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Being driven by the goal of finding edge modes and of explaining the occurrence of edge modes in the case of time-modulated metamaterials in the high-contrast and subwavelength regime, we analyse the topological properties of Floquet normal forms of periodically parameterized time-periodic linear ordinary differential equations d dt X = A α (t) X α ∈ T d . In fact, our main goal being the question whether an analogous principle as the bulk-boundary correspondence of solid-state physics is possible in the case of Floquet metamaterials, i.e., subwavelength high-contrast time-modulated metamaterials. This paper is a first step in that direction. Since the bulk-boundary correspondence states that topological properties of the bulk materials characterize the occurrence of edge modes, we dedicate this paper to the topological analysis of subwavelength solutions in Floquet metamaterials. This work should thus be considered as a basis for further investigation on whether topological properties of the bulk materials are linked to the occurrence of edge modes. The subwavelength solutions being described by a periodically parameterized time-periodic linear ordinary differential equation d dt X = A α (t) X α ∈ T d , we put ourselves in the general setting of periodically parameterized time-periodic linear ordinary differential equations and introduce a way to (topologically) classify a Floquet normal form F, P of the associated fundamental solution X α (t) = P (α , t) exp (t F α) α ∈ T d . This is achieved by analysing the topological properties of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the monodromy matrix X α (T) and the Lyapunov transformation P (α , t) . The corresponding topological invariants can then be applied to the setting of Floquet metamaterials. In this paper these general results are considered in the case of a hexagonal structure. We provide two interesting examples of topologically non-trivial time-modulated hexagonal structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are two major neglected tropical diseases that are responsible for causing severe disability in 50 million people worldwide, whilst veterinary filariasis (heartworm) is a potentially lethal parasitic infection of companion animals. There is an urgent need for safe, short-course curative (macrofilaricidal) drugs to eliminate these debilitating parasite infections. We investigated combination treatments of the novel anti-Wolbachia azaquinazoline small molecule, AWZ1066S, with benzimidazole drugs (albendazole or oxfendazole) in up to four different rodent filariasis infection models: Brugia malayi--CB.17 SCID mice, B. malayi--Mongolian gerbils, B. pahangi--Mongolian gerbils, and Litomosoides sigmodontis-- Mongolian gerbils. Combination treatments synergised to elicit threshold (>90%) Wolbachia depletion from female worms in 5 days of treatment, using 2-fold lower dose-exposures of AWZ1066S than monotherapy. Short-course lowered dose AWZ1066S-albendazole combination treatments also delivered partial adulticidal activities and/or long-lasting inhibition of embryogenesis, resulting in complete transmission blockade in B. pahangi and L. sigmodontis gerbil models. We determined that short-course AWZ1066S-albendazole co-treatment significantly augmented the depletion of Wolbachia populations within both germline and hypodermal tissues of B. malayi female worms and in hypodermal tissues in male worms, indicating that anti-Wolbachia synergy is not limited to targeting female embryonic tissues. Our data provides pre-clinical proof-of-concept that sub-seven-day combinations of rapid-acting novel anti-Wolbachia agents with benzimidazole anthelmintics are a promising curative and transmission-blocking drug treatment strategy for filarial diseases ofmedical and veterinary importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to advance the field of metamaterials by proposing formulas for the design of high-contrast metamaterials with prescribed subwavelength defect mode eigenfrequencies. This is achieved in two settings: (i) design of non-Hermitian static materials and (ii) design of instantly changing non-Hermitian time-dependent materials. The design of static materials is achieved via characterizing equations for the defect mode eigenfrequencies in the setting of a defected dimer material. These characterizing equations are the basis for obtaining formulas for the material parameters of the defect which admit given defect mode eigenfrequencies. Explicit formulas are provided in the setting of one and two given defect mode eigenfrequencies in the setting of a defected chain of dimers. In the time-dependent case, we first analyze the influence of time boundaries on the subwavelength solutions. We find that subwavelength solutions are preserved if and only if the material parameters satisfy a temporal Snell's law across the time boundary. The same result also identifies the change of the time frequencies uniquely. Combining this result with those on the design of static materials, we obtain an explicit formula for the material design of instantly changing defected dimer materials which admit subwavelength modes with prescribed time-dependent defect mode eigenfrequency. Finally, we use this formula to create materials which admit spatio-temporally localized defect modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides visual assessment of the intra-vascular appearance, intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) enables precise diameter measurements within the coronary arteries. The current study presents an upgraded test setup allowing the investigation of the elastic properties of porcine coronary arteries ex vivounder pulsatile flow conditions. IV-OCT imaging was performed within the left circumflex artery of a porcine heart applying a normotensive and a hypertensive pressure regime at different pulse rates. Radial compliance was derived from the luminal diameter as well as intra-arterial pressure measurements. Test results show a significant reduction of radial compliance under pulsatile conditions, when compared to reference measurements under steady flow. The mean radial compliance decreased with increasing pulse rate, which can be attributed to the viscoelastic properties of the arterial wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An absent factor of a string w is a string u which does not occur as a contiguous substring (a.k.a. factor) inside w. We extend this well-studied notion and define absent subsequences: a string u is an absent subsequence of a string w if u does not occur as subsequence (a.k.a. scattered factor) inside w. Of particular interest to us are minimal absent subsequences, i.e., absent subsequences whose every subsequence is not absent, and shortest absent subsequences, i.e., absent subsequences of minimal length. We show a series of combinatorial and algorithmic results regarding these two notions. For instance: we give combinatorial characterisations of the sets of minimal and, respectively, shortest absent subsequences in a word, as well as compact representations of these sets; we show how we can test efficiently if a string is a shortest or minimal absent subsequence in a word, and we give efficient algorithms computing the lexicographically smallest absent subsequence of each kind; also, we show how a data structure for answering shortest absent subsequence-queries for the factors of a given string can be efficiently computed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Seminare Learned Investigations / Seminare. Poszukiwania naukowe is the property of Francis de Sales Scientific Society / Towarzystwo Naukowe Franciszka Salezego and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The ecological question is currently one of the key issues in international public debate. This article attempts to present fundamental principles of a personalistic understanding of integral ecology with an emphasis put on the essence of a so-called 'ecological conversion'. 'ecological conversion', however, cannot be perceived in a narrow sense only. Hence, the following paper is in accordance with a broad perspective that not only equates 'ecological conversion' with environmental ecology, by also sees the necessity of incorporating human ecology of both individual and social dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical inactivity has caused serious effects on the health of the population, having an impact on the quality of life and the cost of healthcare for many countries. This has motivated government and private institutions to promote regular physical activity, which, paradoxically, can involve health risks when it is carried out in areas with poor air quality. This review collects information from studies conducted on healthy humans related to the pulmonary effects caused by the practice of physical activity when there is poor air quality. In addition, several challenges related to the technological and educational areas, as well as to applied and basic research, have been identified to facilitate the rational practice of exercise in poor air quality conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Collectanea Theologica is the property of Uniwersytet Kardynala Stefana Wyszynskiego w Warszawie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Teologia w Polsce is the property of Society of Dogmatic Theologians and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Reports of permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia (PCIA) are increasing in the field of oncodermatology, but there is a dearth of information regarding how it is recognized and managed by health care providers (HCPs) across different medical specialties (dermatology, oncology, and internal medicine).Methods: A 25-question survey was designed to elicit general knowledge and awareness of PCIA, as well as attitudes about referral and treatment. Responses were collected via REDCap, a secure online application, and analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square, and ANOVA tests.Results: There was a significant difference in the number of subjects who had heard of PCIA prior to starting the survey (Derm 79%, Onc 30%, IM 22%, p < 0.05). A larger percentage of dermatology and oncology HCPs knew the correct definition of the condition (alopecia persisting > 6 months) than IM (42% and 45% vs. 17%) and significantly more had encountered patients with the condition (47% and 45% vs. 17%). More providers in dermatology and IM knew how to diagnose PCIA compared with oncology (84% and 83% vs. 70%). Dermatology HCPs were the only participants who had attempted to treat patients with PCIA, and most providers believed that patients would accept similar types of treatment for PCIA. Dermatology HCPs were more likely to report higher confidence in their abilities to diagnose and manage PCIA than other providers.Conclusion: The results of this survey identify knowledge gaps about PCIA among health care providers. Therefore, education and multidisciplinary engagement should be pursued in order to improve awareness, diagnosis, referral, and management of PCIA as part of survivorship care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are used to treat numerous malignancies but may be associated with severe adverse events. Bullous dermatoses, chiefly bullous pemphigoid (BP), are potentially progressive adverse events that cause blistering skin lesions and may involve a significant body surface area. Herein, we report an 87-year-old man with urothelial cell carcinoma undergoing atezolizumab treatment who presented with an acute-onset blistering eruption. Biopsy revealed a subepidermal bulla, direct immunofluorescence revealed linear IgG and C3 deposits at the dermal-epidermal junction, and serum studies revealed elevated levels of antibodies to BP180 and BP230. Anti-PD-L1-induced BP was diagnosed, immunotherapy was withheld, and he was treated with oral doxycycline with niacinamide and clobetasol ointment. He restarted atezolizumab and has successfully received four cycles (every 3 weeks) while continuing this BP treatment regimen. A literature review revealed eight other cases of anti-PD-L1-induced bullous disorders. The incidence of bullous dermatoses with anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 agents combined is 1%, whereas the reported incidence for anti-PD-L1 agents alone ranges from 1.3-5%, raising concerns for a higher overall risk. In addition to our case, only one other case reported successful resumption of immunotherapy. Early control and management of immunotherapy-induced BP may reduce complications and prevent treatment discontinuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Seminare Learned Investigations / Seminare. Poszukiwania naukowe is the property of Francis de Sales Scientific Society / Towarzystwo Naukowe Franciszka Salezego and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender diverse, questioning/queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) persons, represent a historically underserved population within the field of medicine, though their unique health needs are increasingly recognized. Part 2 of this two‐part review will address unique concerns regarding acne, tanning behavior, sexually transmitted infections, and other health disparities among SGM adolescents. A more comprehensive understanding of the dermatologic needs of SGM youth will better allow pediatric dermatologists to actively and compassionately care for this health disparity population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annals of Theology / Roczniki Teologiczne is the property of Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawla II and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sclerodermatous graft versus host disease (sclGVHD) is a debilitating complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant and is characterized by skin thickening and fibrosis that can result in severe contractures. While immunosuppressive therapy remains a mainstay of treatment, the disease course often progresses and, in severe cases, renders patients immobile and wheelchair-bound. Lasers that can target sclerotic lesions to improve tissue pliability and restore range of motion are a promising potential treatment for sclGVHD. Fractional CO2 lasers promote selective collagen remodeling by creating microcolumns of thermal injury that stimulate a wound healing response. Here, we present 2 patients with sclGVHD who underwent treatment with fractional ablative CO2 laser. In this pilot case series demonstrating the novel use of CO2 laser for severe, refractory sclGVHD, two patients were treated with fractional ablative CO2 laser to a focal area of sclerosis. One patient also received clobetasol ointment under occlusion in between treatments. Both patients reported marked subjective improvement in pain and mobility. Objective measurements were recorded for patient 2 who gained roughly 10 degrees of extension and 2 degrees of flexion, as well as a 10% reduction in skin thickness in the treated area. CO2 laser therapy with or without clobetasol ointment under occlusion is a promising treatment modality for sclGVHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic engineering by viral infection of single cells is useful to study complex systems such as the brain. However, available methods for infecting single cells have drawbacks that limit their applications. Here we describe 'virus stamping', in which viruses are reversibly bound to a delivery vehicle-a functionalized glass pipette tip or magnetic nanoparticles in a pipette-that is brought into physical contact with the target cell on a surface or in tissue, using mechanical or magnetic forces. Different single cells in the same tissue can be infected with different viruses and an individual cell can be simultaneously infected with different viruses. We use rabies, lenti, herpes simplex, and adeno-associated viruses to drive expression of fluorescent markers or a calcium indicator in target cells in cell culture, mouse retina, human brain organoid, and the brains of live mice. Virus stamping provides a versatile solution for targeted single-cell infection of diverse cell types, both in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, including ipilimumab and nivolumab, is associated with numerous immune-related adverse events including dermatitis, pruritus, hepatitis, diarrhea, and hypophysitis. As the number of patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment increases, however, rare and unusual immune-related adverse events are observed. Many of these resemble known autoimmune phenomenon, such as subacute lupus erythematosus and myositis. Herein, we report a patient with metastatic serous ovarian carcinoma undergoing treatment with combination ipilimumab and nivolumab who developed subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE). Recent case reports have documented SCLE as a novel immune-related adverse event. In our case, she was able to successfully restart immunotherapy after a course of oral corticosteroids and maintenance oral hydroxychloroquine and topical corticosteroid therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated phagocytes, particularly polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils), by means of oxidative photonic burst, i.e., the combined activation of NADPH-oxidase and myeloperoxidase, generate large amounts of oxidants of the hypochlorite/chloramine type that are an important physiologic source for the nonradical, photon-emitting oxidant singlet oxygen (1O2), which (in the dark blood stream) is both a signal and an agent of defense against bacteria or fibrin. 1O2-oxidized fibrinogen or oxidized fibrin monomer has previously been shown to be unpolymerizable, and methionine to methionine sulfoxide-oxidized fibrinogen occurs in circulating blood. The present study demonstrates that thrombin converts oxidized fibrinogen into a soluble stimulator of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). After addition of 0.1 IU thrombin to 25 microl oxidized normal human plasma and an incubation time of 10 min (room temperature), t-PA activity increases about 20-fold when compared with oxidized plasma without the addition of thrombin. Thus, since oxidized fibrin monomer is a t-PA cofactor, thrombin-degraded oxidized fibrinogen can be used as a stimulator in functional t-PA assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to describe a new methodology for controlling highly flexible automated manufacturing cells for use in aerospace manufacturing and repair. Design/methodology/approach – The design methodology and rational of the FLEXA control architecture are described along with it implementation and testing. Findings – The trials completed so far show that the level of flexibility required can be achieved both at factory, or enterprise level, and at shop floor level. Practical implications – This work has significant practical implications through its direct applicability for aerospace and other automated manufacturing processes. Originality/value – The originality of the paper lies in the truly flexible nature of the control system described and its ability to mimic traditional cell control architectures but be expanded through the use of virtual Programmable Logic Controller to control any number of cells without the need for significant extra hardware. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Plasma polymerization is used for the modification and control of surface properties of a highly transparent, thermoplastic elastomeric silicone copolymer, GENIOMER® 80 (G80). PEG-like diglyme plasma polymer films were deposited with ether retentions varying between 20% and 70% as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis which did not affect the transparency of the substrate. Films with ether retentions of greater than 70% inhibit protein binding (bovine serum albumin and fibrinogen) and cell proliferation. A short oxygen plasma pretreatment enhances the adhesion and stability of the film as shown by protein binding and cell adhesion experiments. The transparency of the material and the stability of the coating makes this material a versatile bulk material for technical (e.g., lab-on-a-chip) and biomedical (e.g., intraocular lens) applications. The G80/plasma polymer composite is stable against vigorous washing and storage over 5 months and, therefore, offers an attractive alternative to poly(dimethylsiloxane). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40500. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Urologe A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Osteoma cutis is the result of osseous metaplasia with mineralization of tumoral, necrobiotic, or otherwise pathological skin tissue. In fact, neoplasms are the most common lesions associated with secondary osteoma cutis.1 Non-tumoral disease processes associated with secondary osteoma cutis include cutaneous trauma and inflammatory eruptions like acne vulgaris. Further research is needed to understand the etiology of osteoma cutis and its relationship with neoplastic disease processes including amyloid-producing neoplasms. [Extracted from the article]

Background: INCA (Intelligent Control Assistant for Diabetes) is a project funded by the EU with the objective to improve diabetes therapy by creating a personal closed loop system interacting with telemedical remote control. Cost-benefit analyses of such systems are needed to decide on the introduction of telemedical systems such as the INCA system to routine care. Objective: To identify and apply suitable methods for a cost-benefit analysis from the perspective of the payor for health services (i.e. a health insurance company). Methods: For the cost analysis MOSAIK-M was used, a method and tool that supports health information systems analysis and design. Two MOSAIK-M models were created during the INCA project. Both, the “As is”-model of conventional insulin pump based diabetes care, and the “To be”-model of the INCA system were parameterised with cost values. With both models a period of one year was simulated to determine the yearly costs of diabetes management and treatment for a patient who does not suffer from diabetes related complications yet. The HbA1c-value was chosen as effectiveness parameter for diabetes therapy. To determine the probability of developing complications and their probable duration the Archimedes-Model was used. It was parameterised with selected HbA1c-values anticipating the effect of INCA. The simulation results in form of years of disease within a 30-years time frame were multiplied with corresponding treatment costs from the KoDiM study. Results: The yearly costs of conventional insulin pump treatment for a 19 year old diabetes type 1 patient with no complications are 5,907 euro (German health care system). Using the INCA system would raise the yearly costs by 7,348 euro. Almost all (98.53%) of the additional costs are generated by the continuous blood glucose measurement device. HbA1c-decreases from 7% (conventional treatment) to 6.5%, 6%, and 5.8 % would produce yearly savings (benefit) concerning the treatment of complications of 100.50 euro, 189.20 euro and 221.82 euro. Conclusions: The selected approach produces an estimation of a lower bound for cost savings. Further work is needed to improve the approximation and to include indirect and intangible costs. The INCA approach would be cost efficient from the chosen perspective, only if the costs of system operation were notably lowered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence of cutaneous adverse events after exposure to tenofovir-emtricitabine in HIV-uninfected vs HIV-infected patients: pharmacovigilance within a large Midwestern U.S. patient population from the Research on Adverse Drug events And Reports program Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) combined with emtricitabine (FTC) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP; FDA approval 07/2012) has been shown to dramatically decrease HIV acquisition rates in high-risk populations.[[1]] TDF-FTC is also used as part of multidrug combination antiretroviral (cART) regimens for treatment of HIV(+) patients (FDA approval 08/2004). In the medical record database, 4237 patients were determined to have been exposed to TDF-FTC (Table), of which 1212 (28.6%) were HIV(-) with a prophylaxis indication versus 3025 (71.4%) who were HIV(+) with a treatment indication. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: The dimeric form of pyruvate kinase type M2 is overexpressed in tumor cells (TuM2-PK). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of TuM2-PK as a tumor marker for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) and prostate cancer (PCA) by using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of TuM2-PK in plasma. Material and Methods: The TuM2-PK concentration in EDTA plasma was determined quantitatively and immunologically using an ELISA (ScheBo[sup ®] Tech, Germany). We measured the TuM2-PK plasma levels of 83 patients with RCC, 30 patients with TCC and 30 patients with PCA before any therapy. 100 patients with various non-malignant urological disorders were recruited as the control group. Results: Only patients with RCC showed significantly elevated plasma levels of TuM2-PK compared to the control group (p < 0.01). We found a sensitivity of 42.6% and a specificity of 80.4% using a cut-off value of 15 U/ml (manufacturer’s recommendation). During follow-up, only 50% showed increasing plasma levels of TuM2-PK in case of metastases. Significant differences could not be detected in either TCC or PCA. Conclusions: Our data suggest that TuM2-PK is not a useful marker for TCC and PCA. Due to low sensitivity and specificity, TuM2-PK is not suitable for the diagnosis of RCC. Whether TuM2-PK may be useful in advanced RCC to control success of palliative treatment regimens is still unclear.Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: It is widely believed that Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)-associated diarrhea is a more severe disease in the elderly than in the young, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. These beliefs are largely anecdotal, and there are few data supporting them. METHODS: We conducted an evaluation in an urban, tertiary care hospital of 89 inpatients in whom C. difficile-associated diarrhea was identified. These patients were evaluated prospectively, and the group was divided by age into those <60 yr of age (younger) and those ≥60 yr (elderly). RESULTS: There was no difference in mortality or morbidity in elderly individuals with C. difficile-associated diarrhea when compared with younger persons similarly infected. The response to standard treatment was similar in both groups. Older patients were more likely to have an elevated white blood cell count in association with C. difficile-associated diarrhea (60% vs 26%, p < 0.05), and were more likely to have acquired their infection in the hospital (89% vs 50%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In the elderly, C. difficile-associated diarrhea is almost always acquired in institutions, and may not be obvious among patients' other problems. The elderly do not seem to have an increase in C. difficile diarrhea-associated morbidity or mortality. There is no evidence that C. difficile-associated diarrhea is more severe in the elderly than it is in the young. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We administered 14 mg nicotine patches to 16 patients, all non-smokers, who displayed akathisia from antipsychotic drugs. On single-blind ratings, akathisia appeared significantly reduced on days when patients were wearing the patches as compared to the baseline day. These findings, if confirmed, may help to explain the high rates of tobacco use among psychotic patients, and may suggest avenues for the treatment of akathisia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the phases of the economic and societal development of the labor market politics in West Germany. The author examines several periods in modern German history, including the immediate postwar years, the first and second parts of the "economic miracle," and the increase in unemployed workers in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

This article discusses occupations, unemployment and labor policies in Germany since the middle of the nineteenth century. The author presents the topic of unemployment in the nineteenth century because it has become a hot topic in the twentieth century. The author seeks to the examines unemployment as a methodological problem.

Experiments on saponin-permeabilized bovine and porcine coronary arteries were performed to examine whether fluoride-induced contractile mechanisms are retained after permeabilization and whether they modulate muscle tension without a change in cytoplasmic Ca. Fluoride induced reversible contractions in skinned coronary smooth muscle and shifted the apparent Ca-sensitivity of the contractile system to lower Ca values. Force development to fluoride required exogenous ATP and a minimum Ca concentration (pCa < 8) of the bathing medium. Force development occurred when the concentration of free Ca available to the contractile apparatus seemed to be sufficiently controlled by a Ca-EGTA buffering system. The effects of fluoride were enhanced by Al and imitated by both guanylyl-imidodiphosphate and 4β-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate which suggests the involvement of both GTP-binding protein(s) and of the C-kinase pathway. Under conditions of sufficiently controlled Ca buffering, saponin-skinned arteries responded to histamine or carbachol with an increase in muscle tension which was inhibited by specific receptor blocking agents (diphenhydramine, atropine), and which required the presence of both exogenous ATP and a low concentration of Ca (pCa 7) which per se did not result in a contractile response. It is concluded that agents acting on different steps of membrane-associated signal transduction pathways are able to induce contractile responses of saponin-skinned vascular smooth muscle without a change in cytosolic Ca concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the ARGUS detector at the ee storage ring DORIS II at DESY we have measured the parameters of a charmed strange meson D*(2573) decaying into DK. The mass of this state was found to be (2574.5±3.3±1.6) MeV/ c . The measured value of its width is (10.4±8.3±3.0) MeV and the product of the production cross section and branching ratio for this channel was determined to be (10.6±4.2) pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the ARGUS detector at the storage ring DORIS II we have measured τ decays into three charged mesons containing K mesons. Exploiting the good particle identification capabilities of the detector we have determined the following branching ratios: $$Br\left( {\tau ^ - \to \overline {K^{*0} } \pi ^ - v_\tau } \right) = \left( {0.25 \pm 0.10 \pm 0.05} \right)\% $$ , B(τ→ K K v)= (0.20±0.05±0.04)%, and B(τ→ K X v) =(1.15±0.15)%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepton spectra in τ decays have been studied with the ARGUS detector at the e e storage ring DORIS II at DESY using the 'pseudo-rest-frame' technique. We have improved upper limits for two-body τ-decays into a lepton and an unobservable particle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II electron-positron storage ring at DESY, we have measured BR( D→ Dπ)=(68.8±2.4±1.3)%, BR( D→ Dπ)=(31.2±1.1±0.8)%, BR( D→ Dγ)<5.2% (90%CL), BR( D→ Dπ)=(59.6±3.5±2.8)%, and BR( D→ Dγ)=(40.4±3.5±2.8)%, and the mass difference Δ m= m( D)− m( D)=(142.2±0.3±0.2)MeV/ c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The partial decay width into electrons, Γ, of the ϒ(1 S) and ϒ(2 S) resonances have been measured with the detector ARGUS at the e e storage ring DORISII of DESY. Applying the formula of Kuraev and Fadin for the radiative corrections we find: Γ(ϒ(1 S))= (1.32±0.04±0.03) keV and Γ(ϒ(2 S))=(0.52±0.03±0.01) keV. The total decay width of the ϒ(4 S) resonance and its partial width into electrons have been determined as well. Fitting the data with a generalized Breit-Wigner function with an energy dependent decay width Γ( s) and a mass shift function m(s), we obtain the following resonance parameters: Γ( M)=(10.0±2.8±2.7) MeV, Γ=(0.28±0.05±0.01)keV and B=(2.77±0.50±0.49)·10. We argue that the disagrecment of this result with the world average originates from our more adequate parametrization of the observed ϒ(4 S) resonance cross section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the ARGUS detector at the e e storage ring DORIS II, we have studied Cabibbo-suppressed D decay modes resulting in the K K π π final state and two-body D decay modes with a ϕ meson in the final state. The BR( D→ K Kππ was measured for the first time. We also present a measurement of the D →K K K branching ratio. The values are compared with other experimental results and model predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the ARGUS detector at the e e storage ring DORIS II, flavour-dependent kaon production in B meson decays has been studied. Using the leptons as flavour tags, it has been possible to separately measure the multiplicities of K, K and K in inclusive B decays and in semileptonic B decays. The kaon production in semileptonic B decays was further used to estimate the ratio of charmed decays over all decays, and thus also the fraction of charmless B decays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of K(892), K(892), ρ(770) and ω(783) vector mesons in ρ(770) events as well as in the gluonic Υ(1 S) decays and ρ(770) decays has been studied using the ARGUS detector. Combining these results with data on pseudoscalar meson, ϕ meson and baryon production collected with the same detector allow comprehensive studies of quark and gluon fragmentation. Model independent information on s quark and vector meson suppression ( s/u=0.37±0.04, V/(V+P)=0.21±0.04 and V/(V+P)=0.34±0.03)) are derived. The data are compared with predictions from the models Jetset 7.3 and UCLA 7.31. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inclusive production cross sections of η′ (958) and f (975) mesons are measured in e e annihilation in the nonresonant continuum around $$\sqrt s = 10$$ GeV and in decays of the υ resonances using the ARGUS detector. For η′ (958) mesons, a production ratio of η′ (958)/η=0.35±0.24, with η=η−BR(η′→η X)·η′, is determined in direct υ(1 S) decays, which can be partially explained by the pseudoscalar singlet/octet mixing. For f(975) production, we obtain a production ratio of f(975)/ p(770)°=0.17±0.030 in direct υ(1 S) decays. In its production features, the f(975) behaves like an ordinary meson, though a K $$\bar K$$ molecule nature cannot be excluded. The substantial production yield of the f(975) meson demonstrates the important effect of feeddown from mesons beyond the basic multiples on pseudoscalar and vector meson production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]