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Grammatical and Non-grammatical contributions to closed-class word selection.
No full textClosed-class word selection was investigated by focusing on determiner production. Native speakers from three different languages named pictures of objects using determiner plus noun phrases (e.g., in French “la table” [thefeminine table], while ignoring distractor determiners printed on the pictures (e.g., “le” [themasculine]. The target and distractor expressed either shared or different grammatical and nongrammatical features (gender, number, and definiteness). A gender-facilitation effect was observed and attributed to noun processing. Crucially, across five experiments, distractors that shared a feature with the target determiner never resulted in longer naming latencies than distractors that were more different. These results indicate that activating related candidates is not detrimental for determiner retrieval, suggesting a noncompetitive mechanism of closed-class word selection
An RxLR Effector from<em> Phytophthora infestans</em> Prevents Re-localisation of Two Plant NAC Transcription Factors from the Endoplasmic Reticulum to the Nucleus
No full textThe potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans secretes an array of effector proteins thought to act in its hosts by disarming defences and promoting pathogen colonisation. However, little is known about the host targets of these effectors and how they are manipulated by the pathogen. This work describes the identification of two putative membrane-associated NAC transcription factors (TF) as the host targets of the RxLR effector PITG_03192(Pi03192). The effector interacts with NAC Targeted by Phytophthora (NTP) 1 and NTP2 at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, where these proteins are localised. Transcripts of NTP1 and NTP2 rapidly accumulate following treatment with culture filtrate (CF) from in vitro grown P. infestans, which acts as a mixture of Phytophthora PAMPs and elicitors, but significantly decrease during P. infestans infection, indicating that pathogen activity may prevent their up-regulation. Silencing of NTP1 or NTP2 in the model host plant Nicotianabenthamiana increases susceptibility to P. infestans, whereas silencing of Pi03192 in P. infestans reduces pathogenicity. Transient expression of Pi03192 in planta restores pathogenicity of the Pi03192-silenced line. Moreover, colonisation by the Pi03192-silenced line is significantly enhanced on N. benthamiana plants in which either NTP1 or NTP2 have been silenced. StNTP1 and StNTP2 proteins are released from the ER membrane following treatment with P. infestans CF and accumulate in the nucleus, after which they are rapidlyturned over by the 26S proteasome. In contrast, treatment with the defined PAMP flg22 fails to up-regulate NTP1 and NTP2, or promote re-localisation of their protein products to the nucleus, indicating that these events follow perception of a component of CF that appears to be independent of the FLS2/flg22 pathway. Importantly, Pi03192 prevents CF-triggered relocalisationof StNTP1 and StNTP2 from the ER into the nucleus, revealing a novel effectormode-of-action to promote disease progression
Magnetic retraction of bowel by intraluminal injectable cyanoacrylate-based magnetic glue
No full textMagnetic retraction offers advantages over physical retraction by graspers because of reduced tissue trauma. The objectives of this study are to investigate a novel method of magnetisation of bowel segments by intraluminal injection of magnetic glue and to demonstrate the feasibility of magnetic retraction of bowel with sufficient force during minimal access surgery. Following an initial materials characterisation study, selected microparticles of stainless steel (SS410-µPs) were mixed with chosen cyanoacrylate glue (Loctite 4014). During intraluminal injection of the magnetic glue using ex vivo porcine colonic segments, a magnetic probe placed at the injected site ensured that the SS410-µPs aggregated during glue polymerisation to form an intraluminal mucosally adherent coagulum. The magnetised colonic segments were retracted by magnetic probes (5 and 10?mm) placed external to the bowel wall. A tensiometer was used to record the retraction force. With an injected volume of 2?mL in a particle concentration of 1?g/mL, this technique produced maximal magnetic retraction forces of 2.24 ± 0.23?N and 5.11 ± 0.34?N (n=20), with use of 5 and 10?mm probes, respectively. The results indicate that the formation of an intraluminal coagulum based on SS410-µPs and Loctite 4014 produces sufficient magnetic retraction for bowel retraction
Rapid changes in insolation in southern England due to variation in cloud cover:influence on operation and testing of solar modules
No full textAnalysis of insolation data recorded in southern England during June 2009 reveals that on an active day, changes in irradiance (ramp rate) exceeding 1 % per second may occur up to 5 % of the time. This leads to uncertainties in outdoor PV performance figures, since current-voltage scans are taking place under non-constant light levels. We investigate the relationship between fill factor and ramp rate by an equivalent-circuit simulation, which provides an indication of the underlying noise levels to be expected from this source when compiling fill factor trends from raw outdoor test data. We have also computed the insolation amplitude spectrum and sought to assign the spectral features to diurnal, meteorological and stochastic effects. Comparison with experimental measurements suggests that ramps make a minor contribution to the noise level under typical measurement conditions. However the pronounced non-gaussian nature of the statistical frequency distribution of ramp rates suggests this may be responsible for ‘outlier’ data points
Irreversible local sequelae of inadvertent extrusion of calcium hydroxide intra-canal medication::a case report
No full textCalcium hydroxide is a highly alkaline bacteriocidal intra-canal medicament. We present the case of a patient who developed anaesthesia of upper lip and cheek on the right side of her face following the placement of intracanal calcium hydroxide medicament into tooth 16 and the inadvertent extrusion of this paste. A route, along which the paste tracked, is proposed to account for the neural changes. The clinical presentation, radiographic investigations, treatment is outlined and discussed. The mechanism of toxicity of the paste is reviewed
Ultrasound standing wave device for particle manipulation
Full text linkUsing ultrasonic standing waves for noncontact manipulation of microparticles or cells has raised many possible applications in life sciences and medicine. This paper introduces the basic concept and methods of applying ultrasound to manipulate the microparticles in fluids, and also gives two practical examples of trapping and manipulating microparticles with ultrasound standing waves. The design, simulation, fabrication and testing of these two resonant-mode ultrasonic manipulation devices are presented, and some practical issues are discussed, such as temperature changes and streaming. The first device uses a bespoke high frequency (up to 25 MHz) lithium niobate transducer coupled to a fabricated precision reflector and spacers to form a multiple of half-wavelength ultrasound standing waves (30 µm) across a macroscale fluid chamber (2 × 5 mm2) in which the microparticles are distributed and trapped by ultrasonic radiation forces. The second device has a 12-element kerfless ultrasonic linear array (2.5 MHz) coupled to a disposable rectangular capillary to trap and manipulate microparticles along the capillary by controlling the active elements of the array. The experimental results of both devices with 10 µm polystyrene beads show correspondence with pressure distributions simulated with the finite element method and demonstrate the feasibility for potential applications in life science
<em>Drosophila</em> neuroblasts retain the daughter centrosome
No full textDuring asymmetric mitosis, both in male Drosophila germline stem cells and in mouse embryo neural progenitors, the mother centrosome is retained by the self-renewed cell; hence suggesting that mother centrosome inheritance might contribute to stemness. We test this hypothesis in Drosophila neuroblasts (NBs) tracing photo converted centrioles and a daughter-centriole-specific marker generated by cloning the Drosophila homologue of human Centrobin. Here we show that upon asymmetric mitosis, the mother centrosome is inherited by the differentiating daughter cell. Our results demonstrate maturation-dependent centrosome fate in Drosophila NBs and that the stemness properties of these cells are not linked to mother centrosome inheritance
Five theories of reasoning:Inter-connections and applications to mathematics
No full textThe last century has seen many disciplines place a greater priority on understanding how people reason in a particular domain, and several illuminating theories of informal logic and argumenta- tion have been developed. Perhaps owing to their diverse backgrounds, there are several connections and overlapping ideas between the theories, which appear to have been overlooked. We focus on Peirce's development of abductive reasoning [3], Toulmin's argumentation layout [5], Lakatos's theory of reasoning in mathematics [2], Pollock's notions of counterexample [4] and argumentation schemes constructed by Walton et al [6], and explore some connections between, as well as within, the theories. For instance, we investigate Peirce's abduction to deal with surprising situations in mathematics, represent Pollock's examples in terms of Toulmin’s layout, discuss connections between Toulmin's layout and Walton’s argu- mentation schemes, and suggest new argumentation schemes to cover the sort of reasoning that Lakatos describes, in which arguments may be accepted as faulty, but revised, rather than being accepted or rejected. We also consider how such theories may apply to reasoning in mathematics: in particular, we aim to build on ideas such as Dove's [1], which help to show ways in which the work of Lakatos fits into the informal reasoning community.[1] I. J. Dove. On mathematical proofs and arguments: Johnson and Lakatos. In F. H. Van Eemeren and B. Garssen, editors, Proceedings of the Sixth Conference of the International Society for the Study of Argumentation, volume 1, pages 346–351. Sic Sat, Amsterdam, 2007.[2] I. Lakatos. Proofs and Refutations. CUP, Cambridge, UK, 1976.[3] C. S. Peirce. Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass, 1931–58. Eight Volumes.[4] J. Pollock. Cognitive Carpentry. The MIT press, Cambridge, MA., 1995.[5] S. Toulmin. The uses of argument. CUP, Cambridge, 1958.[6] D. Walton, C. Reed, and F. Macagno. Argumentation Schemes. Cambridge University Press, New York, USA, 2008.<br/
Invasive procedures: minimising risks and maximising rights:improving practice in the delivery of invasive procedures for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities: project report and recommendations
No full textImproving the primary prevention of cardiovascular events by using biomarkers to identify individuals with silent heart disease
No full textObjectives The aim of this study was to examine whether biomarkers can identify silent cardiac target organ damage (cTOD) in a primary prevention population. Background One possible way to improve primary prevention of cardiovascular events is to identify those patients who already harbor silent cTOD (i.e., myocardial ischemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, or left atrial enlargement). This might be possible by screening with a biomarker (e.g. high sensitivity cardiac troponin T [hs-cTnT] or B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP]). Methods We prospectively recruited 300 asymptomatic individuals already receiving primary prevention therapy. Transthoracic echocardiography, stress echocardiography, and/or myocardial perfusion imaging were performed to identify silent cTOD. Results One hundred two (34%) patients had evidence of cTOD. Left ventricular hypertrophy was the most prevalent (29.7%) form of cTOD, followed by diastolic dysfunction (21.3%), left atrial enlargement (15.3%), systolic dysfunction (6.3%), and ischemia (6.3%). The area under the curve (AUC) for BNP to identify any form of silent cTOD was 0.78 overall and 0.82 in men. The equivalent figures for hs-cTnT were 0.70 and 0.75 in women. The AUC for BNP and hs-cTnT together was 0.81 and 0.82 in men. However, the discrimination power of other markers was poor, with AUCs of 0.61 for microalbuminuria, 0.49 for uric acid, and 0.58 for eGFR. Conclusions In asymptomatic treated primary prevention patients, BNP screening is able to identify existing silent cTOD. The performance of hs-cTnT was not as good as that of BNP. B-type natriuretic peptide plus hs-cTnT together performed best. Prescreening with BNP +/- cTnT followed by targeted phenotyping is worth exploring further as a possible way to improve primary prevention. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2012;60:960-8) (C) 2012 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation</p
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