renin activity and caused an approximately 40-fold increase compared to the control value. Renin activity induced by bLH, hCG, or (Bu)2cAMP was completely inhibited by mouse anti-renin antibody, indicating the specific nature of renin. Upon withdrawal of (Bu)2cAMP from the culture medium, renin activity gradually declined to the control level, and with retreatment of these cultures with (Bu)2cAMP, a newly induced state of enzyme activity was resumed. Indirectly, the role of new protein and RNA synthesis was examined during hormonal regulation of renin induction using protein and RNA synthesis inhibitors such as cycloheximide, puromycin, actinomycin D, or rifampicin. Both protein and RNA synthesis inhibitors blocked the induction of renin activity in the presence of all three inducing agents, bLH, hCG, or (Bu)2cAMP. The results provide evidence that the induction of renin activity is modulated by bLH, hCG, or (Bu)2cAMP and represent the de novo synthesis of enzyme molecules.
Binswanger's encephalopathy: a review

Binswanger's encephalopathy is reviewed in respect to history, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, epidemiology, pathology, clinical picture, laboratory findings, differential diagnosis, and treatment. The various viewpoints on the pathogenesis of the process are discussed, in particular the role of ischemia, vascular disease, high blood pressure, lacunar infarction, hypoxia, edema, and hydrocephalus. The white matter hypomyelination of congophilic angiopathy and Alzheimer's disease should provide clues. A unifying hypothesis has not been attained.
Arginine, scurvy and Cartier's "tree of life"

Several conifers have been considered as candidates for "Annedda", which was the source for a miraculous cure for scurvy in Jacques Cartier's critically ill crew in 1536. Vitamin C was responsible for the cure of scurvy and was obtained as an Iroquois decoction from the bark and leaves from this "tree of life", now commonly referred to as arborvitae. Based on seasonal and diurnal amino acid analyses of candidate "trees of life", high levels of arginine, proline, and guanidino compounds were also probably present in decoctions prepared in the severe winter. The semi-essential arginine, proline and all the essential amino acids, would have provided additional nutritional benefits for the rapid recovery from scurvy by vitamin C when food supply was limited. The value of arginine, especially in the recovery of the critically ill sailors, is postulated as a source of nitric oxide, and the arginine-derived guanidino compounds as controlling factors for the activities of different nitric oxide synthases. This review provides further insights into the use of the candidate "trees of life" by indigenous peoples in eastern Canada. It raises hypotheses on the nutritional and synergistic roles of arginine, its metabolites, and other biofactors complementing the role of vitamin C especially in treating Cartier's critically ill sailors.
The Special Five-Membered Ring of Proline: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Alkali Metal Cation Interactions with Proline and Its Four- and Six-Membered Ring Analogues

The interaction of the alkali metal cations, Li+, Na+, and K+, with the amino acid proline (Pro) and its four- and six-membered ring analogues, azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (Aze) and pipecolic acid (Pip), are examined in detail. Experimentally, threshold collision-induced dissociation of the M+(L) complexes, where M = Li, Na, and K and L = Pro, Aze, and Pip, with Xe are studied using a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. From analysis of the kinetic energy dependent cross sections, M+−L bond dissociation energies are measured. These analyses account for unimolecular decay rates, internal energy of reactant ions, and multiple ion−molecule collisions. Ab initio calculations for a number of geometric conformations of the M+(L) complexes were determined at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level with single-point energies calculated at MP2(full), B3LYP, and B3P86 levels using a 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis set. Theoretical bond energies show good agreement with the experimental bond energies, which establishes that the zwit...
The measurement of crack front profiles in the fracture of Au/Al2O3 interfaces

Abstract The use of crack front profiles as a measure of interface toughness is examined. The roughness of a series of crack front profiles generated from in-situ optical micrographs of cracks at Au / Al 2 O 3 interfaces fractured in air is quantified and compared with corresponding fracture energies. The roughness is quantified by measuring the root mean square of the profile position over different lengths of profile segments. The crack front profile exhibits self-affine characteristics for segment lengths less than a critical value which was typically between 80 and 200 μm, depending on the Au foil thickness. The parameters which describe the crack front roughness are found to depend on the fracture energy, and thus should be useful in describing the fracture process.
The stem cell niche in health and malignancy

Somatic stem cells play a well-defined and important role in tissue renewal. Their malignant counterparts, cancer stem cells, are thought to be responsible for tumor initiation and possibly chemotherapy resistance, although controversy remains regarding both the origin and characterization of these cells. Both somatic and cancer stem cells appear to occupy specialized microenvironments in many organs. These niches are important for both maintenance of quiescence and control of cellular survival and proliferation. Targeting cancer stem cells and their microenvironments may provide new therapies to eradicate tumors. The efficacy of several drugs in current use is mediated at least in part via effects on the microenvironment, and new drugs that target the niche are currently in clinical trials.
Tensions, Challenges, and Lessons Learned: Methodological Reflections From Two Photovoice Projects With Sex Workers

We present two arts-based research studies that implemented photovoice method with diverse individuals working in the sex industry. Although these photovoice projects took place in two different cities and at various points in time, their purpose was similar: to highlight the needs, aspirations, health concerns, and issues related to sex workers’ personal lives and their communities to create awareness and social change. In this article, we locate ourselves in our research and describe our methodological process, specifically focusing on how each project manifested in our cities and within our communities. Our aim is to provide insight on the implementation of photovoice method, our personal struggles and challenges within our respective projects at various stages, and how to challenge institutional and social obstacles in conducting photovoice research with sex workers.
Placement of the Baha osseointegrated implant in children

The Baha osseointegrated implant provides bone-conducted hearing for children with significant conductive, mixed, or unilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. The Baha system utilizes bone conduction through the skull to augment hearing. The transcutaneous Baha implant is screwed into the skull behind the ear and the sound processor attaches to the implant via a snap coupling. The system has revolutionized the rehabilitation of hearing loss associated with atresia.
Cigarette smoke extract stimulates interleukin-8 production in human airway epithelium and is attenuated by superoxide dismutase in vitro.

BACKGROUND Cigarette smoke exposure (CSE) results in extensive inflammation in the upper and lower airways. Reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide, have been shown to be potent mediators of this inflammation. METHODS Mucosal biopsy specimens were collected from patients undergoing sinonasal surgery and were used as a source of primary epithelial cells. Human sinonasal epithelial (HSNE) cells and were isolated from sinus tissue, maintained in culture, and ultimately treated with varying concentrations of CSE with or without free superoxide dismutase (SOD). Supernatants and cell lysates were examined for the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-8. Similar experiments were performed using normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cell lines. RESULTS CSE induces both secretion and intracellular production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-8 by HSNE cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, this up-regulation can be suppressed by SOD. CSE induces secretion of IL-8 in NHBEs that is also suppressed by SOD. CONCLUSION Inflammation in the airway after CSE can be blocked by SOD in this in vitro model. The ability to attenuate CSE-induced inflammation with SOD could provide a therapeutic/preventative approach for individuals with cigarette smoke exposure.
A population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis of etanercept in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)

Objective To estimate the population PK parameters of etanercept in pediatric JRA patients. Methods 353 concentrations from 69 JRA patients aged 4 - 17 yrs administered subcutaneous (SC) 0.4 mg/Kg etanercept twice weekly for 3 months in a double-blind placebo controlled study were used for analysis. PK samples were drawn at random times on days 1 and 15; at the end of months 1, 2, and 3; and 30 days after the discontinuation of the drug. Mixed effect model analysis with FO method in NONMEM (Ver. 5.0) and bootstrapping was performed. Diagnostic plots and decreased objective function value (>10.83) were criteria used. Results One-compartment linear absorption PK model with interindividual variability on CL, V, Ka, covariates (sex, BSA) on CL, and body weight on V was developed: (See table). Conclusion The final population PK model adequately described etanercept PK profiles for twice weekly SC dosing of 0.4 mg/kg, which can be summarized as a slow absorption and long half lives, ranging from 70 (males) to 100 hours (females). This result could be used for a clinical trial simulation of 0.8 mg/Kg SC etanercept once weekly regimen for patients with JRA. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P53–P53; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.199 Table 1. Parameter and Structural Model Covariates Population Mean (95% C.I.¶) Interindividual Variability CV§ (95% C.I.¶) C/F (L/hr)/F = 0.0576 (F) or 0.0772 (M) × (BSA/1.071)1.41 Female 0.0576 (0.0525–0.0657) 29% (22–35%) Male 0.0772 (0.066–0.0870) V/F(L) = 7.88 × (body weight in kg/30.8) 7.88 (3.03–8.69) 87% (25–2020%) Ka (1/hr) = 0.05 0.05 (0.01–0.99) 215% (29–1977%) Residual Error Additive Error (mg/L, SD) Proportional Error, CV 0.00103 (0.00052–0.025) 30% (27–36%)
Quantification of brain tissue through incorporation of partial volume effects

This research addresses the problem of automatically quantifying the various types of brain tissue, CSF, white matter, and gray matter, using T1-weighted magnetic resonance images. The method employs a statistical model of the noise and partial volume effect and fits the derived probability density function to that of the data. Following this fit, the optimal decision points can be found for the materials and thus they can be quantified. Emphasis is placed on repeatable results for which a confidence in the solution might be measured. Results are presented assuming a single Gaussian noise source and a uniform distribution of partial volume pixels for both simulated and actual data. Thus far results have been mixed, with no clear advantage being shown in taking into account partial volume effects. Due to the fitting problem being ill-conditioned, it is not yet clear whether these results are due to problems with the model or the method of solution.
Patient Safety Incidents in Home Hospice Care: The Experiences of Hospice Interdisciplinary Team Members

Abstract Background: Hospice provides a full range of services for patients near the end of life, often in the patient's own home. There are no published studies that describe patient safety incidents in home hospice care. Objective: The study objective was to explore the types and characteristics of patient safety incidents in home hospice care from the experiences of hospice interdisciplinary team members. Methods: The study design is qualitative and descriptive. From a convenience sample of 17 hospices in 13 states we identified 62 participants including hospice nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains, and home health aides. We interviewed a separate sample of 19 experienced hospice leaders to assess the credibility of primary results. Semistructured telephone interviews were recorded and transcribed. Four researchers used an editing technique to identify common themes from the interviews. Results: Major themes suggested a definition of patient safety in home hospice that includes concern for unn...
CAM04-2: A Congestion Control Method Jointly Utilizing Delay and Marking/Loss Feedback

Depending upon the type of feedback that is utilized, network congestion control schemes can be classified into two categories: marking/loss based (e.g., TCP Reno) or delay based (e.g., TCP Vegas). Delay-based schemes have garnered much attention due to their higher network throughput than loss-based methods. Delay provides a much finer-grained measure of congestion than packet loss or packet marking feedback. However, when there are multiple bottleneck links or inadequate buffer sizes in the path between a source and destination, delay information alone is insufficient for revealing the incipient network congestion. In this paper, we consider the design of a congestion control scheme that transcends the two normal categories and instead jointly exploits both delay and marking/loss feedback. In particular, we introduce the concept of normalized queuing delay, and demonstrate how a controller based on joint feedback provides high throughput even under highly dynamic network conditions as evidenced by ns2 simulations.
The Ethics of Difference in the Zhuangzi

Most ethical systems that we are familiar with are, to a greater or lesser extent, what I regard as ethics of commonality, as they assume that all human beings are similar, if not the same, in all morally relevant senses. Thus what is the right thing to do to one person must be the right thing to do to another, and what I would like to be done unto me must be what others would like to be done unto them. I argue in this essay that such an ethics, if it ever has been appropriate, is no longer when we are living in an increasingly global village, where we have daily interactions with people who are very different from us in terms of ideas and ideals, interests and preferences, habits and customs, and cultures and religions. While there have been strong criticisms of such an ethics of commonality, particularly in contemporary philosophy, such criticisms have been characteristically relativistic, which makes it almost impossible to make any moral judgments. In this essay, inspired by one of the most important Chinese Daoist classics, the Zhuangzi, I develop an ethics of difference, which pays full attention to individual differences without falling into relativism (at least not any type of relativism that is problematic and that we are familiar with). According to such an ethics of difference, whether an action is morally right or wrong should be ultimately determined by the recipient of this action.
Provocative Testing for Coronary Reactivity and Spasm

Coronary spasm is an important and often overlooked etiology of chest pain. Although coronary spasm, or Prinzmetal's angina, has been thought of as benign, contemporary studies have shown serious associated adverse outcomes, including acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmia, and death. Definitive diagnosis of coronary spasm can at times be difficult, given the transience of symptoms. Numerous agents have been historically described for provocative testing. We provide a review of published data for the role of provocation testing in the diagnosis of coronary spasm.
Phased-array surface coil MR of the orbits and optic nerves

PURPOSE To devise a practical technique for high-resolution evaluation of the anterior optic apparatus using a phased-array surface coil system, and to evaluate this system in patients with suspected optic pathway abnormalities. METHODS A four-element phased-array coil pair was placed on each side of the head, and signal-to-noise measurements were obtained using a head phantom. Comparison between the phased-array coil, the quadrature coil, and a single-turn 12.7-cm (5-in) surface coil was done. T1 spin-echo and T2 fast spin-echo sequences were obtained in the oblique axial and oblique sagittal planes, to approximate the long axis of the optic nerves and the nonoblique coronal plane. RESULTS The phantom signal-to-noise measurements at simulated locations of the optic nerve head, optic canal, and optic chiasm revealed an improvement of at least 30% using the phased-array system. Of 24 imaged cases, 9 had trauma, 5 had suspected neoplasms, and 2 had optic neuritis. In 3 patients, an unexpected diagnosis of optic pathway contusion or infarction was made. The remaining 8 patients had various suspected visual pathway lesions. CONCLUSION Phased-array surface coils allow rapid, thin-section imaging of the entire anterior optic pathway, with improved signal-to-noise ratio. This may improve evaluation of optic pathway lesions over conventional techniques.
Advances in quantitative proteomics using stable isotope tags.

A great deal of current biological and clinical research is directed at the interpretation of the information contained in the human genome sequence in terms of the structure, function and control of biological systems and processes. Proteomics, the systematic analysis of proteins, is becoming a critical component in this endeavor because proteomic measurements are carried out directly on proteins – the catalysts and effectors of essentially all biological functions. To detect changes in protein profiles that might provide important diagnostic or functional insights, proteomic analyses necessarily have to be quantitative. This article summarizes recent technological advances in quantitative proteomics.
Triiodothyronine Optimizes Sheep Ventriculoarterial Coupling for Work Efficiency

Background Triiodothyronine (T 3 ) administration after cardiopulmonary bypass has been shown to significantly improve cardiac performance. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effects of T 3 , when administered as an intravenous bolus, on both cardiac energetics and stroke work-oxygen utilization (EW/LVVO 2 ) efficiency. Methods In both unstressed and stressed hearts, energetics were evaluated at baseline and 2 hours after intervention in an in vivo sheep preparation. In the first group (n = 5) sheep received saline vehicle. In the second group (n = 9) sheep received an intravenous bolus of 1.2 µg/kg of T 3 . In the third group (n = 7) sheep received a 2-hour intravenous infusion of dobutamine at a rate of 5 µg/kg/min. Results In the unstressed heart, T 3 improved cardiac function at no cost in oxygen consumption by decreasing afterload and hence improved EW/LVVO 2 efficiency. In contrast, dobutamine improved unstressed cardiac function by increasing contractility at the cost of increased oxygen consumption and thus decreased EW/LVVO 2 efficiency. Triiodothyronine optimized ventriculoarterial coupling for efficiency, but dobutamine optimized coupling for maximal work. In the stressed heart, T3 again improved EW/LVVO 2 efficiency, but dobutamine had the opposite effect. Conclusions The bolus administration of T3 improves unstressed cardiac performance through optimization of ventriculoarterial coupling for EW/LVVO 2 efficiency, primarily through vasodilation. Triiodothyronine also increases efficiency in the stressed heart. This study supports the use of T3 in cardiac operations to improve cardiac performance with no cost in oxygen consumption characteristic of inotropic agents.
First-principles prediction of a decagonal quasicrystal containing boron.

We interpret experimentally known B-Mg-Ru crystals as quasicrystal approximants whose deterministic decoration of tiles by atoms can be extended quasiperiodically. Experimentally observed disorder corresponds to phason fluctuations. First-principles total energy calculations find many distinct tilings close to stability and suggest a phase transition from a crystalline state at low temperatures to a high temperature state characterized by tile fluctuations. We predict ${\mathrm{B}}_{38}{\mathrm{M}\mathrm{g}}_{17}{\mathrm{R}\mathrm{u}}_{45}$ forms a metastable decagonal quasicrystal that may be thermodynamically stable at high temperatures.
Producing The Spectacle of Kamathipura: The Politics of Red Light Visibility in Mumbai

In this article, I discuss the ways in which prostitution in Mumbai's main red light area is produced and functions as a spectacle. I examine several instantiations of discourses on prostitution in the city, including the press, and a 2003 HIV/AIDS prevention campaign which targeted female sex workers and their clients. I argue that the spectacle of prostitution in Mumbai is framed by international discourses of trafficking, as well as the local dialectics of stigma and honor. I conclude by discussing prostitution in other parts of India, where there is a greater degree of rights-based organizing.
On some parallel programming techniques

Some recent controversy over tightly coupled vs. loosely coupled parallelism may be due to not applying synergism effectively, Herein, parallelism (the execution of a plurality of applications in a plurality of processors) is analyzed from the applications point of view through software, in order to demonstrate that at least five distinct modes of parallelism can be synergistically combined, and some architectures proposed in the literature are surveyed to show embodiments of these modes. This point-of-view may be better in some design studies than that developed from the control structure or from the communication structure of a parallel system, or it may augment those points of view.
Mua (HP0868) Is a Nickel-Binding Protein That Modulates Urease Activity in Helicobacter pylori

A novel mechanism aimed at controlling urease expression in Helicobacter pylori in the presence of ample nickel is described. Higher urease activities were observed in an hp0868mutant (than in the wild type) in cells supplemented with nickel, suggesting that the HP0868 protein (herein named Mua for modulator of urease activity) represses urease activity when nickel concentrations are ample. The increase in urease activity in the muamutant was linked to an increase in urease transcription and synthesis, as shown by quantitative real-time PCR, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting against UreAB. Increased urease syn- thesis was also detected in amuanikRdouble mutant strain. The muamutant was more sensitive to nickel toxicity but more resistant to acid challenge than was the wild-type strain. Pure Mua protein binds 2 moles of Ni 2 per mole of dimer. Elec- trophoretic mobility shift assays did not reveal any binding of Mua to the ureApromoter or other selected promoters (nikR, arsRS, 5= ureB-sRNAp). Previous yeast two-hybrid studies indicated that Mua and RpoD may interact; however, only a weak in- teraction was detected via cross-linking with pure components and this could not be verified by another approach. There was no significant difference in the intracellular nickel level between wild-type and muamutant cells. Taken together, our results sug- gest the HP0868 gene product represses urease transcription when nickel levels are high through an as-yet-uncharacterized mechanism, thus counterbalancing the well-described NikR-mediated activation. IMPORTANCE Urease is a nickel-containing enzyme that buffers both the cytoplasm and the periplasm of Helicobacter pylori by converting urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The enzyme is the most abundant protein in H.pylori, accounting for an esti- mated 10% of the total protein content of the cell, and it is essential for early colonization and virulence. Numerous studies have focused on the transcription of the structural ureABgenes and its control by the regulatory proteins NikR and ArsR. Here we propose that urease transcription is under the control of another Ni-binding protein besides NikR, the Mua (HP0868) protein. Our results suggest that the Mua protein represses urease transcription when nickel levels are high. This mechanism would counterbalance the NikR-mediated activation of urease and ensure that, in the presence of a high nickel concentration, urease activation is limited and does not lead to massive production of detrimental ammonia.
A new carrier-based discontinuous PWM modulation methodology for four-leg voltage source inverters

A new carrier-based discontinuous pulse-width modulation (PWM) scheme anchored on a novel space vector modulation methodology is proposed in this paper for four-leg converters. Using a space vector definition that includes the zero sequence voltage component and partitioning the feasible sixteen modes into three separate sets, the expressions for the modulation signals for the discontinuous carrier based PWM scheme are set forth. Significantly, the switching devices can be clamped either to the positive or negative rail for 120 degrees under all operating conditions of unbalanced three-phase voltages; ensuring the reduction of switching losses and the effective switching frequency of the inverters. The discontinuous PWM modulation methodology proposed which is shown by experimental results to synthesise desirable balanced or unbalanced three-phase voltage sets complements and further clarifies the results of the 3-dimensional space vector modulation scheme (3-D SVM) for four-leg converters reported in the literature.
Comment on “Number-space mapping in the newborn chick resembles humans’ mental number line”

Rugani et al. (Reports, 30 January 2015, p. 534) presented evidence that domestic chicks employ a “mental number line.” I argue that the hypothesis testing used to support this claim unjustifiably assumes that domestic chicks are unbiased when choosing between identical stimuli presented to their left and right.
Robust and low-cost solution for preventing sidejacking attacks in wireless networks using a rolling code

With the recent explosion in wireless hotspots, more and more users find themselves browsing the internet in an insecure manner. This is due to the typical lack of security in the Wi-Fi Access Points at popular hotspots such as coffee shops and airports. A common vulnerability in this scenario is when a user's cookie information is transmitted in plain-text, exposing potential session information. This would typically include the session id, which, if stolen, could lead to session hijacking, also known as sidejacking. In this paper, we present a novel way of authenticating the client to the server using what we call a Rolling Code, much like the rolling code technology used to prevent perpetrators from recording a code and replaying it to open a garage door. By using this technique, the client is able to prove to the server with each request that they are the legitimate client and no other person could have hijacked the session. Our protocol also offers optional payload integrity and confidentiality via a multi-level security model. Our Rolling Code protocol is efficient and is particularly suitable for mobile devices used in wireless networks. We implemented a benchmark of the Rolling Code authentication and used it to evaluate the performance of the scheme for different hardware platforms. Our tests have shown that the Rolling Code protocol is more computationally efficient than the hash chains approach used in a recent cookie security protocol to prevent session sidejacking.
Complications of indwelling retrievable versus permanent inferior vena cava filters

Objective Retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are appealing because they are designed for either retrieval or long-term use. However, the long-term safety of indwelling retrievable compared with permanent filters is largely unknown. This study was undertaken to compare complication rates and types associated with indwelling retrievable and permanent filters. Methods A retrospective review identified 1234 IVC filters (449 retrievable, 785 permanent) placed in 1225 patients from 2005 to 2010. Patients with retrievable filters removed electively were excluded, yielding 383 patients in whom retrievable filters were left in place. These patients with indwelling retrievable filters were compared with those with permanent filters with respect to demographics, comorbidities, survival, and complication rate and type. Differences in patient characteristics were tested with χ 2 , Fisher exact, and Wilcox rank-sum tests. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of complications. Because there were differences in the characteristics of the patients with indwelling retrievable filters and permanent filters, an additional propensity score analysis was performed yielding 319 patients in each group. Results Patients with indwelling retrievable filters were younger than those with permanent filters (mean age, 62 vs 75 years; P P P = NS), device-related complications were significantly more common with indwelling retrievable filters compared with permanent filters (3% vs 0.5%; P P = .0035). Conclusions Indwelling retrievable IVC filters were associated with significantly higher complication rates than permanent filters. Both thrombotic and device-related complications were more common with retrievable filters. Long-term use of retrievable filters should be avoided, especially considering the younger population in whom they are placed.
Role of the spleen and effect of splenectomy in sickle cell disease.

The survival of sickle cell anemia and sickle-cell/Hb-C erythrocytes was determined by the radioactive chromium method, both in their parent circulations and in the circulations of compatible normal recipients. In sickle cell anemia patients with splenomegaly the average erythrocyte survival time (T½) was found to be 3.7 days. After splenectomy T½ increased to an average of 11.4 days. In sickle cell anemia patients without splenomegaly the average T½ was found to be 10 days. In five instances an average T½ of 9.2 days was found, whereas the average T½ for the same cells in the circulations of normal recipients was 4.4 days. In sickle-cell/Hb-C disease the average T½ was 15.7 days. Following splenectomy in two patients, T½ was unchanged in one and increased in the second. T½ was shortened in two of three instances when these cells were transfused into normal recipients, but the data are insufficient to permit conclusions to be drawn. The role of the spleen in hemolysis is discussed briefly and it is concluded that the hemolytic process in sickle cell anemia is accelerated in the presence of a spleen. This finding is compatible with the diminution in the severity of sickle cell anemia frequently recognized in the adult patient whose spleen has atrophied, and in the child following splenectomy. The validity of the chromate-tagging method for determining erythrocyte survival is discussed. Splenectomy was performed in children in whom the erythrocyte survival was shortened (T½ less than 6 days).
Mobile, Low-Cost, and Large-Scale Immersive Data Visualization Environment for Civil Engineering Applications

AbstractThis case study presents the design and development of a three-dimensional (3D) immersive visualization system constructed from commercial off-the-shelf components and open-source software that is intended to address the following key challenges for the practical use of immersive environments: (1) extreme costs in both hardware and software; (2) immobility due to calibration and darkroom requirements; and (3) extensive and expensive manpower requirements for both operation and maintenance. The system—called the VuePod—uses 12 consumer grade passive 3D television monitors, an active tracking system, and a modular construction approach. The VuePod capitalizes on recent functional advancements and cost decreases in both hardware and software and is demonstrated herein as a viable alternative to prohibitively expensive projector-based walk-in computer automatic virtual environments (CAVEs). The case study presents a full description of the hardware and its assembly, the software and its configuration,...
Chapter 9 - Pre-natal development of a hypothalamic biological clock

During fetal life, studies in several mammalian species show that the biological clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) is oscillating in time with the environmental light-dark cycle, and entrainment of the fetal SCN involves the maternal communication of circadian signals to the fetus. This chapter discusses the functional implications of an entrainable biological clock during earl development and the development of circadian rhythms in humans. During the postnatal period, the maternal circadian system of altricial rodents continues to coordinate the timing of the developing circadian system. However, the available evidence indicates that a biological clock oscillates in the mammalian fetus and that the fetal clock is entrained by redundant circadian signals from the mother. An entrainable biological clock during fetal life helps the developing mammal more readily prepare for life in the outside world. In humans, the early establishment of maternal–infant synchrony may help the infant maximize its responsiveness to the outside world.
Bridging Cultural Borders: American Students’ Pedagogical Cross-Cultural Experiences in Hungary

In exploring the best practices for preparing new teachers to meet the challenges of the changing demographics present in contemporary classrooms, cross-cultural internship experiences emerge as an important component to teacher training curriculums. The authors present information based on the experiences of American student teachers spending three weeks teaching English and American Culture in Szent Istvan’s Practice School, making presentations to local clubs, churches, libraries, and traveling throughout Hungary. This exchange program presented a great opportunity for the authors to conduct a study related to exploring the impact of the student teaching abroad experience in their teaching dispositions as well as in developing an understanding of working within a culturally and linguistically diverse environment.
Believe it or Not? Analyzing Information Credibility in Microblogs

This paper identifies and evaluates key factors that influence credibility perception in microblogs. Specifically, we report on a demographic survey (N=81) followed by a user experiment (N=102) in order to answer the following research questions: (1) What are the important cues that contribute to information being perceived as credible? and (2) To what extent is such a quantification portable across different microblogging platforms? To answer the second question, we study two popular microblogs, Reddit and Twitter. Key results include that significant effects of individual factors can be isolated, are portable, and that metadata and image type elements are, in general, the strongest influencing factors in credibility assessments.
20-HETE-induced mitochondrial superoxide production and inflammatory phenotype in vascular smooth muscle is prevented by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase inhibition

20-Hydroxyeicosatetraeonic acid (20-HETE) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. We demonstrate here, to the best to our knowledge for the first time, that it stimulated inosito...
Bouncing Forward Assessing Advances in Community Resilience Assessment, Intervention, and Theory to Guide Future Work

Initial interest in community resilience by the U.S. federal government has been followed by waves of community resilience theory building and of community resilience assessment and intervention de...
Effect of Tumors on Level of Plasma Amino Acids of Eviscerate Rats.

SummaryFollowing evisceration the level of plasma amino acids rises more rapidly in rats which are hosts to a Walker carcinoma than in similar rats without tumors. The extent of rise shows a positive relationship to the size of the tumors at autopsy. The differences are evident in the presence and absence of insulin.
An Ancient Pueblo Turkey

I'HE anatomy and color of the plumage of the domestic turkey has uindergone considerable change from those of its wild ancestors. The turkey in the Southwest was domesticated at least as early as the Pueblo I period (c. 700-900 A.D.), and was held in captivity, possibly domnesticated, during the Modified Basketmaker Period (c. 500-700 A.D.; Miartin et al., 1947: 528). It was of interest to determine if the bird kept by the Pueblos ha(l undergone any change. The bones found at archaeological sites have shown no definite difference from those of the wild bird (AMeleagrris gallopavo merriami). The best approach to the problem appeared to be an examination of desiccated turkeys that retained somiie of their plumage. In 1905 Hough (1914: 139) made a cursory examinatioln of Tularosa Cave, which is located a short distance northeast of Reserve, New Mexico. A photograph in his paper showed a tturkey that appeared to retain many of its feathers. Fortunately the specimen was still in the U.S. National Museum and was forwarded to me by Herbert Friedmann, to whom I wish to express my thanks. A photograph of the turkey in its l)resent condition is shown in Figure 1. Onnly the shafts for the most part of the primaries and secondaries remuaini, anid there are feathers oni v7arious parts of the body. The rectrices are missing and may have been plucked. There are numerous pin feathers on the shoulders. Under normal conditions this would indicate that the bird was in molt and that it died in July or August; however, the presence of all of the shafts of the l)rimaries slhows that molt wvas not in progress. The Pueblos plucked their turkeys to obtain featlhers for ceremonial purposes and for the manufacture of feather blankets, so that the pin feathers may result from plucking rather thai] molt. Hough's photograph indicated that the neck was feathered (Figure 2). This seemed so improbable that I concluded that the effect might be due to a shadow. Surprisingly the neck proved to be densely feathered to the base of the skull, a condition unique among turkeys. The shape of the neck feathers (Figure 3) differs decidedly from that of the normal neck feather (Figure 4) of a Merriam's Turkey taken from the same position on the neck. The shaft ends so abruptly that there was a possibility that a filoplume had broken off. None of the neck feathers show a filoplume extension, and under the microscope there is no indication of a fractured end. The neck feathers are semiplumes and more downy than the semiplumes to be found on the neck
Network Convergence for Communications Technology

2G,3G,LTE,and Wi-Fi will concurrently develop for a certain period of time,but multinetwork convergence is the key to promoting communications technology.Multinetwork deployment has three phases:different network construction,coverage-based coexistence,and collaborative multinetwork convergence.Through the development of core network,access network,and terminals,multinetwork convergence will promote wireless networks.
Kinetics of Dehydrogenation in Molten Aluminum Using Proton Conductor Hydrogen Pump

The aluminum liquid dehydrogenation test was carried out by the self-made BaCe 0.9 Y 0.1 O 3-α proton conductor electrochemical hydrogen pump.The dynamic procedure of the aluminum liquid dehydrogenation w as researched though fitting analysis of variation curve betw een hydrogen content w ith time.The dehydrogenation experiment results show ed that the hydrogen content(S) of the aluminum liquid decreased in the dehydrogenation process.The relation of dehydrogenation rate and hydrogen content in aluminum liquid w as obtained,and the results indicated the dehydrogenation rate v w as 0.001 16 mL /(100 g·min) w hen the hydrogen content w as more than 0.246 mL /100 g in the dehydrogenation process.When hydrogen content w as less than 0.246 mL /100 g,the dehydrogenation rate decreased w ith the decrease of the hydrogen content,w hich w as in the rage of 0.012 0S-0.002 2,w here the chemical reaction w as the rate determining step.Hydrogen pump dehydrogenation limit hydrogen content decreased w ith the increase of applied voltage,w hen the applied voltage w as more than 2.0 V,the aluminum liquid hydrogen content w as low er than 0.096 mL /100 g,w hich satisfied the requirement of high pure aluminum on hydrogen content.
Role of Protein in the Inactivation of Viruses by Ultraviolet Radiation

The capsomers of viruses contain proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. The components of the capsomer frequently participate in the initial stages of the infectious process and in some instances, furnish enzymatic activity vitally needed for viral replication. The capsomers also serve to protect the viral nucleic acid from inactivation by a variety of enzymatic and physical agencies such as actinic radiation.