Increased cancellous bone and connectivity in coxarthrosis

Patients with coxarthrosis (cOA) have a reduced incidence of intracapsular femoral neck fracture, suggesting that cOA offers protection. The distribution of bone in the femoral neck was compared in cases of coxarthrosis and postmortem controls to assess the possibility that disease-associated changes might contribute to reduced fragility. Whole cross-section femoral neck biopsies were obtained from 17 patients with cOA and 22 age- and sex-matched cadaveric controls. Densitometry was performed using peripheral quantitated computed tomography (pQCT) and histomorphometry on 10-µm plastic-embedded sections. Cortical bone mass was not different between cases and controls (P > 0.23), but cancellous bone mass was increased by 75% in cOA (P = 0.014) and histomorphometric cancellous bone area by 71% (P <0.0001). This was principally the result of an increase of apparent density (mass/vol) of cancellous bone (+45%, P = 0.001). Whereas cortical porosity was increased in the cases (P <0.0001), trabecular width was also increased overall in the cases by 52% (P <0.001), as was cancellous connectivity measured by strut analysis (P <0.01). Where osteophytic bone was present (n = 9) there was a positive relationship between the amount of osteophyte and the percentage of cancellous area (P <0.05). Since cancellous bone buttresses and stiffens the cortex so reducing the risk of buckling, the increased cancellous bone mass and connectivity seen in cases of cOA probably explain, at least in part, the ability of patients with cOA to resist intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck during a fall.

Cathepsin S expression: An independent prognostic factor in glioblastoma tumours - A pilot Study

Cysteine proteinases have been implicated in astrocytoma invasion. We recently demonstrated that cathepsin S (CatS) expression is up-regulated in astrocytomas and provided evidence for a potential role in astrocytoma invasion (Flannery et al., Am J Path 2003;163(1):175–82). We aimed to evaluate the significance of CatS in human astrocytoma progression and as a prognostic marker. Frozen tissue homogenates from 71 patients with astrocytomas and 3 normal brain specimens were subjected to ELISA analyses. Immunohistochemical analysis of CatS expression was performed on 126 paraffin-embedded tumour samples. Fifty-one astrocytoma cases were suitable for both frozen tissue and paraffin tissue analysis. ELISA revealed minimal expression of CatS in normal brain homogenates. CatS expression was increased in grade IV tumours whereas astrocytoma grades I–III exhibited lower values. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a similar pattern of expression. Moreover, high-CatS immunohistochemical scores in glioblastomas were associated with significantly shorter survival (10 vs. 5 months, p = 0.014). With forced inclusion of patient age, radiation dose and Karnofsky score in the Cox multivariate model, CatS score was found to be an independent predictor of survival. CatS expression in astrocytomas is associated with tumour progression and poor outcome in glioblastomas. CatS may serve as a useful prognostic indicator and potential target for anti-invasive therapy.

Engineering passive bioreactive barriers: risk-managing the legacy of industrial soil and groundwater pollution

Permeable reactive barriers are a technology that is one decade old, with most full-scale applications based on abiotic mechanisms. Though there is extensive literature on engineered bioreactors, natural biodegradation potential, and in situ remediation, it is only recently that engineered passive bioreactive barrier technology is being considered at the commercial scale to manage contaminated soil and groundwater risks. Recent full-scale studies are providing the scientific confidence in our understanding of coupled microbial (and genetic), hydrogeologic, and geochemical processes in this approach and have highlighted the need to further integrate engineering and science tools.

Enhanced transmission in microwave arrays of periodic sub-wavelength apertures

In this paper we have conclusively proven that the "enhanced" optical transmission through a periodic array of sub-wavelength holes in metal films (Ebbessen's experiment) is the result of the array periodicity. This work has overturned the commonly accepted theory that the surface plasmons were responsible for the transmission enhancement. It was demonstrated that the reflectance, transmittance and frequency selectivity of the multilayered arrays can be efficiently modified by the aperture shapes.

Alterations in vascular matrix metalloproteinase due to ageing and chronic hypertension: effects of endothelin receptor blockade.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of age and dual endothelin (ET)A/ETB receptor antagonism (bosentan) on aortic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) abundance and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) expression in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Male SHR and control WKY rats were randomly assigned to receive placebo or bosentan (100 mg/kg per day) for 3 months. Animals were killed under terminal anaesthesia at either 20 weeks (adult) or 17-20 months (senescent). Aortic gelatinase activity was determined by zymography, whereas MT-1 MMP and TIMP-1 expression were assessed by immunoblotting. RESULTS: In WKY rats, aortic MMP-2 but not proMMP-2 activity was 3.6-fold higher (P <0.02) in the senescent compared with the adult group. TIMP-1 (twofold) and MT-1 MMP (3.8-fold) expression increased (P <0.05) with age in the WKY groups. Short-term hypertension (adult SHR versus adult WKY) increased MMP-2 to 74.7 +/- 14.1 from 18.9 +/- 3.5 arbitrary units (AU) (P = 0.0012), but did not alter proMMP-2 activity. This increased further on progression to chronic hypertension (117.4 +/- 12.2 versus 74.7 +/- 14.1 AU; P <0.02). Bosentan decreased MMP-2 (78.9 +/- 3.8 versus 117.4 +/- 12.2 AU; P = 0.014) and proMMP-2 activity (P <0.006) in the senescent SHR group. CONCLUSION: Ageing and the development/progression of hypertension are associated with increased MMP-2 activity in the aorta, which is consistent with ongoing remodelling of the vasculature. However, the underlying mechanisms regulating MMP-2 abundance in ageing and hypertension appear to be divergent, as MT-1 MMP expression is differentially altered. Dual ETA/ETB receptor antagonism did not alter the age-dependent increase in aortic MMP activity in normotensive rats. However, bosentan decreased pro and active MMP-2 activity in senescent SHR rats, indicating that ET modulates late events in vascular remodelling in hypertension.

Attitudes of children towards peers with acquired brain injury (ABI).

Research objective: Children with acquired brain injury (ABI) can experience severe problems in establishing peer relationships. The attitudes peers hold toward a child with an ABI can significantly impact on their willingness to befriend. The present work sought to investigate the attitudes peers hold toward a fictional child with ABI. Methods and procedures: Fifty children from a primary school were compared against a similar number from a secondary school. Gender was evenly split across both groups. A vignette describing a young boy acquiring a brain injury, and his subsequent change in behaviour, was presented to the children. The Friendship Activity Scale (FAS) was then used to judge how likely the children were to befriend the fictional character. Outcomes and results: Results showed a statistically significant interaction between gender and age [F(1, 96) 6.285, p = 0.014] with older males expressing more positive attitudes than younger males. Conclusion: The study suggests that children with ABI are more likely to experience negative attitudes in primary school, and concludes in calling for additional research to more fully explore the social experience of children with ABI. Keywords: Children; acquired brain injury; peers; attitudes

Dynamic, in situ optical, magnetic and magneto-optical monitoring of the growth of Co/Au and Pd/Co/Au multilayer systems

The growth of magnetron sputtered Co/Au and Pd/Co/Au superlattices on Au and Pd buffer layers, deposited onto glass substrates, has been monitored optically and magneto-optically in real time, using rotating analyser ellipsometry and Kerr polarimetry, at a wavelength of 633 nm. The magneto-optical traces, combined with ex situ and in situ hysteresis loops, provide a detailed and informative fingerprint of the optical and magnetic properties of the films as they evolve during growth. For Co/Au, oscillations in the polar magneto-optical effect developed during the deposition of An overlayers on Co and these may be attributed to quantum well states. However, the hysteresis measurements show that the magnetic field required to maintain saturation magnetization throughout the experiment was larger than available in situ, introducing a degree of confusion concerning the interpretation of the data. This problem was overcome by the incorporation of Pd layers into the Co/Au structure, thereby eliminating variation in magnetic orientation during growth of the Au layers as a contributory factor to the observations.

Difference, Diversity and Difficulty: Problems in Adult Peace Education in Northern Ireland

The peace process in Northern Ireland has been hailed, variously, as the successful resolution to one of the world's most intractable conflicts, and as a failed attempt to reconcile the conflciting claims of the two main ethnonationalist communities. At both these points, and at every other point along the continuum, recognition is given to the centrality of education. This article looks at the role played by adult learning, and contrasts two fundamentally different apporaoches. In one, Enlightenment assumptions about the power of knowledge to dispel prejudice have run alongside attempts to create a world of shared values; in the other, a postmodern acceptance of different cultures has accompnaied a peace process that builds upon ethnic diistinctions. As with the Dayton Accord and with other peace agreements brokered with international assistance, the consociational model of governance has been chosen for Northern Ireland in order to create a political equilibrium between the unionists and nationalists. Such a political framework reverses the direction of previous integrationist educational policies in favour of a celebration of difference, an approach that is fraught with difficulties.

Video games in the classrooms: implications of a disruptive innovation to develop the Multiple Intelligences

The present study aims to identify the framework of personal, organizational and technical variables that contribute to the viability and successful of innovative educational practices with video games within the school context to enhance the multiple intelligences. For this purpose, advantage was taken on the information previously collected through a questionnaire about the views, thoughts and experiences of a group of teachers of childhood and primary education (N=25) who voluntarily participated in a blended training activity from Center of Teachers (CEFIRE) of Valencia, around a community of practice aimed at promoting and advising projects for implementing educational video games in the classroom. The mixed methodology adopted has allowed the following: a) describe the relationship between their degree of development and daily use made of ICT in the classroom, their level of familiarity with video games,  their previous experience to integrate them for educational purposes..., and their participation in projects that focus on game-based learning; b) conduct content analysis of the opinions and thoughts expressed in a forum for teachers on innovation on and methodological strategies adopted reflected in a virtual board; and c) develop a SWOT analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats inherent in the implementation of experience with video games in the classroom. Among the conclusions, it is highlighted that, even though most did not have specific training or enough technological resources and the planning and implementation of innovation required them a great investment of time, their personal interest, the support given by members of the online community of practice, helped to encourage their activity, along with receptivity, positive attitude and high motivation of students with the experience. These aspects have been crucial to promote successful innovative practices with video games.

Cavity-Enhanced Photoacoustic Detection Using Acoustic and Fiber-Optic Resonators

A wineglass has been used as an acoustic resonator to enhance the photoacoustic signal generated by laser excitation of absorbing dyes in solution. The amplitude of the acoustic signal was recorded using a fiber-optic transducer based on a Fabry-Pérot cavity attached to the rim of the wineglass. The optical and acoustic properties of the setup were characterized, and it was used to quantify the concentration of phosphomolybdenum blue and methyl red solutions. Detection limits of 1.2 ppm and 8 muM were obtained, respectively.

Dissociation of H2+ from a short, intense, infrared laser pulse: proton emission spectra and pulse calibration

The proton energy spectrum from photodissociation of the hydrogen molecular ion by short intense pulses of infrared light is calculated. The time-dependent Schrödinger equation is discretized and integrated. For few-cycle pulses one can resolve vibrational structure, arising from the experimental preparation of the molecular ion. We calculate the corresponding energy spectrum and analyse the dependence on the pulse time delay, pulse length and intensity of the laser for ? ~ 790 nm. We conclude that the proton spectrum is a sensitive probe of both the vibrational populations and phases, and allows us to distinguish between adiabatic and nonadiabatic dissociation. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the proton spectrum from H2+ is a practical means of calibrating the pulse. Our results are compared with recent measurements of the proton spectrum for 65 fs pulses using a Ti:Sapphire laser (? ~ 790 nm) including molecular orientation and focal-volume averaging. Integrating over the laser focal volume, for the intensity I ~ 3 × 1015 W cm-2, we find our results are in excellent agreement with these experiments.

Transmission loss allocation in a deregulated electrical energy market

This paper presents a new method for transmission loss allocation in a deregulated electrical power market. The proposed method is based on physical flow through transmission lines. The contributions of individual loads to the line flows are used as basis for allocating transmission losses to different loads. With minimum assumptions, that sound to be reasonable and cannot be rejected, a novel loss allocation formula is derived. The assumptions made are: a number of currents sharing a transmission line distribute themselves over the cross section in the same manner; that distribution causes the minimum possible power loss. Application of the proposed method is straightforward. It requires only a solved power flow and any simple algorithm for power flow tracing. Both active and reactive powers are considered in the loss allocation procedure. Results of application show the accuracy of the proposed method compared with the commonly used procedures.