cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heparin/Heparan Sulfate 6-O-Sulfatase from Flavobacterium heparinum: INTEGRATED STRUCTURAL AND BIOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF ENZYME ACTIVE SITE AND SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITY*

Heparin and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (HSGAGs) comprise a chemically heterogeneous class of sulfated polysaccharides. The development of structure-activity relationships for this class of polysaccharides requires the identification and characterization of degrading enzymes with defined substrate specificity and enzymatic activity. Toward this end, we report here the molecular cloning and extensive structure-function analysis of a 6-O-sulfatase from the Gram-negative bacterium Flavobacterium heparinum. In addition, we report the recombinant expression of this enzyme in Escherichia coli in a soluble, active form and identify it as a specific HSGAG sulfatase. We further define the mechanism of action of the enzyme through biochemical and structural studies. Through the use of defined substrates, we investigate the kinetic properties of the enzyme. This analysis was complemented by homology-based molecular modeling studies that sought to rationalize the substrate specificity of the enzyme and mode of action through an analysis of the active-site topology of the enzyme including identifying key enzyme-substrate interactions and assigning key amino acids within the active site of the enzyme. Taken together, our structural and biochemical studies indicate that 6-O-sulfatase is a predominantly exolytic enzyme that specifically acts on N-sulfated or N-acetylated 6-O-sulfated glucosamines present at the non-reducing end of HSGAG oligosaccharide substrates. This requirement for the N-acetyl or N-sulfo groups on the glucosamine substrate can be explained through eliciting favorable interactions with key residues within the active site of the enzyme. These findings provide a framework that enables the use of 6-O-sulfatase as a tool for HSGAG structure-activity studies as well as expand our biochemical and structural understanding of this important class of enzymes.
SU(5) × U(1) phenomenology: Theorems on neutral-current analysis

We embed the SU(5) unified theory of Georgi and Glashow in a U(5) theory. This may result from the breaking of an SU(N), N>5, theory or of a GL(5,c) theory. At low energy this leads to an SU(2) x U(1) x U(1) electroweak theory. We show that, with a suitable choice of Higgs representations, the predictions of this theory for neutral-current experiments are characterized by three parameters. For appropriate values of these parameters, the predictions are practically indistinguishable from the standard SU(2) x U(1) theory. Certain theorems on the analysis of neutral-current interactions are proved. (Section V is independent for readers who are interested only in the theorems.) More accurate neutral-current measurement might answer the question of whether SU(5) x U(1) is relevant. Possible verification of the present electroweak theory can result from (roughly) an order suppression relative to the standard prediction on the asymmetries in e/sup +/e/sup -/ ..-->.. ..mu../sup +/..mu../sup -/ and discovery of two Z bosons around 90 --100 GeV. GL(n,c) gauge theories are formulated in the Appendix.
Heavenly cords and prophetic authority in the Quran and its Late Antique context

The asbab mentioned in five passages of the Quran have been interpreted by medieval Muslims and modern scholars as referring generally to various "ways", "means", and "connections". However, the word meant something more specific as part of a biblical-quranic "cosmology of the domicile". The asbab are heavenly ropes running along or leading up to the top of the sky-roof. This notion of skycords is not as unusual as it may seem at first, for various kinds of heavenly cords were part of Western Asian cosmologies in the sixth and seventh centuries ce. According to the Quran, a righteous individual may ascend by means of these cords to heaven, above the dome of the sky, where God resides, only with God's authorization. The heavenly cords are a feature of quranic cosmology and part of a complex of beliefs by which true prophets ascend to heaven and return bearing signs. Many traditions of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East maintained that certain purified persons are able, either physically or psychically, to ascend to the upper reaches of the sky, sometimes into the presence of the creator God himself who resided at the uppermost point of the cosmos. The notion of heavenly ascent by the purified is found in ancient Egyptian beliefs,1 in Mazdaism,2 in Greek and Latin philosophical traditions,3 in Judaean tradition and its gentile Christian offshoots,4 Manichaeism,5
Microbiological Quality of Refrigerated Chicken Gizzards from Different Sources as Related to Their Shelf-Lives

Abstract Chicken gizzards were purchased from three retail stores and one processing plant. Studies were conducted to compare swab and rinse methods for microbial analysis of gizzards. The total, mold and yeast, coliform most probable number, staphylococcus 110 medium counts, and shelf-lives of gizzards from each store were enumerated and compared. The possible extension of shelf-life of raw gizzards by frozen processing during distribution was investigated. Ready-to-cook gizzards had an average weight of 26.39 g with standard deviation of 6.14 g. Variation in gizzard sizes had no significant effect (P A similar spoilage pattern was observed for the prefrozen and non-frozen gizzards. The shelf-lives of gizzards from three retail stores ranged from 2.41 to 3.92 days. Higher initial counts resulted in shorter shelf-life. Freezing of the products during transportation extended their shel-flives in retail stores for approximately 4 days.
Ultra-low power DLMS adaptive filter for hearing aid applications

We present an ultra-low power DLMS (delayed least mean square) adaptive filter working in the sub-threshold region for hearing aid applications. Sub-threshold operation was accomplished by using a parallel architecture with pseudo NMOS logic style. The parallel architecture enabled us to run the system at a lower clock rate with a reduced supply voltage, while maintaining the same throughput. Pseudo NMOS logic operating in the sub-threshold region (Sub-Pseudo NMOS) provided better power-delay product than subthreshold CMOS (Sub-CMOS) logic. Simulation results show that the system can process voice signals at a throughput of 22 kHz with a supply voltage of 400 mV and achieve 91% improvement in energy compared to the non-parallel architecture using standard CMOS logic.
Time-Differentiated Resilience in Telecom Mesh Networks

Many telecom, customers have applications with time varying reliability requirements. However, current SLA frameworks provide the same reliability during the entire holding time, rather than providing high reliability only when required. Recent papers describe the need for time-differentiated resilience and establish an SLA framework to support this using Critical Windows (CW). CWs are scheduled, regularly repeating time periods where additional resilience is required. We expand the previous work to a more general and dynamic network setting and further investigate the structural properties of critical windows. We propose and evaluate first an algorithm for CW-aware path assignment in mesh telecom networks, and then a CW-aware algorithm that also employs Shared-Path Protection (SPP). Our study shows: 1) that CWs provide a substantial performance improvement in mesh networks; 2) CW performance gain is insensitive to several network parameters; and 3) CWs can be implemented on top of generic SPP to provide even better performance.
The Discontinuous Galerkin Finite Element Time Domain method (DGFETD)

The discontinuous Galerkin finite-element time-domain method is presented. The method is based on a high-order finite element discretization of Maxwellpsilas time-dependent curl equations. The mesh is decomposed into contiguous sub-domains of finite-elements with independent function expansions. The fields are coupled across the sub-domain boundaries by enforcing the tangential field continuity. This leads to a locally implicit, globally explicit difference operator that provides an efficient high-order accurate time-dependent solution. An efficient implementation of the perfectly matched layer media boundary truncation is also presented that allows general tetrahedral meshing through the PML region.
Docetaxel as an Alternative to Paclitaxel after Acute Hypersensitivity Reactions

OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanism involved in paclitaxel-induced hypersensitivity reactions and to evaluate the potential use of docetaxel after acute hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to paclitaxel.DATA SOURCES:Literature identified through a MEDLINE search (1966–September 2000) and through secondary sources.DATA SYNTHESIS:HSRs to paclitaxel can be life-threatening. The exact etiology involved in paclitaxel-induced HSRs has not been fully elucidated; the reactions may be due to the Cremophor EL vehicle or to paclitaxel itself. Options for treatment following HSRs are limited. A rechallenge attempt can be made, but is not always successful. Docetaxel, a semisynthetic taxane, may have a role in therapy for patients unable to tolerate paclitaxel therapy. This review examines the etiology of paclitaxel-induced HSRs and the potential role of docetaxel following these acute reactions.CONCLUSIONS:Docetaxel may be a viable alternative for patients who experience HSRs to paclitaxel.
Temperature- and Surfactant-Induced Membrane Modifications That Alter Listeria monocytogenes Nisin Sensitivity by Different Mechanisms

Nisin interacts with target membranes in four sequential steps: binding, insertion, aggregation, and pore formation. Alterations in membrane composition might influence any of these steps. We hypothesized that cold temperatures (10°C) and surfactant (0.1% Tween 20) in the growth medium would influence Listeria monocytogenes membrane lipid composition, membrane fluidity, and, as a result, sensitivity to nisin. Compared to the membranes of cells grown at 30°C, those of L. monocytogenes grown at 10°C had increased amounts of shorter, branched-chain fatty acids, increased fluidity (as measured by fluorescence anisotropy), and increased nisin sensitivity. When 0.1% Tween 20 was included in the medium and the cells were cultured at 30°C, there were complex changes in lipid composition. They did not influence membrane fluidity but nonetheless increased nisin sensitivity. Further investigation found that these cells had an increased ability to bind radioactively labeled nisin. This suggests that the modification of the surfactant-adapted cell membrane increased nisin sensitivity at the binding step and demonstrates that each of the four steps can contribute to nisin sensitivity.
Two distinct sequence elements mediate retroviral gene expression in embryonal carcinoma cells.

Abstract Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) and M-MuLV-derived retroviral vectors are not expressed in early mouse embryos or in embryonal carcinoma cells. M-MuLV-derived mutants or M-MuLV-related variants which transduce the neomycin phosphotransferase gene can, however, induce drug resistance in embryonal carcinoma cells with high efficiency. In this study we investigated the sequences critical for retroviral gene expression in two different embryonal carcinoma cell lines, F9 and PCC4. We show that two synergistically acting sequence elements mediate expression in embryonal carcinoma cells. One of these is located within the U3 region of the viral long terminal repeat, and the second one is in the 5' untranslated region of the retrovirus. The latter element, characterized by a single point mutation, affects the level of stable RNA in infected cells, suggesting a regulatory mechanism similar to that of human immunodeficiency virus in human T cells.
Geometric complexity and object search in infancy

After moving through space adults can usually relocate stable objects and positions even if the objects are not visible and their positions are not marked by distinctive landmarks. We can determine the location of an object by using knowledge of its original position and of our path of movement. Given the distance and direction of the object relative to our starting point and of our starting point relative to our final position, we can infer the object's distance and direction from our final position. Such inferences about location follow logically from geometric principles relating spatial positions; they are similar to logical deductions, although they are neither conscious nor effortful. The ability to make such inferences is fundamental to human spatial activities, allowing humans both to relocate invisible objects and to plot new paths toward invisible goals. This ability is also of theoretical interest, because inferences require premises, that is a body of principles concerning geometric objects and geometric relationships that has been termed "spatial knowledge" (Landau, Spelke, & Gleitman, 1984). In this article, we focus on the developmental origins of spatial knowledge in infancy. Although spatial inferences of the sort discussed above come quite naturally to adults and even to 2-year-old children (Landau et al., 1984; Rieser & Heiman, 1982), studies of infants have revealed some significant difficulties in relocating objects after self-movement (Acredolo, 1978). In the absence of rich external landmarks, for example, 6- and 11-month-old infants have been found to search for a hidden object at egocentrically defined locations, ignoring the effects of their own displacements. Such results have been taken
False path exclusion in delay analysis of RTL structures

In this paper, we present an accurate delay-estimation algorithm at the register-transfer level. We study three important sources of false paths in register-transfer-level (RTL) structures, i.e., 1) resource binding; 2) interdependent conditions; and 3) datapath-controller path mismatching. The existence and creation of such paths and their effects in delay analysis are discussed. We show that in a RTL datapath structure the accuracy of the delay estimators is affected by the existence of false paths. Specifically, the accuracy drops significantly for structures synthesized from condition-dominated behaviors. We propose a mechanism to efficiently avoid false paths in delay analysis. This is achieved by introducing the propagation delay graph (PDG), whose traversal for delay analysis is equivalent to the traversal of sensitizable paths in the datapath. Comparison with the timing verifier in commercial computer-aided design (CAD) tools, show that estimated delays are within 14% accuracy of those reported by CAD tools.
A CMOS oversampling D/A converter with multi-bit semi-digital filtering and boosted subcarrier SNR for ADSL central office modems

An oversampling D/A converter for use in ADSL central office modems has been integrated in 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. The converter features a resampled, multibit semidigital filter for reconstruction and a digital pre-emphasis filter that flattens the overall in-band magnitude response and boosts the SNR of subcarriers affected by noise shaping. When sampling at 200 MHz, the converter achieves 86 dB of dynamic range for a 1.1-MHz bandwidth, with an average MTPR of 73dBc.
A Twitter Education: Why Psychiatrists Should Tweet

Social media tools such as blogs, microblogs, social networking sites, podcasts, and video-sharing sites are now ubiquitous. These tools enable instantaneous interactions with a global community of individuals, including medical professionals, learners, and patients. An understanding of social media tools and how they can be used by psychiatrists is increasingly important. This review defines some relevant social media terms and addresses challenges specific to the use of social media in psychiatry. Focused primarily on Twitter, one of the most commonly used social media tools, the review describes how Twitter is being used in non-psychiatric medical fields and highlights four current and/or potential uses of Twitter in psychiatry: (1) patient care and advocacy, (2) lifelong learning, (3) research data collection and collaboration, and (4) scholarly recognition and impact.
Law, Information, and Choice: Capitalizing on Heuristic Habits of Thought

In this book chapter, which will appear in Heuristics and the Law (Engel and Gigerenzer, eds., MIT Press 2006), I observe that American law seeks to foster individual autonomy and choice by mandating information disclosure in many settings. Whether mandatory disclosure requirements succeed in fostering choice depends on whether the intended recipients of the information are able to use that information to make wise decisions. Empirical evidence suggests that individuals often make sound decisions using limited information, so lawmakers should contemplate requiring limited rather than full disclosures. By identifying the specific information to be disclosed, by requiring that the information be presented in a manner designed to attract attention and comprehension, and by imposing some limits on the total amount of information to be disclosed, lawmakers are perhaps more likely to enhance the recipients' autonomy and choice.
CIA v. Sims: Mosaic Theory and Government Attitude

This article, part of a larger forum on underrated administrative law cases, discusses CIA v. Sims, and its relationship to the development of mosaic theory in FOIA cases and beyond. Mosaic theory involves the idea that the government may withhold otherwise innocuous information because it might prove dangerous if combined with other information by a knowledgeable actor (especially a hostile intelligence agency). The theory thus allows non-disclosure of information that otherwise would have been disclosed. While the core idea of mosaic theory is legitimate, as asserted by the government, mosaic theory has been a crude tool demanding extreme deference from judges when national security is involved. Beginning in the early 1970s, lower courts began to accept the government's assertions of mosaic theory, making little effort to question the government's evidence or rationale for secrecy. In CIA v. Sims, the Supreme Court finally accepted mosaic theory as a rationale for withholding information in certain FOIA cases involving national security and, like lower courts before it, deferred to government claims of necessity without question. Numerous scholars have criticized the courts' extreme deference to government assertions of mosaic theory in the FOIA, and increasingly, the state secrets context. That deference, however, has had an impact far beyond those contexts. Emboldened by the utter lack of checks on government assertions of the theory, the government has proffered mosaic theory to justify surveillance programs in libraries, attempts to restrict public access to non-classified government information, and laws imposing secret gag orders on those who receive national security letters from the government, programs which pose serious problems for constitutional liberties. Mosaic theory, then, has become part of the government's mindset. In order to change that mindset, we need to return to the FOIA cases where mosaic theory began. We need not jettison mosaic theory in order to rein in government abuse of it. Rather, this article proposes a more nuanced role for mosaic theory that requires government officials to identify more specifically the harms they seek to prevent and further proposes mechanisms that force courts into engaging in meaningful judicial review to ensure that government officials are accountable for their decisions.
Distribution of manganese and other biometals in flatiron mice

Flatiron (ffe) mice display features of "ferroportin disease" or Type IV hereditary hemochromatosis. While it is known that both Fe and Mn metabolism are impaired in flatiron mice, the effects of ferroportin (Fpn) deficiency on physiological distribution of these and other biometals is unknown. We hypothesized that Fe, Mn, Zn and/or Cu distribution would be altered in ffe/+ compared to wild-type (+/+) mice. ICP-MS analysis showed that Mn, Zn and Cu levels were significantly reduced in femurs from ffe/+ mice. Bone deposits reflect metal accumulation, therefore these data indicate that Mn, Zn and Cu metabolism are affected by Fpn deficiency. The observations that muscle Cu, lung Mn, and kidney Cu and Zn levels were reduced in ffe/+ mice support the idea that metal metabolism is impaired. While all four biometals appeared to accumulate in brains of flatiron mice, significant gender effects were observed for Mn and Zn levels in male ffe/+ mice. Metals were higher in olfactory bulbs of ffe/+ mice regardless of gender. To further study brain metal distribution, (54)MnCl2 was administered by intravenous injection and total brain (54)Mn was measured over time. At 72 h, (54)Mn was significantly greater in brains of ffe/+ mice compared to +/+ mice while blood (54)Mn was cleared to the same levels by 24 h. Taken together, these results indicate that Fpn deficiency decreases Mn trafficking out of the brain, alters body Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu levels, and promotes metal accumulation in olfactory bulbs.
Products Used in CO2 Laser Resurfacing Wound Care: Late Postoperative Care After Complete Epithelialization

After reepithelialization has occurred, treatment is directed toward reducing erythema and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Effect of experience on judgments of adductor spasmodic dysphonia

Objectives:We performed a prospective, exploratory study 1) to determine differences in judgments of overall severity (OS) and vocal effort (VE) in adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) when judgments are made by experienced listeners, naive listeners, and speakers with ADSD; 2) to determine differences in judgments of listener comfort (LC) in ADSD when judgments are made by experienced and naive listeners; and 3) to determine relationships between auditory-perceptual ratings of voice and speakers' voice handicap.Methods:Twenty speakers with ADSD provided speech recordings. They judged their own speech samples for OS and VE and completed the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Twenty naive and 8 experienced listeners evaluated speech samples for OS, VE, and LC using rating scales.Results:No differences were found for judgments of OS, VE, or LC across the groups. However, the strategies used by the speakers seemed to differ from those used by the other listeners in making OS and VE judgments. The speakers' self-judg...
Abstract 5220: Increased expression of formyl peptide receptor (FPR) and formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL1) correlates with high-risk clinical/histologic features in melanoma

Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy with a relatively high metastatic rate, responsible for almost 60% of lethal skin tumors. Despite numerous efforts, there is still a need to better understand the molecular pathways involved in malignant melanoma metastasis. FPR and its variant FPRL1, which belong to the GPCR family, have been shown to be involved in metastasis of glioma and ovarian tumor cells via activation of various signaling cascades. It is unknown whether expression of these receptors contributes to the pathogenesis of melanoma. In order to test the hypothesis that aberrant expression of these GPCRs plays a significant role in melanoma progression, we have performed semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis of FPR and FPRL1 in benign nevi (n=49), primary melanomas with and without metastasis (n=130), and melanoma metastases (n=47 cases). A significant positive correlation was observed between the percentage of positive cells and staining intensity for FPR (p=0.001) and FPRL1 (p=0.009) with progression from benign nevi to primary melanoma. Significantly higher levels of FPR were observed in those lesions having higher Breslow thickness (p=0.044) and ulceration (p=0.019), which are well-established markers of poor clinical outcomes in patients with cutaneous melanoma. On the other hand, lesions showing a radial growth pattern expressed low levels of FPR (p=0.027). A gain in FPRL1 staining was seen in lesions displaying microscopic satellitosis (p=0.051). Disease-specific survival was significantly shorter in patients with increased cytoplasmic expression of FPR (log rank test, p=0.022). Thus, overexpression of FPR and FPRL1 correlates with disease progression and high-risk clinical and histologic features in melanoma. In addition, FPR expression is associated with shorter disease-free survival. Therefore, these markers may be an important therapeutic target in patients with melanoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5220. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5220
Enzymatic Placement of 6-O-Sulfo Groups in Heparan Sulfate

Heparan sulfate is a highly sulfated polysaccharide that exhibits important physiological and pathological functions. The glucosamine residue of heparan sulfate can carry sulfo groups at the 2-N, 3-O, and 6-O positions, leading to diverse polysaccharide structures. 6-O-Sulfation at the glucosamine residue contributes to a wide range of biological functions. Here, we report a method for controlling the positioning of 6-O-sulfo groups in oligosaccharides. This was achieved by synthesizing oligosaccharide backbones from a disaccharide building block utilizing glycosyltransferases followed by modifications using heparan sulfate N-sulfotransferase and 6-O-sulfotransferases. This method offers a viable approach for preparing heparan sulfate oligosaccharides with precisely located 6-O-sulfo groups.
Network Evolution and Interference in Coordinated Multi-Point Communication System

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) in Long Term Evolution (LTE) system is fulfilled at the expenses of the inherent macrodiversity gain in 3G systems.In order to improve the network performance of LTE system,Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) transmission/reception technology is proposed in LTE Advanced (LTE-A) as a compensation of system gain to get more Spectrum Efficiency (SE).LTE-A introduces multiple technologies like CoMP,smart relay and coordinating multiple antenna to enlarge system coverage,ensure stable handover of user terminals and allow more throughput and fulfill better Quality of Service (QoS) in the handover zone.
The effect of estradiol on the production and secretion of complement component 3 by the rat uterus and surgically induced endometriotic tissue.

We have recently demonstrated that glandular epithelial cells isolated from human endometriotic tissue synthesize and secrete complement component 3 (C3). Furthermore, because C3 is capable of producing many of the immunological activities known to be associated with human endometriosis, we studied the production, secretion, and regulation of C3 using the rat model for endometriosis. Endometriosis was surgically induced in 20 adult female rats. The animals were then ovariectomized and one half were treated with estradiol (E 2 ) for 3days. Uterine luminal epithelial cells synthesized and secreted C3 only after E 2 administration, whereas the uteri from control animals did not produce C3. In contrast, the ectopic endometrium from control animals produced and secreted C3, and this expression was strongly upregulated by in vivo E 2 administration. We conclude that surgically induced endometriosis in the rat has properties biochemically independent from the intact uterus and may serve as a useful model to further investigate the regulation of C3 synthesis from human endometriosis.
The Attenuation Distribution Across the Long Axis (ADLA): Preliminary Findings for Assessing Response to Cancer Treatment.

Rationale and Objectives Novel image analysis methods may be useful adjuncts to standard cancer treatment response assessment techniques. The attenuation distribution across the long axis (ADLA) is a simple measure of lesion heterogeneity that can be obtained while measuring the long axis diameter of a target lesion. The purpose of this study was to obtain preliminary validation of the ADLA method for predicting treatment response in a small clinical trial. Materials and Methods Under an Institutional Review Board waiver, we obtained de-identified imaging and clinical data from a phase 2 trial of an investigational anticancer therapy at our institution. We retrospectively analyzed all patients with at least one liver metastasis measuring ≥15 mm on baseline contrast-enhanced computed tomography. For each patient at every imaging time point, up to two target liver lesions were evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 and ADLA measurements. The ADLA was obtained as the standard deviation of the post-contrast computed tomography attenuation values in the portal venous phase across a linear function spanning the long-axis diameter. Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the log-rank test was used to evaluate the ability of RECIST 1.1 and ADLA measurements to discriminate patients with longer overall survival (OS). Results Fifteen patients met inclusion criteria. Median survival was 149 days (range 57-487). Best overall response by the ADLA method successfully separated patients with longer OS (p = .04). Best overall response by RECIST 1.1 did not discriminate patients with longer survival ( P > .05). Conclusion In retrospective data analysis from a phase 2 clinical trial, the ADLA method was more predictive of OS than RECIST 1.1. Further studies are needed to explore the utility of this measurement in predicting response to cancer treatment.
Congenital Pseudohypoaidosteronism: Early Acute Onset in a Saudi Child

This paper reports congenital pseudohypoaldosteronism in a 9-day-old Saudi girl presenting as an acute salt loss syndrome with severe hyperkalemia and cardiac rhythm disorders. The patient responded only to cation exchange resin and high salt supplementation. Attention is drawn to this entity particularly in Saudi Arabia where consaguinity is common and where salt replacement may be difficult because of the hot environment
The Effect of Tactical Tasks and Gear on Muscle Activation of SWAT Officers

Keeler, JM, Pohl, MB, Bergstrom, HC, Thomas, JM, and Abel, MG. The effect of tactical tasks and gear on muscle activation of SWAT officers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers perform a variety of tactical operations while wearing tactical gear. Load carriage has been shown to alter muscle activation in the torso and is also associated with lower back pain, which is a prevalent musculoskeletal injury suffered by SWAT Officers. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of tactical gear on muscle activation of torso musculature while performing occupational tasks. Twenty male SWAT Officers (age: 34.7 ± 4.5 years; height: 1.79 ± 0.1 m; body mass: 91.5 ± 17.3 kg) performed 4 tasks (standing, rifle walk, sitting, and shield walk) with and without gear (mass of gear: 13.8 ± 1.9 kg). Mean electromyographic amplitude was evaluated bilaterally for the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, and external oblique muscles during the trials and expressed relative to maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Addition of gear significantly increased erector spinae mean muscle activation during the rifle walk task (mean delta: +0.16%). However, no differences in muscle activation were identified for any other muscles between gear conditions (effect size ≤ 0.15). The shield walk produced the highest mean activation for each muscle during different tasks. The dynamic tasks yielded (0.24-4.18% MVIC) greater muscle activation levels than sitting and standing tasks. Despite minimal increases in muscle activation levels with the addition of gear, load carriage is known to increase the risk of acute and chronic injury. Collectively, these findings indicate that SWAT Officers should perform most skills without gear during tactical training to simulate task-specific movement patterns but reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
MIAOW: An open source GPGPU

This article consists of a collection of slides from the authors' conference presentation. MIAOW is a credible GPGPU implementation. Compatible with AMD Southern Islands ISA. Runs OpenCL programs and prototyped on FPGA. Similar design to industry state-of-art. Similar performance to industry state-of-art. Flexible and Extendable. MIOAW's hardware design is Open Source. Contributes to changing hardware landscape.
Phase Imaging of Live Central Nervous System Cells during Apoptosis by Digital Holographic Microscopy

Methamphetamine induces neurotoxic responses in human brain that can further deteriorate into neural damage and cellular apoptosis. We examined the apoptosis inducing effects of Methamphetamine in real time in glial cells by digital holographic microscopy.
Loss of NAD-Dependent Protein Deacetylase Sirtuin-2 Alters Mitochondrial Protein Acetylation and Dysregulates Mitophagy.

Abstract Aims: Sirtuins connect energy generation and metabolic stress to the cellular acetylome. Currently, only the mitochondrial sirtuins (SIRT3–5) and SIRT1 have been shown to direct mitochondrial function; however, Aims: NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-2 (SIRT2), the primary cytoplasmic sirtuin, is not yet reported to associate with mitochondria. Results: This study revealed a novel physiological function of SIRT2: the regulation of mitochondrial function. First, the acetylation of several metabolic mitochondrial proteins was found to be altered in Sirt2-deficient mice, which was, subsequently, validated by immunoprecipitation experiments in which the acetylated mitochondrial proteins directly interacted with SIRT2. Moreover, immuno-gold electron microscopic images of mouse brains showed that SIRT2 associates with the inner mitochondrial membrane in central nervous system cells. The loss of Sirt2 increased oxidative stress, decreased adenosine triphosphate levels, and altered mitochondrial ...
Hemispherectomy for Childhood Epilepsy

Seventeen patients treated for hemiplegic epilepsy by hemispherectomy between 1950 and the present day have been followed up at the National Centre for Children with Epilepsy, The Park Hospital for Children, Oxford.
Meiotic nodules in vascular plants

Nodules have been observed in association with the synaptonemal complex (SC) in a wide variety of eukaryotic organisms (see Carpenter 1979 and subsequently many other reports). However, this discussion is restricted to nodules in vascular plants, including tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, 2n = 24) on which we have done most of our work. Tomato is well suited for studying nodules in whole mount spreads of SCs because we can identify each of tomato’s twelve SCs (Stack 1982; Sherman and Stack 1992) and determine whether tomato’s SCs are in early, middle, or late pachytene (Stack and Anderson 1986a,b).
Improving children's health through school-based screening : a case study from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa : health and physical activity

Children in Grade R and Grade 1 were screened for eyesight and ophthalmological health, weight and height, and examined for lymphadenopathy, skin conditions, pallor and general health. The premise of the screening initiative was that certain key health issues acted as barriers to learning in children, and that these were the issues which were addressed in the implementation of the project. Results show a significant improvement in the percentage of pupils immunized and in pupils' nutritional status, a marked difference in terms of overall skin and hair hygiene, improvements in ophthalmological health (particularly notable in a reduction in cases of conjunctivitis), and some improvement in terms of administration of on-site service (in the form of anti-fungal creams and other medicines). These results, while it is impossible to link them solely to the intervention, correlate strongly with the qualitative data of observed change as a result of the health screening. In the qualitative data, a number of recurrent themes or discussions emerged in response to the questions asked: pre-existing health problems, effects of those health problems on learning, issues around access to health-care, psycho-social problems in the community, effects of the health screening on health and on learning, problems with the process of health screening, and suggestions for improvement. Health screening had a positive effect on the pupils, particularly in the areas of ophthalmological health and hygiene.
Performance analysis of artificial neural network methods

The complex demands of many modern applications cry out for flexible, adaptable devices that can quickly react to changing circumstances as solutions rather than mechanical brute force. Artificial neural systems (ANS) promise this capability. It is the intent of this chapter to realize ways to evaluate this accomplishment and its performance.
Seeking scale in base-of-the-pyramid impact enterprises: Creating a partnership ecosystem

Despite steady growth in interest and investment, the performance to date of base-of-the-pyramid (BoP) impact enterprise has been mixed. In particular, we need more BoP impact enterprises that are ...
The Current Role of Plerixafor in Stem Cell Mobilization for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor has been the traditional agent used for mobilization of stem cells for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. Recently, plerixafor, an inhibitor of the interaction between CX chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-1) has been evaluated in clinical trials and approved by the FDA. This agent has very modest toxicity but appears to be quite potent at HSC mobilization. The rationale for the use of this agent and the clinical trials in which it was evaluated are the subject of this review.
Chapter 7 – Past Marine Ecosystem Changes

Past analogues to future climatic and chemical conditions in the oceans offer one of our most important sources of insights into the possible biological effects of human-induced change. The vastness of the oceans, their huge contribution to primary productivity, and their critical role in the climate system make these past insights particularly valuable. Effects of sea level rise and fall, variation in reef building organisms over time, reef gaps and other important topics in marine climate change paleoecology are summarized.
Keeping FIRRST Things First: The Delicate Dance of Leading Online Innovation at Your Institution

Perhaps one difference between managers and leaders is that the former play the hands they are dealt while the latter exert their influence to make changes for the better (i.e., innovate). In this chapter we address the need for online education leaders to keep their organizations nimble to respond to changing institutional realities as they choose when to adopt a new technology/resource called for by others and when to initiate change themselves. This involves understanding the status quo at one’s own institution while also staying current on developments in the broader online education community. Leaders must read the signs of the times and position themselves accordingly to exert positive influence on their institutions through their organizations. We ground our discussion within a framework called FIRRST, which is an acronym describing a set of principles that have proven to be effective in helping online higher education leaders make strategic decisions. FIRRST can serve as a useful heuristic for all those who must cultivate innovation in their eLearning contexts.
Teacher-child relationships and classroom-learning behaviours of children with developmental language disorders.

Background Children with developmental language disorders (DLDs) often struggle with classroom behaviour. No study has examined whether positive teacher-child relationships may act as a protective factor for children with DLDs in that these serve to enhance children's important classroom-learning behaviours. Aims To examine the association between the quality of teacher-child relationships and teacher-rated classroom-learning behaviours of children with DLDs in both preschool and kindergarten. Methods & procedures Longitudinal data were collected on 191 preschoolers (mean = 42.4 months of age, SD = 11.6 months) with DLDs in special education classrooms during preschool and in kindergarten. Teacher-child relationship quality was assessed in preschool, and children's classroom-learning behaviours were measured in preschool and kindergarten. Regression models were used to examine the relationship between teacher-child relationship quality and children's concurrent and future classroom-learning behaviours. Outcomes & results Positive teacher-child relationship quality in preschool was associated with better classroom-learning behaviours in preschool and kindergarten for children with DLDs. Preschool teacher-child relationship quality characterized by low levels of conflict and high levels of closeness was associated with positive classroom-learning behaviours during preschool. Teacher-child conflict but not closeness was predictive of children's classroom-learning behaviours in kindergarten. Conclusions & implications These results suggest that the quality of the teacher-child relationship for children with DLDs during preschool is associated within their learning-related behaviours in the classroom both concurrently and in the subsequent year. Findings suggest that teacher-child relationships should be explored as a mechanism for improving the learning-related behaviours of children with DLDs.
Fault current analysis for grid-connected and Islanded microgrid modes

Effective management of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) becomes a formidable task with an increasing penetration at the distribution level. One of the proposed methods to integrate DERs in an electric grid is through the implementation of microgrids. A microgrid is a small Medium/ Low voltage network, comprised of several DERs and loads having a combined effect of a load or a generation source. In case of a fault in the utility grid, a microgrid can shift from a grid-connected mode to an island mode of operation. In this paper, we have analyzed the transient behavior of a microgrid using MATLAB Simulink's SimPowerSystems. The microgrid model is based on a standard distribution network with several renewable energy based DERs including solar, wind and a biodiesel generation plant. Three types of fault are simulated in both grid-connected and island mode of operation. Fault currents are then analyzed to determine the operation of conventional overcurrent protection schemes and their inability to detect and isolate the faults. A layout for an adaptive protection scheme using communication assisted protection devices is proposed to overcome the shortcomings of overcurrent protection scheme.
The effect of automated text messaging and goal setting on pedometer adherence and physical activity in patients with diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction Activity-monitoring devices may increase activity, but their effectiveness in sedentary, diseased, and less-motivated populations is unknown. Methods Subjects with diabetes or pre-diabetes were given a Fitbit and randomized into three groups: Fitbit only, Fitbit with reminders, and Fitbit with both reminders and goal setting. Subjects in the reminders group were sent text-message reminders to wear their Fitbit. The goal-setting group was sent a daily text message asking for a step goal. All subjects had three in-person visits (baseline, 3 and 6 months). We modelled daily steps and goal setting using linear mixed-effects models. Results 138 subjects participated with 48 in the Fitbit-only, 44 in the reminders, and 46 in the goal-setting groups. Daily steps decreased for all groups during the study. Average daily steps were 7123, 6906, and 6854 for the Fitbit-only, the goal-setting, and the reminders groups, respectively. The reminders group was 17.2 percentage points more likely to wear their Fitbit than the Fitbit-only group. Setting a goal was associated with a significant increase of 791 daily steps, but setting more goals did not lead to step increases. Conclusion In a population of patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes, individualized reminders to wear their Fitbit and elicit personal step goals did not lead to increases in daily steps, although daily steps were higher on days when goals were set. Our intervention improved engagement and data collection, important goals for activity surveillance. This study demonstrates that new, more-effective interventions for increasing activity in patients with pre-diabetes and diabetes are needed.
Managing the Ever-Growing To Do List

A system administrator's most important task is managing the list of user requests, work assignments, and active problems. If these items aren't prioritized and handled, issues can be forgotten or delayed, and important problems may go unsolved while immediate yet trivial problems get all the attention. In the best case, one will spend too much time working on the list of tasks instead of working on the tasks themselves. This paper is an account of our experiences with tackling the problem of keeping track of tasks. We present a software system that we have developed and a methodology for using it to stay on top of the growing list of things to accomplish. We feel that our experiences may be of use to other system administration groups.
Coase, Rents, and Opportunity Costs

Professor Posin is to be congratulated on his recent article in this Review, "The Coase Theorem: If Pigs Could Fly," for creating a precise example that purports to disprove the Coase Theorem. Legal scholarship should strive more towards verifiable or falsifiable statements about the law. Of course, falsifiable statements are a risky strategy, and in this case the risk has materialized. Posin's claim — that his example shows a flaw in the Coase Theorem — is false.Posin's claim is an especially bold one, for his example deals with a shifting legal entitlement between two producers. Most successful attacks on the Coase Theorem have critiqued its purported applicability to consumers. Indeed, Professor Coase himself has recently declared that he never claimed his analysis could be applied to consumers. Thus, if correct, Posin's claim that the Coase Theorem fails as applied to producer behavior would be news indeed.Professor Posin is also to be congratulated on a clever title to his article. He colorfully suggests that the reasoning surrounding the Coase Theorem is like assuming pigs have wings, and then constructing "a science of animal husbandry around the principle of porcine aerodynamics." He implies that a world where pigs can fly is not earth. I agree that the Coasean world is a strange place. I will not claim that pigs can fly in such a world, but wooden accountants cannot soar either. Certainly, whether the rule of law is for or against him, a cattle rancher will add ponies to the herd if that is the best alternative, and will add cows if they become more profitable again. Wooden accounting measures of cost and rate of return, which infect Posin's analysis, are unlikely to capture the dynamics of the Coasean world.Finally, Posin is on to something when he suggests that rents are an essential part of the Coase Theorem (although rents are not essential). After examining how Posin erred, I will attempt to make a silk purse out of this fallen pig by discussing several features of the Coase Theorem that Posin's example touches on, particularly the necessity for rents in the Coase Theorem.
EFFECTS OF STRESS HISTORY ON DEFORMATION OF SAND

The prestraining induced by prestressing, without residual lateral stresses, was found to increase the deformation resistance to incrementally applied axial load by an order of magnitude. The stress level at which a prestressed sample's load-deformation behavior changed from the stiffer, essentially elastic reloading mode to that which was predominantly plastic and resembled the normally consolidated state depended upon the magnitude of the prestress (or prestrain). The relationship between initial modulus and confining pressure for anisotropically consolidated, non-prestressed samples was found to be essentially linear. Evaluation of the changes in stress-strain response due to prestressing was also attempted using a model cone penetrometer.