The Lucy Thermal Emission Spectrometer (L'TES) Instrument.

The Lucy Thermal Emission Spectrometer (L'TES) will provide remote measurements of the thermophysical properties of the Trojan asteroids studied by the Lucy mission. L'TES is build-to-print hardware copy of the OTES instrument flown on OSIRIS-REx. It is a Fourier Transform spectrometer covering the spectral range 5.71-100 µm (1750-100 cm-1) with spectral sampling intervals of 8.64, 17.3, and 34.6 cm-1 and a 7.3-mrad field of view. The L'TES telescope is a 15.2-cm diameter Cassegrain telescope that feeds a flat-plate Michelson moving mirror mounted on a linear voice-coil motor assembly to a single uncooled deuterated l-alanine doped triglycine sulfate (DLATGS) pyroelectric detector. A significant firmware change from OTES is the ability to acquire interferograms of different length and spectral resolution with acquisition times of 0.5, 1, and 2 seconds. A single ∼0.851 µm laser diode is used in a metrology interferometer to provide precise moving mirror control and IR sampling at 772 Hz. The beamsplitter is a 38-mm diameter, 1-mm thick chemical vapor deposited diamond with an antireflection microstructure to minimize surface reflection. An internal calibration cone blackbody target, together with observations of space, provides radiometric calibration. The radiometric precision in a single spectrum is ≤2.2 × 10-8 W cm-2 sr-1 /cm-1 between 300 and 1350 cm-1. The absolute temperature error is <2 K for scene temperatures >75 K. The overall L'TES envelope size is 37.6 × 29.0 × 30.4 cm, and the mass is 6.47 kg. The power consumption is 12.6 W average. L'TES was developed by Arizona State University with AZ Space Technologies developing the electronics. L'TES was integrated, tested, and radiometrically calibrated on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, AZ. Initial data from space have verified the instrument's radiometric and spatial performance.

Long-Term Exposure to AIR Pollution and COVID-19 Mortality and Morbidity in DENmark: Who Is Most Susceptible? (AIRCODEN).

INTRODUCTION: Early ecological studies have suggested a link between air pollution and Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (COVID-19); however, the evidence from individual-level prospective cohort studies is still sparse. Here, we have examined, in a general population, whether long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with the risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and developing severe COVID-19, resulting in hospitalization or death and who is most susceptible. We also examined whether long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with hospitalization or death due to COVID-19 in those who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: We included all Danish residents 30 years or older who resided in Denmark on March 1, 2020. and followed them in the National COVID-19 Surveillance System until first positive test (incidence), COVID-19 hospitalization, or death until April 26, 2021. We estimated mean levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), and ozone (O3) at cohort participants' residence in 2019 by the Danish Eulerian Hemispheric Model/Urban Background Model. We used Cox proportional hazard models to estimate the associations of air pollutants with COVID-19 incidence, hospitalization, and mortality adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES) at the individual and area levels. We examined effect modification by age, sex, SES (education, income, wealth, employment), and comorbidities with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, acute lower respiratory infections, diabetes, lung cancer, and dementia. We used logistic regression to examine association of air pollutants with COVID-19-related hospitalization or death among SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, adjusting for age, sex, individual- and area-level SES. RESULTS: Of 3,721,810 people, 138,742 were infected, 11,270 hospitalized, and 2,557 died from COVID-19 during 14 months of follow-up. We detected strong positive associations with COVID-19 incidence, with hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.10 (CI: 1.05-1.14) per 0.5-µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and 1.18 (CI: 1.14-1.23) per 3.6-µg/m3 increase in NO2. For COVID-19 hospitalizations and for COVID-19 deaths, corresponding HRs and 95% CIs were 1.09 (CI: 1.01-1.17) and 1.19 (CI: 1.12-1.27), respectively for PM2.5, and 1.23 (CI: 1.04-1.44) and 1.18 (CI: 1.03-1.34), respectively for NO2. We also found strong positive and statistically significant associations with BC and negative associations with O3. Associations were strongest in those aged 65 years old or older, participants with the lowest SES, and patients with chronic cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, lung cancer, and neurodegenerative disease. Among 138,742 individuals who have tested positive for SARS-Cov-2, we detected positive association with COVID-19 hospitalizations (N = 11,270) with odds ratio and 95% CI of 1.04 (CI: 1.01- 1.08) per 0.5-µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and 1.06 (CI: 1.01-1.12) per 3.6-µg/m3 increase in NO2, but no association with PM with an aerodynamic diameter <10 µm (PM10), BC, or O3, and no association between any of the pollutants and COVID-19 mortality (N = 2,557). CONCLUSIONS: This large nationwide study provides strong new evidence in support of association between long-term exposure to air pollution and COVID-19.

[Assessment of biological age and body composition in people involved in hardening]. / Otsenka biologicheskogo vozrasta i komponentnogo sostava tela u lyudei, zanimayushchikhsya zakalivaniem.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To assess the biological age of persons belonging to the group of the second mature age, who are engaged in different types of hardening, using the method of bioimpedance analysis, depending on gender, age and additional sports activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 36 women and 27 men of the second mature age involved in hardening. The division into groups took place taking into account gender and the presence/absence of any sports activities. Anthropometric and hemodynamic parameters were measured, the qualitative composition of the body was studied by the method of bioimpedance analysis, and the biological age was determined by the method of V. Sukhov. RESULTS: The body mass index of the examined women and men was above the normal range. According to bioimpedance analysis, in men, the indicators of fat, lean, active cell and skeletal muscle mass, total water, waist/hip index had higher values than in women. In a comparative analysis of the calendar and biological age, it was found that the biological age in all the studied groups was reduced relative to the calendar. It should be noted that both in women and men in the «hardening¼ groups, the difference between biological and calendar age was more pronounced (p≤0.01) than in the «hardening-sport¼ groups (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that hardening is associated with a high level of stress (both emotional and physical), it helps to slow down the rate of aging of the body and leads to a decrease in the wear and tear of the functioning of natural physiological processes. Due to hardening, a decrease in the biological age of a person is observed, which can be associated with both a high level of health and lifestyle.

An evaluation of the Chesapeake Bay management strategy to improve water quality in small agricultural watersheds.

Chesapeake Bay water quality has been a concern since 1970. In rural areas, agriculture is the dominant N and P source, and the voluntary application of best management practices (BMPs) is the primary management tool. Here we test the hypothesis that the current management approach of primarily voluntary, untargeted BMP implementation is insufficient to create detectable, widespread reductions in N, P, and total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations in agricultural watersheds of the Choptank basin, a tributary of Chesapeake Bay. To test this hypothesis, we assessed BMP implementation and sampled water quality on participating farms, at intermediate streams within each watershed, and at watershed outlets of four watersheds from 2013 to 2014. We also present water quality data from 2003 to 2014 at the outlets of 12 additional agricultural and one forested watershed and survey-directed interviews of farmers. By the end of 2014, large numbers of BMPs, both structural and cultural, had been implemented. Of the 16 agricultural watersheds, 50% showed significant decreases in baseflow N, 37.5% showed no changes, and 12.5% showed increasing TN. Baseflow P significantly decreased at just one watershed, increased at one, and remained stable at 14. Stormflow N was similar to baseflow, but stormflow P was 5 times higher than baseflow. These data partially support our hypothesis. Surveys suggested farmers considered themselves responsible for the quality of water leaving their farms, but out-of-pocket cost was the major impediment to further BMP adoption. We suggest that greater outreach and more financial support for farmers to implement BMPs is required to increase the types and densities of BMPs needed to achieve regional water quality goals.

[The dynamics of hemodynamic, psychophysiological parameters and adaptive potential of men of working age engaged in water-cold hardening]. / Izmenenie gemodinamicheskikh, psikhofiziologicheskikh pokazatelei i adaptatsionnogo potentsiala muzhchin trudosposobnogo vozrasta, zanimayushchikhsya vodno-kholodovym zakalivaniem.

The article shows the influence of repeated repetition of contrasting temperature effects on hemodynamic, psychophysiological parameters and the adaptive potential of men of working age. OBJECTIVE: To assess changes of hemodynamic and psychophysiological parameters, as well as the adaptive potential in healthy men of working age under the influence of repeated contrasting temperature exposures, the difference of which is about 70 °C. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood pressure, heart rate and Luscher test were measured 20 minutes before and 20 minutes after repeated exposure of contrasting temperature changes (alternation of temperature cycles). The following parameters were calculated: dynamics of pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure, Stroke volume (SV), Cardiac output (CO), the Kerdo vegetative index (KVI). Assessment of adaptive potential (AP) was carried out according to the Baevsky's Stress Index and Robinson index. Also, integral parameters of psychophysiological status were evaluated by the Luscher test. RESULTS: In the course of the study, it was proved that 20 minutes before repeated contrast temperature exposure, the level of SBP and heart rate was increased (p<0.01), and 20 minutes after the completion of procedures the decrease of SBP level was observed (p<0.05). The CO level before the start of temperature exposure was decreased (p<0.01), and 20 minutes after the finish of the contrasting effects this dynamics was preserved (p<0.01). The AP level before the start of contrasting exposure was 2.79±0.10, and after contrasting exposure it was decreased (p<0.05). The Robinson index (RI) was higher than the established normal values before temperature effects (112.53±6.82), then its decrease was noted (p<0.01). According to Luscher's test, the integral parameters «Heteronomy-autonomy¼, «Balance of personal properties¼, «Vegetative coefficient¼ significantly changed psychophysiological characteristics. The parameter «Total deviation¼ indicated an average level of unproductive neuropsychic tension (before - 14.71±2.19, after - 14.36±2.26) both before and after repeated temperature exposures. The VIC parameter of the study participants testified to the predominance of parasympathicotonia (before - -2.07±5; after - -7.23±5.62). At the same time, correlations were established only before repeated contrast exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Repeatedly repeated contrasting temperature effects cause ambiguous reactions of the body. Changes in hemodynamic, psychophysiological parameters and adaptive potential are observed some time before the alternation of cycles of contrasting exposures. Most likely, this reaction of the body is a reaction to the upcoming temperature stress. If the model of stress exposure, when the temperature variation is about 70 °C, occurs regularly and systematically (once a week throughout the entire winter season), in this case, the main recommendation is to control the blood pressure level before the start of contrast exposure as a precautionary measure to prevent the development of adverse cardiovascular reactions.

[Dynamics of the emotional state and physiological parameters of the organism during long-term aqua-thermal impact]. / Dinamika émotsional'nogo sostoianiia i fiziologicheskikh parametrov organizma pri dlitel'nom akvatermal'nom vozdeistvii.

The data presented in this article illustrate the dynamics of the affective sphere of the mental processes associated with the higher nervous activity and the characteristics of the neuroendocrine system (including the vegetative index of Kerdo, cortisol and serotonin levels) in the participants of the marathon swimming competition covering the distance of 101.4 km. We investigated the relationship between the levels of the above hormones and the functional activity of the vegetative nervous system. AIM: The objectives of the present study were (1) to determine the dynamics of the changes in the psychophysiological characteristics of the participants in the marathon swimming competition during which the world record for the covering of the 101,4 km distance in the ice water was set and (2) to follow up the development of the stress response at different levels of the life support system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 22 participants in the competition were available for the examination designed to evaluate their psychological status and hemodynamic parameters as well as to determine the cortisol and serotonin levels in the blood sera of these subjects. RESULTS: The data obtained in this study give evidence that before the start and during the marathon distance swimming, only positive emotions prevailed among the participants whereas the setting of the world record was followed by the progressive development of the state of indifference. The dynamics of the Kerdo vegetative index suggests the balance between the functioning of the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the autonomous nervous system at the start of the competition and the prevalence of sympathetic activity in the autonomic nervous system at its finish. The dynamics of the level of cortisol in the serum indicates the presence of a stress. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of the proper sports training, the participants in the marathon distance swimming competition proved capable of overcoming a variety of physical and psychological workloads which made it possible to set the world record. On the one hand, this confirms that the experience with winter swimming gained during a few years is sufficient to enable the swimmers to participate in such events. On the other hand, the results of the study give the idea of the 'price' to be paid by the physiological and psychological components of the life support system of the participants in the marathon distance swimming competitions seeking to set a world record.

Na(+) -Activated K(+) Channels in Rat Supraoptic Neurones.

The magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) of the hypothalamus secrete the neurohormones vasopressin and oxytocin. The systemic release of these hormones depends on the rate and pattern of MNC firing and it is therefore important to identify the ion channels that contribute to the electrical behaviour of MNCs. In the present study, we report evidence for the presence of Na(+) -activated K(+) (KN a ) channels in rat MNCs. KN a channels mediate outwardly rectifying K(+) currents activated by the increases in intracellular Na(+) that occur during electrical activity. Although the molecular identity of native KN a channels is unclear, their biophysical properties are consistent with those of expressed Slick (slo 2.1) and Slack (slo 2.2) proteins. Using immunocytochemistry and Western blot experiments, we found that both Slick and Slack proteins are expressed in rat MNCs. Using whole cell voltage clamp techniques on acutely isolated rat MNCs, we found that inhibiting Na(+) influx by the addition of the Na(+) channel blocker tetrodotoxin or the replacement of Na(+) in the external solution with Li(+) caused a significant decrease in sustained outward currents. Furthermore, the evoked outward current density was significantly higher in rat MNCs using patch pipettes containing 60 mm Na(+) than it was when patch pipettes containing 0 mm Na(+) were used. Our data show that functional KN a channels are expressed in rat MNCs. These channels could contribute to the activity-dependent afterhyperpolarisations that have been identified in the MNCs and thereby play a role in the regulation of their electrical behaviour.

In vitro and in vivo efficacy of non-psychoactive cannabidiol in neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma (nbl) is one of the most common solid cancers in children. Prognosis in advanced nbl is still poor despite aggressive multimodality therapy. Furthermore, survivors experience severe long-term multi-organ sequelae. Hence, the identification of new therapeutic strategies is of utmost importance. Cannabinoids and their derivatives have been used for years in folk medicine and later in the field of palliative care. Recently, they were found to show pharmacologic activity in cancer, including cytostatic, apoptotic, and antiangiogenic effects. METHODS: We investigated, in vitro and in vivo, the anti-nbl effect of the most active compounds in Cannabis, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (thc) and cannabidiol (cbd). We set out to experimentally determine the effects of those compounds on viability, invasiveness, cell cycle distribution, and programmed cell death in human nbl SK-N-SH cells. RESULTS: Both compounds have antitumourigenic activity in vitro and impeded the growth of tumour xenografts in vivo. Of the two cannabinoids tested, cbd was the more active. Treatment with cbd reduced the viability and invasiveness of treated tumour cells in vitro and induced apoptosis (as demonstrated by morphology changes, sub-G1 cell accumulation, and annexin V assay). Moreover, cbd elicited an increase in activated caspase 3 in treated cells and tumour xenografts. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the antitumourigenic action of cbd on nbl cells. Because cbd is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid that appears to be devoid of side effects, our results support its exploitation as an effective anticancer drug in the management of nbl.

Localization of 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' and Evidence for Surface Appendages in the Potato Psyllid Vector.

The potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli is implicated as the vector of the causal agent of zebra chip of potato and vein-greening of tomato diseases. Until now, visual identification of bacteria in the genus 'Candidatus Liberibacter' has relied on direct imaging by light and electron microscopy without labeling, or with whole-organ fluorescence labeling only. In this study, aldehyde fixative followed by a coagulant fixative, was used to process adult psyllids for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) colloidal gold in situ hybridization experiments. Results indicated that 'Ca. Liberibacter solanacearum' (CLso)-specific DNA probes annealed to a bacterium that formed extensive, monocultural biofilms on gut, salivary gland, and oral region tissues, confirming that it is one morphotype of potentially others, that is rod-shaped, approximately 2.5 µm in diameter and of variable length, and has a rough, granular cytosol. In addition, CLso, prepared from shredded midguts, and negatively stained for TEM, possessed pili- and flagella-like surface appendages. Genes implicating coding capacity for both types of surface structures are encoded in the CLso genome sequence. Neither type was seen for CLso associated with biofilms within or on digestive organs, suggesting that their production is stimulated only in certain environments, putatively, in the gut during adhesion leading to multiplication, and in hemolymph to afford systemic invasion.

Comprehensive analysis suggests simple processes underlying EEG/ERP - demonstration with the go/no-go paradigm in ADHD.

BACKGROUND: Current basic or more advanced methods for analysis of averaged EEG/ERP are based on assumptions on the underlying processes, which are not necessarily precise. NEW METHOD: In this work we present the findings of a method which obviates such assumptions and aims at a comprehensive analysis of the averaged EEG/ERP signal. RESULTS: For the sake of demonstration we chose the established go/no-go paradigm in the context of ADHD. Our analysis method characterized two spatiotemporally distinct neurophysiologic processes which underlie the sampled signal: one which may be related to attention and the other which may be more related to perception. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): We show how these processes accord with and provide insight on the waveforms reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Finally we suggest that application of our method on averaged EEG/ERP data sampled from other paradigms may point at a similarly parsimonious set of underlying neurophysiologic processes which underlie the signal.

Expression of CaV 2.2 and splice variants of CaV 2.1 in oxytocin- and vasopressin-releasing supraoptic neurones.

The magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) release vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) from their axon terminals into the circulation and from their somata and dendrites to exert paracrine effects on other MNCs. MNCs express several types of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, including Ca(V)2.1 and Ca(V)2.2. These two channels types are similar in structure and function in other cells, but although influx of Ca(2+) through Ca(V)2.2 triggers the release of both OT and VP into the circulation, Ca(V)2.1 is involved in stimulating the release of VP but not OT. Release of OT from MNC somata is also triggered by Ca(V)2.2 but not Ca(V)2.1. These observations could be explained by differences in the level of expression of Ca(V)2.1 in VP and OT MNCs or by differences in the way that the two channels interact with the exocytotic apparatus. We used immunohistochemistry to confirm earlier work suggesting that MNCs express variants of Ca(V)2.1 lacking portions of an internal loop that enables the channels to interact with synaptic proteins. We used an antibody that would recognise both the full-length Ca(V)2.1 and the deletion variants to show that OT MNCs express fewer Ca(V)2.1 channels than do VP MNCs in both somata and axon terminals. We used the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry to test whether MNCs express similar deletion variants of Ca(V)2.2 and were unable to find any evidence to support this. Our data suggest that the different roles that Ca(V)2.1 and Ca(V)2.2 play in MNC secretion may be a result of the different levels of expression of Ca(V)2.1 in VP and OT MNCs, as well as the expression in MNCs of deletion variants of Ca(V)2.1 that do not interact with exocytotic proteins and therefore may be less likely to mediate exocytotic release.

Unifying model of carpal mechanics based on computationally derived isometric constraints and rules-based motion - the stable central column theory.

This study was part of a larger project to develop a (kinetic) theory of carpal motion based on computationally derived isometric constraints. Three-dimensional models were created from computed tomography scans of the wrists of ten normal subjects and carpal spatial relationships at physiological motion extremes were assessed. Specific points on the surface of the various carpal bones and the radius that remained isometric through range of movement were identified. Analysis of the isometric constraints and intercarpal motion suggests that the carpus functions as a stable central column (lunate-capitate-hamate-trapezoid-trapezium) with a supporting lateral column (scaphoid), which behaves as a 'two gear four bar linkage'. The triquetrum functions as an ulnar translation restraint, as well as controlling lunate flexion. The 'trapezoid'-shaped trapezoid places the trapezium anterior to the transverse plane of the radius and ulna, and thus rotates the principal axis of the central column to correspond to that used in the 'dart thrower's motion'. This study presents a forward kinematic analysis of the carpus that provides the basis for the development of a unifying kinetic theory of wrist motion based on isometric constraints and rules-based motion.

Vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin production by primate follicles during culture is a function of growth rate, gonadotrophin exposure and oxygen milieu.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the time course of production of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), angiopoietin (ANGPT)-1 and ANGPT-2 by primate follicles during encapsulated three-dimensional culture, and what conditions affect their production? SUMMARY ANSWER: Primate follicles produce VEGF-A and ANGPT-2 in vitro, particularly after developing to the antral stage, with VEGF production influenced by FSH concentration and O(2) tension. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Folliculogenesis, i.e. the development of primordial follicles into mature, antral follicles, requires the creation of a vascular network in the follicle wall via a process called angiogenesis. Angiogenic factors including VEGFs and ANGPTs have documented roles in angiogenesis. However, direct studies on the production and regulation of angiogenic factors by individual, growing follicles are limited. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Ovaries (n = 9 pairs) were obtained from rhesus macaques during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (cycle days 1-4). Secondary (125-225 µm) follicles were isolated mechanically, encapsulated into alginate (0.25% w/v) and cultured for 40 days. MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Individual follicles were cultured in a 5 or 20% O(2) environment in alpha minimum essential medium supplemented with recombinant human (h) FSH. Half of the follicles had recombinant hLH added to the media from Days 30 to 40. Follicle diameters were measured weekly. Follicles were categorized at Week 5 as no-grow (NG; <250 µm in diameter), slow-grow (SG; 251-499 µm) and fast-grow (FG; >500 µm). VEGF-A, ANGPT-1 and -2 concentrations in media were measured by ELISA. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: VEGF concentrations were low throughout the culture for NG follicles. SG and FG follicles had detectable VEGF concentrations at Week 2, which continued to rise throughout culture. VEGF concentrations were distinct (P < 0.05) among all three follicle categories during Weeks 4 and 5. VEGF concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in SG follicles in the presence of high/mid-dose FSH at 5% O(2). In contrast, there were no dose-dependent differences in VEGF production for FG follicles based on FSH concentrations or O(2) tension. At Week 5, follicles that produced metaphase II oocytes, following exposure to an ovulatory hCG dose, secreted higher concentrations of VEGF than those containing germinal vesicle-intact oocytes. Media concentrations of ANGPT-1 were low throughout culture for all three follicle categories. ANGPT-2 concentrations were low throughout culture for NG follicles. In contrast, ANGPT-2 concentrations of SG and FG follicles continued to rise from Weeks 1 to 4. During Weeks 2-4, ANGPT-2 concentrations in FG follicles were significantly higher than those of SG and NG follicles (P < 0.05). LIMITATION, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study reports VEGF-A, ANGPT-1 and -2 production by in vitro-developed individual primate (macaque) follicles, that is limited to the interval from the secondary to small antral stage. After VEGF and ANGPT-1 assays, the limited remaining samples did not allow assessment of the independent effects of gonadotrophin and O(2) on the ANGPT-2 production by cultured follicles. Findings await translation to human follicles. WIDER IMPLICATION OF THE FINDINGS: The above findings provide novel information on the process of primate follicle maturation. We hypothesize that a symbiotic relationship between elevated concentrations of ANGPT-2 and VEGF allows FG antral follicles to excel in follicle maturation, e.g. by promoting its vascularization. Elevated ANGPT-2 may also offer possible insight into future oocyte quality as early as Week 2, compared with Week 4 for VEGF and follicle size. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The study was funded by the following grants: NIH U54 RR024347/HD058294/PL1-EB008542 (Oncofertility Consortium), NIH U54-HD018185 (SCCPIR), NIH ORWH/NICHD 2K12HD043488 (BIRCWH), NIH FIC TW/HD-00668, ONPRC 8P51OD011092. There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

A framework for promoting scholarship productivity in occupational therapy curricula.

This paper describes a curricular model to support the production of quality research and development of occupational therapy professional students, prepared to become leaders in the production and utilization of evidence for practice. This model is designed for programs with faculty challenged by the dual mandate of program excellence and expectations for scholarly productivity needed for tenure and promotion: typically programs at research universities. The essence of the model is the paralleling of research and competencies for clinical practice where faculty and students participate as a community of scholars. It is based on the literature that addresses the tensions between achieving excellence in research and scholarly productivity, and excellence in teaching. The experience of one university with this model over a five-year period of time is shared with the student-faculty productivity outcomes. These outcomes include dissemination of 55 collaborative peer reviewed products and faculty has generated support for 25 paid graduate assistantships. The combination of student outcomes and faculty support for their research has strengthened the ability of the faculty to excel in meeting the University mandate of scholarship while providing a high quality professional educational program.

Solution-processed soldering of carbon nanotubes for flexible electronics.

We report a simple lithography-free, solution-based method of soldering of carbon nanotubes with Ohmic contacts, by taking specific examples of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). This is achieved by self-assembling a monolayer of soldering precursor, Pd(2+) anchored to 1,10 decanedithiol, onto which MWNTs could be aligned across the gap electrodes via solvent evaporation. The nanosoldering was realized by thermal/electrical activation or by both in sequence. Electrical activation and the following step of washing ensure selective retention of MWNTs spanning across the gap electrodes. The soldered joints were robust enough to sustain strain caused during the bending of flexible substrates as well as during ultrasonication. The estimated temperature generated at the MWNT-Au interface using an electro-thermal model is ∼150 °C, suggesting Joule heating as the primary mechanism of electrical activation. Further, the specific contact resistance is estimated from the transmission line model.

Introducing a novel approach of network oriented analysis of ERPs, demonstrated on adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Introducing a network-oriented analysis method (brain network activation [BNA]) of event related potential (ERP) activities and evaluating its value in the identification and severity-grading of adult ADHD patients. METHODS: Spatio-temporal interrelations and synchronicity of multi-sited ERP activity peaks were extracted in a group of 13 ADHD patients and 13 control subjects for the No-go stimulus in a Go/No-go task. Participants were scored by cross-validation against the most discriminative ensuing group patterns and scores were correlated to neuropsychological evaluation scores. RESULTS: A distinct frontal-central-parietal pattern in the delta frequency range, dominant at the P3 latency, was unraveled in controls, while central activity in the theta and alpha frequency ranges predominated in the ADHD pattern, involving early ERP components (P1-N1-P2-N2). Cross-validation based on this analysis yielded 92% specificity and 84% sensitivity and individual scores correlated well with behavioral assessments. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the ADHD group was more characterized by the process of exerting attention in the early monitoring stages of the No-go signal while the controls were more characterized by the process of inhibiting the response to that signal. SIGNIFICANCE: The BNA method may provide both diagnostic and drug development tools for use in diverse neurological disorders.

Characterization of recovery and neuropsychological consequences of orbitofrontal lesion: A case study.

We present a case study of a patient with acquired prefrontal lesion involving mainly ventromedial and orbital structures (VM-PFD). The patient showed behavioral and emotional disturbances one year after the injury. In a follow-up examination seven years later, we evaluated her performance in tasks found theoretically to be sensitive to orbital and medial lesions. In contrast to our hypothesis, her performance was in the normal range. We suggest that a possible explanation for her magnificent recovery may include a high cognitive reserve and the specific characteristics of her injury.

A novel HLA allele derived from a likely DRB1/DRB3 gene conversion event: HLA-DRB3*01:15.

A novel HLA allele, DRB3*01:15, was likely derived via cis-gene conversion.

Experimental study of the effects of permafrost microorganisms on the morphofunctional activity of the immune system.

The immunobiological potential of a new microorganism species isolated from permafrost specimens (PMO strain 3M) collected from the Mammoth Mountain in Yakutia was studied in laboratory mice. PMO injected intraperitoneally in doses of 2500 to 50 × 10(6) microbial bodies caused characteristic dose-dependent effects on the structure and functions of the immune system (thymus and spleen indexes, functional activity of splenic macrophages, cellular and humoral immunity). Doses of PMO stimulating functional activities of both cellular and humoral immunity were detected.

Sickle cell disease: selected aspects of pathophysiology.

Sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetically-determined pathology due to an amino acid substitution (i.e., valine for glutamic acid) on the beta-chain of hemoglobin, is characterized by abnormal blood rheology and periods of painful vascular occlusive crises. Sickle cell trait (SCT) is a typically benign variant in which only one beta chain is affected by the mutation. Although both SCD and SCT have been the subject of numerous studies, information related to neurological function and transfusion therapy is still incomplete: an overview of these areas is presented. An initial section provides pertinent background information on the pathology and clinical significance of these diseases. The roles of three factors in the clinical manifestations of the diseases are then discussed: hypoxia, autonomic nervous system regulation and blood rheology. The possibility of a causal relationship between these three factors and sudden death is also examined. It is concluded that further studies in these specific areas are warranted. It is anticipated that the outcome of such research is likely to provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of SCD and SCT and will lead to improved clinical management and enhanced quality of life.