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Notes: Purpose: This investigation evaluated and compared the dimensional accuracy and surface detail reproduction of two hydrophilic polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) and two polyether (PE) impression materials when used under dry and moist conditions. Methods: Impressions were made of stainless steel dies as described in ANSI/ADA specification no. 19, with two vertical and three horizontal lines inscribed on the die superior surface. Impressions were made under dry and moist conditions (17 impressions per condition for each material). Dimensional accuracy was measured by comparing the average length of the middle horizontal line in each impression with the same line on the metal die using a measuring microscope with an accuracy of 0.001 mm. Surface detail reproduction was evaluated by using criteria similar to ADA specification no. 19: continuous replication of at least two of the three horizontal lines. Results: The mean percent dimensional change and SD values ranged from −0.135% (0.035) to 0.053% (0.031). A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that moisture did not cause significant adverse effects on the dimensional accuracy of any material (p 〉 0.05); however, significant differences were found between the materials (p 〈 .05). The surface detail evaluation indicated that moisture had a significant effect on detail reproduction of PVS materials (Pearson's Chi square, p 〈 0.05). Under dry conditions, all materials produced satisfactory detail reproduction 100% of the time; however, under moist conditions, only 29% of Aquasil and Genie Ultra PVS impressions produced satisfactory detail reproduction, while 100% of Permadyne Garant and Impregum Penta Soft PE impressions still met the surface detail criteria. Conclusions: Although moisture may not adversely affect the dimensional accuracy of either PE or hydrophilic PVS material, the evidence suggests that PE material is more likely to produce impressions with superior detail reproduction in the presence of moisture.

Notes: The extent of changes with aging depends largely on how much the skin is exposed to sunlight and also on the genetic disposition of the individual. There are thus two main processes, extrinsic aging because of environmental stress, and intrinsic genetically programmed aging [1]. Hence, the processes of aging depends on a person's ethnic origin and the part of the world in which they live.〈section xml:id="abs1-1"〉〈title type="main"〉MethodsThe present study investigates the influence of age and exposure to sunlight on the facial skin of 31 healthy Japanese women, aged 20–78 years old, living in Osaka city. Skin samples were obtained during plastic surgery from the face, from areas exposed to varying intensities of sunlight (forehead, cheek, nose, upper eyelid). Samples were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections (5–7 μm) were cut and stained with hematoxylin–phloxyn–safran, orcein or Masson's trichrome. Others were immunostained for p63, β1-integrin, type IV collagen CD1a and AQP3. Statistical analysis of quantitative and qualitative parameters were performed by analysis of variance (anova) with linear regressions, and the chi-squared test.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉Results and discussion〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉Epidermis and dermal-epidermal junction: histological organizationWe confirmed that the whole living epidermis becomes thinner with increasing age, with an average decrease of about 5 μm per decade. This thinning is mainly because of a significant reduction in the number of keratinocyte layers. The thinning of the epidermis and the reduction of the keratinocytes layers in Japanese skin do not seem to be reflected in the thickness of the stratum corneum, which appears to remain constant whatever the age in the sample studied.The epidermal papillary structures also became flatter with age, associated with an increase in the thickness of the dermal–epidermal junction (DEJ). Thus, in addition to the loss of epidermal cells, the epidermis and dermis become less overlapped, so reducing the surface area for exchange between the two compartments. The DEJ also become thicker as Japanese ages and the expression of type IV collagen, the main constituent of the lamina densa and anchoring plaques is reduced in the most photoexposed skin areas. This accounts for the major changes in the function and molecular structure of DEJ components, as in aged Caucasian skin [2].〈section xml:id="abs1-4"〉〈title type="main"〉Keratinocyte growth and differentiation –β1-integrin and p63There is no doubt that the rate of cell turnover decreases in the flat aged epidermis, as indicated by the smaller number of proliferative cells [3, 4]. This study focused on two key regulatory proteins. One was p63, that is involved in maintaining the proliferative potential of basal keratinocytes and blocking their calcium-induced differentiation [5]. The other was β1-integrin, an adhesion protein present in basal keratinocytes and linked to their clonogenic potential [6].We found p63-positive cells in the basal layer of the epidermis and in the suprabasal layers (〈link href="#f1-7"〉Fig. 1a), in agreement with others [7]. The used pan anti-p63 antibody suggest that other isoforms of the protein in addition to the major ΔNp63α mainly expressed in the basal cells, could take part to other functions like differentiation in the suprabasal layers [5]. The great interindividual variation in the staining intensity for p63 in the samples studied made it impossible to detect significant changes in the number of p63-positive cells with age. Only an increase of p63 was observed in photoexposed areas compared to others within this case, a possible relation to the epidermal thickening.〈figure xml:id="f1-7"〉1〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:01425463:ICS254_7_7:ICS_254_f1-7"/〉Immunostaining of Japanese facial skin showing AQP3 expression at the plasma membrane of keratinocytes throughout the living epidermis (a) and the age-related change in AQP3 (b).β1-integrin was detected only in the basal keratinocytes, and the staining intensity varied from one segment of the basal layer to another. We evaluated the length of immune-labeled epidermis and the intensity of labeling in each fragment, using an arbitrary colorimetric scale (0–5). We observed a significant decrease in the intermediate intensities (equal to 2 only) with age in the zone least exposed to sunlight. This is consistent with the loss of adhesive properties of freshly isolated epidermal cells in aged skin [2] and the existence of different pools of basal keratinocytes [6]. It suggests that the effect of aging could affect particularly on the transit amplifying cells containing intermediate quantities of β1-integrin.〈section xml:id="abs1-5"〉〈title type="main"〉Osmotic and water homeostasis – aquaporin-3In addition to the stratum corneum (SC) that limits transepidermal water loss, the osmotic equilibrium inside the epidermis and hydration is controlled by the aquaglyceroporins 3 (AQP3) [8, 9]. Immunostaining for AQP-3 confirmed the presence of the protein in the plasma membranes of keratinocytes throughout the epidermis, together with AQP-3 cytoplasmic expression of the basal layer cells (〈link href="#f1-7"〉Fig. 1a). There was no immunostaining in the SC (〈link href="#f1-7"〉Fig. 1a) to retain water in the epidermis via the tight junction proteins [10], so maintaining the water-lipid barrier within the SC. The immunostaining for AQP3 decreased significantly with the skin age (〈link href="#f1-7"〉Fig. 1b), but there was no significant difference between areas exposed to sunlight and those not exposed. This suggests that there is an overall reduction in the natural hydration potential as Japanese facial epidermis ages.〈section xml:id="abs1-6"〉〈title type="main"〉The immune system – epidermal CD1a-positive cellsEpidermal dendritic cells, mainly Langerhans cells, control the skin immune system. These cells are CD1a positive (CD1a+). Immunostaining showed a major population of highly dendritic cells throughout the epidermis of all the Japanese skin samples. It also showed that the areas most exposed to sunlight (cheeks, forehead and nose) had significantly more CD1a+ cells than less exposed areas (upper eyelid) (〈link href="#f2-7"〉Fig. 2a). This confirms previous findings on the wrinkling of area of Caucasian facial skin after chronic exposure to UV light [11]. The number of CD1a+ cells in less exposed areas of skin increased significantly with donor age (〈link href="#f2-7"〉Fig. 2b). This shows that chronological aging and exposure to sunlight give rise to an epidermis which cellular immune homeostasis is perturbed.〈figure xml:id="f2-7"〉2〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:01425463:ICS254_7_7:ICS_254_f2-7"/〉Immunostaining for CD1a in Japanese facial skin: numbers of CD1a-positive (CD1a+) epidermal cells per mm of dermal–epidermal junction (DEJ) in skin exposed to sunlight and skin from protected areas (a), and sun-protected area of facial skin from subjects of different ages (b).〈section xml:id="abs1-7"〉〈title type="main"〉The pigmentation system – melanocytes and melanin depositsPigmentation is part of the protective system developed by the skin epidermis, but unwanted pigmentation is one of the first signs of aging and has a major social impact. The pigmentation of the facial skin of Japanese women increases with age, and spots develop, particularly on the cheeks [12]. We found a significantly greater density of melanocytes in the epidermis of older donors in both sun-exposed and protected areas. But there were significantly fewer melanocytes in the areas exposed to sunlight than in protected areas. As expected, there were greater deposits of melanin in keratinocytes in the regions exposed to sunlight. This suggests that older donors had a pool of highly active melanocytes in areas of skin exposed to sunlight, with a high rate of melanin transfer to keratinocytes and/or reduced keratinoc

Notes: Genetic variation at 24 enzymatic loci was investigated in eight south European Atlantic salmon populations from the rivers Nivelle, Cares, Sella, Narcea, Esva, Navia, Porcia and Eo. In these rivers, management based on supplementation of native populations with foreign stocks was carried out for more than one decade. Population genetic patterns expressed in terms of allele frequencies, mean heterozygosity and conformity to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, were significantly different between populations. Relevant temporal changes of genetic variability were reported. Evidence that foreign stocking has disturbed the genetic patterns of some of the studied populations is presented.

Notes: The impact of delayed feeding early in development on late feeding ability and development of spotted sand bass Paralabrax maculatofasciatus larvae was examined. Larvae were sampled from hatching until day 19 after delayed feeding for zero (control), 1, 2, or 3 days. Feeding incidence was evaluated as the percentage of larvae with food in the gut and feeding intensity was measured by direct counting of prey after dissection of the gut. Delayed feeding effects due to starvation were observed early in development. By day 5, significant differences (P 〈 0·05) were observed between controls and larvae submitted to degrees of delayed feeding, including total length (LT), eye diameter, and the size of the head, liver, gut, muscles and body. Differences were still apparent in LT, and body, liver and muscle heights at the end of the studied period. Larvae under total starvation did not survive beyond day 5. Initial feeding incidence was 35, 60, 90 and 10% for larvae first fed on day 2, 3, 4 or 5, respectively. Mean ± s.d. feeding intensity was 3·6 ± 0·8, 2·8 ± 1·3, 5·2 ± 0·3, and 10·2 ± 1·5 rotifers per larva depending on whether larvae were initially fed on day 2, 3, 4 or 5, respectively. The point of no return occurred between 4 and 5 days after hatching.

Notes: We studied the cytological and biochemical properties of the FtsA protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae. FtsA is a widespread bacterial cell division protein that belongs to the actin superfamily. In Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, FtsA localizes to the septal ring after FtsZ, but its exact role in septation is not known. In S. pneumoniae, we found that, during exponential growth, the protein localizes to the nascent septa, at the equatorial zones of the dividing cells, where an average of 2200 FtsA molecules per cell are present. Likewise, FtsZ was found to localize with the same pattern and to be present at an average of 3000 molecules per cell. Consistent with the colocalization, FtsA was found to interact with FtsZ and with itself. Purified FtsA is able to bind several nucleotides, the affinity being highest for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and lower for other triphosphates and diphosphates. The protein polymerizes in vitro, in a nucleotide-dependent manner, forming long corkscrew-like helixes, composed of 2 + 2 paired protofilaments. No nucleotide hydrolytic activity was detected. Consistent with the absence of an ATPase activity, the polymers are highly stable and not dynamic. These results suggest that the FtsA protein could also polymerize in vivo and the polymers participate in septation.

Notes: An economic analysis of a hypothetical small-scale marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is conducted for ongrowing small, wild black sea bass Centropristis striata at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Center for Marine Science (UNCW-CMS) aquaculture facility in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina (NC). The analysis is based on production data from field trials and marketing data from the sale of tank-grown product. The growout facility consists of four 16.7-m3 (dia. x ht. = 5.58 × 1 m) fiberglass tanks supported by state-of-the-art RAS components, including particle traps and swirl separators, drum screen filter, trickling biological filter, UV sterilizer, heat pump, protein skimmer, and oxygen cone. Wild-caught, above minimum legal size black sea bass (24.2 cm TL, 350 g, 0.77 lb) were purchased from a commercial fisherman for $3.14/ kg ($1.4011b), stocked at a density of 21.1 kg/m3, and grown to a final weight of 1 kg (2.24 lb) in 200 d at 23 C resulting in 1.8 production cycles per year. Fish were fed a commercial pelleted diet ($0.94/kg; $0.42/Ib) with a feed conversion ratio of 1.5. Final harvest density was 60 kg/m3 (0.50 lb/gal), and total harvestable weight was 3,982 kg (8,919 Ibs) of fish per cycle, or 6,760 kg (15,022 lb) per year. The economic analysis assumes that the facility owner manages and operates the system on coastal property zoned commercial/industrial, where full strength seawater is available on demand from natural sources. Under the base case scenario, initial investment in construction and equipment is $84,506 (10-yr life), fish are grown to a harvestable weight of lkg/fish (2.24 lb/fish), product price (farm gate basis) is $10.10/kg ($4.50/lb), and breakeven price is $7.02/kg ($3.13/lb). Depreciation, fingerlings, interest paid, electricity, and feed, account for 19.6%,17.4%, 16.9%, 16.6%, and 12.3%, respectively, of total annual costs. Measures of financial performance for the base case, 10-yr scenario are: annual return to management, $18,819; net present value (5% discount rate), $145,313; internal rate of return on initial investment, 37%; and discounted payback period on initial investment, 3.2 yr. Sensitivity analysis showed that product price changes have the largest impact on annual returns, while changes in daily growth rate, initial weight, and survival have a strong impact on financial performance. Moderate effects are seen with changes in fingerling costs, feed costs, feed conversion ratio (FCR), final weight, and interest rates.

Notes: Purpose - To be the first study to consider the difference between men's and women's perceptions of most important mentoring functions. Design/methodology/approach - Survey recipients identified the three most important things that mentors can do for their protégés. Two independent coders categorized the behaviors listed by the 637 respondents. Findings - There was little difference between men's and women's perceptions of important mentoring behaviors. Women more than men reported championing and acceptance and confirmation behaviors to be in what they consider the top three for importance. Additionally, the lists respondents generated under-represented the mentoring behaviors commonly identified in the extant literature, whereas some of the behaviors most frequently identified are not well represented in the mentoring literature. Research limitations/implications - Respondents were graduates of a top-tier MBA program, although from multiple years. Future research should examine perceptions of mentoring behaviors by employees with different educational backgrounds and across cultures, particularly to explore perceptions of mentoring behaviors where cultural and gender stereotypes are present. Practical implications - The design of mentoring programs and fostering of cross-sex mentoring are discussed in lieu of managing protégé expectations and educating mentors about actual expectations versus the expectations they might associate with the other sex. Originality/value - The findings here extend existing research by first asking men and women to generate a list of what they perceive to be the three most important mentoring behaviors and then showing that, for MBAs at least, there is little difference across the sexes.

Notes: [Auszug] Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in the US and the world. The high mortality rate (80–85% within 5 years) results, in part, from a lack of effective tools to diagnose the disease at an early stage. Given that cigarette smoke creates a field of injury throughout the ...

Notes: [Auszug] Characterizing the relationships between genomic and phenotypic variation is essential to understanding disease etiology. Information-dense data sets derived from pathophysiological, proteomic and transcriptomic profiling have been applied to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Metabolic traits, ...