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The high abundance of disc galaxies without a large central bulge challenges predictions of current hydrodynamic simulations of galaxy formation. We aim to shed light on the formation of these objects by studying the redshift and mass dependence of their intrinsic 3D shape distributions in the COSMOS galaxy survey below redshift z  = 1.0. This distribution is inferred from the observed distribution of 2D shapes, using a reconstruction method which we test using hydrodynamic simulations. Our tests reveal a moderate bias for the inferred average disc circularity and relative thickness, but a large bias on the dispersion of these quantities. Applying the reconstruction method on COSMOS data, we find variations of the average disc circularity and relative thickness with redshift of around ∼1 per cent and ∼10 per cent, respectively, which is comparable to the error estimates on these quantities. The average relative disc thickness shows a significant mass dependence which can be accounted for by the scaling of disc radius with galaxy mass. We conclude that our data provides no evidence for a strong dependence of the average circularity and absolute thickness of disc-dominated galaxies on redshift and mass that is significant with respect to the statistical uncertainties in our analysis. These findings are expected in the absence of disruptive merging or feedback events that would affect galaxy shapes. They hence support a scenario where present-day discs form early (z > 1.0) and subsequently undergo a tranquil evolution in isolation. However, more data and a better understanding of systematics are needed to reaffirm our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compare theoretical results on statistical electron emission from electronically hot but vibrationally cold C[SUB60] with recent experimental results involving excitation with ultrashort laser pulses. Both photoelectron spectra and ion yields of C[SUB60] as well as fragment ions are compared with the predictions of the statistical electron emission model. Quantitative agreement is obtained between the calculations and the experimentally measured photoelectron spectra, total ion yields and singly-doubly charged branching ratio. The electron-phonon coupling time is fitted to a few hundred femtoseconds, consistent with independent measurements. The data allow a determination of the thermal properties of the electron system, which are consistent with the theoretical input. The data also allow a fit of the averaged photon absorption cross section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ayurveda ist ein Jahrtausende altes indisches Gesundheitssystem, welches im Wesentlichen aus einer bestimmten Ernährung, Ölaufgüssen vor allem im Kopfbereich, Einläufen, Heilpflanzen und Yoga besteht. Dahinter stehen naturheilkundliche und anthropologische Überzeugungen verbunden mit der hinduistischen Religion. Bis heute wird Ayurveda z. T. sehr erfolgreich in Indien angewandt; die westliche Medizin, speziell die Psychiatrie, hat dies bislang nur unzureichend wahrgenommen; eine Ausnahme bildet hier Scharfetter aus Zürich, der diesbezüglich bereits 1976 einen Übersichtsartikel verfasst hat. Dabei sind wahrscheinlich insbesondere die immunologischen Mechanismen bei psychotischen und affektiven Störungen durch die Anwendung ayurvedischer Methoden beeinflussbar. Jedoch ist die empirische Datenlage insbesondere bezüglich randomisierter kontrollierter Studien und Metaanalysen zu psychiatrischen Störungsbilder limitiert. Auch wenn Ayurveda stark individualisiert angewandt wird, sollte zur weiteren Evidenzbeurteilung dies rasch verbessert werden. Erste positive Erfahrungen im neuropsychiatrischen Gebiet liegen in Deutschland bereits vor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined the problem of optimal annealing schedules by using the optimal control theory. Characteristics of the model for optimal schedule; Results of the optimal annealing schedules using numerical methods; Effects of finite tree on the optimal schedule; Discussion on the occupation of the ground state as the optimization criterion.

We compare reduced three-point correlations Q of matter, haloes (as proxies for galaxies) and their cross-correlations, measured in a total simulated volume of ~100 (h-1 Gpc)³, to predictions from leading order perturbation theory on a large range of scales in configuration space. Predictions for haloes are based on the non-local bias model, employing linear (b1) and non-linear (c2, g2) bias parameters, which have been constrained previously from the bispectrum in Fourier space. We also study predictions from two other bias models, one local (g2 =0) and one in which c2 and g2 are determined by b1 via approximately universal relations. Overall, measurements and predictions agree when Q is derived for triangles with (r1r2r3)1/3 ≳60 h-1 Mpc, where r1 - 3 are the sizes of the triangle legs. Predictions for Qmatter, based on the linear power spectrum, show significant deviations from the measurements at the BAO scale (given our small measurement errors), which strongly decrease when adding a damping term or using the non-linear power spectrum, as expected. Predictions for Qhalo agree best with measurements at large scales when considering non-local contributions. The universal bias model works well for haloes and might therefore be also useful for tightening constraints on b1 from Q in galaxy surveys. Such constraints are independent of the amplitude of matter density fluctuation (s8) and hence break the degeneracy between b1 and s8, present in galaxy two-point correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose the G model, a new approach for modeling hysteresis based on simple equations and having its treatment more direct than, for instance, the well-known Preisach and Jiles–Atherton models. As main basis, the shape of the external hysteresis curves is strongly considered, allowing a correct behavior of magnetic induction evolution inside the hysteresis cycle. Minor loops can also be represented with good accuracy. Comparisons with the Jiles–Atherton model and experimental data are shown in order to validate the proposed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The symptom 'delusions' is a central psychopathological symptom in psychiatric diseases. Since the beginning of psychiatry various disciplines have attempted to explain and understand delusions but even now no generally accepted definition of this phenomenon exists. Aim: A comprehensive review of current psychopathological and neurobiological theories of delusions is given. Material and methods: PubMed and Google scholar searches were performed using the keywords 'delusion', 'psychodynamic' and 'neurobiology', both in English and German. Relevant German textbooks of psychiatry were also included. Discussion: A differentiated perspective of the phenomenon of delusions appears to be necessary to approach this complex and fascinating symptom. A one-dimensional approach does not do justice to the complexity of delusions. The various explanatory approaches can increasingly be linked to each other and are no longer considered to be mutually exclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Al-rich aluminum borates were prepared by different synthesis routes using various Al/B ratios, characterized by diffraction methods, spectroscopy and prompt gamma activation analysis. The 11 B NMR data show a small amount of BO 4 species in all samples. The chemical analysis indicates a trend in the Al/B ratio instead of a fixed composition. Both methods indicate a solid solution Al 5−x B 1+x O 9 where Al is substituted by B in the range of 1–3%. The structure of B-rich Al 4 B 2 O 9 ( C 2/ m , a =1488 pm, b =553 pm, c =1502 pm, ß =90.6°), was re-investigated by electron diffraction methods, showing that structural details vary within a crystallite. In most of the domains the atoms are orderly distributed, showing no signal for the postulated channel oxygen atom O5. The absence of O5 is supported by density functional theory calculations. Other domains show a probable disordered configuration of O5 and O10, indicated by diffuse scattering along the b direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the linear and non-linear bias parameters which determine the mapping between the distributions of galaxies and the full matter density fields, comparing different measurements and predictions. Associating galaxies with dark matter haloes in the Marenostrum Institut de Ciències de l'Espai (MICE) Grand Challenge N-body simulation, we directly measure the bias parameters by comparing the smoothed density fluctuations of haloes and matter in the same region at different positions as a function of smoothing scale. Alternatively, we measure the bias parameters by matching the probability distributions of halo and matter density fluctuations, which can be applied to observations. These direct bias measurements are compared to corresponding measurements from two-point and different third-order correlations, as well as predictions from the peak-background model, which we presented in previous papers using the same data. We find an overall variation of the linear bias measurements and predictions of ~5 per cent with respect to results from two-point correlations for different halo samples with masses between ~1012 and 1015 h-1M⊙ at the redshifts z = 0.0 and 0.5. Variations between the second- and third-order bias parameters from the different methods show larger variations, but with consistent trends in mass and redshift. The various bias measurements reveal a tight relation between the linear and the quadratic bias parameters, which is consistent with results from the literature based on simulations with different cosmologies. Such a universal relation might improve constraints on cosmological models, derived from second-order clustering statistics at small scales or higher order clustering statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mullite-type Al 6−x B x O 9 compounds were studied by means of powder diffraction and spectroscopic methods. The backbones of this structure are chains of edge-connected AlO 6 octahedra crosslinked by AlO- and BO-polyhedra. Rietveld refinements show that the a and b lattice parameters can be well resolved, thus representing an orthorhombic metric. A continuous decrease of the lattice parameters most pronounced in c -direction indicates a solid solution for Al 6−x B x O 9 with 1.09≤ x ≤2. A preference of boron in 3-fold coordination is confirmed by 11 B MAS NMR spectroscopy and Fourier calculations based on neutron diffraction data collected at 4 K. Distance Least Squares modeling was performed to simulate a local geometry avoiding long B-O distances linking two octahedral chains by planar BO 3 groups yielding split positions for the oxygen atoms and a strong distortion in the octahedral chains. The lattice thermal expansion was calculated using the Grüneisen first-order equation of state Debye-Einstein-Anharmonicity model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study halo clustering bias with second- and third-order statistics of halo and matter density fields in the Marenostrum Institut de Ciencies de l'Espai (MICE) Grand Challenge simulation. We verify that two-point correlations deliver reliable estimates of the linear bias parameters at large scales, while estimations from the variance can be significantly affected by nonlinear and possibly non-local contributions to the bias function. Combining three-point autoand cross-correlations we find, for the first time in configuration space, evidence for the presence of such non-local contributions. These contributions are consistent with predicted second-order non-local effects on the bias functions originating from the dark matter tidal field. Samples of massive haloes show indications of bias (local or non-local) beyond second order. Ignoring non-local bias causes 20-30 and 5-10 per cent overestimation of the linear bias from three-point auto- and cross-correlations, respectively. We study two third-order bias estimators that are not affected by second-order non-local contributions. One is a combination of three-point auto- and cross-correlations. The other is a combination of third-order one- and two-point cumulants. Both methods deliver accurate estimations of the linear bias. Ignoring non-local bias causes higher values of the second-order bias from three-point correlations. Our results demonstrate that third-order statistics can be employed for breaking the growth-bias degeneracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We model the abundance of haloes in the ∼(3 Gpc h-1)³ volume of the MICE Grand Challenge simulation by fitting the universal mass function with an improved Jackknife error covariance estimator that matches theory predictions. We present unifying relations between different fitting models and new predictions for linear (b1) and non-linear (c2 and c3) halo clustering bias. Different mass function fits show strong variations in their performance when including the low mass range (Mh ≲ 3 × 1012 M⊙ h-1) in the analysis. Together with fits from the literature, we find an overall variation in the amplitudes of around 10 per cent in the low mass and up to 50 per cent in the high mass (galaxy cluster) range (Mh > 1014 M⊙ h-1). These variations propagate into a 10 per cent change in b1 predictions and a 50 per cent change in c2 or c3. Despite these strong variations, we find universal relations between b1 and c2 or c3 for which we provide simple fits. Excluding low-mass haloes, different models fitted with reasonable goodness in this analysis, show per cent level agreement in their b1 predictions, but are systematically 5-10 per cent lower than the bias directly measured with two-point halo-mass clustering. This result confirms previous findings derived from smaller volumes (and smaller masses). Inaccuracies in the bias predictions lead to 5-10 per cent errors in growth measurements. They also affect any halo occupation distribution fitting or (cluster) mass calibration from clustering measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial platforms consisting of ready-to-use microarrays printed with target-specific DNA probes, a microarray scanner, and software for data analysis are available for different applications in medical diagnostics and food analysis, detecting, e.g., viral and bacteriological DNA sequences. The transfer of these tools from basic research to routine analysis, their broad acceptance in regulated areas, and their use in medical practice requires suitable calibration tools for regular control of instrument performance in addition to internal assay controls. Here, we present the development of a novel assay-adapted calibration slide for a commercialized DNA-based assay platform, consisting of precisely arranged fluorescent areas of various intensities obtained by incorporating different concentrations of a 'green' dye and a 'red' dye in a polymer matrix. These dyes present 'Cy3' and 'Cy5' analogues with improved photostability, chosen based upon their spectroscopic properties closely matching those of common labels for the green and red channel of microarray scanners. This simple tool allows to efficiently and regularly assess and control the performance of the microarray scanner provided with the biochip platform and to compare different scanners. It will be eventually used as fluorescence intensity scale for referencing of assays results and to enhance the overall comparability of diagnostic tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of the linear growth factor D at different redshifts z are key to distinguish among cosmological models. One can estimate the derivative dD(z)/dln (1 + z) from redshift space measurements of the 3D anisotropic galaxy two-point correlation %(z), but the degeneracy of its transverse (or projected) component with galaxy bias b, i.e. ξ ⊥ (z) ∝ D²(z)b²(z), introduces large errors in the growth measurement. Here, we present a comparison between two methods which breaks this degeneracy by combining second- and third-order statistics. One uses the shape of the reduced three-point correlation and the other a combination of third-order one-and two-point cumulants. These methods use the fact that, for Gaussian initial conditions and scales larger than 20 h-1 Mpc, the reduced third-order matter correlations are independent of redshift (and therefore of the growth factor), while the third-order galaxy correlations depend on b. We use matter and halo catalogues from the MICE-GC simulation to test how well we can recover b(z) and therefore D(z) with these methods in 3D real space. We also present a new approach, which enables us to measure D directly from the redshift evolution of the second- and third-order galaxy correlations without the need of modelling matter correlations. For haloes with masses lower than 1014 h-1 Mϴ, we find 10 per cent deviations between the different estimates of D, which are comparable to current observational errors. At higher masses, we find larger differences that can probably be attributed to the breakdown of the bias model and non-Poissonian shot noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Unwanted submental fat ( SMF) may result in an unattractive chin profile and dissatisfaction with appearance. An approved and rigorously tested non-surgical method for SMF reduction is lacking. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ATX-101 for the pharmacological reduction of unwanted SMF in a phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Methods Patients ( n = 360) with moderate or severe SMF were randomized to receive ATX-101 1 or 2 mg/cm2 or placebo injected into their SMF for up to four treatments ~28 days apart, with a 12-week follow-up. Coprimary efficacy endpoints were the proportions of treatment responders, defined as a ≥1-point reduction in SMF on the Clinician-Reported Submental Fat Rating Scale ( CR- SMFRS), and those satisfied with their appearance in association with their face and chin after treatment on the Subject Self-Rating Scale ( SSRS score ≥4). Secondary efficacy endpoints included a ≥1-point improvement in SMF on the Patient-Reported Submental Fat Rating Scale ( PR- SMFRS) and changes in the Patient-Reported Submental Fat Impact Scale ( PR- SMFIS). Additional patient-reported outcomes and changes in the Skin Laxity Rating Scale were recorded. Adverse events (AEs) and laboratory test results were monitored. Results Compared with placebo, a greater proportion of patients treated with ATX-101 1 and 2 mg/cm2 showed a ≥1-point improvement in CR- SMFRS (58.3% and 62.3%, respectively, vs. 34.5% with placebo; P < 0.001) and patient satisfaction ( SSRS score ≥4) with the appearance of their face and chin (68.3% and 64.8%, respectively, vs. 29.3%; P < 0.001). Patient-reported secondary efficacy endpoints showed significant improvements in SMF severity ( PR- SMFRS; P = 0.009 for ATX-101 1 mg/cm2, P < 0.001 for ATX-101 2 mg/cm2 vs. placebo) and emotions and perceived self-image ( PR- SMFIS; P < 0.001). No overall worsening of skin laxity was observed. AEs were mostly transient, mild to moderate in intensity and localized to the treatment area. Conclusion ATX-101 was effective and well tolerated, and may be an alternative to surgery for patients desiring improvement of their submental profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric oncologic patients often need parenteral nutrition (PN) during chemotherapy. Long-term use of soybean-based lipid emulsions is associated with progressive liver disease and cholestasis, whereas fish-oil based emulsions have anticholestatic effects. We studied the potentially hepato-protective effects of short-term use of SMOF lipids in children undergoing chemotherapy. Fifteen pediatric oncologic patients treated with SMOF lipids were retrospectively analyzed in respect to bilirubin and liver parameters and compared to matched-controls who had received soybean-based fat emulsions. For statistics the time-points baseline, Day 14 of PN (PN14), and post (Day+7) were chosen. None of the study patients developed cholestasis. Within the SMOF-lipid group there were no differences in the laboratory parameters between baseline, PN14, and post. In the control group, gamma glutamyltransferase (γGT) levels increased during PN (baseline vs. PN14, 26.43 vs. 63.00 U/l,P< 0.05). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels showed a significantly different behavior in the 2 groups: In the SMOF lipids group, LDH decreased whereas it increased in the controls (−32.75 U/l vs. + 29.57 U/l,P< 0.05). An advantage of fish oil-based fat emulsions can be shown even after short-term PN. In children undergoing chemotherapy the use of soybean-based fat emulsions but not SMOF lipids led to increased γGT levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric oncologic patients often need parenteral nutrition (PN) during chemotherapy. Long-term use of soybean-based lipid emulsions is associated with progressive liver disease and cholestasis, whereas fish-oil based emulsions have anticholestatic effects. We studied the potentially hepato-protective effects of short-term use of SMOF lipids in children undergoing chemotherapy. Fifteen pediatric oncologic patients treated with SMOF lipids were retrospectively analyzed in respect to bilirubin and liver parameters and compared to matched-controls who had received soybean-based fat emulsions. For statistics the time-points baseline, Day 14 of PN (PN14), and post (Day+7) were chosen. None of the study patients developed cholestasis. Within the SMOF-lipid group there were no differences in the laboratory parameters between baseline, PN14, and post. In the control group, gamma glutamyltransferase (γGT) levels increased during PN (baseline vs. PN14, 26.43 vs. 63.00 U/l,P< 0.05). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels showed a significantly different behavior in the 2 groups: In the SMOF lipids group, LDH decreased whereas it increased in the controls (−32.75 U/l vs. + 29.57 U/l,P< 0.05). An advantage of fish oil-based fat emulsions can be shown even after short-term PN. In children undergoing chemotherapy the use of soybean-based fat emulsions but not SMOF lipids led to increased γGT levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hydrocephalus is still a not well-understood diagnostic and a therapeutic dilemma because of the lack of sufficient and comprehensive model of cerebrospinal fluid circulation and pathological alterations. Conclusions: Based on current studies, reviews, and knowledge of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, brain water dynamics, intracranial pressure, and cerebral perfusion physiology, a new concept is deducted that can describe normal and pathological changes of cerebrospinal fluid circulation and pathophysiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of effectively adiabatic control of a collection of classical harmonic oscillators sharing the same time-dependent frequency is analyzed. The phase differences between the oscillators remain fixed during the process. This fact leads us to adopt the coordinates: energy, Lagrangian, and correlation, which have proved useful in a quantum description and which have the advantage of treating both the classical and quantum problem in one unified framework. A representation theorem showing that two classical oscillators can represent an arbitrary collection of classical or quantum oscillators is proved. An invariant, the Casimir companion, consisting of a combination of our coordinates, is the key to determining the minimum reachable energy. We present a condition for two states to be connectable using one-jump controls and enumerate ail possible switchings for one-jump effectively adiabatic controls connecting any initial state to any reachable final state. Examples are discussed. One important consequence is that an initially microcanonical ensemble of oscillators will be transformed into another microcanonical ensemble by effectively adiabatic control. Likewise, a canonical ensemble becomes another canonical ensemble. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention influences visual processing in striate and extrastriate cortex, which has been extensively studied for spatial-, object-, and feature-based attention. Most studies exploring neural signatures of feature-based attention have trained animals to attend to an object identified by a certain feature and ignore objects/displays identified by a different feature. Little is known about the effects of feature-selective attention, where subjects attend to one stimulus feature domain (e.g., color) of an object while features from different domains (e.g., direction of motion) of the same object are ignored. To study this type of feature-selective attention in area MT in the middle temporal sulcus, we trained macaque monkeys to either attend to and report the direction of motion of a moving sine wave grating (a feature for which MT neurons display strong selectivity) or attend to and report its color (a feature for which MT neurons have very limited selectivity). We hypothesized that neurons would upregulate their firing rate during attend-direction conditions compared with attend-color conditions. We found that feature-selective attention significantly affected 22% of MT neurons. Contrary to our hypothesis, these neurons did not necessarily increase firing rate when animals attended to direction of motion but fell into one of two classes. In one class, attention to color increased the gain of stimulus-induced responses compared with attend-direction conditions. The other class displayed the opposite effects. Feature-selective activity modulations occurred earlier in neurons modulated by attention to color compared with neurons modulated by attention to motion direction. Thus feature- selective attention influences neuronal processing in macaque area MT but often exhibited a mismatch between the preferred stimulus dimension (direction of motion) and the preferred attention dimension (attention to color). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: CMS has started a campaign to identify the future sensor technology baseline for the Tracker Upgrade Phase II. A large variety of 6-in. wafers of different thicknesses and technologies have been ordered. The sensor properties and especially the behavior after irradiation will be investigated for floatzone, magnetic Czochralski and epitaxial silicon material with dedicated test structures. The sensors come in p-in-n and n-in-p versions. The p-stop as well as p-spray isolation technologies will be explored for the n-in-p type sensors. Some additional wafers will come with an additional routing in a second metal layer on selected structures. Approximately one half of these wafers have already been delivered. Pre-qualification has just started. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A mathematical model of ice formation in living cells during freezing is considered. Application of appropriate averaging techniques to partial differential equations describing the dynamics of water–ice phase transitions reduces spatially distributed relations to several ordinary differential equations with control parameters and uncertainties. Such equations together with an objective functional which expresses the difference between the amount of ice in the extracellular and intracellular liquids are treated as a differential game where the aim of the control is to maximize the objective functional and the aim of the disturbance is opposite. A stable finite-difference scheme for computing the value function is developed. Based on the computed value function, optimal controls are designed to produce cooling protocols ensuring simultaneous freezing inside and outside of living cells. Such a regime balances the pressures inside and outside of cells, which may prevent cells from injuring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Central European Consortium designed and prototyped generic test structures (TS) in a R&D study to allow standard monitoring of the process quality of silicon sensors of any given vendor. Furthermore, some novel signal routing strategies for silicon sensors have been applied on the wafers to achieve an implementation of a pitch adapter directly in the sensor, either in the first metal layer or in a second additional metal routing layer. These improvements would allow to connect the readout chip directly to the sensor, omitting an additional pitch adapter. The on-sensor pitch adapter would be reflected by a substantial material budget saving which would be of special interest for the tracking detectors at the super-LHC. After a first batch of improved TS was produced in 2007, a second batch of enhanced TS and additional sensors, with integrated pitch adapters, has been produced by the Institute of Electron Technology in Warsaw, Poland. Some improvements of the TS and the designs of the sensors will be shown. Afterwards a selection of measurements on TS and sensors will be discussed as well as a testbeam and its first results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karl Wilmanns (1873-1945) is widely known as the founder of the Heidelberg school of psychopathology. His important contributions to criminology and forensic psychiatry and his encouragement of psychoanalysis in the inpatient setting are less known today. During the First World War, he worked as director of the military hospitals in the German county of Baden and as director of the Reichenau Mental Hospital at Lake Constance. Thus, he was familiar with the needs of everyday psychiatric practice under difficult circumstances. In Heidelberg he dealt intensively with criminology, social psychiatry and psychoanalysis. Wilmanns remained sceptical towards deterministic positions including the biological psychiatry of his days, but he fought for psychiatry open to social and political questions and open to different scientific methods. In 1933, the Nazis expelled him from office. Wilmanns remained as a private practitioner in Germany and died shortly after the liberation in 1945. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of aggressive metastatic carcinoma in a horse that was initially presented for shoulder lameness. Although radiography and scintigraphy were useful for localising a lesion in the proximal humerus, subsequent development of non-specific signs of systemic disease prompted further evaluation. Haematology and blood biochemistry, urinalysis and ultrasonography were all instrumental in identifying renal involvement. A diagnosis of a peri-renal mass causing secondary renal failure prompted euthanasia of the horse because of the poor prognosis. Antemortem findings were supported by necropsy, with secondary lesions also identified in the spleen, liver, 8th left rib and proximal humerus. Histological examination yielded a diagnosis of undifferentiated metastatic carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the order Mucorales (Zygomycetes), the facultative parasites Parasitella parasitica, Chaetocladium brefeldii, Chaetocladium jonesii and Absidia parricida are known to initiate biotrophic fusion parasitic interactions on a wide variety of other mucoralean hosts. Their phylogenetic relationship within the Mucorales and their ability to form parasitic structures with several known host species was examined. Together with interspecific reactions between the mycoparasites, this study found: (i) no evident differences in the spectrum of non-parasitic hosts tested within the study; (ii) A. parricida parasitises all other fusion parasites; (iii) A. parricida is ancestral to all other parasites; (iv) A. parricida is reported for the first time as phylogenetically basal to all other mucoralean fungi except the Umbelopsidaceae and (v) based on phylogenetic analyses and physiological and morphological characteristics, the slow-growing species A. parricida and Absidia zychae are removed from the genus Absidia and reclassified in the newly described genus Lentamyces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the analysis of trolley impact on the dynamic behaviour of the flexible structure of the mega quayside container crane (QCC) boom, identified as the most relevant structural part. It develops a modelling method for the dynamic response of the large flexible structure of the QCC boom under a moving trolley. By using FEM the original structure of the whole crane structure is reduced to an equivalent model of the boom. The boom is in this way modelled as a system with distributed parameters, comprising reduced stiffnesses and lumped masses from other parts of the upper structure. The article looks at the moving mass approach to achieve the desired performance of the QCC. Differential equations of the mathematical model are obtained by using Lagrange's equations and the assumed mode method. The continuum is discretized by a finite number of admissible functions. Deterministic simulation gives the dynamic response of the boom for quay-to-ship container transfer. Results are obtained for the boom deflection and bending moment values, as well as for the dynamic amplification factor of deflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurons in cortical medial temporal area (MT) and medial superior temporal area (MST) projecting to the dorsolateral pontine nucleus (DLPN) and/or to the nucleus of the optic tract and dorsal terminal nucleus (NOT-DTN) were identified by antidromic electrical stimulation in five macaque monkeys. Neurons projecting to either target were located in close proximity to each other, and in all subregions of MT and MST sampled. Only a small percentage of the antidromically identified projection neurons (4.4%) sent branches to both the NOT-DTN and the DLPN. Antidromic latencies of neurons projecting to the NOT-DTN (0.9–6 ms, median 2.1 ms) and to the DLPN (0.8–5 ms, median 2.0 ms) did not differ significantly. Visual response properties of the neurons antidromically activated from either site did not differ significantly from those of cells that were not so activated. On the population level only neurons activated from the NOT-DTN had a clear preference for ipsiversive stimulus movement, whereas the neurons activated from the DLPN and neurons not antidromically activated from either target had no common directional preference. These results are discussed in terms of specification of cortico-subcortical connections and with regard to pathways underlying slow eye movements in different visuomotor behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser Ablation of Microparticles (LAM) is a process of nanoparticle formation in which microparticles in a flowing aerosol are continuously ablated by high-power laser pulses. For the first time, we have produced CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanoparticles using a double ablation apparatus, designed to undergo a two-step LAM process. This process can be inverted to produce ZnS/CdSe core/shell nanoparticles. The present work focuses on the range around ∼15 nm radius heterostructures and uses high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) to image core and shells. For smaller particles, core shell structures have been detected with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) 5 nm spot size beam and fast Fourier transform (FFT) spectra. Differences in the ablation behavior were measured between the two IIB–VIA type semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotational angiography (RA) gantries are used routinely to acquire sequences of projection images of patients from which 3D renderings of vascular structures are generated using Feldkamp cone-beam reconstruction algorithms. However, these systems have limited resolution (<4 lp/mm). Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) systems have better resolution (>10 lp/mm) but to date have relied either on rotating object imaging or small bore geometry for small animal imaging, and thus are not used for clinical imaging. The authors report here the development and use of a 3D rotational micro-angiography (RMA) system created by mounting a micro-angiographic fluoroscope (MAF) [35 μm pixel, resolution >10 lp/mm, field of view (FOV)=3.6 cm] on a standard clinical FPD-based RA gantry (Infinix, Model RTP12303J-G9E, Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., Tustin, CA). RA image sequences are obtained using the MAF and reconstructed. To eliminate artifacts due to image truncation, lower-dose (compared to MAF acquisition) full-FOV (FFOV) FPD RA sequences (194 μm pixel, FOV=20 cm) were also obtained to complete the missing data. The RA gantry was calibrated using a helical bead phantom. To ensure high-quality high-resolution reconstruction, the high-resolution images from the MAF were aligned spatially with the lower-dose FPD images, and the pixel values in the FPD image data were scaled to match those of the MAF. Images of a rabbit with a coronary stent placed in an artery in the Circle of Willis were obtained and reconstructed. The MAF images appear well aligned with the FPD images (average correlation coefficient before and after alignment: 0.65 and 0.97, respectively) Greater details without any visible truncation artifacts are seen in 3D RMA (MAF-FPD) images than in those of the FPD alone. The FWHM of line profiles of stent struts (100 μm diameter) are approximately 192±21 and 313±38 μm for the 3D RMA and FPD data, respectively. In addition, for the dual-acquisition 3D RMA, FFOV FPD data need not be of the highest quality, and thus may be acquired at lower dose compared to a standard FPD acquisition. These results indicate that this system could provide the basis for high resolution images of regions of interest in patients with a reduction in the integral dose compared to the standard FPD approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cerebellum is the primary motor coordination centre of the central nervous system. Lesions or congenital defects of the cerebellum cause incoordination of the muscles resulting in irregular gait and falling. Recently, we reported a large family with cerebellum hypoplasia and quadrupedal locomotion as a recessive trait, which we mapped to chromosome 17p13. We identified one additional family with the same condition and mapped the underlying gene to a 14-cM interval on chromosome 9ptel using a genome-wide linkage approach. Sequencing of candidate genes identified a homozygous frameshift mutation in the very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) gene in all affected individuals. The association of cerebellar hypoplasia with mutations in VLDLR has been reported previously in the Hutterite population and in a family from Iran. However, quadrupedal locomotion was never observed indicating that environmental factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of this form of locomotion.European Journal of Human Genetics (2008) 16, 1070–1074; doi:10.1038/ejhg.2008.73; published online 26 March 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensation, memories, and predictions contribute to choices in everyday life, and their relative impact should change with task constraints. To investigate how the impact from sensory cortex on decision making varies with task constraints we trained macaque monkeys in a direction discrimination task where they could maximize reward by waiting for sensory visual information early in a trial, while focusing on memory and reward prediction as a trial progressed. The task constraints caused animals to indicate decisions in complete absence of visual motion stimuli (stimulus independent decisions), as 25% of the trials were ‘no stimulus’ trials. On ‘no stimulus’ trials reward delivery depended on the current decision in relation to the decision history. Stimulus independent decisions occurred during an epoch when a stimulus could in principle have been presented, or afterwards when stimuli could not occur anymore. Stimulus independent decisions were significantly different during these two periods. Reward exploitation was more efficient late in the trial, but it was not associated with systematic activity changes in directionally selective neurons in area MT. Conversely, systematic changes of neuronal activity and firing rate correlation in directionally selective middle temporal area (MT) neurons were restricted to a short time period before early decisions. Changing task constraints in the course of a single trial thus determines how neurons in sensory areas contribute to decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes a complete set of balance equations for mesoscopic electromagnetic (EM) mixtures. Introducing the mesoscopic surface balance equation enables the formulation of the mesoscopic Maxwell's equations, which in turn lead to the macroscopic EM equations by the mesoscopic average. This study gives the mesoscopic EM body force, body couple, and energy supply and thoroughly discusses the EM contributions to the balance equations for linear momentum, angular momentum, and energy, from the mesoscopic quantities to their macroscopic counterparts. The EM mixture is applied to the derivation of the balance equations for an EM microcontinuum. In addition, the first-order moments for the mesoscopic Maxwell's equations are used to recover the equations in micromorphic electromagnetism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper models a microcontinuum as a mixture with continuous diversity. Balance equations for a microcontinuous medium are discussed from the viewpoint of mesoscopic continuum mechanics. The macroscopic field quantities are redefined in terms of the mesoscopic averages rather than by taking spatial averages in a macroelement. The averages of the mesoscopic balance equations of mass, linear momentum, angular momentum, and energy produce their macroscopic counterparts. With the mixture formulation, the kinetic fluxes, which are missing in the derivations by other macroscopic approaches, are naturally incorporated into the stress tensor, couple stress tensor, and heat flux. For a microcontinuum, the balance equation of microinertia is the second-moment equation for the mesoscopic balance of mass. Introducing the mesoscopic distribution function can produce the explicit expression for the general macroscopic n-th moment equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Protein kinase D1 (PKD1) is involved in cellular processes including protein secretion, proliferation and apoptosis. Studies suggest PKD1 is activated by various stimulants including gastrointestinal (GI) hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors in a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. However, little is known about the mechanisms of PKD1 activation in physiologic GI tissues. We explored PKD1 activation by GI hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors and the mediators involved in rat pancreatic acini. Only hormones/neurotransmitters activating phospholipase C caused PKD1 phosphorylation (S916, S744/748). CCK activated PKD1 and caused a time- and dose-dependant increase in serine phosphorylation by activation of high- and low-affinity CCKA receptor states. Inhibition of CCK-stimulated increases in phospholipase C, PKC activity or intracellular calcium decreased PKD1 S916 phosphorylation by 56%, 62% and 96%, respectively. PKC inhibitors GF109203X/Go6976/Go6983/PKC-ζ pseudosubstrate caused a 62/43/49/0% inhibition of PKD1 S916 phosphorylation and an 87/13/82/0% inhibition of PKD1 S744/748 phosphorylation. Expression of dominant negative PKC-δ, but not PKC-ε, or treatment with PKC-δ translocation inhibitor caused marked inhibition of PKD phosphorylation. Inhibition of Src/PI3K/MAPK/tyrosine phosphorylation had no effect. In unstimulated cells, PKD1 was mostly located in the cytoplasm. CCK stimulated translocation of total and phosphorylated PKD1 to the membrane. These results demonstrate that CCKA receptor activation leads to PKD activation by signaling through PKC-dependent and PKC-independent pathways. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The increasing complexity of hepato-biliary surgery, including major hepatic resections and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), has lead to an increasing demand for sophisticated imaging modalities. Standard operation planning for hepatic resections and preoperative donor and recipient work-up for LDLT is based on two-dimensional computed tomography (CT) images and magnetic resonance imaging. However, even modern multidetector CT scanners are not able to perform routinely three-dimensional (3D) visualization needed for operation planning in liver surgery or LDLT. As a consequence, special-purpose computer-based operation planning systems have been developed that leverage the possibilities of modern image processing to improve surgical planning. The advances in technology enable surgeons to analyse and to visualize the anatomy of the human liver including the vascular structures within the human liver and define the exact volumetric data of the liver tissue to be resected or preserved. Furthermore, 3D visualization of the vessel architecture within the human liver allows a reliable estimation of the amount of liver tissue that could be at risk after resection because of inadequate hepatovenous drainage. Because of its clinical usefulness and real-time visualization capabilities we already use an operation planning system in selected patients prior to liver resection and before donor hepatectomy for LDLT as a standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements of safety standards of ropeways are crucial in order to ensure a high level of operational reliability and safety. In this context, the question of cross-wind stability of ropeways is of particular concern. The real cross-inclination of the gondola and its correlation to wind speed and direction on an operating ropeway are of great interest for ropeway manufacturers and responsible authorities as well as for ropeway operators. As presented in this paper, a mathematical model for simulation was developed in order to gain a better understanding of the cross-wind behaviour of bicable ropeways. This model was established for a numerical dynamic simulation of the movement of gondolas with stiff connections, ‘hanger-cabins’, due to arbitrary cross-wind loads acting at a section of the studied span of the ropeway. All equations were solved using the program MATLAB® and the toolbox SIMULINK®. In addition, the results of a simulation of a real ropeway are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The scaffolding/adapter protein, Gab1, is a key signaling molecule for numerous stimuli including growth factors and G protein-coupled-receptors (GPCRs). A number of questions about Gab1 signaling remain and little is known about the ability of gastrointestinal (GI) hormones/neurotransmitters/growth factors to activate Gab1. Therefore, we examined their ability to activate Gab1 and explored the mechanisms involved using rat pancreatic acini. HGF and EGF stimulated total Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrP) and TyrP of Gab1 phospho-specific sites (Y307, Y627), but not other pancreatic growth factors, GI GPCRs (CCK, bombesin, carbachol, VIP, secretin), or agents directly activating PKC or increasing Ca2+. HGF-stimulated Y307 Gab1 TyrP differed in kinetics from total and Y627. Neither GF109203X, nor inhibition of Ca2+ increases altered HGF''s effect. In unstimulated cells >95% of Gab1 was cytosolic and HGF stimulated a 3-fold increase in membrane Gab1. HGF stimulated equal increases in pY307 and pY627 Gab1 in cytosol/membrane. HGF stimulated Gab1 association with c-Met, Grb2, SHP2, PI3K, Shc, Crk isoforms and CrkL, but not with PLCγ1. These results demonstrate that only a subset of pancreatic growth factors (HGF/EGF) stimulates Gab1 signaling and no pancreatic hormones/neurotransmitters. Our results with Gab1 activation with different growth factors, the role of PKC, and its interaction with distant signaling molecules suggest the cellular mechanisms of Gab1 signaling show important differences in different cells. These results show that Gab1 activation plays a central role in HGF''s ability to stimulate intracellular transduction cascades in pancreatic acinar cells and this action likely plays a key role in HGF''s ability to alter pancreatic cell function (i.e., growth/regeneration). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Motion perception was tested in pigmented Long-Evans and albino Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus sp.) using moving random dot patterns. Pigmented as well as albino rats could distinguish a fully coherently moving pattern from dynamic noise. However, motion coherence thresholds were significantly lower in pigmented compared to albino rats (12% and 30% coherence, respectively). These results indicate that pigmented rats have well developed motion coherence perception, whereas albino rats are severely impaired but not motion blind. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We consider the variational free boundary problem describing the contact of an elastic plate with a thin elastic obstacle. The contact domain is unknown a priori and should be determined. The problem is described by a variational inequality for a fourth-order operator. The constraint on the displacement is given on a set of dimension less than that of the solution domain. We find the boundary conditions on the set of the possible contact and their exact statement. We justify the mixed statement of the problem and analyze the limit cases corresponding to the unbounded increase of the elasticity coefficients of the contacting bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor about the molecular characterization of a balanced chromosome translocation in psoriasis vulgaris is presented.

In this article we consider the influence of non-equilibirum values of classical variables on the eigenvalues of the advection part of the cumulant equations. Real and finite eigenvalues are a neccessary condition for the cumulant equations to be hyperbolic which can be used to obtain estimates on admissible deviations from equilibrium for a model of particular order still to be valid. We find that this condition puts no constraints on velocity and shear stress values, but specific energy must be positive, normal stress must be bounded by specific energy and heat flux not be too large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we give a comparison of the exact Bobylev/Krook-Wu solution to the space-homogeneous Boltzmann equation and numerical results obtained by a implementation of the cumulant method for the space-homogeneous case. We find excellent agreement of the numerical solution to the cumulant equations with the exact solution of the space-homogeneous Boltzmann equation as long as the exact, non-linear production terms are used. If a linearized variant of the production terms is used, relaxation rates may be underestimated due to convergence to the solution of the linearized equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dropstone-bearing glaciomarine sedimentary rocks of the Ghaub Formation within metamorphosed Neoproterozoic basinal strata (Swakop Group) in central Namibia contain interbedded mafic lava flows and thin felsic ash beds. U-Pb zircon geochronology of an ash layer constrains the deposition of the glaciomarine sediments to 635.5 ± 1.2 Ma, providing an age for what has been described as a ‘Marinoan-type’ glaciation. In addi- tion, this age provides a maximum limit for the proposed lower boundary of the terminal Proterozoic (Ediacaran) system and period. Combined with reliable age constraints from other Neoproterozoic glacial units—the ca. 713 Ma Gubrah Member (Oman) and the 580 Ma Gaskiers Formation (Newfoundland)—these data provide unequivocal evidence for at least three, temporally discrete, glacial episodes during Neoproterozoic time with inter- glacial periods, characterized by prolonged positive δ13C excursions, lasting at most ∼50– 80 m.y. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily intake of at least 400 g of vegetables and fruit. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the public health benefit of meeting this WHO recommendation by applying a statistical method that combines estimated intake distributions and simulated intake changes.Design and Setting: The benefit of an increased consumption of vegetables and fruit was quantified by the preventable proportion of diseases. This proportion was estimated by a general formula derived in the paper that incorporates individual relative risks. Three different strategies of increasing usual intake were simulated and compared. The first strategy assumes that all individuals increase their intake by the same amount, the second assumes a constant increase among low consumers, and the third simulates individual increments necessary to meet the WHO recommendation. Calculations were made for three different scenarios with varying relative risks.Results: The third simulation strategy turned out to be the most appropriate one to quantify the potential health gain of the current dietary recommendation. Applying this strategy to prevent cancer, the proportion of preventable cases was country-specific. Estimates for France and Sweden were 21.9% and 19.3%, respectively, which are somewhat lower than the non-specific figure published by the World Cancer Research Fund.Conclusions: To improve estimates of the preventable proportion of diseases, the estimation formula presented here can be applied. Its application requires intake data to estimate the initial intake distribution in the population and to simulate adequate dietary changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection of melanomas by means of diverse screening campaigns is an important step towards a reduction in mortality. Computer-aided analysis of digital images obtained by dermoscopy has been reported to be an accurate, practical and time-saving tool for the evaluation of pigmented skin lesions (PSLs). A prototype for the computer-aided diagnosis of PSLs using artificial neural networks (NNs) has recently been developed: diagnostic and neural analysis of skin cancer (DANAOS). To demonstrate the accuracy of PSL diagnosis by the DANAOS expert system, a multicentre study on a diverse multinational population was conducted. A calibrated camera system was developed and used to collect images of PSLs in a multicentre study in 13 dermatology centres in nine European countries. The dataset was used to train an NN expert system for the computer-aided diagnosis of melanoma. We analysed different aspects of the data collection and its influence on the performance of the expert system. The NN expert system was trained with a dataset of 2218 dermoscopic images of PSLs. The resulting expert system showed a performance similar to that of dermatologists as published in the literature. The performance depended on the size and quality of the database and its selection. The need for a large database, the usefulness of multicentre data collection, as well as the benefit of a representative collection of cases from clinical practice, were demonstrated in this trial. Images that were difficult to classify using the NN expert system were not identical to those found difficult to classify by clinicians. We suggest therefore that the combination of clinician and computer may potentially increase the accuracy of PSL diagnosis. This may result in improved detection of melanoma and a reduction in unnecessary excisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All energy transformation processes occurring in reality are irreversible and in many cases these irreversibilities must be included in a realistic description of such processes. Endoreversible thermodynamics is a non-equilibrium approach in this direction by viewing a system as a network of internally reversible (endoreversible) subsystems exchanging energy in an irreversible fashion. All irreversibilities are confined to the interaction between the subsystems. This review is dedicated to the dynamical investigation of such endoreversible systems. First the general framework for the endoreversible description of a system is briefly introduced, and then the necessary mathematical tools to determine optimal process paths for such systems are presented. These are complemented by simple examples for the application of the different methods. Then the optimal paths for endoreversible processes of increasing complexity are discussed: first the processes between given equilibrium states, and then cyclic processes. These are followed by a review of internal combustion engines and by a number of further selected applications. We conclude with an outlook to other areas of irreversible thermodynamics where path optimization methods have been successfully used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we describe a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genotyping all known polymorphisms of the human mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene. These comprised two variations in the 5′ regulatory region at positions −550 (H/L) and −221 (X/Y), one in the 5′ untranslated sequence at position +4 (P/Q) and three structural mutations within exon 1 at codons 52, 54, and 57, also known as the D, B and C variants, respectively. Three reactions with two different conditions were sufficient to genotype one individual unambiguously. The three mutations in exon 1 were detected in one capillary using a sensor probe covering the three mutations, whereas amplification of the variants located upstream of the coding sequence was performed in only two reactions. Single colour detection was used for detection of the (H/L) polymorphism and multiplexing by dual colour probes was used for simultaneous genotyping of (X/Y) and (P/Q). The reliability of the system was evaluated by comparison with a conventional PCR method with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). For this study, 100 individuals of Danish and 30 of African descent were analysed, and the genotypes obtained were concordant in all cases. This new method is rapid and provides reliable results without ambiguities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The extent of the horizontal visual field was determined behaviourally in 4 pigmented and 5 albino ferrets (Mustela putorius furo, Carnivora, Mammalia) using perimetry. During binocular vision, all pigmented and three albino ferrets responded equally well to stimuli presented anywhere along the horizontal perimeter in the central 180° of the visual field. The remaining two albinos had a visual field defect in the right hemifield (>30° eccentricity). During monocular vision, a significant difference between the visual fields of pigmented and albino ferrets became apparent. In pigmented ferrets, the visual field of each eye included the ipsilateral (temporal) and a substantial portion of the contralateral (nasal) hemifield. In albinos, the visual field of each eye was limited to the ipsilateral hemifield and reactions to visual stimuli abruptly declined directly beyond the vertical meridian. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]