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Selected AbstractsRegulation of FGF10 by POU transcription factor Brn3a in the developing trigeminal ganglionDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 10 2006Eric Cox Abstract The POU-domain transcription factor Brn3a is expressed in specific neurons of the caudal CNS and peripheral sensory nervous system. The sensory neurons of mice lacking Brn3a exhibit marked defects in axon growth and extensive apoptosis in lategestation. Here we show that expression of thedevelopmental regulator FGF10 is approximately 35-fold increased in the developing trigeminal ganglia of Brn3a-null mice. In order to determine whether FGF10 regulates other changes in gene expression observed in Brn3a knock-out ganglia, we have used a sensory-specific enhancer to over-express FGF10 in transgenic mice. Microarray analysis of trigeminal ganglia from individual transgenic founders effectivelyexcludes the cell-autonomous activity of FGF10 as a mechanism for mediating the downstream effects of the loss of Brn3a, probably because developing sensory neurons lack the appropriate type of FGF receptor. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006 [source] Signaling pathways in Th2 developmentIMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2004Kerri A. Mowen Summary:, In order for an immune response to be successful, it must be of the appropriate type and magnitude. Intracellular residing pathogens require a cell-mediated immune response, whereas extracellular pathogens evoke a humoral immune response. T-helper (Th) cells orchestrate the immune response and are divided into two subsets, Th1 and Th2 cells. Here, we discuss the mechanisms of Th2 development with a focus on signal transduction pathways that influence Th2 differentiation. [source] Parallel Algorithms for Dynamic Shortest Path ProblemsINTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2002Ismail Chabini The development of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and the resulting need for the solution of a variety of dynamic traffic network models and management problems require faster-than-real-time computation of shortest path problems in dynamic networks. Recently, a sequential algorithm was developed to compute shortest paths in discrete time dynamic networks from all nodes and all departure times to one destination node. The algorithm is known as algorithm DOT and has an optimal worst-case running-time complexity. This implies that no algorithm with a better worst-case computational complexity can be discovered. Consequently, in order to derive algorithms to solve all-to-one shortest path problems in dynamic networks, one would need to explore avenues other than the design of sequential solution algorithms only. The use of commercially-available high-performance computing platforms to develop parallel implementations of sequential algorithms is an example of such avenue. This paper reports on the design, implementation, and computational testing of parallel dynamic shortest path algorithms. We develop two shared-memory and two message-passing dynamic shortest path algorithm implementations, which are derived from algorithm DOT using the following parallelization strategies: decomposition by destination and decomposition by transportation network topology. The algorithms are coded using two types of parallel computing environments: a message-passing environment based on the parallel virtual machine (PVM) library and a multi-threading environment based on the SUN Microsystems Multi-Threads (MT) library. We also develop a time-based parallel version of algorithm DOT for the case of minimum time paths in FIFO networks, and a theoretical parallelization of algorithm DOT on an ,ideal' theoretical parallel machine. Performances of the implementations are analyzed and evaluated using large transportation networks, and two types of parallel computing platforms: a distributed network of Unix workstations and a SUN shared-memory machine containing eight processors. Satisfactory speed-ups in the running time of sequential algorithms are achieved, in particular for shared-memory machines. Numerical results indicate that shared-memory computers constitute the most appropriate type of parallel computing platforms for the computation of dynamic shortest paths for real-time ITS applications. [source] Tailoring viscoelastic and mechanical properties of the foamed blends of EVA and various ethylene-styrene interpolymersPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 3 2003I-Chun Liu Foamed materials (EVA/ESI) have been prepared from blends of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and ethylene-styrene interpolymers (ESI) in the presence of various amounts of dicumyl peroxide (DCP). Four ESIs of different compositions were employed in this study; their styrene contents ranged from 30 to 73 wt% and their Tg ranged from ,2 to 33°C. It has been found that microcellular morphology, degree of crosslinking and expansion ratio were strongly affected by the DCP concentration and the type of ESI employed. A minimum degree of crosslinking was required for making good foams and the same degree of crosslinking could be achieved by employing a smaller amount of DCP for an EVA/ESI blend having a higher styrene content. In contrast to other EVA blends, such as EVA/LDPE, these EVA/ESI blends exhibited no existence of any optimum DCP concentration, and the , glass transition temperatures of the foams varied with the ESI type, covering a wide span from 0°C to 37°C. Therefore, it was possible to tailor the Tg of an EVA/ESI blend by choosing an appropriate type of ESI. Furthermore, by correctly tailoring the Tg, the EVA/ESI foam could be made into a rubbery material with a custom-designed damping factor. Tensile strength and modulus of the EVA/ESI foams increased generally with an increase in the styrene content, with the exception that ESIs with very low styrene content will confer on the blend a high modulus at small strain and a large elongation at break. [source] Second Language Vocabulary Acquisition: A Lexical Input Processing ApproachFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 2 2004Article first published online: 31 DEC 200, Joe Barcroft PhD These principles emphasize presentation of new words as input, allocation of limited processing resources during vocabulary acquisition, distinct components of vocabulary knowledge (e.g., form, meaning, mapping), and appropriate types of instruction for different stages of development. Empirical support is included. [source] Correlates of mood disturbance in women with breast cancer: patterns over timeJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 6 2008Diane Von Ah Abstract Title.,Correlates of mood disturbance in women with breast cancer: patterns over time Aim., This study examined factors associated with mood disturbance prior to, during and after adjuvant therapy. Background., Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Mood disturbance affects between 20% and 30% of women with breast cancer and is associated with other debilitating symptoms. However, factors associated with mood disturbance across the breast cancer diagnosis,treatment trajectory are not clearly understood. Method., A stress-coping framework guided this longitudinal study. A convenience sample of 49 American women with newly diagnosed breast cancer aged 37,77 years completed questionnaires assessing age, optimism, disease stage, type of adjuvant therapy, lymph node status, emotional support, aid (tangible) support, perceived stress and mood disturbance. Data were collected over an 18-month period in 2002,2003 at three time points: prior to, during and after adjuvant therapy. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation and multiple regression were used. Findings., At all three time points, higher stress was significantly related to greater mood disturbance. Perceived stress mediated the relationship between (1) emotional support and mood disturbance prior to and after adjuvant therapy and between (2) aid support and mood disturbance during adjuvant therapy. In addition, the type of support that was most important to mood disturbance varied over time. Emotional support was related to reduced mood disturbance prior to and after adjuvant therapy, whereas aid support was most important during adjuvant therapy. Conclusions., Nurses may use this information to develop interventions that bolster appropriate types of support to reduce stress and ultimately lower mood disturbance. Further research across cultures is needed. [source] Measured occupational solar UVR exposures of lifeguards in pool settingsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 8 2009Peter Gies PhD Abstract Background The aim of this study was to measure ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposures of lifeguards in pool settings and evaluate their personal UVR protective practices. Methods Lifeguards (n,=,168) wore UVR sensitive polysulfone (PS) film badges in wrist bracelets on 2 days and completed a survey and diary covering sun protection use. Analyses were used to describe sun exposure and sun protection practices, to compare UVR exposure across locations, and to compare findings with recommended threshold limits for occupational exposure. Results The measured UVR exposures varied with location, ranging from high median UVR exposures of 6.2 standard erythemal doses (SEDs) to the lowest median of 1.7 SEDs. More than 74% of the lifeguards' PS badges showed UVR above recommended threshold limits for occupational exposure. Thirty-nine percent received more than four times the limit and 65% of cases were sufficient to induce sunburn. The most common protective behaviors were wearing sunglasses and using sunscreen, but sun protection was often inadequate. Conclusions At-risk individuals were exposed to high levels of UVR in excess of occupational limits and though appropriate types of sun protection were used, it was not used consistently and more than 50% of lifeguards reported being sunburnt at least twice during the previous year. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:645,653, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Carbon dioxide and pulsed dye laser treatment of angiofibromas in 29 patients with tuberous sclerosisBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2002E. Papadavid SummaryBackground Data on the benefits, adverse effects and appropriate types of laser treatment for angiofibromas (AF) in patients with tuberous sclerosis (TS) are limited. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and side-effect profile of carbon dioxide (CO2) 10 600 nm wavelength and flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye (FLPDL) 585 nm wavelength lasers in a retrospective study of 29 patients with TS aged 9,48 years. Methods Long-term results, based on clinical improvement of the vascular, fibrous or protuberant types of AF and the presence or absence of side-effects on follow-up visits, were classified as excellent, moderate or poor. Results Results were excellent in most patients with vascular-type AF treated with one or two sessions of FLPDL, but some required up to six treatment sessions. CO2 lasers produced excellent results with considerable long-term improvement in 10 of 13 (77%) patients with fibrous or protuberant AF, specifically in all (three of three) protuberant and 70% (seven of 10) of fibrous AF. Persistent hypertrophic scarring was seen in three of 13 (23%) patients with either fibrous or protuberant AF treated with the continuous wavelength CO2 laser. Treatment with both lasers used in four patients with combined vascular and non-vascular AF components was excellent in three of four (75%) patients. Significant relapse was seen in one patient treated with the CO2 laser. Conclusions CO2 or FLPDL laser treatment should be considered as an effective treatment for patients with disfiguring TS. A combination of lasers may be required to achieve optimal results. [source] | ||||||||||