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Some fish parasites constitute severe management problems as they may cause mortality of their fish host or are important zoonoses of humans. Parasite assessments are therefore critical to keep track of infections. If conventional sampling techniques can be simplified, parasite assessments might be easier to obtain, less time-consuming and more extensive. In this study, we compare the assessed number of Diphyllobothrium spp. cysts ( CYST) with the counted number of Diphyllobothrium spp. plerocercoid larvae recovered using a conventional digestive technique ( LARV). The aim was to determine the potential of using CYST as a simplified methodology for assessing Diphyllobothrium spp. infection in salmonids. In total, 365 brown trout and 424 Arctic charr were sampled from nine lakes in subarctic Norway. Strong correlation, significant linear relationship and large amount of explained variation were found between log10 CYST and log10 LARV in both fish species. The method had a slight, but not significant tendency to work better in charr compared to trout. In addition, absolute difference between CYST and LARV increased at parasite intensities >100 indicating that the method has reduced functionality when estimating parasite intensity in heavily infected salmonid populations. However, overall, using this simplified and less time-consuming methodology, a good indication of Diphyllobothrium spp. intensity, abundance and prevalence was obtained. We suggest that this method provides a sound proxy of the Diphyllobothrium spp. burden and have the potential to be used in parasite assessment during fish monitoring and fisheries management surveys, particularly if the time and resources for detailed parasite studies are not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which investigated the temperature dependence of the energy gap of zinc-blende cadmium selenide and epitaxial layers. Growth of zinc-blende structure by molecular beam epitaxy; Derivation of formula for energy gap; Results and discussion.

Presents a study that investigated the interdiffusion behavior and thermal stability of doped and undoped gallium-indium-arsenic (GaInAs)/aluminum-gallium-indium-arsenic (AlGaInAs) multiple-quantum-well structures, grown lattice matched on indium-phosphorus by molecular-beam epitaxy. Use of photoluminescence spectroscopy; Importance of GaInAs/AlGaInAs devices in optoelectronic applications; Photoluminescence excitation spectra for doped and undoped structures.

Subarctic populations of brown trout ( Salmo trutta) are often heavily infected with cestodes of the genus Diphyllobothrium, assumedly because of their piscivorous behaviour. This study explores possible associations between availability of fish prey and Diphyllobothrium spp. infections in lacustrine trout populations. Trout in (i) allopatry (group T); (ii) sympatry with Arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus) (group TC); and (iii) sympatry with charr and three-spined stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus) (group TCS) were contrasted. Mean abundance and intensity of Diphyllobothrium spp. were higher in group TCS compared to groups TC and T. Prevalence, however, was similarly higher in groups TCS and TC compared to group T. Zero-altered negative binomial modelling identified the lowest probability of infection in group T and similar probabilities of infection in groups TC and TCS, whereas the highest intensity was predicted in group TCS. The most infected trout were from the group co-occurring with stickleback ( TCS), possibly due to a higher availability of fish prey. In conclusion, our study demonstrates elevated Diphyllobothrium spp. infections in lacustrine trout populations where fish prey are available and suggests that highly available and easily caught stickleback prey may play a key role in the transmission of Diphyllobothrium spp. parasite larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suspension plasma spray deposition is utilized to fabricate solid oxide fuel cell cathodes with minimal material decomposition. Adding carbon black as a pore former to the feedstock suspension results in smoother and more porous coatings, but over the range of carbon black concentrations studied, has little impact on the overall symmetrical cell performance. The cathode made with a suspension containing 25 wt% carbon has the highest deposition efficiency and a polarization resistance of 0.062 Ωcm 2 at 744 °C. This cathode is tested for 500 h, and it is observed that adding an SDC interlayer between the YSZ electrolyte and the cathode(s) and/or coating the metal substrate with lanthanum chromite decrease the rate of performance degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of the daytime sky polarization are useful calibration tools for large-aperture telescopes, as well as a testbed for polarized radiative transfer models. We present an instrument capable of measuring the complete full-sky Stokes vector over visible/NIR broad bands. The design utilizes liquid crystal variable retarders and a dual-beam polarization analyzer, allowing for a clear and cloudy sky acquisition cadence near 12 s which shows minimal image artifacts from solar and cloud motion. In this article, we detail the design, full-field calibration methodology, and Haleakala observations, which provide an absolute polarimetric accuracy on individual Stokes parameters of better than 3% across VRI bandpasses. Angle and degree of polarization images are compared with a single-scattering model and the more complete MODTRAN-4P polarized radiative transfer package. Comparisons with independent measurements atop nearby Mauna Loa show similar polarization structure, but results suggest a relatively larger depolarization from surface reflections beneath Haleakalā. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-calibrated spectropolarimetry studies at resolutions of R > 10 000 with signal-to-noise ratios (S/Ns) better than 0.01% across individual line profiles, are becoming common with larger aperture telescopes. Spectropolarimetric studies require high S/N observations and are often limited by instrument systematic errors. As an example, fiber-fed spectropolarimeters combined with advanced line-combination algorithms can reach statistical error limits of 0.001% in measurements of spectral line profiles referenced to the continuum. Calibration of such observations is often required both for cross-talk and for continuum polarization. This is not straightforward since telescope cross-talk errors are rarely less than ~1%. In solar instruments like the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), much more stringent calibration is required and the telescope optical design contains substantial intrinsic polarization artifacts. This paper describes some generally useful techniques we have applied to the HiVIS spectropolarimeter at the 3.7 m AEOS Telescope on Haleakala. HiVIS now yields accurate polarized spectral line profiles that are shot-noise limited to 0.01% S/N levels at our full spectral resolution of 10 000 at spectral sampling of ~100 000. We show line profiles with absolute spectropolarimetric calibration for cross-talk and continuum polarization in a system with polarization cross-talk levels of essentially 100%. In these data the continuum polarization can be recovered to one percent accuracy because of synchronized charge-shuffling model now working with our CCD detector. These techniques can be applied to other spectropolarimeters on other telescopes for both night and daytime applications such as DKIST, TMT, and ELT which have folded non-axially symmetric foci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholinergic neurons of the medial forebrain are considered important contributors to brain plasticity and neuromodulation. A reduction of cholinergic innervation can lead to pathophysiological changes of neurotransmission and is observed in Alzheimer's disease. Here we report on six patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) treated with bilateral low-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM). During a four-week double-blind sham-controlled phase and a subsequent 11-month follow-up open label period, clinical outcome was assessed by neuropsychological examination using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale as the primary outcome measure. Electroencephalography and [18F]- fluoro-desoxyglucose positron emission tomography were, besides others, secondary endpoints. On the basis of stable or improved primary outcome parameters twelve months after surgery, four of the six patients were considered responders. No severe or nontransitional side effects related to the stimulation were observed. Taking into account all limitations of a pilot study, we conclude that DBS of the NBM is both technically feasible and well tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine a new imaging method for the remote sensing of volcanic gases, which relies on the regularly spaced narrow-band absorption structures in the UV-VIS of many molecules. A Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) is used to compare the scattered sunlight radiance at wavelengths corresponding to absorption bands with the radiance at wavelengths in between the bands, thereby identifying and quantifying the gas. In this first theoretical study, we present sample calculations for the detection of sulfur dioxide (SO2). Optimum values for the FPI set-up parameters are proposed. Further, the performance of the FPI method is compared to SO2 cameras. We show that camera systems using a FPI are far less influenced by changes in atmospheric radiative transfer (e.g. due to aerosol) and have a great potential as a future technique to examine emissions of SO2 (or other gases) from volcanic sources and other point sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections with the parasitic flagellate Ichthyobodo necator (Henneguy, 1883) cause severe skin and gill disease in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792) juveniles. The epidermal disturbances including hyperplasia and mucous cell exhaustion caused by parasitization are known, but no details on specific cellular and humoral reactions have been presented. By applying gene expression methods and immunohistochemical techniques, further details of immune processes in the affected skin can be presented. A population of I. necator was established in the laboratory and used to induce an experimental infection of juvenile rainbow trout. The course of infection was followed by sampling for parasite enumeration, immunohistochemistry ( IHC) and quantitative PCR (q PCR) on days 0, 5, 9 and 14 post-infection. IHC showed a significant increase in the occurrence of Ig M-positive cells in the skin of the infected fish, whereas Ig T-positive cells were eliminated and the number of CD8-positive cells declined. q PCR studies supported the IHC findings showing a significant increase in Ig M and a decrease in the CD8 gene expression. In addition, genes encoding innate immune genes such as lysozyme, SAA and cathelicidin 2 were up-regulated. Expression of cytokines ( IL-1β, IL-4/13A, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10), the cell marker CD4 and the transcription factor GATA3 showed a significant increase after infection. Cytokine profiling including up-regulation of IL-4/13A and IL-10 genes and transcription factor GATA3 connected to the proliferation of Ig M producing lymphocytes suggests a partial shift towards a Th2 response associated with the I. necator infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As an established treatment for movement disorders, the application of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for psychiatric indications has been investigated for almost 15 years. A CE label (also FDA approval) has recently been obtained for treatment of refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Objectives: This article aims at illustrating the current state of DBS in the treatment of refractory OCD. In addition, initial experimental approaches to investigate the potential use of DBS in substance addiction and anorexia nervosa (AN) will also be outlined as both disorders share some common features with OCD. Materials and methods: The present review is based on a keyword literature search (PubMed) while taking into account relevant references and own investigations Results: Although the number of clinical trials for treatment of refractory OCD is limited and sample sizes are small, there is some evidence for a substantial improvement, a so-called full response of OCD symptoms under DBS. However, not all patients benefit from the intervention. Regarding substance addiction and AN, data are scarce and are only indicative of a potential benefit at most. Discussion: Present data regarding the clinical benefits of DBS in OCD are encouraging and open up new avenues for the treatment of therapy refractory patients. However, several aspects, such as mechanisms of action, predictors and long-term side effect profiles, are incomplete or even unknown. In the case of addiction and AN, DBS remains purely experimental, at least for the moment. Hence, clinical trials should remain the gold standard for all three indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous methods to measure carbon deposition in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes do not permit simultaneous electrochemical measurements. Electrochemical measurements supplemented with carbon deposition quantities create the opportunity to further understand how carbon affects SOFC performance and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). In this work, a method for measuring carbon in situ, named here as the quantification of gasified carbon (QGC), was developed. TGA experiments showed that carbon with a 100 h residence time in the SOFC was >99.8% gasified. Comparison of carbon mass measurements between the TGA and QGC show good agreement. In situ measurements of carbon deposition in SOFCs at varying molar steam/carbon ratios were performed to further validate the QGC method, and suppression of carbon deposition with increasing steam concentration was observed, in agreement with previous studies. The technique can be used to investigate in situ carbon deposition and gasification behavior simultaneously with electrochemical measurements for a variety of fuels and operating conditions, such as determining conditions under which incipient carbon deposition is reversible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes were deposited by suspension plasma spraying (SPS) and solution precursor plasma spraying (SPPS). The electrolytes were evaluated for permeability, microstructure, and electrochemical performance. With SPS, three different suspensions were tested to explore the influence of powder size distribution and liquid properties. Electrolytes made from suspensions of a powder with d 50 = 2.6 μm were more gas-tight than those made from suspensions of a powder with d 50 = 0.6 μm. A peak open circuit voltage of 1.00 V was measured at 750 °C with a cell with an electrolyte made from a suspension of d 50 = 2.6 μm powder. The use of a flammable suspension liquid was beneficial for improving electrolyte conductivity when using lower energy plasmas, but the choice of liquid was less important when using higher energy plasmas. With SPPS, peak electrolyte conductivities were comparable to the peak conductivities of the SPS electrolytes. However, leak rates through the SPPS electrolytes were higher than those through the electrolytes made from suspensions of d 50 = 2.6 μm powder. The electrochemical test data on SPPS electrolytes are the first reported in the literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory observed the transits of Mercury on 2003 May 7 and 2006 November 8. Contact times between Mercury and the solar limb have been used since the seventeenth century to derive the Sun's size but this is the first time that high-quality imagery from space, above the Earth's atmosphere, has been available. Unlike other measurements, this technique is largely independent of optical distortion. The true solar radius is still a matter of debate in the literature as measured differences of several tenths of an arcsecond (i.e., about 500 km) are apparent. This is due mainly to systematic errors from different instruments and observers since the claimed uncertainties for a single instrument are typically an order of magnitude smaller. From the MDI transit data we find the solar radius to be 960".12 ± 0".09 (696,342 ± 65 km). This value is consistent between the transits and consistent between different MDI focus settings after accounting for systematic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We explore whether clinical research on deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) to treat addiction is justified besides theoretical speculation. Methods: Since 2004, 10 patients who were also smokers were treated at the University of Cologne for Tourette’s syndrome (TS), obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) or anxiety disorders (AD) by DBS of the NAc. We assessed their smoking behavior after DBS and (in retrospection) before by the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and additional items. Results: Three male patients were able to quit smoking after DBS. They were less dependent and higher motivated compared to the rest of the sample. They are stimulated with a higher voltage. During 1-year, 2-year, and 30-month follow-ups, we found a higher rate of successful smoking cessation (20, 30 and 30%) compared to unaided smoking cessation in the general population (13, 19 and 8.7%). Conclusions: Albeit the results of the study are severely limited by the method of retrospective self-assessment of psychiatric patients, further research of DBS of the NAc to treat addiction seems justified. In addition to biological mediators, psychosocial factors should be assessed in further prospective studies. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retropharyngeal tendinitis is a rare cause of intense neck pain and occipital headache. It is caused by an aseptic inflammatory process in the longus colli tendon, triggered by deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystal. Clinically, it can be misdiagnosed as retropharyngeal abscess, traumatic injury, infectious spondylitis, cervical artery dissection, or even meningitis. The diagnosis is made radiographically by a nearly pathognomonic amorphous calcification anterior to C1-C2 and prevertebral soft tissue swelling. We present a new case of this uncommon condition exhibiting some unusual features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aceruloplasminemia is an autosomal recessive and phenotypically primarily neurodegenerative disease caused by a homozygous mutation of the ceruloplasmin gene. The absence of ceruloplasmin and its ferroxidase activity leads to pathological iron overload in the brain and other organs. While heterozygous carriers of ceruloplasmin gene mutations have been believed to be asymptomatic, a number of cases with neurological deficits have recently been described. To date, an effective treatment has not been established for either aceruloplasminemia or symptomatic heterozygous aceruloplasminemia. The present report concerns the beneficial treatment of an 18-year-old girl with extrapyramidal and cerebellar-mediated movement disorder caused by a heterozygous mutation of the ceruloplasmin gene using oral zinc sulphate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The xylosyltransferases I and II (XT-I, XT-II, EC 2.4.2.26) catalyze the transfer of xylose from UDP-xylose to selected serine residues in the proteoglycan core protein, which is the initial and ratelimiting step in glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis. Both xylosyltransferases are Golgi-resident enzymes and transfer xylose to similar core proteins acceptors. XT-I and XT-II are differentially expressed in cell types and tissues, although the reason for the existence of two xylosyltransferase isoforms in all higher organisms remains elusive. Serum xylosyltransferase activity was found to be a biochemical marker for the assessment of disease activity in systemic sclerosis and for the diagnosis of fibrotic remodeling processes. Furthermore, sequence variations in the XT-I and XT-II coding genes were identified as risk factors for diabetic nephropathy, osteoarthritis or pseudoxanthoma elasticum. These findings point to the important role of the xylosyltransferases as disease modifiers in pathologies which are characterized by an altered proteoglycan metabolism. The present review discusses recent advances in mammalian xylosyltransferases and the impact of xylosyltransferases in proteoglycan-associated diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemicrania continua (HC) is an uncommon, primary headache disorder characterized by a continuous, strictly unilateral headache of moderate intensity with superimposed exacerbations of more severe pain and accompanying autonomic features. Whereas in the majority of HC patients the headache is continuous and without pain-free intervals, we report two new cases of the rare remitting form of HC. One patient described unusual olfactory sensation during episodes of exacerbation, which we classify as an olfactory aura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an extremely rare case of a patient with focal hypertrophic pachymeningitis in association with histologically proven temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis). It is proposed that focal hypertrophic pachymeningitis in itself is the contributing factor to severe headache rather than temporal arteritis alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular entry of enveloped viruses is often dependent on attachment proteins expressed on the host cell surface. Viral envelope proteins bind these receptors, and, in an incompletely understood process, facilitate fusion of the cellular and viral membranes so as to introduce the viral core into the cytoplasm. Only a small fraction of viral receptors have been identified so far. Recently, a novel coronavirus was identified as the etiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The fusion protein gene of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was cloned and characterized, and shortly thereafter, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was shown to be its functional receptor. Identification of ACE2 as a receptor for SARS-CoV will likely contribute to the development of antivirals and vaccines. It may also contribute to the development of additional animal models for studying SARS pathogenesis, and could help identify the animal reservoir of SARS-CoV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feasibility of a measurement of the electric and magnetic nucleon form factors at B- meson factories through the radiative return is studied. Angular distributions allow for a separation of the contributions from the two form factors. The distributions are presented for the laboratory and the hadronic rest frame, and the advantages of different coordinate systems are investigated. It is demonstrated that Q² values up to 8 or even 9 GeV² are within reach. The Monte Carlo event generator PFIOKFIARA is extended to nucleon final states, and results are presented which include next-to-leading order radiative corrections from initial-state radiation. The impact of angular cuts on rates and distributions is investigated and the relative importance of radiative corrections is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy C3 glomerular deposits were observed in rabbits injected intravenously with C5 streptococcal vaccine. Immunoglobulin deposits appeared later in a few rabbits. Although some data favour the presence of circulating immune complexes during the course of this glomerulonephritis, no evidence for their initiating role could be demonstrated. Streptococcal components are known to activate the alternative pathway of complement. It is suggested that complexes made of streptococcal components and activated C3 might deposit in glomerular tufts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is described to determine quantitatively the infrared-optical properties of loose powder beds via directional-hemispherical transmission and reflection measurements. Instead of the integration of the powders into a potassium bromide (KBr) or a paraffin oil matrix, which would drastically alter the scattering behavior, the powders are placed onto supporting layers of polyethylene (PE) and KBr. A commercial spectrometer is supplemented by an external optics, which enables measurements on horizontally arranged samples. For data evaluation we use a solution of the equation of radiative transfer in the 3-flux approximation under boundary conditions adapted to the PE or KBr/powder system. A comparison with Kubelka-Munk's theory and Schuster's 2-flux approximation is performed, which shows that 3-flux approximation yields results closest to the exact solution. Equations are developed, which correct transmission and reflection of the samples for the influence of the supporting layer and calculate the specific extinction and the albedo of the powder and thus enables us to separate scattering and absorption part of the extinction spectrum. Measurements on TiO[sub 2] powder are presented, which show the influence of preparation techniques and data evaluation with different methods to obtain the albedo. The specific extinction of various TiO[sub 2] powders is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a study that results in the prevention of the transient adverse effects of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue (buserelin) in metastatic prostatic carcinoma by administration of an antiandrogen (nilutamide). Study details;Results; Conclusion.

The precise shape of the Sun has not been convincingly determined, despite half a century of modern photoelectric observations. The expected deviation of the solar-limb shape from a perfect circle is very small, but such asphericity is sensitive to the Sun's otherwise invisible interior conditions, as well as the solar atmosphere. We use evidence from a long-running experiment based in space to show that, when analyzed with sufficiently high spatial resolution, the Sun's oblate shape is distinctly constant and almost completely unaffected by the solar-cycle variability seen on its surface. The solar oblateness is significantly lower than theoretical expectations by an amount that could be explained by a slower differential rotation in the outer few percent of the Sun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding Tourette Syndrome.

A patient presented with a painful, pulsating nodosity with marked tenderness on the right side of her neck. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exhibited pathological signal changes in the perivascular tissue of the carotid bifurcation area and around the external carotid artery. Similarly, Doppler sonography revealed an echo-poor wall change with outward bulging and slight narrowing of the affected vessel lumen. The clinical symptoms and our findings led to the diagnosis of carotidynia. We proposed that cervical MRI and Doppler sonography could be used for diagnosing carotidynia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-adhesion gel ADCON-L has been available since the end of the 1990s. During disc surgery it can be applied to the spinal nerve roots and the dura mater spinalis in order to inhibit fibroblast migration and thus avoid postoperative adhesions or excessive keloids, respectively. Due to the way ADCON-L works, inadvertent, intraoperational dural lesions may stay open much longer than usual because ADCON-L inhibits the natural healing process. Possible consequences are a chronic leakage of cerebrospinal fluid in combination with intracranial hypotension syndrome. We report on a patient who underwent lumbar disc surgery with application of ADCON-L gel. Postoperatively he suffered from acute headache, nausea, and vomiting. A lumbar pseudomeningocele was demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Furthermore, cranial MRI revealed bilateral, chronic subdural haematomata which indicated intracranial hypotension syndrome or continuous leakage of cerebrospinal fluid at the lumbar site. With conservative treatment the problems were gradually reduced and eventually the subdural haematomata were no longer detected. The pseudomeningocele persisted over a 4 month period of observation. Because of the complications we found, the local application of ADCON-L during lumbar disc surgery should be critically evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a ruptured intracranial aneurysm producing subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) cerebral angiography is currently used for identification of the affected vessel. Aneurysm rerupturing is one of the more serious complications of cerebral angiography and has been frequently described. We report a 61-year-old man who presented with SAH who had rerupture of a large aneurysm of the internal carotid artery during angiography. A substantial amount of contrast medium escaped via a ventricular drain. The three main risk factors for rerupture of an aneurysm are: angiography performed within 6 h of the primary SAH, an aneurysm on the internal carotid artery and an unfavourable Glasgow coma score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To raise awareness that families with a mentally ill parent face special challenges and the correct handling of it, need to be considered more in health care. The simple question "how are you as a parent and your children?" is often not asked but this question is important so as not to endanger the healing process, to identify the need for assistance and to break the potential vicious circle for children. Awareness of the problem in the psychiatry of adults can support the care of affected persons and their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article about deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens and its role in modulating opioid addictive behavior.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "iPhysicsLabs" in the November 2012 issue, "Analyzing Free Fall with a Smartphone Acceleration Sensor" in the March 2012 issue and "Could physics majors disappear?" in the September 2012 issue.

Presents a letter to the editor about Toscana virus causing severe meningoencephalitis in an elderly traveller.

We report in this work the determination of the solar radius from observations by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instruments on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory during the 2012 June Venus transit of the Sun. Two different methods were utilized to determine the solar radius using images of Sun taken by the HMI instrument. The first technique fit the measured trajectory of Venus in front of the Sun for seven wavelengths across the Fe I absorption line at 6173 Å. The solar radius determined from this method varies with the measurement wavelength, reflecting the variation in the height of line formation. The second method measured the area of the Sun obscured by Venus to determine the transit duration from which the solar radius was derived. This analysis focused on measurements taken in the continuum wing of the line, and applied a correction for the instrumental point spread function (PSF) of the HMI images. Measurements taken in the continuum wing of the 6173 Å line, resulted in a derived solar radius at 1 AU of 959.″57 ± 0.″02 (695, 946 ± 15 km). The AIA instrument observed the Venus transit at ultraviolet wavelengths. Using the solar disk obscuration technique, similar to that applied to the HMI images, analysis of the AIA data resulted in values of R☼ = 963.″04 ± 0.″03 at 1600 Å and R☼ = 961.″76 ± 0.″03 at 1700 Å. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of palladium in RF-plasma grown hard carbon films and its heat induced changes have been monitored by electron microscopy. For untreated films prepared from a metalorganic, only under high resolution conditions can metal clusters be observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the authors discuss aspects of the October 24, 2008 report titled "A Large Excess in Apparent Solar Oblateness Due to Surface Magnetism," by researcher Fivian and colleagues. They are critical of the results the team obtained from their analysis of satellite data, which showed the Sun to be more oblate than previously suggested. The authors argue that the threshold-based analysis that was used yielded a biased measure.

Purpose: Stroke and mortality risk in patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implants continue to be high. Whether nonclassical cardiovascular risk markers such as vitamin D metabolites and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 contribute to this risk remains to be studied, and this was the objective of our work. Methods: In 154 LVAD patients (91 HeartWare and 63 HeartMate II implants), we measured circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]D), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and FGF-23 shortly before LVAD implantation and investigated their association with stroke and mortality risk during 1-year follow-up. Results: Of the study cohort, 34.4 and 92.2 %, respectively, had deficient 25OHD (<25 nmol/l) and 1,25(OH)D (<41 pmol/l) values, whereas 42.6 and 98.7 %, respectively, had elevated PTH levels (>6.7 pmol/l) and FGF-23 values above the reference range (100 RU/ml). One-year freedom from stroke was 80.9 %, and 1-year survival was 64.3 %. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio of stroke was 2.44 (95 % CI: 1.09-5.45; P = 0.03) for the subgroup of 25OHD levels <25 nmol/l (reference group: 25OHD levels ≥25 nmol/l). The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio of 1-year mortality was 2.78 (95 % CI: 1.52-5.09; P = 0.001) for patients with 25OHD levels <25 nmol/l compared with patients with 25OHD levels ≥25 nmol/l. PTH, FGF-23 and 1,25(OH)D were not associated with stroke or mortality risk. Conclusions: In LVAD patients, deficient 25OHD levels are independently associated with high stroke and mortality risk. If confirmed in randomized controlled trials, preoperative correction of deficient vitamin D status could be a promising measure to reduce stroke and mortality risk in LVAD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we show the possibility of analysing circular motion and acceleration using the acceleration sensors of smartphones. For instance, the known linear dependence of the radial acceleration on the distance to the centre (a constant angular frequency) can be shown using multiple smartphones attached to a revolving disc. As a second example, the decrease of the radial acceleration and the rotation frequency due to friction can be measured and fitted with a quadratic function, in accordance with theory. Finally, because the disc is not set up exactly horizontal, each smartphone measures a component of the gravitational acceleration that adds to the radial acceleration during one half of the period and subtracts from the radial acceleration during the other half. Hence, every graph shows a small modulation, which can be used to determine the rotation frequency, thus converting a ‘nuisance effect’ into a source of useful information, making additional measurements with stopwatches or the like unnecessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tablet computers were used as experimental tools to record and analyse the motion of a ball thrown vertically from a moving skateboard. Special applications plotted the measurement data component by component, allowing a simple determination of initial conditions and g in order to explore the underlying laws of motion. This experiment can easily be performed by students themselves, providing more autonomy in their problem-solving processes than traditional learning approaches. We believe that this autonomy and the authenticity of the experimental tool both foster their motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Xylosyltransferase-I (XT-I) was investigated as a biomarker in skin fibrosis. [•] Myofibroblast differentiation was followed by an increased XYLT1 mRNA expression. [•] XT activity increased in response to progressive myofibroblast transformation. [•] XT-I is a biomarker useful for depicting manifested skin fibrosis and its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A composite NiO-YZrO (YSZ) agglomerated feedstock having nanoscale NiO and YSZ primary particles was used to fabricate anodes having sub-micrometer structure. These anodes were incorporated into two different metal-supported SOFC architectures, which differ in the order of electrode deposition. The composition of the composite Ni-YSZ anodes is controllable by selection of the agglomerate size fraction and standoff distance, while the porosity is controllable by selection of agglomerate size fraction and addition of a sacrificial pore-forming material. A bi-layer anode was fabricated having a total porosity of 33% for the diffusion layer and 23% porosity for the functional layer. A power density of 630 mW/cm was obtained at 750 °C in humidified H with cells having the bi-layer anode deposited on the metal support. Cells having the cathode deposited on the metal support showed poor performance due to a significant number of vertical cracks through the electrolyte, allowing excessive gas cross-over between the anode and the cathode compartments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the interrelationship between cardiac surgery, age, circulating concentrations of the vitamin D hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and clinical outcome.Design: Prospective, monocentric, two-arm parallel study.Setting: Tertiary Heart and Diabetes Center in the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.Patients: Twenty-nine cardiac surgical patients aged ≤ 65 yrs and 30 patients ≥ 75 yrs.Measurements: We assessed 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and other biochemical parameters of mineral metabolism (calcium, phosphate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and parathyroid hormone), various inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and 8), and different immunological parameters (CD4 and CD8 cells, monocyte HLA-DR expression). We collected blood samples preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and on postoperative days 1, 5, and 30. In addition, we assessed adverse outcome until discharge as a composite of myocardial infarction, low cardiac output syndrome, infection, stroke, or in-hospital death.Results: There were significant transient cardiac surgery-related fluctuations in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and the aforementioned parameters of mineral metabolism, inflammation, and immune status. Compared to younger patients, older patients had consistently lower 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and phosphate levels (p = .013 and p = .036, respectively) and significantly higher interleukin 6 and 8 levels (p = .008 and p < .001, respectively). Circulating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was directly related to glomerular filtration rate (R(2) = .227; p < .001) and inversely related to interleukin 6 (R(2) = .105; p = .012). The rate of adverse outcome tended to be higher in older than in younger patients (20.0% vs. 3.5%; p = .081). In risk score-adjusted logistic regression analysis, adverse outcome risk decreased by 7.7% (SE: 3.7%) for each pmol/L increment in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (p = .037).Conclusions: Circulating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels fluctuate in relation to cardiac surgery. Low 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with inflammatory processes and age-related differences in clinical outcome. Future studies should determine whether therapies aimed at treating low 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels can improve the outcome in older cardiac surgery patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, but can lead to adverse effects including psychiatric disturbance. Little is known about the risk factors and treatment options for such effects. Here, we describe a patient who reproducibly developed stimulation-induced hypomania when using ventrally located electrodes and responded well to pharmacological intervention while leaving the stimulation parameters unchanged to preserve motor benefits. In spite of clinical remission, [15O]-positron-emission-tomography (PET) demonstrated activation patterns similar to those reported during mania. This case, therefore, highlights an important treatment option of adverse effects of DBS, but also points toward the need for investigations of its risk factors and their underlying neurobiological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]