Bone growth following demineralized bone matrix implantation requires angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is required for endochondral ossification during development and fracture healing; however the exact mechanisms and temporal relationship between the two processes remains unclear. In this study, we utilize an in vivo model of endochondral ossification in mice by implanting demineralized bone matrix (DBM) proximal to the femur to induce ectopic bone formation. TNP-470, a drug known to be anti-angiogenic, was used to inhibit vascularization during the time course of de novo bone formation in order to define the role of angiogenesis during the chondrogenic phase of endochondral bone formation. Day 2, day 8, and day 16 post-surgery were selected time points to represent pre-chondrogenic, chondrogenic, and bone mineralization stages, respectively. Plain x-ray and micro-CT analysis showed that inhibition of angiogenesis led to decreased mineralized tissue formation. Inhibited angiogenesis was confirmed with qRT-PCR. Most striking, however, is that while stem cells are recruited and committed to the chondrogenic lineage, subsequent chondrogenesis failed to progress based on the failure of Sox5 and Sox6 expression, which directs chondrocyte commitment. This expands the role for angiogenesis to a much earlier stage than currently thought and places the necessity of angiogenesis very early in the endochondral ossification process

Spectral and temporal features of tense-lax vowel contrast produced by Cantonese speakers of English: a comparative study

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, June 30, 2007.Also available in print.Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2007.published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science

Spectral and temporal features of tense-lax vowel contrast produced by Cantonese speakers of English: a comparative study

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, June 30, 2007.Also available in print.Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2007.published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science

174— Developing Oxidation of Alcohols in Sand

We present the oxidation of alcohols into aldehydes and ketones using (NH4)2Cr2O7 in sand. Several alcohols undergo oxidation using an appropriate solvent to afford aldehyde and ketones in good yields. The reactions were analyzed by TLC, 1H and 13C-NMR. The developed reaction is also compared to reactions done using silica gel

Predominant Coaching Leadership Behaviors of High School Head Basketball Coaches: A Pilot Study

Coaching leadership in sport was important because the coach-athlete relationship was considered as a crucial factor in the sport setting. Though leadership theories have been developed for a few decades, research topics related to leadership behaviors in high school settings are understudied. The purpose of the study was to examine the coaching leadership behaviors of high school head basketball coaches in Hong Kong utilizing the Leadership Scale for Sports. One hundred and twelve basketball coaches were invited to participate in the study: 56 coaches from the winning teams and another 56 coaches from the losing teams. Mixed-design 2 × 5 ANOVA indicated there was significant (p \u3c .001) main effect for the coaching behaviors. Both the top-ranking and low-ranking head basketball coaches exhibited significantly (p \u3c .001) higher level of Teaching and Instruction as well as Positive Feedback than Social Support, Democratic Behavior, and Autocratic Behavior. The mean scores as determined by the five dimensions of the LSS were in the following descending order: Positive Feedback, Training and Instruction, Social Support, Democratic Behavior, and Autocratic Behavior. The importance and application of these five coaching behaviors were discussed in detail

Análisis crítico y comparado de la regulación de las concentraciones de mercado en el ordenamiento jurídico peruano y sus consecuencias prácticas

Partiendo de la permisibilidad de las concentraciones empresariales en el marco normativo peruano, la presente investigación se centra en realizar un análisis crítico de la regulación, histórica y actual, de las concentraciones empresariales y el impacto que ha tenido en la economía y el ordenamiento jurídico peruano. Sin limitarse al antecedente regulatorio, la investigación también evalúa el reciente Decreto de Urgencia 013-2019, Decreto de Urgencia que establece el control previo de operaciones de concentración empresarial, particularmente desde una perspectiva comparativa, a efectos de hacer hincapié en las posibles deficiencias regulatorias que existen respecto este tema. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de la investigación es cuestionar y evaluar la falta de regulación histórica, en conjunto con la reciente regulación, que han permitido la generación de concentraciones empresariales a gran escala. En ese sentido, plantea un número de ejemplos prácticos, tales como la concentración empresarial existente en la industria cervecera y en el sistema previsional, los cuales analiza a través de indicadores económicos. La investigación sustenta sus argumentos en diversas fuentes, pero particularmente en las normativas, ambas nacionales e internacionales, las opiniones jurídicas y doctrinarias, la jurisprudencia y los indicadores de índole económica. Lo anterior en tanto la concentración empresarial es un tema complejo que solo puede ser adecuadamente explicado a través de un enfoque interdisciplinario. Todo lo anterior lleva a la conclusión de que evidentemente, el mercado peruano ha sido uno históricamente dotado con libre competencia y sin interferencia administrativa, lo que ha permitido grandes conglomeraciones empresariales que hoy en día representan porcentajes elevados de concentración del mercado, al punto de consolidaciones de monopolios y oligopolios que afectaran, actualmente y a futuro, a los consumidores y el rumbo del desarrollo económico, sobre todo el crecimiento de las pequeñas y medianas empresas del país.Given the permissibility of corporate concentrations in the Peruvian legal framework, this research paper focuses providing a critical analysis of the historical and current regulation of corporate concentrations and the impact it has had on the Peruvian economy and legal system. Without limiting itself to analyzing the previous regulations, this research also delves into the recent Emergency Decree 013-2019, which establishes previous control of corporate concentration operations, particularly from a comparative perspective so as to highlight possible regulatory deficiencies in this area. Therefore, the objective of this research is to question and evaluate the historical lack of regulation, together with the recent regulation, which has allowed for large-scale corporate concentrations. In this regard, it raises a number of practical examples, such as the existing corporate concentrations in the beer industry and the pension system, which it analyzes through economic indicators. The research bases its arguments on diverse sources, but particularly on regulations, both national and international, legal and doctrinal opinions, case-law and economic indicators. The foregoing insofar as corporate concentrations are a complex issue that can only be adequately explained through an interdisciplinary approach. All of the above leads to the conclusion that the Peruvian market has historically had free competition without administrative interference, which has allowed large corporate conglomerations that represent highly concentrated percentages of today’s market, to the point of consolidation of monopolies and oligopolies that will affect, currently and in the future, consumers and the development of the economy, especially the growth of the country's small and medium businesses

Access to Eye Care Before and After Vision Loss: A Qualitative Study Investigating Eye Care Among Persons Who Have Become Blind

Navigating access to eye care requires that patients recognize the need for screening and care, employ limited financial and social resources, manage complex health insurance policies, and access specialty clinical care. We investigated the experience of patients through the progression of vision loss to blindness, utilizing qualitative methods. We conducted structured telephone interviews with 28 persons with blindness throughout Oregon. Utilizing closed and open-ended questions, we explored patient experience on the events preceding avoidable blindness. Coding for emergent themes was conducted independently by two researchers using a constant comparative method. Participants described important barriers to accessing eye care: at the systems level, lack of access to providers and treatment; at the community level, available social support and services; and at the individual level, readiness to act and trust in providers. These findings suggest that important barriers to accessing preventive eye care, early diagnosis and treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and social services often occur at multiple levels. Access to eye care should be prioritized in efforts to reduce preventable visual impairment

Diabetes, intracranial stenosis and microemboli in asymptomatic carotid stenosis

Background: The risk of stroke in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) is now so low that it is important to have methods to identify those patients most likely to benefit from intervention, or who may require special consideration in choice of medical therapy. We studied the prediction of stroke, death or transient ischemic attacks (stroke/death/TIA) in patients with ACS by intracranial arterial stenosis, and microemboli on transcranial Doppler (TCD), and the effect of diabetes mellitus on microemboli, intracranial stenosis and risk of events. Methods: Patients with ACS \u3e 60% by Doppler ultrasound were recruited from the Stroke Prevention Clinic of University Hospital, London, Canada. All 339 participants underwent TCD for detection of intracranial stenosis and detection of microemboli, and carotid ultrasound to measure extracranial stenosis and total carotid plaque area. Participants were followed for three years, to determine the risk of stroke/death/TIA. Results: Stroke/death/TIA occurred in 38% of patients with microemboli versus 10% without (p=0.0001), and in 18% of patients with intracranial stenosis, versus 10% without (p=0.042). Diabetics were significantly more likely to have intracranial stenosis (45% vs. 29%, p =0.014), microemboli (38% vs. 10%, p \u3c0.0001), and had significantly higher risk of stroke/death/TIA over three years (21% vs. 11% without; p=0.024). Survival free of stroke, TIA or death was significantly better without microemboli or intracranial stenosis (p\u3c0.0001). Conclusions: Diabetes, microemboli and intracranial stenosis predicted higher risk of stroke, death or TIA than did extracranial stenosis or total plaque area; diabetics may need more intensive therapy