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The list of Common and Well-Documented (CWD) alleles comprises alleles that have been either observed at pertinent exons at least 5 times via DNA typing technologies (SBT, NGS) in unrelated individuals (well-documented) or have a frequency higher than 0.001 in populations of at least 1500 individuals (common). We compared the current CWD list 2.0.0 to the DKMS Germany database of more than 4.5 M unrelated stem cell donors. Using results with allelic resolution for HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DQB1, and -DPB1, we determined the number of occurrences for each allele. As the CWD list is based on IMGT/HLA release 3.9.0 (July 2012), we first analyzed typing results prior to this date. We then included typing results into the analysis up to April 2016. As a rule, whenever a two-field allele in the CWD list was represented in our database by three or four field allele designations, we treated it as CWD. Whenever a two- or three-field allele in the database had a longer equivalent, it was treated alike. Based on alleles known in HLA release 3.9.0, we found 396 (991) individual alleles typed prior to 2012 (April 2016) that were observed more than 5 times in our database, but not listed as CWD. Of the 396 (991) non-CWD alleles, 18 (60) alleles are part of a G-code in the CWD list. Including alleles introduced after HLA release 3.9.0 in our analysis, additional 134 alleles met the CWD requirement. By using the CWD list, for example, the multi-allele code HLA-A*25:AC might be reported as A*25:01 and A*25:03 (non-CWD) only in a footnote although it was observed 97 (176) times in our analysis. Some registries also accept results from CT as high resolution ignoring ambiguous pairs where at least one partner is non-CWD. Our results suggest that the application of the CWD list in laboratories to omit ambiguous results or to not include non-CWD alleles when transmitting CT results should be avoided. Given the increasing availability of high-resolution NGS-based phased typing results, the CWD list should be updated in an automated fashion from data available on BMDW. Download : Download high-res image (249KB) Download : Download full-size image

A complementary III–V heterostructure field effect transistor (CHFET) has been developed which employs a high aluminium mole fraction aluminium gallium arsenide (Al 0.75 GaAs) interfacial layer between the gate metallization and the indium gallium arsenide In 0.25 GaAs channel. This produces a quasi-insulating gate structure which reduces the gate leakage current. Experimental and simulation data have been used to show the potential of the CHFET up to temperatures of 500 °C. Computer modelling has also been used to study the role of the heterostructure component parts, which has revealed the relative importance of each material in the successful operation of high temperature electronic devices and facilitated the prediction of further device improvements.

The majority of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) present with anemia and will become dependent on regular transfusions of packed red blood cells (PRBC) with the risk of iron overload (IOL). Liver iron content best reflects the total body iron content, and measurement of liver iron concentration (LIC) by MRI is a validated tool for detection, but data in MDS is rather limited. Here we present the results of a multi-center trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of deferasirox (DFX) in low and intermediate-1 risk MDS patients with transfusion-dependent IOL. Three patients with transfusion frequency of > 4 units PRBC per month were initially treated with 30 mg/kg/day while in 46 patients with a lower transfusion burden deferasirox was initiated at 20 mg/kg/day, due to patient related reasons one patient received DFX in a dose of 6 mg/kg/day only. LIC was measured by MRI at baseline and end of study using the method by St. Pierre et al. The intention to treat population consisted of 50 MDS patients (28 male; 22 female) with a median age of 69 years who were treated with DFX for a median duration of 354 days. Mean daily dose of DFX was 19 mg/kg/day. Median serum ferritin level (SF) at baseline was 2,447 ng/mL and decreased to 1,685 ng/mL (reduction by 31 %) at end of study (p = 0.01). In 7 (13 %) patients the initially chosen dose had to be increased due to unsatisfactory efficacy of chelation therapy. For 21 patients, LIC measurement by liver MRI was performed at baseline and for 19 of these patients at the end of study: mean LIC decreased significantly from 16,8 mg/g dry tissue weight (± 8.3 mg/g dry tissue weight) at study entry to 10,8 mg/g dry tissue weight (± 10.4 mg/g dry tissue weight) at end of study (p = 0.01). Of all patients exposed to the study drug (n = 54), 28 (52 %) did not complete the 12 month study period most commonly due to AEs in 28 % (n = 15) and abnormal laboratory values in 7 % (n = 4), respectively. The most common adverse events (≥ 10 % of all patients) with suspected drug relationship were diarrhea (n = 25, 46 %), nausea (n = 13, 24 %), upper abdominal pain (n = 8, 15 %), serum creatinine increase (n = 16, 30 %) and rash (n = 5, 9 %). Adverse events making dose adjustments or interruption of study drug necessary occurred in 33 patients (61 %). Hematologic improvement according to IWG criteria (2006) was observed in 6 patients (11 %). Initiation of treatment of IOL with DFX depending on the transfusion burden yields sufficient reduction of excess iron indicated by serum ferritin levels and most importantly by liver MRI. The safety profile of DFX was comparable to previous observations.

The solubility of hydrogen and deuterium in HfRu and ZrRu was measured at 600 K and pressures up to 7 GPa. HfRuH(D) ≈3.6 and ZrRuH(D) 1.6–2.2 were synthesized. At ambient pressure these were shown to be superconductors with T c ∼ 4.5 and 3 K respectively. No difference between the T c values of the hydrides and deuterides of the same compound was detected. X-ray diffraction at 100 K has shown the metal sublattices of HfRuH x (D x ) and ZrRuH x (D x ) to be base-centred orthorhombic with very similar unit cell parameters. The crystal structures of HfRuH 3.6 and HfRuD 3.6 determined by neutron diffraction at 120 K were of the ZrNiH 3 type. The observed superconducting and structural properties of HfRuH x (D x ) and ZrRuH x (D x ) agree with the predictions of the rigid d-band model. The applicability of this model to other high pressure hydrides is discussed.

This paper discusses a characterization at 4 K of the complementary heterojunction field-effect transistor (CHFET), to examine its suitability for deep cryogenic ( >

There is an established belief that biometrics, specifically fingerprinting, was invented in 1900 by Sir Francis Galton. But in fact, the Chinese played a large role in biometrics' history. About 400 years B.C. the Chinese emperor was using his fingerprint as an official signature on the imperial documents (Onin.com). There were no cases on record identifying somebody attempting to falsify this unique signature or attempted to construct a decoy. It may well be that respectful handling of the emperor’s signature is not an indication of strength of biometric technology rather a proof that copying and cheating were not acceptable in the culture of early Chinese civilization. The major development of fingerprint technology in the form of wet-ink fingerprinting was initiated and improved for forensic applications by Scotland Yard about 100 years ago. However, the development of new fingerprinting methods has happened in recent years and continues to evolve. Fingerprint recognition technology is an integral part of criminal investigations. It is the basis for the design of numerous security systems in both private and public sector. It is also seen as an important tool for a variety of government organizations including Homeland Security, Immigration, Naturalization Services, and the Armed Forces, where fingerprinting procedures are used for recognition and verification of the identity for employees of federal departments and private contractors. In addition, the growth of the internet has made it necessary to verify the identity of individuals online. The simplest form of individual verification is the use of a password; however, this does not provide high levels of security. In the U.S., where the internet is widely used, an average citizen holds eleven passwords. Individuals tend to choose passwords that are easy to remember which makes them more vulnerable to online attacks. This is exacerbated by the fact that cybercrime is increasing. It is the recognition of this inherent security flaw which amplifies the need to use biometrics in securing network communications. After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the need for improved and reliable fingerprint recognition technology drastically increased. We witnessed the replacement of wet ink fingerprinting by digitized contact-based methods. (S. Mil’shtein and U. Doshi, 2004) did a study which emulated the fingerprinting procedure used with computer optical scanners, it was found that on average the distance between ridges decreases about 20% when a finger is positioned on an imaging surface. Using calibrated silicon pressure sensors, the distribution of pressure across a finger was scanned pixel by pixel, and a map of average pressure distribution on a finger during fingerprint acquisition was created. This demonstrated that it is impossible to replicate the same distribution of pressure across a

Cholinesterase inhibitors form the mainstay of treatment for persons with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). The rivastigmine patch may increase compliance and the proportion of patients maintaining an efficacious dose compared with oral cholinesterase inhibitors.To investigate the proportion of patients who reached and maintained the target rivastigmine patch dose compared with the target rivastigmine capsule dose reported in clinical trials.This was a multicentre, 24-week, open-label study in persons with probable AD and a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≥ 10 and ≤ 26. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients (ITT population) treated with 9.5 mg/24 h rivastigmine patch for at least 8 weeks at week 24. Secondary outcomes included week 24 MMSE, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC), Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A) and Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) scores.Overall, 208 participants received treatment and 155 (74.5%) completed the study. Within the ITT population, 147/182 patients (80.8%; 95% CI 75.0-86.5%) were treated for at least 8 weeks with the 9.5 mg/24 h rivastigmine patch; 135/182 patients (74.2%; 95% CI 67.8-80.5%) were treated for at least 8 weeks and completed the study. The most common adverse events were nausea (10.1% of patients), erythema (8.7%), pruritus (8.2%) and vomiting (7.2%). At week 24, patients treated with the rivastigmine patch showed improvements on MMSE, ADCS-ADL, ADCS-CGIC and TMT-A scores. Caregivers reported acceptance, preference and satisfaction with the patch.Transdermal delivery may allow more patients to reach and maintain therapeutic doses of rivastigmine compared with oral rivastigmine.

Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous, highly pleiotropic, and constitutively active phosphotransferase that phosphorylates mainly serine and threonine residues. CK2 has been studied and characterized in many organisms, from yeast to mammals. The holoenzyme is generally composed of two catalytic (α and/or α′) and two regulatory (β) subunits, forming a differently assembled tetramer. The free and catalytically active α/α′ subunits can be present in cells under some circumstances. We present here the isolation of a putative catalytic CK2α subunit and holoenzyme from gills of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis capable of phosphorylating the purified recombinant ribosomal protein rMgP1. For further analysis of M. galloprovincialis protein kinase CK2, the cDNA molecules of CK2α and CK2β subunits were constructed and cloned into expression vectors, and the recombinant proteins were purified after expression in Escherichia coli. The recombinant MgCK2β subunit and MgP1 were phosphorylated by the purified recombinant MgCK2α subunit. The mussel enzyme presented features typical for CK2: affinity for GTP, inhibition by both heparin and ATP competitive inhibitors (TBBt, TBBz), and sensitivity towards NaCl. Predicted amino acid sequence comparison showed that the M. galloprovincialis MgCK2α and MgCK2β subunits have similar features to their mammalian orthologs. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

A new MAC protocol allows communication with both awake and asleep network elements. The protocol and its capabilities are demonstrated in an exemplary sensor network.

Large registries of potential unrelated stem cell donors have been established in order to enable stem cell transplantation for patients without HLA-identical related donors. Donor search is complicated by the fact that the stored HLA information of many registered donors is incomplete. We carried out a project that was aimed to improve chances of patients with ongoing donor searches to find an HLA-matched unrelated donor. For that purpose, we carried out additional donor center-initiated HLA-DRB1 typing of donors who were only typed for the HLA loci A and B so far and were potential matches for patients in need of a stem cell transplant. In total, 8,861 donors were contacted for donor center-initiated HLA-DRB1 typing within 1,089 donor searches. 12 of these donors have donated stem cells so far, 8 thereof for their respective target patients. We conclude that chances of patients with ongoing donor searches to find an HLA-matched unrelated donor can indeed be improved by donor-center initiated typing that is carried out in addition to the standard donor search process. Our results also raise questions regarding the appropriate use of incompletely typed donors within unrelated donor searches.

Recently we demonstrated that human antibody fragments with binding activities against foreign antigens can be isolated from repertoires of rearranged V-genes derived from the mRNA of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from unimmunized humans. The heavy and light chain V-genes were shuffled at random and cloned for display as single-chain Fv (scFv) fragments on the surface of filamentous phage, and the fragments selected by binding of the phage to antigen. Here we show that from the same phage library we can make scFv fragments encoded by both unmutated and mutated V-genes, with high specificities of binding to human self-antigens. Several of the affinity purified scFv fragments were shown to be a mixture of monomers and dimers in solution by FPLC gel filtration and the binding kinetics of the dimers were determined using surface plasmon resonance (k(on) = 10(5)-10(6) M-1s-1, k(off) = 10(-2)s-1 and Ka = 10(7) M-1). The kinetics of association are typical of known Ab-protein interactions, but the kinetics of dissociation are relatively fast. For therapeutic application, the binding affinities of such antibodies could be improved in vitro by mutation and selection for slower dissociation kinetics.

We have fabricated single-quantum-dot photodiodes by embedding InGaAs quantum dots in the intrinsic region of an n-i-Schottky diode combined with near-field shadow masks. As a function of the bias voltage, we study one and the same quantum dot in the two complementary regimes of photocurrent and photoluminescence. The Stark shift of the exciton ground state continues monotonically in both regimes, confirming nicely the observation of the same quantum dot in photoluminescence and photocurrent. In the limit of high electric fields, we observe a broadening of the photocurrent linewidth from which we determine a strongly reduced exciton lifetime of below 1 ps.

We present high-resolution allele and haplotype frequency (HF) estimations of the Polish population based on more than 20,000 registered stem cell donors. Sequencing-based donor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing led to unambiguous typing results in most cases (between 94.3% for HLA-DRB1 and 96.9% for HLA-B). HF estimations were carried out with a new, validated implementation of the expectation-maximization algorithm that allowed processing of data with ambiguities. Our results confirm several earlier results, for example, the relative commonness of the haplotype A*25:01 g, B*18:01 g, C*12:03, DRB1*04:01 in the Polish population. Because of the large sample size, we were able to obtain results of unprecedented accuracy. The estimated population-specific HFs were then used to analyze questions of strategic donor registry planning. Simulated matching probabilities by donor file size suggest that there is a need for intense donor recruitment efforts in Poland despite the large German donor registry and the genetic relatedness of both populations. Based on the current German registry size of approximately 4 million donors, the recruitment of 100,000 Polish donors would produce a stronger increase in matching probabilities for Polish patients than the recruitment of 3.3 million additional German donors.

Hintergrund: Die Alzheimer-Erkrankung ist die haufigste Ursache einer Demenz, weltweit mit allein 700.000 Betroffenen in Deutschland. In den letzten Jahren ist zunehmend auf eine retinale Beteiligung der Erkrankung hingewiesen worden. Histopathologisch zeigen sich hier Gemeinsamkeiten zum Glaukom und der altersabhangigen Makuladegeneration (AMD). Tiermodelle wurden entwickelt, welche phanotypisch und morphologisch der Alzheimer-Erkrankung ahneln. Methoden: Transgene APP/Ps1Mause wurden gezuchtet und mittels Elektroretinografie, Fluoreszenzangiografie und Fundus Autofluoreszenz phanotypisiert. Immunhistochemisch und mittels ELISA wurden Protein der Alzheimer-Erkrankung (s-Amyloid, APP), sowie vaskulare Faktoren (Isolecitn, vWF, GFAP) markiert. Ergebnisse: 12 Monate alte tg APP/Ps1-Mause zeigen reduzierte photopische und skotopische Potentiale in den ERGs, sowie eine fruh auftretende Perfusionsstorung der peripheren Netzhaut in der FAG im Vergleich zu den Hintergrund Mausen. Histopathologisch lassen sich auch retinal die Charakteristika der Alzheimer-Erkrankung, Amyloid-Ablagerungen, Zeroid-Angiopathie und letztlich Neurodegeneration nachweisen. Schlussfolgerungen: Im Tiermodell konnte eine retinale Alzheimerpathologie bestatigt werden. Die gute Darstellbarkeit der Netzhaut im Vergleich zu zerebralem Gewebe konnte in Zukunft fur die Diagnosestellung Morbus Alzheimer hilfreich sein. Gerade die gezeigten fruhen Erkrankungszeichen, wie die Degeneration paravaskularer Astrozyten, sowie retinale s-Amyloid-Ablagerungen konnten hierbei als Biomarker dienen. Gewonnene Erkenntnisse der Amyloid-β vermittelten Neurotoxizitat konnen daruber hinaus auch ein besseres Verstandnis retinaler Erkrankungen wie der AMD und des Glaukoms liefern.

We analyzed regional differences in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, -B, and -DR antigen and haplotype frequencies based on a sample of approximately 320,000 German donors in order to identify regions that are especially suited for ongoing stem cell donor recruitment. Geographic partitioning was carried out by postal code regions. Analysis of genetic distances suggests the existence of three regional clusters in South (regions 6-9), East (0-1), and Northwest (2-5) Germany. The southern cluster shows most favorable characteristics with respect to haplotypic and phenotypic diversity and the occurrence of rare HLA antigens. The opposite behavior is shown by regions 2-4 of the northwestern cluster. As a result of lower HLA diversity, completeness of a regional donor file in region 4 with 100,000 donors would be higher than that of a file in region 7 with 170,000 donors. This fact shows the relevance of regional HLA differences for practical donor registry planning. Results such as those presented in this work can be used to diminish the problem of decreasing marginal benefit of donor recruitment, as more than 13 million donors are registered worldwide today.

Hydrides of iron and iron-based alloys are thermodynamically stable only at hydrogen pressures in the gigapascal range and rapidly lose hydrogen under ambient conditions. At low temperatures, however, these hydrides can be retained in a metastable state at atmospheric pressure after being cooled under high pressure to liquid nitrogen temperature. This review will discuss the current state of studies on phase transformations in the Fe?H and related systems and also on the composition, crystal structure and physical properties of the hydrides, both under high hydrogen pressures and in the 'quenched' metastable state at ambient pressure. The studies at ambient pressure include magnetization measurements, x-ray and neutron diffraction, M?ssbauer spectroscopy and inelastic neutron scattering. In the sections on M?ssbauer and structural investigations of hydrides of Fe?Cr and Ni?Fe alloys new experimental results will be presented.

Hydrides and deuterides of manganese with hydrogen-to-metal ratiosx between 0.65 and 0.93 were studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy on dilute substitutional57Fe probes. No traces of magnetic ordering were found. Experiments on57Fe in MnD0.77 in external magnetic fields show that the iron has no measurable magnetic moment. The shapes of the Mossbauer patterns are compatible with superstructure ordering of the interstitials of the anti-Cdl2 type nearx=0.5, while the dependence of the isomer shifts onx shows that there are no substantial iron-hydrogen interactions.

Hydrides of Ni0.70Cu0.30 prepared both electrolytically and under high pressures of hydrogen gas were studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy on dilute57Fe probes and by magnetization measurements. At hydrogen-to-metal ratios abovex≈0.3 no ferromagnetism is observed down to 4.2 K. The dependence of the mean change of the isomer shift on the hydrogen content of the samples reveals a repulsive interaction between the hydrogen interstitials and the iron probes. The effect of this interaction is, however, less pronounced than for57Fe in the hydrides of pure nickel. This difference can be attributed to a competition of the repulsive Fe−H and Cu−H interactions.

The solution, electron-transfer fluorescence quenching of a typical aromatic polysilane[poly(methylphenylsilane)] by a series of electronic deficient aromatic monomers is described. The rate of fluorescence quenching is a function of the reduction potential of the quencher, and only very fast processes can be observed, due to the short polymer fluorescence lifetime. The measurement of quenching rate constants, which are considerably larger than diffusion control, suggests that extensive energy migration occurs in the polymer. Although the fluorescence quenching at low quencher concentrations follows Stern-Volmer kinetics, at high concentrations, contributions from static quenching are apparent. Strong fluorescence quenching can either accelerate or inhibit photodegradation, depending on the structure of the quencher.

A series of sensitizing additives for polysilane bilayer photoresists have been identified. These compounds effectively quench the fluorescence of aromatic polysilanes and greatly increase the rate of photooxidation and spectral bleaching in the solid state. Resists formulated with sensitizers such as phthalimidotriflate show increased photospeed in imaging experiments at both 248 and 193nm. Characteristics of the resist reactions are described.

A nurnbcr of clcctron-deficient small molecule additivcs qucncli tlic fluorcsccncc of substitute silane high polymers in solution in a fashion consistcnt with an electron transfer mechanism. The measured rate constants arc, howcver, oftcn much larger tlian cxpcctcd Tor diTiision control. This erect has bccn attributed to rapid cncrgy transfcr among thc chrornophoric scgrncrits comprising the polymcr chain. 'This hypothcsis is furthcr supported by quenching studies or photocxcitcd 9, 10-dicyanoanthraccne, where the cxcitation is locali7cd, by ground state substituted silanc polyrncrs and oligomcrs.

We present the design of a novel, mobile, and contact-less, fingerprint line scanner and blood vessel mapper. This system provides a means for acquiring fingerprints with less than 1% distortion in extremely high resolutions, presenting an ideal technology for high-security and individual identification applications. We envision a difficult scenario where patrolling law-enforcement officers would use this miniature fingerprinting system. In this scenario, a police officer will stop a driver for a traffic violation and require the driver to put one (or a few) of his fingers on the testing equipment. The driver's fingerprint will be stored by the mobile system and instantly transferred through a wireless connection to a laptop located in the cruiser. Simultaneously, the laptop will wirelessly send the collected information to a data center. It is expected, that before the officer completes his written report he will receive on the laptop the information about the driver's criminal record (if any). The mobile fingerprinting system is compatible with AFIS and APIS system. The current study describes advantages of line scanning and challenges of the mobile, miniature design.

The thermochromic behavior of a number of dialkyl-substituted polysilanes has been studied in some detail. The formation of a long wavelength-absorbing species in solution at low temperatures is dependent on the polymer structure. Evidence for polymer aggregation has been found in solutions as dilute as 10−5 M (based on the monomer unit). Fluorescence emission studies at very low concentrations (

Hydrides and deuterides of iron and hydrides of cobalt prepared at pressures between 4 and 9 GPa and temperatures near 350 °C were studied by 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy. The d.h.c.p. e-FeH≈1.00 phase was found to have a deuteride analogue with nearly the same Mossbauer parameters. In addition to e-FeH≈1.00 and e-FeD≈1.00, three novel hydride (deuteride) components were observed in the Mossbauer spectra, one of them non-magnetic at 4.2 K. In h.c.p. e-CoHx the magnetic hyperfine field decreases by about 6% between x = 0 and x = 0.5. In f.c.c. γ-CoHx it is about 3% higher than in the e phase. The electron density at the 57Fe nuclei decreases with increasing hydrogen content without a discontinuity between the e and the γ phase.

Hydrides of intermetallic Nb3Me (Me ≡ Au, Ir, Sn) with A15 structure were prepared at hydrogen pressures up to 7 GPa and studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy with the resonances on 197Au (77.3 keV), 193Ir (73.0 keV) and 119Sn (23.9 keV). In all these systems, hydrogenation was found to lead to a reduction in the electron density at the Mossbauer nuclei, but the decrease for 119Sn was much smaller than for 197Au and 193Ir. This difference suggests that in Nb3Au and Nb3Ir the hydrogen occupies interstitial sites which are closer to the metal atoms than those occupied in Nb3Sn.

Hydrides of Ni0.70Cu0.30 alloys were prepared electrolytically or under high pressures of molecular hydrogen and studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy using dilute substitutional 57Fe as a probe. At a hydrogen pressure of 7 GPa, a hydrogen-to-metal ratio near x = 0.9 could be reached, while at 1.1 GPa or by cathodic charging hydrogen contents near x = 0.6 were obtained, which are already sufficient to suppress ferromagnetism completely. The hydrogen was found to be repelled by the iron probes, but less effectively than in pure nickel. The temperature dependence of the isomer shift showed that the samples began to lose hydrogen near 200 K. The reappearing magnetic phase had hyperfine parameters practically the same as those of the alloy before hydrogenation.

L'oxydation de polysilanes substitues de grandes masses moleculaires est etudiee dans le dichloromethane par voltammetrie cyclique et chromocoulometrie

The cytoplasmic pH value of guard cells of Valerianella locusta was determined from the distribution of the weak acid [14C]ABA between the medium and the cell, which was shown to be 8.1 ± 0.1. Treatment of guard cells in media with low pH (pH 5.0) and different concentrations of sodium acetate (0 − 5 mol m−3) caused a considerable acidification of the cytoplasm (6.6 − 7.7). Using the compartmental analysis we determined also the fluxes of ABA at the plasma membrane of guard cells (Φω) and at the tonoplast of guard cells (Φᴄᴠ) under steady state conditions. The flux of ABA from the cytoplasm into the vacuoles (tonoplast flux) was dependent upon the cytoplasmic pH. The data give evidence that ABA− is transported across the tonoplast by a saturable transport component. The ABA flux at the plasma membrane seemed to be independent of the cytoplasmic pH.

Evidence is presented that guard cells are much more sensitive to NH3 than mesophyll cells and that NH3-treatment of guard cell protoplasts causes a drastic shift in carbon flow from starch and sugars to organic acids. The causes and consequences of that response are discussed

In this study, innovative bone replacement material was tested after complicated metaphyseal radius fractures with the affected joints.In all, 11 C 2, 11 C 3 and 3 A 3 radius fractures were treated by surgery combining an angularly stable palmar plate osteosynthesis with defect filling using nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite. Examinations were conducted preoperatively and postoperatively after 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 9-12 months.After 10.5+/-1.4 months, inclination angles of 8.7+/-1.8 degrees (dorsopalmar) and 18.8+/-2.9 degrees (radioulnar) were measured at the treated fractures, the ulnar drift was 0.6+/-1.8 mm. According to the Gartland/Werley scale, 10 therapeutic results were considered "excellent", 12 "good" and 3 "fair".An angularly stable plate osteosynthesis with metaphyseal defect filling using nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite for the treatment of A 3, C 2 and C 3 radius fractures showed satisfactory radiological and clinical results.

An urgent need to develop accurate biometric recognition system is expressed by governmental agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as by private commercial companies. Fingerprinting is the most practical and widely used biometric technique. The pattern of ridges and valleys of each fingerprint is unique. The minutiae based algorithm is widely used for fingerprint authentication. One of the significant parts of this algorithm is the classification of fingerprints which allows minimizing significantly the number of fingerprints referenced for each identification procedure. However, the minutiae algorithm has some serious drawbacks. If the core of a fingerprint is not visible, then identification cannot proceed. Yet in some cases, partial fingerprints need to be identified. We recently developed a novel contactless line scanner for recognition of fingerprint pattern that converts a three dimensional object like a finger into a two dimensional image with minimal distortion. This novel imaging technique based on a line by line scanned image required the development of a new recognition algorithm. In this study, we propose two new algorithms. The first algorithm, called the spaced frequency transformation algorithm (SFTA), is based on taking the fast Fourier transform of the images. The second algorithm, called the line scan algorithm (LSA), was developed to compare partial fingerprints and reduce the time taken to compare full fingerprints. A combination of SFTA and LSA provides a very efficient recognition technique.

Fingerprints are the most common biometric measure taken, and in recent years electronic fingerprint scanning has become commonplace. Although contactless fingerprinting methods are used, it is more common that the fingerprint is taken by pressing the finger against a computer scanner. In the current study, the advantages of the contactless technique are combined with the very promising attributes of line scanning. Line scanner views each portion of the finger perpendicularly, therefore removing the projection errors of conventional flat scanning. The three dimensional image of a finger is recorded in pixel-thick lines by scanning the camera around the finger. The final image captures an uncoiled view of the finger. Emerging technology for biometric identification is based on storing the blood vessel map in the finger. We developed a system where line scanning of finger ridges in conventional light is taken as the camera goes clockwise around a finger and in the Infrared light the image of blood vessels is recorded as the camera goes back to its initial position. Line scanning also opens a new possibility in face recognition where the comparison of major anthropometric lines would help to immunize the recognition system against benign cosmetics as well as intentional efforts to defeat such systems through the use of make-up or plastic surgery.

Hydrides of iron and cobalt prepared at pressures between 4.0 and 9.5 GPa were studied by57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy at 4.2 K. Iron hydride was found to be nearly stoichiometric FeH. The two iron sites in its dhep lattice have hyperfine fields of 33.8 and 28.8 T. Practically the same results were found for the deuteride. In hep e-CoHx, the hyperfine fields decrease with hydrogen content by about 6% betweenx=0 andx=0.5. In all studied hydrides the electron densities at the57Fe nuclei are smaller than in the pure metals.

Membrane effects of the redox and pH indicator neutral red were studied with the chlorococcal alga Eremosphaera viridis, with Lemna gibba, and with “isolated” guard cells in epidermal peels of Valerianella locusta. Neutral red was extracellularly reduced and caused transmembrane current-voltage changes, an increase in membrane conductance by about 14 nS, an apparent K+ net efflux of up to 120 μmol g−1 FW in 5 min, and an intracellular acidification by up to 0.7 pH units. Neutral red-triggered K+ net efflux was most pronounced at low pH, at an Eo more positive than −200 mV, and without extracellular Ca2+. From the experimental data it is concluded that, due to the redox function of the phenazine molecule, extracellular neutral red triggers a trans-plasmalemma e− transfer, leading to strong membrane depolarization and charge compensating K+ net efflux, in addition to some unspecific ion release. As a consequence the intracellular concentration of strong cations relative to strong anions (SID) decreases, resulting in intracellular acidification.

Uptake experiments and efflux compartmental analysis of plant hormones osmotica and toxins using isolated guard cells of Valerianella locusta and guard cell protoplast of Vicia faba were performed in order to study the permeability properties of guard cell plasma membrane and tonoplast

Permeability coefficients (Ps values) for C02 of the plasma membrane (PM) of the unicellular green algae Eremosphaera viridis, Dunaliella parva, and Dunaliella acidophila, and of mesophyll protoplasts isolated from Valerianella locusta were determined from 14C02 uptake experiments using the rapid separation of cells by the silicone oil layer centrifugation technique. The experimental Ps values were compared with calculated numbers obtained by interpolation of Collander plots, which are based on lipid solubility and molecular size, for D. parva cells, mesophyll protoplasts isolated from Spinacia oleracea, mesophyll cells and guard cells of Valerianella, and guard cell protoplasts isolated from Vicia faba. The conductivity of algal plasma membranes for C02 varies between 0-1 and 9xl0~6ms~1, whereas for the plasmalemma of cells and protoplasts isolated from leaves of higher plants values between 0-3 and 11 x \0~6 m s-1 were measured. By assuming that these measurements are representative for plants and algae in general, it is concluded that the C02 conductivity of algal PM is of the same order of magnitude as that of the higher plant cell PM. Ps values of plasma membranes for C02 are lower than those for S02, but are in the same order of magnitude as those measured for H20. On the basis of these results it is concluded that theoretical values of about 3000 x 10"6 m s"1, believed to be representative for higher plant cells (Nobel, 1983) and which are frequently used for computer-based models of photosynthesis, lack experimental confirmation and represent considerable overestimations. However, with several systems, including higher plant cells, the conductance of the PM for C02 was significantly higher in light than in darkness. This suggests that in light, additional mechanisms for C02 uptake such as facilitated diffusion or active uptake may operate in parallel with diffusional uptake.

Many patients in need of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant do not find a fully matching donor although more than 11,000,000 potential donors are registered worldwide. Therefore, it is relevant to recruit donors who add diversity to the donor pool. We present the 'Roots' approach that includes the selection of already registered donors with rare HLA phenotypes and the recruitment of relatives of these donors. Two projects (Roots A and B) with different donor selection criteria were carried out. HLA phenotype frequency distributions of new donors differ significantly from the respective control groups: 2.7% of Roots A donors versus 1.1% of the control group have an HLA-AB phenotype that is unique in the DKMS file (P=0.001). Additionally, 39.5% of Roots B donors but only 18.3% of the control group have a unique HLA-ABDR phenotype (P