A longitudinal study of short- and long-term activity levels in male and female spontaneously hypertensive, Wistar-Kyoto, and Sprague-Dawley rats.

The pattern of locomotor activity across development was assessed in male and female spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Open field activity did not indicate hyperactivity in the SHR. Instead, the SD strain was generally more active. Strains and sexes did not differ in open-field locomotor response to drug challenges. When short-term (10-12 min) activity in different apparatuses was compared, the SD were most active in the open field, the SHR in the residential figure-eight maze, and the WKY in the running wheel. Long-term tests indicated hyperactivity in the SHR in the residential figure-eight maze and hypoactivity in the SD in the running wheels. Until such strain differences in activity are thoroughly defined, the use of the SHR as a model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is limited. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of triple quantum-filtered 23Na NMR spectroscopy in the in situ rat liver

Expression of intermediate filaments (IFs) has been suggested to be a reliable marker for differentiating epithelial and non-epithelial tumors. Moreover, the c-erbB-2 and p53 genes are considered to be involved relatively early in the process of human carcinogenesis. In order to elucidate the origin of uterine carcinosarcomas, we analyzed IF, c-erbB-2 and p53 expression in and the ultrastructural characteristics of clones derived from a human uterine-carcinosarcoma cell line, EMTOKA. The expression of IFs and other proteins in the EMTOKA clones was identical to that in the EMTOKA cell line. It and its 7 clones all expressed cytokeratins 8, 17, 18 and 19, vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen, S-100, myoglobin, type-II collagen, alpha-smooth-muscle actin, placental alkaline phosphatase and epidermal-growth-factor receptor. The c-erbB-2 and p53 expression levels of all the cell types of the EMTOKA cell line and its clones were the same. Interestingly, an ultrastructural study showed that the EMTOKA cell line and its clones at early and late passages possessed the characteristics of epithelial cell types without either transitional forms between the epithelial and stromal components or differentiation into sarcomatous components. The results of this study lend particular support to the combination tumor hypothesis that a precursor (stem) cell gives rise both to epithelial and to mesenchymal components during the histogenesis of uterine carcinosarcoma, the epithelial component of which appears to be dominant, suggesting that the established cell lines derived from a common stem cell.     

保存回忆,保存古建筑的概念化工具--访香港中文大学建筑系教授何培斌

保存过去是可持续发展的一部分,保存古建筑,促发人们思考未来的问题.在今年七月,由香港珠海学院( Chu Hai College of Higher Education)建筑系主办的一场题为"文化传承:可持续发展及美学"的研讨会,来自香港、新加坡、台湾和内地的政府官员、专家学者及民间古迹保护人士就一系话题进行探讨:新加坡政府如何透过规划(MASTER PLAN 2003)保存其城市的独特身份?     

Illness intrusiveness and quality of life in end-stage renal disease: Comparison and stability across treatment modalities.

Examined the impact of illness intrusiveness (ILI) on quality of life (QOL) in 99 patients with end-stage renal disease. Ss were interviewed twice, 6 wks apart, to determine differences in perceived ILI across treatment modalities, life domains, and time. Life domains were affected differentially across treatments. Perceived ILI correlated significantly with treatment time requirements, uremic symptoms, intercurrent nonrenal illnesses, fatigue, and difficulties in daily activities. Significant QOL differences emerged across treatment modalities for satisfaction/happiness and pessimism/illness related concerns but not for depression/distress. Perceived ILI correlated significantly with each of these QOL measures. Findings substantiate the construct of ILI as a mediator of the psychosocial impact of chronic, life-threatening illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethnic minorities' ratings of ethnically similar and European American counselors: A meta-analysis.

A meta-analysis of studies that assessed ethnic minorities' perceptions of and preferences for ethnically similar counselors and European American counselors showed that ethnic minorities tended to prefer ethnically similar counselors over European American counselors. However, the perceptions of and preferences for counselors were influenced by the cultural affiliation of the participants and the research methods used. More precise methods for determining the degree to which ethnic minorities' preferences for ethnically similar counselors is a function of inferences concerning attitudes, values, and skill need to be developed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the re-characterisation of defects in structural integrity assessments due to snap-through

TAGSI was asked by HSE/NII to comment on the effectiveness of the R6 procedure which permits a surface defect failing an initial assessment to be re-assessed as a through thickness defect of increased length. If the defect passes the re-assessment it may then be considered acceptable.     

No detectable bioeffects following acute exposure to high peak power ultra-wide band electromagnetic radiation in rats

A wide range assessment of the possible bioeffects of an acute exposure to high peak power ultra-wide band (UWB) electromagnetic radiation was performed in rats. The UWB-exposure consisted of 2 min of pulsed (frequency: 60 Hz, pulse width: 5-10 ns) UWB (bandwidth: 0.25-2.50 GHz) electromagnetic radiation. Rats were examined using one of the following: 1) a functional observational battery (FOB); 2) a swimming performance test; 3) a complete panel of blood chemistries; or 4) determination of the expression of the c-fos protein in immunohistologically-stained sections of the brain. No significant differences were found between UWB- or sham-exposed rats on any of the measured parameters.     

Effect of biaxial loading on the fracture behaviour of a ferritic steel component

The effect of biaxial loading on the ductile behaviour of a through-wall crack in a ferritic steel structure under contained yield is of particular interest to the structural integrity argument for reactor pressure vessels. This results from the fact that there are many instances in practice (for example a crack in a circumferential weld), where a significant applied stress is present in the direction parallel to the crack as well as in the perpendicular direction. Two large plate ductile tearing tests have been performed on centre through-crack specimens (75 mm by 2 m by 2 m) manufactured from a ferritic steel. The first test specimen was loaded in uniaxial tension and the second test specimen was loaded biaxially. This paper presents experimental details and results of the two plate tests and describes the analysis work undertaken to interpret the experiments satisfactorily.     

"Have Fun While You Can,""You're Only as Old as You Feel," and "Don't Ever Get Old!": An Examination of Memorable Messages About Aging

Previous research has indicated memorable messages are important because they provide socializing functions by influencing cognitions and behaviors. This study examined the content, context, and structure of memorable messages about aging from the receiver's perspective. Message senders were older than receivers and tended to be female and family members. Senders usually were perceived to have benevolent motives. Messages did not tend to be rule-structured. Message content pertained to topics like the benefits of aging; aging as a natural, inevitable process; the need to enjoy life; and losses associated with aging. Message effects included viewing aging more positively, viewing aging more negatively, resolving to enjoy life or take better physical care of oneself, and changing relationships with others.