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Peroxisomes are eukaryotic organelles that are essential for multiple metabolic pathways, including fatty acid oxidation, degradation of amino acids, and biosynthesis of ether lipids. Consequently, peroxisome dysfunction leads to pediatric-onset neurodegenerative conditions, including Peroxisome Biogenesis Disorders (PBD). Due to the dynamic, tissue-specific, and context-dependent nature of their biogenesis and function, live cell imaging of peroxisomes is essential for studying peroxisome regulation, as well as for the diagnosis of PBD-linked abnormalities. However, the peroxisomal imaging toolkit is lacking in many respects, with no reporters for substrate import, nor cell-permeable probes that could stain dysfunctional peroxisomes. Here we report that the BODIPY-C12 fluorescent fatty acid probe stains functional and dysfunctional peroxisomes in live mammalian cells. We then go on to improve BODIPY-C12, generating peroxisome-specific reagents, PeroxiSPY650 and PeroxiSPY555. These probes combine high peroxisome specificity, bright fluorescence in the red and far-red spectrum, and fast non-cytotoxic staining, making them ideal tools for live cell, whole organism, or tissue imaging of peroxisomes. Finally, we demonstrate that PeroxiSPY enables diagnosis of peroxisome abnormalities in the PBD CRISPR/Cas9 cell models and patient-derived cell lines. The array of tools to image peroxisome regulation is still limited. Here, the authors develop improved fatty acid-based probes with high peroxisome specificity and bright fluorescence in the red/far-red spectrum, which makes them ideal to study peroxisomes in live cells and whole organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Characterization of Regolith And Trace Economic Resources (CRATER), an Orbitrap™‐based laser desorption mass spectrometry instrument designed to conduct high‐precision, spatially resolved analyses of planetary materials, is capable of answering outstanding science questions about the Moon's formation and the subsequent processes that have modified its (sub)surface. Methods: Here, we describe the baseline design of the CRATER flight model, which requires <20 000 cm3 volume, <10 kg mass, and <60 W peak power. The analytical capabilities and performance metrics of a prototype that meets the full functionality of the flight model are demonstrated. Results: The instrument comprises a high‐power, solid‐state, pulsed ultraviolet (213 nm) laser source to ablate the surface of the lunar sample, a custom ion optical interface to accelerate and collimate the ions produced at the ablation site, and an Orbitrap mass analyzer capable of discriminating competing isobars via ultrahigh mass resolution and high mass accuracy. The CRATER instrument can measure elemental and isotopic abundances and characterize the organic content of lunar surface samples, as well as identify economically valuable resources for future exploration. Conclusion: An engineering test unit of the flight model is currently in development to serve as a pathfinder for near‐term mission opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strength of the welded joint of the connecting pipe and the collector made of 12Kh1MF steel is investigated within the framework of the model of elastic solid, taking into account their real geometry and the dependence of the material characteristics on temperature. Zones of the maximum operating stresses in the joint for different types of welding are identified. Design and technological solutions aimed at significant reduction of the maximum operational stresses are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the experiences of academic library instructors when shifting from primarily in-person to primarily online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 20-question survey was distributed to academic and medical librarian listservs. Questions asked 244 participants about various aspects of their experiences providing library instruction during the pandemic. Results indicated that most respondents experienced a successful transition to online instruction during, though many found the experience challenging. Open-ended responses revealed areas where instructors felt online instruction was more effective than in-person instruction, and areas where they felt it was not. Many instructors indicated an intention to continue to provide online instruction options into the future. Based on these survey results, a few key areas of recommendation are proposed where academic libraries can better prepare their instruction librarians for future emergent situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The D/H ratio is a clue to the origin and evolution of hydrogen-bearing chemical species in Solar system materials. D/H has been observed in the coma of many comets, but most such measurements have been for gaseous water. We present the first in situ measurements of the D/H ratios in the organic refractory component of cometary dust particles collected at very low impact speeds in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (hereafter 67P) by the COSIMA instrument onboard Rosetta. The values measured by COSIMA are spatial averages over an approximately 35 × 50 µm2 area. The average D/H ratio for the 25 measured particles is (1.57 ± 0.54) × 10−3, about an order of magnitude higher than the Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (VSMOW), but more than an order of magnitude lower than the values measured in gas-phase organics in solar-like protostellar regions and hot cores. This relatively high averaged value suggests that refractory carbonaceous matter in comet 67P is less processed than the most primitive insoluble organic matter (IOM) in meteorites, which has a D/H ratio in the range of about 1 to 7 × 10−4. The cometary particles measured in situ also have a higher H/C ratio than the IOM. We deduce that the measured D/H in cometary refractory organics is an inheritance from the presolar molecular cloud from which the Solar system formed. The high D/H ratios observed in the cometary particles challenges models in which high D/H ratios result solely from processes that operated in the protosolar disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annals of Cultural Studies / Roczniki Kulturoznawcze is the property of John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Institute of Cultural Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Unexpectedly wide distribution (<10 to >90%) of hemoglobin oxygen saturation (sO2) within red cell concentrates (RCCs) has recently been observed. Causes of such variability are not yet completely explained whereas the roles of oxygen and oxidative lesions during the storage of RCCs are known. The objectives of the present study are to characterize sO2 distribution in RCCs produced in a Swiss blood center and to investigate the influence of processing and donors' characteristics. Methods: The level of sO2 was measured in 1701 leukocyte-depleted RCCs derived from whole blood donations in both top–bottom (TB; component filtered, SAGM) and top–top (TT; whole blood filtration, PAGGSM) RCCs. The sO2 value was measured non-invasively through the PVC bag prior to storage by resonance Raman spectroscopy. Gender, age, blood type, hemoglobin level, and living altitude of donors, as well as process method and time-to-process were recorded. Results: Overall, the sO2 exhibited a wide non-Gaussian distribution with a mean of 51.2 ± 18.5%. Use of top-top kits resulted in a 16% higher sO2 (P < 0.0001) than with top-bottom ones. Waiting time before processing only had a modest impact, but the blood processing itself reduced the sO2 by almost 12% (P < 0.0001). sO2 was also significantly affected by some donors' characteristics. RCCs from men exhibited 25% higher sO2 (P < 0.0001) than those donated by women. Multivariate analysis revealed that the apparent correlation observed with hemoglobin level and age was actually due to multicollinearity with the sex variable. Finally, we noticed no significant differences across blood type but found that altitude of residence was associated with the sO2 (i.e., higher in higher living place). Conclusion: These data confirm wide sO2 distribution in RCCs reported recently. The sO2 was impacted by the processing and also by donors' characteristics such as the gender and the living altitude, but not by the hemoglobin level, blood group and donor age. This study provides new hints on the factors influencing red blood cells storage lesions, since they are known to be related to O2 content within the bags, giving clues to better process and to better store RCCs and therefore potentially improve the efficacy of transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report the detection of phosphorus and fluorine in solid particles collected from the inner coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko measured with the COmetary Secondary Ion Mass Analyser (COSIMA) instrument on-board the Rosetta spacecraft, only a few kilometers away from the comet nucleus. We have detected phosphorus-containing minerals from the presented COSIMA mass spectra, and can rule out e.g. apatite minerals as the source of phosphorus. This result completes the detection of life-necessary CHNOPS-elements in solid cometary matter, indicating cometary delivery as a potential source of these elements to the young Earth. Fluorine was also detected with CF+ secondary ions originating from the cometary dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women's abilities to participate in capital markets are widely considered a crucial aspect of their economic opportunities. Yet female involvement in (private) capital markets has received scarce attention in studies of medieval finance. This article explores the position of women in late medieval capital markets through a study of the Low Countries. By comparing two cities with opposite economic trajectories during the fifteenth century (Antwerp and Leuven), it interrogates how different economic conditions affected gender inequality in capital markets, and how women's involvement was influenced by marital status. Quantitative analysis of the registers of aldermen – which contain economic contracts of all sorts – shows that, regardless of the city's economic conditions, women's share in the capital market was relatively modest and comparable to that in other European regions. However, the characteristics of women's participation in Antwerp's booming commercial economy differed from patterns that have been conventionally described by historiography. The article shows that as investors Antwerp women held a comparable position to men and highlights the importance of never-married women as creditors. It concludes that differing economic structures and conditions in adjacent cities affected women's position in capital markets, with important implications for interregional comparisons of women's economic opportunities across (medieval) Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We built a collector to filter interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) larger than 5 μm from the clean air at the Amundsen Scott South Pole station. Our sampling strategy used long duration, continuous dry filtering of near‐surface air in place of short duration, high‐speed impact collection on flags flown in the stratosphere. We filtered ~107 m3 of clean Antarctic air through 20 cm diameter, 3 µm filters coupled to a suction blower of modest power consumption (5–6 kW). Our collector ran continuously for 2 years and yielded 41 filters for analyses. Based on stratospheric concentrations, we predicted that each month's collection would provide 300–900 IDPs for analysis. We identified 19 extraterrestrial (ET) particles on the 66 cm2 of filter examined, which represented ~0.5% of the exposed filter surfaces. The 11 ET particles larger than 5 µm yield about a fifth of the expected flux based on >5 µm stratospheric ET particle flux. Of the 19 ET particles identified, four were chondritic porous IDPs, seven were FeNiS beads, two were FeNi grains, and six were chondritic material with FeNiS components. Most were <10 µm in diameter and none were cluster particles. Additionally, a carbon‐rich candidate particle was found to have a small 15N isotopic enrichment, supporting an ET origin. Many other candidate grains, including chondritic glasses and C‐rich particles with Mg and Si and FeS grains, require further analysis to determine if they are ET. The vast majority of exposed filter surfaces remain to be examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The instrument COSIMA (COmetary Secondary Ion Mass Analyzer) onboard of the European Space Agency mission Rosetta collected and analyzed dust particles in the neighborhood of comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko. The chemical composition of the particle surfaces was characterized by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. A set of 2213 spectra has been selected, and relative abundances for CH‐containing positive ions as well as positive elemental ions define a set of multivariate data with nine variables. Evaluation by complementary chemometric techniques shows different compositions of sample groups collected during two periods of the mission. The first period was August to November 2014 (far from the Sun); the second period was January 2015 to February 2016 (nearer to the Sun). The applied data evaluation methods consider the compositional nature of the mass spectral data and comprise robust principal component analysis as well as classification with discriminant partial least squares regression, k‐nearest neighbor search, and random forest decision trees. The results indicate a high importance of the relative abundances of the secondary ions C+ and Fe+ for the group separation and demonstrate an enhanced content of carbon‐containing substances in samples collected in the period with smaller distances to the Sun. Extraterrestrial dust particles from the neighborhood of comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko have been collected by the instrument COSIMA onboard of the European Space Agency mission Rosetta. The composition of the particles was characterized by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry giving evidence of minerals and macromolecular organic substances. A specific multivariate evaluation of the mass spectral data by chemometric methods indicates an enhanced content of carbon‐containing substances in samples collected in a period with smaller distances to the Sun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) offers the opportunity to monitor the osseointegration of an implant in a simple, noninvasive way. A better comprehension of the relationship between RFA and parameters related to bone quality would therefore help clinicians improve diagnoses. In this study, a bone analog made from polyurethane foam was used to isolate the influences of bone density and cortical thickness in RFA. Materials and Methods: Straumann standard implants were inserted in polyurethane foam blocks, and primary implant stability was measured with RFA. The blocks were composed of two superimposed layers with different densities. The top layer was dense to mimic cortical bone, whereas the bottom layer had a lower density to represent trabecular bone. Different densities for both layers and different thicknesses for the simulated cortical layer were tested, resulting in eight different block combinations. RFA was compared with two other mechanical evaluations of primary stability: removal torque and axial loading response. Results: The primary stability measured with RFA did not correlate with the two other methods, but there was a significant correlation between removal torque and the axial loading response (P < .005). Statistical analysis revealed that each method was sensitive to different aspects of bone quality. RFA was the only method able to detect changes in both bone density and cortical thickness. However, changes in trabecular bone density were easier to distinguish with removal torque and axial loading than with RFA. Conclusions: This study shows that RFA, removal torque, and axial loading are sensitive to different aspects of the bone-implant interface. This explains the absence of correlation among the methods and proves that no standard procedure exists for the evaluation of primary stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) offers the opportunity to monitor the osseointegration of an implant in a simple, noninvasive way. A better comprehension of the relationship between RFA and parameters related to bone quality would therefore help clinicians improve diagnoses. In this study, a bone analog made from polyurethane foam was used to isolate the influences of bone density and cortical thickness in RFA. Materials and Methods: Straumann standard implants were inserted in polyurethane foam blocks, and primary implant stability was measured with RFA. The blocks were composed of two superimposed layers with different densities. The top layer was dense to mimic cortical bone, whereas the bottom layer had a lower density to represent trabecular bone. Different densities for both layers and different thicknesses for the simulated cortical layer were tested, resulting in eight different block combinations. RFA was compared with two other mechanical evaluations of primary stability: removal torque and axial loading response. Results: The primary stability measured with RFA did not correlate with the two other methods, but there was a significant correlation between removal torque and the axial loading response (P < .005). Statistical analysis revealed that each method was sensitive to different aspects of bone quality. RFA was the only method able to detect changes in both bone density and cortical thickness. However, changes in trabecular bone density were easier to distinguish with removal torque and axial loading than with RFA. Conclusions: This study shows that RFA, removal torque, and axial loading are sensitive to different aspects of the bone-implant interface. This explains the absence of correlation among the methods and proves that no standard procedure exists for the evaluation of primary stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of the article is due to the increased interest in the cultural heritage of the last century. The creative achievements and worldviews of priest Alexander Men, which are a significant component of the spiritual Russian culture, have been investigated. The works of Alexander are open to secular culture, science, to other faiths, non-Christian religions and deep church roots, they are accessible and simple for readers. Alexander Men did not create a special doctrine, because his main task was spiritual enlightenment and the exaltation of souls. Alexander Men was gifted not only with an analytical mind but also with a prophetic gift. Predictions about future are picked up by ignorant people and not only mislead them, but also become a source of distorted ideas about the Bible argued Alexander Men. First of all, Alexander Men in his researches seeks to answer the main questions that concern people, to reveal the very essence of the mysterious book of the Bible, to make its deep content not only a narrow circle of specialists, but also a wide reader. In the article a comprehensive analysis of the interpretation of the theologian's apocalyptic prophecies has been conducted. Alexander Men denies literal understanding of the Apocalypse images and emphasizes to allegorical character of this book. Numerous symbols, fantastic images and visions are revealed through the images of the prophetic books of the Old Testament. His initial thesis is to understand the Apocalypse as a permanent reality. Therefore, according to the theologian Alexander, apocalyptic prophecies are constantly being fulfilled and reproduced. The reasons for not accepting the apocalyptic reflections of Alexander Men by Orthodox priests have been defined: contradictory interpretations of Scripture, admiration for scientific facts, inclination for Catholicism, distortion of spiritual Orthodox practice, excessive liberalism, ecumenism, admiration for Western theology. However, Alexander Men played an important role in the Orthodox Church, he had many adherents (believers, priests, and researchers) and he is still mentioned in articles and conferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: HEALWA is an online library of evidence-based health information resources that are available to Washington state health practitioners. To increase awareness and use of HEALWA among health practitioners in rural areas, the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Pacific Northwest Region and Washington State University Spokane co-funded an outreach librarian position to provide instruction on using HEALWA. Case Presentation: After attempts at frequent in-person workshops failed due to lack of attendance, a onehour- long webinar targeted at rural nurses was developed to be delivered once a month. These webinars introduced participating health professionals to HEALWA, including how to set up their access and how to navigate the resource. To accommodate the busy schedules and different learning styles of the target audience, the workshops occurred both as monthly webinars and in-person, when available, in addition to an online self-guided tutorial. Continuing education credit was obtained through the Washington State Nurses Association, and a partnership with the Washington State Nursing Commission improved promotion of the webinars. Evaluations for both the webinars and workshops have been largely positive. Conclusions: The webinar series, coupled with in-person workshops and an online tutorial, reached nurses in rural areas of Washington state to increase awareness of HEALWA. To further facilitate access to HEALWA instruction, a recorded version of the live webinar is in development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although ownership of real property was crucial to the economic opportunities of medieval urban women, few studies systematically investigate the gender distribution of medieval real property over time. Using censiers (rarely used sources), this article approaches this question through a socio-geographical analysis of Brussels. The study finds that, despite the region's egalitarian inheritance laws, female ownership of real property was relatively limited, and it declined during the late Middle Ages. This decrease accelerated during economic crises, and especially affected the property of non-elite women. Further research on the changing economic opportunities of medieval women would benefit from a more explicit discussion of non-labour income sources and social status. Répartition par sexe de la propriété immobilière à Bruxelles à la fin du Moyen Âge (1356–1460): Posséder des biens immobiliers était crucial et commode pour l’économie des femmes des villes médiévales, pourtant la répartition par sexe des biens immobiliers urbains au fil du temps a suscité peu d’études systématiques. Utilisant les censiers (type de source historique rarement utilisé), l'article aborde cette question à partir d'une analyse sociogéographique du Bruxelles de l’époque. L'auteur constate que, malgré une législation locale imposant un système d'héritage égalitaire, la part des femmes était relativement limitée en matière de propriété immobilière et même qu'elle y a de plus décliné à la fin du Moyen Âge. Cette diminution s'est accélérée pendant les crises économiques et a surtout affecté la propriété des femmes qui ne faisaient pas partie de l’élite locale. Des recherches plus poussées seraient bienvenues sur les changements intervenus au cours de l’époque médiévale, qui réduisirent, pour les femmes, l’éventail de leur potentiel économique. En particulier, un débat plus explicite serait souhaitable sur leurs sources de revenu non liées au travail et mettant en jeu leur statut social. Die geschlechtsspezifische Verteilung des Grundbesitzes im spätmittelalterlichen Brüssel (1356–1460): Obwohl für die ökonomischen Möglichkeiten von Frauen in mittelalterlichen Städten die Verfügung über Grundbesitz entscheidend war, haben bislang nur wenige Studien die geschlechtsspezifische Verteilung des Grundbesitzes im Zeitverlauf näher untersucht. Unter Verwendung von censiers (einer selten benutzte Quelle) geht der Beitrag dieser Frage in Form einer sozialtopographischen Analyse Brüssels nach. Die Untersuchung ergibt, dass trotz des egalitären Erbrechts in dieser Region weiblicher Grundbesitz vergleichsweise begrenzt war und im Spätmittelalter noch weiter abnahm. Dieser Rückgang beschleunigte sich in ökonomischen Krisenzeiten und betraf vor allem den Besitz von Frauen, die nicht der Elite angehörten. Die künftige Forschung über die Veränderungen der ökonomischen Möglichkeiten mittelalterlicher Frauen würde sicher davon profitieren, wenn sie sich stärker als bisher mit den Einkommensquellen und sozialen Statusmerkmalen befassen würde, die nicht auf eigener Erwerbsarbeit beruhten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The instrument Cometary Secondary Ion Mass Analyzer (COSIMA) on board of the European Space Agency mission Rosetta to the comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko is a secondary ion mass spectrometer with a time‐of‐flight mass analyzer. It collected near the comet several thousand particles, imaged them, and analyzed the elemental and chemical compositions of their surfaces. In this study, variables have been generated from the spectral data covering the mass ranges of potential C‐, H‐, N‐, and O‐containing ions. The variable importance in binary discriminations between spectra measured on cometary particles and those measured on the target background has been estimated by the univariate t test and the multivariate methods discriminant partial least squares, random forest, and a robust method based on the log ratios of all variable pairs. The results confirm the presence of organic substances in cometary matter—probably a complex macromolecular mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Red blood cells ( RBCs) suffer from lesions during cold storage, depending in part on their ability to counterbalance oxidative stress by activating their antioxidant defence. The aim of this study was to monitor the antioxidant power ( AOP) in erythrocyte concentrates ( ECs) during cold storage. Materials and Methods Six ECs were prepared in saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol ( SAGM) additive solution and followed during 43 days. The AOP was quantified electrochemically using disposable electrode strips and compared with results obtained from a colorimetric assay. Haematological data, data on haemolysis and the extracellular concentration of uric acid were also recorded. Additionally, a kinetic model was developed to extract quantitative kinetic data on the AOP behaviour. Results The AOP of total ECs and their extracellular samples attained a maximum after 1 week of storage prior to decaying and reaching a plateau, as shown by the electrochemical measurements. The observed trend was confirmed with a colorimetric assay. Uric acid had a major contribution to the extracellular AOP. Interestingly, the AOP and uric acid levels were linked to the sex of the donors. Conclusion The marked increase in AOP during the first week of storage suggests that RBCs are impacted early by the modification of their environment. The AOP behaviour reflects the changes in metabolism activity following the adjustment of the extracellular uric acid level. Knowing the origin, interdonor variability and the effects of the AOP on the RBCs could be beneficial for the storage quality, which will have to be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In daily life, a person's gait-an important marker for his/her health status-is usually assessed using inertial sensors fixed to lower limbs or trunk. Such sensor locations are not well suited for continuous and long duration measurements. A better location would be the wrist but with the drawback of the presence of perturbative movements independent of walking. The aim of this study was to devise and validate an algorithm able to accurately estimate walking cadence and speed for daily life walking in various environments based on acceleration measured at the wrist. To this end, a cadence likelihood measure was designed, automatically filtering out perturbative movements and amplifying the periodic wrist movement characteristic of walking. Speed was estimated using a piecewise linear model. The algorithm was validated for outdoor walking in various and challenging environments (e.g., trail, uphill, downhill). Cadence and speed were successfully estimated for all conditions. Overall median (interquartile range) relative errors were -0.13% (-1.72 2.04%) for instantaneous cadence and -0.67% (-6.52 6.23%) for instantaneous speed. The performance was comparable to existing algorithms for trunk- or lower limb-fixed sensors. The algorithm's low complexity would also allow a real-time implementation in a watch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the 13th international conference of the European Association for Urban History (EAUH) that was held in Helsinki, Finland from August 24-27, 2016 is presented. Topics discussed include research on urban history, architecture of historic buildings and future agenda of city historians. The conference featured several people including EAUH's President Marjaana Niemi and other historians.

After more than 50 years of treating Parkinson's disease with L-DOPA, there are still no guidelines on setting the optimal dose for a given patient. The dopamine transporter type 1, now known as solute carrier family 6 (neurotransmitter transporter), member 3 (SLC6A3) is the most powerful determinant of dopamine neurotransmission and might therefore influence the treatment response. We recently demonstrated that methylphenidate (a dopamine transporter inhibitor) is effective in patients with Parkinson's disease with motor and gait disorders. The objective of the present study was to determine whether genetic variants of the dopamine transporter type 1-encoding gene (SLC6A3) are associated with differences in the response to treatment of motor symptoms and gait disorders with L-DOPA and methylphenidate (with respect to the demographic, the disease and the treatment parameters and the other genes involved in the dopaminergic neurotransmission). This analysis was part of a multicentre, parallel-group, doubleblind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of methylphenidate in Parkinson's disease (Protocol ID:2008-005801-20; ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT00914095). We scored the motor Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Stand-Walk-Sit Test before and after a standardized acute L-DOPA challenge before randomization and then after 3 months of methylphenidate treatment. Patients were screened for variants of genes involved in dopamine metabolism: rs28363170 and rs3836790 polymorphisms in the SLC6A3 gene, rs921451 and rs3837091 in the DDC gene (encoding the aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase involved in the synthesis of dopamine from L-DOPA), rs1799836 in the MAOB gene (coding for monoamine oxidase B) and rs4680 in the COMT gene (coding for catechol-O-methyltransferase). Investigators and patients were blinded to the genotyping data throughout the study. Eighty-one subjects were genotyped and 61 were analysed for their acute motor response to L-DOPA. The SLC6A3 variants were significantly associated with greater efficacy of L-DOPA for motor symptoms. The SLC6A3 variants were also associated with greater efficacy of methylphenidate for motor symptoms and gait disorders in the ON L-DOPA condition. The difference between motor Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores for patients with different SLC6A3 genotypes was statistically significant in a multivariate analysis that took account of other disease-related, treatment-related and pharmacogenetic parameters. Our preliminary results suggest that variants of SLC6A3 are genetic modifiers of the treatment response to L-DOPA and methylphenidate in Parkinson's disease. Further studies are required to assess the possible value of these genotypes for (i) guiding L-DOPA dose adaptations over the long term; and (ii) establishing the risk/benefit balance associated with methylphenidate treatment for gait disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates Research Electronic Data Capture, a web-based application developed by Vanderbilt University.

This article examines women and their immovable property ownership in Brussels between 1356 and 1460. By using censiers (medieval estate surveys), sources which are rarely considered in studies of medieval women, it offers a new viewpoint on the major transitions in the social position of women during the Late Middle Ages. First, the paper argues that the position of female property owners in Brussels differed in several regards from the position of their European counterparts. Furthermore, the results show a decline in the share of female property owners, which supports the notion of decreasing economic opportunities for women during the Late Middle Ages. Finally, the article demonstrates that this decline was neither linear nor univocal, but was closely connected to years of crisis and to the social position of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topological states of fermionic matter can be induced by means of a suitably engineered dissipative dynamics. Dissipation then does not occur as a perturbation, but rather as the main resource for many-body dynamics, providing a targeted cooling into topological phases starting from arbitrary initial states. We explore the concept of topological order in this setting, developing and applying a general theoretical framework based on the system density matrix that replaces the wave function appropriate for the discussion of Hamiltonian ground-state physics. We identify key analogies and differences to the more conventional Hamiltonian scenario. Differences essentially arise from the fact that the properties of the spectrum and of the state of the system are not as tightly related as in the Hamiltonian context. We provide a symmetry-based topological classification of bulk steady states and identify the classes that are achievable by means of quasi-local dissipative processes driving into superfluid paired states. We also explore the fate of the bulk-edge correspondence in the dissipative setting and demonstrate the emergence of Majorana edge modes. We illustrate our findings in one- and two-dimensional models that are experimentally realistic in the context of cold atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every year, the Medical Library Association (MLA) brings together members before or after its annual meeting, to discuss timely, relevant topics during a symposium. The 2012 Symposium featured a program about career management. This topic was selected, following a MLA Hospital Libraries Section survey. Results showed that building successful and fulfilling careers is imperative in today's hospital and academic health sciences libraries. Librarians learned to create personal strategies to avoid career pitfalls, identify factors that lead to career stagnation, and determine what skills are needed to fulfill new roles in our respective institutions. A planning and assessment award from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM), Pacific Northwest Region funded the postsymposium survey to measure the impact of the program on career planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How translational researchers use data is becoming an important support function for librariesto understand. Libraries’ roles in this increasingly complex area of Web librarianship are often unclearly defined. The authors conducted two focus groups with physicians and researchers at an academic medical center, the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, to gain a better understanding of the current state of data use and data management practices among translational researchers. Data management practices varied widely among departments, disciplines, and research centers, but common areas of concern important to Web librarianship included privacy, data access, and data stewardship. The results provided qualitative information about creating, managing, maintaining, and validating data in clinical and research environments, and challenges working with clinical research data in universities. These results inform current practices around data access, data sharing, and privacy of research participant data. Libraries can build on existing Web skills by instructing users how to find open source and commercial data sets, partnering to establish and implement improved data collection and archiving practices, and teaching principles of ethical data use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How translational researchers use data is becoming an important support function for librariesto understand. Libraries’ roles in this increasingly complex area of Web librarianship are often unclearly defined. The authors conducted two focus groups with physicians and researchers at an academic medical center, the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, to gain a better understanding of the current state of data use and data management practices among translational researchers. Data management practices varied widely among departments, disciplines, and research centers, but common areas of concern important to Web librarianship included privacy, data access, and data stewardship. The results provided qualitative information about creating, managing, maintaining, and validating data in clinical and research environments, and challenges working with clinical research data in universities. These results inform current practices around data access, data sharing, and privacy of research participant data. Libraries can build on existing Web skills by instructing users how to find open source and commercial data sets, partnering to establish and implement improved data collection and archiving practices, and teaching principles of ethical data use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

HOXD genes encode transcription factors involved in the antero-posterior patterning of the limb bud and in the specification of fingers. During the embryo development, HOXD genes are expressed, following a spatio-temporal colinearity that involves at least three regions, centrometric and telomeric to this cluster. Here, we describe a father and a daughter presenting a 3-4 hand bilateral syndactyly associated with a nystagmus. Array-comparative genomic hybridisation showed a 3.8 Mb duplication at 2q31.1-q31.2, comprising 27 genes including the entire HOXD cluster. We performed expression studies in lymphoblasts by reverse transcription-PCR and observed an HOXD13 and HOXD10 overexpression, whereas the HOXD12 expression was decreased. HOXD13 and HOXD10 overexpression, associated with a misregulation of at least HOXD12, may therefore induce the syndactyly. Deletions of the HOXD cluster and its regulatory sequences induce hand malformations and, particularly, finger anomalies. Recently, smaller duplications of the same region have been reported in association with a mesomelic dysplasia, type Kantaputra. We discuss the variable phenotypes associated with such 2q duplications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]