Comparing Methods of Quantifying Tibial Acceleration Slope

Considerable variability in tibial acceleration slope (AS) values, and different interpretations of injury risk based on these values, have been reported. Acceleration slope variability may be due in part to variations in the quantification methods used. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify differences in tibial AS values determined using end points at various percentage ranges between impact and peak tibial acceleration, as a function of either amplitude or time. Tibial accelerations were recorded from 20 participants (21.8 ± 2.9 years, 1.7 m ± 0.1 m, 75.1 kg ± 17.0 kg) during 24 unshod heel impacts using a human pendulum apparatus. Nine ranges were tested from 5–95% (widest range) to 45–55% (narrowest range) at 5% increments. ASAmplitude values increased consistently from the widest to narrowest ranges, whereas the ASTime values remained essentially the same. The magnitudes of ASAmplitude values were significantly higher and more sensitive to changes in percentage range than ASTime values derived from the same impact data. This study shows that tibial AS magnitudes are highly dependent on the method used to calculate them. Researchers are encouraged to carefully consider the method they use to calculate AS so that equivalent comparisons and assessments of injury risk across studies can be made

Thrombospondin-1 Silencing Down-Regulates Integrin Expression Levels in Human Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells with BRAFV600E: New Insights in the Host Tissue Adaptation and Homeostasis of Tumor Microenvironment

Background and Rationale: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is characterized by pleomorphic cells, has a poor prognosis, is highly devastating disease, and is not curable. No reliable biomarkers of metastatic potential, helpful for early diagnosis of ATC and therapeutic response have been found yet. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) plays a fundamental role in cancer progression by regulating cell stromal cross-talk in the tumor microenvironment. Goals: Our goal was to understand whether TSP-1 could affect protein levels of its integrin receptors (e.g., ITGα3, α6, and β1) and cell morphology in BRAFV600E-ATC cells in vitro and in vivo. Experimental Design: Anaplastic thyroid cancer-derived cell cultures and western blotting were used to assess integrin protein expression upon TSP-1 silencing. Immunohistochemistry was performed on orthotopic primary human ATC and metastatic ATC in lung tissue to compare TSP-1 and integrin protein expression levels. Results:: TSP-1 knock-down down-regulates ITGα3, α6, and β1 in BRAFV600E-human ATC cells. BRAFV600E-ATC cells with TSP-1 knock-down were rounded compared to control cells, which displayed a spread morphology. TSP-1 knock-down also reduced TSP-1, ITGα3, α6, and β1 protein expression levels in vivo in the ATC microenvironment, which is enriched in stromal and inflammatory cells. Conclusion:: TSP-1 silencing causes changes in ITG levels and ATC cell morphology. The assessment of TSP-1 and ITG levels might contribute to earlier metastatic potential of BRAFV600E-positive aggressive thyroid cancers, and allow improved patient selection for clinical trials

Enantioselective Construction of Acyclic Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters: Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Allylic Alkylation of Fully-Substituted Amide Enolates

We report a divergent and modular protocol for the preparation of acyclic molecular frameworks containing newly created quaternary carbon stereocenters. Central to this approach is a sequence composed of a (1) regioselective and -retentive preparation of allyloxycarbonyl-trapped fully substituted stereodefined amide enolates and of a (2) enantioselective palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative allylic alkylation reaction using a novel bisphosphine ligand

An Efficient Protocol for the Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Decarboxylative Allylic Alkylation Using Low Palladium Concentrations and a Palladium(II) Precatalyst

Enantioselective catalytic allylic alkylation for the synthesis of 2-alkyl-2-allylcycloalkanones and 3,3-disubstituted pyrrolidinones, piperidinones and piperazinones has been previously reported by our laboratory. The efficient construction of chiral all-carbon quaternary centers by allylic alkylation was previously achieved with a catalyst derived in situ from zero-valent palladium sources and chiral phosphinooxazoline (PHOX) ligands. We now report an improved reaction protocol with broad applicability among different substrate classes in industry-compatible reaction media using loadings of palladium(II) acetate as low as 0.075 mol% and the readily available chiral PHOX ligands. The novel and highly efficient procedure enables facile scale-up of the reaction in an economical and sustainable fashion

Migrations togolaises : bilan et perspectives

Cet ouvrage a pour objectif de faire le point sur les recherches concernant les migrations togolaises. Sans minimiser le poids des déterminations externes, les chercheurs se sont appliqués à analyser les réponses différenciées des sociétés face à ces phénomènes migratoires. Celà se traduit par une plus grande prise en compte des sociétés de départ et d'accueil, des mouvements migratoires, des stratégies des migrants et de l'évolution de leurs statuts sociaux. Les textes regroupés dans ce volume correspondent à trois approches différentes : l'approche de la mobilité en terme de stocks et de flux, en termes spatiaux (structure et articulations des espaces) et la subjectivisation de la mobilité (espaces de vie, de cycle familial et de systèmes résidentiels)

Expanding Insight into Asymmetric Palladium-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation of N-Heterocyclic Molecules and Cyclic Ketones

Eeny, meeny, miny … enaminones! Lactams and imides have been shown to consistently provide enantioselectivities substantially higher than other substrate classes previously investigated in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative allylic alkylation. Several new substrates have been designed to probe the contributions of electronic, steric, and stereoelectronic factors that distinguish the lactam/imide series as superior alkylation substrates (see scheme). These studies culminated in marked improvements on carbocyclic allylic alkylation substrates

THE DISABLED SOLDIER: A CASE FOR DISABLED AMERICANS IN THE U.S. ARMED SERVICES

Despite the rising demands and functions of non-kinetic warfare, the military bars most disabled Americans from entry. Artificial intelligence, complex decision-making, and fifth-generation-warfare elements stress a multidimensional force and cognitive skills over dominant kinetic traits. This thesis investigates the feasibility requirements, national security implications, and benefits to the Department of Defense of expanding active military service to disabled Americans. After reviewing U.S. and international integration of disabled persons, the defined needs and skills for emerging warfare, academic studies of disabled talents, and military policy, this thesis reveals the feasibility of inclusion. Recommendations include mainstreaming persons with disabilities within the existing military model, making changes to defense policy, establishing a pilot program or corps, and undertaking future research.Civilian, Department of Homeland SecurityApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Ablation of LMO4 in glutamatergic neurons impairs leptin control of fat metabolism

The LIM domain only 4 (LMO4) protein is expressed in the hypothalamus, but its function there is not known. Using mice with LMO4 ablated in postnatal glutamatergic neurons, including most neurons of the paraventricular (PVN) and ventromedial (VMH) hypothalamic nuclei where LMO4 is expressed, we asked whether LMO4 is required for metabolic homeostasis. LMO4 mutant mice exhibited early onset adiposity. These mice had reduced energy expenditure and impaired thermogenesis together with reduced sympathetic outflow to adipose tissues. The peptide hormone leptin, produced from adipocytes,activates Jak/Stat3 signaling at the hypothalamus to control food intake, energy expenditure, and fat metabolism. Intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin suppressed feeding similarly in LMO4 mutant and control mice.However, leptin-induced fat loss was impaired and activation of Stat3 in the VMH was blunted in these mice. Thus, our study identifies LMO4 as a novel modulator of leptin function in selective hypothalamic nuclei to regulate fat metabolism

Evaluation of a robot-assisted therapy for children with autism and intellectual disability

It is well established that robots can be suitable assistants in the care and treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, the majority of the research focuses on stand-alone interventions, high-functioning individuals and the success is evaluated via qualitative analysis of videos recorded during the interaction. In this paper, we present a preliminary evaluation of our on-going research on integrating robot-assisted therapy in the treatment of children with ASD and Intellectual Disability (ID), which is the most common case. The experiment described here integrates a robot-assisted imitation training in the standard treat‐ ment of six hospitalised children with various level of ID, who were engaged by a robot on imitative tasks and their progress assessed via a quantitative psycho- diagnostic tool. Results show success in the training and encourage the use of a robotic assistant in the care of children with ASD and ID with the exception of those with profound ID, who may need a different approach