Hereditary ataxias and paediatric neurology: new movers and shakers enter the field

Over 25 autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxias have been isolated over the last decade. The recognition of paediatric ataxia phenotypes and, in addition, other movement disorders including hereditary choreiform and parkinsonian syndromes, has improved our knowledge of these diseases. Advances in molecular genetics has allowed fuller delineation and better recognition of these diseases. (C) 2003 European Paediatric Neurology Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunohistochemical localization of a Shaker-related voltage-gated potassium channel protein in Schistosoma mansoni (Trematoda: Digenea)

We have recently isolated a cDNA (SKV1.1) encoding a Shakei-related K+ channel from the human parasitic trematode Schistosoma mansoni. In order to better understand the functions of SKv1.1 protein, the distribution of SKv1.1 protein in adult S. mansoni was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using a region-specific antibody. SKV1.1 proteins were widely expressed in the nervous and muscular systems. The strongest immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in the nervous system of both male and female. In the nervous system, IR for SKv1.1 proteins was localized in cell bodies and nerve fibers of the anterior ganglia, the central commissure, and the main nerve cords. IR was also observed in the dorsal and the ventral peripheral nerve nets, fine nerve fibers entering into a variety of structures such as the dorsal tubercles, longitudinal and ventral muscle fibers, and oral and ventral suckers. In the muscular system, SKv1.1 proteins were localized to the longitudinal, circular, and ventral muscle fibers of male as well as in isolated muscle fibers where native A-type K+ currents were measured. Moderate IR was also seen in a large number of cell bodies in the parenchyma. These results indicate that SKv1.1 protein may play an important role in the regulation of the excitability of neurons and muscle cells of S. mansoni. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.

Performance of density functionals for calculating barrier heights of chemical reactions relevant to astrophysics

The performance of 39 different LDA, GGA, meta-GGA, and hybrid density functionals has been evaluated, for calculating forward and reverse barrier heights of 10 gas-phase reactions involving hydrogen. The reactions are all relevant to astrochemistry. Special focus is put on the applicability of DFT for calculating the rates of corresponding surface hydrogenation reactions that are relevant to the chemistry of ice-coated interstellar grains. General trends in the performance of the density functionals for reactions involving H atoms, H-2, and OH are discussed. The OH+CO reaction is shown to be a very problematic case for DFT. The best overall performance is found for the hybrid density functionals, such as MPW1K, B97-1, B97-2, and B1B95. For several reactions, the HCTH GGA functionals and the VS98 and OLAP3 meta-GGA functionals also give results that are almost as good as those of the hybrid functionals.

Characterisation of pavement profile heights using accelerometer readings and a combinatorial optimisation technique

Pavement surface profiles induce dynamic ride responses in vehicles which can potentially be used to classify road surface roughness. A novel method is proposed for the characterisation of pavement roughness through an analysis of vehicle accelerations. A combinatorial optimisation technique is applied to the determination of pavement profile heights based on measured accelerations at and above the vehicle axle. Such an approach, using low-cost inertial sensors, would provide an inexpensive alternative to the costly laser-based profile measurement vehicles. The concept is numerically validated using a half-car roll dynamic model to infer measurements of road profiles in both the left and right wheel paths.

Why are you tall while others are short? Agricultural production and other proximate determinants of global heights

We analyze the proximate determinants of the biological standard of living from a global perspective, namely high-quality nutrition and the disease environment during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Until the mid-twentieth century, the local availability of cattle, meat, and milk per capita and the local disease environment mainly determined the stature of the population – and, by implication, how long they lived and how healthy they were. During the late twentieth century, the trade of agricultural products and health-promoting technologies increased in relative importance; hence, the local availabilities became less decisive in explaining height differences.

Inequality and Heights

This chapter discusses opportunities and limitations of height inequality, especially the role of social status and income distribution in determining height inequality. The more unequal the income distribution in a society, the more unequal the corresponding height distribution. At one time, the height gap between rich and poor teenagers in industrializing England was as high as 22 cm (8.7 inches); today, height inequality tends to be much lower (on the order of a few centimeters) because the gap between rich and poor in developed countries tends to be smaller. Results presented here suggest that height inequality is driven by differences in purchasing power, education, physical workload, and epidemiological environment. In a modern setting, social safety and redistribution of income is also relevant. An introduction into the literature helps illustrate opportunities this methodology has to offer to understand better the dynamics of the way populations experience economic development.