A comparison of restructured steaks made from pre-rigor and post-rigor beef

There is a question of how to best utilize muscle tissue from older (C, D, and E) maturity cattle or from lower priced cuts. This study was undertaken to test the viability of utilizing older cow meat to make intermediate value products (restructured strip steaks) by mixing flaked cow beef with fat from USDA choice grade carcasses. Objectives were to determine: (1) the effect of various ratios of pre-rigor and post-rigor beef on bind, textural and physical properties of restructured steaks, and (2) the effect of various flake size combinations on the bind, textural and physical properties of re structured steaks. The results showed that the post-rigor treatments showed less distortion, less cooking loss, and had a more attractive appearance. However, the pre-rigor muscle tissue flaked to 0.750 inch flake size proved to be the treatment most resembling an intact muscle product. The pre-rigor 0.750 inch flake size treatment had superior shear, bind, hardness, cohesiveness and chewiness scores

Establishing the perineuronal net as a neuroprotective barrier in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Disease progression is mirrored by the appearance of Lewy pathology (LP) in the brain, which contains misfolded α-synuclein (αSYN). Transmission of misfolded α-synuclein between neurons is key to LP spread. Determinants of neuronal vulnerability to αSYN transmission have been investigated but factors of neuronal resistance have not. One potential factor is the presence of a perineuronal net (PNN). The PNN is a condensed form of extracellular matrix (ECM) that enwraps specific populations of neurons and regulates plasticity. It is an aggregated structure formed of protein and glycosaminoglycans. The PNN forms and condenses on neuronal membranes, creating a dense and polyanionic structure with a reticular morphology, which could block αSYN transmission. The aim of this thesis is to establish whether the PNN is a neuroprotective barrier conferring resistance to neurons against αSYN seeding and pathology in PD. To investigate whether the PNN blocks αSYN uptake an in vitro neuronal PNN culture model was established. This model accurately replicated mature cortical PNNs, both in terms of the heterogeneity in PNN composition and its maturation. PNNs transitioned from an immature punctate morphology to the reticular morphology as observed in the mature CNS. We also observed a small population of PNNs that were mature at an earlier time point and a distinct composition, highlighting further heterogeneity. We have established a primary culture model of PNN of use to the PNN field. To investigate the barrier function of PNNs to αSYN, we first purified αSYN and created two, distinct aggregated αSYN species: oligomers and preformed fibrils (PFFs). DIV56 neuronal cultures, containing mature PNNs, were treated with either with 7 µM Alexa 488 labelled oligomer and uptake measured 24 hours later by immunofluorescence or with PFFs and cultured for a further 21 days. The presence of a PNN reduced the uptake of αSYN oligomer in neurons by two thirds (Oligomer positive: PNN positive 15.8 ± 2.52% versus PNN negative: 49.9 ± 2.95%, one-way ANOVA, p0.05). Furthermore, no LP bearing PNN neurons were observed. Together this indicates that PNN populations are unaffected in PD brains, demonstrating that PNN-mediated neuroprotection is relevant in PD. This thesis has established that the PNN is a neuroprotective barrier in PD and protects neurons from developing αSYN pathology in vitro and in PD brains. This opens a new research avenue in pursuit of disease halting therapies in PD

Functional synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus of the rat hippocampus

The responses of hippocampal cell fields to stimulation of afferent pathways projecting from outside and within the hippocampus have been shown to exhibit a remarkable degree of plasticity. Subsequent to conditioning stimulation of either single shocks or trains of stimuli at high frequency, the relationship between afferent stimulus and postsynaptic response can be dramatically changed. The long-term potentiation (LTP) of responses generated by stimulus trains does not appear to involve whole-neurone excitability changes, but is the result of altered synaptic effectiveness and can be localized to the region of afferent fibre termination. In a series of acute experiments extracellular potentials generated by stimulation of the entorhinal projection to the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in the rat, have been recorded in the dorsal hippocampus and quantified before and after conditioning stimulation. A simple computer model was developed to help explain the observed response plasticity. Synaptic field potential LTP after afferent tetanization was explained by increased synaptic current flow, and the altered spatial distribution of the potentials by suggesting that the electrotonic properties of the granule cell dendrites are changed by repeated synaptic activation: an increase in dendritic membrane resistance being a possible mechanism. Light-microscopic examination of the entorhinal fibres at the site of stimulation in the angular bundle after staining with solochrome cyanine, revealed heterogeneous myelination; the fibres lying dorsal and lateral to the subiculum being more heavily myelinated than those more ventro-medial. This histological inhomogeneity appeared to be confirmed by conduction velocity measurements, suggesting two functionally different groups of fibres. It has yet to be determined whether these two groups correspond to the lateral and medial perforant paths described by other workers

How Wages Change: Micro Evidence from the International Wage Flexibility Project

How do the complex institutions involved in wage setting affect wage changes? The International Wage Flexibility Project provides new microeconomic evidence on how wages change for continuing workers. We analyze individuals’ earnings in 31 different data sets from sixteen countries, from which we obtain a total of 360 wage change distributions. We find a remarkable amount of variation in wage changes across workers. Wage changes have a notably non-normal distribution; they are tightly clustered around the median and also have many extreme values. Furthermore, nearly all countries show asymmetry in their wage distributions below the median. Indeed, we find evidence of both downward nominal and real wage rigidities. We also find that the extent of both these rigidities varies substantially across countries. Our results suggest that variations in the extent of union presence in wage bargaining play a role in explaining differing degrees of rigidities among countries.Wage setting, Wage change distributions, Downward nominal wage rigidity, Downward real wage rigidity

The interaction of labor markets and inflation: analysis of micro data from the International Wage Flexibility Project

Inflation can “grease” the wheels of economic adjustment in the labor market by relieving the constraint imposed by downward nominal wage rigidity, but not if there is also substantial downward real wage rigidity. At the same time, inflation can throw “sand” in the wheels of economic adjustment by degrading the value of price signals. A number of recent studies suggest that wage rigidity is much more important for business cycles and monetary policy than previously believed (see Erceg, Henderson and Levin, 2000, Smets and Wouters, 2003, and Hall, 2005). Thus, our results on how wage rigidity and other labor market imperfections vary between countries and how they are affected by the rate of inflation should be of considerable value in formulating monetary policy and conducting related research.

How wages change: micro evidence from the International Wage Flexibility Project

How do the complex institutions involved in wage setting affect wage changes? The International Wage Flexibility Project provides new microeconomic evidence on how wages change for continuing workers. We analyze individuals’ earnings in 31 different data sets from sixteen countries, from which we obtain a total of 360 wage change distributions. We find a remarkable amount of variation in wage changes across workers. Wage changes have a notably non-normal distribution; they are tightly clustered around the median and also have many extreme values. Furthermore, nearly all countries show asymmetry in their wage distributions below the median. Indeed, we find evidence of both downward nominal and real wage rigidities. We also find that the extent of both these rigidities varies substantially across countries. Our results suggest that variations in the extent of union presence in wage bargaining play a role in explaining differing degrees of rigidities among countries. JEL Classification: E3, J3, J5Downward nominal wage rigidity, Downward real wage rigidity, Wage change distributions, Wage setting

How wages change : micro evidence from the International Wage Flexibility Project

How do the complex institutions involved in wage setting affect wage changes? The International Wage Flexibility Project provides new microeconomic evidence on how wages change for continuing workers. We analyze individuals’ earnings in 31 different data sets from sixteen countries, from which we obtain a total of 360 wage change distributions. We find a remarkable amount of variation in wage changes across workers. Wage changes have a notably non-normal distribution; they are tightly clustered around the median and also have many extreme values. Furthermore, nearly all countries show asymmetry in their wage distributions below the median. Indeed, we find evidence of both downward nominal and real wage rigidities. We also find that the extent of both these rigidities varies substantially across countries. Our results suggest that variations in the extent of union presence in wage bargaining play a role in explaining differing degrees of rigidities among countriesWage setting, Wage change distributions, Downward nominal wage rigidity, Downward real wage rigidity

Inner Mongolian Syro-Turcica I:Contextualizing the Syro-Turkic Gravestones from Inner

This article examines the corpus of Syro-Turkic Christian gravestones found in Inner Mongolia, with the overall purpose of placing them within a broader context of both Ongut Turkic Christianity and other Christian gravestones found elsewhere in Central Asia and China. The text, translation, and a brief commentary are given for each Turkic inscription in Syriac script from the Inner Mongolian corpus for which the authors have legible images and/or rubbings, with a focus on the names and titles found on the gravestones. Special attention is given to Wangmuliang gravestone no. 33, which appears to mention the place where the deceased came from

Malaria hotspot areas in a highland Kenya site are consistent in epidemic and non-epidemic years and are associated with ecological factors

BACKGROUND: Malaria epidemics in highland areas of East Africa have caused considerable morbidity and mortality in the past two decades. Knowledge of "hotspot" areas of high malaria incidence would allow for focused preventive interventions in resource-poor areas, particularly if the hotspot areas can be discerned during non-epidemic periods and predicted by ecological factors. METHODS: To address this issue, spatial distribution of malaria incidence and the relationship of ecological factors to malaria incidence were assessed in the highland area of Kipsamoite, Kenya, from 2001–2004. RESULTS: Clustering of disease in a single geographic "hotspot" area occurred in epidemic and non-epidemic years, with a 2.6 to 3.2-fold increased risk of malaria inside the hotspot, as compared to outside the area (P < 0.001, all 4 years). Altitude and proximity to the forest were independently associated with increased malaria risk in all years, including epidemic and non-epidemic years. CONCLUSION: In this highland area, areas of high malaria risk are consistent in epidemic and non-epidemic years and are associated with specific ecological risk factors. Ongoing interventions in areas of ecological risk factors could be a cost-effective method of significantly reducing malaria incidence and blunting or preventing epidemics, even in the absence of malaria early warning systems. Further studies should be conducted to see if these findings hold true in varied highland settings

Performance of the Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility During Altitude Firing Tests of the Delta 3 Upper Stage

The Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility at the NASA Lewis Research Center's Plum Brook Station was reactivated in order to conduct flight simulation ground tests of the Delta 3 cryogenic upper stage. The tests were a cooperative effort between The Boeing Company, Pratt and Whitney, and NASA. They included demonstration of tanking and detanking of liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen and helium pressurant gas as well as 12 engine firings simulating first, second, and third burns at altitude conditions. A key to the success of these tests was the performance of the primary facility systems and their interfaces with the vehicle. These systems included the structural support of the vehicle, propellant supplies, data acquisition, facility control systems, and the altitude exhaust system. While the facility connections to the vehicle umbilical panel simulated the performance of the launch pad systems, additional purge and electrical connections were also required which were unique to ground testing of the vehicle. The altitude exhaust system permitted an approximate simulation of the boost-phase pressure profile by rapidly pumping the test chamber from 13 psia to 0.5 psia as well as maintaining altitude conditions during extended steady-state firings. The performance of the steam driven ejector exhaust system has been correlated with variations in cooling water temperature during these tests. This correlation and comparisons to limited data available from Centaur tests conducted in the facility from 1969-1971 provided insight into optimizing the operation of the exhaust system for future tests. Overall, the facility proved to be robust and flexible for vehicle space simulation engine firings and enabled all test objectives to be successfully completed within the planned schedule