cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dysmobility syndrome: is exercise a key component in its prevention and treatment?

Dysmobility syndrome (DS) represents a cluster of six factors (some of them major public health problems) with a shared pathogenesis used to identify older adults at risk of a wide range of adverse health outcomes. This commentary discusses the role of exercise, a type of physical activity, in the prevention and treatment of this condition. To accomplish the purpose of this commentary, we contextualize DS providing its definition, risk factors and recommended cutoff points for each factor. We further provide the current prevalence of DS and its impact on the health of older adults. This commentary also provides information on the benefits of exercise on each of the recommended factors in isolation. We end the commentary with a brief research agenda that we believe will help establish exercise as a treatment approach for DS. The prevalence of DS is of great concern, and this condition has been found to be associated with a large array of adverse health outcomes including falls, a major public health problem. Based on the identified factors comprising DS, the current literature provides substantial evidence of the benefits of exercise to prevent this condition. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have been carried out to examine the effects of exercise on DS. While the value of DS over and above other more established measures such as frailty may be questionable, the DS criteria at least provide a great opportunity for early identification of important deficits that can compromise independency and quality of life later in life.
Panel 4: linking service members and exposure data to support determination of risk-proceedings of an educational symposium on assessing potentially hazardous environmental exposures among military populations.

ABSTRACTOn May 19 to 21, 2010, the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences cosponsored an educational symposium on Assessing Potentially Hazardous Environmental Exposures among Military Populations. The meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders and policy makers to review key historical information in areas related to this subject, discuss current policy, and identify future initiatives. In small group sessions, one area of focus centered on linking individual service members and environmental exposure data to assess health risk. Discussion included describing the current Department of Defense approach to this issue, successes, problems, gaps, near future solutions to overcome gaps, and identification of those problems and gaps for which there are no easy, foreseeable, or near term solutions available. A summary of the discussion and determinations from this focus group is provided.
Secondary outcome analysis for data from an outcome‐dependent sampling design

Outcome-dependent sampling (ODS) scheme is a cost-effective way to conduct a study. For a study with continuous primary outcome, an ODS scheme can be implemented where the expensive exposure is only measured on a simple random sample and supplemental samples selected from 2 tails of the primary outcome variable. With the tremendous cost invested in collecting the primary exposure information, investigators often would like to use the available data to study the relationship between a secondary outcome and the obtained exposure variable. This is referred as secondary analysis. Secondary analysis in ODS designs can be tricky, as the ODS sample is not a random sample from the general population. In this article, we use the inverse probability weighted and augmented inverse probability weighted estimating equations to analyze the secondary outcome for data obtained from the ODS design. We do not make any parametric assumptions on the primary and secondary outcome and only specify the form of the regression mean models, thus allow an arbitrary error distribution. Our approach is robust to second- and higher-order moment misspecification. It also leads to more precise estimates of the parameters by effectively using all the available participants. Through simulation studies, we show that the proposed estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal. Data from the Collaborative Perinatal Project are analyzed to illustrate our method.
Patient-Related Risk Factors for Infection Following Ulnar Nerve Release at the Cubital Tunnel: An Analysis of 15,188 Cases.

Background Although cubital tunnel release is a commonly performed orthopaedic procedure, the overall incidence of and independent risk factors for infection largely remain undefined in the current literature. Purpose To establish the rate of postoperative infection after isolated cubital tunnel release and define relevant patient-related risk factors. Study Design Case-control study; Level 3. Methods All Medicare-insured patients undergoing ulnar nerve decompression at the cubital tunnel from 2010 through 2012 were identified. A multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the impact of patient-related risk factors for postoperative infection. Results A total of 330 (2.17%) postoperative infections were identified in 15,188 cases. The majority (87%) were managed nonoperatively, while 13% required surgical debridement. The most significant risk factors for infection included hemodialysis use (odds ratio [OR], 2.47), chronic anemia (OR, 2.24), age <65 years (OR, 2.08), tobacco use (OR, 1.65), morbid obesity (OR, 1.53), inflammatory arthritis (OR, 1.43), depression (OR, 1.36), hyperlipidemia (OR, 1.33), male sex (OR, 1.32), and chronic lung disease (OR, 1.29). Conclusion The present study was adequately powered to determine numerous patient-related risk factors for infection following cubital tunnel release.
Mission-Relevant Collaborative Observation and Localization

We propose an approach for the integration of collaborative observation and localization within an overall multi-robot mission. The proposed approach will allow individual robots within a team to evaluate and choose a task based on the needs of the mission and the needs, capabilities, and task choices of teammates. Tasks include mission-related tasks as well as task for self-localization, teammate-localization, and collaborative mapping. To date, work has been donc in collaborative observation and mapping and robot localization.
Development of Protection Scheme for Active Distribution Systems with Penetration of Distributed Generation

A significant increase in the penetration of distributed generation has resulted in operating the distributed systems with distributed generation in islanded mode. One of the major problems with implementation of that system is designing a proper protection scheme. It has been shown that conventional protection schemes will not operate successfully. This research, proposes a communication-assisted for microgrids to coordinate between the protection elements using energy storage device to isolate the fault from the system. Primary and back up protection were studied according to IEEE Std C37.112 to isolate the fault properly. The proposed technique investigated under several types of faults at different locations in the system. Several simulations are carried out to demonstrate the proposed protection algorithm.
Extrafascial robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in locally advanced prostate cancer.

Introduction Up to 26.5% of new diagnosed prostate cancers (PCa) are locally advanced (LA). Although traditionally discouraged in this setting, radical prostatectomy (RP) lowers the risk of metastatic progression and cancer-specific death. We report a review of the available evidences and describe our surgical technique of extrafascial robot-assisted RP. Evidence acquisition The PubMed/Medline database was searched for "prostate cancer," "high-risk," "locally advanced," "prostatectomy." Duplicates and expert opinion papers were removed. Evidence synthesis RP is an option in selected patients with LA-PCa and >10 years life expectancy. Five, 10 and 15 years after open RP, disease free survival rates were 85%, 73% and 67%. At the same time-points, cancer specific survival and overall survival were 95%, 90%, 79% and 90%, 76%, 53%, respectively. Postoperative potency was achieved by 25% of the patients while 79% were continent. Robotic prostatectomy provides comparable cancer control outcomes, but it is associated with a lower transfusion rate and a shorter hospitalization time. The concept of "extrafascial prostatectomy" was introduced in 2000 by Villers: this surgical approach reduces the incidence of mid- and postero-lateral positive margins (28% vs. 51%, when compared to intrafascial; P=0.08), expecially in pT3 cancers, but markedly affects potency. Conclusions Robot-assisted RP is an option in patients with LA-PCa. Removing the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles still contained inside their aponeurotic covering, minimize the risk of positive surgical margins and clinical recurrence.
Superimposed Preeclampsia Exacerbates Postpartum Renal Injury Despite Lack of Long-Term Blood Pressure Difference in the Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rat.

Preeclampsia results in increased susceptibility to hypertension and chronic kidney disease postpartum; however, the mechanisms responsible for disease progression in these women remain unknown. Th...
Induction characteristics of reductive dehalogenation in the ortho -halophenol-respiring bacterium, Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans

Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP-C dehalogenatesortho-substituted di- and mono-halogenated phenols and couples this activity to growth. Reductive dehalogenation activity has been reported to be inducible, however,this process has not been studied extensively. In this study, theinduction of reductive dehalogenation activity by strain 2CP-C is characterized. Constitutive 2-chlorophenoldechlorination activity occurs in non-induced fumarate-grown cells, with rates averaging 0.138 μmol of Cl- h-1 mg of protein-1. Once induced, these cultures dechlorinate 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) at rates as high as 116 μmol of Cl-1 h-1 mg of protein-1. Dechlorination of 2-CP is induced by phenol,2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol,and 2-bromophenol. Of the substrates tested, 2-bromophenol shows the highestinduction potential, yielding double the 2-chlorophenol dechlorination rate when compared to other inducing substrates. No induced dechlorination is observed at concentrations less than5 μM 2-CP. When fumarate cultures were diluted 100-fold, fumarate reduction rates were reduced roughly according to the dilution factor, while dechlorination rates were similar in fumarate grown cells amended with 2-CP and cells diluted 100-fold prior to the addition of chlorophenol. This indicates that the majority of the fumarate-grown cells in late log phase were not induced when exposed to inducing substrates such as 2-CP. This observation may have ramifications on the success of bioaugmentation using halorespiring bacteria, which traditionally relies on growing culturesusing more readily utilized substrates. The rapid dechlorination rate and unique induction pattern also make strain 2CP-C a promising model organism for understanding the regulationof reductive dehalogenation at the enzymatic level.
Overview of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) encompasses a diverse collection of systemic and primary cutaneous lymphomas. Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) represent about 13% of all NHLs, which are further subdivided into a heterogeneous group with vastly different presentations and histologic features. Diagnosis requires integration of clinical, pathologic, and molecular features. Among CTCLs, mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome are the most prevalent. Treatment is aimed at limiting morbidity and halting disease progression. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only therapy with curative intent.
Root production in a subtropical pasture is mediated by cultivar and defoliation severity

Abstract Background Grasslands occupy significant land area and account for a large proportion of the global soil carbon stock, yet the direct effects of grazing and genotypic composition on relationships between shoot and root production are poorly resolved. This lack of understanding hinders the development of models for predicting root production in managed grasslands, a critical variable for determining soil carbon stocks. Methods We quantified the effects of season-long defoliation treatments on both shoot and root production across four cultivars of a widely-planted pasture grass species (Paspalum notatum Fluegge) in a common garden setting in South Florida, USA. Results We found that infrequently applied (4 week) severe defoliation (to 5 cm) substantially enhanced shoot production for all cultivars, while severe defoliation reduced root production across cultivars, regardless of frequency. Overall, cultivars varied substantially in root production across the range of defoliation treatments in our study. However, there was no significant relationship between shoot and root production. Conclusions Our results find that aboveground and belowground productivity are only weakly coupled, suggesting caution against use of simple aboveground proxies to predict variations in root production in grasslands. More broadly, our results demonstrate that improved modeling and management of grasslands for belowground ecosystem services, including soil carbon sequestration/stocks, will need to account for intraspecific genetic variations and responses to defoliation management.
Abstract A105: Novel lignin-conjugated PLGA drug delivery system improves efficacy of MEK1/2 inhibitor in triple negative breast cancer

In 2019, it is predicted that more than a quarter of a million women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer (BC). Nearly 15% of those cases will be classified as triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Patients with TNBC typically have a worse prognosis due to its lack of classically targeted hormone receptors associated with other BC subtypes. Because the more well tolerated targeted endocrine therapies cannot be used to treat TNBC, novel targeted therapies and drug delivery systems must be created. They are needed to assist physicians in battling TNBC while minimizing deleterious effects and comorbidities for the patients associated with chemotherapies that are used as adjuvant therapies. Here we propose a novel lignin-conjugated-PLGA (L-PLGA) biopolymer for a nanoparticle drug delivery system (NPDDS) to improve the efficacy of the targeted therapy GDC-0623, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, to treat the TNBC cell line, MDA-MB-231. We compared our NPDDS to the commonly used PLGA. Our L-PLGA-GDC NPs had an average size of 78 ± 4 nm while PLGA-GDC NPs were 201 ± 2.5 nm making L-PLGA-GDC better suited for passive targeting based on the enhanced permeability and retention effect. Despite having a greater surface-to-volume ratio which favors diffusion, the L-PLGA NPs loaded with drug exhibited a more sustained release over 48 hours than the larger PLGA NPs. QCM-D modeling predicted the ability of our L-PLGA NPs to interact with the lipid bilayer of cells. Cells treated with L-PLGA-GDC NPs had a significant reduction in cell numbers (nearly 50%) compared to free GDC-0623 and PLGA-GDC NPs. Western blot confirmed L-PLGA-GDC was better at inhibiting phosphorylation of GDC-0623 target protein ERK1/2 than free GDC-0623 or PLGA-GDC NPs. We hypothesize that the increase in efficacy was due to the NPs interacting with the cell membrane, being taken up by the cell, and increasing the local drug concentration. This mechanism was predicted by QCM-D and confirmed by fluorescent microscopy of TRITC-conjugated NPs. Cells treated with GDC-0623 presented a different morphology than untreated cells and qPCR confirmed that GDC-0623 reverses EMT in MDA-MB-231 cells. L-PLGA-GDC was more effective at reversing EMT than free GDC-0623 and PLGA-GDC NPs. Our findings indicate that lignin conjugation improves characteristics of PLGA NPDDSs and improves efficacy of GDC-0623 in multiple assays. Citation Format: Ethan Byrne, Carlos E. Astete, Manibarathi Vaithiyanathan, Adam T Melvin, Mahsa Moradipour, Stephen E. Rankin, Barbara L. Knutson, Elizabeth C. Martin, Cristina Sabliov. Novel lignin-conjugated PLGA drug delivery system improves efficacy of MEK1/2 inhibitor in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2019 Oct 26-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2019;18(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A105. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-19-A105
Sudden and steady orbital period changes across the classical nova eruptions of DQ Her and BT Mon

I report two new measures of the sudden change in the orbital period ($P$) across the nova eruption ($\Delta$P) and the steady period change in quiescence ($\dot{P}$) for classical novae (CNe) DQ Her and BT Mon. The fractional changes ($\Delta$P/P) in parts-per-million (ppm) are $-$4.46$\pm$0.03 for DQ Her and +39.6$\pm$0.5 for BT Mon. For BT Mon, the $\Delta$P/P value is not large enough (i.e., $>$1580 ppm) to allow for Hibernation in this system. The {\it negative} $\Delta$P/P for DQ Her is a confident counterexample of the Hibernation model for the evolution of cataclysmic variables. Further, published models of period changes by nova eruptions do not allow for such a negative value, so some additional mechanism is required, with this perhaps being due to asymmetric ejection of material. My program has also measured the first long-term $\dot{P}$ for CNe, with 0.00$\pm$0.02 for DQ Her and $-$2.3$\pm$0.1 for BT Mon, all with units of $10^{-11}$ days/cycle. These can be directly compared to the predictions of the Magnetic Braking model, where the long-term average $\dot{P}$ is a single universal function of $P$. The predicted values are -0.027 for DQ Her and -0.33 for BT Mon. For both novae, the measured $\dot{P}$ is significantly far from the predictions for Magnetic Braking. Further, the observed $\Delta$P for BT Mon imposes an additional {\it positive} period change of +0.60$\times$10$^{-11}$ days/cycle when averaged over the eruption cycle, so this system actually has a long-term {\it rise} in $P$.
Optimal Distance-Based Formation Producing Control of Multi-Agent Systems with Energy Constraints and Collision Avoidance

This paper considers the problem of an optimal distance-based formation producing control for multi-agent systems. We use the rigid graph theory in combination with the state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) method to develop a multi-agent formation producing scheme. We define a normalized rigidity matrix and use it for the rigorous stability analysis. A quadratic-like cost functional is defined that takes into account the cost of the formation as well as the energy cost. The proposed control law asymptotically minimizes the cost functional while it assures local asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system. Furthermore, we propose a solution for the global asymptotic stability and collision avoidance. In order to verify and validate theoretical results, we present several simulation results in both 2-D and 3-D spaces.
Poly(lactic acid)-Based Ink for Biodegradable Printed Electronics With Conductivity Enhanced through Solvent Aging

Biodegradable electronics is a rapidly growing field, and the development of controllably biodegradable, high-conductivity materials suitable for additive manufacturing under ambient conditions remains a challenge. In this report, printable conductive pastes that employ poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as a binder and tungsten as a conductor are demonstrated. These composite conductors can provide enhanced stability in applications where moisture may be present, such as environmental monitoring or agriculture. Post-processing the printed traces using a solvent-aging technique increases their conductivity by up to 2 orders of magnitude, with final conductivities approaching 5000 S/m. Such techniques could prove useful when thermal processes including heating or laser sintering are limited by the temperature constraints of typical biodegradable substrates. Both accelerated oxidative and hydrolytic degradation of the printed composite conductors are examined, and a fully biodegradable capacitive soil moisture sensor is fabricated and tested.
Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine Salts for Delayed Orgasm and Anorgasmia in Men: A Pilot Study.

Objective To describe our experience with amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salts (AMP) as a treatment for delayed orgasm/anorgasmia (DO/AO). Methods We identified patients with DO/AO from September 2017 to September 2019. Baseline characteristics and patient-reported orgasmic latency time (OLT) were recorded. After extensive screening, patients were treated with AMP. Validated questionnaires were administered including International Index of Erectile Function, quantitative Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. OLT change, adverse effects, and patient satisfaction were assessed. Baseline characteristics were compared using chi-squared test. OLT changes were compared with one-way ANOVA. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of treatment success. P Results Seventeen men received AMP – 6 of 17 (35.3%) for AO and 11 of 17 (64.7%) for DO, with median follow-up 1.0 year (interquartile range [IQR] 1.0 year). Amongst responders, AMP improved subjective experience of sex in 8 of 17 (47.1%) patients (2/6 with AO). Of those, 6 of 17 (35.3%; 1/6 with AO) experienced reduced OLT or increased frequency of orgasm. Non-responders were older than responders, with median age 69.5 (IQR 4.3) vs 61.0 years (IQR 12.3; P = 0.024). There were no other significant differences in baseline characteristics among responders. Of note, 6 of 8 (75%) responders and 8 of 9 (88.9%) non-responders failed other treatment modalities prior to AMP. Among responders with DO and improved OLT, mean OLT decreased by 72.3% (40.7 to 11.1 minutes, P = 0.049) during intercourse. Minimal side effects were noted including insomnia and jitters, each in one patient respectively. Conclusion AMP as a treatment for AO/DO merits further investigation. Measurable improvements in OLT or frequency of orgasm occurred in more than a third of patients. Larger prospective multicenter studies with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria are warranted.
Short-sale constraints and informational efficiency to private information: A natural experiment

Exploiting a regulatory change in short‐sale constraints (Regulation SHO) as a natural experiment, this paper examines the effect of short‐sale constraints on informational efficiency of stock prices to private information. I find that short‐sellers act as informed traders prior to forthcoming analyst news and trade on negative private information. When short‐sale constraints are relaxed for pilot stocks (treatment group), both trading volume and stock price sensitivity increase prior to the analyst announcement for bad news but not for good news, relative to that of nonpilot stocks (control group). The findings are consistent with the Diamond and Verrecchia model that predicts that short‐selling increases the speed of adjustment of stock prices to private negative information. In the cross‐section, the effect of Reg SHO is stronger in stocks of firms with weak and uncertain information environments (i.e., small firms and firms with high analyst forecast dispersion).
Circulating Markers of Angiogenesis and Endotheliopathy in COVID-19

Increase in thrombotic and microvascular complications is emerging to be a key feature of patients with critical illness associated with COVID-19 infection. While endotheliopathy is thought to be a key factor of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy, markers indicative of this process that are prognostic of disease severity have not been well-established in this patient population. Using plasma profiling of patients with COVID-19, we identified circulating markers that segregated with disease severity: markers of angiogenesis (VEGF-A, PDGF-AA and PDGF-AB/BB) were elevated in hospitalized patients with non-critical COVID-19 infection, while markers of endothelial injury (angiopoietin-2, FLT-3L, PAI-1) were elevated in patients with critical COVID-19 infection. In survival analysis, elevated markers of endothelial injury (angiopoietin-2, follistatin, PAI-1) were strongly predictive of in-hospital mortality. Our findings demonstrate that non-critical and critical phases of COVID-19 disease may be driven by distinct mechanisms involving key aspects of endothelial cell function, and identify drivers of COVID-19 pathogenesis and potential targets for future therapies.
Thermal drift compensation in dark-frame non-uniformity correction for an InGaAs PIN 3D flash lidar camera

This paper presents the expansion of dark-frame non-uniformity correction (DFNUC) techniques to include compensation for thermal drift in a 128×128 PIN diode 3D flash LiDAR camera. Flash LiDAR cameras are operated in various climates, which makes thermal compensation necessary in the dark NUC algorithm. The thermal excitation of electrons has a significant effect on the dark current in an InGaAs PIN photodetector and on the CMOS readout circuitry, thus impacting the output image. This is a well-known phenomenon in imaging sensors and various algorithms have been established to address thermal drift. This paper adapts a linear model for dark signal calibration used in infrared cameras for the calibration of a PIN diode flash LiDAR camera in both intensity and range return. The experimental process involves collecting dark frames in increments of the internal camera temperature from 22°C to 36°C using thermoelectric (TE) cooling modules. A linear trendline is developed for each individual pixel based on the average frame return, which suppresses the random temporal noise and isolates the dark signal return. The trendline helps form a model for the dark frame offset as a function of temperature, which is used for the dark-frame NUC process. The dark-frame NUC with thermal drift compensation is then evaluated by correcting dark frames at various operating temperatures. Finally, illuminated scenes captured by the camera with a 5.91ns, 842.4μJ pulsed laser at 5Hz are corrected at multiple operation temperatures to show the effectiveness of the dark non-uniformity correction algorithm.
Promoting Fair Evaluation of Learning During Clinical Simulation: Knowing Yourself, Your Team, and Your Tool

Abstract Background Assessment of student clinical performance is a core nurse educator responsibility, yet there are myriad challenges associated with these assessments during high-stakes simulation and clinical testing. Methods This mixed methods study was a component of a larger study investigating the impact of faculty personality characteristics on reliability when evaluating student performance during simulation. Nurse educator participants reviewed their individual CliftonStrengths Assessment data prior to reflecting on open-ended and Likert-type scale questions. Results Data analysis resulted in three themes that promote fair student evaluation: Knowing Yourself; Knowing Your Tool; Knowing Your Team. Conclusions To promote the integrity of student evaluation in simulation and clinical testing environments, knowing one's strengths and how they affect student assessment is paramount; development of a shared mental model of tools used to rate student performance is key; and critical team conversations are essential to understanding and leveraging varying nurse educator strengths influencing the assessment process.
DawDreamer: Bridging the Gap Between Digital Audio Workstations and Python Interfaces

Audio production techniques which previously only existed in GUI-constrained digital audio workstations, livecoding environments, or C++ APIs are now accessible with our new Python module called DawDreamer. DawDreamer therefore bridges the gap between real sound engineers and coders imitating them with offline batch-processing. Like contemporary modules in this domain, DawDreamer can create directed acyclic graphs of audio processors such as VSTs which generate or manipulate audio streams. DawDreamer can also dynamically compile and execute code from Faust, a powerful signal processing language which can be deployed to many platforms and microcontrollers. We discuss DawDreamer's unique features in detail and potential applications across music information retrieval including source separation, transcription, and audio effect parameter inference. We provide fully cross-platform PyPI installers, a Linux Dockerfile, and an example Jupyter notebook.
The immune system as a self-centered network of lymphocytes.

This essay makes a brief historical and comparative review of selective and network theories of the immune system which is presented as a chemical sensory system with immune and non-immune functions. The ontogeny of immune networks is the result of both positive and negative selection of lymphocytes to self-epitopes that serve as a “template” for the recognition of foreign antigens. The development of immune networks progresses from single individual clones in early ontogeny into complex “information processing networks” in which lymphocytes are linked to inhibitory and stimulatory immune cells. The results of these regulatory interactions modulate immune responses and tolerance.
Expression of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides hemA and hemT genes, encoding two 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase isozymes.

Abstract The nucleotide sequences of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides hemA and hemT genes, encoding 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase isozymes, were determined. ALA synthase catalyzes the condensation of glycine and succinyl coenzyme A, the first and rate-limiting step in tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. The hemA and hemT structural gene sequences were 65% identical to each other, and the deduced HemA and HemT polypeptide sequences were 53% identical, with an additional 16% of aligned amino acids being similar. HemA and HemT were homologous to all characterized ALA synthases, including two human ALA synthase isozymes. In addition, they were evolutionarily related to 7-keto-8-aminopelargonic acid synthetase (BioF) and 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate coenzyme A ligase (Kbl), enzymes which catalyze similar reactions. Two hemA transcripts were identified, both expressed under photosynthetic conditions at levels approximately three times higher than those found under aerobic conditions. A single transcriptional start point was identified for both transcripts, and a consensus sequence at this location indicated that an Fnr-like protein may be involved in the transcriptional regulation of hemA. Transcription of hemT was not detected in wild-type cells under the physiological growth conditions tested. In a mutant strain in which the hemA gene had been inactivated, however, hemT was expressed. In this mutant, hemT transcripts were characterized by Northern (RNA) hybridization, primer extension, and ribonuclease protection techniques. A small open reading frame of unknown function was identified upstream of, and transcribed in the same direction as, hemA.
Mutations in the GTP-binding site of GSα alter stimulation of adenylyl cyclase

Mutational replacements of specific residues in the GTP-binding pocket of the 21-kDa ras proteins (p21ras) reduce their GTPase activity. To test the possibility that the cognate regions of G protein α chains participate in GTP binding and hydrolysis, we compared signaling functions of normal and mutated α chains (termed αs) of Gs, the stimulatory regulator of adenylyl cyclase. αs chains were expressed in an αs-deficient S49 mouse lymphoma cell line, cyc-. αs in which leucine replaces glutamine 227 (corresponding to glutamine 61 of p21ras) constitutively activates adenylyl cyclase and reduces the kcat for GTP hydrolysis more than 100-fold. There is a smaller reduction in GTPase activity in another mutant in which valine replaces glycine 49 (corresponding to glycine 12 of p21ras). This mutant αs is a poor activator of adenylyl cyclase. Moreover, the glycine 49 protein, unlike normal αs, is not protected against tryptic cleavage by hydrolysis resistant GTP analogs; this finding suggests impairment of the mutant protein's ability to attain the active (GTP-bound) conformation. We conclude that αs residues near glutamine 227 and glycine 49 participate in binding and hydrolysis of GTP, although the GTP binding regions of αs and p21ras are not identical.
A microfluidic ultra-violet emission source for direct fluorescence of tryptophan

This paper describes a fluidic microchip for observing the direct fluorescence of tryptophan and other amino acids, which are used in studying protein structure and dynamics. Since the excitation wavelengths of these are in the 250-290 nm ultra-violet range, it is a major challenge to find appropriate light sources that can be integrated onto micrototal analysis systems. This effort demonstrates that illumination from a microdischarge can be used to observe the direct fluorescence of tryptophan. The discharge is ignited across an air gap between an on-chip metal anode and a liquid cathode made of a saturated solution of lead nitrate. Atomic transitions in Pb atoms that are consequently sputtered into the discharge provide the wavelengths necessary to excite amino acids. Unwanted wavelengths are rejected by an optical filter that separates the microdischarge from the tryptophan sample. Measured results include the unfiltered and filtered spectral output of the microdischarge, as well as that of the resulting tryptophan emission, which has the characteristic broad peak from 300-450 nm.
Ecological Development Biology

Ecological developmental biology concerns the interactions between developing organisms and their environmental contexts. It studies development in the ‘real world’ of predators, competitors, symbionts, toxic compounds, temperature changes and nutritional differences. The environment plays a substantial role in development, and in many instances, normal development cannot occur without environmental signalling. Symbionts, for instance, are needed in many organisms for the development of particular organs. Environmental agents can elicit epigenetic changes in gene expression that can change an organism's phenotype. In many instances, however, substances in the environment of developing organisms can act detrimentally, causing birth defects and predisposing the organism to diseases in adulthood (see Gilbert SF, 2001). Epigenetics has recently provided startling insights into how compounds experienced during embryonic development can predispose one to cancer, obesity, hypertension and diabetes later in life. Key concepts: The environment plays critical roles during normal development. The genome encodes a repetoire of possible phenotypes. Environment often selects which of those phenotypes will become expressed. Reaction norms are phenotypes that quantitatively respond to environmental conditions, such that the phenotype reflects small differences in the environmental conditions. Polyphenisms represent ‘either/or’ phenotypes wherein one set of conditions elicits one phenotype while another set of conditions elicits another. Organisms usually develop with symbiotic organisms; and often signals from the symbionts are critical for normal development. Teratogens (such as ethanol) are compounds that can cause birth defects by disrupting normal development. Endocrine disruptors are compounds in the environment that can disrupt normal development by changing gene expression in ways that are not seen phenotypically for years after birth. Ecological developmental biology provides the mechanisms for new types of variations that can lead to selection. These include epialleles (inherited patterns of chromatin alterations giving inherited variants of gene expression patterns), and plasticity-driven adaptation. Keywords: ecological developmental biology; symbiosis; epigenetics; teratogens; plasticity
MLSO Mark III K-Coronameter Observations of the CME Rate from 1989 – 1996

We report here an attempt to fill the 1990-1995 gap in the CME (coronal mass ejection) rate using the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory (MLSO)'s Mark III (Mk3) K-coronameter. The Mk3 instrument observed routinely several hours most days beginning in 1980 until it was upgraded to Mk4 in 1999. We describe the statistical properties of the CMEs detected during 1989-1996, and we determine a CME rate for each of those years. Since spaceborne coronagraphs have more complete duty cycles than a ground-based instrument at a single location, we compare the Mk3-derived CME rate from 1989 with the SMM C/P (Solar Maximum Mission Coronagraph/Polarimeter) coronagraph, and from 1996 with the SOHO (Solar and Hellospheric Observatory) LASCO (Large Angle and Spectrometric COronagraph) coronagraphs.
A Historical Perspective and Current Views on the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing

The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing have evolved in the breadth and depth of coverage of issues in educational testing and measurement since their first publication in 1954. There were a number of substantive changes in the 1999 revision that addressed validity, fairness, accommodations, and compliance with the Standards. In addition, there was nearly a 50% increase in the number of standards contained in the last revision. The next revision of the Standards may be initiated in 2007 and there are remaining concerns about access and awareness by non-measurement professionals, compliance by test publishers and users, relevance in addressing mandates for accountability, and substantive areas of educational assessment. This review of major changes to the Standards and discussion of future topics is designed to inform the next revision.
A Meta-Analytic Review of Item Discrimination and Difficulty in Multiple-Choice Items Using "None-Of-The-Above":

The research on using "none-of-the-above" (N-O-T-A) as a test item option continues to find contradictory results on item difficulty and item discrimination. The argument for not using N-O-T-A is that this option is considered more difficult and less discriminating than items with one correct format (regular).The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis on the difficulty and discrimination of the N-O-T-A test option. A total of twelve articles yielding 20 effect sizes was examined for difficulty, and a total of seven studies yielding eleven effect sizes was examined for discrimination. The meta-analysis indicated nonsignificant effect sizes of .01 for discrimination and -.17 for item difficulty. These findings indicate that using "none-of-the-above"as a test item option does not result in items of lesser quality than in items not using this option.
Percutaneous Freehand™ System Intramuscular Electrode Placement:

The FreeHand (NeuroControl Corporation, USA) system is an implantable electronic neuroprosthesis designed to stimulate muscles of tetraplegic upper limbs to achieve lateral pinch and simple grasp. When first introduced, the system required insertion through multiple large incisions, but recently introduced intramuscular electrodes have allowed the development of a percutaneous electrode placement technique. The technique minimizes incisions, decreases overall operative time and patient morbidity and improves the outcome by minimizing tendon adhesions.
Dityrosine Cross-Linked Aβ Peptides: Fibrillar β-Structure in Aβ(1-40) Is Conducive to Formation of Dityrosine Cross-Links but a Dityrosine Cross-Link in Aβ(8-14) Does Not Induce β-Structure

Recent reports by Galeazzi and co-workers demonstrated the susceptibility of Aβ(1-42) to undergo dityrosine formation via peroxidase-catalyzed tyrosine cross-linking. We have formed dityrosine cross-links in Aβ(1-40) using these enzymatic conditions as well as a copper−H2O2 method. The efficiency of dityrosine cross-link formation is strongly influenced by the aggregation state of Aβ; more dityrosine is formed when copper−H2O2 or horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation is applied to fibrillar Aβ vs soluble Aβ. Once formed, dityrosine cross-links are susceptible to further oxidative processes and it appears that cross-links formed in soluble Aβ react through these pathways more readily than those formed in fibrillar Aβ. Because preorganization of fibrils affects the efficiency of dityrosine formation, we examined the effect of dityrosine formation upon local peptide conformation by assessing the solution structure of a small dityrosine dimer derived from Aβ(8-14). Two-dimensional 1H NMR studies of the s...
On the Ability to Elicit Self-Disclosure: Are there Gender-Based and Contextual Limitations on the Opener Effect?

Previous work with Miller; Berg, and Archer's Opener Scale has shown that females who score high on the opener dimension are more proficient than those who score low at eliciting self-disclosure from conversational partners. The present study tests the generality of this "opener effect" to males and across different context. It was expected that the opener effect would be most apparent in contexts where people are normally reluctant to self-disclose (i.e., when instrumental motives are salient for females and when social/expressive motives are salient for males). However, high opener interviewers of each sex elicited longer and more intimate self-disclosures than low-opener interviewers, and this opener effect was not moderated by situational context. Further analyses of interviewer behaviors suggested that high openers were the more successful at eliciting self-disclosure because they were more inclined to seek information through verbal prompts that encourage intimate revelations.
Clinical potential of eliglustat tartrate in the treatment of type 1 Gaucher disease

Nonneuropathic type 1 Gaucher disease is an autosomal recessive inherited disease caused by the deficiency or absence of beta glucocerebrosidase (beta glucosidase). The highest prevalence of type 1 is in Ashkenazi Jews, but it affects all ethnic groups. It manifests at any age but is seen predominantly in the first two decades. The phenotype is characterized by painless splenomegaly and secondary hypersplenism (low hemoglobin concentration and low platelet and white blood cell counts). Symptoms and signs include splenomegaly; chronic fatigue, frequent nose bleeds, prolonged bleeding, and/or bruising; hepatomegaly; bone pain, bone destruction and low bone density; and poor growth in childhood and delayed pubertal development. Current treatment with intravenous enzyme replacement has been generally successful. However, oral treatments have been developed because enzyme replacement is time-consuming and invasive, and intravenous infusions are not universally available for patients who live far from medical centers or home infusion nurses. Furthermore, it may become difficult to access veins after repeated infusions. Orally administered substrate reduction is a newer treatment approach. The aim is to limit the synthesis of the substrate, glucosylceramide. The residual intrinsic enzyme, acting alone or with recombinant enzyme, can then completely catabolize the smaller amounts of glucosylceramide that are transported into lysosomes. Eliglustat tartrate is a new specific inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase. Phase III trials in humans have been completed. Eli- glustat tartrate has been shown to be efficacious and safe in adult humans. The results are as good or better compared with intravenous replacement with regard to reductions in spleen and liver enlargement and improvements in hemoglobin concentrations, platelet counts, and bone density, as well as decreases in biomarkers of Gaucher disease activity. Few adverse events, none of which was serious, have been reported. Eliglustat tartrate has the clinical potential to enable a larger number of patients with type 1 Gaucher disease to be treated successfully.
Velocity control of hyperbolic partial differential equation systems with single characteristic variable

This work addresses the problem of controlling a flow system described by a set of first-order partial differential equations with a single characteristic variable. The manipulated input variable is the characteristic flow velocity of the system while the controlled output is any function of the state variables in the outlet stream. Extending ideas and concepts from geometric control theory for ordinary differential equation systems, the notion of input/output linearization is used as a basis for the controller design. The method of characteristics is used to establish properties of the system dynamics. Because of the presence of a deadtime, the nonlinear system behaves in a manner analogous to linear systems having quasirational transfer functions. It is shown that the zero dynamics is marginally stable. Two types of controller designs are considered. Because of the nature of the zero dynamics, a continuous-time controller is shown to induce oscillations, making it unsuitable for practical use. A novel alternative controller is proposed that will induce a discrete-time linear input/output response in the closed loop. The discrete control action is taken at variable intervals of time equal to the residence time of the fluid entering the system at the start of that interval. The control methodology is implemented on a nonisothermal plug flow reactor and its performance and robustness are evaluated through simulations.
Intracortical 6-hydroxydopamine induces an asymmetrical behavioral response in the rat

Abstract Doses of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) from 1 to 6 μg injected into the right frontal cortex of rats led to spontaneous hyperactivity beginning 1 week after injection and lasting throughout the 30-day postoperative period. Identical left hemispheric injections did not elicit hyperactivity until a dose of 6 μg was reached. Biochemical assays revealed that 6-OHDA injected into either hemisphere caused approximately the same amount of depletion of norepinephrine. These results suggest that the neural asymmetry which leads to hyperactivity may be post-synaptic to the cortical noradrenergic terminals.
Observer design for time-varying systems

The state estimation problem is considered for linear time–varying continuous systems with non–lexicographic–fixed observability basis. A two–stage design strategy is presented for constructing observers for this class of systems. At the first stage, by augmenting the given system with an auxiliary system, the original system is transformed to a new augmented model whose observability indices are lexicographic–fixed. A specific augmentation scheme is proposed in order to find this auxiliary system. At the second stage, a design procedure is given to construct minimum–order observers for the augmented system by utilizing the new input and output information. The canonical transformation technique is also employed to simplify the design procedure. Finally, with the help of a simple reverse transformation, solutions to the original problem arc obtained. An example is also given to illustrate the design techniques.