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Organic agricultural waste is successfully used in the production of mushrooms as it promotes the reuse of resources and increases food production. For the formulation of the substrate for Pleurotus spp. production, the availability of nutrients must be rigorously analyzed to assess whether supplementation is necessary. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the agronomic behavior of Pleurotus ostreatus var. Florida when grown on different straws and to analyze nutrient dynamics at the beginning and end of cultivation. Straws of rice, wheat and brachiaria were used as substrates without any supplementation. The yields, biological efficiency, number and weights of mushrooms were evaluated in two crop cycles. Rice straw provided a higher yield, better biological efficiency and a greater number of mushrooms in both cultures. Wheat straw showed intermediate results for the same variables. None of the substrates showed a significant difference for mushroom weight. In the first crop, only Mg and the number of mushrooms exhibited a positive correlation; in the second crop, only K and the yield of the 1st flush showed a positive correlation. With this study, it was possible to demonstrate that agricultural residues with higher levels of K increase P. ostreatus yield, and that Mg management affects the number of mushrooms for harvesting. The results will be a useful guide for efficient and sustainable mineral supplementation of the substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have witnessed a fall in the numbers of bee colonies worldwide. To a large extent, this is due to diseases affecting honeybees. One such disease is nosemosis, which is caused by fungi from the genus Nosema. The antibiotic fumagallin used to be administered to treat nosemosis, but as it was found capable of being transferred to bee products, this practice has ceased. We therefore focused on natural substances for treating this disease, among them, aqueous extracts of the nest carton produced by the jet-black ant (Lasius fuliginosus). We tested the influence of 0.1% and 1% concentrations of such extracts on the incidence of nosemosis in honeybees. The "birch carton 2" extract turned out to be the most effective inhibitor of this disease. The incidence of nosemosis following the administration of this extract, as manifested by the number of spores, fell ca 18-fold in comparison with the control. Moreover, the "birch carton 2" extract was not found to be toxic towards bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parameterizations of unresolved turbulent processes often compromise the fidelity of large‐scale ocean models. In this work, we argue for a Bayesian approach to the refinement and evaluation of turbulence parameterizations. Using an ensemble of large eddy simulations of turbulent penetrative convection in the surface boundary layer, we demonstrate the method by estimating the uncertainty of parameters in the convective limit of the popular "K‐Profile Parameterization." We uncover structural deficiencies and propose an alternative scaling that overcomes them. Plain Language Summary: Climate projections are often compromised by significant uncertainties which stem from the representation of physical processes that cannot be resolved—such as clouds in the atmosphere and turbulent swirls in the ocean—but which have to be parameterized. We propose a methodology for improving parameterizations in which they are tested against, and tuned to, high‐resolution numerical simulations of subdomains that represent them more completely. A Bayesian methodology is used to calibrate the parameterizations against the highly resolved model, to assess their fidelity and identify shortcomings. Most importantly, the approach provides estimates of parameter uncertainty. While the method is illustrated for a particular parameterization of boundary layer mixing, it can be applied to any parameterization. Key Points: A Bayesian methodology can be used to probe turbulence parameterizations and better understand their biases and uncertaintiesParameterization parameter distributions, learned using high‐resolution simulations, can be used as prior distributions for climate studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which applied a previously developed theory for a single round filament of type II superconductor, to hysteresis losses in multifilamentary (MF) composite conductors. Basis of the theory of the hysteresis loss; Applicability of theory to MF composites; Independent measurements of critical current density, filament density and superconductor volume fraction.

Presents a study that measured hysteresis loops and critical current densities on the niobium-titanium fine filament wires to examine the reversible and irreversible behavior of the filaments. Principal mechanism of current flow in the filaments; Degree of asymmetry in the loop; Existence of Meissner effect in the magnetic fields.

Spectra from proton-beam irradiated helium gas, near 4.2 K, have been examined in the near infrared spectral region using a sensitive photomultiplier-grating spectrometer combination (750–1000 nm) and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer with an InGaAs detector (800–1800 nm). Most of the observed features can be assigned to known He2 transitions, and two bands, not previously observed (d 3Σ+u(v=4)→c 3Σ+g(v=3,4)) have been identified and analyzed. Some of the unidentified spectra have qualitative similarity to a set of visible emission lines tentatively assigned to an excimer–dimer (i.e., He4, two He2 excimers weakly bound together). These features, unlike the normal He2 spectra, demonstrate pronounced dependence on both the pressure and temperature of the sample. A comparison of the intensities of the singlet and triplet D(d)→C(c) transitions to the singlet and triplet C(c)→A(a) transitions is made. © 1995 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a microstructural analysis of YBa[sub2]Cu[sub3]O[suby] thin films deposited on SrTiO[sub3] and LaAlO[sub3] substrates by off-axis magnetron sputtering. Differences in the growth mode and in the surface morphology of YBCo thin films; Explanation for the high anisotropy of the growth mechanisms of thin films of high-temperature superconductors; Sample preparation.

The purpose of this article is to characterize and compare the residual COD of raw landfill leachate and its low and high molecular weight fractions before and after aerobic degradation process. The low and high molecular weight fractions (<10 kDa and >10 kDa, respectively) were obtained by the use of an ultrafiltration cell. Samples of the fractions with molecular weights 10 kDa, as well as the raw leachate, were characterized in terms of COD, protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentration and by biodegradability test. The compound identification of all samples was carried out using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results show that the landfill leachate studied is constituted of approximately 60% of compounds with molecular weight <10 kDa. Approximately 80% of the compounds identified in the leachate had been degraded. This is an indication that most of the compounds that constitute the significant fraction of residual COD correspond to intermediate products and products of condensation of affluent compounds or had been generated during the degradation (SMP). Similar compounds were identified in all effluents of the degradation assay, suggesting the presence of SMP. These compounds, predominantly aliphatic and esters, are characterized by high molecular weight and probable refractory nature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Life history theory is an essential framework to understand the evolution of reproductive allocation. It predicts that individuals of long-lived species favour their own survival over current reproduction, leading individuals to refrain from reproducing under harsh conditions. Here we test this prediction in a long-lived bird species, the Siberian jay Perisoreus infaustus. Long-term data revealed that females rarely refrain from breeding, but lay smaller clutches in unfavourable years. Neither offspring body size, female survival nor offspring survival until the next year was influenced by annual condition, habitat quality, clutch size, female age or female phenotype. Given that many nests failed due to nest predation, the variance in the number of fledglings was higher than the variance in the number of eggs and female survival. An experimental challenge with a novel pathogen before egg laying largely replicated these patterns in two consecutive years with contrasting conditions. Challenged females refrained from breeding only in the unfavourable year, but no downstream effects were found in either year. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that condition-dependent reproductive allocation may serve to maintain female survival and offspring quality, supporting patterns found in long-lived mammals. We discuss avenues to develop life history theory concerning strategies to offset reproductive costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the integration of the air stripping, membrane bioreactor (MBR) and nanofiltration (NF) processes for the treatment of landfill leachate (LFL). Pretreatment by air stripping, without adjustment of pH, removed 65% of N-NH3 present in LFL. After pretreatment, the effluent was treated in MBR obtaining 44% of COD removal, and part of the N-NH3 was converted to nitrite and nitrate, which was later removed in the post-treatment. Nanofiltration was shown to be an effective process to improve the removal of organic compounds, the high toxicity present in LFL and nitrite and nitrate generated in the MBR. The system (air stripping + MBR + nanofiltration) obtained great efficiency of removal in most parameters analyzed, with overall removal of COD, ammonia, color and toxicity approximately 88, 95, 100 and 100%, respectively. By this route, treated landfill leachate may be reused at the landfill as water for dust arrestment and also as earth work on construction sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin films of β-Ga2O3 doped with Si are grown on Al2O3 (0001) and β-Ga2O3 (100) substrates by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. Homoepitaxial growth of single-phase, smooth β-Ga2O3 layers doped with Si, with a dislocation density not exceeding those of the melt grown substrate, was demonstrated. The interplay between growth conditions, structural and electrical properties of the Ga-oxide layers is studied. XRD and HRTEM show that Si-doping in the concentration range 1017-1018 cm-3 does not deteriorate the quality of the Ga-oxide layers compared to undoped ones. The different nature of defects in undoped and doped material is investigated by HRTEM. It is found out that the density of twins and stacking faults on a-planes are an order of magnitude lower in β-Ga2O3:Si than in undoped material, while defects on inclined planes have rarely been observed in β-Ga2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The midgut epithelium of insects is composed mainly of digestive cells, responsible for the digestion and absorption of food, and regenerative cells, which play a role in cell renewal. The morphological and histochemical analyses of the midgut of Campoletis flavicincta (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) showed that it is similar to those of other Hymenoptera. Morphometric analyses revealed differences in cell height, length of the striated border, and nuclear area of the digestive cells along the midgut. The nuclear area of regenerative cells was similar between the anterior and posterior midgut regions. These results demonstrate that the anterior and posterior midgut regions are morphologically distinct from each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A high content of refractory organic matter, ammonia and toxic compounds is characteristic of landfill leachate. Advanced oxidative processes (AOPs) are an attractive alternative for landfill leachate treatment. However, when applied as a unique process treatment, they do not provide a complete solution for the effluent treatment. Combining AOP with a membrane separation process (MSP) presents a number of benefits and provides an adequate solution for this problem. With this in mind, the present work aims to evaluate, using a bench scale, leachate treatability through AOP by Fenton’s reagent (AOP/Fenton) combined with microfiltration (MF) and nanofiltration (NF). A high efficient removal of COD (63%), true color (76%) and humic substances (50%) was observed during AOP/Fenton under optimized conditions (1.7gH2O2/gCODraw leachate; FeSO4·7H2O:H2O2 =1:5.3; pH=3.8; reaction conditions=115rpm/28min). According to the evaluated parameters, MSP presented an efficient complementary treatment, in which the integrity of the stages was sufficient for reaching regulatory levels in the effluent (Deliberação Normativa Conjunta COPAM/CERH-MG No. 1, May 5, 2008). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Usually a waiting step at around 1000°C to 1100°C is implemented during the carbonization for 3C-SiC epitaxy on silicon in order to form a closed carbon layer which prevents the formation of voids by evaporation of Si. On the other hand, such a process step may lead to non-ideal nucleation conditions resulting in a low layer quality with high densities of defects and domain boundaries. Our investigations indicate that a continuous temperature ramp-up with the highest possible heating rate and no waiting step is preferable and results in an improved layer quality concerning domain sizes as confirmed by X-ray diffraction measurements of the full width at half maximum of the SiC(200) reflection. The result can be understood within the framework of the Tammann theory for the temperature dependence of nucleation and growth. The two thermal regimes, as proposed by Tammann, had been located at temperatures of around 1000–1100°C for nucleation and >1200°C for growth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the context of probabilistic learning, previous functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown decreasing uncertainty accompanying decreasing neuronal activation in task-relevant networks. Moreover, initial evidence points to a relationship between white matter structure and cognitive performance. Little is known, however, about the structural correlates underlying individual differences in activation and performance in the context of probabilistic learning. This combined functional magnetic resonance imaging–diffusion tensor imaging study aimed at investigating the individual ability to reduce processing resources with decreasing uncertainty in direct relation to individual characteristics in white matter brain structure. Results showed that more successful learners, as compared with less successful learners, exhibited stronger activation decreases with decreasing uncertainty. An increased mean and axial diffusivity in, among others, the inferior and superior longitudinal fasciculus, the posterior part of the cingulum bundle, and the corpus callosum were detectable in less successful learners compared with more successful learners. Most importantly, there was a negative correlation between uncertainty-related activation and diffusivity in a fronto-parieto-striatal network in less successful learners only, indicating a direct relation between diffusivity and the ability to reduce processing resources with decreasing uncertainty. These findings indicate that interindividual variations in white matter characteristics within the normal population might be linked to neuronal activation and critically influence individual learning performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Evolvability, the ability of populations to adapt, has recently emerged as a major unifying concept in biology. Although the study of evolvability offers new insights into many important biological questions, the conceptual bases of evolvability, and the mechanisms of its evolution, remain controversial. We used simulated evolution of a model of gene network dynamics to test the contentious hypothesis that natural selection can favour high evolvability, in particular in sexual populations. Our results conclusively demonstrate that fluctuating natural selection can increase the capacity of model gene networks to adapt to new environments. Detailed studies of the evolutionary dynamics of these networks establish a broad range of validity for this result and quantify the evolutionary forces responsible for changes in evolvability. Analysis of the genotype–phenotype map of these networks also reveals mechanisms connecting evolvability, genetic architecture and robustness. Our results suggest that the evolution of evolvability can have a pervasive influence on many aspects of organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have studied the vapour–liquid–solid (VLS) growth of free-standing GaN wires on various III–V substrates using metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy. The low-temperature deposition including in situ droplet formation was investigated applying 1.1-dimethylhydrazine and trimethylgallium. In particular, the surface structure of BP and GaN intermediate layers on the growth of GaN wires is discussed. Furthermore, the GaN growth was examined with a special focus on the influence of triethylboron on the droplet formation and wire growth. Additionally, the Au-initiated VLS growth on c-plane Al2O3 is reported, where NH3 and triethylgallium have been used at usual growth conditions. Depending on the growth conditions used, the wires have hexagonal (h-GaN) wurtzite or cubic (c-GaN) zinc blende structure. The resulting nanowire diameters range from 50 to 300nm and they are up to 2μm in length. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Functional imaging studies are indicating disrupted error monitoring and executive control in a fronto-cingulate network in major depression. However, univariate statistical analyses allow only for a limited assessment of directed neuronal interactions. Therefore, the present study used dynamic causal modeling (DCM) of a fronto-cingulate network to re-analyze the data from a preceding fMRI study in 16 drug-free patients with major depression and 16 healthy controls using the Stroop Color-Word Test (). In both groups, a significant reciprocal interregional connectivity was found in a cognitive control network including prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). With regard to intrinsic connections we detected a significant difference for dorsal to rostral ACC connectivity between depressive patients and controls in terms of higher connectivity in patients. Additionally, a task by group interaction was observed for the bilinear interaction signaling enhanced task-related input from the dorsal to rostral ACC in subjects with depression. This could be related to the inability of patients to down-regulate rostral ACC activation as observed in the previous univariate analysis. The correlation between interference scores and intrinsic connections from dorsal ACC to dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) was significant for both groups together, but no significant group differences in correlations could be detected. Thus, the observed relationship between control functions of the dorsal ACC exerted over DLPFC and interference scores appears to be valid in both patients with depression and controls. The findings are consistent with current models of a differential involvement of the fronto-cingulate system in the pathophysiology of major depression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Accurate line strengths were obtained for the H2 16O molecule in the 800–1750cm−1 region. Measurements were carried out for 974 lines including pure rotational transitions and , , , and band transitions. The absolute experimental uncertainty on the measurements, in percent of the observed line strength, is 1.5% or better for a number of lines. Line position and line intensity analyses of data pertaining to water and involving the eight first vibrational states of this molecule were also carried out. The data considered in the line position analysis were taken from the literature and involved rotational energy levels, line positions, and microwave frequencies. The data considered in the line intensity analysis involve the line strengths measured in this work, line strengths available from the literature, and Stark coefficients. The theoretical model used in both analyses accounts for anomalous centrifugal distortion effects. The unitless standard deviation achieved in both analyses is 1.2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: In patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), enhanced activation of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) during conflict resolution has been demonstrated with the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which suggests dysregulation of the affective compartment of the ACC associated with error monitoring and cognitive control. Moreover, several previous studies have reported disrupted structural integrity in limbic brain areas and the orbitofrontal cortex in MDD. However, the relation between structural and functional alterations remains unclear. Therefore, the present study sought to investigate whether structural brain aberrations in terms of grey matter decreases directly in the medial frontal regions or in anatomically closely connected areas might be related to our previously reported functional alterations. Methods: A sample of 16 female, drug-free patients with an acute episode of MDD and 16 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex and education were examined with structural high-resolution T1-weighted MRI; fMRI images were obtained in the same session. Results: Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) revealed grey matter decreases in the orbitofrontal and subgenual cortex, in the hippocampus-amygdala complex and in the middle frontal gyrus. The relative hyperactivation of the rACC in terms of inability to deactivate this region during the Stroop Color-Word Test showed an inverse correlation with grey matter reduction in the orbitofrontal cortex. Conclusion: The present study provides strong evidence for an association between structural alterations in the orbitofrontal cortex and disturbed functional activation in the emotional compartment of the ACC in patients with MDD during cognitive control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Working memory (WM) deficits are core symptoms of schizophrenia. Differing behavioral performance is known to represent a potent moderating variable when investigating the neural correlates of working memory in patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy controls. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging study examined performance-matched cerebral activity during correct WM retrieval by balancing the mean number of correct responses as well as the mean response times between patients and controls and analyzing remaining correct trials. Forty-one schizophrenia patients and 41 healthy controls performed an event-related Sternberg task allowing for analysis of correctly remembered trials. Correct retrieval was associated with activation in a bilateral fronto-parieto-occipital network comprising mainly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and superior parietal cortex in controls and, to a weaker degree, in patients. Direct group comparison revealed significantly decreased activations in patients in the posterior (Brodmann area (BA) 31) and anterior (BA 32) cingulate cortex (ACC) and the medial caudate bilaterally when matching for performance. When matching for performance and response speed there was additional hypoactivation in the insula. Mean response times were negatively correlated with cingulate and caudate activation only in controls. Present findings suggest that during efficient WM retrieval processing patients exhibit only slightly impaired activation in a task-specific network containing mainly prefrontal and superior parietal areas. However, hypoactivation of areas predominantly responsible for cognitive control and response execution seems to remain even under performance-matched conditions. Given the relevant role of the caudate and the ACC in dopaminergically mediated executive processing, the results bear crucial implications for the psychopathology of schizophrenia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective:To review the literature on the relationship between obesity and sexual function.Method:A search in the medical literature from 1966 and onwards was carried out through Medline and Embase for publications on obesity, in combination with Medical Subject Heading words related to sexual function and dysfunction.Comments:Four prospective and seven cross-sectional studies were found describing association between obesity and erectile dysfunction (ED). One cross-sectional study was found describing obesity and female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The prospective studies on ED all demonstrated a direct association and so did five of the seven cross-sectional studies. The single FSD study did not find any relationship. Eight intervention studies on weight loss and sexual difficulties were identified. All included few individuals and results were mixed even if most indicated an increase of sexual activity among both men and women after weight loss intervention.Conclusion:Support for the assumption that obesity is associated with ED was found in both prospective and cross-sectional studies. FSD was not adequately described in the literature and prospective studies are needed here. Results from weight loss intervention studies are less conclusive, but also point toward improvement in sexual dysfunction with reduced weight.International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 1189–1198; doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803604; published online 20 March 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Working memory (WM) deficits are a core feature of schizophrenia. However, it has not been examined whether these deficits are related to altered temporal dynamics of information acquisition and changes in executive cognitive control. Therefore, the present study intended to quantify and model the dynamic process of information acquisition during continuous overlearning of WM information. It also aimed at investigating the relation between overlearning-associated change in behavioral performance and brain activity. Thirteen schizophrenic patients and 13 healthy volunteers were studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing a recently developed overlearning paradigm [Koch K, Wagner G, von Consbruch K, Nenadic I, Schultz C, Ehle C, Reichenbach J, Sauer H, Schlösser R (2006) Temporal changes in neural activation during practice of information retrieval from short-term memory: An fMRI study. Brain Res 1107:140–150]. Consistent with the earlier study, short-term learning of stimulus material was associated with significant performance improvements and exponential signal decreases in a fronto-parieto-cerebellar network both in schizophrenic patients and in healthy volunteers. Against expectation patients exhibited stronger signal decreases relative to controls in anterior cingulate (Brodmann area (BA) 32), middle and superior temporal (BA 37, BA 22), superior frontal (BA 8/9, BA 6) and posterior parietal regions (BA 40). Furthermore, the individually modeled exponential decay rate of the blood oxygenation level-dependent signal in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was significantly correlated with exponential decrease in mean behavioral response times in healthy controls while a statistical trend emerged in patients. A relative hyperactivation in the patient group was observable only at the start of the learning process and diminished with continued overlearning. This effect might indicate a gradual reduction of recruited neuronal resources and a practice-associated activation normalization in patients with schizophrenia. Our data suggest that in subacute patients learning and associated decreases in cerebral activation brought about by short-term practice are left unimpaired. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The transient liquid crystal technique has been extensively used for measuring the heat transfer characteristics in gas turbine applications. Thereby, the time evolution of the surface temperature is usually evaluated using the model of a semi-infinite flat plate. For experiments on cylinders, Wagner et al. [G. Wagner, M. Kotulla, P. Ott, B. Weigand, J. von Wolfersdorf, The transient liquid crystal technique: influence of surface curvature and finite wall thickness, ASME Paper GT2004-53553, 2004] showed, that curvature and finite thickness effects can have an influence on the obtained heat transfer coefficients. The aim of this study is to develop a time effective data reduction method that accounts for curvature and that is applicable to film cooling experiments with time varying adiabatic wall temperatures. To verify this method, transient liquid crystal experiments have been carried out on a blunt body model with showerhead film cooling. The experimental data was evaluated with the traditional semi-infinite flat plate approach and with the curvature correction using regression analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Purpose: Recently, a number of mimics of the second messenger cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) with replacement of adenosine by inosine were introduced. In addition, various alterations in the molecule ranging from substitutions at C8 of the base up to full replacement of the ribose moieties still retained biological activity. However, nothing is known about the metabolic stability and cellular effects of these novel analogues.Experimental Approach: cADPR and the inosine-based analogues were incubated with CD38, ADP-ribosyl cyclase and NAD-glycohydrolase and metabolism was analysed by RP-HPLC. Furthermore, the effect of the analogues on cytokine expression and proliferation was investigated in primary T-lymphocytes and T-lymphoma cells.Key Results: Incubation of cADPR with CD38 resulted in degradation to adenosine diphosphoribose. ADP-ribosyl cyclase weakly catabolised cADPR whereas NAD-glycohydrolase showed no such activity. In contrast, N1-cyclic inosine 5'-diphosphoribose (N1-cIDPR) was not hydrolyzed by CD38. Three additional N1-cIDPR analogues showed a similar stability. Proliferation of Jurkat T-lymphoma cells was inhibited by N1-cIDPR, N1-[(phosphoryl-O-ethoxy)-methyl]-N9-[(phosphoryl-O-ethoxy)-methyl]-hypoxanthine-cyclic pyrophosphate (N1-cIDP-DE) and N1-ethoxymethyl-cIDPR (N1-cIDPRE). In contrast, in primary T cells neither proliferation nor cytokine expression was affected by these compounds.Conclusions and Implications: The metabolic stability of N1-cIDPR and its analogues provides an advantage for the development of novel pharmaceutical compounds interfering with cADPR mediated Ca2+ signalling pathways. The differential effects of N1-cIDPR and N1-cIDPRE on proliferation and cytokine expression in primary T cells versus T-lymphoma cells may constitute a starting point for novel anti-tumor drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A considerable body of evidence supports the notion that the neurofunctional substrate of working memory is not only related to the integrity of the prefrontal cortex, but also to the concerted interplay of widespread interacting networks including the parietal cortex, subcortical regions and cerebellar areas. Modern functional brain imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have provided a detailed picture of functional neuroanatomy subserving working memory functions. Most of the earlier functional studies were directed toward the identification of brain areas subserving specific cognitive domains in terms of a functional segregation. More recently, different multivariate techniques were employed to specifically address measures of functional or effective connectivity. Structural equation modeling (SEM) or path analysis is one of the most often used methods to model interactions among covarying brain areas in an explicitly model-based approach. The present review will focus on basic methodological issues of SEM for the analysis of fMRI datasets in studies of working memory. Aside from a discussion of previous studies and their essential findings, advanced methodological issues and caveats as well as future perspectives of the method will be addressed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present the first data on the differences in routine and active metabolic rates for sexually maturing migratory adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) that were intercepted in the ocean and then held in either seawater or freshwater. Routine and active oxygen uptake rates (Mo2) were significantly higher (27%-72%) in seawater than in freshwater at all swimming speeds except those approaching critical swimming speed. During a 45-min recovery period, the declining postexercise oxygen uptake remained 58%-73% higher in seawater than in fresh-water. When fish performed a second swim test, active metabolic rates again remained 28%-81% higher for fish in seawater except at the critical swimming speed. Despite their differences in metabolic rates, fish in both seawater and freshwater could repeat the swim test and reach a similar maximum oxygen uptake and critical swimming speed as in the first swim test, even without restoring routine metabolic rate between swim tests. Thus, elevated Mo2 related to either being in seawater as opposed to freshwater or not being fully recovered from previous exhaustive exercise did not present itself as a metabolic loading that limited either critical swimming performance or maximum Mo2. The basis for the difference in metabolic rates of migratory sockeye salmon held in seawater and freshwater is uncertain, but it could include differences in states of nutrition, reproduction, and restlessness, as well as ionic differences. Regardless, this study elucidates some of the metabolic costs involved during the migration of adult salmon from sea-water to freshwater, which may have applications for fisheries conservation and management models of energy use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The two-phase region in the system 2(ZnSe) x (CuInSe2)1− x covers the chemical composition range 0.10

The Basin of Phlious in southern Greece is known for its thick colluvial and alluvial deposits from the Holocene. It offers a good opportunity to reconstruct the history of Holocene soil erosion and its interaction with historical farming activities. In this study, we present new results based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating from the Basin of Phlious. The comparison between OSL and 14C AMS ages shows good agreement, and demonstrates the need for the detection of insufficiently bleached OSL samples in order to obtain accurate results. The discovery of a Neolithic site, buried under thick alluvial deposits, confirms the hitherto postulated Neolithic human impact on the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The two-phase field in the system 2(ZnS) x (CuInS2)1− x , where cubic and tetragonal mixed crystals coexist, covers at room temperature the compositional range . For alloys with tetragonal structure only exist. Above 41mol% 2(ZnS) exclusively solid solutions of 2(ZnS) x (CuInS2)1− x having cubic structure without any cation ordering are stable. Equilibrium and kinetic experiments enabled to check the effect of temperature and cooling rate on the chemical compositions of both phases and on the growth kinetics of domains. The compositions of the different phases and their structural relationship were measured by EDX in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and by selected area diffraction, TEM and HRTEM. After nucleation of the discus-shaped domains, their growth obeys , i.e. it is controlled by diffusion. The short extension of the domains lies always parallel to their tetragonal c-axis. They are simultaneously arranged on the (100),(010) and (001) planes within the cubic matrix. While slow cooling with &#60; 2K/h approximates the equilibrium at room temperature, long-time annealing experiments at higher temperatures followed by rapid quenching enabled to determine the chemical compositions at the annealing temperature. If the samples are far away from the equilibrium state within both phases cation ordering like the stannite-type occurs. The more both phases approach the equilibrium the more they become disordered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) acquire infections with the myxosporean kidney parasite Parvicapsula minibicornis during their spawning migration in the Fraser River, British Columbia. Controlled infections with this parasite in wild sockeye salmon had no significant impact on plasma ionic status, metabolic rates, and initial maximum prolonged swimming performance (Ucrit) for fish ranked as either strongly, weakly, or noninfected by polymerase chain reaction analysis of kidney tissue. However, strongly infected fish had significantly lower second Ucrit and recovery ratio (8%) values, indicating decreased ability to recover from exercise. As the present study shows that the severity of infection is affected by time and temperature, the accumulated thermal units (ATU) of exposure in this study were compared with those experienced by naturally migrating sockeye salmon. A parallel telemetry study revealed that early-timed sockeye experienced significantly more ATU (741.4 ± 29.4 °C) than normally migrating salmon (436.0 ± 20.0 °C) prior to spawning because of a significantly longer holding period in the lake system. The present data are discussed in the context of a threshold of >450 °C ATU for severe infection that would first manifest in early-timed fish in the upper reaches of the Fraser River and certainly on the spawning grounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Powder samples of Zn2x (CuIn)1−x S2 alloys were prepared by solid state reaction of the elements (T =950°C) and annealed with cooling rates between 2 and 42K/h in the entire composition range. Structural parameters (e.g. lattice parameter, tetragonal deformation η) were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies, the chemical composition was determined by EDX analysis on a transmission electron microscope. The room temperature results showed that mixed crystals in the interval 0≤ x &#60;0.1 crystallize in the tetragonal chalcopyrite-type structure and in the interval 0.4&#60; x ≤1 in the cubic sphalerite-type structure. In between, i.e. for 0.1≤ x ≤0.4, a miscibility gap was found, indicated by the coexistence of two phases, resulting in crystals containing tetragonal domains in a cubic matrix. In the single-phase regions the lattice parameter follows Vegard''s rule, whereas in the 2-phase field the phases try to match in the a–b-plane (a tetr ∼ a cub), causing an increase of the tetragonal lattice parameter c and herewith a strong increase of the tetragonal deformation η. Thus the tetragonal deformation η = c/2a in 2-phase samples is significantly larger than in tetragonal single-phase samples and even larger than in the end member CuInS2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: High-resolution Fourier transform spectra of –air mixtures have been measured at 296, 742, and 980K for total pressures of 0.5 and 1.0atm in the region of the band. From these recordings, air-broadening coefficients have been determined for the doublet lines with . From these data and previous experimental determinations, line-broadening parameters are obtained at all three temperatures for the doublet lines from up to 16. These values are then used to deduce the temperature-dependence exponent such that . The values of n obtained using the two elevated temperatures are consistent and show that line widths decrease with T for small J-values , are almost temperature independent on T for , and increase with T for high J lines ( for ). This original result, which confirms theoretical predictions made about 15 years ago with a semi-classical approach (J. Chem. Phys. 86 (1987) 144), is analyzed here using an improved version of the model. Comparisons between measured and computed widths show that calculations cannot correctly reproduce the experimental results at all temperatures simultaneously. This failure is attributed to the use of an inappropriate interaction potential and to the very strong dependence of the broadening on the relative velocity v for high lines. This strong variation of raises the question (which is discussed here) of what calculated quantity is to be compared with measured values (i.e. , , or some other more complex mean to account for the velocity averaging of the spectral profile itself?). Nevertheless, when the temperature exponent n is considered, satisfactory agreement between experiments and predictions is obtained, particularly when the averaging of widths over the relative velocity distribution is made. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and other antidepressants in panic disorder and agoraphobia (PDA) has been proven in many controlled trials. However, efficacy does not guarantee good effectiveness in certain subgroups of patients. Only few studies have investigated the effectiveness of CBT with or without concomitant medication in inpatients with severe PDA. Methods: 80 inpatients were treated with CBT comprising intense exposure in vivo. 41 of them received additional medication, mostly SSRI and other antidepressants. Drug treatment was not randomized or blinded. Progress in therapy was measured weekly with Bandelow’s Panic and Agoraphobia Scale. Psychopathology, demographic and clinical features were assessed as well. The temporal course was analyzed using cox regression. Results: 71 patients (89%) improved by at least 30%. At posttest 12 patients (15%) were free of panic and avoidance, another 49 patients (61,2%) experienced only mild residual anxiety symptoms. The main outcome measure yielded an effect size of 2,50. A reliable improvement by 30% took 7 weeks in median. Female sex and secondary school education, but not university degree, predicted better outcome. Depression and multiple comorbidity influenced results adversely. Additional pharmacotherapy did not enhance or accelerate treatment outcome in general, but the medication group had more severe psychopathology at pretest. Conclusions: CBT brings about a good reduction of anxiety and avoidance in inpatients with serious PDA. Residual symptoms remain in many of these patients. Combining SSRI or other antidepressant drugs with CBT is not generally beneficial. Future studies should investigate the differential effectiveness of CBT/drug combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were infected with sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis(0·08 ± 0·007 sea lice g−1) over a period of 4 h. Both infected and non-infected fish were swim tested in sea water (SW) and fresh water (FW). The ventral aorta of each fish was fitted with a Doppler cuff in order to measure cardiac output, stroke volume and heart rate during swim testing. Blood samples were taken at rest and after exercise. Critical swimming speed of infected fish in SW (2·14 ± 0·08 body lengths, bl s−1) was significantly lower ( P < 0·05) than infected fish switched to FW (2·81 ± 0·08 bl s−1) and non-infected fish in SW (2·42 ± 0·04 bl s−1) and FW (2·61 ± 0·08 bl s−1). Cardiac and blood results indicated infected fish exposed to FW did experience stress, but relief from osmotic and ionic distress probably reduces energy expenditure, allowing the increase in performance. As the performance of sea lice-infected fish improved upon transfer to FW, it is likely that heavily infected salmonids do return to FW to restore compromised osmotic and ionic balance, and remove sea lice in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several studies have examined the relationship between symptoms of depression or psychological distress and medication adherence, this is the first published study of HIV antiretroviral adherence and its correlates among persons diagnosed with serious mental illness. Forty-five of 47 (96%) participants completed a two-week study in which their adherence to antiretroviral medication was measured using electronic monitoring caps. Mean adherence (proportion of prescribed doses taken) was 66% (SD = 34). There were several correlates (p <0.05) of adherence among background and medical characteristics, physical symptoms and side effects, cognitive and psychosocial functioning, and treatment-related attitudes and beliefs. However, in a forward stepwise regression, attendance at recent clinical appointments was the sole predictor that entered the model- accounting for 49% of the variance in adherence. Using attendance at recent clinic appointments as the criterion, adherence readiness (90 + % adherence to antiretrovirals) was correctly determined for 72% of the sample. Although not sufficient to serve as the basis for treatment decision making, review of appointment-keeping records may provide clinicians with a simple, cost-effective method for predicting adherence to ongoing treatment, as well as for evaluating adherence readiness to inform the decision of whether to prescribe or defer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of two known rates of repeated blood loss on rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss swimming performance was measured and blood-feeding rates of sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis were calculated to predict the point at which blood ingestion causes anaemia in infected fish. Known quantities of blood were sampled from rainbow trout over a 5 day period followed by critical swimming performance ( Ucrit) testing. A predictive equation was developed using masses of blood-feeding sea lice and host blood loss calculated for increasing levels of sea lice infection. Blood loss of 8% total blood volume caused a decrease in Ucrit for rainbow trout. Total blood volume losses of 3·2% reduced erythrocyte stores, but did not affect fish swimming performance. The predictive feeding rate model suggests that 15–25% of the tissue consumed by sea lice is blood. This consumption of blood at higher sub-lethal infection levels (≥0·5 sea lice g−1) may cause anaemia and a further decrease in swimming performance. Anaemia would compound the osmotic balance problems due to infection and potentially precipitate the morbidity seen at lethal sea lice levels (0·75–1·0 lice g−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: After a brief overview of different epitaxial layer growth techniques, the homoepitaxial chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of SiC with a focus on hot-wall CVD is reviewed. Step-controlled epitaxy and site competition epitaxy have been utilized to grow polytype stable layers more than 50μm in thickness and of high purity and crystalline perfection for power devices. The influence of growth parameters including gas flow, C/Si ratio, growth temperature and pressure on growth rate and layer uniformity in thickness and doping are discussed. Background doping levels as low as 1014 cm−3 have been achieved as well as layers doped over a wide n-type (nitrogen) and p-type (aluminium) range. Furthermore the status of numerical process simulation is mentioned and SiC substrate preparation is described. In order to get flat and damage free epi-ready surfaces, they are prepared by different methods and characterised by atomic force microscopy and by scanning electron microscope using channelling patterns. For the investigation of defects in SiC high purity CVD layers are grown. The improvement of the quality of bulk crystal substrates by micropipe healing and so-called dislocation stop layers can further decrease the defect density and thus increase the yield and performance of devices. Due to its high growth rate functionality and scope for the use of multi-wafer equipment hot-wall CVD has become a well-established method in SiC-technology and has therefore great industrial potential. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fourier transform infrared measurements of chlorine nitrate have been performed in the spectral region 500–1330 cm−1 at 0.002–0.008 cm−1 spectral resolution. Absorption cross sections were derived from 23 spectra covering the temperature range from 190 to 296 K and air pressure range from 0 to 150 hPa. For line-by-line analysis, further spectra were recorded at 0.00094 cm−1 spectral resolution at 190 and 296 K. The sample was synthesized from N2O5 and Cl2O. Number densities in the absorption cell were derived from pressure measurements of the purified sample. Quality assurance included measurements with different sample pressures, spectroscopic purity check of the sample, comparison of integrated absorption cross sections over entire band systems, and assessment of residuals from remote-sensing retrievals. Multiplicative and additive errors were considered giving an overall uncertainty of +2.5/−3.5%. Further data reduction was achieved with an interpolation scheme based on two-dimensional polynomials in ln(pressure) and temperature. The worst-case error for the interpolated data is +4.5/−5.5%. The database is well-suited for remote-sensing application and should reduce the atmospheric chlorine nitrate error budget substantially. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The development of SiC minimum ionising particle (MIP) detectors imposes severe constrains in the electronic quality and the thickness of the material due to the relatively high value of the energy required to produce an electron–hole pair in this material by MIP against the value for Si. In this work, particle detectors were made using semiconductor epitaxial undoped n-type 4H-SiC as the detection medium. The thickness of the epilayer is on the order of 40 μm and the detectors are realised by the formation of a nickel silicide on the silicon surface of the epitaxial layer (Schottky contact) and of the ohmic contact on the back side of 4H-SiC substrate. The low doping concentration (≅6×1013 cm−3) of the epilayer allows the detector to be totally depleted at relatively low reverse voltages (≅100 V). We present experimental data on the charge collection properties by using 5.486 MeV α-particles impinging on the Schottky contact. A 100% charge collection efficiency (CCE) is demonstrated for reverse voltages higher than the one needed to have a depletion region equal to the α-particle extrapolated range in SiC. The diffusion contribution of the minority change carriers to CCE is pointed out. By comparing measured CCE values to the outcomes of drift–diffusion simulation, values are inferred for the hole lifetime within the neutral region of the charge carrier generation layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cancer and epilepsy commonly co-occur, and concomitant administration of antiepileptic (AEDS) and chemotherapeutic drugs (CTDs) is necessary in many cases. Many drugs are metabolised by the hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzyme system, and coadministration of AEDs and CTDs can lead to clinically relevant interactions by induction or inhibition of enzymes in shared metabolic pathways. These interactions can cause insufficient tumour and seizure control or lead to unforeseen toxicity. Enzyme-inducing AEDs reduce the effects of taxanes, vinca alkaloids, methotrexate, teniposide, and camptothecin analogues. Inhibition of the metabolism of nitrosoureas or etoposide by valproic acid can lead to CTD toxicity. Poor seizure control may result from the combinations of phenytoin with cisplatin or corticosteroids, and valproic acid with methotrexate. Increased toxicity of AEDs can occur when phenytoin is combined with 5-fluorouracil. Use of enzyme-inducing AEDs should be avoided in patients with cancer, particularly in association with chemotherapy. Generally, valproic acid—although not free from interactions—would be the agent of first choice. Some of the newer AEDs not metabolised by the P450 system may prove to be good alternatives. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were infected with two levels of sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis (0.13 ± 0.02 and 0.02 ± 0.00 sea lice g[SUP-1]). Once sea lice became adults, the ventral aorta of each fish was fitted with a Doppler cuff to measure cardiac output (Q), heart rate (f[SUBH]) and stroke volume (V[SUBS]) during swimming. Critical swimming speeds (U[SUBcrit]) of fish with higher sea lice numbers [2.1 ± 0.1 BL(body lengths) s[SUP-1]] were significantly lower (P <0.05) than fish with lower numbers (2.4 ± 0.1 BL s[SUP-1]) and controls (sham infected, 2.6 ± 0.1 BL s[SUP-1]). After swimming, chloride levels in fish with higher sea lice numbers (184.4 ± 11.3 mmol l[SUP-1]) increased significantly (54%) from levels at rest and were significantly higher than fish with fewer lice (142.0 ± 3.7 mmol l[SUP-1]) or control fish (159.5 ± 3.5 mmol l[SUP-1]). The f[SUBH] of fish with more lice was 9% slower than the other two groups at U[SUBcrit]. This decrease resulted in Q not increasing from resting levels. Sublethal infection by sea lice compromised the overall fitness of Atlantic salmon. The level of sea lice infection used in the present study was lower than has previously been reported to be detrimental to wild Atlantic salmon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined the role of pineal gland and its major output signal melatonin in the organization of ruin lizard Podarcis sicula. Variations of vivo melatonin production; Influence of extrapineal oscillator to pineal melatonin production; Results of the high-performance liquid chromatography technique.

This review of the current epidemiological literature on erectile dysfunction (ED) suggests that approximately 5-20% of men have moderate-to-severe ED. Different definitions of ED, age distributions and concomitant medical conditions, as well as methodological differences, may explain much of the variance in reported prevalence rates. Various chronic disorders are associated with elevated rates of ED including depression, diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Such disorders are more common in the elderly, which may partially explain the elevated prevalence of ED in men over 60y of age. Currently, up to 70% of men with ED are not treated. However, so many men experience considerable distress from their condition, that the increasing awareness of ED as well as the availability of noninvasive treatments may result in a greater proportion of patients seeking treatment, and eventually regaining satisfaction with their sex life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a shared care approach to the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the community. Distress and impact on the quality of life resulting from ED; Association with underlying conditions and cardiovascular comorbidities.

This exploratory study assessed medication adherence and its correlates in HIV-positive members of HIV mixed status couples. Forty couples were interviewed; the HIV-positive participants consisted of 19 gay men, 14 heterosexual men and seven heterosexual women. Mean self-reported adherence (over the past three days) for the whole sample was 95%; the mean adherence rate for gay men (99%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of heterosexual men (94%) and heterosexual women (87%) based on a ranked transformation of the adherence score. In analyses involving measures rated by the HIV-positive partner, higher adherence was associated with more years of education, greater perceived treatment efficacy, stronger belief that combination therapy is a significant advancement in treatment, and greater knowledge of HIV treatments and consequences of poor adherence. Higher adherence was associated with the HIV-negative partner attributing less risk to unprotected anal/vaginal sex within the couple, while lower adherence was associated with a greater likelihood that the couple engaged in unprotected anal/vaginal sex in the last two months. A larger sample is needed to substantiate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the pathophysiology and diagnosis of erectile dysfunction (ED). Central control of erectile function; Peripheral mechanisms of normal erectogenesis and detumescence; Causes of ED; Factors to consider in the diagnosis of ED; Importance of taking a holistic approach to the management of ED.

Presents information on a study which determined the duration and complexity of naturally acquired Plasmodium falciparum infections in small children by studying newborns in Ghana. Materials and methods used; Rates of Plasmodium falciparum infection in children; Parasite diversity.

It is unknown whether the risk factors associated with the development of ventricular septal defect (VSD) after acute myocardial infarction (MI) remain the same when thrombolytic therapy is used, nor have specific electrocardiographic patterns of acute MI associated with the development of VSD been identified. Our study population included patients with an anterior MI enrolled in the GUSTO-I study. Baseline clinical data were collected prospectively for all patients. Patients in whom VSD was suspected by the local investigators at each site were evaluated retrospectively. Baseline clinical and electrocardiographic variables were compared between 2 groups: 10,847 patients without VSD (99.6%) and 48 patients with confirmed VSD (0.4%). Multivariate analysis showed the following clinical variables to be independent predictors of VSD: age (odds ratio [OR] 2.19, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.62 to 2.98; p <0.001), female gender (OR 5.07, 95% CI 2.70 to 9.98; p <0.001), and lack of previous angina (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.12 to 4.29; p = 0.021). Two electrocardiographic variables predicted acute VSD: the magnitude of ST deviation in lead III (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.21; p = 0.007) and in lead V(2) (p <0.001). However, the relation between the ST amplitude in lead V(2) and the risk for VSD was nonlinear. In patients with anterior MI who underwent thrombolysis, the risk factors for VSD were age, female gender, and lack of previous angina. Previous infarction was not a risk factor. Less ST-segment depression in lead III was a predictor of VSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]