Interleukin 8 (IL-8) induces the expression of kinin B1 receptor in human lung fibroblasts

Near-haploidy is a rare cytogenetic finding in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and is associated with a poor prognosis. A second hyperdiploid line, occurring presumably by endoreduplication of the near-haploid stemline, is often observed. We present a case of common ALL in relapse characterized morphologically by a dual population of small and large lymphoblasts. Cytogenetic analysis supplemented with fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) studies localized near-haploidy and hyperdiploidy to the small and large blast population respectively. DNA ploidy determination confirmed two abnormal clones with near-haploidy as the predominant one. A novel t(9;12)(q11;q13) was present in the near-haploid clone and was duplicated in the hyperdiploid clone. This finding identified cells bearing near-haploidy to be the clonogenic population following malignant transformation and confirmed endoreduplication as the mechanism for the presence of associated hyperdiploidy.     

Proportional and double imitation rules for spectrum access in cognitive radio networks

In this paper, we tackle the problem of opportunistic spectrum access in large-scale cognitive radio networks, where the unlicensed Secondary Users (SUs) access the frequency channels partially occupied by the licensed Primary Users (PUs). Each channel is characterized by an availability probability unknown to the SUs. We apply population game theory to model the spectrum access problem and develop distributed spectrum access policies based on imitation, a behavior rule widely applied in human societies consisting of imitating successful behaviors. We develop two imitation-based spectrum access policies based on the basic Proportional Imitation (PI) rule and the more advanced Double Imitation (DI) rule given that a SU can only imitate the other SUs operating on the same channel. A systematic theoretical analysis is presented for both policies on the induced imitation dynamics and the convergence properties of the proposed policies to the Nash equilibrium. Simple and natural, the proposed imitation-based spectrum access policies can be implemented distributedly based on solely local interactions and thus is especially suited in decentralized adaptive learning environments as cognitive radio networks.     

Development of a Temporal Extension to Query Travel Behavior Time Paths Using an Object-Oriented GIS

An essential requirement to better understand activity-based travel behavior (ABTB) at the disaggregate level is the development of a spatio-temporal model able to support queries related to activities of individuals or groups of individuals. This paper describes the development and implementation of a temporal extension to a geographic information system (GIS) object-oriented model for the modeling of the time path and the retrieval of its event chaining. In this approach, time path is formulated as a totally time ordered set composed by activity events and trip events, themselves organized into time ordered sets. As sets, the time path and its components can be searched using their respective indexes. A series of methods were built that implement temporal predicates as an interface to temporally query the database. A set of positional operator methods were also designed that transform temporal topological queries into retrieval functions based on set ordering indices. Taken together, the temporal predicates and the positional operator methods define a temporal query extension that meets the retrieval needs of an ABTB database.     

A participatory process for the design of housing for a First Nations Community

First Nation (Indigenous) on-reserve housing in Canada is in crisis due to severe shortages, high reported instances of mould contamination, overcrowding and structural deficiencies. The Kitamaat reserve of the Haisla First Nation provides one example. The intent of the study reported here was to engage with the Haisla to develop a culturally appropriate, environmentally responsive and energy-efficient housing type that the Haisla could implement in the future. This work was undertaken by Marceau-Evans-Johnson Architects in collaboration with researchers at the University of Victoria. In this article, the circumstances leading to the present housing crisis are reviewed, the consultative design process with the Haisla and its outcomes are described, and the concept design solution which was co-developed for future housing is presented.     

The adapted augmented Lagrangian method: a new method for the resolution of the mechanical frictional contact problem

The aim of this work is to propose a new numerical method for solving the mechanical frictional contact problem in the general case of multi-bodies in a three dimensional space. This method is called adapted augmented Lagrangian method (AALM) and can be used in a multi-physical context (like thermo-electro-mechanical fields problems). This paper presents this new method and its advantages over other classical methods such as penalty method (PM), adapted penalty method (APM) and, augmented Lagrangian method (ALM). In addition, the efficiency and the reliability of the AALM are proved with some academic problems and an industrial thermo-electromechanical problem.     

Comparing Al-SBA-15 Support and Pt/Al-SBA-15 Catalyst: Changes in Al Speciation and Acidic Properties Induced by the Introduction of Pt via Aqueous Medium

Differences between the acidic properties of silicoaluminic Pt-containing catalysts and those assessed on their parent supports have been reported in the literature and attributed to the presence of the metal nanoparticles and to their influence on the acid sites. It is shown here that for mesoporous materials containing various types of Al species, an alternative explanation can be proposed. ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy, FTIR of adsorbed CO and probe catalytic tests suggest the redistribution of aluminium atoms upon contact of the parent support with the aqueous solution containing the Pt precursor. Upon contact with water and thermal treatment, strong and mild Brønsted sites (Si–O(H)–Al) transform into strong Lewis sites (isolated tetracoordinated Al atoms). As a consequence, it may not be straightforward to deduce the acidic properties of metal-containing catalysts supported on Al-containing mesoporous materials from those of the bare support, because the surface species may differ significantly.     

Role of glycosylation at Ser63 in production of soluble pilin in pathogenic Neisseria

Pilus-mediated adhesion is essential in the pathogenesis of Neisseria meningitidis (MC) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC). Pili are assembled from a protein subunit called pilin. Pilin is a glycoprotein, and pilin antigenic variation has been shown to be responsible for intrastrain variability with respect to the degree of adhesion in both MC and GC. In MC, high-adhesion pilins are responsible for the formation of bundles of pili which bind bacteria and cause them to grow as colonies on infected monolayers. In this work, we selected MC and GC pilin variants responsible for high and low adhesiveness and introduced them into the other species. Our results demonstrated that a given pilin variant expressed an identical phenotype in either GC or MC with respect to bundling and adhesiveness to epithelial cells. However, the production of truncated soluble pilin (S pilin) was consistently more abundant in GC than in MC. In the latter species, the glycosylation of pilin at Ser63 was shown to be required for the production of a truncated monomer of S pilin. In order to determine whether the same was true for GC, we engineered various pilin derivatives with an altered Ser63 glycosylation site. The results of these experiments demonstrated that the production of S pilin in GC was indeed more abundant when pilin was posttranslationally modified at Ser63. However, nonglycosylated variants remained capable of producing large amounts of S pilin. These data demonstrated that for GC, unlike for MC, glycosylation at Ser63 is not required for S-pilin production, suggesting that the mechanisms leading to the production of S pilin in GC and MC are different.     

L'effet du niveau d'experiencing du client et de l'aidant sur l'abandon d'un processus thérapeutique.

Studied the effect of client and therapist level of experiencing, beginning with the initial stage of psychological counseling, on early termination of therapy. Human subjects: 32 male and female Canadian adults (mean age 30–32 yrs) (personality disorders, neuroses, or interpersonal problems) (clients of therapists). 19 normal male and female Canadian adults (mean age 31 yrs) (graduate students) (therapists). Clients were subdivided into 2 groups: those who had terminated therapy (early or late), and those who had not terminated therapy. Ss were interviewed. Levels of experiencing were compared for the 2 groups of clients and for therapists who had counseled these clients. Tests used: The Global Assessment Scale, Psychiatric Symptom Index (F. Ilfeld, 1976), and Experiencing Scale (P. Mathieu-Coughlan and M. Klein, 1984). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An innovative industry-university partnership to enhance university training and industry recruiting in power engineering

Many universities have in the late 1990s reduced the number of courses in power engineering, preferring to devote their resources to other areas such as information technologies. This comes at a time when it is predicted that a significant number of engineers will be retiring in the next decade, in some utilities, more than a third. A leading utility in generation, transmission, and distribution, has therefore taken the initiative, with the help of six local universities and the support of local industry, to create and finance an Institute of Electrical Power Engineering to train and recruit students, and allow universities to offer comprehensive programs in this discipline. Innovative aspects include the development of a specialized program of courses and laboratories common to participating universities, the active involvement of industry in program development, and instruction and the introduction of incentives such as scholarships, industrial projects, and internships.