Search

Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Obesity rates are on the rise worldwide with women more frequently affected than men. Hedonic responses to food seem to play a key role in obesity, but the exact mechanisms and relationships are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the perceived pleasantness of food rewards in relation to satiety and calories consumed during an ad libitum meal in women. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a milkshake consumption task, we studied how experienced food values are encoded in women with healthy weight, overweight or obesity. Participants rated the pleasantness and intensity of high and low caloric milkshakes in the fMRI scanner during both the fasted and fed states. We found differences in the neural responses and experienced pleasantness of high and low caloric milkshakes depending on satiety and Body Mass Index (BMI). Women with both high ad libitum consumption levels and high BMI reported greater experienced pleasantness for milkshakes. In contrast, among women with low ad libitum consumption levels, greater BMI was associated with less experienced pleasantness. At the neural level, satiety affected women with obesity to a lesser degree than women with healthy weight. Thus, having obesity was associated with altered relationships between food consumption and the hedonic responses to food rewards as well as reduced satiety effects in women.

Proteins can be lysine-acetylated both enzymatically, by lysine acetyltransferases (KATs), and non-enzymatically, by acetyl-CoA and/or acetyl-phosphate. Such modification can be reversed by lysine deacetylases classified as NAD+ -dependent sirtuins or by classical Zn2+ -dependent deacetylases (KDACs). The regulation of protein lysine acetylation events by KATs and sirtuins/KDACs, or by non-enzymatic processes, is often assessed only indirectly by mass spectrometry or by mutational studies in cells. Mutational approaches to study lysine acetylation are limited, as these often poorly mimic lysine acetylation. Here, we describe protocols to assess the direct regulation of protein lysine acetylation by both sirtuins/KDACs and KATs, as well as non-enzymatically. We first describe a protocol for the production of site-specific lysine-acetylated proteins using a synthetic biological approach, the genetic code expansion concept (GCEC). These natively folded, lysine-acetylated proteins can then be used as direct substrates for sirtuins and KDACs. This approach addresses various limitations encountered with other methods. First, results from sirtuin/KDAC-catalyzed deacetylation assays obtained using acetylated peptides as substrates can vary considerably compared to experiments using natively folded substrate proteins. In addition, producing lysine-acetylated proteins for deacetylation assays by using recombinantly expressed KATs is difficult, as these often do not yield proteins that are homogeneously and quantitatively lysine acetylated. Moreover, KATs are often huge multi-domain proteins, which are difficult to recombinantly express and purify in soluble form. We also describe protocols to study the direct regulation of protein lysine acetylation, both enzymatically, by sirtuins/KDACs and KATs, and non-enzymatically, by acetyl-CoA and/or acetyl-phosphate. The latter protocol also includes a section that explains how specific lysine acetylation sites can be detected by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The protocols described here can be useful for providing a more detailed understanding of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic regulation of lysine acetylation sites, an important aspect to judge their physiological significance. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of N-(e)-lysine-acetylated proteins using the genetic code expansion concept (GCEC) Basic Protocol 2: In vitro sirtuin (SIRT)-catalyzed deacetylation of lysine-acetylated proteins prepared by the GCEC Basic Protocol 3: In vitro KDAC/HDAC-catalyzed deacetylation of lysine-acetylated proteins Basic Protocol 4: In vitro lysine acetylation of recombinantly expressed proteins by lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) Basic Protocol 5: In vitro non-enzymatic lysine acetylation of proteins by acetyl-CoA and/or acetyl-phosphate.

The concept of biocatalytic PET degradation for industrial recycling processes had made a big step when the bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis was discovered to break PET down to its building blocks at ambient temperature. This process involves two enzymes: cleavage of ester bonds in PET by PETase and in MHET, the resulting intermediate, by MHETase. To understand and further improve this unique capability, structural analysis of the involved enzymes was aimed at from early on. We describe a repertoire of methods to this end, including protein expression and purification, crystallization of apo and substrate-bound enzymes, and modeling of PETase complexed with a ligand.

The acetylation/acylation (ac(et)ylation) of lysine side chains is a dynamic post-translational modification (PTM) regulating fundamental cellular processes with implications on the organisms’ ageing process: metabolism, transcription, translation, cell proliferation, regulation of the cytoskeleton and DNA damage repair. First identified to occur on histones, later studies revealed the presence of lysine ac(et)ylation in organisms of all kingdoms of life, in proteins covering all essential cellular processes. A remarkable finding showed that the NAD+-dependent sirtuin deacetylase Sir2 has an impact on replicative lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggesting that lysine acetylation has a direct role in the ageing process. Later studies identified sirtuins as mediators for beneficial effects of caloric/dietary restriction on the organisms’ health- or lifespan. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are only incompletely understood. Progress in mass-spectrometry, structural biology, synthetic and semi-synthetic biology deepened our understanding of this PTM. This review summarizes recent developments in the research field. It shows how lysine ac(et)ylation regulates protein function, how it is regulated enzymatically and non-enzymatically, how a dysfunction in this post-translational machinery contributes to disease development. A focus is set on sirtuins and lysine acyltransferases as these are direct sensors and mediators of the cellular metabolic state. Finally, this review highlights technological advances to study lysine ac(et)ylation.

The concept of biocatalytic PET degradation for industrial recycling processes had made a big step when the bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis was discovered to break PET down to its building blocks at ambient temperature. This process involves two enzymes: cleavage of ester bonds in PET by PETase and in MHET, the resulting intermediate, by MHETase. To understand and further improve this unique capability, structural analysis of the involved enzymes was aimed at from early on. We describe a repertoire of methods to this end, including protein expression and purification, crystallization of apo and substrate-bound enzymes, and modeling of PETase complexed with a ligand.

Nowadays, miniaturized digital image sensors are present in various applications ranging from consumer products such as camera phones to scientific and medical instruments. Because of the rapid reduction of structure size in semiconductor technology, small-sized image sensors have become feasible. Manufacturing of miniaturized cameras and the integration of these imagers into imaging microsystems are possible with advanced technologies developed in micro-optics and micromechanics. In this chapter, the general principles of image detectors and the major types of sensors are described. Aspects of process technology, packaging, and optics for miniaturized imagers are addressed. Examples of different applications are discussed for medical endoscopy, scanning microscopy, and volume products such as cellular phones.

We investigated a novel sequence with radial k-space sampling, gridding and sliding window reconstruction with bSSFP contrast that allows for true real-time functional cardiac evaluation independent from respiration and ECG triggering. 12 healthy volunteers underwent 1.5 T cardiac MRI. Single-shot short axis views were acquired with a) standard retrospectively ECG-gated segmented breath-hold (bh) bSSFP and with the real-time radial bSSFP sequence with a nominal temporal resolution of b) 16 fps (frames per second) and c) 40 fps. Radial bSSFP were acquired during free breathing without ECG synchronization. Left ventricular functional parameters (EDV, ESV, SV and EF) were compared and quality of wall motion depiction was assessed. Contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) of myocardium/blood pool in the left ventricle was calculated. EF showed excellent correlation (Bland-Altman r = 0.99; Lin rho = 0.91) between bh-bSSFP (65 %) and 40 fps radial (64 %) and moderate correlation (r = 0.84, rho = 0.20) with 16 fps radial bSSFP (56 %). While EDV was in good agreement for all three sequences, ESV was significantly overestimated with 16 fps radial bSSFP. Despite lower CNR, image quality for wall motion assessment was rated significantly better for 40 fps compared to 16 fps radial bSSFP due to the faster temporal resolution. Left ventricular functional analysis with fast true real-time radial bSSFP is in good agreement with standard ECG-gated bh-bSSFP. The independency from ECG synchronization and breathing promises a robust method for patients with impaired cardiopulmonary status in whom breath-hold and good quality ECG cannot be achieved.

Die Betreuung hochbetagter schwerstkranker und sterbender Menschen und ihrer Angehorigen stellt besondere Anforderungen an das medizinische und pflegerische Personal sowie an die Einrichtungen, in denen diese Menschen leben. Da immer mehr alte Menschen ihr Lebensende in einer stationaren Pflegeeinrichtung verbringen, ist hier die Implementierung von Hospizkultur und Palliativkompetenz von grundlegender Bedeutung. Um die Pflegeeinrichtungen in Deutschland bei der Umsetzung von Palliative Care zu unterstutzen, haben die Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Palliativmedizin e. V. und der Deutsche Hospiz und PalliativVerband e. V. eine gemeinsame Arbeitsgruppe eingerichtet. Diese Arbeitsgruppe hat dieses Grundsatzpapier zur Betreuung schwerstkranker und sterbender Menschen im hohen Lebensalter in Pflegeeinrichtungen erstellt. Die Ziele des Grundsatzpapieres stehen in enger Verknupfung mit dem weiteren Umsetzungsprozess der „Charta zur Betreuung schwerstkranker und sterbender Menschen in Deutschland“. Im Folgenden werden die momentane Situation der Palliativversorgung in Pflegeeinrichtungen, Ziele der Integration von Hospizkultur und Palliativkompetenz und die notigen Masnahmen, um diese zu erreichen, beschrieben. Hospizkultur und Palliativversorgung sollen zum integrativen Bestandteil des Versorgungsauftrags jeder Einrichtung werden. Die Entwicklung regionaler Netzwerke (z. B. Hospizdienste, ambulante Palliativdienste) zur palliativmedizinisch-hospizlichen Versorgung ist von grundlegender Bedeutung. Aufgabe aller Beteiligten ist es, die hochbetagten schwerstkranken Bewohner in den Mittelpunkt des ethisch-reflektierten Handelns zu stellen. Den Betroffenen soll eine angemessene und umfassende palliativmedizinisch-hospizliche Versorgung zuganglich sein. Dazu gehoren die Behandlung und Linderung von korperlichen Symptomen, die umfassende palliativpflegerische Versorgung und die psychosoziale und spirituelle Begleitung. Angehorige gilt es mit ihren Sorgen und Angsten ernst zu nehmen, sie in das Konzept einzubeziehen und ihnen Unterstutzung und Entlastung zu bieten.

Apterous adult morphs of eriosomatine aphids associated with moss (Bryophyta) and/or roots of conifer (Pinaceae) or willow (Salix Linnaeus (Salicaceae)) in forests of the North American Pacific Northwest including Alaska are described, illustrated, and keyed. In total, seven species (Clydesmithia canadensis Danielsson, Melaphis rhois (Fitch) (moss only feeder), Pachypappa rosettei (Maxson), Pachypappa sacculi (Gillette), Prociphilus americanus (Walker) (fir root only feeder), Prociphilus xylostei (De Geer), and Thecabius populimonilis (Riley)) are characterised from their secondary host habitats. Secondary host forms of C. canadensis and T. populimonilis are described for the first time. The morphotypes from the secondary hosts were confirmed through deoxyribonucleic acid sequence matching with those from the primary hosts.

In surveys of apple-production areas east of the Cascade Mountains of Washington, broadleaf plantain, Plantago major Linnaeus (Plantaginaceae) was common throughout while narrowleaf plantain, P. lanceolata Linnaeus, was most common south of Orondo, Douglas County (47.7° latitude). Rosy apple aphid was the most common aphid on these two herbaceous plants; however, colonies were scarce, on only 19% of broadleaf and 11% of narrowleaf plantain samples. Colonies were also generally small, fewer than 25 individuals. Adult rosy apple aphid was collected on plantain from late May through October. Adults reached their highest levels in July before declining in August. Colonies increased again in September and October. Relatively few predators (mainly syrphids) and parasitoids (two species of Aphidius) were found on plantain. On apple, the most common predators were the mirid Campylomma verbasci (Meyer-Dur), earwigs, coccinellids, cecidomyiids and syrphids; the most common primary parasitoid was Lysiphlebu...

A molecular and biometric assessment and redescription of Myzodium mimulicola (Drews and Sampson) are provided. New North American host and distributional data are presented, including the first record from Alaska. Myzodium knowltoni (Smith and Robinson) is a junior subjective synonym of M. mimulicola, based on molecular-sequence and morphological evidence. A key to the known Myzodium species (apterae and alatae) is included.

Purpose The potential of dual energy computed tomography (DECT) for the analysis of gallstone compounds was investigated. The main goal was to find parameters, that can reliably define high percentage (>70%) cholesterol stones without calcium components. Materials and methods 35 gallstones were analyzed with DECT using a phantom model. Stone samples were put into specimen containers filled with formalin. Containers were put into a water-filled cylindrical acrylic glass phantom. DECT scans were performed using a tube voltage/current of 140 kV/83 mAs (tube A) and 80 kV/340 mAs (tube B). ROI-measurements to determine CT attenuation of each sector of the stones that had different appearance on the CT images were performed. Finally, semi-quantitative infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of these sectors was performed for chemical analysis. Results ROI-measurements were performed in 45 different sectors in 35 gallstones. Sectors containing >70% of cholesterol and no calcium component ( n = 20) on FTIR could be identified with 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity on DECT. These sectors showed typical attenuation of −8 ± 4 HU at 80 kV and +22 ± 3 HU at 140 kV. Even the presence of a small calcium component ( Conclusion Dual energy CT allows for reliable identification of gallstones containing a high percentage of cholesterol and no calcium component in this pre-clinical phantom model. Results from in vivo or anthropomorphic phantom trials will have to confirm these results. This may enable the identification of patients eligible for non-surgical treatment options in the future.

Species of Braggia Gillette and Palmer (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae: Aphidini) feed on various buckwheat, Eriogonum Michx. (Polygonaceae), species in western North America. Two new species, Braggia columbiana Pike n. sp. from Washington and Oregon and Braggia longicauda Pike n. sp. from Washington, Oregon, and northern California, are proposed. Descriptions, diagnoses, illustrations, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 “barcode” sequences, a key to the species of Braggia, and notes on biology, distribution, and parasitoid associations are provided.

Apart from the ongoing debate about using CMOS active pixel sensors (APS) or CCD imagers for today's consumer and commercial applications the emerging biomedical market presents new opportunities to CMOS APS. Logarithmic response high-dynamic range CMOS (HDRC) cells are the preferred photosensitive circuits for building sensors with contrast and not with illumination dominated outputs. Prominent examples addressing distinct issues in life style and health care are the possibilities to restore vision through a sub-retinal CMOS imager implant and to fabricate a low-cost intracorporeal video probe through a miniature CMOS imager. The sub-retinal imager chip presented here is the first implanted into the eye of a blind human patient with partial restoring of vision.

Summary The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and side-effects of mefenamic acid as compared to naproxen administered postoperatively to patients following elective tonsillectomy. Methods Fifty patients received either naproxen or mefenamic acid given postoperatively in a randomized fashion following elective tonsillectomy. General anaesthesia for the tonsillectomies was administered in a standardized fashion. Pain intensity was assessed postoperatively at rest and on exertion using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and analgesic consumption. The side-effects were also documented. Results Forty-one patients were included in the assessment. There were no significant differences with respect to the demographic data. After the 48th postoperative hour the NRS score demonstrated a significant difference in pain intensity at rest and on exertion in favour of the mefenamic acid group. There was no difference in the rate of side-effects between the two groups. Conclusion Mefenamic acid is a more effective analgesic than naproxen given postoperatively following elective tonsillectomies.

Blueberry scorch virus, a commercially important Carlavirus in highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L., is vectored by aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae). We surveyed the aphids, primary parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae, Braconidae), and associated secondary parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Charipidae, Megaspilidae, Pteromalidae) on highbush blueberry and other Vaccinium in the Pacific Northwest from 1995 to 2006, with samples concentrated in 2005 and 2006, to lay the groundwork for augmentative biological control. Ericaphis fimbriata (Richards) was the principal aphid. The dominant parasitoid species were Praon unicum Smith, Aphidius n. sp., A. sp., and Aphidius ervi Haliday. Their frequency in relation to the other primary parasitoids varied significantly with geographical area; P. unicum dominated the frequency distribution in southwestern British Columbia, A. n. sp., west of the Cascades, and A. sp. and A. ervi east of the Cascades. Among the secondary parasitoids, pteromalids dominated, and their frequency in relation to the other secondary parasitoids was lowest in southwestern British Columbia. The parasitization rate for P. unicum and A. n. sp. in southwestern British Columbia increased from May or June to a maximum of 0.080 +/- 0.024 and 0.090 +/- 0.084 (SD), respectively, in late July or early August. P. unicum emerged in the spring 4 wk before A. n. sp. The parasitization rate for P. unicum was lower in conventional than organic fields. Whereas aphid density increased monotonically, P. unicum had two spring peaks. A simulation model showed that these peaks could reflect discrete generations. Releases of insectary-reared P. unicum at 150 or 450 DD above 5.6 degrees C, summing from 1 January, may effectively augment the natural spring populations by creating overlapping generations.

Vorgestellt wird der Fall eines 63-jahrigen mannlichen Patienten, der bei ausgedehnten postoperativen Wundheilungsstorungen im Bereich der unteren Extremitat nach primar frustraner medikamentoser Schmerztherapie durch wiederholte Epiduralkatheter behandelt wurde. Im Verlauf kam es bei fehlenden neurologischen Symptomen als Zufallsbefund zur Diagnosestellung eines ausgedehnten spinalen Epiduralabszesses. Nach Berucksichtigung des Alters, der bestehenden Risikofaktoren und entsprechender Einbeziehung der beteiligten Fachrichtungen zur interdisziplinaren Beurteilung gelang eine erfolgreiche konservative Behandlung des Patienten. In unserem Beitrag schliesen sich eine ausfuhrliche Diskussion und ein Literaturvergleich an.

A 14-year-old standardbred mare with clinically suspected acute bronchitis was killed because of rapidly progressing central nervous disturbances. Necropsy revealed systemic granulomatous inflammation and vasculitis involving the lungs, thoracic lymph nodes, ribs, and liver. In the cerebrum there was a severe subacute bilateral encephalitis and malacia predominately affecting the white matter, and vasculitis with perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages, and giant cells. A causative infectious agent could not be detected by Ziehl-Neelsen, Grocott, or Giemsa stains, by periodic acid-Schiff reaction of tissue sections, nor by bacterial and fungal cultures. Therefore, idiopathic systemic granulomatous disease (ISGD) was diagnosed and an immune-mediated pathogenesis was suspected. Inflammatory involvement of the brain has hitherto not been reported in cases of equine ISGD. This case seems to be an uncommon variant of ISGD with encephalitis and lack of dermal involvement.

Using maximum likelihood estimation as described by R. A. Fisher (1912) , a new estimator for the population squared multiple correlation was developed. This estimator ( ρcirc;2(ML) ) was derived by examining all possible values of the population squared multiple correlation for a given sample size and number of predictors, and finding the one for which the observed sample value had the highest probability of occurring. The new estimator is shown to have greater accuracy than other estimators and to generate values that always fall within the parameter space. The utility of ρcirc; 2(ML) in terms of providing the basis for the development of small sample significance tests is demonstrated. A Microsoft Excel workbook for computing ρcirc; 2(ML) and its regions of nonsignificance and for computing a normal transformation for R2 is offered.

Olkin & Finn (1995) developed expressions for confidence intervals for functions of simple, partial, and multiple correlations. This paper describes procedures and computer programs for solving these problems using the methods described by Olkin and Finn. The programs extendthe methods for any number of predictors or for partialing out any number of variables.

Host aphids of the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh,) are defined for Washington State, together with a listing of world findings. Specifics are given on host habitats frequented by the parasitoid, comparative population abundance, associated parasitoid species, and host switching. D. rapae is a common parasitoid of Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko), Hayhurstia atriplicis (L.), Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), and sometimes Myzus persicae (Sulzer). In total, 19 species of aphids were positively linked with D. rapae and 6 are reported as hosts for the first time— Acyrthosiphon lactucae (Passerini), Phorodon humuli (Schrank), Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini), Brachycaudus tragopogonis (Kaltenbach), Uroleucon ivae Robinson, and Braggia sp. D. rapae was shown to switch or alternate successfully between hosts, which suggests that certain host habitats might be used in conjunction with farmlands to enhance host opportunities for the parasitoid and improve its population stability. Two of its primary aphid hosts, B. asparagi and D. noxia, reached pest status shortly after their arrival in Washington but are less problematic today, in part at least because of host switching and acceptance by D. rapae.

New information is provided on the small-grain aphid parasitoids of eastern Washington—species population diversity, relative abundance, hosts, and spatial and temporal distribution across differing precipitation and cropping zones. In total 13 species of primary parasitoids were discovered attacking grain aphids: Aphelinus albipodus Hayat & Fatima, A. asychis Walker, A. varipes (Foerster), Aphidius avenaphis (Fitch), A. ervi Haliday, A. matricariae Haliday, Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh), Ephedrus sp., Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson), Monoctonus washingtonensis Pike & Star´y, Praon unicum Smith, P. occidentale Baker, and P. yakimanum Pike & Starý. The predominant parasitoids were D. rapae on Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov); L. testaceipes on bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and corn leaf aphid, R. maidis (Fitch); and A. avenaphis, A. ervi , and D. rapae on English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.). This study provides baseline information essential for assessing future changes in aphid parasitoid species dynamics for eastern Washington. A comprehensive key to the known primary and secondary parasitoids associated with grain aphids in North America also is provided.

The present literature on biologically mediated fluxes from the benthic nepheloid layer (BNL) across the sediment-water interface into the sediment and vice versa is reviewed. The processes involved are categorised according to direct bioresuspension and biodeposition, i.e. direct interception of the animal with particles, and those effects, which are indirectly created by benthic organisms, e.g., changes of physical properties in the sediments, constructions like tubes and pits and the corresponding changes in hydrodynamic conditions. It is concluded that benthic organisms significantly increase the flux of particles across the interface and that the physically created fluxes are easily modified by a factor of 2 and more.

Cationic, phosphine-ligated Pt-Au cluster compounds, [Pt(AuPPh{sub 3}){sub 8}](NO{sub 3}){sub 2} (1) and [(PPh{sub 3})Pt(AuPPh{sub 3}){sub 6}](NO{sub 3}){sub 2} (2), have been immobilized on silica and alumina supports. Characterization of the supported clusters by {sup 31}P MAS NMR, IR, and UV-visible spectroscopy and study by chemisorption and temperature-programmed desorption of CO show that the clusters are immobilized intact without measurable fragmentation or irreversible transformation. This is confirmed by quantitative desorption of the clusters. The reactivity of the supported clusters with CO and H{sub 2} was found to be similar to the known reactivities in solution and molecular solid phases. The cluster [(PPh{sub 3})-Pt(H)(AuPPh{sub 3}){sub 7}](NO{sub 3}){sub 2} (3) was also immobilized on silica and found to be intact by MAS{sup 31}P NMR and desorption experiments. The turnover rate (TOR) for H{sub 2}-D{sub 2} equilibration was determined for these supported clusters at room temperature. The clusters 1 and 2 were good catalysts on silica and alumina supports after treatment at 135{degrees}C under vacuum (TOR = 10-20 s{sup -1}), but showed significant activation by treatment at 110{degrees}C under H{sub 2} (TOR = 85-220 s{sup -1}). Cluster 3/SiO{sub 2} gave a similar rate (TOR = 170 s{sup -1}) with no thermal activation. All samplesmore » subjected to the thermolysis conditions given above were found to be intact by {sup 31}P MAS NMR and could be quantitatively desorbed. The high activities of the supported Pt-Au clusters are believed to result from support-promoted, partial PPh{sub 3} dissociation. Desorption experiments shows that this dissociation is reversible.« less

After the success of ERS-1, the first European Remote Sensing Satellite, the European Space Agency (ESA) is at present developing the second generation of satellites aimed at observation of the Earth and its environment ENVISAT is the first satellite of this second generation. It will carry a payload of Optical and Microwave Instruments. The present paper will present an overview of the instruments, their design and their performance characteristics.

Burying SiO 2 layers into silicon substrates by silicon direct bonding is one of the most promising substrate technologies for increasing the high-temperature capability of smart power devices for high-temperature applications. Leakage currents are suppressed and minority charge carriers are kept away from critical components. Temperature effects on semiconductor device parameters caused by the high ambient temperature and the dissipated power have to be considered in the circuit design phase. Measurement results show the effects of the reduced thermal conductivity and of the very small thermal capacitance of the active device region. In addition, the results of a simplified analytical calculation method will be presented in this paper.

The priapulid worm Halicryptus spinulosus was found with a density of about 60 ± 20 ind m-2 in the silty sediment of Kiel Bight (western Baltic). In sediment samples taken by a box corer we found a burrow system down to 25 cm sediment depth, connected with the overlying water by openings at the sediment surface. In this 25 cm sediment depth the volume of the burrow systems was estimated to be 0.35 %, which corresponds to a secondary surface of 0.7 m2 for each 1 m2 sediment surface. Laboratory experiments, using fluorescent sand grains (luminophores) as particle tracers and sodium bromide as a tracer for dissolved compounds, were performed to quantify the bioturbative effects of H. spinulosus. Results from laboratory experiments indicate a downward particle transport, strongly correlated with H. spinulosus abundance and number of burrow openings. From these experiments a bulk sediment transport time, i.e. the time in which the uppermost (2 mm) sediment layer is completely mixed into a distinct sed...

The success of diamond synthesis depends highly on the quality of the graphites used. In a systematic study with six different graphites the influence of graphitisation was studied. The experiments were carried out with and without evacuating the graphites. Graphitisation reflects the crystallinity, which can be improved significantly by heating. In addition the influence of pressure on the graphitisation was studied with a strong increase of graphitisation by treatments at 70 kbar and 1500°C. These graphites were then used for diamond synthesis. The experiments showed a clear dependence of the rate of conversion and the size of the diamond crystals obtained on the starting materials. Both quantities could be improved by evacuating and heating the graphites to 1100°C. This is a distinct indication that besides crystallinity also gas molecules absorbed on the surface of the graphites greatly influence the transformation. The samples were examined in polished sections with polarising microscopy and...

Aphidius ericaphidis Pike & Starý, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. This aphidiine is a parasitoid of the blueberry aphid, Ericaphis fimbriata (Richards), widely found associated with the commercial highbush blueberries, Vaccinium corymbosum L., in southwestern British Columbia, Washington, and in northeastern Oregon. It is one of several species of aphidiines known to attack E. fimbriata in North America. A key is provided to distinguish it from other parasitoid species of E. fimbriata.

The performance and architecture of a high dynamic range camera (HDRC) chip and the conceptional advantages for its adaptation to image processing systems in traffic environments are discussed. The HDRC chip was developed with 64*64 pixels using a standard digital 1.2- mu m CMOS technology. It is shown that the implementation proves the functionality and indicates the system performance of a highly dynamic range camera is feasible. >