Estimation of bearing contact angle in-situ by X-ray kinematography

The mounted, preloaded contact angle of the structural bearings in the assembled design mechanical assembly was measured. A modification of the Turns method is presented, based upon the clarity and definition of moving parts achieved with X-ray technique and cinematic display. Contact angle is estimated by counting the number of bearings passing a given point as a function of number of turns of the shaft. Ball and pitch diameter variations are discussed. Ball train and shaft angle uncertainties are also discussed

Command system study for the operation and control of unmanned scientific satellites, task III - Command system interference Third quarterly progress report, 1 Jan. - 31 Mar. 1965

Effects of CW and modulated interference on baseband of AM and FM demodulators used for control of unmanned scientific satellite

Carbonic anhydrase-9 expression levels and prognosis in human breast cancer: association with treatment outcome

Item does not contain fulltextHere, we set out to assess CA9 expression levels by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in breast cancer tissue samples obtained from 253 patients, and correlated those with relapse-free (RFS) survival. The median follow-up time was 75 months (range 2-168 months). CA9 expression was mainly found in high-grade, steroid receptor negative cancer tissues. CA9 levels were not significantly associated with RFS (P=0.926, hazard ratio (HR)=0.99, 95% CI=0.80-1.22) in the total cohort of 253 patients. In multivariate analysis with other clinicopathological factors, CA9 (P=0.018, HR=0.77, 95% CI=0.62-0.96), the interaction of adjuvant chemotherapy with CA9 (P=0.009, HR=1.31, 95% CI=1.07-1.61) and the interaction of adjuvant endocrine therapy with CA9 (P<0.001, HR=1.41, 95% CI=1.20-1.66) all contributed significantly to the final model. These results indicate that patients with low CA9 levels benefit more from adjuvant treatment than do patients with high levels. Thus, the determination of CA9 levels could aid in the selection of patients who will not benefit from adjuvant therapy, and whose prognosis will more likely improve with other treatment modalities

Organization and dynamics of the SpoVAEa protein and its surrounding inner membrane lipids, upon germination of <i>Bacillus</i> <i>subtilis</i> spores

The SpoVA proteins make up a channel in the inner membrane (IM) of Bacillus subtilis spores. This channel responds to signals from activated germinant receptors (GRs), and allows release of Ca(2+)-DPA from the spore core during germination. In the current work, we studied the location and dynamics of SpoVAEa in dormant spores. Notably, the SpoVAEa-SGFP2 proteins were present in a single spot in spores, similar to the IM complex formed by all GRs termed the germinosome. However, while the GRs’ spot remains in one location, the SpoVAEa-SGFP2 spot in the IM moved randomly with high frequency. It seems possible that this movement may be a means of communicating germination signals from the germinosome to the IM SpoVA channel, thus stimulating CaDPA release in germination. The dynamics of the SpoVAEa-SGFP2 and its surrounding IM region as stained by fluorescent dyes were also tracked during spore germination, as the dormant spore IM appeared to have an immobile germination related functional microdomain. This microdomain disappeared around the time of appearance of a germinated spore, and the loss of fluorescence of the IM with fluorescent dyes, as well as the appearance of peak SpoVAEa-SGFP2 fluorescent intensity occurred in parallel. These observed events were highly related to spores’ rapid phase darkening, which is considered as due to rapid Ca(2+)DPA release. We also tested the response of SpoVAEa and the IM to thermal treatments at 40–80 °C. Heat treatment triggered an increase of green autofluorescence, which is speculated to be due to coat protein denaturation, and 80 °C treatments induce the appearance of phase-grey-like spores. These spores presumably have a similar intracellular physical state as the phase grey spores detected in the germination but lack the functional proteins for further germination events

Why 'scaffolding' is the wrong metaphor : the cognitive usefulness of mathematical representations.

The metaphor of scaffolding has become current in discussions of the cognitive help we get from artefacts, environmental affordances and each other. Consideration of mathematical tools and representations indicates that in these cases at least (and plausibly for others), scaffolding is the wrong picture, because scaffolding in good order is immobile, temporary and crude. Mathematical representations can be manipulated, are not temporary structures to aid development, and are refined. Reflection on examples from elementary algebra indicates that Menary is on the right track with his ‘enculturation’ view of mathematical cognition. Moreover, these examples allow us to elaborate his remarks on the uniqueness of mathematical representations and their role in the emergence of new thoughts.Peer reviewe

"Resurrection of clinical efficacy" after resistance to endocrine therapy in metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND: In a significant proportion of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients whose tumour has progressed within 6 months of endocrine therapy (de novo resistance), it is generally believed that the chance of achieving clinical benefit (CB) with further endocrine therapy is minimal. METHODS: Data was retrieved from a prospectively updated database of metastatic breast cancer. Relevant data was exported to SPSS™ software for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In oestrogen receptor (ER) positive MBC patients with assessable disease, CB was achieved in 159 (71.3%) (1(st )line) patients. When these patients were put on further endocrine therapy, the CB rates were 63.2% (on 2(nd )line), 46.1% (on 3(rd )line) and 20% (on 4(th )line) with a median duration of response (DOR) in those with CB of 22, 12, 11 and 15 months respectively. The remaining 64(28.7%) patients had de novo resistance on 1(st )line endocrine therapy. Seventeen of these patients were treated with further endocrine therapy. The CB rates were 29.4% (on 2(nd )line) and 22.2% (on 3(rd )line) with a median DOR in those with CB of 22.7 months and 14 months respectively. CONCLUSION: The chance of further endocrine response continues to decrease with each line of therapy, yet CB is still seen with reasonable duration even with a 4(th )line agent. In addition, further endocrine response, with long duration, can be seen in a significant proportion of patients who have developed de novo resistance to 1(st )line endocrine therapy. The use of further endocrine therapy should not be excluded under these circumstances