IgM-producing tumors in the BALB/c mouse: a model for B-cell maturation

Five adjuvant induced BALB/c tumors producing IgM—McPc 1748, W 3469, TEPC 183, McPc 774, and Y 5781—were characterized morphologically by electron microscopy, analysis of the distribution of surface-bound and intracytoplasmic IgM using immunofluorescence, and by biochemical study of IgM synthesis, turnover, and secretion. The cells of different tumors appear to represent different stages in B-cell maturation when compared to normal, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated B cells. Thus, McPc 1748 tumor cells resemble 10–25-h stimulated normal B cells, 3469 cells resemble 20–35-h stimulated B cells, TEPC 183 cells resemble 45–65-h stimulated B cells, Y 5781 cells resemble 80–110-h stimulated B cells, and McPc 774 cells resemble 100–130-h stimulated B cells

Simulation, modelling and development of the metris RCA

In partnership with Metris UK we discuss the utilisation of modelling and simulation methods in the development of a revolutionary 7-axis Robot CMM Arm (RCA). An offline virtual model is described, facilitating pre-emptive collision avoidance and assessment of optimal placement of the RCA relative to scan specimens. Workspace accessibility of the RCA is examined under a range of geometrical assumptions and we discuss the effects of arbitrary offsets resulting from manufacturing tolerances. Degeneracy is identified in the number of ways a given pose may be attained and it is demonstrated how a simplified model may be exploited to solve the inverse kinematics problem of finding the “correct” set of joint angles. We demonstrate how the seventh axis may be utilised to avoid obstacles or otherwise awkward poses, giving the unit greater dexterity than traditional CMMs. The results of finite element analysis and static force modelling on the RCA are presented which provide an estimate of the forces exerted on the internal measurement arm in a range of poses

Surface structure in simple liquid metals. An orbital free first principles study

Molecular dynamics simulations of the liquid-vapour interfaces in simple sp-bonded liquid metals have been performed using first principles methods. Results are presented for liquid Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ba, Al, Tl, and Si at thermodynamic conditions near their respective triple points, for samples of 2000 particles in a slab geometry. The longitudinal ionic density profiles exhibit a pronounced stratification extending several atomic diameters into the bulk, which is a feature already experimentally observed in liquid K, Ga, In, Sn and Hg. The wavelength of the ionic oscillations shows a good scaling with the radii of the associated Wigner-Seitz spheres. The structural rearrangements at the interface are analyzed in terms of the transverse pair correlation function, the coordination number and the bond-angle distribution between nearest neighbors. The valence electronic density profile also shows (weaker) oscillations whose phase, with respect to those of the ionic profile, changes from opposite phase in the alkalis to almost in-phase for Si.Comment: 16 pages, 18 figures, 5 tables. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Characteristics, accuracy and reverification of robotised articulated arm CMMs

VDI article 2617 specifies characteristics to describe the accuracy of articulated arm coordinate measuring machines (AACMMs) and outlines procedures for checking them. However the VDI prescription was written with a former generation of machines in mind: manual arms exploiting traditional touch probe technologies. Recent advances in metrology have given rise to noncontact laser scanning tools and robotic automation of articulated arms – technologies which are not adequately characterised using the VDI specification. In this paper we examine the “guidelines” presented in VDI 2617, finding many of them to be ambiguous and open to interpretation, with some tests appearing even to be optional. The engineer is left significant flexibility in the execution of the test procedures and the manufacturer is free to specify many of the test parameters. Such flexibility renders the VDI tests of limited value and the results can be misleading. We illustrate, with examples using the Nikon RCA, how a liberal interpretation of the VDI guidelines can significantly improve accuracy characterisation and suggest ways in which to mitigate this problem. We propose a series of stringent tests and revised definitions, in the same vein as VDI 2617 and similar US standards, to clarify the accuracy characterisation process. The revised methodology includes modified acceptance and reverification tests which aim to accommodate emerging technologies, laser scanning devices in particular, while maintaining the spirit of the existing and established standards. We seek to supply robust re-definitions for the accepted terms “zero point” and “useful arm length”, pre-supposing nothing about the geometry of the measuring device. We also identify a source of error unique to robotised AACMMs employing laser scanners – the forward-reverse pass error. We show how eliminating this error significantly improves the repeatability of a device and propose a novel approach to the testing of probing error based on statistical uncertainty

Barriers and facilitators to providing CBT for people living with dementia: perceptions of psychological therapists

Many people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experience anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a recommended treatment for adults, commonly provided through primary care psychological therapies services. This study explored the facilitators and barriers to providing CBT interventions for people living with dementia or MCI, as perceived by therapists working in such services. Structured interviews were conducted with fourteen clinicians recruited through primary care psychological therapies services about their experiences of working with people living with dementia or MCI and their ideas about factors that enhance or hinder offering and delivering CBT to this population. Interview recordings were transcribed and analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Credibility checks were incorporated throughout. Three themes were identified: 'attitudes towards dementia', 'competing demands', and 'pressure without support'. Perceived facilitators and barriers occurred across individual, service, and system levels. Facilitators were: positive engagement and outcomes for people living with dementia or MCI, positive attitudes of clinicians, and flexibility within some services. In contrast, perceived barriers were: stigma towards dementia and mental health in older adults, high pressure on staff to perform with a lack of support to do so, exclusion based on diagnosis, and inflexibility within some services. Clinicians were confident that people living with dementia or MCI could benefit from CBT, with some adaptations to delivery. There are implications for staff support and training, and for commissioning practices relating to the tension between minimal resources, equitable access, and person-centered care

When it is not primary progressive aphasia: A scoping review of spoken language impairment in other neurodegenerative dementias

BACKGROUND: Progressive difficulties with spoken language occur across the spectrum of degenerative dementia. When not a primary presenting and dominant symptom, language difficulties may be overlooked in favor of more prominent cognitive, behavior, or motor deficits. The aim of this scoping review is to examine the extent and nature of the research evidence describing (1) the spoken language impairments found in non-language led dementias, (2) their impact on everyday living, and (3) the reported language interventions. METHODS: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, OVID-EMBASE, PsycINFO, and SpeechBITE using terms related to spoken language for the following dementia types: Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), cortico-basal syndrome (CBS), behavior variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD), posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), and motor neuron disease associated with FTD (MND+FTD). Risk of bias was assessed with the QualSyst tool. RESULTS: Seventy-three eligible studies were included. A wide range of spoken language impairments were reported, involving both linguistic (e.g., syntactic processing) and other cognitive (e.g., sustained attention) underlying mechanisms. Although the severity of these deficits was scarcely reported, in some cases they manifested as non-fluent, dynamic, and global aphasias. No papers in the review described either the impact of these language impairments on everyday living or language therapies to treat them. DISCUSSION: There is a need to understand better the level of disability produced by language impairment in people living with non–language-led dementias. Our findings suggest three calls for action: (1) research studies should assess the clinical relevance of any spoken language deficits examined, (2) both linguistic and cognitive underlying mechanisms should be fully described (to inform the design of effective language and behavioral interventions), and (3) trials of language therapy should be conducted in those groups of individuals where significant language impairment is proved

The importance of cephalopods in the diet of fish on the northwest European shelf.

Cephalopods are universal to the world's oceans and prey to many fish species. On the northwest European shelf, integrated ecosystem assessments are rapidly evolving into the preferred method for holistically assessing stocks, but cephalopods appear to be an overlooked component, perhaps because their roles in ecosystems have seldom been quantified in recent years. We have analysed historical fish stomach records and revisited literature at local and regional level to determine the importance of cephalopods to the diets of 26 ecologically important finfish. We conclude that, in contrast to most other large marine ecosystems, cephalopods found in the Greater North Sea and the Celtic Seas regions appear to contribute only a small fraction to the diets of ecologically important finfish (found in the stomachs of ~14% of specimens among some species, but generally only 1–3% in most species), though their role as predator may be important and require further investigation. Based on our findings, cephalopods may not represent a key component for integrated ecosystem assessments, though as squid populations have been shown to expand throughout the North Sea in recent years, regular monitoring is encouraged to identify the point where their inclusion into such models may be necessary

Complement-Mediated Virus Infectivity Neutralisation by HLA Antibodies Is Associated with Sterilising Immunity to SIV Challenge in the Macaque Model for HIV/AIDS.

Sterilising immunity is a desired outcome for vaccination against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and has been observed in the macaque model using inactivated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). This protection was attributed to antibodies specific for cell proteins including human leucocyte antigens (HLA) class I and II incorporated into virions during vaccine and challenge virus preparation. We show here, using HLA bead arrays, that vaccinated macaques protected from virus challenge had higher serum antibody reactivity compared with non-protected animals. Moreover, reactivity was shown to be directed against HLA framework determinants. Previous studies failed to correlate serum antibody mediated virus neutralisation with protection and were confounded by cytotoxic effects. Using a virus entry assay based on TZM-bl cells we now report that, in the presence of complement, serum antibody titres that neutralise virus infectivity were higher in protected animals. We propose that complement-augmented virus neutralisation is a key factor in inducing sterilising immunity and may be difficult to achieve with HIV/SIV Env-based vaccines. Understanding how to overcome the apparent block of inactivated SIV vaccines to elicit anti-envelope protein antibodies that effectively engage the complement system could enable novel anti-HIV antibody vaccines that induce potent, virolytic serological response to be developed

The Value of Participating in British Exploring Society Expeditions: A Three Year Multi Cohort Study

A primary aim of many expeditions is to facilitate personal development of young people and 15 while there is much anecdotal evidence to support this aim, there is limited empirical work of 16 varied quality that explores the specific nature of such benefits. This research examined nine 17 summer BES expeditions (Norway, Namibia & Amazon in 2012; Finnmark, Ladakh and 18 Namibia in 2013 and 2014) involving 58 young people (aged between 15 and 22) who completed 19 three on-line questionnaires to collect qualitative (open ended questions) and quantitative (likert 20 scale) data. Measurement of four psychological attributes associated with effective character 21 development were used: mental toughness, coping skills, GRIT and leadership skills. Surveys 22 were completed at three stages; 1) pre expedition, 2) immediately post expedition and 3) three 23 months post expedition. Results indicated that the expeditions impacted positively on the 24 psychological attributes of young people, with short term effects (three months). 25 For the 58 participants, there were statistically significant improvements and small positive 26 effect sizes in mental toughness (P=.006; ηp 2 .167), leadership skills (P=.004; ηp 2 .18), and 27 GRIT (P=.001; ηp 2 .218). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) or effect size for the 28 application of coping strategies. Qualitative data provided insights into how the learning took 29 place and individual perspectives on the overall value of the expedition in relation to narrative 30 understandin

Distributed Generation and Resilience in Power Grids

We study the effects of the allocation of distributed generation on the resilience of power grids. We find that an unconstrained allocation and growth of the distributed generation can drive a power grid beyond its design parameters. In order to overcome such a problem, we propose a topological algorithm derived from the field of Complex Networks to allocate distributed generation sources in an existing power grid.Comment: proceedings of Critis 2012 http://critis12.hig.no