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Effiziente Produktionen in der kosmetischen Industrie haben weitreichende Auswirkungen auf CO2-Emissionen, Kostenstrukturen, Produktionszeiten und letztendlich die Wirtschaftlichkeit der Branche. Dieser Artikel liefert Ansätze und Empfehlungen zur Optimierung der Herstellung von Emulsionen in der kosmetischen Produktion. Dabei wird die Auswahl der Rohstoffe, die Phasenkonstruktion, das Produktionsverfahren und der Maschinenpark betrachtet, um die Emissionen zu reduzieren und die Effizienz zu steigern. Obwohl der Fokus auf Emulsionen liegt, sind auch andere Aspekte der Produktionsoptimierung relevant. Eine enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen Entwicklung und Produktion sowie gezielte Maßnahmen können zu signifikanten Verbesserungen führen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient production in the cosmetic industry has far-reaching effects on CO2 emissions, cost structures, production times, and ultimately the industry’s profitability. This article provides approaches and recommendations for optimizing the production of emulsions in cosmetic manufacturing. The selection of raw materials, phase construction, production processes, and machinery are considered to reduce emissions and enhance efficiency. Although the focus is on emulsions, other aspects of production optimization are also relevant. Close collaboration between development and production, along with targeted measures, can lead to significant improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of SiO2 and SiNx cover layers on the dopant distribution as well as microstructure of high fluence Ga implanted Si after thermal processing is investigated. The annealing temperature determines the layer microstructure and the cover layers influence the obtained Ga profile. Rapid thermal annealing at temperatures up to 750°C leads to a polycrystalline layer structure containing amorphous Ga-rich precipitates. Already after a short 20?ms flash lamp annealing, a Ga-rich interface layer is observed for implantation through the cover layers. This effect can partly be suppressed by annealing temperatures of at least 900°C. However, in this case, Ga accumulates in larger, cone-like precipitates without disturbing the surrounding Si lattice parameters. Such a Ga-rich crystalline Si phase does not exist in the equilibrium phase diagram according to which the Ga solubility in Si is less than 0.1 at. %. The Ga-rich areas are capped with SiOx grown during annealing which only can be avoided by the usage of SiNx cover layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within 4.5 h since onset of symptoms is the first line treatment in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). In case of emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO), IVT is insufficient with 13–33% of early recanalization of middle cerebral artery (MCA) only. Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (MT) within 6 h since the onset of symptoms has increased the rate of recanalization and improved clinical outcomes significantly. If appropriate and if there are no contraindications, IVT is followed by MT. This combination therapy is the second line therapy and the best currently available treatment for patients with AIS and MCA occlusion. Successful recanalization is one of the predictors of favourable outcomes as well as negative predictive marker of mortality. The third line option, microsurgical embolectomy, has been discussed for the treatment of patients with AIS and MCA occlusion after failed MT. The objective of this review will be to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ME in patients with AIS and MCA occlusion, after the failure of IVT and MT on revascularization within 8, 16 and 24 h. Methods: The initial search will be conducted using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. The extensive search will involve the listed databases for published literature (MEDLINE, EMBASE, BMC, Cinahl, Scopus, and WoS) and unpublished literature (Open Grey, MedNar, Cos Conference Papers Index, and ProQuest). Following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, two independent reviewers will analyse the titles, abstracts and full texts, and then perform critical appraisal of methodological quality and data extraction from selected studies using the standardized tools. Narrative synthesis of the findings from the included studies, structured around the type of intervention, target population characteristics, and type of outcome will be performed. Funnel plots will be used to detect and/or correct publication bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofortification is regarded as a complement to supplementation, industrial fortification and dietary diversification in the fight against micronutrient deficiencies. It is important therefore to first identify areas where biofortification may have high impact and prioritize these areas for more in-depth analysis. HarvestPlus has developed the Biofortification Prioritization Index (BPI), which ranks countries globally according to their suitability for investment in biofortification interventions. HarvestPlus is also conducting ex ante micronutrient intervention portfolio analyses, designed to simulate the implementation and impact of a biofortification program in countries which have been identified as suitable candidates for investment. Micronutrient intervention portfolio studies offer the ability to distinguish production, consumption and inadequate micronutrient intake at a more disaggregated level and offer a complementary design and planning tool to simulate the implementation of biofortification and examine its potential impact and cost-effectiveness among different approaches. In addition, these studies are designed to examine multiple interventions within a country, to better understand biofortification's role in reducing micronutrient deficiency when considered among a suite of interventions. This case study of Zambia demonstrates how these tools can be used to assess the potential impact of biofortification, quantify its cost-effectiveness and examine how it interacts with and complements other interventions. Given the long-term nature of biofortification as an intervention investment, future analyses should continue to incorporate various scenarios including continued investment in sustainable development and the effects of climate change which are likely to condition the impact of biofortification and other interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on large negative and positive magnetoresistance in inhomogeneous, insulating Si:Ga films belowa critical temperature of about 7 K. The magnetoresistance effect exceeds 300%at temperatures below3Kand fields of 8T. The comparison of the transport properties of superconducting samples with that of insulating ones reveals that the large magnetoresistance is associated with the appearance of local superconductivity. A simple phenomenological model based on localized Cooper pairs and hopping quasiparticles is able to describe the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the sheet resistance of such films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon films with Ga-rich nanoprecipitates are superconductors or insulators in dependence on their normal state resistance. Even in the insulating state of the film superconducting nanoprecipitates exist below the critical temperature of 7 K and determine its complex transport behavior. In this range sometimes large, random resistance jumps appear that are accompanied by little temperature changes. The resistance fluctuates between a well-defined low-resistance value and a broader band of higher resistances. Jumps to higher resistance are associated with a temperature decrease and vice versa. We present experimental results on these fluctuations and suppose a first order phase transition in the film as probable origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic transport properties of insulating Si:Ga films with superconducting, Ga-rich nanoprecipitates are investigated in dependence on temperature, current, and magnetic field. The large negative magnetoresistance, observed below the critical temperature can be explained by Cooper pair breaking and subsequent tunneling of the fermionic quasiparticles. Localization due to quantum interferences of bosons or fermions, as recently discussed, seems not to be the reason for the insulating state and the large magnetoresistance. Cooper pair tunneling is blocked by the high Coulomb barrier. The quasiparticles can overcome the barrier by inelastic cotunneling that results in nonlinear current-voltage characteristics and negative electroresistance. Since the experimental results obtained for the Si:Ga film resemble that of many other films with superconducting nanoprecipitates the conclusions drawn here could be quite general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ge films with a mean Ga content of about 8 and 1 at.% hole concentration can be fabricated by ion implantation and subsequent flash-lamp annealing. The Ge:Ga films become superconducting below critical temperatures in the range between 1 and 2 K depending on the film resistance. The change in the macroscopic transport properties during step-wise surface etching can be described by a homogeneously doped layer model. However, the Ga distribution is extremely heterogeneous on the nanoscale. Atom-probe tomography analyses reveal the presence of Ga-rich precipitates with Ga clusters of up to 10 000 atoms. Since no percolating Ga clusters exist, it can be supposed that the heavy doping of Ge enables a coherent superconducting state via the proximity effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Si films sputter deposited on thermally oxidized Si are enriched with Ga by ion implantation through a SiO2 capping layer. The morphology and the electrical transport properties of these films are investigated after rapid thermal annealing. Amorphous, Ga-rich nanoinclusions are embedded in a nanocrystalline Si matrix. The metallic nanoinclusions become superconducting below 7 K. They form a random network of junctions to heavily doped Si crystallites. Small modifications of the junction properties, e.g. by annealing or current pulses, can dramatically change the electronic transport in the film. Ga-rich Si films show a wealth of low-temperature transport phenomena, which have been known until now only from granular metals or high-temperature superconductors: superconductor-insulator transition, quasi-reentrant superconductivity and current-controlled sheet resistance. The possibility to prepare and modify Ga-rich Si films with microelectronics-compatible technology makes them interesting for both fundamental research on transport phenomena in nanostructured, disordered superconductors as well as for the integration of superconducting circuits into Si devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superconducting layers in silicon and germanium are fabricated via gallium implantation through a thin SiO2 cover layer and subsequent rapid thermal annealing. Gallium accumulation at the SiO2/Si and SiO2/Ge interfaces is observed but no pure gallium phases were found. In both cases superconducting transition occurs around 6-7 K which can be attributed to the metallic conducting, gallium rich interface layer. However, the superconducting as well as the normal-state transport properties in gallium overdoped silicon or germanium are different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk for neuropsychiatric illnesses has a strong sex bias, and for major depressive disorder (MDD), females show a more than 2-fold greater risk compared to males. Such mood disorders are commonly associated with a dysregulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Thus, sex differences in the incidence of MDD may be related with the levels of gonadal steroid hormone in adulthood or during early development as well as with the sex differences in HPA axis function. In rodents, organizational and activational effects of gonadal steroid hormones have been described for the regulation of HPA axis function and, if consistent with humans, this may underlie the increased risk of mood disorders in women. Other developmental factors, such as prenatal stress and prenatal overexposure to glucocorticoids can also impact behaviors and neuroendocrine responses to stress in adulthood and these effects are also reported to occur with sex differences. Similarly, in humans, the clinical benefits of antidepressants are associated with the normalization of the dysregulated HPA axis, and genetic polymorphisms have been found in some genes involved in controlling the stress response. This review examines some potential factors contributing to the sex difference in the risk of affective disorders with a focus on adrenal and gonadal hormones as potential modulators. Genetic and environmental factors that contribute to individual risk for affective disorders are also described. Ultimately, future treatment strategies for depression should consider all of these biological elements in their design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superconducting Ga-rich layers in Ge are fabricated by Ga implantation through a thin Si02 cover layer. After annealing in a certain temperature window, Ga accumulation at the SiC/Ge interface is observed. However, no Ga-containing crystalline phases are identified. Thus it is suggested that the volatile Ga is stabilized in an amorphous mixture of all elements available at the interface. Electrical transport measurements reveal p-type metallic conductivity and superconducting transition. The superconducting properties of the samples with high Ga concentration at the interface change dramatically with etching the amorphous surface layer. A critical temperature of 6 K is measured before, whereas after etching it drops below 1 K. Therefore, one can conclude that the superconducting transport is based on two different layers: a Ga-rich amorphous phase at the interface and a heavily Ga-doped Ge layer. Finally, the comparison of the transport properties of Ga-rich Ge with those of Si demonstrates distinct differences between the interface layers and even the deeper-lying doped regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small ribonucleotides that participate in the orchestration of the genome by regulating target messenger RNA translation. MiRNAs control physiological processes and misexpression of miRNAs is pathogenically involved in many diseases including cardiovascular diseases. Normalization of miRNA expression and thus downstream target networks may have enormous therapeutic chances but also risks. We here highlight and discuss recent advances in the development and use of miRNA therapeutics to target miRNAs in vivo that may translate into novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are strong post-transcriptional regulators targeting multiple targets. Endogenously transcribed, miRNAs specifically bind to complementary sequences of mRNAs and repress their expression thus govern control of cellular signaling pathways. An altered miRNA expression is causally related to cardiovascular disease. Identification of miRNA-dependent pathways is therefore an important aim to develop new therapeutic approaches. To understand miRNA function in various cardiovascular cells, the identification of individual miRNA target genes is of utmost importance. Indeed, the biological function of a miRNA is dependent on the availability of potential targets in a cell. We here summarize and discuss current challenging approaches to identify miRNA targetomes which will help to understand miRNA function in cardiac homeostasis and disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ga-rich layers in Si were fabricated by 80 keV Ga implantation through a 30 nm SiO2 cover layer and subsequent rapid thermal annealing for 60 s in a temperature range between 500 °C and 1000 °C. Fluences of 2x1016 cm-2 and 4x1016 cm-2, leading to Ga peak concentrations of 8 at. % and 16 at. %, are chosen. Residual damage in the implanted layers and the Ga distribution were investigated by Rutherford-backscattering spectrometry in combination with ion channeling, cross-sectional electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Temperature-dependent Hall-effect measurements were carried out in order to determine the electrical properties of the implanted layers. It is shown that annealing at temperatures up to 800 °C leads to the formation of polycrystalline layers containing random distributed amorphous clusters. At the Si/SiO2 interface a dense and narrow band of Ga-rich clusters is observed. For 4 x 1016 cm-2 the amount of mobile Ga is higher than for 2x1016 cm-2 and an increase of the cluster density at the Si/SiO2 interface was found. Due to the higher cluster density for 4x1016 cm-2 this interface layer can become superconducting below 7 K with critical fields exceeding 9 T at optimized annealing conditions. Critical currents are above 1 kA/cm² and therefore this seems to be a possible material system for future microelectronic applications. After annealing at 900 °C and above, the implanted layers are single crystalline and no amorphous precipitates were detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this article, we present our experience with such operations performed under local anaesthesia. Methods: From January 1997 to November 2007, there were 387 patients operated on for asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Patient data were retrospectively evaluated. Thirty-day neurological morbidity and mortality from six different subgroups were analysed and compared. The numbers of perioperative transient ischaemic attacks, as well as surgical and other perioperative complications were also evaluated. Results: Overall morbidity and mortality was 1.8% (seven patients). Stroke was noted in 1.3% (five patients). Transitory ischaemic attacks within the first 30 days were observed in 1.6% (six patients). Only those patients who had intraluminal shunt insertion were found to have significantly higher morbidity and mortality. ( p = 0.000018). Myocardial infarction was observed in 0.5% (two patients), one fatal. Conclusion: We have achieved acceptable morbidity and mortality rates (1.8%) according to the parameters set by previous studies such as Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study and Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial as well as American Heart Association and European Stroke Organisation guidelines. All surgeries were done under local anaesthesia. Shunts were inserted in 22 cases (5.68%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of mesoporous silica and silica–titania-mixed metal oxide films prepared via sol–gel processing as substrates for cell growth was investigated. A deliberate tailoring of the chemical composition of the porous substrates with different Si:Ti ratios was achieved by using a single-source precursor based on a titanium-coordinated alkoxysilane, resulting in mesoporous silica–titania films with hydrophilic surfaces. The different coatings were investigated with respect to their applicability in the cultivation of human cells such as human fibroblasts and multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. It was found that they promoted cell adhesion and proliferation of human fibroblasts up to a period of 14 days. After 2 weeks only single apoptotic cells could be detected on silica–titania mixed oxide films in contrast to a somewhat higher amount on silica coatings. Furthermore, none of the films inhibited osteogenic differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Between 1997 and 2007 noctilucent clouds (NLC) have been observed by the Arctic Lidar Observatory for Middle Atmosphere Research (ALOMAR) Rayleigh/Mie/Raman (RMR) lidar in Northern Norway at , . During a total of 3322 measurement hours, being well distributed over the 11 years, season and local time, NLC were detected for 1272h. The seasonal extreme values of NLC occurrence, altitude, brightness and vertical extent are found 15–30 days after summer solstice. The year-to-year occurrence frequency of strong NLC is anti-correlated to solar activity until 2004 and decreases monotonously thereafter. This drop in cloud occurrence is not seen by satellite-borne SBUV instruments and raises the question about the interpretation of cloud occurrences observed by different methods. The cloud water content is unchanged or even decreasing after 2004. Considering the entire 11 year period there is no significant anti-correlation between the occurrence of strong clouds and solar activity. The mean NLC altitudes are and for all clouds and strong clouds, respectively. Today''s cloud altitudes differ by only a few hundred meters from observations years ago (82.1km). Taking into account current geophysical cloud altitude variability of , the mean NLC altitude appears to be unchanged. This behavior falls short of an expected altitude decrease of more than 2km following from temperature trends calculated by current global atmosphere models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are promising candidate cells for the development of neuroregenerative therapies. We have previously introduced the pro-neural conversion of human MSC to neural stem cell-like cells (m-NSC) by culturing them in suspension culture under serum-free conditions. Methods In the present study, we used a modified Boyden chamber assay to study the influence of various chemoattractants and extracellular matrix components on MSC and m-NSC migration in vitro. The underlying mechanisms were investigated further by applying real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry. Results The basal migration of m-NSC was significantly reduced compared with MSC (six versus 27 out of 10 000 cells migrated within 6 h). We evaluated the effects of bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), platelet-derived growth factor bb (PDGFbb), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFa), and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) on the migration potential of both cell types and PDGFbb proved to be the most potent stimulant of migration (235 versus 198 m-NSC or MSC migrated). Adhesion of m-NSC to the filter membrane was delayed and not affected by IGF1 or PDGFbb: 90% of MSC, but only 20% of m-NSC, adhered within 1 h, with 90% of m-NSC adhering within 3 h. However, real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry revealed an up-regulation of the PDGF receptor B following conversion. Coating the membranes with collagen type I or hyaluronan also significantly influenced cell migration. Discussion We could identify major chemoattractive factors for m-NSC and gained partial insight into the complex processes involved in migration of neurally converted cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies suggest thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) serves as a neurotransmitter and thereby provides a functional vegetative connection between the brain and the ovary. In the present study, magnocellular neurones of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in animals subjected to cold exposure were studied to determine the hypothalamic origin of the TRH involved in this pathway. In situ hybridisation analysis of hypothalamic tissue showed that cold exposure causes a two-fold increase in the total number of neurones expressing TRH mRNA in the PVN. Immunohistochemical studies showed that TRH peptide is localised to the magnocellular PVN and that the number of TRH immunoreactive cells increases two-fold following 64 h of cold exposure. Double-immunostaining for MAP-2 and TRH revealed that TRH peptide is localised in the perikarya of the magnocellular neurones. TRH release was measured in vivo from the magnocellular portion of the PVN using push–pull perfusion. Although controls exhibited a very low level of TRH release, animals subjected to cold showed a pulsatile-like TRH release profile with two different patterns of release: (i) low basal level with small bursts of TRH release and (ii) a profile with an up to seven-fold increase in TRH release compared to controls. The colocalisation of TRH with the specific somato-dendritic marker MAP-2 in processes of the magnocellular neurones suggested a local release of TRH. Additional studies demonstrated a reduction in ovarian noradrenaline content after 48 h of cold exposure, a feature indicative of nerve activation at the terminal organ. After 64 h of cold exposure, the ovarian noradrenaline returned to control values but the noradrenaline content of the coeliac ganglia was increased, suggesting a compensatory effect originating in the cell bodies of the sympathetic neurones that innervate the ovary. The correlation between the local release of TRH from dendrites within the magnocellular PVN in conditions of cold and the activation of the sympathetic nerves supplying the ovary raises the possibility that TRH contributes to the processing regulating sympathetic outflow and may thereby impact on the functional activity of the ovary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixtures of rare-gases (Rg) and alkali vapors (A) were excited by helium and argon ions. VUV transitions observed between 131.1 nm and 189.9 nm were ascribed to the decay of (RgA) ions where Rg=Kr, Xe and A=Cs, Rb, K, Na, Li. In the (ArA) systems (A=Rb, K, Na, Li) transitions appeared between 114.1 nm and 124.7 nm. Since the final state is only weakly bound, the (RgA) ions seem to be promising candidates for storage media of VUV lasers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on superconducting properties of gallium-enriched silicon layers in commercial (100) oriented silicon wafers. Ion implantation and subsequent rapid thermal annealing have been applied for realizing gallium precipitation beneath a silicon-dioxide cover layer. Depending on the preparation parameters, we observe a sharp drop to zero resistance at 7 K. The critical-field anisotropy proofs the thin-film character of superconductivity. In addition, out-of-plane critical fields of above 9 T and critical current densities exceeding 2 kA/cm2 promote these structures to be possible playgrounds for future microelectronic technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a severe neurological condition with potentially high morbidity. Patients usually present with varying degrees of neurological deficit, especially sphincter dysfunction, which needs to be diagnosed early and correctly indicated for surgical treatment. Our retrospective study is focused on the determination of different prognostic factors and their impact on the final neurological outcome of patients with CES. Forty-four CES patients were recruited in the study. The duration of symptoms has proven to be a statistically significant factor in improving the clinical condition. Patients with a shorter medical history of neurological symptomatology had a better neurological outcome. Also, there was a positive relationship between the initial and outcome score, i.e., the outcome status is related to the severity of the neurological deficit on admission. The remaining factors appeared to be statistically insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurosurgical illnesses or disorders are rare in pregnancy. Vascular pathologies, intracranial tumors, traumatic brain injury or disc herniation are the most common. Recognition of clinical signs, diagnosis and follow-up treatments can be difficult to manage regarding pregnancy. Vomiting or headache are typical symptoms for both pregnancy as well for increased intracranial pressure. As part of the diagnosis, we should avoid excess usage of radiological examinations. Therapeutic guidelines have not been clearly established; therefore, they are based only on retrospective studies or case reports. In our review article, we present the most common neurosurgical pathologies in pregnancy and their treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work is focused on understanding the physical processes responsible for the modification of the structure, electrical and optical properties of polycrystalline TiO2:Ta films formed by annealing of initially amorphous films grown by direct current magnetron sputtering of electrically conductive ceramic targets. It is shown that fine tuning of the oxygen content during deposition of amorphous TiO2:Ta films is critical to achieving low resistivity and high optical transmittance after annealing. Increasing the total pressure during magnetron sputter deposition is shown to decrease the sensitivity of the annealed films to the oxygen flow variation during deposition of the initially amorphous layers. Polycrystalline anatase TiO2:Ta films of low electrical resistivity (ρH = 1.5 × 10-3 ࡎ cm), high free electron mobility (μH = 8 cm2/Vs), and low extinction (k550nm = 0.006) are obtained in this way at a total pressure of 2 Pa. The dependence of the polycrystalline film electrical properties on the oxygen content is discussed in terms of Ta dopant electrical activation/deactivation taking into account the formation of compensating defects at different oxygen pressures. The temperature-dependent transport of the polycrystalline anatase TiO2:Ta films is investigated showing the dominant role of the optical phonon scattering in the case of films with an optimum Ti/O ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which determined the association between mutations in the X-linked spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda coding sequence and onset of primary osteoarthritis in men. Patients and methods; Results and discussion; Interpretation of the results.

Noctilucent clouds (NLC) have been observed with the ALOMAR Rayleigh/Mie/Raman lidar at 69° N using a temporal resolution of 30 s since 2008. We present an approach to identify and analyze the localized small scale wave structures of the varying altitude of the NLC layers in the range of 5–30 min that may be caused by gravity waves. Small scale gravity waves breaking in the mesopause region contribute notably to the momentum flux but are difficult to observe and to characterize. The approach is based on a template matching method using generalized structures to be identified in the NLC observations. The new method permits the identification of structures that are present in NLC only for a time too short to appear in a Fourier or wavelet spectrum. Without the need for a continuous time series the method can handle multiple NLC layers and data gaps. In the 2000 h of NLC data from the years 2008–2015, we find almost 5000 single wave structures with a total length of 738 h. The structures are found on average 400 m below the NLC centroid altitude and a large number of the structures has a length at the lower limit of 5 min. With the background wind from the meteor radar near ALOMAR a horizontal scale is estimated based on the length of the individual structures. The distribution of horizontal scales shows a peak of wave structures at 15–20 km in accordance with the horizontal wavelengths found by ground-based camera observations of NLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavily Ga implanted Si nanolayers covered with a thin SiO2 layer exhibit a superconductor-insulator transition in dependence on annealing conditions. The transition characteristics resemble those of ultrathin quench-condensed metal films although the implanted layer differs clearly in composition, width, and nanostructure. This implies a general physical mechanism for the superconductor-insulator transition in thin, disordered layers which is supposed to be a quantum phase transition between dual states-the superconducting and the superinsulating one. There is a resistance criterion for the phase transition closely associated with a critical hole concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we describe an electrochemical experimental setup for cyclic voltammetry operating from low (1 V/s) to very high (200 kV/s) scan rates. The system is designed to achieve an acceptable cost and to be user friendly for nonexperts. The instrumentation is based on a commercial arbitrary wave form generator, a digital oscilloscope, a general purpose interface bus interface to a PC, and a laboratory-built potentiostat. There are no complicated manual operations, instead the software creates dialog with an operator to control commands for the instruments. Requirements for the wave form synthesis and the data acquisition are given. Various data-smoothing methods for treating 8-bit fast scan data are evaluated. The performance was tested on the oxidation of ferrocene in acetonitrile. The estimated value of the standard heterogeneous rate constant, k[sup 0]=0.8±0.1 cm s[sup -1], is in reasonable agreement with the most recent reports from other laboratories. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the case of a pregnant patient with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL) who presented with multiple hemangioblastomas in the central nervous system (CNS). Hemangioblastomas are common tumors associated with VHL and can significantly increase morbidity and mortality. The possible influence of pregnancy on the growth of these tumors remains unclear. The article presents the case of a 28-year-old pregnant patient with VHL who underwent microsurgical resection of three dominant lesions. The patient had a successful pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby. The article also discusses the progression of hemangioblastomas during pregnancy and the recommended treatment approaches. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a study on the use of two different lidar instruments to combined wind measurements in the Arctic middle atmosphere. It states that data obtained by the radars were not included to prevent difficulties on lidar measurements comparison with radar measurements due to different sizes of sounding volumes. It says that wave structures from the lower stratosphere to the mesopause were identified by the combination of Rayleigh/Mie/Raman (RMR) lidar and sodium (Na) lidar.

The article presents a study which examines the wind measurements by the Rayleigh/Mie/Raman (RMR) and sodium lidar at the ALOMAR Observatory in Northern Norway. It is inferred that the RMR and sodium lidar is excellent for long integration times of 10 hours. Common volume wind measurements in the middle atmosphere using lidar instruments are outlined.

Abstract: The reduction mechanism of ioxynil (3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxy-benzonitrile), bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) and chloroxynil (3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) was studied in dimethylsulfoxide by the electrochemical methods combined with FTIR spectroelectrochemical and GC/MS identification of the products. Cyclic voltammetry at different scan rates and at various concentrations of pesticides is consistent with the radical anion formation followed by the subsequent chemical reactions. The main decomposition pathway includes the cleavage of the halogen atom and the dimerization of the dehalogenated intermediate. The differences in the mechanism of ioxynil, bromoxynil and chloroxynil are caused by the mutual differences in the rates of the bond cleavage and the dimerization process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A bioeconomic model simulating the lifetime production of a group of purchased gilts and their progeny was developed to estimate economic weights of traits in pig breeding. For the Czech situation, the following marginal economic values were calculated (in Czech crowns per unit of the trait): 30.5 for lifetime daily gain (ADG, in g/day), 1038 for lean meat content (LM, in %), 2975 for valuable cuts (WVC, in kg), 2040 for number of piglets born alive (NBA, in piglets per litter), −560 for energy intake per kg gain (in MJ ME/kg), 34.7 for conception rate (in %) and −119 for culling rate of sows (in %). Taking into account the intended use of breeds, the following economic weights for traits in the breeding objective were estimated: ADG 3.5, WVC 342, NBA 477 for Large White; ADG 2.4, WVC 238, NBA 290 for Landrace, and ADG 8.3, WVC 812 for sire breeds. A sensitivity analysis showed that the relative values of traits might change in future. Expecting an increase in costs, higher economic weights should be given to reproduction and growth traits; expecting a decrease in meat price, production traits will be more important. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study assessed levels of HIV knowledge and identified factors associated with HIV knowledge among a sample of heterosexual Puerto Rican and Mexican men and women, ages 18 to 45. The sample consisted of 144 men and women living in San Diego County, California, who self-identified as being of Mexican ethnicity and 209 men and women living in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, who self-identified as Puerto Rican. Interviews were conducted by trained, bilingual interviewers. Data were collected on demographic variables, attitudes towards decision-making in relationships, and HIV knowledge and risk behaviors. Puerto Rican individuals were significantly more likely than Mexican individuals to respond correctly to almost one-half of the 12 HIV knowledge items. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that higher levels of education, greater U.S. acculturation, legal status and birth in the United States, a self-focused locus of control in relationships, and being male were predictors of higher knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To show the full spectrum of MRI findings in all patients ever dia-gnosed with progres-sive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which is as-sociated with natalizumab ther-apy in patients with MS in the Czech Republic. Patients and methods: The first case was described in 2009, the last case in December 2018, with a total of 14 dia-gnosed cases of PML in MS patients. This paper evaluates the MRI findings that showed the presence of PML; the dia-gnosis was subsequently confirmed by detection of the John Cun-ningham virus (JCV) DNA from cerebrospinal fluid using polymerase chain reaction. All patients met the American Academy of Neurology criteria from 2013 for dia-gnosis of this dis-ease. The MRI protocol used was variable, both because patients were examined at dif-ferent MRI sites across the Czech Republic, and because of evolution of protocols over time. In all patients, the protocol contained fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), which is the most sensitive sequence for early PML detection. Results: 13 patients (92.9%) had a positive MRI find--ing. The most frequent find--ing was typical white matter involvement in the subcortical area of the frontal lobe (42.9%), fol-lowed by the parietal (28.6%) and temporal lobes (28.6%). The extent of the pathology was also very variable, from very small discrete lesions to extensive dif-fuse lesions af-fect--ing multiple lobes. Two patients were found to have cerebel-lar and pons foci (14.3%), one patient in the mesencephalon and another in the medula oblongata. There were thalamic lesions in two cases, and one case of putamen lesions. In some cases, MRI presentation of PML was very similar to the MRI presentation of MS and suspicion of PML was considered because there was new progression of MRI. One patient was completely atypical compared to the rest of the group. PML was dia-gnosed from a routine lumbar puncture done when ther-apy was changed, and the MRI find--ing at that time was negative. Positive findings appeared only 6 months after the PML dia-gnosis. This case involved the JCV-granulocytic neuronopathy with cerebel-lum af-fection subtype. Conclusion: The Czech cohort of PML patients confirms the great variability in MRI findings and points out the importance of careful MRI monitor--ing to detect the dis-ease in the subclinical phase. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE "uniform requirements" for biomedical papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manu-script met the ICMJE "uniform requirements" for biomedical papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Median somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) amplitude monitoring is reliable tool for early cerebral ischemia detection. Aim of the study Set feasibility of routine SEP monitoring in emergent internal carotid artery (ICA) recanalization. Material and methods 05/2013 to 02/2015 were performed 12 emergent ICA recanalisations after acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Mean age 72.7; ICA occlusion: 6 (50%), 90-99% stenosis: 6 (50%). Inclusion criteria: AIS or crescendo TIA < 24 hours, ICA occlusion or stenosis, functional independence before stroke. Exclusion criteria: hemorhagic stroke, ischaemia on CT scan. Median SEP were monitored during carotid surgery. Clinical finding was evaluated 3 months after surgery. Results N20/P25 amplitude was decreased in 5 (41.7%) at symptomatic side (in 1 by > 50%) comparing to asymptomatic. Successful recanalisation: 11 (91.7%), intraluminal shunt was placed in 1 according SEP amplitude decrease intraoperatively. Mean muscle strength: arm: 2.4, leg: 3.3, speech disorder: 8 (66.7%). 3 month outcome: muscle strength: 3.9, 4.4 respectively, speech disorder: 3 (25.0%). Modified Rankin Score 0-1: 8 (66.7%), mRS 2: 3 (25.0%), mRS 6: 1 (8.3%). Conclusion Median SEP is feasible to monitor in emergent ICA recanalizations. Median SEP amplitude seems to be promising marker of good clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report effect of the initial structural order on the resulting magnetic properties of manganese implanted TiO2films. Different microstructures of as-grown TiO2films, namely, amorphous, polycrystalline anatase, and epitaxial anatase, have been implant-doped with Mn+ up to a concentration of 5 at. %. We found that different initial structures lead to different defect and charge carrier concentrations and, as a result, strongly influence the magnetic properties upon implantation. Depending on the initial microstructure, paramagnetism, secondary phases related magnetic properties as well as ferromagnetism could be observed in the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focused ion irradiation of insulating diamond-like carbon (DLC) films is a well-recognized approach to write defined nanostructures with drastically changed properties compared to the unexposed matrix. In particular, the electrical conductivity of the film areas that are irradiated increases by several orders of magnitude. Furthermore it is known that the conductivity increase is directly related to the irradiation-induced sp 3 –sp 2 rehybridization. This experimental work shows in detail that ion-induced microstructural ordering of the carbon atom arrangement far beyond the sp 3 –sp 2 conversion saturation is an important microscopic mechanism for the alteration of physical properties, including an increase in the conductivity. The atomic ordering correlates with the local energy density deposited during the ion impact. Thus the ion-induced phase transformation of DLC is proposed to comprise a rehybridization stage, caused by nuclear collisions, and a rearrangement stage (graphite-like ordering) that is thermally driven by the ion impact. These conclusions are based on in-depth investigations of amorphous DLC films that were locally irradiated by a number of ion species employing several temperature regimes. The ion irradiation experiments cover a wide range of fluences. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, μ-Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and low temperature transport measurements have been applied to characterize the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal ( HPA) axis activity leading to the rhythmic and episodic release of adrenal glucocorticoids ( GCs) is essential for body homeostasis and survival during stress. Acting through specific intracellular receptors in the brain and periphery, GCs regulate behaviour, as well as metabolic, cardiovascular, immune and neuroendocrine activities. By contrast to chronic elevated levels, circadian and acute stress-induced increases in GCs are necessary for hippocampal neuronal survival and memory acquisition and consolidation, as a result of the inhibition of apoptosis, the facilitation of glutamatergic neurotransmission and the formation of excitatory synapses, and the induction of immediate early genes and dendritic spine formation. In addition to metabolic actions leading to increased energy availability, GCs have profound effects on feeding behaviour, mainly via the modulation of orexigenic and anorixegenic neuropeptides. Evidence is also emerging that, in addition to the recognised immune suppressive actions of GCs by counteracting adrenergic pro-inflammatory actions, circadian elevations have priming effects in the immune system, potentiating acute defensive responses. In addition, negative-feedback by GCs involves multiple mechanisms leading to limited HPA axis activation and prevention of the deleterious effects of excessive GC production. Adequate GC secretion to meet body demands is tightly regulated by a complex neural circuitry controlling hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing hormone ( CRH) and vasopressin secretion, which are the main regulators of pituitary adrenocorticotrophic hormone ( ACTH). Rapid feedback mechanisms, likely involving nongenomic actions of GCs, mediate the immediate inhibition of hypothalamic CRH and ACTH secretion, whereas intermediate and delayed mechanisms mediated by genomic actions involve the modulation of limbic circuitry and peripheral metabolic messengers. Consistent with their key adaptive roles, HPA axis components are evolutionarily conserved, being present in the earliest vertebrates. An understanding of these basic mechanisms may lead to novel approaches for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools for disorders related to stress and alterations of GC secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lidar measurements of noctilucent clouds (NLC) were conducted by the Davis Rayleigh-/Raman-lidar in Antarctica (68.58°S, 77.97°E) and by the Rayleigh-/Mie-/Raman-lidar at the ALOMAR observatory in northern Norway (69.28°N, 16.01°E). We compare southern and northern hemisphere NLC at time scales of 10min to several hours using multi-year datasets (four seasons at ALOMAR, 2008–2011, and nine seasons at Davis, 2001/2002 to 2009/2010). NLC characteristics studied include the vertical structure of NLC layers, the duration of NLC layers as well as the apparent downward motion of NLC layers with time. We find multiple layers during 9% of all NLC observations with vertical separations of double layers between 1.5 and 3km. The mean downward progression of NLC with measurement time is −0.3km/h and comparable at Davis and ALOMAR. We find no general spatial tilt of the layer at ALOMAR but individual layers show up to 2km altitude difference at 40km horizontal separation. Typical NLC observations at both stations last about 5 hours, hinting at horizontal extents of about 700km, and reoccur after approximately 10 hours. This is in the range of mid-frequency gravity waves (GW). On short-time scales NLC characteristics are presumably impacted by small scale processes in the vicinity of the clouds, generated by e.g. breaking GW. In addition, we discuss a possible relation to GW by looking at the influence of stratospheric wind conditions on NLC layer characteristics at 69°S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise increases the expression of brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rodents and in healthy humans. Its relationship with weight loss and improvement in metabolic parameters, in obese human subjects, has not been elucidated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an aerobic exercise program on circulating levels of BDNF in overweight and obese subjects. We measured anthropometric and metabolic parameters in 15 male and female nondiabetic outpatients (age 38.3 ± 9.5 years, BMI 27-35 kg/m 2 ), before and after 30 sessions of aerobic exercise (3 sessions per week). Plasma (p), serum (s), and platelet (plat) BDNF concentrations were measured at basal condition and after completing 15 and 30 sessions of exercise. Subjects were advised to continue their usual food intake. A significant decrease in weight, BMI, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure and total cholesterol was observed at the end of the study (p < 0.02). Serum and plat- BDNF showed a significant increase during the training period (p = 0.005 and 0.04 respectively). However, pBDNF showed no significant increase. Area under the curve of glucose at baseline, was inversely correlated with sBDNF (r = - 0.53, p = 0.04) and platBDNF (r = - 0.6, p = 0.01) after session 15. Also, platBDNF was correlated inversely with post load insulin and HOMA2- IR at the end of the training program (r = - 0.53, p = 0.03 and r = - 0.52, p = 0.04, respectively). In overweight and obese subjects, serum and plat- BDNF levels increase after 30 sessions of aerobic exercise. This is accompanied with the improvement of anthropometric and metabolic parameters and modest weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed phase-sensitive terahertz (0.12-1.2 THz) transmission measurements of Ga-enriched layers in silicon. Below the superconducting transition Tcmiddle = 6.7 K we find clear signatures of the formation of a superconducting condensate and of the opening of an energy gap in the optical spectra. The London penetration depth λ(T) and the condensate density ns = λ2(0)/λ²(T) as functions of temperature demonstrate behavior typical for conventional superconductors with λ(0) = 1.8 μm. The terahertz spectra can be well described within the framework of Eliashberg theory with strong electron-phonon coupling: the zero-temperature energy gap is 2Δ(0) = 2.64 meV and 2Δ(0)/kB Tc = 4.6, consistent with the amorphous state of Ga. At temperatures just above Tc, the optical spectra demonstrate Drude behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Prevention of cardiac hypertrophy and failure in vivo by a novel microRNA antagonist," by T. Thum and colleagues is presented.