The Effects of Cyclic Strain on Rat Tail Tenocytes

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cyclic tension on the expression of hyaluronic acid, its receptor (CD44), and total glycosaminoglycan content in tendon fibroblasts. An in vitro model was used to analyze tenocytes from the tail tendons of rats. Tenocytes in the experimental group were exposed to cyclic mechanical stress, and using ELISA, western blot, and colormetric dye-binding assays, the effect of strain on cultured tenocytes was examined. Tenocytes exposed to mechanical strain produced 1528 ± 58 ng/mL (mean ± SEM) of hyaluronic acid, while those in a control environment produced only 730 ± 27 ng/mL; nearly a two-fold difference (p\u3c.0001, n=44). CD44, the receptor for hyaluronic acid, was also detected in higher concentrations. Tenocytes under mechanical strain increased their concentration of CD44 by 62.5%, with tenocytes exposed to strain having an optical density of 26 . 103 ± 2 . 103 compared with 15 . 103 ± 1 . 103 in controls (p\u3c.05, n=6). The total glycosaminoglycan content of the two groups did not differ significantly; strained cells produced 10.2 ± 0.6 µg/mL and controls producing 15.3 ± 3 µg/mL (p=0.103, n=44). We conclude that mechanical strain in tendon fibroblasts is sufficient to induce the production of hyaluronic acid and increase the expression of its receptor, CD44. The results of our study suggest that the beneficial effects on tendon adhesion formation seen with both mechanical strain and hyaluronic acid may be related in their mechanism

The Quarry: A Planning and Development History of the Northeast Minneapolis Retail Center

This narrative attempts to capture the planning and development history of a decade old Northeast Minneapolis retail center. It is not intended to be comprehensive in nature, but instead provide baseline knowledge on different elements of the Quarry's story that can be traced to facts in the public record. Conversations with people involved with the complex's development also led to many insights found in the report, but also led to limitations. The result is a complex history of different levels of clarity and completeness. The report tries to explain how the present day Quarry came to look and function the way it does. The true intent of this report is to provide a jumping off point for people newly interested in the Quarry, who, then informed, can proceed to actively participate in future decisions that shape this prevalent retail center in Northeast Minneapolis.Conducted on behalf of Windom Park Citizens in Action. Supported by Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR), a program of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA), University of Minnesota

Autonomous space processor for orbital debris

The development of an Autonomous Space Processor for Orbital Debris (ASPOD) was the goal. The nature of this craft, which will process, in situ, orbital debris using resources available in low Earth orbit (LEO) is explained. The serious problem of orbital debris is briefly described and the nature of the large debris population is outlined. The focus was on the development of a versatile robotic manipulator to augment an existing robotic arm, the incorporation of remote operation of the robotic arms, and the formulation of optimal (time and energy) trajectory planning algorithms for coordinated robotic arms. The mechanical design of the new arm is described in detail. The work envelope is explained showing the flexibility of the new design. Several telemetry communication systems are described which will enable the remote operation of the robotic arms. The trajectory planning algorithms are fully developed for both the time optimal and energy optimal problems. The time optimal problem is solved using phase plane techniques while the energy optimal problem is solved using dynamic programming

COPD: The end of the beginning

Richard Russell, Dave Singh, Irfan Rahman and Alan J Crocketthttp://www.dovepress.com/editorial-copd-the-end-of-the-beginning--free-paper-peer-reviewed-article-COPD-recommendation

Cognitive Identity Management: Synthetic Data, Risk and Trust

Synthetic, or artificial data is used in security applications such as protection of sensitive information, prediction of rare events, and training neural networks. Risk and trust are assessed specifically for a given kind of synthetic data and particular application. In this paper, we consider a more complicated scenario, – biometric-enabled cognitive cognitive biometric-enabled identity management, in which multiple kinds of synthetic data are used in addition to authentic data. For example, authentic biometric traits can be used to train the intelligent tools to identify humans, while synthetic, algorithmically generated data can be used to expand the training set or to model extreme situations. This paper is dedicated to understanding the potential impact of synthetic data on the cognitive checkpoint performance, and risk and trust prediction

Cold Acclimation Strategy is Highly Variable Among the Sunfishes (Centrarchidae)

We tested the hypothesis that the physiological strategy for acclimating to low body temperature is similar among closely related fish. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), black crappie (Pomonix nigromaculatus), and white crappie (Pomonix annularis), all members of the family Centrarchidae, were acclimated to 5degrees and 25degreesC. Morphometric variables (total mass, total length, organ masses) and enzyme activities (hexokinase; lactate dehydrogenase; and cytochrome oxidase in heart, liver, and muscle) were measured in 5degreesC- and 25degreesC- acclimated fish at 5degrees and 25degreesC assay temperatures. Each species displayed a distinct physiological response to cold acclimation that differed among tissues. These data suggest that the response to cold acclimation is highly variable within families. Our findings are consistent with other studies suggesting that acclimation responses are labile and may evolve independently even among closely related species

Health information, messaging and warnings on alcohol packaging: a focus group study with young adult drinkers in Scotland

Introduction: Alcohol packaging can communicate alcohol-related health information, messaging and warnings. However, there is a dearth of research exploring awareness of, and engagement with, health information and messaging on alcohol packaging, and response to novel alcohol warnings. Methods: Eight focus groups were conducted in Glasgow (Scotland) with current drinkers (n = 50), segmented by age (18–24, 25–35), gender (female, male) and social grade (ABC1, C2DE), to explore awareness and use of health information and messaging on existing packaging, and perceptions of novel front-of-package warnings differing in size (small, large), form (text-only, text and image) and message content (general, specific). Results:Unaided recall of some health information and messaging was high (e.g. units, pregnancy symbols); however, most participants did not attend to or meaningfully engage with these, viewing them as unnoticeable, obscure and ineffective. Participants were skeptical of alcohol companies’ motivations with respect to health messaging on products. They were surprised to see the novel warnings on alcohol products but generally supported their inclusion. Most thought that these warnings could increase awareness of alcohol-related harms, particularly for younger or potential drinkers. Large, combined (text and image) warnings with specific messages on the front of packaging were considered most engaging and potentially effective. Conclusions: The health-related information and messaging on alcohol packaging in Scotland is failing to inform consumers about the potential risks associated with alcohol use. Prominent warnings on alcohol packaging could help to capture attention, increase awareness of alcohol-related harms, and may support a reduction in consumption and alcohol-related harms

The role of alcohol packaging as a health communications tool: An online cross-sectional survey and experiment with young adult drinkers in the United Kingdom

Introduction Alcohol packaging is a potentially valuable means of communicating product and health-related information, with growing academic and political interest in its role as a health communications vehicle. Methods An online cross-sectional survey and experiment were conducted with a non-probability sample of 18–35-year-old drinkers in the United Kingdom (n = 1360). The survey assessed exposure to, and engagement with, current messaging on packs, and support for displaying product and health-related information. For the randomised experiment, participants were shown, and asked questions about, a vodka bottle with either no warnings (control), small text warnings, large text warnings or pictorial (image-and-text) warnings; the main binary outcome measures were negative product appeal and social acceptability, and positive cognitive and behavioural impact. Results Two-fifths of the sample rarely or never saw on-pack health-related information, with almost three-quarters rarely or never reading or looking closely at this. There was strong support for displaying a range of product and health-related information (e.g. units, ingredients) on packs. Relative to the control, products with warnings were more likely to be perceived as unappealing and socially unacceptable, and to positively impact alcohol-related cognitions and behaviours. For example, pictorial warnings were 10 times as likely to positively influence cognitions and behaviours (AOR = 10.01, 95% CI: 8.09, 17.46). Discussion and Conclusions Alcohol packaging could have an important role in delivering health messaging. Large pictorial or text warnings may help counteract the appeal and social acceptability of alcohol products and increase awareness of risks, potentially supporting a reduction in consumption and related harms.Output Status: Forthcoming/Available Onlin