Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cutpoints for Low Appendicular Lean Mass That Identify Older Adults With Clinically Significant Weakness

Background. Low lean mass is potentially clinically important in older persons, but criteria have not been empirically validated. As part of the FNIH (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health) Sarcopenia Project, this analysis sought to identify cutpoints in lean mass by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry that discriminate the presence or absence of weakness (defined in a previous report in the series as grip strength <26kg in men and <16kg in women). Methods. In pooled cross-sectional data stratified by sex (7,582 men and 3,688 women), classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to derive cutpoints for appendicular lean body mass (ALM) that best discriminated the presence or absence of weakness. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to quantify the strength of the association between lean mass category and weakness. Results. In primary analyses, CART models identified cutpoints for low lean mass (ALM <19.75kg in men and <15.02kg in women). Sensitivity analyses using ALM divided by body mass index (BMI: ALMBMI) identified a secondary definition (ALMBMI <0.789 in men and ALMBMI <0.512 in women). As expected, after accounting for study and age, low lean mass (compared with higher lean mass) was associated with weakness by both the primary (men, odds ratio [OR]: 6.9 [95% CI: 5.4, 8.9]; women, OR: 3.6 [95% CI: 2.9, 4.3]) and secondary definitions (men, OR: 4.3 [95% CI: 3.4, 5.5]; women, OR: 2.2 [95% CI: 1.8, 2.8]). Conclusions. ALM cutpoints derived from a large, diverse sample of older adults identified lean mass thresholds below which older adults had a higher likelihood of weakness.
A homogeneous set of globular cluster relative distances and reddenings

We present distance modulus and reddening determinations for 72 Galactic globular clusters from the homogeneous photometric database of Piotto et al. (2002), calibrated to the HST flight F439W and F555W bands. The distances have been determined by comparison with theoretical absolute magnitudes of the ZAHB. For low and intermediate metallicity clusters, we have estimated the apparent Zero Age Horizontal Branch (ZAHB) magnitude from the RR Lyrae level. For metal rich clusters, the ZAHB magnitude was obtained from the fainter envelope of the red HB. Reddenings have been estimated by comparison of the HST colour-magnitude diagrams (CMD) with ground CMDs of template clusters with low reddening. The homogeneity of both the photometric data and the adopted methodological approach allowed us to obtain highly accurate relative cluster distances and reddenings. Our results are also compared with recent compilations in the literature.
Formation of Hydrogen Sulfide from Cysteine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4742: Genome Wide Screen Reveals a Central Role of the Vacuole

Discoveries on the toxic effects of cysteine accumulation and, particularly, recent findings on the many physiological roles of one of the products of cysteine catabolism, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), are highlighting the importance of this amino acid and sulfur metabolism in a range of cellular activities. It is also highlighting how little we know about this critical part of cellular metabolism. In the work described here, a genome-wide screen using a deletion collection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed a surprising set of genes associated with this process. In addition, the yeast vacuole, not previously associated with cysteine catabolism, emerged as an important compartment for cysteine degradation. Most prominent among the vacuole-related mutants were those involved in vacuole acidification; we identified each of the eight subunits of a vacuole acidification sub-complex (V1 of the yeast V-ATPase) as essential for cysteine degradation. Other functions identified included translation, RNA processing, folate-derived one-carbon metabolism, and mitochondrial iron-sulfur homeostasis. This work identified for the first time cellular factors affecting the fundamental process of cysteine catabolism. Results obtained significantly contribute to the understanding of this process and may provide insight into the underlying cause of cysteine accumulation and H2S generation in eukaryotes.
Dileucine and PDZ-binding Motifs Mediate Synaptic Adhesion-like Molecule 1 (SALM1) Trafficking in Hippocampal Neurons*

Background: The SALMs are neuronal cell adhesion molecules. Results: Deletion of the SALM1 PDZ-binding motif or mutation of a dileucine motif affects ER retention and surface expression. Conclusion: Enhanced SALM1 surface causes formation of elongated processes. Significance: SALMs can regulate neuronal morphology and may be involved in developmental disorders like autism. Synaptic adhesion-like molecules (SALMs) are a family of cell adhesion molecules involved in neurite outgrowth and synapse formation. Of the five family members, only SALM1, -2, and -3 contain a cytoplasmic C-terminal PDZ-binding motif. We have found that SALM1 is unique among the SALMs because deletion of its PDZ-binding motif (SALM1ΔPDZ) blocks its surface expression in heterologous cells. When expressed in hippocampal neurons, SALM1ΔPDZ had decreased surface expression in dendrites and the cell soma but not in axons, suggesting that the PDZ-binding domain may influence cellular trafficking of SALMs to specific neuronal locations. Endoglycosidase H digestion assays indicated that SALM1ΔPDZ is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in heterologous cells. However, when the entire C-terminal tail of SALM1 was deleted, SALM1 was detected on the cell surface. Using serial deletions, we identified a region of SALM1 that contains a putative dileucine ER retention motif, which is not present in the other SALMs. Mutation of this DXXXLL motif allowed SALM1 to leave the ER and enhanced its surface expression in heterologous cells and neurons. An increase in the number of protrusions at the dendrites and cell body was observed when this SALM1 mutant was expressed in hippocampal neurons. With electron microscopy, these protrusions appeared to be irregular, enlarged spines and filopodia. Thus, enrichment of SALM1 on the cell surface affects dendritic arborization, and intracellular motifs regulate its dendritic versus axonal localization.
Herschel : the first science highlights Special feature L etter to the E ditor “ TNOs are Cool ” : A survey of the trans-Neptunian region II . The thermal lightcurve of ( 136108 )

Thermal emission from Kuiper belt object (136108) Haumea was measured with Herschel–PACS at 100 μm and 160 μm for almost a full rotation period. Observations clearly indicate a 100 μm thermal lightcurve with an amplitude of a factor of ∼2, which is positively correlated with the optical lightcurve. This confirms that both are primarily due to shape effects. A 160 μm lightcurve is marginally detected. Radiometric fits of the mean Herscheland Spitzerfluxes indicate an equivalent diameter D ∼ 1300 km and a geometric albedo pv ∼ 0.70–0.75. These values agree with inferences from the optical lightcurve, supporting the hydrostatic equilibrium hypothesis. The large amplitude of the 100 μm lightcurve suggests that the object has a high projected a/b axis ratio (∼1.3) and a low thermal inertia as well as possible variable infrared beaming. This may point to fine regolith on the surface, with a lunar-type photometric behavior. The quality of the thermal data is not sufficient to clearly detect the effects of a surface dark spot.
CCR5 Haplotypes Influence HCV Serostatus in Caucasian Intravenous Drug Users

Background Up to 90% HIV-1 positive intravenous drug users (IDUs) are co-infected with HCV. Although best recognized for its function as a major co-receptor for cell entry of HIV, CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of HCV infection. Here, we investigated whether CCR5 haplotypes influence HIV-1 and HCV seropositivity among 373 Caucasian IDUs from Estonia. Methods Of these IDUs, 56% and 44% were HIV and HCV seropositive, respectively, and 47% were coinfected. 500 blood donors seronegative for HIV and HCV were also evaluated. CCR5 haplotypes (HHA to HHG*2) were derived after genotyping nine CCR2–CCR5 polymorphisms. The association between CCR5 haplotypes with HIV and/or HCV seropositivity was determined using logistic regression analysis. Co-variates included in the models were length of intravenous drug use, HBV serostatus and copy number of CCL3L1, the gene encoding the most potent HIV-suppressive chemokine and ligand for CCR5. Results Compared to IDUs seronegative for both HCV and HIV (HCV−/HIV-), IDUs who were HCV+/HIV- and HCV+/HIV+were 92% and 82%, respectively, less likely to possess the CCR5-HHG*1 haplotype, after controlling for co-variates (Padjusted = 1.89×10−4 and 0.003, respectively). This association was mostly due to subjects bearing the CCR5 HHE and HHG*1 haplotype pairs. Approximately 25% and<10% of HCV−/HIV- IDUs and HCV−/HIV- blood donors, respectively, possessed the HHE/HHG*1 genotype. Conclusions Our findings suggest that HHG*1-bearing CCR5 genotypes influence HCV seropositivity in a group of Caucasian IDUs.
Evolution of Lysine Biosynthesis in the Phylum Deinococcus-Thermus

Thermus thermophilus biosynthesizes lysine through the α-aminoadipate (AAA) pathway: this observation was the first discovery of lysine biosynthesis through the AAA pathway in archaea and bacteria. Genes homologous to the T. thermophilus lysine biosynthetic genes are widely distributed in bacteria of the Deinococcus-Thermus phylum. Our phylogenetic analyses strongly suggest that a common ancestor of the Deinococcus-Thermus phylum had the ancestral genes for bacterial lysine biosynthesis through the AAA pathway. In addition, our findings suggest that the ancestor lacked genes for lysine biosynthesis through the diaminopimelate (DAP) pathway. Interestingly, Deinococcus proteolyticus does not have the genes for lysine biosynthesis through the AAA pathway but does have the genes for lysine biosynthesis through the DAP pathway. Phylogenetic analyses of D. proteolyticus lysine biosynthetic genes showed that the key gene cluster for the DAP pathway was transferred horizontally from a phylogenetically distant organism.
The perceptions of Heads, middle leaders and classroom teachers about the effects of distributed leadership on teaching and learning : A study in selected schools in the West Midlands of England

There has been a significant increase in interest in distributed leadership among policy-makers, practitioners and researchers in educational leadership over the past decade. Most of the literature has focused on distributed leadership as a leadership approach and has paid little attention to its effects on student learning outcomes. This study explores the perceptions of headteachers, middle leaders and teachers about the effects of distributed leadership on teaching and learning. The study uses semi-structured interviews with four headteachers, six middle leaders and eight teachers from two primary and two secondary schools in the West Midlands region of England. From these semi-structured interviews with eighteen participants, the study captures their perceptions of distributed leadership: what it means to them, how it is practised in schools and the perceived effects on teaching and learning. The findings show that distributed leadership has the support of leaders and teachers. They perceived it to have a positive effect on teaching and learning and the majority of practitioners believe that distributed leadership contributes to improvement in student learning outcomes. The participants’ responses also reveal that distributed leadership is believed to contribute to effective school leadership and involvement in decision making. The study identifies two interrelated yet competing principal approaches to the practice of distributed leadership. First, responsibilities are devolved across the school through formal mechanisms in a top-down manner. Second, was the emergent approach where bottom up influences were operational. Whilst the majority of the literature on distributed leadership promotes the latter approach, findings from this study reveal that the former is predominant in terms of how distributed leadership is practised in schools.
The Attributes and Career Paths of Principals: Implications for Improving Policy

Apparatus for facilitating the substantially vertical alignment of a trailer hitch element carried by a moving draft vehicle with a trailer hitch element carried by a stationary trailer vehicle, including a device for linearly interconnecting, within the limits thereof, such trailer vehicle and such draft vehicle having a portion connected at an extremity thereof to the rear of such draft vehicle on the centerline thereof and having another portion thereof positioned above such trailer vehicle carried trailer hitch element interconnected with such trailer vehicle for rotation with respect to a substantially vertically disposed axis passing substantially centrally through such trailer vehicle carried trailer hitch element. The apparatus also includes a mirror positioned above such device for linearly interconnecting, within the limits thereof, such trailer vehicle and such draft vehicle and similarly rotatable therewith about such substantially vertically disposed axis, such mirror facing towards the rear of such moving draft vehicle to afford the operator thereof a reflected view of at least a portion of such trailer vehicle carried trailer hitch element as well as with a reflected view of at least a portion of such device for linearly interconnecting, within the limits thereof, such trailer vehicle and such draft vehicle. The apparatus further includes an indicator element positioned above such mirror and viewable thereover under certain circumstances although preferably facing in a direction opposite the direction in which such mirror faces; such indicator element also being similarly rotatable with respect to such substantially vertically disposed axis together with such mirror and with such device for linearly interconnecting, within the limits thereof, such trailer vehicle and such draft vehicle.
Numerical Simulation of Confined Vortex Flow Using a Modified k Turbulence Model

The turbulent flow in a tangential inlet / tangential outlet vortex tube is numerically simulated using a modified   k turbulence model. The results are compared to experimental measurements from literature. The modified model shows better agreement with the local tangential velocity measurements compared to the standard and RNG   k turbulence models. The flow structure is also demonstrated using the modified turbulence model.
The Quantization Puzzle

T T T Th h h he e e e Q Q Q Qu u u ua a a an n n nt t t ti i i iz z z za a a at t t ti i i io o o on n n n P P P Pu u u uz z z zz z z zl l l le e e e 1 1 1 1 I I I In n n nt t t tr r r ro o o od d d du u u uc c c ct t t ti i i io o o on n n n Recent discussions of Slavic perfective aspect commonly make two assumptions: First, perfective verb forms are semantically quantized, or, to use other terms, telic or event-denoting (see Krifka, 1986, 1992; Piñón, 1995, for example). Second, verbal prefixes are aspectual markers of perfective aspect, because they often serve to derive perfective verb forms from imperfective ones 1995, for example). I will argue that the first claim is essentially correct, provided that we properly constrain the property of 'quantization'. However, the second claim must be rejected. The first claim concerns the semantics of the category 'aspect', understood as a grammatical category. In this sense, 'aspect' is used as a cover term for formal categories on the level of inflectional morphology or syntax that fall under the main perfective-imperfective distinction. It is standardly illustrated (see Comrie, 1976:3, for instance) by examples of the English progressive construction, an imperfective subcategory, as in John was recovering, or the French passé simple-imparfait inflectional suffixes, as in Jean travers-a la rue 'John crossed the street' vs. Jean travers-ait la rue 'John was crossing the street', 'John (repeatedly) crossed the street', for example. The mereological notion of 'quantization', introduced by Krifka (1986), is here used interchangeably with 'telic', and also with 'event-denoting' 1. Saying that Slavic 1 This means that 'telic' is here not understood in its original narrower sense coined by (Garey, 1957) and who derived it from the Greek word télos meaning 'goal' or 'purpose'. Gary characterizes telic verbs as " . a category of
Male Jobs, Female Jobs, and Gender Gaps in Benefits Coverage

Using contract-level data from the Canadian province of Ontario, we show that workers in predominately female bargaining units have more generous leave provisions but are less likely to have pension coverage than workers in similar predominantly male bargaining units. These differences persist when wages in the bargaining unit are controlled for. We explore the gender differences in pension coverage using a large cross-section of individual-level data and show that for women, lack of pension coverage is explained by gender gaps in wages and tenure which are themselves associated with marriage and child bearing. Finally, we assess the extent to which these findings are consistent with two alternative models of sex-segregation: Labor market discrimination, or a model in which segregation arises because women bear the chief responsibility for household production and tend to hold jobs which are compatible with that role.
Primitive quantum gate realizations of multiple-controlled Toffoli gates

Multiple-controlled Toffoli gates are extensively used in quantum and reversible circuits. However, very limited attempt has been made for primitive quantum gate realizations of these gates. In this paper, we present realization of three-qubit Toffoli gate requiring five primitive quantum gates. We then propose realization of four-qubit Toffoli gate requiring 13 primitive quantum gates and one ancilla input. Finally, we propose realizations of (n + 1)-qubit (n > 3 control lines) Toffoli gates using (⌈n/2⌉ + 1)-qubit and (⌊n/2⌋ + 1)-qubit Toffoli gates and ancilla inputs, which make a trade off between quantum cost and number of ancilla inputs. Our proposed method outperforms the best result so far presented in the literature in terms of quantum cost and number of ancilla inputs.
Increased Whole-Body and Sustained Liver Cortisol Regeneration by 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 in Obese Men With Type 2 Diabetes Provides a Target for Enzyme Inhibition

OBJECTIVE The cortisol-regenerating enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) amplifies glucocorticoid levels in liver and adipose tissue. 11β-HSD1 inhibitors are being developed to treat type 2 diabetes. In obesity, 11β-HSD1 is increased in adipose tissue but decreased in liver. The benefits of pharmacological inhibition may be reduced if hepatic 11β-HSD1 is similarly decreased in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. To examine this, we quantified in vivo whole-body, splanchnic, and hepatic 11β-HSD1 activity in obese type 2 diabetic subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Ten obese men with type 2 diabetes and seven normal-weight control subjects were infused with 9,11,12,12-[2H]4cortisol (40%) and cortisol (60%) at 1.74 mg/h. Adrenal cortisol secretion was suppressed with dexamethasone. Samples were obtained from the hepatic vein and an arterialized hand vein at steady state and after oral administration of cortisone (5 mg) to estimate whole-body and liver 11β-HSD1 activity using tracer dilution. RESULTS In obese type 2 diabetic subjects, the appearance rate of 9,12,12-[2H]3cortisol in arterialized blood was increased (35 ± 2 vs. 29 ± 1 nmol/min, P < 0.05), splanchnic 9,12,12-[2H]3cortisol production was not reduced (29 ± 6 vs. 29 ± 6 nmol/min), and cortisol appearance in the hepatic vein after oral cortisone was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Whole-body 11β-HSD1 activity is increased in obese men with type 2 diabetes, whereas liver 11β-HSD1 activity is sustained, unlike in euglycemic obesity. This supports the concept that inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 are likely to be most effective in obese type 2 diabetic subjects.
Preventive effects of β-cryptoxanthin against cadmium-induced oxidative stress in the rat testis

β-cryptoxanthin (CRY), a major carotenoid of potential interest for health, is obtained naturally from orange vegetables and fruits. A few research studies have reported that CRY could decrease oxidative stress and germ cell apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of CRY on acute cadmium chloride (CdCl 2 )-induced oxidative damage in rat testes. For this study, 24 rats were divided into four groups, one of which serves as a control group that received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of corn oil and physiological saline. The other rats were i.p. injected with CRY (10 μg kg−1 ) every 8 h, beginning 8 h before CdCl 2 (2.0 mg kg−1 ) treatment. The pathological and TUNEL findings revealed that CRY ameliorated the Cd-induced testicular histological changes and germ cell apoptosis in the rats. Furthermore, the Cd-induced decrease in the testicular testosterone (T) level was attenuated after CRY administration (P < 0.05). The administration of CRY significantly reversed the Cd-induced increases in the lipid peroxide (LPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P < 0.01). The testicular antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) were decreased by treatment with Cd alone but were restored by CRY co-treatment. These results demonstrated that the application of CRY can enhance the tolerance of rats to Cd-induced oxidative damage and suggest that it has promised as a pharmacological agent to protect against Cd-induced testicular toxicity.
DROP WEIGHT DYNAMIC TESTING OF DRILLED DEEP FOUNDATIONS

Due to the way drilled deep foundations are being constructed, their structural integrity and geotechnical capacity are highly variable. Drop weight systems are increasingly being used to dynamically test the capacity and integrity of drilled deep foundations. Conventional pile driving hammers are often either inadequate or not economical to test these foundations and simple drop weight systems have therefore been developed to allow for dynamic testing. The advantages of the tests include high mobility, short testing time, low cost relative to static load tests (allowing multiple tests at a single site), and integrity/construction quality evaluation concurrent with capacity determination. The dynamic testing method for drilled deep foundations encounter several difficulties including the need for adequate mass and drop height to reflect the mobilized capacity, test interpretations for irregularly shaped and/or non-uniform piles, need for reliable dynamic measurements depending on the distance between the impact and the measuring point, and limited knowledge about the accuracy of the predictions. An extensive study supported by AASHTO through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP 21-08) had examined the method using theoretical tools and databases. A review presenting the different systems available worldwide was conducted. Examination of the impact and how it affects the dynamic measurements quality (and hence the measuring system requirements) were achieved via impact specific advanced FE code. Simplified as well as complex models were used to evaluate the technology relative to other dynamic and kinetic testing. A sizeable database was built, allowing to establish the required system specifications and the expected accuracy of the test results when compared to static load tests to failure. Recommendations are made regarding the application of the method, its accuracy and available codes.