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Photopolymerizable materials are the focus of extensive research across a variety of fields ranging from additive manufacturing to regenerative medicine. However, poorly understood material mechanical and rheological properties during polymerization at the relevant exposure powers and single-voxel length-scales limit advancements in part performance and throughput. Here, a novel atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique, sample-coupled-resonance photorheology (SCRPR), to locally characterize the mechano-rheological properties of photopolymerized materials on the relevant reaction kinetic timescales, is demonstrated. By coupling an AFM tip to a photopolymer and exposing the coupled region to a laser, two fundamental photopolymerization phenomena: (1) timescales of photopolymerization at high laser power and (2) reciprocity between photodose and material properties are studied. The ability to capture rapid kinetic changes occurring during polymerization with SCRPR is demonstrated. It is found that reciprocity is only valid for a finite range of exposure powers in the verification material and polymerization is highly localized in a low-diffusion system. After polymerization, in situ imaging of a single polymerized voxel is performed using material-appropriate topographic and nanomechanical modalities of the AFM while still in the as-printed environment.

SummaryThis article aims to shed light on the role of guidelines in psychiatric rehabilitation. We give an overview of guidelines specifically aimed at psychiatric rehabilitation and of which rehabilitative care interventions are considered in guidelines on mental disorders. Furthermore, we discuss the issue of guideline implementation with a focus on supported employment.

Previous studies have demonstrated that mobile phones can be used as suitable emergency dosimeters in case of an accidental radiation overexposure. Glass samples extracted from displays of mobile phones are sensitive to ionizing radiation and can be measured using the thermoluminescence (TL) method. A non-radiation induced background signal (so-called zero dose signal) was observed which overlaps with the radiation induced signal and consequently limits the minimum detectable dose. Investigations of several glasses from different displays showed that it is possible to reduce the zero dose signal up to 90% by etching the glass surface with concentrated hydrofluoric acid. With this approach a reduction of the detection limit of a factor of four, corresponding to approximately 80 mGy, was achieved. Dosimetric properties of etched samples are presented and developed protocols validated by dose recovery tests under realistic conditions. With the improvements in sample preparation the proposed method of dose determination is a competitive alternative to OSL/TL measurements of electronic components and chip cards and provides a useful option for retrospective accident dosimetry.

Electronic components in portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and portable media player have previously been shown to be useful tools for retrospective and accident dosimetry. In this study the properties of alumina rich inductors removed from mobile phones are investigated using thermoluminescence (TL). The typical glow curve of this component has two main peaks at 170 and 270 °C. With a suitable measurement protocol sensitivity changes of both peaks could be corrected so that the TL signal shows a linear increase in the investigated dose range from 100 mGy to 5 Gy. All inductors studied showed essentially no signal for zero dose. We investigated the fading of the TL signals and the detection limit of inductors extracted from different mobile phones.

The potential of the 210 °C Thermoluminescence (TL) peak in quartz for accurate dose reconstruction is studied by comparative TL and optically simulated luminescence (OSL) measurements on quartz extracted from bricks from a mill in a contaminated village of the Techa River valley, Southern Urals, Russia. The cumulative doses measured with TL were found to be continuously lower (on average 10–20%) than the ones measured with OSL for the same sample and using the same luminescence reader. From dose recovery tests, laboratory kinetic analysis and available meteorological parameters of the sample site for the past 100 years, it is concluded that the most likely reason for the discrepancy is thermal fading of the 210 °C TL peak. By applying a suitable model, an effective lifetime of the electron trap of the 210 °C TL peak of 200–700 years is estimated for the moderate continental climate at the sample site. It is concluded that for samples in regions of continental climate and directly exposed to sunlight, dose measurements using the 210 °C TL peak should be restricted to the last 50–60 years. Applications to older samples should only be considered if bricks are not directly exposed to sunlight or if the background dose is small compared to the anthropogenic dose, as the latter will have been acquired during shorter times and will thus not have been subjected to significant thermal fading.

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of domestication of the pig on various cellular properties of skeletal muscle. For this purpose, samples of semitendinosus (ST), psoas major (PM), and longissimus (LD) muscles of 24 European wild boars (WB; Sus scrofa scrofa) and of 28 domestic pigs (Sus scrofia domestica) of German Landrace (DP) were taken at birth, and at 7 and 20 weeks of age and subjected to histological, biochemical, and/or cell culture studies. At birth, DP muscles exhibited lower numbers of myofibers and were less mature, as seen by DNA, RNA, and protein composition and lower proportions of type I fibers. Satellite cell cultures from neonatal ST and LD muscles of WB grew more intensely than that of DP. Additional fiber formation shortly after birth occurred at a higher rate in ST, but not in PM, of DP compared with WB. During postnatal growth, the higher gain in muscle mass of DP resulted mainly from accelerated myofiber hypertrophy and increased protein accretion at the level of transcription. DP muscles exhibited higher proportions of fast-twitch (IIb) and/or white glycolytic fibers than WB. Conclusively, domestication of the pig substantially changed the ontogenic development and the contractile and metabolic properties of skeletal muscle. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The evaluation of the rehabilitation strategies implemented in the contaminated territories of the CIS countries affected by the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant highlighted the need and importance to involve the population in the day-to-day management of the radiological situation, to complement the rehabilitation programme implemented by public authorities. The ETHOS experience in Belarus has revealed that to be effective and sustainable, this involvement must rely on the dissemination of a practical radiological protection culture within all sectors of the population and especially within professionals in charge of public health. The objective of the SAGE Project is to contribute to the development of strategies and guidance for implementing and disseminating such a culture in Western Europe, in case of a nuclear incident or accident with long-term radiological consequences. This paper presents the structure of the project, the stakeholder involvement process which has driven its realisation and the handbook on practical radiation protection culture which was elaborated, with different associated computer tools for people living in a contaminated territory.

Summary To estimate the direct and correlated responses in meatiness and meat quality, simulated selection was applied using one-trait selection and index selection including muscle fibre traits. In a total of 2024 pigs of German Landrace, Large White, Leicoma, and Schwerfurter breeds, carcass composition, meat quality, and fibre characteristics of the M. longissimus lumborum were analysed and genetic parameters were calculated by using REML variance component estimation. Coefficients of heritability ranged from low to moderate (growth traits: h2 = 0.22–0.32; meat quality traits: h2 = 0.17–0.27; muscle fibre traits: h2 = 0.12–0.20). The total fibre number and the frequency of white fibres correlated positively with live weight (rg = 0.44 and 0.44, respectively) and with loin muscle area (rg = 0.38 and 0.19, respectively) while the relationships to pH value and drip loss were not as close (rg = −0.29–0.19). Selection indices were constructed from live weight and muscle area, from pH value and drip loss, and from muscle structure traits. As expected, simulated selection for live weight or loin muscle area lead to direct positive effects but these were associated with negative effects on meat quality traits (selection intensities: SI = 0.1; 0.5). Using selection for an index from loin area and muscle structure (loin muscle area + total fibre number – frequency of white fibres – frequency of giant fibres) the adverse effect on meat quality was minimized (responses in pH value: −0.05; −0.01) or was changed towards desired direction (responses in drip loss: −0.65%; −0.26%). The results show that fibre characteristics of pig muscle can be used as selection criteria for simultaneous improvement of carcass composition and meat quality in pigs by including indices developed from performance and fibre traits. Zusammenfassung Um die direkten und korrelierten Selektionserfolge in der Fleischleistung und Fleischqualitat zu bestimmen, wurde eine simulierte Selektion nach jeweils einem Leistungsmerkmal und nach Indizes aus Leistungs- und Muskelfasermerkmalen durchgefuhrt. An insgesamt 2024 Schweinen der Deutschen Landrasse, Deutsches Edelschwein, Leicoma und Schwerfurter Fleischrasse wurden das Lebendendgewicht sowie die Querschnittsflache, Fleischqualitat und Fasermerkmale des M. longissimuslumborum analysiert und fur diese Merkmale genetische Parameter mittels REML Varianzkomponentenschatzung bestimmt. Die Heritabilitatskoeffizienten rangierten von h2 = 0,17–0,27 (Wachstumsmerkmale: h2 = 0,17–0,27; Fleischqualitatsmerkmale: h2 = 0,12–0,20; Muskelfasermerkmale: h2 = 0,12–0,20). Die Muskelfasergesamtanzahl und der Anteil weiser Fasern korrelierten positiv mit dem Lebendendgewicht (rg = 0,44; 0,44) und mit der Muskelflache (rg = 0,38; 0,19), wahrend die genetischen Beziehungen zum pH-Wert und zum Dripverlust weniger eng waren (rg = −0,29 bis 0,19). Die Selektionsindizes wurden aus dem Lebendendgewicht, der Muskelflache, dem pH-Wert und dem Dripverlust sowie aus Muskelfasermerkmalen konstruiert. Simulierte Selektion nach dem Lebendendgewicht bzw. nach der Muskelflache fuhrte erwartungsgemas zu positiven Effekten in diesen Merkmalen, jedoch waren sie bei Selektionsintensitaten von 0,10 bzw. 0,50 mit negativen Effekten auf den Dripverlust und den pH-Wert verbunden. Infolge simulierter Selektion nach einem Index aus (Muskelflache + Muskelfasergesamtanzahl – Anteil weiser Fasern – Anteil Riesenfasern) wurde der negative Effekt auf den pH-Wert minimiert (Selektionserfolge: −0,05; −0,01) und der Dripverlust in gewunschter Richtung verandert (Selektionserfolge: −0,65%; −0,26%). Die Resultate zeigen, dass Fasermerkmale des M. longissimus lumborum als Selektionskriterien fur die simultane Verbesserung von Muskelwachstums- und Fleischqualitatsmerkmalen genutzt werden konnen.

Between 1949 and 1951 about 100 PBq of intermediate and low level liquid radioactive wastes were released into the Techa River (Southern Urals, Russia). To estimate the radiation exposure of Techa River residents having taken place in the past, EPR measurements of tooth enamel were performed. The cumulative dose obtained by EPR, however, is due to both, external photons and internal 90 Sr incorporated in enamel and dentin. To provide estimates of the 90 Sr content in the teeth tissue, three supplementary methods are used: • visualization and mapping of the 90 Sr distribution in tooth tissue using Imaging Plates. • measurements of the 90 Sr activity in tooth tissue samples using a β-spectrometer. • measurements of dose rate due to 90 Sr in tooth samples using thin-layer Al 2 O 3 :C TL dosimeters.

The effects of maternal treatment with somatotropin during early gestation on fetal muscle development were determined. Crossbred gilts received daily injections of either 3 ml of a placebo ( n=31) or of 6 mg porcine somatotropin ( n=31) from day (d) 10 to 27 of gestation and samples were collected from d 28 embryos, d 37 and 62 fetuses, and from neonates. Administration of somatotropin increased the total number of fibres (primary and secondary fibres) in neonatal semitendinosus muscle of middle- and low-weight littermates, whilst no increase was observed in psoas major muscle. Somatotropin induced increases in muscular protein concentration, creatine kinase activity, muscle fibre girth, as well as type II to type I fibre conversion which revealed an advanced degree of differentiation at birth. Treatment effects on prenatal development preceded these changes. Increased DNA concentrations at d 28 of gestation indicate stimulation of cellular proliferation during the embryonic stages. Thereafter, the withdrawal of somatotropin caused a transient delay of differentiation as indicated by lower protein concentrations and creatine kinase activity compared with controls at d 37 of gestation. This was compensated again at d 62, and the number of semitendinosus primary fibres was increased in middle-weight fetuses, whereas secondary or total fibre number did not yet differ. However, enhanced expression of Myf5 and MyoD indicates higher numbers of initially determined, proliferating myoblasts that may have contributed to increased formation of secondary fibres. In conclusion, maternal somatotropin is an influential factor in early pregnancy capable of affecting the basic events of myogenesis.

The major component of a given muscle is the constituent muscle fibres. Lean growth and ultimate muscle mass are therefore largely determined by the number of muscle fibres and the size of those fibres. During myogenesis, myoblasts develop from mesenchymal precursor cells by proliferation and myogenic commitment. Myoblasts subsequently fuse to form multinucleated myofibres. Postnatal growth of skeletal muscle is mainly realised through increases in length and girth of the muscle fibres, but not by increases in muscle fibre number. Postnatal fibre hypertrophy, associated with accumulation of myonuclei (satellite cell proliferation) and muscle-specific proteins, is inversely correlated with the number of prenatally formed muscle fibres. On the other hand, both fibre number and fibre thickness are positively correlated with muscle mass and lean meat percentage. Both fibre number and fibre size are influenced by selection as shown by differences between breeds and correlated responses to (lean) growth selection. Increases in muscle mass solely by fibre hypertrophy, as observed particularly in meat-type pigs and chickens, may be associated with problems in stress adaptability and ultimate meat quality. Genetic variability and heritability of muscle fibre number and size are sufficiently high to include these traits in farm animal selection in addition to commonly used selection criteria for improving lean meat content and meat quality.

Zusammenfassung Nach einer Behandlung von 32 Sauen der Landrasse mit porcinem Somatotropin (pST) wahrend der fruhen, mittleren bzw. spaten Trachtigkeit wurde nach der Geburt von jedem Wurf ein Ferkel entnommen, die Schilddruse und die Nebenniere histologisch untersucht und der Glukosegehalt des Blutes bestimmt. Eine Gruppe neugeborener Ferkel von 12 unbehandelten Sauen diente als Kontrolle. Das Schilddrusengewicht war nur in der Gruppe der Behandlung wahrend der spaten Trachtigkeit gegenuber dem der Kontrollgruppe um 4,8% erhoht, das der Nebenniere blieb in allen Gruppen unverandert. Die Follikelzellen der Schilddruse wiesen in den Gruppen mit pST-Behandlung eine signifikant geringere Epithelhohe und geringere Zellkernvolumina auf (Differenzen zur Kontrolle: 8–20%). Bei der Nebenniere ergab die Bestimmung der histologischen Parameter in der Rinde und im Mark, das bei den Ferkeln der behandelten Gruppen die Zellkernvolumina um 20–25% groser waren als in der Nebenniere der Kontrolle. Auserdem war die Schichtdicke der Rinde um 5–10% erhoht. Die Glukosekonzentration des Blutes zeigte bei den wahrend der mittleren und spaten Trachtigkeit behandelten Gruppen signifikant erhohte Werte (Differenzen zur Kontrolle: 30 und 21%). Die Veranderungen der histologischen Parameter waren Ausdruck einer Verringerung der Schilddrusenaktivitat bzw. einer Erhohung der Nebennierenaktivitat bei den Ferkeln der mit pST behandelten Sauen. Die Befunde werden im Zusammenhang mit der Funktion der Drusen bei der Regulation des Intermediarstoffwechsels und insbesondere bei der Bereitstellung von Glukose fur die adaptiven Prozesse unmittelbar nach der Geburt diskutiert.

The administration of porcine somatotropin (pST) to pregnant sows during early gestation (day 10 to 24) induced the formation of significantly more muscle fibres in the semitendinosus muscle of the fetuses, representing a higher growth capacity of skeletal muscle. The pST-treatment during late pregnancy (day 80 to 94) accelerated the development of the fetus resulting in higher body weights and advanced stage of maturity at birth.

This paper describes the long-term behaviour of (90)Sr and (137)Cs in foods, feeds and a variety of environmental media. The long-term behaviour is quantified by means of the ecological half-life which integrates all processes that cause a decrease of activity in a given medium such as leaching, fixation and erosion. A large number of long-term time series of concentrations of radiocaesium and radiostrontium in these media have been identified and re-evaluated using a standardised statistical procedure to establish reference data sets of ecological half-lives. By example of undisturbed soils and marine water bodies it is shown that the ecological half-life concept is questionable if the distribution of the radionuclide of interest within the medium studied is non-uniform and if mixing and transport processes within this medium, therefore, are of considerable importance during the time period of observation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cellular compatibility of five endodontic sealers in the first 24 h after mixing. Specimens of N2, Endomethasone, Apexit, AH Plus, and Ketac Endo were extracted with cell culture medium 0, 1, 5, and 24 h after mixing. Eluates were tested for cytotoxicity with immortal 3T3 cells and primary human periodontal ligament fibroblasts using XTT-assays. Data were analyzed for statistically significant differences by means of Dunnett's t tests (p < 0.05). All extracts of N2 completely inhibited cell metabolism (p < 0.05). Similar effects were provoked by the first three eluates of Endomethasone, but the 24-h extract irritated cells significantly less (p < 0.05). Severe cytotoxicity was also observed with all Ketac Endo extracts (p < 0.05). A significant inhibition of mitochondrial activity was induced by the first (3T3) or the first and second eluate (periodontal ligament fibroblasts) of AH Plus (p < 0.05). The subsequent eluates of this sealer and all extracts of Apexit did not reveal any cytotoxic potency.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of somatotropin (ST) on porcine reproductive and metabolic statuses during early pregnancy. Four pregnant crossbred gilts received 6 mg of recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) daily from days 10 to 27 after artificial insemination while six pregnant gilts served as controls. Blood samples were taken on days 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 22, and 27 prior to rpST injections (8:00 h) and subsequently at 9:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, and 20:00 h. On all remaining days of treatment, samples were taken once daily before injections (8:00 h). The samples were assayed for the metabolic hormones: ST, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin, thyroxine (T(4)), triiodothyronine (T(3)), and cortisol; for metabolites: free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose; and for the reproductive hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, estradiol-17beta, estrone sulfate, and prostaglandin F(2alpha). Delivery of rpST daily induced a 20- to 40-fold increase in plasma ST concentrations. Moreover, repeated administration of rpST resulted in a continuous increase in plasma IGF-I concentration (P0.001), from 191.0 +/- 22.3-340.0 +/- 15.3 ng/mL 24 h after initial injection to 591.3 +/- 46.8 ng/mL after final injections. Mean serum insulin tended to be greater in rpST-treated gilts. Blood concentrations of T(4) were reduced (P0.05) from day 14 of gestation in treated gilts while T(3) concentrations remained unchanged. Concentrations of both glucose and FFA were greater (P0.01) and cortisol concentrations were unchanged in treated gilts. Changes in reproductive steroid hormones were minimally affected. Circulating progesterone (P = 0.078), and estradiol-17beta (P = 0.087) concentrations tended to be lower in treated animals. These data show that treatment of pregnant gilts with rpST during early gestation mainly impacts metabolic rather than reproductive status.

Samples of the M. longissimus dorsi from growing up pigs were taken by a shooting-biopsy. The types of muscle-fibers could be demonstrated by two different histochemical staining procedures. With these two histochemical staining procedures significant differences between the different structure of the muscle-fibers during increasing age of the pigs could be detected.

Die Therapie der multiplen Sklerose mit Vitamin B-Praparaten und Folsaure unter einen Oberbegriff wie “alternativ” oder “unkonventionell” zu stellen, sie gar als “Ausenseiter-methode” oder als “Therapiemethode der vergangenen Zeit” (8) zu bezeichnen, scheint angesichts der Haufigkeit der Verordnung und des Personenkreises, der verordnet, nicht angebracht

Growth dependent changes of fat gain, the number of fat cells in the cutlet muscle and the size of the fat cells in the bacon of the back were studied in dependence on feeding intensity with a total of 145 male castrates of the genotype (L X E) XSF. Between their 5th and 32nd weeks of life the animals were butchered at intervals of 3 weeks and the parameters were determined. The gain of fat and the intramuscular fat content were highest in the high-level variant (daily weight gain 720 g) and lowest in the low-level variant (daily weight gain 530 g). The diameter of the fat cells in the middle layer of the bacon of the back increased up to an age of 26 weeks and then remained constant. Differences between the feeding groups were registered; the animals of the high-level group had the biggest fat cells from the 14th week onwards. A nutrition-caused difference between the number of fat cells per mm2 of the cutlet muscle could not be found. The calculated total number of fat cells in the cutlet muscle increased due to growth up to an age of 26 weeks. The results provided basic knowledge of fat gain and influences on it in pigs and they indicate possibilities of making statements on fat retention determining the microstructure of the fat tissue of the living animal by means of biopsy.

The objective of this study was to investigate the growth- and breed-related changes of muscle fiber characteristics in cattle and their importance to meat quality. Four cattle breeds with different growth impetus and muscularity were reared and slaughtered under experimental conditions. German Angus as a beef type, Galloway as a hardy type, Holstein Friesian as a dairy type, and double-muscled Belgian Blue as an extreme type for muscle growth were used. Between 5 and 17 bulls of each breed were slaughtered at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo of age. Muscle fiber traits were determined and classified by computerized image analysis, and several measures of meat quality were also determined, including shear force value, meat color, and i.m. fat content. The postnatal growth of semitendinosus muscle in cattle was characterized by a nearly 10-fold increase of muscle fiber area from birth to 24 mo of age. In the first few months after birth, a transformation of type IIA fibers into IIB fibers was found, whereas type I fibers were nearly unaffected by age. The apparent total muscle fiber number of semitendinosus muscle did not increase during postnatal life. These results confirm that the fiber number is determined in embryonic development. Throughout the study, the double-muscled Belgian Blue (BBDM) bulls had almost twice the fiber number of the other breeds, emphasizing a more extensive hyperplasia of muscle fibers during embryonic development in BBDM compared with the other three breeds. The apparent number of type I fibers was, however, not affected by breed, which suggests that the additional fibers found in BBDM postnatally were type IIB and IIA fibers. We did not find significant differences in muscle fiber total number, muscle fiber type frequencies, or meat quality characteristics among breeds, with the exception of BBDM. Having pooled the four breeds, paler meat was related to a higher frequency of type IIB fibers, a lower area of type IIA and type I fiber, and a higher total muscle fiber number. These findings based on data of double muscling give us some hints for biological causes for the variation of meat quality. Further investigation, in particular within each breed, is necessary to identify the superior fiber traits for bovine meat production.

Mono-standard neutron-activation analysis of large-volume water samples without preliminary chemistry is applied to the multielement determination of trace inorganic species in pure water, river water, urban effluent, etc. The accuracy, precision and sensitivity have been assessed by analysing a standard reference material, a water sample from a round-robin analysis and pure waters. The method is applied to investigate the behaviour of trace inorganic species in the course of the cleaning process in an urban sewage treatment plant. The distribution of the elements in the effluents and stably suspended materials has been systematically analysed and the behaviour of the elements in the system discussed.

A method is presented that enables reactor neutron irradiation of a voluminous liquid sample for any desired irradiation time without hindrance due to gases produced by radiolysis. A sample mounting system for gamma spectrometry is also suggested. The combined system is applied to multielement activation analysis of water in order to demonstrate the advantages of the method for the purpose. The method facilitates the nondestructive analysis of liquid samples with high precision, accuracy and sensitivity.

An analytical method is described for the multielement determination of water samples using the monostandard activation analysis. The method is applied to investigate the behaviour of trace inorganics in an urban sewage treatment plant. The concentration of trace elements in sewage is assessed by an appropriate sampling of effluent: the sewage collected either from the inflow or the outflow of the plant is centrifuged and filtered with a 0.45-μm micropore filter in order to distinguish sewage sludges, suspended solids and effluents. Based on the analytical results of suspended solids and effluents, the behaviour of trace elements in the cleaning process is interpreted with respect to their individual chemical properties.

1. Transverse sections of two muscles of 20 pigs and 20 laboratory mice were studied methodically to ascertain a histochemical technique of differentiating fibre types suitable for routine-investigations. 2. The best results of four applied histochemical methods were obtained by the reaction for reduced disphosphopyridine nucleotide tetrazolium reductase (DPNH-TR). The comparison of the methods based on valuation-criterions as quality of reactions, expenditure of time and cost and requirements to the user. 3. The calculation of the variance-components showed for the evaluation of two samples (pigs) and one transverse section of muscle (mouse) per animal a good repeatability of the quantitative parameters of muscle fibre type composition.