A novel human type II cytokeratin, K6hf, specifically expressed in the companion layer of the hair follicle

In an attempt to identify new members of the human type II hair keratin family by means of 3'- and 5'-RACE methods and cDNA from anagen hair follicles, we detected a sequence that encoded a hitherto unknown type II cytokeratin. The novel cytokeratin comprises 251 amino acids and exhibits the highest sequence homology with K5. Comparative one- and two-dimensional western blots of keratins from anagen hair bulbs, containing or not containing the outer and inner root sheaths (ORS/IRS), and from footsole epidermis with an antibody against the new cytokeratin, revealed its comigration with K6 and its expression in the ORS/IRS complex. We have therefore named the new cytokeratin K6hf, to distinguish it from the various K6 isoforms and to indicate its expression in the hair follicle. Both in situ hybridization with a K6hf-specific cRNA probe and indirect immunofluorescence with the K6hf antibody showed that K6hf is exclusively expressed in the so-called "companion layer" of the hair follicle, a single layered band of flat and vertically oriented cells between the cuboidal ORS cells and the IRS that stretches from the lowermost bulb region to the isthmus of the follicle. Concomitant K17 and K16 expression studies showed that besides suprabasal ORS cells, these cytokeratins are sequentially expressed subsequent to K6hf in companion cells above the hair bulb. Our study confirms the view of a vertically oriented companion layer differentiation. The clearly delayed K17 and K16 expression relative to that of K6hf in companion cells most probably excludes these keratins as possible type I partners of K6hf and suggests the existence of a still unknown type I partner of its own. Thus, not only morphologically but also biochemically, the companion layer is different from the ORS and can therefore be regarded as an independent histologic compartment of the hair follicle.     

Structural Induction and Coinduction in a Fibrational Setting

We present a categorical logic formulation of induction and coinduction principles for reasoning about inductively and coinductively defined types. Our main results provide sufficient criteria for the validity of such principles: in the presence of comprehension, the induction principle for initial algebras is admissible, and dually, in the presence of quotient types, the coinduction principle for terminal coalgebras is admissible. After giving an alternative formulation of induction in terms of binary relations, we combine both principles and obtain a mixed induction/coinduction principle which allows us to reason about minimal solutionsX≅σ(X) whereXmay occur both positively and negatively in the type constructor σ. We further strengthen these logical principles to deal with contexts and prove that such strengthening is valid when the (abstract) logic we consider is contextually/functionally complete. All the main results follow from a basic result about adjunctions between “categories of algebras” (inserters).     

Bound-abrasive polishers for optical glass

Polishing abrasives that have been bound in a solid matrix can offer several potential advantages over loose-abrasive processes with pitch or polyurethane laps for finishing of optics. These advantages include polishing efficiency, temperature stability, cost of consumables, and compatibility with computer numerically controlled generating machines. Unfortunately, little has been published on bound-abrasive polishers, and very few commercially available products exist. We have developed several compositions and manufacturing techniques that show promise for polishing a variety of optical glasses. We establish the various criteria for a successful bound-abrasive polisher. The numerous variables to be considered in designing these polishers are identified, and the results of screening experiments are used to find successful compositions. Polishing experiments with bound abrasives in arrays of pellets, as ring tools, and as full-contact laps are described.     

Homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation ofo-chloroacetophenone to enantiomerically pureo-chloro-(1-phenyl)ethanol catalyzed by BINAP-Ru(II) complex

The BINAP-Ru(II) catalyst (2,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1-binaphthyl)chloro(p-cymene)rutheniun chloride is found to be highly active and enantioselective for homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of o-chloroacetophenone to optically pureo-chloro-(1-phenyl)ethanol. In contrast to results of Noyori and coworkers, no organic and inorganic bases are required to obtain high activities and enantioselectivities     

Surface microroughness of optical glasses under deterministic microgrinding

Deterministic microgrinding of precision optical components with rigid, computer-controlled machining centers and high-speed tool spindles is now possible on a commercial scale. Platforms such as the Opticam systems at the Center for Optics Manufacturing produce convex and concave spherical surfaces with radii from 5 mm to ∞, i.e., planar, and work diameters from 10 to 150 mm. Aspherical surfaces are also being manufactured. The resulting specular surfaces have a typical rms microroughness of 20 nm, 1 μm of subsurface damage, and a figure error of less than 1 wave peak to valley. Surface roughness under deterministic microgrinding conditions (fixed infeed rate) with bound abrasive diamond ring tools with various degrees of bond hardness is correlated to a material length scale, identified as a ductility index, involving the hardness and fracture toughness of glasses. This result is in contrast to loose abrasive grinding (fixed nominal pressure), in which surface microroughness is determined by the elastic stiffness and the hardness of the glass. We summarize measurements of fracture toughness and microhardness by microindentation for crown and flint optical glasses, and fused silica. The microindentation fracture toughness in nondensifying optical glasses is in good agreement with bulk fracture toughness measurement methods.     

Automatic verification of Java programs with dynamic frames

Framing in the presence of data abstraction is a challenging and important problem in the verification of object-oriented programs Leavens et al. (Formal Aspects Comput (FACS) 19:159–189, 2007). The dynamic frames approach is a promising solution to this problem. However, the approach is formalized in the context of an idealized logical framework. In particular, it is not clear the solution is suitable for use within a program verifier for a Java-like language based on verification condition generation and automated, first-order theorem proving. In this paper, we demonstrate that the dynamic frames approach can be integrated into an automatic verifier based on verification condition generation and automated theorem proving. The approach has been proven sound and has been implemented in a verifier prototype. The prototype has been used to prove correctness of several programming patterns considered challenging in related work.     

Understanding the outsourcing learning curve: A longitudinal analysis of a large Australian company

Outsourcing continues to capture the attention of researchers as more companies move to outsourcing models as part of their business practice. Two areas frequently researched and reported in the literature are the reasons why a company decides to outsource, and outsourcing success factors. This paper describes an in-depth, longitudinal case study that explores both the reasons why the company decided to outsource and factors that impact on success. The paper describes how Alpha, a very large Australian communications company, approached outsourcing and how its approach matured over a period of 9 years. The paper concludes that although a number of reasons are proposed for a company's decision to outsource, lowering costs was the predominant driver in this case. We also describe other factors identified as important for outsourcing success such as how contracts are implemented, the type of outsourcing partner arrangement, and outsourcing vendor capabilities.

Surface dependent representations for illumination insensitive image comparison

We consider the problem of matching images to tell whether they come from the same scene viewed under different lighting conditions. We show that the surface characteristics determine the type of image comparison method that should be used. Previous work has shown the effectiveness of comparing the image gradient direction for surfaces with material properties that change rapidly in one direction. We show analytically that two other widely used methods, normalized correlation of small windows and comparison of multiscale oriented filters, essentially compute the same thing. Then, we show that for surfaces whose properties change more slowly, comparison of the output of whitening filters is most effective. This suggests that a combination of these strategies should be employed to compare general objects. We discuss indications that Gabor jets use such a mixed strategy effectively, and we propose a new mixed strategy. We validate our results on synthetic and real images     

Task Switching After Cerebellar Damage.

The authors of this study investigated task switching following cerebellar damage. The study group consisted of 7 children and adolescents (M age = 13.8 years) who underwent surgical removal of a benign posterior fossa tumor. They were tested at a sufficient interval after surgery (M lag = 6.13 years) for restoration of normal cognitive skills and intelligence. Although all showed normal learning of the task compared with control participants, when rapid behavioral changes were required (short preparation time), they exhibited behavioral rigidity manifested by enhanced switching cost. These results are in line with another study on serial reaction time with the same patients (A. Berger et al., in press). They have important implications for our understanding of the cognitive sequelae of early cerebellar damage as well as the involvement of the cerebellum in task switching. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

How Does Negative Life Change Following Disaster Response Impact Distress Among Red Cross Responders?

The American Red Cross is the largest nongovernmental organization responding to disasters in the United States. This study investigated the impact of negative life change occurring in the year following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on levels of distress among 757 Red Cross Disaster Services Human Resources (national disaster team) employees and volunteers who responded to this disaster. Negative life change in the year following disaster response fully mediated the relationship between disaster response and symptoms of depression and partially mediated the responses between disaster response and posttraumatic stress and anxiety symptoms. Results highlight the importance of life experiences in the year following disaster response and, therefore, the education and follow-up services provided to disaster workers prior to and following disaster assignment. Suggestions for monitoring disaster-related stress during and following assignment are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)