Defective bone remodelling in osteoprotegerin-deficient mice

Previous studies have reported enhanced osteoclastogenesis, increased bone resorption and osteoporosis in osteoprotegerin (OPG)-deficient mice. In the present study, we show that the tibial epiphyses contain abundant, thin trabeculae lined with numerous osteoclasts and cuboidal osteoblasts. The increase in osteoblasts and osteoclasts was associated with a dramatic increase in calcein labelling of the mineralization fronts and replacement of much of the intertrabecular marrow with numerous alkaline phosphatase-positive preosteoblasts. Furthermore, the discrete, linear cement lines seen in wild-type mice were replaced by a randomly oriented meshwork of cement lines that were stained intensely for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and osteopontin in the OPG-/- mice. These indices of accelerated bone remodelling in mutant bone were associated with irregular trabecular surfaces, a disorganized collagen matrix interspersed with amorphous ground substance and numerous fissures between old and new bone. In total, these observations indicate that enhanced osteoclastic activity in OPG-/- epiphyses led to a coupled increase in osteoblast differentiation and activity and an increase in bone remodelling. The high bone turnover, disorganized matrix and impaired attachment of new to old bone in the cement lines in OPG-/- mice appear to cause bone fragility.     

Discontinuities and senior management: assessing the role of recognition in pharmaceutical firm response to biotechnology

Despite an increasing emphasis on the role of senior managementcognition in shaping organizational action, there have beenfew attempts to link top management mental models to strategicchoice in the face of discontinuous innovation. This paper uses23 years of data covering 15 major pharmaceutical firms to explorethe degree to which each firm's response to the revolution inbiotechnology was shaped by the senior team's recognition ofbiotechnology's importance. Controlling for a number of importantalternative explanations, we show that recognition may be animportant predictor of action, suggesting that cognition atthe most senior level can play a critical role in shaping establishedfirms' response to discontinuities.     

Privacy in Location-Aware Computing Environments

This study explores how privacy preferences vary with place and social context. These findings are useful for designing privacy policies and user interfaces for pervasive computing.     

Development of a 60 Hz Power Standard Using SNS Programmable Josephson Voltage Standards

We are implementing a new standard for 60 Hz power measurements based on precision sinusoidal reference voltages from two independent programmable Josephson voltage standards (PJVS): one for voltage and one for current. The National Institute of Standards and Technology PJVS systems use series arrays of Josephson junctions to produce accurate quantum-based DC voltages. Using stepwise-approximation synthesis, the PJVS systems produce sinewaves with precisely calculable RMS voltage and spectral content. We present measurements and calculations that elucidate the sources of error in the RMS voltage that are intrinsic to the digital-synthesis technique and that are due to the finite rise times and transients that occur when switching between the discrete voltages. Our goal is to reduce all error sources and uncertainty contributions from the PJVS synthesized waveforms to a few parts in 10 ⁷ so that the overall uncertainty in the AC-power standard is a few parts in 10⁶     

Immuno-SEM characterization of developing bovine cartilage

Collagen is a vital material in the tissues of living organisms. Found almost everywhere in the human body, collagen is important in connective tissues, bone growth, and cartilage. Collagen XI makes up a very small portion of the cartilaginous tissue; however, it plays a key role in cartilaginous tissue. Collagen XI and two collagen XI isoforms, V1b and V2, are critical in the ossification process. The location of collagen XI, V1b, V2, and their specific functions in the ossification process within developing bovine cartilage are not well characterized. In this work, the location of collagens I, II, XI and two collagen XI isoforms, V1b and V2, present in developing bovine cartilage are investigated using the immuno-SEM technique. The results for the locations of collagen I and II indicate a high level of consistency with previous work, thus showing that the technique of immuno-SEM can be used with confidence to determine the location of various collagen types within cartilaginous and mineralized tissue. This work has shown that collagen XI is present in the lower hypertrophic region and also in a pericellular arrangement, within about two microns of cell walls, throughout the cartilaginous tissue. V1b is expressed in the articular surface, mineralized region, resting zone, and the distal edge of the diaphysis. The V2 isoform is most strongly expressed in areas of newly forming cartilage, and disappears with chondrocyte maturation. V2 is present in the distal edge of the epiphysis, as well as in mineralized tissue. Collagen XI and two of its isoforms, V1b and V2, are thought to play a critical role in the ossification process. However, this role is not well understood, and is still being characterized. The detection of collagen XI and two of its isoforms in the osteo-chondral junction as well as at a joint surface further point to collagen XI, V1b, and V2 playing a vital role in the ossification process, and warrants further research as to their specific function within the ossification process.     

Evaluation of the Cyclic Fatigue Life of 3-mol%-Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Bioceramic Using Biaxial Flexion

The cyclic fatigue life of zirconia bioceramic was determined under biaxial flexion using disk-shaped specimens. The fatigue life was not reduced by subjecting the material to a simulated physiological environment nor was it affected by testing at different loading frequencies. Tests performed at different stress ratios produced a large degree of scatter in the data but a statistical analysis proved that there was no significant effect on the fatigue life of the material. Failure of disk specimens was initiated either by flaws introduced during manufacturing or by the more typical inherent flaws commonly observed in ceramics. The former generally resulted in premature, low-stress failures on initial loading whereas the latter acted as initiating defects for fatigue cracks that then propagated to failure. The distributions of the two categories of flaw were analyzed using two- and three-parameter Weibull probability functions. It became clear that the Weibull modulus for the fatigue failures was consistent with previously reported work on other ceramics.     

A rebirth in digital recording

In this paper, the author predicts that, after its initial failure in the early 1990s, Philips' MiniDisc's digital audio technology is set for a big comeback in the UK     

Phosphine functionalized polyaniline nanostructures

We study the problem of limited functionalization options for polyaniline through the surface attachment of phosphine coupling reagents. These studied linkers are P(CH₂OH)₃ and Ph₂PCH₂OH, and are attached to both conventional and nanostructured polyaniline. Additionally, model compounds are considered, extending the scope of our analysis. The successful attachment results indicate the potential for further functionalization, using the hydroxymethyl terminal groups of the phosphines for primary and secondary amine chemistry. These results should enable the development of sensitive and molecule-specific polyaniline-based devices.