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Background. Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a rare and highly malignant bone tumor primarily affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. The pelvis, trunk, and lower extremities are the most common sites, while EwS of the sacrum as a primary site is very rare, and only few studies focusing on this location are published. Due to the anatomical condition, local treatment is challenging in sacral malignancies. We analyzed factors that might influence the outcome of patients suffering from sacral EwS. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed data of the GPOH EURO-E.W.I.N.G 99 trial and the EWING 2008 trial, with a cohort of 124 patients with localized or metastatic sacral EwS. The study endpoints were overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). OS and EFS were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and univariate comparisons were estimated using the log-rank test. Hazard ratios (HRs) with respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated in a multivariable Cox regression model. Results. The presence of metastases (3y-EFS: 0.33 vs. 0.68; P < 0.001 ; HR = 3.4, 95% CI 1.7 to 6.6; 3y-OS: 0.48 vs. 0.85; P < 0.001 ; HR = 4.23, 95% CI 1.8 to 9.7), large tumor volume (≥200 ml) (3y-EFS: 0.36 vs. 0.69; P = 0.02 ; HR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.0; 3y-OS: 0.42 vs. 0.73; P = 0.04 ; HR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.5), and age ≥18 years (3y-EFS: 0.41 vs. 0.60; P = 0.02 ; HR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.2; 3y-OS: 0.294 vs. 0.59; P = 0.01 ; HR = 2.92, 95% CI 1.29 to 6.6) were revealed as adverse prognostic factors. Conclusion. Young age seems to positively influence patients' survival, especially in patients with primary metastatic disease. In this context, our results support other studies, stating that older age has a negative impact on survival. Tumor volume, metastases, and the type of local therapy modality have an impact on the outcome of sacral EwS. Level of evidence: Level 2. This trial is registered with NCT00020566 and NCT00987636. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the flow fields of two‐stage impellers, consisting of combinations of different impeller types on one shaft, are investigated using stereo particle image velocimetry. Based on the results of torque measurements, diameters for different impellers are determined in order to achieve matching power input of the individual turbines. When implemented adequately, both selected impellers are able to contribute their respective characteristics, resulting in flow fields that differ significantly from those induced by single‐stage impellers as well as two‐stage setups consisting of identical impellers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beta rhythm (13-30 Hz) is a prominent brain rhythm. Recordings in primates during instructed-delay reaching tasks have shown that different types of traveling waves of oscillatory activity are associated with episodes of beta oscillations in motor cortex during movement preparation. We propose here a simple model of motor cortex based on local excitatory-inhibitory neuronal populations coupled by long-range excitation, where additionally inputs to the motor cortex from other neural structures are represented by stochastic inputs on the different model populations. We show that the model accurately reproduces the statistics of recording data when these external inputs are correlated on a short time scale (25 ms) and have two different components, one that targets the motor cortex locally and another one that targets it in a global and synchronized way. The model reproduces the distribution of beta burst durations, the proportion of the different observed wave types, and wave speeds, which we show not to be linked to axonal propagation speed. When the long-range connectivity or the local input targets are anisotropic, traveling waves are found to preferentially propagate along the axis where connectivity decays the fastest. Different from previously proposed mechanistic explanations, the model suggests that traveling waves in motor cortex are the reflection of the dephasing by external inputs, putatively of thalamic origin, of an oscillatory activity that would otherwise be spatially synchronized by recurrent connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood pressure drops during endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke have been associated with worse outcomes for stroke patients. We aimed to evaluate this observation in our patient population. Retrospective study. University hospital. Records from patients who underwent endovascular treatment of acute ischaemic stroke under general anaesthesia at a university hospital from 2017 to 2020 were screened. 586 patients aged 78 years (interquartile range [IQR] 67–84) with a mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 15 (IQR 8–19) were included. None. Good functional outcome was defined as a three-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) value between 0 and 2, or a mRS value less than or equal to the pre-stroke baseline. In addition to well-established predictors, blood pressure before reperfusion was found to be associated with good functional outcomes. Per five minutes that systolic arterial pressure spent below 140 mmHg, the odds of good outcome decreased by 11.1 %. In this retrospective study of general anaesthesia for endovascular stroke therapy, blood pressure drops during the intervention were associated with reduced odds of a good functional outcome three months later. Before a clinical recommendation can be made, a prospective study must clarify effective and safe target ranges of blood pressure support and augmentation. • Anaesthesiologists can enhance the success of endovascular stroke thrombectomy. • A number of patient and procedure characteristics are associated with outcome. • The duration and magnitude of blood pressure drops correlate with worse outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the incredible complexity of our brains' neural networks, theoretical descriptions of neural dynamics have led to profound insights into possible network states and dynamics. It remains challenging to develop theories that apply to spiking networks and thus allow one to characterize the dynamic properties of biologically more realistic networks. Here, we build on recent work by van Meegen and Lindner who have shown that "rotator networks," while considerably simpler than real spiking networks and, therefore, more amenable to mathematical analysis, still allow one to capture dynamical properties of networks of spiking neurons. This framework can be easily extended to the case where individual units receive uncorrelated stochastic input, which can be interpreted as intrinsic noise. However, the assumptions of the theory do not apply anymore when the input received by the single rotators is strongly correlated among units. As we show, in this case, the network fluctuations become significantly non-Gaussian, which calls for reworking of the theory. Using a cumulant expansion, we develop a self-consistent analytical theory that accounts for the observed non-Gaussian statistics. Our theory provides a starting point for further studies of more general network setups and information transmission properties of these networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing research suggests that peace is more stable after military victories than it is after peace agreements. This article challenges this conventional wisdom. By applying survival analysis, we demonstrate that peace agreements exhibit just as strong of a relationship to enduring peace as military victories do. Moreover, we investigate the assumptions that underpin the aforementioned claim. These assumptions link peace survival to the type of civil war termination and refer to intervening variables. Using time-series data for 48 civil wars that ended between 1990 and 2009, the empirical analysis finds support for only two underpinning assumptions in favour of victories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Apomixis (asexual reproduction by seed, spore, or egg) has evolved repeatedly across the tree of life. Studies of animals and angiosperms show that apomictic lineages are often evolutionarily short‐lived and frequently exhibit different distributions than their sexual relatives. However, apomixis is rare in these groups. Less is known about the role of apomixis in the evolution and biogeography of ferns, in which ~10% of species are apomictic. Apomixis is especially common in the fern genus Pteris (34–39% of species); however, because of the limited taxonomic and geographic sampling of previous studies, the true frequency of apomixis and its associations with geography and phylogeny in this lineage remain unclear. Methods: We used spore analyses of herbarium specimens to determine reproductive mode for 127 previously unsampled Pteris species. Then we leveraged biogeographic and phylogenetic analyses to estimate the global distribution and evolution of apomixis in Pteris. Results: Among all Pteris species examined, we found that 21% are exclusively apomictic, 71% are exclusively sexual, and 8% have conflicting reports. Apomixis is unevenly distributed across the range of the genus, with the Paleotropics exhibiting the highest frequency, and has evolved numerous times across the Pteris phylogeny, with predominantly East Asian and South Asian clades containing the most apomictic species. Conclusions: Apomixis arises frequently in Pteris, but apomictic species do not appear to diversify. Species that encompass both apomictic and sexual populations have wider ranges than exclusively sexual or apomictic species, which suggests that sexual and apomictic ferns could occupy separate ecological niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Institution-specific guidelines (ISGs) within the framework of antimicrobial stewardship programs offer locally tailored decision support taking into account local pathogen and resistance epidemiology as well as national and international guidelines. Objectives: To assess the impact of ISGs for antimicrobial therapy on antibiotic consumption and subsequent changes in resistance rates and Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs). Methods: The study was conducted at the Leipzig University Hospital, a 1,451-bed tertiary-care medical center, and covered the years 2012 to 2020. Since 2014, ISGs were provided to optimize empirical therapies, appropriate diagnostics, and antimicrobial prophylaxis. We used interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) and simple linear regression to analyze changes in antimicrobial consumption, resistance and CDIs. Results: Over the study period, 1,672,200 defined daily doses (DDD) of antibiotics were dispensed, and 85,645 bacterial isolates as well as 2,576 positive C. difficile cultures were collected. Total antimicrobial consumption decreased by 14% from 2012 to 2020, without clear impact of the deployment of ISGs. However, implementation of ISGs was associated with significant decreases in the use of substances that were rarely recommended (e.g., fluoroquinolones). Over the whole study period, we observed declining resistance rates to most antibiotic classes of up to 25% in Enterobacterales, staphylococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Switching from ceftriaxone to cefotaxime was associated with reduced resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. The number of CDI cases fell by 65%, from 501 in 2012 to 174 in 2020. Conclusions: Well-implemented ISGs can have a significant, immediate, and lasting impact on the prescription behavior. ISGs might thereby contribute to reduce resistance rates and CDI incidences in the hospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) rates and various antimicrobials' application densities from 2013 to 2019 at Leipzig University Hospital, Germany, by using multivariate linear regression. Ceftriaxone application was the only independent predictor of CDI incidence. Thus, antibiotics' specific pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties such as biliary excretion of ceftriaxone in its active form should be considered when determining their potential to cause CDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Local treatment of pelvic Ewing's sarcoma may be challenging, and intergroup studies have focused on improving systemic treatments rather than prospectively evaluating aspects of local tumor control. The Euro-EWING99 trial provided a substantial number of patients with localized pelvic tumors treated with the same chemotherapy protocol. Because local control included surgical resection, radiation therapy, or a combination of both, we wanted to investigate local control and survival with respect to the local modality in this study cohort.Questions/purposes: (1) Do patients with localized sacral tumors have a lower risk of local recurrence and higher survival compared with patients with localized tumors of the innominate bones? (2) Is the local treatment modality associated with local control and survival in patients with sacral and nonsacral tumors? (3) Which local tumor- and treatment-related factors, such as response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, institution where the biopsy was performed, and surgical complications, are associated with local recurrence and patient survival in nonsacral tumors? (4) Which factors, such as persistent extraosseous tumor growth after chemotherapy or extent of bony resection, are independently associated with overall survival in patients with bone tumors undergoing surgical treatment?Methods: Between 1998 and 2009, 1411 patients with previously untreated, histologically confirmed Ewing's sarcoma were registered in the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Ewing's sarcoma database and treated in the Euro-EWING99 trial. In all, 24% (339 of 1411) of these patients presented with a pelvic primary sarcoma, 47% (159 of 339) of which had macroscopic metastases at diagnosis and were excluded from this analysis. The data from the remaining 180 patients were reviewed retrospectively, based on follow-up data as of July 2016. The median (range) follow-up was 54 months (5 to 191) for all patients and 84 months (11 to 191) for surviving patients. The study endpoints were overall survival, local recurrence and event-free survival probability, which were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Hazard ratios (HRs) with their respective 95% CIs were estimated in a multivariate Cox regression model.Results: Sacral tumors were associated with a reduced probability of local recurrence (12% [95% CI 1 to 22] versus 28% [95% CI 20 to 36] at 5 years, p = 0.032), a higher event-free survival probability (66% [95% CI 51 to 81] versus 50% [95% CI 41 to 58] at 5 years, p = 0.026) and a higher overall survival probability (72% [95% CI 57 to 87] versus 56% [95% CI 47 to 64] at 5 years, p = 0.025) compared with nonsacral tumors. With the numbers available, we found no differences between patients with sacral tumors who underwent definitive radiotherapy and those who underwent combined surgery and radiotherapy in terms of local recurrence (17% [95% CI 0 to 34] versus 0% [95% CI 0 to 20] at 5 years, p = 0.125) and overall survival probability (73% [95% CI 52 to 94] versus 78% [95% CI 56 to 99] at 5 years, p = 0.764). In nonsacral tumors, combined local treatment was associated with a lower local recurrence probability (14% [95% CI 5 to 23] versus 33% [95% CI 19 to 47] at 5 years, p = 0.015) and a higher overall survival probability (72% [95% CI 61 to 83] versus 47% [95% CI 33 to 62] at 5 years, p = 0.024) compared with surgery alone. Even in a subgroup of patients with wide surgical margins and a good histologic response to induction treatment, the combined local treatment was associated with a higher overall survival probability (87% [95% CI 74 to 100] versus 51% [95% CI 33 to 69] at 5 years, p = 0.009), compared with surgery alone.A poor histologic response to induction chemotherapy in nonsacral tumors (39% [95% CI 19 to 59] versus 64% [95% CI 52 to 76] at 5 years, p = 0.014) and the development of surgical complications after tumor resection (35% [95% CI 11 to 59] versus 68% [95% CI 58 to 78] at 5 years, p = 0.004) were associated with a lower overall survival probability in nonsacral tumors, while a tumor biopsy performed at the same institution where the tumor resection was performed was associated with lower local recurrence probability (14% [95% CI 4 to 24] versus 32% [95% CI 16 to 48] at 5 years, p = 0.035), respectively.In patients with bone tumors who underwent surgical treatment, we found that after controlling for tumor localization in the pelvis, tumor volume, and surgical margin status, patients who did not undergo complete (defined as a Type I/II resection for iliac bone tumors, a Type II/III resection for pubic bone and ischium tumors and a Type I/II/III resection for tumors involving the acetabulum, according to the Enneking classification) removal of the affected bone (HR 5.04 [95% CI 2.07 to 12.24]; p < 0.001), patients with a poor histologic response to induction chemotherapy (HR 3.72 [95% CI 1.51 to 9.21]; p = 0.004), and patients who did not receive additional radiotherapy (HR 4.34 [95% CI 1.71 to 11.05]; p = 0.002) had a higher risk of death. The analysis suggested that the same might be the case in patients with a persistent extraosseous tumor extension after induction chemotherapy (HR 4.61 [95% CI 1.03 to 20.67]; p = 0.046), although the wide CIs pointing at a possible sparse-data bias precluded any definitive conclusions.Conclusion: Patients with sacral Ewing's sarcoma appear to have a lower probability for local recurrence and a higher overall survival probability compared with patients with tumors of the innominate bones. Our results seem to support a recent recommendation of the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group to locally treat most sacral Ewing's sarcomas with definitive radiotherapy. Combined surgical resection and radiotherapy appear to be associated with a higher overall survival probability in nonsacral tumors compared with surgery alone, even in patients with a wide resection and a good histologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Complete removal of the involved bone, as defined above, in patients with nonsacral tumors may be associated with a decreased likelihood of local recurrence and improved overall survival. Persistent extraosseous tumor growth after induction treatment in patients with nonsacral bone tumors undergoing surgical treatment might be an important indicator of poorer overall survival probability, but the possibility of sparse-data bias in our cohort means that this factor should first be validated in future studies.Level Of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable operation of tunnel drainage without shaft covers in the roadway A well‐planned drainage system for the road infrastructure and its integrated engineering structures contributes decisively to the traffic safety in road construction. Simultaneously, a carefully engineered drainage system in conjunction with suitable materials and constructions reduces the maintenance costs in the long term, thus ensuring a smooth operation of the system. The ease of cleaning of the system plays a major part in reducing road blocking time related associated to maintenance or repair works. In tunnels in particular, the drainage systems regularly cause closures precisely due to maintenance and repair works. Damages occur regularly, particularly in areas of permanent overrun of inspection shafts, and repairing them leads often to time‐consuming road closures. In order to reduce the resulting costs to a minimum, the use of a modified baffle shaft at the edge of the carriageway should make it possible to operate and maintain the drainage pipe without a manhole cover in the carriageway. This article highlights the modified baffle shaft and its advantages for the operation of tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • The low molecular weight bisurea DMHUT induces remarkable levels of viscosity in high-pressure propane. • Heating to 115 °C/34.5 MPa (5000 psi) is necessary to dissolve DMHUT in supercritical propane. • DMHUT is the most effective thickener at temperatures from 25 to 80 °C compared to previously described thickeners. • At 25 °C solutions containing 0.5–2.0 wt% DMHUT were so viscous that the ball was not able to fall. Abstract N , N '-(4-Methyl-1,3-phenylene)bis[ N -(1,5-dimethylhexyl)urea] or DMHUT, a low molecular weight bisurea with branched alkyl substituents, is capable of thickening high-pressure propane, which could lead to improvements in its performance during miscible enhanced oil recovery and waterless hydraulic fracturing. DMHUT dissolves in supercritical propane upon heating to 115 °C at high pressure (34.5 MPa). Upon cooling to temperatures as low as 25 °C the solution remains a transparent, stable, single phase that exhibits remarkably high viscosity. For example, at a mass fraction of 0.5 wt% at 40 °C and 34.5 MPa, falling ball viscometry indicates that the bisurea-propane solution is more than 400 times as viscous than pure propane. The thickening efficiency of DMHUT has been found to be superior under most conditions to other small associative molecules and polymers known to thicken propane: tributyltin fluoride, hydroxyaluminum di(2-ethylhexanoate), ultra-high molecular weight poly α-olefin, or conventional crosslinked phosphate esters based on long-chain alkyl-substituted phosphate esters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for local staging and response evaluation of Ewing sarcoma (EwS). Aim of this study was to determine the relevance of tumor volume response (TVR) in relation to histological response (HisRes) and survival, in order to evaluate if early modification of chemotherapy might be indicated in patients with inadequate TVR. Methods: Three dimensional (3D)‐tumor volume data at diagnosis, during early induction phase (1‐3 courses of chemotherapy; n = 195) and/or late induction phase (4‐6 courses; n = 175) from 241 localized patients were retrospectively analyzed. A distinction was made between adequate response (reduction ≥67%) and inadequate response (reduction <67% or progression). Correlations between TVR, HisRes, event free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using chi‐square tests, log‐rank tests, and the Cox‐regression model. Results: Early adequate TVR, noted in 41% of patients, did not correlate with EFS (P = 0.92) or OS (P = 0.38). During late induction phase 62% of patients showed an adequate TVR. EFS for patients with late adequate TVR was better (78%) than for those with inadequate late TVR (61%) (P = 0.01); OS was 80% and 69% (P = 0.26), respectively. No correlation was found between TVR and HisRes. Multivariate analysis showed that poor HisRes, pelvic location and late inadequate TVR were associated with poor outcome. Conclusions: Early inadequate TVR does not predict adverse outcome; therefore, changing the treatment to second line chemotherapy is not indicated in case of inadequate early TVR. Late adequate TVR and good HisRes correlate with better EFS; patients with late inadequate TVR might benefit from augmented therapy. Early adequate tumor volume response (TVR) does not predict outcome, so modification of chemotherapy in case of an inadequate early TVR may not be justifiable. However, late adequate TVR and poor histological response were independent predictors of adverse outcome; therefore, patients with late‐phase inadequate TVR might benefit from augmented treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local treatment is a crucial element in the standard of care for Ewing sarcoma (EWS). While systemic treatment is improved in randomised clinical trials, local treatment modalities are discussed controversially. We analysed the association between local therapy and event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), and local recurrence (LR) in prospectively collected data of patients with localised EWS. We analysed data from the international Ewing 2008 study registered between 2009 and 2019 in 117 centres. After induction chemotherapy, patients received surgery, radiotherapy, or a combination thereof. We performed Cox regression, conducted propensity score-weighted sensitivity analysis, and performed subgroup analyses. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals are reported. We included 863 patients with localised EWS (surgery alone: 331, combination therapy: 358, definitive radiotherapy: 174). In patients treated with combination therapy compared to surgery alone, EFS HR was 0.84 (0.57–1.24; p = 0.38), OS HR was 0.84 (0.57–1.23; p = 0.41), and LR HR was 0.58 (0.26–1.31; p = 0.19). Hazards of any event were increased in patients treated with definitive radiotherapy compared to surgery only, HR 1.53 (1.02–2.31; p = 0.04). Patients with poor responses to chemotherapy benefitted from combination therapy over definitive surgery with an EFS HR 0.49 (0.27–0.89; p = 0.02). Patients with pelvic tumours benefitted from combination therapy over surgery only regarding LR, HR 0.12 (0.02–0.72; p = 0.02). Patients with poor responses to chemotherapy benefitted from radiotherapy added to surgery. In the whole group, radiotherapy alone as opposed to surgery alone increased the hazards of any event. • Local therapy modalities in patients with localised Ewing sarcoma were analysed. • Definitive radiotherapy compared to surgery alone increased hazards of any event. • No difference between combination therapy and surgery only regarding EFS, OS, LR. • Patients with poor responses to chemotherapy benefitted from combination therapy. • Patients with pelvic tumours benefitted from combination therapy regarding LR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is no standard treatment procedure for relapsed Ewing sarcoma (EwS). This retrospective analysis evaluates the survival outcome in patients with an isolated pulmonary relapse of EwS treated with whole lung irradiation (WLI) in addition to second line chemotherapy (Ctx).Methods and Materials: In our study, 136 patients with pulmonary relapsed EwS who were registered in the relapse register of the Cooperative Ewing Sarcoma Study group or the Sarcoma Relapse Registry for relapsed sarcoma of bone and soft tissues were analyzed. All patients received relapse Ctx or an additional total resection of lung metastasis. Of these patients, 88 (median age, 21 years; range, 7-52 years) achieved a second remission by the relapse treatment. Of these 88 patients, 48 patients received an additional WLI. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and 3-year overall survival (OS) were analyzed (median follow-up, 3 years; range, 7 months to 11 years and 9 months). Additional prognostic factors for survival outcomes, including the response of lung metastases to Ctx, were also estimated.Results: The survival outcome was significantly improved after WLI when analyzing the entire group of pulmonary relapsed patients: 3-year PFS 36% (+WLI) versus 14% (-WLI) (P = .001); 3- year OS 47% (+WLI) versus 33% (-WLI) (P = .007). The 3-year PFS in patients with complete remission of lung relapse receiving WLI (n = 48) compared with those without WLI (n = 40), was 37% (+WLI) versus 21% (-WLI) (P = .18). The site of the primary tumor and the response of pulmonary lesions to Ctx were significant prognostic indicators for survival in patients treated with WLI. No severe pulmonary function disorders or lung toxicities were observed after WLI treatment in both pediatric and adult patients.Conclusions: The WLI does not correlate with improved OS in patients with pulmonary relapsed EwS. However, a marginal trend toward superior PFS and improved local control of pulmonary disease suggests the application of WLI in patients with EwS with isolated lung relapse and second clinical remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on issues about human dignity in the U.S. Topics being presented include the perspective of the author that human dignity is openly, frequently, and unapologetically being denied, mostly in academia, and has been called useless, vacuous, and a Trojan horse as well as critics of human dignity.

We present a phylogenetic revision of the Sticta filix morphodeme in New Zealand. This nonmonophyletic group of early diverging clades in the genus Sticta is characterized by a stalked thallus with a green primary photobiont and the frequent formation of a dendriscocauloid cyanomorph. Traditionally, three species have been distinguished in New Zealand: S. filix (Sw.) Nyl., S. lacera (Hook. f. & Taylor)Müll. Arg. and S. latifrons A. Rich., with two cyanomorphs separated under the names Dendriscocaulon dendriothamnodes Dughi ex D. J. Galloway (traditionally associated with S. latifrons) and D. dendroides (Nyl.) R. Sant. ex H. Magn. (traditionally associated with S. filix). Sticta lacera was not included in the present study due to the lack of authentic material (all specimens originally identified under that name and sequenced clustered with S. filix); S. filix was confirmed as a distinct species whereas S. latifrons s. lat. was shown to represent two unrelated species, S. latifrons s. str. and the reinstated S. menziesii Hook. f. & Taylor. The cyanomorphs of S. filix and S. latifrons are not conspecific with the types of the names D. dendriothamnodes and D. dendroides, respectively; the D. dendriothamnodes cyanomorph belongs to the Australian taxon Sticta stipitata C. Knight ex F. Wilson, which is not present in New Zealand, whereas the D. dendroides cyanomorph corresponds to a previously unrecognized species with unknown chloromorph, recombined here as Sticta dendroides (Nyl.) Moncada, Lücking & de Lange. Thus, instead of three species (S. filix, S. lacera, S. latifrons) with their corresponding cyanomorphs, five species are now distinguished in this guild in New Zealand: S. dendroides (cyanomorph only), S. filix (chloro- and cyanomorph), S. lacera (chloromorph only), S. latifrons (chloro- and cyanomorph) and S. menziesii (chloro- and cyanomorph). A key is presented for identification of the chloromorphs and the dendriscocauloid cyanomorphs of all species. Semi-quantitative analysis suggests that species in this guild are good indicators of intact forest ecosystems in New Zealand and that the two newly recognized species, S. dendroides and S. menziesii, appear to perform particularly well in this respect. The use of lichens as bioindicators of environmental health is not yet established inNew Zealand and so, based on our results, we make the case to develop this approach more thoroughly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reflects on eugenics in 20th century and its promotion by celebrity such as Helen Keller, Aldous Huxley, and Bernard Shaw. Topics discussed include funding of eugenic research by the National Institutes of Health; the book "The Passing of the Great Race" by Madison Grant; and comparison of Christian charity scholar Thomas Common.

Aside from the low adsorption capacity of silica gel, often used in commercially available low-temperature adsorption chillers today, the cooling performance of such chillers is limited due to the high heat capacity of the mostly metal-based heat exchangers. As a completely new approach, thermally conductive polymers have been studied and examined as heat exchanger materials for low temperature adsorption chillers in order to decrease the energy consumption during the adsorption cycle. The modification of polyamide 6, which was chosen as a model polymer in this study, with expanded graphite leads to enhanced thermal part properties for adsorption heat exchangers. Compared to aluminum as the commonly used heat exchanger material, the heat capacity of a chiller can be reduced by 30%, if such a thermally conductive polymer is applied. Moreover, the increased thermal conductivity of the polymer based part leads to no significant limitation in the adsorption kinetic of water used as a refrigerant in adsorption chillers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Changes in neural activity induce changes in functional magnetic resonance ( fMRI) blood oxygenation level dependent ( BOLD) signal. Commonly, increases in BOLD signal are ascribed to cellular excitation. Objective The relationship between electrical activity and BOLD signal in the human brain was probed on the basis of burst suppression EEG. This condition includes two distinct states of high and low electrical activity. Methods Resting-state simultaneous EEG and BOLD measurements were acquired during deep sevoflurane anesthesia with burst suppression EEG in nineteen healthy volunteers. Afterwards, fMRI volumes were assigned to one of the two states (burst or suppression) as defined by the EEG. Results In the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes as well as in the basal ganglia, BOLD signal increased after burst onset in the EEG and decreased after onset of EEG suppression. In contrast, BOLD signal in the occipital lobe was anticorrelated to electrical activity. This finding was obtained consistently in a general linear model and in raw data. Conclusions In human brains exhibiting burst suppression EEG induced by sevoflurane, the positive correlation between BOLD signal and electrical brain activity could be confirmed in most gray matter. The exceptional behavior of the occipital lobe with an anticorrelation of BOLD signal and electrical activity might be due to specific neurovascular coupling mechanisms that are pronounced in the deeply anesthetized brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long before Viktor Frankl introduced his logotherapy to modern psychology, Therese of Lisieux constructed a theology of meaning. Until now it has gone unnoticed. It is the goal of this article to identify those elements in Therese's writing that comprise her logotheology. By presenting her thought within Frankl's paradigm the sophistication of her theology and the reasons for its attraction to the masses become more apparent. Her 'LittleWay' is constructed on a belief in the meaningfulness of the hidden life, the uniqueness of the individual, and the power of the will to transcend self and encounter the other in love. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation and stability of synapses are key questions in neuroscience. Post-synaptic domains have been classically conceived as resulting from local insertion and turnover of proteins at the synapse. However, insertion is likely to occur outside the post-synaptic domains and advances in single-molecule imaging have shown that proteins diffuse in the plane of the membrane prior to their accumulation at synapses. We quantitatively investigated this scenario using computer simulations and mathematical analysis, taking for definiteness the specific case of inhibitory synapse components, i.e., the glycine receptors (GlyR) and the associated gephyrin scaffolding protein. The observed domain sizes of scaffold clusters can be explained by a dynamic balance between the aggregation of gephyrin proteins diffusing while bound to GlyR and their turnover at the neuron membrane. We also predict the existence of extrasynaptic clusters with a characteristic size distribution that significantly contribute to the size fluctuations of synaptic domains. New super-resolution data for gephyrin proteins established the existence of extrasynaptic clusters the sizes of which are consistent with the model predictions in a range of model parameters. At a general level, our results highlight aggregation with removal as a non-equilibrium phase separation which produces structures of tunable size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The neural correlates of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness have yet to be fully elucidated. Sedative and anesthetic states induced by propofol have been studied extensively, consistently revealing a decrease of frontoparietal and thalamocortical connectivity. There is, however, less understanding of the effects of halogenated ethers on functional brain networks.Methods: The authors recorded simultaneous resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography in 16 artificially ventilated volunteers during sevoflurane anesthesia at burst suppression and 3 and 2 vol% steady-state concentrations for 700 s each to assess functional connectivity changes compared to wakefulness. Electroencephalographic data were analyzed using symbolic transfer entropy (surrogate of information transfer) and permutation entropy (surrogate of cortical information processing). Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed by an independent component analysis and a region-of-interest-based analysis.Results: Electroencephalographic analysis showed a significant reduction of anterior-to-posterior symbolic transfer entropy and global permutation entropy. At 2 vol% sevoflurane concentrations, frontal and thalamic networks identified by independent component analysis showed significantly reduced within-network connectivity. Primary sensory networks did not show a significant change. At burst suppression, all cortical networks showed significantly reduced functional connectivity. Region-of-interest-based thalamic connectivity at 2 vol% was significantly reduced to frontoparietal and posterior cingulate cortices but not to sensory areas.Conclusions: Sevoflurane decreased frontal and thalamocortical connectivity. The changes in blood oxygenation level dependent connectivity were consistent with reduced anterior-to-posterior directed connectivity and reduced cortical information processing. These data advance the understanding of sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness and contribute to a neural basis of electroencephalographic measures that hold promise for intraoperative anesthesia monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the use of blogs to facilitate student voices and interaction on African American literature. Topics covered include her classroom teaching experiences, her creation of a blog which led to a community where creative contributions of students received public exposure, and a blog's enabling of online sharing of thoughts and of combining traditional practices and technology. Also noted are ways in which teachers can integrate blogging in everyday classes.

Stimuli-responsive 1D photonic crystals, referred to as Bragg stacks, are capable of translating environmental changes into a color read-out through changes in the effective refractive index (RI) of the multilayer system upon infiltration with an analyte. The sensitivity and versatility of prototypic SiO 2 /TiO 2 multilayers can be greatly enhanced by the use of nanoparticulate or mesoporous building blocks, or inherently microporous structures such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Here, we introduce a stimuli-responsive ZIF-8 “defect” layer into SiO 2 /TiO 2 multilayers in order to combine the high optical quality of a Bragg stack with the characteristic sorption properties of the MOF. The addition of a planar defect layer, either embedded in or deposited on top of the Bragg stack acts as a “dopant” and introduces a narrow band of allowed states in the photonic band gap, which can be utilized for the precise determination of the optical response of the Bragg stack. We demonstrate the impact of layer morphology, layer sequence and the position of the defect on the optical and vapor sorption properties of the photonic architectures. Moreover, a facile process is presented which allows for the clean inversion of the acid-sensitive ZIF-8 defect layer into a mesoporous layer in a one-step fashion, while the layer structure and optical quality of the stack architecture is preserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate analytical models are fundamental to design and optimise high performance magnetic bearings. Understanding the bearing’s dynamic behaviour over its operational envelope is essential to this task and is performed through frequency response analyses. This work formulates an integrated frequency dependent model of a radial heteropolar active magnetic bearing (AMB) in which terms for the stray capacitance, winding resistance, and winding leakage inductance are included. The model is based on a lumped parameter model frequently used for high frequency laminated inductor applications. Two magnetic core models are evaluated. The first comprises a reluctance network approach and incorporates eddy-current, fringing, and leakage correction terms, while the second constitutes a single gapless magnetic core of equivalent length and effective permeability. The accuracy of the latter is improved by intuitively adjusting two parameters in the analytical model. The magnetic bearing parameters calculated as functions of frequency are compared with practical measurements. The integrated single core model demonstrates superior correlation with experimental results for frequencies up to 1 MHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their structural variability, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) lend themselves well as chemical sensing materials by providing both high sensitivity and selectivity. Here, we integrate different types of MOFs (ZIF-8, HKUST-1, CAU-1-NH2) into photonic multilayers referred to as Bragg stacks (BSs), which report on adsorption events through changes in their effective refractive index (RI). The fabrication of photonic multilayers is accomplished by spin-coating colloidal suspensions of MOF nanoparticles and/or the high RI-material TiO2. While their incorporation in BSs allows for the label-free readout of host-guest interactions, the choice of particular types of MOFs determines the sensing properties of the BS. Here, we present MOF-based BSs with enhanced specificity toward molecular analytes by combining two different MOFs in a single platform. The sensing performance of our BSs is demonstrated by a combined spectroscopic and principal component analysis of their vapor response. Time-dependent measurements reveal fast response times and good recoverability of the multilayers. Moreover, we demonstrate that combinatorial sensing is feasible by arranging different MOF BSs in a basic color pattern, which highlights the potential of MOF-based multilayers in arrayed sensor devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) constitute a new generation of porous crystalline materials, which have recently come intofocus as analyte-specific active elements in thin-film sensor devices. Cu-BTC-also known as HKUST-1- is one of the most theoretically and experimentally investigated members of the MOF family. Its capability to selectively adsorb different gas molecules renders this material a promising candidate for applications in chemical gas and vapor sensing. Here, we explore details of the host-guest interactions between HKUST-1 and various analytes under different environmental conditions and study the vapor adsorption mechanism by masssensitive and work-function-based readouts. These complementary transduction mechanisms were successfully applied for the detection of low ppm (2 to 50 ppm) concentrations of different alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol) adsorbed into Cu-BTC thin films. Evaluation of the results allows for the comparison of the amounts of adsorbed vapors and the contribution of each vapor to the changes of the electronic properties of Cu-BTC. The influence of the length of the alcohol chain (C1-C3) and geometry (1-propanol, 2-propanol) as well as their polarity on the sensing performance was investigated, revealing that in dry air, short chain alcohols are more likely adsorbed than long chain alcohols, whereas in humid air, this preference is changed, and the sensitivity toward alcohols is generally decreased. The adsorption mechanism is revealed to differ for dry and humid atmospheres, changing from a site-specific binding of alcohols to the open metal sites under dry conditions to weak physisorption of the analytes dissolved in surface-adsorbed water reservoirs in humid air, with the signal strength being governed by their relative concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that have been characterized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Objectives: Within the Duisburg birth cohort study, we studied associations of prenatal exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs with parent-reported sexually dimorphic behavior in children. Methods: We measured lipid-based and WHO2005-TEQ (toxic equivalents established in 2005 by the World Health Organization)–standardized PCDD/Fs and PCBs in maternal blood samples and in early breast milk using gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. At the child’s age of 6–8 years, parents (mostly mothers) reported sex-typical characteristics, preferred toys, and play activities using the Pre-School Activities Inventory (PSAI), which was used to derive feminine, masculine, and difference (feminine – masculine) scores. We estimated exposure–outcome associations using multivariate linear regression. A total of 91–109 children were included in this follow-up. Results: Mean blood levels of summed WHO2005-TEQ–standardized dioxins (ΣPCDD/Fs) were 14.5 ± 6.4 pg/g blood lipids, and ΣPCBs were 6.9 ± 3.8 pg/g blood lipids, with similar values for milk lipids. Regression analyses revealed some highly significant interactions between sex and exposure— such as for ΣPCBs in milk, pronounced positive (boys: β = 3.24; CI = 1.35, 5.14) or negative (girls: β = –3.59; CI = –1.10, –6.08) associations with reported femininity. Less pronounced and mostly insignificant but consistent associations were found for the masculinity score, positive for boys and negative for girls. Conclusions: Given our results and the findings of previous studies, we conclude that there is sufficient evidence that these EDCs modify behavioral sexual dimorphism in children, presumably by interacting with the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fast synthesis approach toward sub-60 nm sized MOF nanoparticles was developed by employing auxiliary additives. Control over the size of HKUST-1 and IRMOF-3 particles was gained by adjusting the concentration and type of stabilizers. Colloidal solutions of the MOFs were used for the formation of optically homogeneous thin films by spin-coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present functional imaging study aimed at investigating the contribution of the mediodorsal nucleus and the anterior nuclei of the thalamus with their related cortical networks to recognition memory and recall. Eighteen subjects performed associative picture encoding followed by a single item recognition test during the functional magnetic resonance imaging session. After scanning, subjects performed a cued recall test using the formerly recognized pictures as cues. This post-scanning test served to classify recognition trials according to subsequent recall performance. In general, single item recognition accompanied by successful recall of the associations elicited stronger activation in the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus and in the prefrontal cortices both during encoding and retrieval compared to recognition without recall. In contrast, the anterior nuclei of the thalamus were selectively active during the retrieval phase of recognition followed by recall. A correlational analysis showed that activation of the anterior thalamus during retrieval as assessed by measuring the percent signal changes predicted lower rates of recognition without recall. These findings show that the thalamus is critical for recognition accompanied by recall, and provide the first evidence of a functional segregation of the thalamic nuclei with respect to the memory retrieval phase. In particular, the mediodorsal thalamic-prefrontal cortical network is activated during successful encoding and retrieval of associations, which suggests a role of this system in recall and recollection. The activity of the anterior thalamic-temporal network selectively during retrieval predicts better memory performances across subjects and this confirms the paramount role of this network in recall and recollection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bilateral absence of the superior vena cava is associated with rhythm and structural abnormalities and is diagnosed incidentally either during imaging procedures or venous catheterization or pacemaker implantation. Knowledge of this entity is important to allow proper referral, medical management of its associated abnormalities, and risk reduction in certain interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is the second most common bone or soft-tissue sarcoma in childhood and adolescence and features a high propensity to metastasize. The six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1) is a membrane-bound mesenchymal stem cell marker highly expressed in ES. Here, we investigated the role of STEAP1 as an immunohistological marker for outcome prediction in patients with ES. Patients and methods Membranous STEAP1 immunoreactivity was analyzed using immunohistochemistry in 114 primary pre-chemotherapy ES of patients diagnosed from 1983 to 2010 and compared with clinical parameters and patient outcome. Median follow-up was 3.85 years (range 0.43–17.51). Results A total of 62.3% of the ES samples displayed detectable STEAP1 expression with predominant localization of the protein at the plasma membrane. High membranous STEAP1 immunoreactivity was found in 53.5%, which correlated with better overall survival (P = 0.021). Accordingly, no or low membranous STEAP1 expression was identified as an independent risk factor in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 2.65, P = 0.036). Conclusion High membranous STEAP1 expression predicts improved outcome and may help to define a specific subgroup of ES patients, who might benefit from adapted therapy regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal tissues are complex assemblies of cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), and permeating interstitial fluid. Whereas key aspects of the multicellular dynamics can be captured by a one-component continuum description, cell division and apoptosis imply material turnover between different components that can lead to additional mechanical conditions on the tissue dynamics. We extend our previous description of tissues in order to account for a cell/ECM phase and the permeating interstitial fluid independently. In line with our earlier work, we consider the cell/ECM phase to behave as an elastic solid in the absence of cell division and apoptosis. In addition, we consider the interstitial fluid as ideal on the relevant length scales, i.e., we ignore viscous stresses in the interstitial fluid. Friction between the fluid and the cell/ECM phase leads to a Darcy-like relation for the interstitial fluid velocity and introduces a new characteristic length scale. We discuss the dynamics of a tissue confined in a chamber with a permeable piston close to the homeostatic state where cell division and apoptosis balance, and we calculate the rescaled effective diffusion coefficient for cells. For different mass densities of the cell/ECM component and the interstitial fluid, a treadmilling steady state due to gravitational forces can be found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the development of written and spoken forms of english. It cited the Map Your Voice project, in which an online crowdsourcing techniques were used and deployed at parallel British Library sound project, to collect english sound recordings. Results show that the project was simple and cost effective.

Abstract: The second paper in a two part series presents the position estimation scheme for an 8-pole heteropolar active magnetic bearing (AMB). The integrated self-sensing assembly comprises a nonlinear MIMO parameter estimator together with a coupled reluctance network model (Part I), by which problems associated with magnetic cross-coupling and saturation are collectively addressed. The parameter estimator utilizes the first harmonic components of the current and voltage waveforms to determine estimates for the x and y rotor positions. Magnetic saturation is accounted for using a saturation factor, which scales the demodulated coil currents to ensure that the actuator with the lowest flux density contributes the most to the position estimate. Basic functionality and feasibility of the proposed self-sensing scheme are demonstrated via an experimentally validated transient simulation model (TSM). The TSM incorporates magnetic effects such as eddy currents, cross-coupling, and hysteresis. In the second part of this work, the static and dynamic performance of the self-sensing sensor is evaluated. The influence of magnetic cross-coupling, saturation, and duty cycle variation on the position estimate is documented. The results demonstrate the importance of including a mutual coupling term in the position estimation model in order to stably suspend the rotor. Furthermore, stability margin analyses indicate that the robustness of the magnetic bearing control is satisfactory for unrestricted long-term operation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A self-sensing arrangement in active magnetic bearings (AMBs) comprises a single electromagnetic transducer to realize the actuation and sensing functions concurrently. Minimizing the number of sensing devices and associated interfacing directly reduces possible failure points, system costs, and system complexity. Currently, self-sensing performance is degraded due to problems such as magnetic cross-coupling, eddy currents, saturation, and high losses. This first paper in a two part series presents an integrated model for self-sensing of an 8-pole heteropolar magnetic bearing. The proposed self-sensing approach addresses mechanisms that contribute to modelling error and uncertainty by using several techniques in an integrated structure. A coupled reluctance network model (RNM) is developed which models the coil impedance at the switching frequency. The accuracy of the model is improved by incorporating terms for air gap fringing, complex permeability, and magnetic material nonlinearity. The RNM is verified and refined through a process of iteration using finite element method (FEM) results and experimental AMB measurements. The results demonstrate that a RNM with only 40 nodes can achieve high levels of accuracy when compared to an 80000 node FEM analysis. In Part II of the series, the refined RNM is incorporated into a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) parameter estimation self-sensing scheme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on a new kind of field recording project started by the British Library sound archive staff to aggregate user-generated digital audio content using mobile phones. Named the UKSoundMap, it uses an informal community of guided but untrained mobile phone users and field recordists to capture and describe their environmental sounds, then enable near-instant public sharing on a dedicated Web site.

During the formation of tissues, cells organize collectively by cell division and apoptosis. The multicellular dynamics of such systems is influenced by mechanical conditions and can give rise to cell rearrangements and movements. We develop a continuum description of tissue dynamics, which describes the stress distribution and the cell flow field on large scales. In the absence of division and apoptosis, we consider the tissue to behave as an elastic solid. Cell division and apoptosis introduce stress sources that, in general, are anisotropic. By combining cell number balance with dynamic equations for the stress source, we show that the tissue effectively behaves as a viscoelastic fluid with a relaxation time set by the rates of division and apoptosis. If the system is confined in a fixed volume, it reaches a homeostatic state in which division and apoptosis balance. In this state, cells undergo a diffusive random motion driven by the stochasticity of division and apoptosis. We calculate the expression for the effective diffusion coefficient as a function of the tissue parameters and compare our results concerning both diffusion and viscosity to simulations of multicellular systems using dissipative particle dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Nickel is one of the most prevalent causes of contact allergy in the general population. This study focuses on human exposure to airborne nickel and its potential to induce allergic sensitization. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 309 children at school-starter age living in the West of Germany in the vicinity of two industrial sources and in a rural town without nearby point sources of nickel. An exposure assessment of nickel in ambient air was available for children in the Ruhr district using routinely monitored ambient air quality data and dispersion modelling. Internal nickel exposure was assessed by nickel concentrations in morning urine samples of the children. Results: The observed nickel sensitization prevalence rates varied between 12.6% and 30.7%. Statistically significant associations were showed between exposure to nickel in ambient air and urinary nickel concentration as well as between urinary nickel concentration and nickel sensitization. Furthermore, an elevated prevalence of nickel sensitization was associated with exposure to increased nickel concentrations in ambient air. Conclusion: The observed associations support the assumption that inhaled nickel in ambient air might be a risk factor for nickel sensitization; further studies in larger collectives are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The habenular complex is composed of important relay nuclei linking the limbic forebrain to the midbrain and brain stem nuclei. Based on clinical observations, experiments with animals and theoretical considerations, it has been speculated that this brain area might be involved in psychiatric diseases (i.e. schizophrenia and depression). However, evidence in favour of this hypothesis is still lacking because the human habenular complex has rarely been studied with regard to mental illness. METHOD: We examined habenular volumes in post-mortem brains of 17 schizophrenia patients, 14 patients with depression (six patients with major depression and eight patients with bipolar depression) and 13 matched controls. We further determined the neuronal density, cell number and cell area of the medial habenular nuclei of the same cohorts using a counting box and a computer-assisted instrument. RESULTS: Significantly reduced habenular volumes of the medial and lateral habenula were estimated in depressive patients in comparison to normal controls and schizophrenia patients. We also found a reduction in neuronal cell number and cell area in depressive patients for the right side compared to controls and schizophrenia patients. No such changes were seen in schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: Our anatomical data argue against prominent structural alterations of the habenular nuclei in schizophrenia but demonstrate robust alterations in depressive patients. We are currently applying immunohistochemical markers to better characterize neuronal subpopulations of this brain region in schizophrenia and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The habenular complex is composed of important relay nuclei linking the limbic forebrain to the midbrain and brain stem nuclei. Based on clinical observations, experiments with animals and theoretical considerations, it has been speculated that this brain area might be involved in psychiatric diseases (i.e. schizophrenia and depression). However, evidence in favour of this hypothesis is still lacking because the human habenular complex has rarely been studied with regard to mental illness. Method. We examined habenular volumes in post-mortem brains of 17 schizophrenia patients, 14 patients with depression (six patients with major depression and eight patients with bipolar depression) and 13 matched controls. We further determined the neuronal density, cell number and cell area of the medial habenular nuclei of the same cohorts using a counting box and a computer-assisted instrument. Results. Significantly reduced habenular volumes of the medial and lateral habenula were estimated in depressive patients in comparison to normal controls and schizophrenia patients. We also found a reduction in neuronal cell number and cell area in depressive patients for the right side compared to controls and schizophrenia patients. No such changes were seen in schizophrenia. Conclusions. Our anatomical data argue against prominent structural alterations of the habenular nuclei in schizophrenia but demonstrate robust alterations in depressive patients. We are currently applying immunohistochemical markers to better characterize neuronal subpopulations of this brain region in schizophrenia and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which investigates the importance of local treatment among patients with primary, disseminated, multifocal Ewing sarcoma (PDMES). It states that the study conducted surgery and radiotherapy on patients who were registered in the European Ewing Tumor Working Initiative of National Groups. The results of the study confirmed that local therapy in essential for patients with PDMES and should include systemic treatment.

Background: While adverse effects of exposure to air pollutants on respiratory health are well studied, little is known about the effect of a reduction in air pollutants on chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases. We investigated whether different declines in air pollution levels in industrialised and rural areas in Germany were associated with changes in respiratory health over a period of about 20 years. Methods: We used data from the SALIA cohort study in Germany (Study on the influence of Air pollution on Lung function, Inflammation and Aging) to assess the association between the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic respiratory symptoms and the decline in air pollution exposure. In 1985- 1994, 4874 women aged 55-years took part in the baseline investigation. Of these, 2116 participated in a questionnaire follow-up in 2006 and in a subgroup of 402 women lung function was tested in 2008-2009. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to estimate the effect of a reduction in air pollution on respiratory symptoms and diseases. Results: Ambient air concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic size < 10 μm (PM10) declined in average by 20 μg/m³. Prevalence of chronic cough with phlegm production and mild COPD at baseline investigation compared to follow-up was 9.5% vs. 13.3% and 8.6% vs. 18.2%, respectively. A steeper decline of PM10 was observed in the industrialized areas in comparison to the rural area, this was associated with a weaker increase in prevalence of respiratory symptoms and COPD. Among women who never smoked, the prevalence of chronic cough with phlegm and mild COPD was estimated at 21.4% and 39.5%, respectively, if no air pollution reduction was assumed, and at 13.3% and 17.5%, respectively, if air pollution reduction was assumed. Conclusion: We concluded that parallel to the decline of ambient air pollution over the last 20 years in the Ruhr area the age-related increase in chronic respiratory diseases and symptoms appears to attenuate in the population of elderly women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Animal studies have suggested that fine particulate matter (PM) can translocate from the upper respiratory tract to the brain and cause brain inflammation. Brain inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Hypothesizing therefore that long-term exposure to fine PM might contribute to the development of Alzheimer''s disease (AD), the objective of this study was to investigate the association between exposure to fine PM and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which is associated with a high risk of progression to AD. A study group of 399 women aged 68–79 years who lived for more than 20 years at the same residential address has been assessed for long-term exposure to PM and tested for MCI. The exposure assessment comprised background concentration of PM10 and traffic-related PM indicated by the distance of the residential address to the next busy road. The women were assessed for MCI by a battery of several neuropsychological tests and their odor identification ability. Consistent effects of traffic-related air pollution exposure on test performances including a dose–response relation were found. The associations were adjusted for potential confounders using regression analysis. These results indicate that chronic exposure to traffic-related PM may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bispecific molecules (BSMs) facilitate the targeting of immune effector cells to tumor cells. Here we describe the construction and characterization of a recombinant BSM comprising two single chain fragments: H22(scFv), targeting the Fcγ-receptor (CD64) on monocytes, and Ki4(scFv), targeting CD30 on Hodgkin lymphoma cells. A homologous, chemically-linked BSM has been described previously, but is heterogeneous and difficult to prepare. The recombinant version is easier to prepare and homogeneous, yet retains the antigen specificities and efficiently triggers CD64-related effector functions. The elimination of lymphoma cells was preferentially achieved by phagocytosis, not through the ADCC pathway additionally activated by the chemically-linked molecule. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]