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After more than 3 years of operational experiences with the Transportable Adaptive Optical Ground Station (T-AOGS) it is not any more the question whether optical communication through atmosphere is possible for Geo to ground applications. It is important to understand the performance of optical communication under different atmospheric-conditions and which the key parameters are to improve simplicity, robustness and availability of optical bi-directional satellite to ground links (SGL). We report within this paper on the characterization of the atmospheric channel for ground to GEO optical communication without adaptive optics correction in the uplink. Besides the telemetry data of the space segment and the T-AOGS, also a special measurement campaign was carried out using the 1m telescope of the ESA-OGS in parallel. An outlook for further analysis and activities is given.

Open Universe for blazars is a set of high-transparency data products for blazar science, and the tools designed to generate them. Blazar astrophysics is becoming increasingly data driven, depending on the integration and combined analysis of large quantities of data from the entire span of observational astrophysics techniques. The project was therefore chosen as one of the pilot activities within the United Nations Open Universe Initiative. In this work we developed a data analysis pipeline called Swift_deepsky, based on the Swift XRTDAS software and the XIMAGE package, encapsulated into a Docker container. Swift_deepsky, downloads and reads low-level data, generates higher-level products, detects X-ray sources and estimates several intensity and spectral parameters for each detection, thus facilitating the generation of complete and up-to-date science-ready catalogues from an entire space-mission dataset. The Docker version of the pipeline and its derived products is publicly available from the Open Universe Website at openuniverse.asi.it. We present the results of a detailed X-ray image analysis based on Swift_deepsky on all Swift XRT observations including a known blazar, carried out during the first 14 years of operations of the Swift Observatory. The resulting database includes over 27,000 images integrated in different X-ray bands, and a catalogue, called 1OUSXB, that provides intensity and spectral information for 33,396 X-ray sources, 8,896 of which are single or multiple detections of 2,308 distinct blazars. All the results can be accessed on-line in a variety of ways: e.g., from the Open Universe portal at openuniverse.asi.it, through Virtual Observatory services, via the VOU-Blazar tool and the SSDC SED builder. One of the most innovative aspects of this work is that the results can be safely reproduced and extended by anyone., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 11 pages, 11 figures

Purpose: Recovery from aphasia after stroke has a decelerating trajectory, with the greatest gains taking place early and the slope of change decreasing over time. Despite its importance, little is known regarding evolution of language function in the early postonset period. The goal of this study was to characterize the dynamics and nature of recovery of language function in the acute and early subacute phases of stroke.Method: Twenty-one patients with aphasia were evaluated every 2–3 days for the first 15 days after onset of acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Language function was assessed at each time point with the Quick Aphasia Battery (Wilson, Eriksson, Schneck, & Lucanie, 2018), which yields an overall summary score and a multidimensional profile of 7 different language domains.Results: On a 10-point scale, overall language function improved by a mean of 1.07 points per week, confidence interval [0.46, 1.71], with 19 of 21 patients showing positive changes. The trajectory of recovery was approximately linear over this time period. There was significant variability across patients, and patients with more impaired language function at Day 2 poststroke experienced greater improvements over the subsequent 2 weeks. Patterns of recovery differed across language domains, with consistent improvements in word finding, grammatical construction, repetition, and reading, but less consistent improvements in word comprehension and sentence comprehension.Conclusion: Overall language function typically improves substantially and steadily during the first 2 weeks after stroke, driven mostly by recovery of expressive language. Information on the trajectory of early recovery will increase the accuracy of prognoses and establish baseline expectations against which to evaluate the efficacy of interventions.Supplemental Material S1. Complete dataset.Wilson, S. M., Eriksson, D. K., Brandt, T. H., Schneck, S. M., Lucanie, J. M., Burchfield, A. S., ... Kidwell, C. S. (2019). Patterns of recovery from aphasia in the first 2 weeks after stroke. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-18-0254

Background:We have developed a model of stratified exercise therapy, in which three knee osteoarthritis (OA) subgroups (i.e., ‘high muscle strength subgroup’, ‘low muscle strength subgroup’ and ‘obesity subgroup’) can be distinguished and provided a subgroup-specific intervention. Currently, the (cost-)effectiveness of this model compared to usual exercise therapy is tested in a large-scaled randomized controlled trial (OCTOPuS-study [1]). Alongside this trial, we performed a qualitative study to explore perceived barriers and facilitators of the application of this model in primary care.Objectives:To explore barriers and facilitators of the application of this model in primary care, as perceived by patients, physiotherapists and dieticians.Methods:Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews in a random sample of 15 patients (5 from each subgroup), 11 physiotherapists and 5 dieticians, from the experimental arm of the OCTUPuS trial. A thematic analysis of the data was performed.Results:We identified 14 themes in 5 categories. In general, patients and therapists were positive about the added value and applicability of the model, although some physiotherapists would prefer more flexibility. Regarding the ‘high muscle strength subgroup’, both patients and physiotherapists reported mixed feelings on the low number of supervised sessions, with some perceiving this low number as advantageous for stimulating the patient’s own responsibility, whereas others as hindering an optimally guided treatment. Regarding the ‘obesity subgroup’, dieticians and physiotherapists acknowledged the added value of the combined intervention, but both were disappointed by the lack of interdisciplinary collaboration. Moreover, those patients in this subgroup already following a diet restriction, therefore not perceiving any added value of the diet intervention.Conclusion:This qualitative study revealed relevant barriers and facilitators of our new model of stratified exercise therapy, which will help us interpreting the upcoming results on its (cost-) effectiveness [1]. If proven to be (cost-)effective, implementation strategies should specifically focus on guidance of patients from the ‘high muscle strength subgroup’ within only a few sessions, collaboration between physiotherapist and dietician in the ‘obesity subgroup’, and adequate use of booster sessions after the supervised period to optimize treatment adherence.References:[1]Knoop J, Dekker J, van der Leeden M, de Rooij M, Peter WFH, van Bodegom-Vos L, van Dongen JM, Lopuhäa N, Bennell KL, Lems WF, van der Esch M, Vliet Vlieland TPM, Ostelo RWJG. Stratified exercise therapy compared with usual care by physical therapists in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial protocol (OCTOPuS study). Physiother Res Int. 2020 Apr;25(2):e1819. doi: 10.1002/pri.1819. Epub 2019 Nov 28.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background:According to international recommendations, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) is the preferred score for assessing disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) [1]. However, routine determination of C-reactive protein (CRP) to calculate ASDAS values takes hours to days. This limits the use of ASDAS in clinical routine and clinical trials and hinders the implementation of treat-to-target approaches in axSpA. Whereas quick quantitative CRP (qCRP) tests allow CRP assessment within a few minutes. In a pilot project the performance of qCRP-based ASDAS assessment (ASDAS-qCRP) was already investigated in a single center study of 50 newly diagnosed, bDMARD-naïve axSpA patients with promising results [2].Objectives:To validate the ASDAS-qCRP in a prospective, multicenter study of axSpA patients in a typical axSpA cohort with an appropriate sample size.Methods:The study was conducted in five centers in Germany. Consecutive adult (≥ 18 years) axSpA patients were included. In addition to a rheumatological assessment, including patient reported outcomes (PROs), routine CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured in the local labs. Additionally, a qCRP testing with the „QuikRead go instrument“ (Aidian Oy, Finland) was performed at the study center (measurement range 0.5 - 200 mg/l for hematocrit concentrations of 40 – 45%). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, cross tabulation and weighted Cohen´s kappa comparing disease activity categories, Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for ASDAS-CRP and ASDAS-qCRP.Results:In this study 251 axSpA patients were included between January and September 2020 (mean age: 38.4 years; mean disease duration: 6.2 years, 159 patients (63.3%) were male, 211 (84.1%) HLA-B27 positive and 195 (77.7%) were classified as radiographic axSpA). 143 patients (57.0%) were treated with bDMARDs. CRP and qCRP showed mean values of 2.12 and 2.17 mg/l, respectively. With the ASDAS-qCRP, 242 patients (96.4%) were assigned to the same disease activity category as compared to the ASDAS based on the conventional lab CRP measurement (Table 1). Weighted Cohen´s kappa was 0.966 (95%CI: 0.943; 0.988). ICC for ASDAS-CRP- and ASDAS-qCRP-values was 0.997 (95%CI: 0.994; 0.999). The agreement of ASDAS-qCRP and ASDAS-CRP is shown in a Bland-Altman plot (Figure 1).Table 1.Disease activity categories by ASDAS-qCRP vs. ASDAS-CRPASDAS-qCRP (n = 251)Inactive Disease(< 1.3)Low Disease Activity (1.3 - < 2.1)High Disease Activity (2.1 - 3.5)Very high Disease Activity (> 3.5)ASDAS-CRPInactive Disease(< 1.3)56 (22.3%)2 (0.8%)Low Disease Activity (1.3 - < 2.1)62 (24.7%)7 (2.8%)High Disease Activity (2.1 - 3.5)97 (38.6%)Very high Disease Activity (> 3.5)27 (10.8%)The fields highlighted in red indicate that disease activity categories do not match.ASDAS = Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, CRP = C-reactive protein, qCRP = quick quantitative CRPConclusion:The ASDAS-qCRP and ASDAS-CRP showed an almost perfect agreement on the assignment to disease activity categories (96%) with the important advantage of time. With ASDAS-qCRP, rheumatologists could base their clinical decision-making on a disease activity measurement by using a composite score immediately. ASDAS-qCRP, therefore, can be integrated in clinical routine and clinical trials in the future and may facilitate implementation of the treat-to-target concept in axial SpA.References:[1]Smolen JS, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018 Jan; 77(1):3-17.[2]Proft F, et al. Joint Bone Spine. 2019 Jul 29.Figure 1.Bland-Altman plot for ASDAS-qCRP and ASDAS-CRPAcknowledgements:The authors would like to deeply thank Braun T, Doerwald C, Deter N, Höppner C, Lackinger J, Lorenz C, Lunkwitz K, Mandt B, Sron S and Zernicke J for their practical support and coordinating the study.Funding statement: The AQUA study was supported by an unrestricted research grant from Novartis. Testing kits were provided free of charge from Aidian Oy, Finland.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Context: Blazars are a remarkable type of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) that are playing an important and rapidly growing role in today’s multi-frequency and multi-messenger astrophysics. In the past several years, blazars have been discovered in relatively large numbers in radio, microwave, X-ray and γ -ray surveys, and more recently have been associated to high-energy astrophysical neutrinos and possibly to ultra-high energy cosmic rays. Blazars are expected to dominate the high-energy extragalactic sky that will soon be surveyed by the new generation of very high-energy γ -ray observatories such as CTA. In parallel to the discovery of many blazars at all frequencies, the technological evolution, together with the increasing adoption of open data policies, is causing an exponential growth of astronomical data that is freely available through the network of Virtual Observatories (VO) and the web in general, providing an unprecedented potential for multi-wavelength and multi-messenger data analysis. Product: We present VOU-Blazars, a tool developed within the Open Universe initiative that has been designed to facilitate the discovery of blazars and build their spectral energy distributions (SED) using public multi-wavelength photometric and spectral data that are accessible through VO services. The tool is available as source code, as a Docker container, and as a web-based service accessible within the Open Universe portal. Methods: VOU-Blazars implements a heuristic approach based on the well known SED that differentiate blazars from other astronomical sources. The VOU-Blazars outputs are flux tables, bibliographic references, sky plots and SEDs. Results: This paper describes the working mechanism of the tool, gives details of the catalogues and on-line services that are used to produce the output, and gives some examples of usage. VOU-Blazars has been extensively tested during the selection of new high-energy peaked (HSP) blazars recently published in the 3HSP catalog, and has been used to search for blazar counterparts of Fermi 3FHL, Fermi 4FGL, AGILE γ -ray sources, and of IceCube astrophysical neutrinos.

Genetic diversity was investigated among four Sudanese domesticated guinea fowl populations collected in different regions of Sudan: the states of Blue Nile (BL), Gezira and Khartoum (G), Kassala and Gedaref (KG), and West and North Kordofan (N). In addition, one wild population from Dinder National Park (D) was included. From 25 microsatellites chosen, 10 were informative and used for the current study. A total of 107 alleles were found with observed heterozygosity between 0.364 and 0.494. The populations kept on farms showed high genetic identity with values between 0.9269 and 0.9601. Neighbor-joining tree analysis and STRUCTURE modeling showed that the wild population clearly differs from the populations kept on farms.

ResumenObjetivoConocer el número de prostatectomías radicales realizadas en 2 hospitales privados de la Ciudad de México, D.F. y reportar los hallazgos histopatológicos de las piezas quirúrgicas.Materiales y métodosSe realizó una revisión en el Hospital Ángeles Metropolitano y el Hospital Ángeles México, de la Ciudad de México D.F. durante un periodo de 6 años, entre enero del 2008 y diciembre del 2013.ResultadosSe encontraron 77 piezas de prostatectomía radical, teniendo un promedio de 9.6 prostatectomías/año en el Hospital Ángeles Metropolitano y de 3.1 en el Hospital Ángeles México. Se encontró adenocarcinoma acinar de próstata Gleason 5 en el 2.60%, Gleason 6 en el 35.06%, Gleason 7 en el 42.85%, Gleason 8 en el 12.98%; no se hallaron casos con Gleason 9 ni 10 y no se encontró cáncer en 5 casos (6.49%); se apreció invasión de cápsula en el 27.27%, compromiso de vesículas seminales en el 6.5% e invasión de ganglios regionales en el 16.88%, márgenes quirúrgicos vesicales positivos en 4 casos (5.1%) y no se encontraron bordes quirúrgicos uretrales positivos.ConclusionesEl cáncer de próstata se encontró mayormente en etapas localizadas, la prostatectomía radical se realiza con mayor frecuencia en hospitales públicos.AbstractAimsTo know the number of radical prostatectomies performed at 2 private hospitals in Mexico City and report the histopathologic findings of the surgical specimens.MethodsA review of the radical prostatectomies performed at the Hospital Ángeles Metropolitano and the Hospital Ángeles México in Mexico City within the 6-year period from January 2008 through December 2013 was conducted.ResultsSeventy-seven radical prostatectomy specimens were found, with a mean performance of 9.6 prostatectomies per year at the Hospital Ángeles Metropolitano and 3.1 at the Hospital Ángeles México. There were 2.60% cases of acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate with a Gleason score of 5, 35.06% with a Gleason score of 6, 42.85% with a Gleason score of 7, 12.98% with a Gleason score of 8, no cases with Gleason scores of 9 or 10, and 5 cases (6.49%) in which no cancer was found. There was invasion into the capsule in 27.27% cases, seminal vesicle involvement in 6.5%, regional lymph node invasion in 16.88%, positive bladder margins in 4 cases (5.1%), and no positive urethral margins.ConclusionsIn the majority of the prostate cancer cases reviewed, the disease was in the localized stages. Radical prostatectomy is performed more frequently in public hospitals than in the private sector.

AIMS: The DANPACE trial randomized patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) to single lead atrial (AAIR) or dual chamber (DDDR) pacemaker (PM). After 5 years follow-up, no difference in overall survival, stroke or heart failure (HF) was observed, whereas risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and PM reoperation were increased in the AAIR group. The present study aimed to investigate very long term risk of death, AF hospitalization, stroke, HF and rate of change in pacing mode using national register-based data.METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of all 1384 patients included at Danish PM centres in the DANPACE trial randomized to AAIR (n = 696) or DDDR (n = 688). Long-term follow-up data was obtained from Danish national registers. Analysis was intention-to-treat.RESULTS: During mean follow-up of 8.9 years, 413 patients (59.3%) died in the AAIR-group compared to 367 (53.3%) in the DDDR-group (adjusted hazard ratio 1.03; 95% confidence interval 0.90-1.19; P = 0.65). We observed no difference in risk of AF hospitalization, stroke or HF. During extended follow-up, annual rate of pacing mode change to DDDR in the AAIR group was 4.5%, and higher than the 2.3% observed during trial conduct.CONCLUSION: This register-based long-term follow-up study indicates that there is no difference in mortality among patients with SSS randomized to AAIR or DDDR pacing, even with very long follow-up. Nor is there any difference in risk of AF hospitalization, stroke or HF. The higher rate of pacing mode-change to DDDR in the AAIR group suggests a different management of patients with an AAIR PM after the DANPACE trial.

Metalworking fluid chemistry and its uses have gone through many changes over the years. With the greater performance requirements for both direct metal removal attributes and indirect functional attributes, upsets in metalworking fluid integrity will impact performance. The application of ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, or reverse osmosis is generally not applied to in-plant metalworking systems. These filtration regimes are used in selected processes, such as incoming water preparation and metalworking fluid waste treatment. The newer machines used in the manufacturing processes have been designed to require less metalworking fluid. This requires less volume of fluid and therefore, with better filtration, cleaner metalworking fluid can be returned to the machine. Newer installations use computer numerical control (CNC) machines in lieu of transfer machines and these require much less fluid flow per machine, resulting in a smaller overall filtration size. The metalworking fluid being recirculated in the filtration system is subject to varieties of outside contaminants.

Hintergrund: Diagnostizieren stellt fur Physiotherapeuten in Deutschland langst noch keine Selbstverstandlichkeit dar. Viele fuhlen sich unsicher, ob sie uberhaupt Diagnosen stellen durfen. Wenn sie Diagnosen stellen, bedienen sie sich haufig der arztlichen Terminologie. In der Berufsgruppe ist weder die Bedeutung einer berufsspezifischen physiotherapeutischen Diagnose verbreitet, noch liegt eine einheitliche Vorstellung zu deren moglicher Struktur vor. Ziel: Dieser Artikel prasentiert die Ergebnisse des Seminars „Handlungsfelder in der Physiotherapie“ im Wintersemester 2013 des Bachelor-Studiengangs Ergotherapie/Logopadie/Physiotherapie an der HAWK Fachhochschule Hildesheim, Fakultat Soziale Arbeit zum Thema physiotherapeutische Diagnose. Methode: In diesem Seminar wurden Aufbau, Bedeutung, Nutzen und Notwendigkeit einer berufsspezifischen Diagnose diskutiert und ein Baukastensystem zur Formulierung einer physiotherapeutischen Diagnose entwickelt. Ergebnisse: Die Bedeutung einer berufsspezifischen physiotherapeutischen Diagnose fur die Professionalisierung der Physiotherapie wird herausgestellt. Auserdem werden ausstehende Aufgaben fur die Weiterentwicklung des Baukastens und Uberprufung der Praxistauglichkeit beschrieben. Schlussfolgerungen: Die geforderte berufsspezifische physiotherapeutische Diagnose sollte sich von der klassischen arztlichen Diagnose unterscheiden. Zur Systematisierung dient ein Baukastensystem aus 7 Komponenten.

Objectives: Primary myelofibrosis is rare in pediatrics, often manifesting as persistent idiopathic thrombocytosis.Transitions from pediatric to adult medical care can be complicated by workup requiring invasive procedures. J.M., an 18-year-old healthy male, presented for excessive gingival bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction. Workup revealed persistent thrombocytosis to 1,165K, prompting a referral to hematology-oncology. A peripheral smear was notable for many platelets but normal RBC morphology. He had splenomegaly on abdominal ultrasound and a decreased von-Willebrand's activity to antigen ratio, suggesting acquired vWD. A bone marrow biopsy was advised; however, J.M. became lost to follow up for over 9 months owing to self-reported anxiety about the procedure. He remained asymptomatic in this interim until he re-presented to clinic for easy bruising, with no other evidence of bleeding at the time. The biopsy was pursued, revealing hypercellular marrow for age with left shifted granulocytic and erythroid maturation, abnormal megakaryocytes, and 3% blasts. This was consistent with primary early myelofibrosis (PMF), positive for MF-1, CALR, and TP53 mutations and negative for JAK2 and BCR-ABL. He was transitioned to adult hematology, maintained on baby aspirin, and referred for potential allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). PMF is characterized by marrow fibrosis due to secretion of fibroblast growth factor by clonally proliferative megakaryocytes. It is a disease of adulthood, with 67 years being the median age at diagnosis. Only 100 cases have been reported in children, most of which are secondary to AML, ALL or other malignancies.1 Most patients present with complications of extramedullary hematopoiesis or bleeding.2 Diagnosis is suggested by a leukoerythroblastic picture on peripheral smear and confirmed with a bone marrow biopsy "dry tap" revealing marrow fibrosis.3 Prognosis in pediatric PMF is difficult to predict but outcomes tend to be worse;4 TP53 mutation is rare and based on limited adult studies may portend a poorer prognosis.5 Our young patient with this rare mutation was therefore referred for HSCT evaluation. Further complicating this case was J.M.'s anxiety, which delayed definitive diagnosis by biopsy. He only agreed to it when, at the med-peds clinic, the concept of local pain management was discussed. Anticipation of upcoming procedures by primary care physicians and close follow-up is especially important for patients transitioning from pediatric to adult providers. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The high incidence of tumor recurrence after resection of metastatic liver lesions remains an unsolved problem. Small tumor cell deposits, which are not detectable by routine clinical imaging, may be stimulated by hepatic regeneration factors after liver resection. It is not entirely clear, however, which factors are crucial for tumor recurrence. The presented mouse model may be useful to explore the mechanisms that play a role in the development of recurrent malignant lesions after liver resection. The model combines the easy-to-perform and reproducible techniques of defined amounts of liver tissue removal and tumor induction (by injection) in mice. The animals were treated with either a single laparotomy, a 30% liver resection, or a 70% liver resection. All animals subsequently received a tumor cell injection into the remaining liver tissue. After two weeks of observation, the livers and tumors were evaluated for size and weight and examined by immunohistochemistry. After a 70% liver resection, the tumor volume and weight were significantly increased compared to a laparotomy alone (p

This study was aimed at investigating the frequencies of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) diagnoses and their ratios in relation to symptom duration in patients referred because of chronic back pain and suspicion of axial SpA.In this monocentre study, orthopaedists and primary care physicians were requested to refer patients with chronic low back pain (duration3 months) and onset of back pain before 45 years of age to a SpA-specialised rheumatology outpatient clinic for further diagnostic investigation, if proposed screening parameters were present. The ratio of nr-axSpA to AS was analysed in relation to the duration of symptoms.A diagnosis of definite axial SpA was made in 43.7% of the referred patients (n=522). Axial SpA was diagnosed in a similar percentage of about 50% if back pain duration was9 years but decreased to 36% if symptom duration was9 years. Nr-axSpA represented the majority of patients (67.3%) only if duration of back pain was 1 year and less at the time of referral. Between 1 and 6 years of back pain duration the probability of nr-axSpA and AS was nearly equal (1-3 years: 52.5% and 47.5%, respectively; 3-6 years: 53.7% and 46.3%, respectively). In patients with back pain duration of 6-9 years, AS was more likely (61.1%) to be diagnosed than nr-axSpA (38.9%), and this increased further over time.Non-radiographic axial SpA represents an important differential diagnosis of back pain, especially in patients with recent symptom onset.

Resumen Antecedentes El tratamiento actual de los trastornos idiopaticos del gusto consiste en la ingesta de preparados de cinc. Sin embargo, cuando la medicacion con cinc fracasa, el paciente presenta una intolerancia al cinc o dicho elemento esta contraindicado, apenas se puede ayudar a las personas afectadas. Objetivo Analizar la eficacia de la acupuntura para el tratamiento de los trastornos idiopaticos del gusto a traves de un ensayo simple ciego controlado con placebo. Metodo El grupo experimental fue tratado con agujas de acupuntura y el placebo con un aparato de acupuntura laser inactivado. Los criterios de valoracion fueron los cambios observados en las pruebas gustativas, en la calidad de vida, en la gravedad de la sintomatologia depresiva (BDI) asi como en el estado de animo (ZMS). Tambien se registro la satisfaccion de los pacientes con los resultados de cada terapia respectiva. Los datos fueron recabados antes y despues del tratamiento y, en el grupo de tratamiento, tambien despues de un intervalo de 10 semanas sin tratamiento. Resultados El tratamiento con acupuntura real redundo en una mejora significativa del sentido del gusto y de la sintomatologia psiquica. El grupo experimental mostro una mayor satisfaccion con el resultado del tratamiento. Los resultados positivos de la acupuntura se mantuvieron estables a lo largo de un periodo de tiempo de 10 semanas. Conclusiones La acupuntura demostro ser util para el tratamiento de los trastornos idiopaticos del sentido del gusto y representa una alternativa eficaz de tratamiento en los casos de intolerancia al cinc o fracaso del mismo, si bien tambien resulta adecuada como tratamiento de primera eleccion. La acupuntura puede considerarse una ampliacion del arsenal terapeutico para los trastornos del gusto de dificil tratamiento.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and its early form account for up to 5% of all patients with chronic back pain. Interest has recently focused on shortening the delay of 5-10 years between the appearance of first symptoms and the diagnosis of AS, particularly because effective treatments have now become available. Referral parameters that are easy for doctors in primary care to apply to patients presenting with possible AS could contribute to earlier diagnosis.Orthopaedists and primary-care doctors were requested to refer patients with (1) chronic low back pain (duration3 months) and (2) onset of back pain before45 years of age to a specialist rheumatology outpatient clinic for further diagnostic investigation if at least one of the following screening parameters was present: (1) inflammatory back pain, (2) positive human leucocyte antigen B27, and (3) sacroiliitis detected by imaging. The final diagnosis was made according to expert opinion.In total, 350 referred cases were analysed. A diagnosis of definite axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA), comprising established AS and pre-radiographic axial SpA, could be made in 45.4% of all referred patients (of which 50.3% were classified as AS and 49.7% as preradiographic axial SpA), whereas 45.4% were classified as non-SpA and 9.1% as possible SpA. A diagnosis of definite axial SpA could be made in 34.2% if only one referral parameter was positive, and in 62.6% if there was1 positive referral parameter.The proposed referral parameters have proven useful when applied in primary care in identifying patients with AS/pre-radiographic axial SpA among young to middle-aged patients with chronic low back pain.

The aim of the study was to determine differences in the behaviour of chicks of three different pheasant subspecies. The timidity of the pheasant chicks was of special interest, therefore behaviour traits were analysed using an open-field test and a tonic immobility test. In total, 137 pheasant chicks were tested including the copper pheasant (Ph. c. colchicus; n = 87), the green pheasant (Ph. c. versicolor; n = 12) and the melanistic pheasant (Ph. c. tenebrosus; n = 38). In both tests, the chicks of the versicolor group showed the highest timidity, whereas the other two groups were similar in timidity. In the open-field test, the chicks of the colchicus group showed the lowest timidity, and in the tonic immobility test, the tenebrosus group showed the lowest values. Assuming a relationship between the test results and predator avoidance behaviour, it can be concluded that the chicks of the versicolor group show the best predator avoidance behaviour. Further investigations are needed to find out whether the differences in the analysed behaviour traits result in higher survival rates after releasing to the wild.

Introduction Chemokines are cytokines with chemotactic functions in the initiation and maintenance of immune reactions. They have also been shown to regulate other processes such as cancer progression and cancer cell migration. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic role of serum levels of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) in patients with colorectal cancer. Patients and methods The study included a group of 45 patients with colorectal cancer. The serum concentrations of CCL2 and CCL5 were measured preoperatively. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients' blood were isolated and cultured alone or with cancer cells. The concentrations of chemokines in serum and culture supernatants were measured using the cytometric bead array method. The cut-off points for serum chemokine levels were set based on the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis at a level of 103.6 pg/ml for CCL2 and of 11933.2 pg/ml for CCL5. The survival analysis and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors were performed. Results The 5-year survival was 57.5% for the group with low CCL2 levels and 23.87% for the group with high CCL2 levels. For the groups with low and high CCL5 levels, the survival was 18.3% and 49.3%, respectively. For CCL2, the survival of the low-level group was significantly better than that of the highlevel group (P = 0.0028). In the Cox proportional hazard model, radicality of resection (P = 0.001) and CCL2 levels (P = 0.029) were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions The serum level of CCL2 in patients with colorectal cancer may have prognostic value. One of the possible mechanisms of CCL2 production is the interaction of PBMC with cancer cells.

The aim of this study was to analyze variability within casein genes in dairy and non-dairy sheep breeds. In total, 30 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), one indel, and one microsatellite, all located in milk protein genes (CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN2, CSN3) were genotyped. The analysis included 478 samples derived from 14 different European (Italy and Germany) and African (Nigeria and Cameroon) sheep breeds, and 32 European Mou on (EM) samples. Allele and genotype frequencies were calculated using PopGene V 1.31. Intragenic haplotypes were calculated for each casein gene using the expectation and maximization (EM) algorithm of the HAPLOTYPE procedures of SAS® 9.3. Frequencies of casein haplotypes between dairy and non-dairy breeds were compared using a principal component analysis (PCA) with the PRINCOMP procedure of SAS® 9.3. Out of 30 SNP analysed 3 were found monomorphic in all breeds. Moreover in a further SNP T allele could be considered rare as it occurred only in Sopravissana breed at a very low frequency (0.0161). Considering the casein genes it was not possible to nd clear differences in haplotype distribution between dairy and non-dairy breeds. Some haplotypes of one of the four genes were xed or rare in some breeds, whereas in the same breeds different haplotype distribution was found within the other genes. Only 2 haplotypes were found in EM and at least 4 breeds showed more than 7 haplotypes. The most frequent haplotype occurred in all breeds including EM. The lowest Ho values were observed for the three African breeds. In the future, association studies should be made including milk performance traits by phenotyping the animal material.

We present a compilation of spectra of 101 Seyfert galaxies obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (HST-STIS), covering the UV and/or optical spectral range. Information on all the available spectra have been collected in a Mastertable, which is a very useful tool for anyone interested in a quick glance at the existent STIS spectra for Seyfert galaxies in the HST archive, and it can be recovered electronically at the URL address www.if.ufrgs.br/~pat/atlas.htm. Nuclear spectra of the galaxies have been extracted in windows of 0.2 arcsec for an optimized sampling (as this is the slit width in most cases), and combined in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and provide the widest possible wavelength coverage. These combined spectra are also available electronically.

The University of Duisburg-Essen and the Center for Fuel Cell Technology (ZBT Duisburg GmbH) have developed a compact multi-fuel steam reformer suitable for natural gas, propane and butane. Fuel processor prototypes based on this concept were built up in the power range from 2.5 to 12.5 kW thermal hydrogen power for different applications and different industrial partners. The fuel processor concept contains all the necessary elements, a prereformer step, a primary reformer, water gas shift reactors, a steam generator, internal heat exchangers, in order to achieve an optimised heat integration and an external burner for heat supply as well as a preferential oxidation step (PrOx) as CO purification. One of the built fuel processors is designed to deliver a thermal hydrogen power output of 2.5 kW according to a PEM fuel cell stack providing about 1 kW electrical power and achieves a thermal efficiency of about 75% (LHV basis after PrOx), while the CO content of the product gas is below 20 ppm. This steam reformer has been combined with a 1 kW PEM fuel cell. Recirculating the anodic offgas results in a significant efficiency increase for the fuel processor. The gross efficiency of the combined system was already clearly above 30% during the first tests. Further improvements are currently investigated and developed at the ZBT.

The University of Duisburg–Essen has developed a compact multi-fuel steam reformer suitable for natural gas, propane and butane. This steam reformer was combined with a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEM FC) and a system test of the process chain was performed. The fuel processor comprises a prereformer step, a primary reformer, water gas shift reactors, a steam generator, internal heat exchangers in order to achieve an optimised heat integration and an external burner for heat supply as well as a preferential oxidation step (PROX) as CO purification. The fuel processor is designed to deliver a thermal hydrogen power output from 500 W to 2.5 kW. The PEM fuel cell stack provides about 1 kW electrical power. In the following paper experimental results of measurements of the single components PEM fuel cell and fuel processor as well as results of the coupling of both to form a process chain are presented.

Zusammenfassung: Polyposis und chronisch inflammatorische Darmerkrankungen, die bereits im Alter von 2 bis 5 Jahren beginnen konnen, pradisponieren fur kolorektale Karzinome in der 4. und 5. Lebensdekade. Bei der Polyposis wird eine Mutation in dem Tumorsuppressorgen (TSG) APC (adenomatous polyposis coli gene) in der Lymphozyten-DNA gefunden. Bei der ulcerativen Kolitis tritt meistens eine Mutation im TSG p53 als erster Hinweis auf die Krebsentstehung auf. Das hereditare nicht-polypose Kolonkarzinom (HNPCC), das 5 % aller kolorektalen Karzinome umfasst, wird durch die Inaktivierung in DNA-Reperaturgenen (MMR) hervorgerufen, welche durch eine Instabilitat von polymorphen einfachen repetitiven Sequenzen in der DNA nachweisbar ist. Zur Karzinomentstehung mussen zu den Keimbahnmutationen weitere Mutationen in Genen wie ras, DCC, MCC und p53 hinzukommen. Es wurden Labormethoden etabliert, die den Nachweis von Mutationen in TSG und MMR ermoglichen. Man muss dabei die direkte Bestimmung einer Mutation mittels Sequenzierung mit fluoreszenz-markierten Didesoxy-Nukleotiden von indirekten Methoden wie dem Protein Truncation Assay oder der denaturierenden HPLC unterscheiden. Positive Ergebnisse mit den indirekten Methoden mussen stets durch Sequenzierung bestatigt werden. Alle Methoden sind auf Lymphozyten-DNA und DNA aus Gewebe von Polypen, Adenomen und Karzinomen anwendbar. Patienten mit einer nachgewiesenen Mutation in TSG oder MMR tragen ein hohes Karzinomrisiko, sollten engmaschig kontrolliert werden und eine konsequente Behandlung der Primarerkrankung ist notwendig. Bei Patienten mit einer APC-Mutation wird eine grose Variabilitat der Zeitspanne bis zum Ausbruch des Karzinoms beobachtet. Aufgrund von Ergebnissen an Mausmodellen, die eine Mutation im APC-analogen Gen der Maus tragen, kann man auf die Existenz von Tumor-modifier Genen auch beim Menschen schliesen, die mit den TSG und MMR kooperieren. Uber sie konnte in Zukunft eine individuellere Bestimmung des Karzinomrisikos und auch der Progredienz von bestehenden Karzinomen moglich werden. Summary: Polyposis and chronic inflammatory large bowel diseases with its earliest onset at age 2 to 5 are prone for cancer development in the thirties or forties. In polyposis, one allele of the tumor-suppressor gene (TSG) adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC) is already inactivated in the germ line, whereas in ulcerative colitis the p53 TSG is affected in the inflammatory tissue. Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, comprising 5 % of all cancer cases, is caused by mutations in mismatch repair genes (MMR) which is detectable by a genetic instability of simple sequence polymorphic DNA stretches. Subsequent mutations have to follow accidentally to develop the complete malignant phenotype: ras, DCC (deleted in colon cancer, Chr. 18q), MCC (mutated in colon cancer, Chr. 5q), and p53 mutations are required for full malignant transformation. Laboratory methods have been established to determine the TSG and MMR mutations. Using direct sequencing methods such as the didesoxy-nucleotides and indirect methods such as the protein truncation assay or denaturating HPLC most of the mutations are detectable. The methods are applicable to DNA from lymphocytes, tissue from polyps, adenomas, and cancer. Patients indicated to harbor TSG or MMR mutations are at high risk, and as a consequence, short-term follow-up and, if detectable, consequent treatment of the primary disease is necessary. In respect to individuals inheriting an APC mutation predisposing to colorectal cancer different outcomes are observed, ranging from early aggressive cancer to disease-free survival. This might be explained by the cooperation of TSGs and MMRs with tumor-modifier genes. Tumor-modifier genes were identified from investigations of the genetic background effects on phenotypic expression in mice carrying a point mutation in the mouse equivalent of the APC gene (APCMIN) and could provide us with genetic markers with which individuals could be tested for disease susceptibility or tumor progression.

Onkogene fordern das Wachstum der Tumorzellen, das vom Gewebsmilieu unabhangig ist. Als Protoonkogene kommen sie im Genom jeder Korperzelle vor. Wird nur ein Allel durch Mutationen ubermasig oder unangemessen aktiviert, konnen sie den Phanotyp der Zelle nachhaltig verandern und malignes Wachstum einleiten. Tumorsuppressorgene (TSG) hemmen das Wachstum von Zellen mit DNA-Mutationen. Es mussen beide Allele im Genom mutiert sein, damit kein funktionierendes Protein mehr entsteht und Zellen in ihrer DNA Mutationen an die Tochterzellen weitergeben. Bei einer bestehenden Krebspradisposition liegt ein Allel mutiert vor. Das Malignom entwickelt sich, nach dem auch im zweiten Allel eine Mutation eingetreten ist. Mutatorgene sind fur den Erhalt der Integritat des Genoms und fur die zuverlassige Weitergabe des genetischen Kodes verantwortlich. Ein Funktionsverlust beider Allele erhoht die Fehlerrate bei der DNA-Replikation. Das kann zu Mutationen in Onkogenen oder Tumorsuppressorgenen fuhren und so zur Entstehung oder Ausbreitung eines Malignoms beitragen. Tumor-modifier-Gene konnten sich als die genetischen Faktoren fur die Entstehung oder auch Vermeidung von uberwiegend durch Umweltfaktoren verursachten Malignomen herausstellen. Aus Experimenten an Mausen weis man, dass diese Gene fur die inkomplette Penetranz eines erblichen Tumors verantwortlich sein konnen. Der Nachweis dieser Gene mit Methoden der molekularen Diagnostik erweitert heute die Moglichkeiten und Kenntnisse in der Onkologie.

Inflectional morphology lies at the intersection of phonology, syntax and the lexicon, three language domains that are differentially impacted in the three main variants of primary progressive aphasia (PPA). To characterize spared and impaired aspects of inflectional morphology in PPA, we elicited inflectional morphemes in 48 individuals with PPA and 13 healthy age-matched controls. We varied the factors of regularity, frequency, word class, and lexicality, and used voxel-based morphometry to identify brain regions where atrophy was predictive of deficits on particular conditions. All three PPA variants showed deficits in inflectional morphology, with the specific nature of the deficits dependent on the anatomical and linguistic features of each variant. Deficits in inflecting low-frequency irregular words were associated with semantic PPA, with lexical/semantic deficits, and with left temporal atrophy. Deficits in inflecting pseudowords were associated with non-fluent/agrammatic and logopenic variants, with phonological deficits, and with left frontal and parietal atrophy.

In the February 2001 issue of the Journal of Zoology a paper was published by Robert Timm and John Brandt (2001) that provided a new identification for two bovid frontlets held in the Kansas Natural History Museum. The frontlets had been collected in 1929 from Suoi Kiet, Binh Tuy Province in Vietnam and had been previously identified as kouprey Bos sauveli. Timm and Brandt re-identified the two frontlets as adult male and female representatives of the recently described spiral-horned ox Pseudonovibos spiralis Peter & Feiler, 1994.

Animal Welfare Forum: Bovine Welfare 1369 G morning and welcome to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Eleventh Annual Animal Welfare Forum. It is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the more than 65,000 members of the AVMA. The Animal Welfare Forum is held each year as the highlight of the AVMA’s Animal Welfare Week, which is a series of media events designed to promote the welfare of animals. Throughout the years, the Forum has served as a useful platform for highlighting and exploring important animal welfare concerns affecting many different species. This year the AVMA is pleased to present “Bovine Welfare.” Today’s Forum topics include the evaluation of management practices for their impact on welfare, the welfare of cattle destined for slaughter, dairy cow comfort, dairy heifer replacement, veal calves, beef feedlots, the ethics of livestock shows, and rodeo cattle. Many of the issues we will be discussing are contentious. Furthermore, addressing all these issues during a 1-day Forum is incredibly ambitious. While we don’t pretend to have all the answers, the AVMA’s Animal Welfare Committee has assembled an excellent panel of speakers to review these issues and provide all of us with scientifically based information that we can use to understand and improve the welfare of cattle involved in these industries. Our goal for this Forum, as it has been for all previous Forums, is to promote the well-being of animals. The AVMA is proud of the vital role veterinarians have played in advancing bovine welfare. Welcome

Two bovid frontlets with horns collected in 1929 and now housed in the collections of the University of Kansas Natural History Museum (KU) from Suoi Kiet, Binh Tuy Province, Vietnam, were previously identified as koupreys ( Bos sauveli ). We believe that they are specimens of the recently discovered bovid, Pseudonovibos spiralis Peter & Feiler, 1994. The KU specimens are represented by the posterior half of the frontal bones, the parietals, the horn cores and horns, and the anteriormost supraoccipitals, and are the most complete, best documented, and oldest specimens known of this poorly known species. We believe that both an adult male and an adult female are represented. Although the specimens are fragmentary, they still provide significant information that allows us to describe some aspects of P. spiralis , and they are especially critical to our understanding of the relationships of this animal to other bovids. We propose the English name spiral-horned ox, which reflects both its distinctively shaped horns and close relationship to other wild oxen. The Khmer name, Khting Vor , is also an appropriate common name. Previously overlooked references from the 1880s and 1950s document that the spiral-horned ox was believed to have magical powers over poisonous snakes.

Objective.To assess the diagnostic value for axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) of unilateral sacroiliitis in scintigraphy in daily clinical practice.Methods.In 207 patients with chronic back pain, the diagnostic value of scintigraphy was assessed retrospectively. The diagnosis made by the rheumatologist (axial SpA vs no axial SpA) was the standard.Results.Sensitivities of scintigraphy for any (unilateral or bilateral), bilateral, and isolated unilateral sacroiliitis were 64.9%, 40.2%, and 24.7%, respectively. Respective specificities were 50.5%, 57.7%, and 92.8%, resulting in likelihood ratios of 1.3, 1.0, and 3.4.Conclusion.Scintigraphy of the sacroiliac joints is of limited value for the diagnosis of axial SpA. Unilateral compared to bilateral sacroiliitis is slightly superior, but is associated with a low sensitivity.

Die entzundliche Beteiligung der Sakroiliakalgelenke ist das Schlusselsymptom der Spondylarthropathien, vor allem bei der ankylosierenden Spondylitis. Die konventionelle bildgebende Diagnostik der Sakroiliitis gilt in den Fruhstadien als problematisch, da die Sensitivitat konventioneller Rontgenaufnahmen hier sehr gering ist. Die Magnetresonanztomographie der Sakroiliakalgelenke ist in der Lage, sowohl akut entzundliche als auch chronische Veranderungen in allen Stadien zu erfassen. Mogliche Nachteile dieser Methode sind Untersucherabhangigkeit, bislang fehlende Standardisierung sowie die noch relativ hohen Kosten. Deshalb hat der „Arbeitskreis bildgebende Diagnostik in der Rheumatologie des Regionalen Rheumazentrums Berlin“, welcher sich aus erfahrenen Rheumatologen, Skelettradiologen und Orthopaden zusammensetzt, eine Ubersicht der bildgebenden Diagnostik der Sakroiliitis erarbeitet, in welcher neben dem klinischen Hintergrund auch technische Details ausgefuhrt und Strahlenexposition und Kosteneffektivitat berucksichtigt werden.

This multicentre, double-blind, randomized study compared the pharmacokinetics of itraconazole given at 200 mg once daily for 3 months and intermittently at 200 mg twice daily for 1 week per month followed by a 3-week drug-free period for 3 months in the treatment of onychomycosis. Patients were followed for 9 months after treatment. Itraconazole and hydroxy-itraconazole plasma concentrations and itraconazole nail tip concentrations were determined at regular intervals. With intermittent therapy (n = 64), increases of consistent magnitude were seen in the mean itraconazole and hydroxy-itraconazole plasma concentrations at the end of each 1-week treatment phase; values returned towards baseline during each subsequent 3-week drug-free period. The mean concentration of itraconazole in fingernail tips increased steadily from week 4, reached a maximum value at week 24 (213 ng/g), declined sharply between weeks 24 and 36 and returned to baseline by week 48; the mean concentration profile was similar for toenail tips (maximum value 305 ng/g at week 24) but decreased at a slower rate. With continuous therapy (n = 65), steady-state mean plasma concentrations of itraconazole and hydroxy-itraconazole were obtained within 4-5 weeks of the start of treatment and remained reasonably constant between weeks 4 and 12. The mean concentration of itraconazole in fingernail tips reached a maximum value at week 12 (524 ng/g) and returned towards baseline by week 48; in contrast, the maximum mean concentration of itraconazole in toenail tips was 698 ng/g at week 36 and did not return to baseline by week 48. No clear relationship was observed between response to treatment and concentration of itraconazole or hydroxy-itraconazole in plasma or itraconazole in nails, suggesting that concentrations exceeded therapeutic levels. In conclusion, intermittent therapy resulted in higher maximum itraconazole plasma concentrations but lower total drug exposure, and hence lower itraconazole nail concentrations, than continuous therapy. However, the intermittent schedule was not associated with a lower cure rate, which indicates that itraconazole nail concentrations remained within the therapeutic range.

Productive life of sows was analyzed by the Cox-Proportional Hazard Model of survival analysis using the program `The Survival Kit' (Ducrocq and Solkner, 5th World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Guelph, Canada, 22 (1994) 51–52). The influence of the multiplier-farm, litter performance, stage of sow within parity, insemination success, medium weaner price level, live-weight daily gain, leg quality, shape of ham and teat score on productive life were investigated. With the exception of the multiplier-farm, which was included as a random effect, all variables were encoded as `time-dependent covariates' split up according to parity. With the exceptions of ham- and teat scores all effects show a significant influence on productive life of sows. The litter performance and insemination success show the highest effects, followed by the variables of economic conditions. The variables of gilt selection are of least importance. Animals with large body size show an increased risk in the time between third weaning and fifth parity. The greatest influence among the variables of gilt selection has the score given for leg quality. For sows which were assessed as having `slight or temporary defects', the risk of culling in the time between start of productive life and fourth weaning is significantly higher than for the others.

A contactless method for determination of the parameters of the current-voltage (I—V) characteristic of hard superconductors by measuring the magnetization relaxation of the superconductor in a perpendicular magnetic field has been developed. The relaxation curves obtained for melt-textured YBCO samples are well approximated by the curves calculated within the electrodynamic model based on power-law I—V characteristics. This procedure uses only two fitting parameters: the critical current density J c and the exponent m of the I—V characteristic.

Zusammenfassung An einem australischen Datenmaterial mit insgesamt 41 239 Beobachtungen und einem deutschen Datensatz mit 7211 Tieren wurden fur Lebenstagszunahme und Speckdicke Varianzkomponenten und die genetische Korrelation zwischen Reinzucht- und Kreuzungsleistung geschatzt. Der australische Datensatz enthalt Leistungen von Reinzuchttieren (15 215 Landrasse, 13 043 Large White und 3488 Duroc) und von Kreuzungstieren (5019 reziproke Kreuzungen von Large White und Landrasse und 4474 Dreirassenkreuzungen Duroc × F1) beiderlei Geschlechts. Im deutschen Datensatz sind die Ergebnisse von 2762 Edelschweinen und 4449 Landrasse × Edelschwein Kreuzungen enthalten. Die Daten wurden mit einem multivariaten Tiermodell mit Saison als fixen und der gemeinsamen Wurfumwelt als zusatzlichen zufalligen Effekt ausgewertet. Bei der Speckdicke wurde das Testgewicht als Kovariable im Model mit aufgenommen. Fur die Lebenstagszunahme wurden fur alle Rassen sehr ahnliche Varianzkomponenten geschatzt. Bei den australischen Daten ist die additiv genetische Varianz bei den Kreuzungstieren hoher als bei den Reizuchtlinien. Die Heritabilitaten fur Lebenstagszunahme schwanken zwischen 0.20 und 0.31. Bei der Speckdicke sind zwischen den Rassen grosere Schwankungen in der Heritabilitat zu beobachten, sie liegen zwischen 0.26 fur die australischen F1-Kreuzungen und 0.58 fur die deutschen Edelschweine. Die genetischen Korrelationen zwischen den Reinzuchttieren und ihren F1-Verwandten schwanken zwischen 0.87 und 0.94 fur Lebenstagszunahme und 0.92 und 1.0 fur die Speckdicke. Diese hohen genetischen Korrelationen zwischen Reinzucht- und Kreuzungsleistungen bewirken, das eine indirekte Selektion auf die Leistung der Kreuzungsendprodukte mittels Selektion auf Reinzuchtleistung in den Eltern- oder Groselternlinien einen hoheren Zuchtfortschritt erwarten last, als die direkte Selektion auf Kreuzungsleistung. Eine kombinierte Selektion auf Reinzucht- und Kreuzungsleistung zur Verbesserung der Endprodukte fuhrt zum optimalen Zuchtfortschritt, da auch gleichzeitig unterschiedliche Varianzen und Kovarianzen fur die beteiligten Linien eingesetzt werden konnen. Diese Selektionsstrategie erlaubt auch eine unterschiedliche okonomische Gewichtung von Reinzucht- und Kreuzungsleistungen. Summary An Australian data set of 41 239 tested animals and a German data set of 7211 test records were analysed to estimate the variance components for daily gain and backfat thickness and the genetic correlation between purebred and crossbred performance. The Australian data included purebred sows and boars (15 215 Landrace, 13 043 Large White, 3488 Duroc) and crossbred animals (5019 reciprocal F1-crosses of Large White and Landrace, 4474 three-way Duroc × F1 crosses) of both sexes. The German data set consisted of 2762 pure Edelschwein and 4449 Landrace × Edelschein crosses. The data were analysed with a multiple trait animal model including the season as fixed and the common litter environment as an additional random effect. For backfat thickness the weight at test was included as a linear covariate in the model. For daily gain in both data sets very similar variance components were estimated. In tendency the crossbred lines in the Australian data show a higher additive variance than the purebred animals. The heritabilities for daily gain range between 0.20 and 0.31. Backfat thickness shows a higher variation in heritabilities, ranging from 0.26 for the Australian F1-crosses to 0.58 for the German Edelschwein. All genetic correlations between purebred animals and their F1-crossbred relatives range between 0.87 and 0.94 for daily gain and 0.92 and 1.0 for backfat thickness. These high genetic correlations between purebred and crossbred performance indicate that the indirect selection to improve the commercial crossbred level based on purebred information leads to a higher genetic gain in the production level than a direct selection on crossbred performance. A combined selection on purebred and crossbred information will give maximum genetic gain in the commercial level and allows different variance components for different breeds as well as different economic weightings for purebred and crossbred information.

Summary form only given. This paper outlines the primary goal of SatNEx which is to achieve long-lasting integration of the European research in satellite communications and to develop a common base of knowledge. Networks of excellence have been introduced as a new instrument within the 6/sup th/ IST framework program, and SatNEx is one of the first consortia to implement the new ideas and to overcome the fragmentation of European research. Through co-operation of outstanding universities and research organizations with excellent expertise in satellite communications, SatNEx will build a European virtual centre of excellence in satellite communications and contribute to the realization of the European Research Area (ERA) SatNEx will include an advisory board incorporating representatives of the European space industry, satellite service providers, and standardization and regulation organizations. SatNEx will collaborate with these players and put together a critical mass of resources and expertise needed for making Europe a world force in the field of satellite communications.

A contact-free method to obtain the current–voltage characteristics (CVC) of hard superconductors by measuring the relaxation of the magnetization in a perpendicular magnetic field is developed. The relaxation curves obtained for melt-textured YBCO samples are well fitted by curves calculated within the electrodynamic model using a power-law CVC. This procedure uses only two fitting parameters, namely, the critical sheet current Jc and the exponent m of the power-law CVC.