Shift of laterality and compared analysis of paw performances in cats during practice of a visuomotor task.

Paw preference and performance were analyzed during early and late practice in 12 adult cats that reached toward a moving target. A strong preference for left-paw use was observed early in training. It was still present after practice despite a shift toward right-paw use. Comparing paw performance showed that the left paw was more accurate and quicker to trigger the movement during early practice, whereas after practice, it was the preferred paw (whether right or left) that triggered faster movement. The strong original left-paw bias could reflect the specialization of the right hemisphere in processing spatial information. Its weakening with practice could reflect the ability of the nonspecialized hemisphere to learn how to deal with the task. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intensity-based signal separation algorithm for accurate quantification of clustered centrosomes in tissue sections

Centrosomes are small organelles that organize the mitotic spindle during cell division and are also involved in cell shape and polarity. Within epithelial tumors, such as breast cancer, and some hematological tumors, centrosome abnormalities (CAs) are common, occur early in disease etiology, and correlate with chromosomal instability and disease stage. In situ quantification of CA by optical microscopy is hampered by overlap and clustering of these organelles, which appear as focal structures. CA has been frequently associated with Tp53 status in premalignant lesions and tumors. Here the authors described an approach to accurately quantify centrosome frequencies in tissue sections and tumors, independently of background or noise levels. Applying simple optical rules in nondeconvolved conventional 3D images of stained tissue sections, the authors showed that they could evaluate more accurately and rapidly centrosome frequencies than with traditional investigator-based visual analysis or threshold-based techniques. The resulting population-based frequency of centrosomes per nucleus could then be used to approximate the proportion of cells with CA in that same population. This was done by taking into account baseline centrosome amplification and proliferation rates measured in the tissue. Using this technique, the authors showed that 20-30% of cells have amplified centrosomes in Tp53 null mammary tumors.     

Survey on Simulation for Mobile Ad-Hoc Communication for Disaster Scenarios

Mobile ad-hoc communication is a demonstrated solution to mitigate the impact of infrastructure failures during large-scale disasters. A very complex issue in this domain is the design validation of software applications that support decision-making and communication during natural disasters. Such disasters are irreproducible, highly unpredictable, and impossible to scale down, and thus extensive assessments cannot be led in situ. In this context, simulation constitutes the best approach towards the testing of software solutions for natural disaster responses. The present survey reviews mobility models, ad-hoc network architectures, routing protocols and network simulators. Our aim is to provide guidelines for software developers with regards to the performance evaluation of their applications by means of simulation.     

Electrical properties and fractal behavior of polyurethane elastomer/polyaniline composites under mechanical deformation

Present work reports on electrical properties of polyurethane elastomer/polyaniline (PU/PANI-HCl) composite films under tensile deformation. Two types of surface-modified and one type of volume-modified composite of PU and PANI-HCl were prepared. Surface modification of PU film was performed by swelling the parent film in aniline followed by its contact with the acidified oxidant solution to polymerize aniline and form PANI-HCl distributed inside surface/subsurface layer of the film. Volume-modified PU was prepared by mixing of the polymer components in a joint solution and then solution casting. Nonlinear current-voltage characteristics were observed for surface-modified samples while linear ones were typical of volume-modified samples. Deformation of the polymer composites caused partially reversible decrease of their conductivity characteristics, which could be described mathematically with a power law function of the strain with an exponent being dependable on the type of PU modification. Such behavior was interpreted in terms of deformation of a fractal percolation network formed in the system during its formation and chemical synthesis.     

Reaction of lipids containing hydroxy groups with trimethylsulfonium hydroxide: Formation ofO-methyl derivatives

Base-catalyzed transesterification of acyl lipids with trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH) is an easy and convenient method for the preparation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for gas chromatography (GC) analyses. We have found, however, that lipids containing hydroxy groups are partially converted to the correspondingO-methyl ether derivatives which may interfere with FAME in GC separations. For example, long-chain alcohols are found to be converted to alkyl methyl ethers,rac-1-O-alkylglycerols to the corresponding 2-O-and 3-O-monomethyl ethers, as well as 2,3-di-O-methyl ethers, hydroxy fatty acids to methoxy FAME, and cholesterol to cholesteryl 3β-methyl ether. From our results, it is obvious that TMSH derivatization method is not recommended without limitation for lipids containing hydroxy groups; it may be, however, of some diagnostic value for the analysis of such lipids by GC/mass spectrometry.     

Ultrastructural aspects of lingual papillae in squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

Saimiri sciureus is one of the smallest Cebidae native of Amazon region and also found at the biological reserve of northeast Atlantic forest. It is an omnivore animal, with diversified diet that directly influences the lingual mucosa, which includes certain types of papillae with different organization levels. The present study attempted to describe the morphological and ultrastructure aspects of the dorsal surface of the S. sciureus. Five tongues of de S. sciureus were analyzed from three males and two females who died from natural causes and were obtained from breeding colonies of CENP-Ananindeua-PA. Main macroscopic features were a general triangular shape with a craniocaudal elongation pointed apex. Tissue samples--apex, body, and root of tongue--were fixed in modified Karnovsky solution, following standard scanning protocol, mounted in stubs, coated by gold, and analyzed by Scanning Electron Macroscopy (SEM). Four types of papillae were described: filiform (along all tissue extension with 154 μm of diameter), fungiform (along all tissue extension with 272 μm of diameter), vallate [just three units in caudal (dorsal) portion with 830 μm of diameter] and foliate (one pair at caudolateral surface with ～ 13 projections and 3000 μm in length). Data analysis indicates that the distribution and ultra structural morphology of the S. sciureus lingual papillae are some similar to other primates.     

Determination of capsaicinoids in low pungency paprika

Capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin and nordihydrocapsaicin were determined in paprika powders and oleoresins after clean-up on silica and aluminium oxide with controlled activity followed by isocratic reverse-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Caprylic acid vanillylamide (CVA) was synthesized for use as internal standard. Samples with less than 0.6 g/g (10 Scoville Heat Units) were analysed.     

Interpersonal Mediators in the Intergenerational Transmission of Marital Dysfunction.

Intergenerational transmission of marital functioning was examined in a sample of 60 newlywed couples by collecting (a) retrospective reports of conflict and divorce in spouses' families of origin, (b) data on demographic variables and interactional processes likely to increase risk for adverse marital outcomes, and (c) couples' actual 4-year marital outcomes. The association between wives' parental divorce and marital outcome was mediated by their verbal and physical aggression. The association between negativity in husbands' family of origin and marital outcome was mediated by dyadic expressions of negative affect. Demographic variables did not operate as mediators. Negative interpersonal processes appear to be a vehicle by which experiences in the family of origin are carried forward into the next generation of relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characterization of doxycycline-loaded calcium phosphate cement: implications for treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts

Percutaneous doxycycline for treatment for aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) has been shown to decrease recurrence rates, however, this requires multiple procedures, includes the risks soft tissue necrosis, and does not provide structural support. We propose utilizing curettage with doxycycline-loaded calcium phosphate cement. This study aimed to evaluate the elution profile of doxycycline from calcium phosphate cement. Calcium phosphate cement underwent an in vitro elution protocol evaluating doxycycline concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15?mg/mL. Eluted concentrations were quantified utilizing high performance liquid chromatography at predetermined time points over 96?h. Compressive strength was evaluated both pre- and post-elution and micro-computed tomography was utilized to assess changes in cement porosity. Cement with 15?mg/mL of doxycycline maintained a higher average concentration (mean, 95% confidence intervals) (14.5?µg/mL [9.2–19.9?µg/mL]) compared to both 5?mg/mL (5.8?µg/mL [3.1–8.6?µg/mL]; P?<?0.001) and 10?mg/mL (8.4?±?µg/mL [6.0–10.9?µg/mL]; P?<?0.001). Ultimate stress significantly decreased between pre- and post-elution samples for 10?mg/mL (P=?0.001) and 15?mg/mL (P?=?0.004) groups. This study demonstrated a dose-dependent response in ultimate strength and compressive modulus with addition of doxycycline to calcium phosphate cement.     

Microscopic Determination of Carrier Density and Mobility in Working Organic Electrochemical Transistors

A comprehensive understanding of electrochemical and physical phenomena originating the response of electrolyte‐gated transistors is crucial for improved handling and design of these devices. However, the lack of suitable tools for direct investigation of microscale effects has hindered the possibility to bridge the gap between experiments and theoretical models. In this contribution, a scanning probe setup is used to explore the operation mechanisms of organic electrochemical transistors by probing the local electrochemical potential of the organic film composing the device channel. Moreover, an interpretative model is developed in order to highlight the meaning of electrochemical doping and to show how the experimental data can give direct access to fundamental device parameters, such as local charge carrier concentration and mobility. This approach is versatile and provides insight into the organic semiconductor/electrolyte interface and useful information for materials characterization, device scaling, and sensing optimization.