Search

The scale-up process of the high solid content (up to 67 wt%) emulsion polymerisation of vinyl acetate and Versa®10 from 1 L over 10 L to 100 L was investigated. An emulsion copolymerisation of vinyl acetate and neodecanoic acid vinyl ester in a molar ratio of 9:1 was carried out in a starved-fed semi-batch operation. As a radical source, a redox initiator system consisting of L-ascorbic acid, tert-butyl hydroperoxide and ammonium iron (III) sulphate was used. The process parameters, such as the required stirring speed and heat dissipation, were determined and adjusted beforehand via reaction calorimetry to ensure a successful scale-up without safety issues. In addition, the emulsion polymerisation was monitored inline by Raman (qualitative monomer accumulation), as well as Photon Density Wave spectroscopy (particle size and scattering coefficient) and temperature measurements. The data provided by Raman spectroscopy and temperature measurements revealed mixing difficulties due to an insufficient stirring rate, while the inline measurement with Photon Density Wave spectroscopy offered an insight into the development of the product properties. It proved to be reliable and precise throughout the entire scale-up process, especially compared to conventional offline methods, such as dynamic light scattering or sedimentation analysis by means of a disc centrifuge, both of which encountered issues when using higher polymer contents.

An increasing number of people are concerned about eating meat, despite enjoying doing so. In the present research, we examined whether the desire to resolve this ambivalence about eating meat leads to a reduction in meat consumption. Our model of ambivalence-motivated meat reduction proposes that the pervasive nature of evaluative conflict motivates meat avoidance, and we highlight two potential mechanisms involved: the anticipation of ambivalence reduction through behavioral change, and information seeking for contents that facilitate meat reduction. Study 1 drew on a cross-sectional 6-day food diary with 7485 observations in a quota sample to investigate why meat-related ambivalence arises and to demonstrate the correlation of ambivalence with meat reduction. Two experiments investigated the causal direction of this association by showing that ambivalence-induced discomfort motivated participants to eat less meat when they introspected on their preexisting incongruent evaluations (Study 2 and 3), which was mediated by the aforementioned mechanisms involved (Study 3; preregistered). The studies utilized diverse samples from Germany, England, and the US (total N = 1192) and support the proposed model by indicating that behavioral change is an important coping strategy to resolve ambivalent discomfort in the context of meat consumption. Our model of ambivalence-motivated meat reduction contributes to theorizing on the consequences of ambivalence and the psychology of (not) eating meat.

None

Stargardt macular degeneration (STGD) is a central blinding disease caused by loss of or dysfunctional ABCA4 transporter in both photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Toxic bisretinoid-lipofuscin buildup in the RPE cells is a pathological hallmark of STGD patients and its mouse model, the Abca4−/−. These vitamin A-derived fluorophores have been shown to induce oxidative stress, stimulate complement activity, and cause chronic inflammation of the RPE. In vivo modulation of complement regulatory pathway in the STGD mouse model has partially rescued the STGD phenotype suggesting that complement attack on the RPE is an important etiologic factor in disease pathogenesis. While bisretinoid-dependent complement activation was further evidenced in cultured RPE cells, this pathway has never been investigated directly in the context of RPE from STGD donor eyes. In the current study, we evaluate the complement reactivity in postmortem donor eyes of clinically diagnosed STGD patients. All three STGD donor eyes RPE displayed strong immunoreactivity for an antibody specific to 4-Hydroxynonenal, a lipid peroxidation byproduct. Also, unlike the control eyes, all three STGD donor eyes showed significantly increased membrane attack complex deposition on the RPE cells. In STGD eyes, increased MAC accumulation was mirrored by elevated C3 fragments internalized by the RPE and inversely correlated with the levels of complement factor H, a major complement regulatory protein. Here, we report the first direct evidence of RPE complement dysregulation as a causative factor in developing Stargardt phenotype.

Abstract Background Rare diseases are, by definition, very serious and chronic diseases with a high negative impact on quality of life. Approximately 350 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. The resulting high disease burden triggers health information search, but helpful, high-quality, and up-to-date information is often hard to find. Therefore, the improvement of health information provision has been integrated in many national plans for rare diseases, discussing the telephone as one access option. In this context, this study examines the need for a telephone service offering information for people affected by rare diseases, their relatives, and physicians. Methods In total, 107 individuals participated in a qualitative interview study conducted in Germany. Sixty-eight individuals suffering from a rare disease or related to somebody with rare diseases and 39 health care professionals took part. Individual interviews were conducted using a standardized semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews were analysed using the qualitative content analysis, triangulating patients, relatives, and health care professionals. The fulfilment of qualitative data processing standards has been controlled for. Results Out of 68 patients and relatives and 39 physicians, 52 and 18, respectively, advocated for the establishment of a rare diseases telephone service. Interviewees expected a helpline to include expert staffing, personal contact, good availability, low technical barriers, medical and psychosocial topics of counselling, guidance in reducing information chaos, and referrals. Health care professionals highlighted the importance of medical topics of counselling—in particular, differential diagnostics—and referrals. Conclusions Therefore, the need for a national rare diseases helpline was confirmed in this study. Due to limited financial resources, existing offers should be adapted in a stepwise procedure in accordance with the identified attributes.

The radical polymerisation of acrylic acid is largely concentration dependent and affected by the type of the surrounding solvent. This work investigates reaction rate constants, the activation energy, heat flux and the molecular weight in the industrially relevant synthesis of low molecular mass acrylic acid polymers in 2-propanol. The polymerisations were carried out isothermally in an RC1e calorimeter with inline Raman spectroscopy for monomer concentration monitoring. For a non-neutralised acrylic acid in isopropanol (150 g/L), a monomer reaction order of 1.73 ± 0.15, an activation energy of 58.6 ± 0.8 kJ/mol (0.5 mol% AIBN) and 88.5 ± 1.5 kJ/mol (1.0 mol% AIBN), and a reaction enthalpy of 66.4 ± 4.8 kJ/mol could be shown. This data is in accordance with the literature values for acrylic acid polymerisation in water. In addition, linear correlations between the respective reaction parameters and the molecular weight for customised polymer synthesis in the range from 1.2 to 1.7 × 104 g/mol could be established. In comparison with aqueous acrylic acid polymerisation, it was found that the reaction rate constants in isopropanol were slower by a factor of approximately 10 under similar reaction conditions.

Photoreceptors are highly compartmentalized cells with large amounts of proteins synthesized in the inner segment (IS) and transported to the outer segment (OS) and synaptic terminal. Tulp1 is a photoreceptor-specific protein localized to the IS and synapse. In the absence of Tulp1, several OS-specific proteins are mislocalized and synaptic vesicle recycling is impaired. To better understand the involvement of Tulp1 in protein trafficking, our approach in the current study was to physically isolate Tulp1-containing photoreceptor compartments by serial tangential sectioning of retinas and to identify compartment-specific Tulp1 binding partners by immunoprecipitation followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Our results indicate that Tulp1 has two distinct interactomes. We report the identification of: (1) an IS-specific interaction between Tulp1 and the motor protein Kinesin family member 3a (Kif3a), (2) a synaptic-specific interaction between Tulp1 and the scaffold protein Ribeye, and (3) an interaction between Tulp1 and the cytoskeletal protein microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) in both compartments. Immunolocalization studies in the wild-type retina indicate that Tulp1 and its binding partners co-localize to their respective compartments. Our observations are compatible with Tulp1 functioning in protein trafficking in multiple photoreceptor compartments, likely as an adapter molecule linking vesicles to molecular motors and the cytoskeletal scaffold.

Предметом исследования является корпус поэтических текстов А. Башлачёва, Е. Летова и Я. Дягилевой. Автор научной статьи ставит целью раскрыть телесность в качестве одной из основных категорий структуры художественного пространства. Основу исследования образует структурно-семиотический метод. Результатом работы является выделение основных свойств телесности и выявление взаимосвязи образа тела с другими образами и мотивами в русской рок-поэзии. Результаты исследования могут быть применены в преподавании спецкурсов по русской рок-поэзии в высших учебных заведениях.

Increasing acceptance of electromobility is an important step towards sustainable transportation. However, besides its obvious environmental and economic benefits, the technology of Electric Vehicles (EVs) still has some significant operational drawbacks (e.g. relatively short driving range, long recharging time). Advanced mobile applications supporting travellers’ decisions, improving predictability and reliability could play a key role in the promotion of a more widespread use of the technology. Mobile applications can serve as a “platform†between the human component and the integrated system. The aim of our research was to reveal the correspondences between functions, data groups and system components, to create the concept of a complex, integrated information application and to elaborate its innovative functions. As a result of our systematic analysis of the most important, currently available applications, it has been found that important, customizable functions (e.g. charger-point reservation, energy-efficient routing etc.) are not yet available, thus our innovation focused on these information management features. Based on our concept, integrated information applications can be developed, providing real-time personalized service for the users and including all functions related to electromobility.

Distracting activities (such as using mobile phones, writing text messages) become increasingly common with the widespread use of telecommunication devices, becoming an increasing problem of road safety. Our research aimed to show the effects of these disruptive factors on driving. To quantify the effects, simulator tests have been performed. To analyse the significance of the changes caused by the disruptive factors, mathematical-statistical methods have been applied and conclusions for all drivers have been drawn. The effects of the disruptive factors have been quantified. On the one hand, the cognitive distraction and the hindrance of movements affects negatively the road safety, and on the other hand results in negative environmental and economic effects. Based on the numerical results of the research, hitting speeds caused by the disruptive factors have been determined as an example. The results of the research can be used as input data for the quantification of economic and environmental effects of road safety caused by disruptive factors and for the establishment of the background of legislation related to the prohibition of these factors.