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A 62-year-old male patient was admitted with regular wide QRS complex tachycardia. After ajmaline administration, the heart rate slowed down disclosing atrial flutter with variable QRS morphologies. Electrocardiography after conversion to sinus rhythm showed narrow QRS complexes. Decremental atrial stimulation during electrophysiological study caused progressive pre-excitation. Spontaneously, typical atrial flutter occurred with pre-excited QRS complexes. Both accessory pathway and atrial flutter were ablated in the same session.

A 62-year-old male patient was admitted with regular wide QRS complex tachycardia. After ajmaline administration, the heart rate slowed down disclosing atrial flutter with variable QRS morphologies. Electrocardiography after conversion to sinus rhythm showed narrow QRS complexes. Decremental atrial stimulation during electrophysiological study caused progressive pre-excitation. Spontaneously, typical atrial flutter occurred with pre-excited QRS complexes. Both accessory pathway and atrial flutter were ablated in the same session.Wir berichten über einen 62-jährigen Patienten, der mit einer Breitkomplextachykardie in die Notaufnahme eingeliefert wurde. Die Gabe von Ajmalin führte zu einer Abnahme der Tachykardiefrequenz mit nun sichtbaren Flatterwellen mit wechselnder QRS-Morphologie. Das Elektrokardiogramm (EKG) nach Konversion in einen normofrequenten Sinusrhythmus zeigte schmale QRS-Komplexe mit normaler PQ-Zeit. Unter dekrementaler atrialer Stimulation fand sich eine progrediente Präexzitation. Unter spontan aufgetretenem Vorhofflattern zeigten sich verbreiterte QRS-Komplexe im Sinne einer Präexzitation. Sowohl die akzessorische Leitungsbahn als auch das Vorhofflattern konnten erfolgreich in einer Sitzung abladiert werden.

A 54-year-old-woman with narrow QRS tachycardia (heart rate, 210 beats per minute) was admitted to the authors’ hospital. Tachycardia terminated after administration of adenosine. The 12-lead electrocardiogram after conversion to sinus rhythm was unremarkable. During electrophysiological study, tachycardia could be easily induced by programmed atrial stimulation without jump phenomenon. The cycle length was 260 ms. During tachycardia, the atrial activation sequence in the coronary sinus (CS) was distal-to-proximal. However, during decremental ventricular pacing, retrograde conduction showed exclusively proximal-to-distal activation in the CS. What is the underlying mechanism?

Predicting the sensitivity of reef-building corals to disturbance, including bleaching, requires an understanding of physiological responses to stressors, which may be limited by destructive sampling and the capacity of common methodologies to characterize early life history stages. We developed a new methodology using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) to measure and track the physiological condition of corals. In a thermal stress experiment, we used LSCM to track coral condition during bleaching in adults and juveniles of two species, Montipora capitata and Pocillopora acuta. Depth of fluorescence in coral tissues provides a proxy measure of tissue thickness while Symbiodiniaceae population fluorescence relates to both population density and chlorophyll-α content. In response to thermal stress, there were significant shifts in tissue thickness and Symbiodiniaceae fluorescence with differences between life stages. This method is particularly well-suited for detecting shifts in physiological condition of living corals in laboratory studies, especially in small juvenile colonies.

One of the aspects influencing the performance of wind assisted vessels is the effect of leeway (drift) angle on the propeller performance. It is known that due to leeway the delivered propeller power and propulsive efficiency can vary significantly from the straight sailing condition. This effect of leeway angle is studied using a combination of viscous flow calculations and captive model tests for one twin screw and three single screw vessels. It is observed that the changes in mean axial velocity and pre-swirl rotation in the wakefield due to a combination of leeway angle and propeller suction are sufficient to describe the trends observed in captive model tests. This knowledge is used in a proposed prediction method to model the changes in propeller thrust and torque due to leeway angle at the design stage. The prediction model combined with a fit of the average wake parameters for the studied vessel types is finally used the show the trends in propulsive efficiency and delivered propeller power at constant propeller rotation rate and ship speed for small leeway angles.

Research on Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) has until now focussed on performance in steady conditions whereas unsteady behaviour is an important part of ship behaviour. For “conventional” manoeuvring and seakeeping, performing direct “free running” scale model tests has been successful to gain understanding and to improve ship designs. In the “WindLab” project the opportunity was taken to extend that approach to aerodynamics: modelling real wind with a simplified wind tunnel in the basin. A unique set-up was tested for its suitability and first data was collected on the performance of wind assisted ships in unsteady scenarios.

Immune cells become increasingly attractive as delivery system for immunotoxins in cancer therapy to reduce the intrinsic toxicity and severe side effects of chimeric protein toxins. In this study, we investigated the potential of human primary T cells to deliver a secreted immunotoxin through transient messenger RNA (mRNA) transfection. The chimeric protein toxin was directed toward the neovasculature of cancer cells by fusing a truncated version of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE38) to human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and to the single chain variable fragment (scFv) of anti-Her2/neu. Protocols for the transient transfection of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) as well as activated primary human T cells were established. Transient transfection with mRNA coding for the immunotoxins e23-PE38, VEGF-PE38 and its attenuated variant VEGF-PE38D yielded efficient expression and secretion. Mass spectrometry analysis endorsed that a fraction of VEGF-PE38D was properly translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, cytotoxic activity of immunotoxin secreting T cells toward cancer cells was confirmed in co-culture with ovarian adenocarcinoma cells in the presence of a bispecific antibody (bsAb), highlighting the potential of primary T cells for mRNA-mediated immunotoxin delivery.

The case of a 71-year-old female patient with recurrent supraventricular tachycardia is reported. During the initial electrophysiological study, an orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia utilizing a concealed left-sided accessory pathway (AP) was induced. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation via a retrograde aortic approach was unsuccessful. A second ablation attempt 6 weeks later via a transseptal approach using the EnSite Precision three-dimensional (3-D) cardiac mapping system and an irrigated-tip RF ablation catheter also failed to ablate the AP. Therefore, mapping in the coronary sinus (CS) was performed. During right ventricular pacing, the earliest retrograde atrial activation was found in the mid-CS. Irrigated-tip RF ablation for 1.8 s at this region successfully ablated the AP permanently. In complicated cases after failed conventional ablation attempts via a transfemoral or transseptal approach, CS ablation is an effective alternative to percutaneous or surgical ablation of epicardial APs. In such cases, electroanatomical mapping systems may be useful in determining the location of the AP and reducing fluoroscopy time. Furthermore, ablation with irrigated-tip RF catheters can improve the treatment success rate due to larger and deeper lesion formation.

The interfacial tension is a key quantity to phase and interphase behaviour of reservoir systems. Real systems consist of complex mixtures that are not easily accessible to theoretical considerations. By help of experimental analysis, main factors of influence can be determined that may be used for developing theoretical models and thus for obtaining deeper insight into dominating mechanisms. This work focuses on the role of carbon dioxide in gas and liquid mixtures comprising also hydrocarbons such as methane, n-pentane and n-heptane by determining the interfacial tension as a function of pressure in the range of 0.1–17 MPa at 313 and 323 K, gas composition and time. In the investigated systems, carbon dioxide shows to have a dominating effect caused by its high ability of dissolving in organic liquids and resulting in a strongly decreasing interfacial tension at elevated pressures. A further question addressed in the present work is in which way a changing concentration profile during mass transfer within a pendant drop is associated to the evolution of the interfacial tension. In binary systems, carbon dioxide is known to accumulate at the interface which happens immediately at its formation and covering any other dynamic effect. In ternary vapour–liquid–liquid systems that include water, mass transfer is shown to correlate with the time dependant interfacial tension.

The present work is focused on heat and mass transfer during drying of instant coffee within a vacuum belt dryer. A series of drying experiments in a lab-scale dryer were performed. Using an advanced temperature measurement technique, the process could be optimized with respect to product quality. Thermal conductivity of coffee extract was investigated over the whole range from liquid extract to dry product. Additionally, the influence of porosity was analyzed. Based on the results, a numeric model was developed describing the coupled heat and mass transfer. The understanding of the process has been improved and the basis for a strong optimization tool has been found.

In the present work a series of physico-chemical and transport properties of coffee extract were determined that are required for developing a new process of drying instant coffee solutions. The influence of temperature and dry matter content on density, viscosity, thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and surface tension is shown systematically bringing light to the contradictory literature data, especially in the case of heat capacity. To specify feasible conditions of liquid feeding in the drying process, the freezing point of the solution was analyzed as a function of dry matter content. Further, the surface free energy, surface roughness, and thermal conductivity of some belt materials were investigated. In addition, the wettability of these materials was determined applying coffee solutions at different dry matter contents. Due to the presence of surface active components, the wettability was found to depend on the drop age revealing a spreading kinetic. As a consequence, dynamic and static measureme...

Die postoperative Fazialisparese ist eine gefurchtete Komplikation der Parotidektomie. Der Wasserstrahldissektor scheint ein chirurgisches Verfahren zu sein, bei welchem Gewebe aufgrund ihrer unterschiedlichen Beschaffenheit selektiv unter Schonung wichtiger Strukturen wie Nerven und Gefase getrennt werden konnen. Insgesamt standen 106 mit dem Wasserjet praparierte Nervenaste des N. facialis von 14 Hunden zur Verfugung. Nach einem festgelegten Schema wurden bei der Parotisoperation unterschiedliche Dusen- und Druckparameter angewendet. Im Anschluss an eine postoperative Nachbeobachtungszeit von durchschnittlich 21 Tagen wurden von beiden Seiten jeweils der Nervenstamm, der Stirnast und beide Mundaste gewonnen. Die Gewebepraparation der Nervenresektate erfolgte nach einer Standardmethode fur EM-Praparate. Es finden sich sowohl praparationsabhangige als auch -unabhangige Veranderungen. Je nach dem verwendeten Dusendurchmesser fanden sich eine deutliche Reduktion an normal myelinisierten Nervenfasern, ein deutlicher Nervenfaserverlust sowie eine ausgepragte Fibrose. Es scheint weder der Dusendurchmesser (120 oder 150 μm) noch die Druckstarke (40, 60 oder 80 bar) eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Parotidektomie mittels Wasserstrahldissektor zu spielen. Vielmehr scheint zum einen die Praparationstechnik, namlich eine tangentiale vs. senkrechte Strahlenfuhrung, sowie andererseits auch die unterschiedlich lange Applikationszeit fur die nervalen Schadigungen verantwortlich zu sein. Wird jedoch ein groser Dusendurchmesser von 200 μm genommen, so kommt es – unabhangig von der angewandten Praparation und Applikationszeit – regelmasig zu einer unterschiedlich stark ausgepragten Schadigung der Nervenfasern.

Erste Untersuchungen zum Einsatz des Wasserjets im Rahmen der Parotischirurgie haben am Tiermodell zeigen konnen, dass es je nach verwendeten Dusendurchmessern und Druckstarken zu unterschiedlichen morphologischen Veranderungen mit und ohne Auswirkung auf die klinische Funktion des N. facialis kommen kann. In einer weiteren Untersuchung sollten die histomorphometrischen Daten der mittels Wasserjet praparierten Nervenfasern erhoben werden und in Bezug zu den verwendeten Dusendurchmessern und Druckstarken gesetzt werden. Insgesamt standen 102 Nervenpraparate von 14 Hunden der Rasse Beagle, welche im Rahmen einer vorangegangenen Studie mittels eines Wasserstrahldissektors mit unterschiedlichen Dusendurchmessern und Druckstarken parotidektomiert worden waren, zur Auswertung zur Verfugung. Nach einem durchschnittlichen Beobachtungszeitraum von 21 Tagen mit Dokumentation der klinischen Funktion des N. facialis erfolgte die Entnahme der Nervenpraparate. Es erfolgte dann die Bestimmung der Faseranzahl und der Faserdurchmesser der einzelnen Fazialisaste. Alle Nervenaste, die mit einem gleichen Dusendurchmesser dargestellt wurden, zeigen ungeachtet der unterschiedlichen Dusenstarken eine identische Summenhaufigkeit der Faserdurchmesser der mit einem Dusendurchmesser von 120 und 150 μm praparierten Nervenaste. Alle mit einem Dusendurchmesser von 200 μm praparierten Nervenaste hingegen zeigen morphologische und klinische Auffalligkeiten. Sie wiesen, bezogen auf die Verteilung ihrer Faserdurchmesser, deutliche Unterschiede zu den mit einem Durchmesser von 120 und 150 μm praparierten Fasern auf. Insgesamt zeigt sich ein im Nervenverlauf kleiner werdender Faserdurchmesser. Nach den hier vorliegenden Ergebnissen scheint es eine Verschiebung von groseren Nervenfaserdurchmessern im Stamm zu kleineren Durchmessern in den Terminalasten hin zu geben. Dieses Phanomen ist bislang in der Literatur noch nicht beschrieben. Es scheint jedoch nicht durch den Einfluss der Wasserstrahltechnik bedingt zu sein. Eine eindeutige Klarung der Frage, wie viel prozentualer Anteil der intakten Nervenfaserstruktur nach einer Schadigung vorhanden sein muss, um noch eine Funktion zu gewahrleisten, lies sich nicht herbeifuhren. In unserer Studie reichten bei einem durch den Wasserstrahl geschadigten Nerven 22% der ursprunglichen Nervenfaseranzahl aus, um eine intakte Funktion aufrechtzuerhalten.

The paper aims to the prediction of interfacial properties of binary mixtures using only pure component interfacial properties and bulk-properties of the mixture, like phase equilibria. This approach follows strictly the basic idea from Van der Waals. In principle, this goal can be reached by the application of the density gradient theory in combination with an equation of state. This paper focuses on the thermodynamic description of the phase and the surface properties for binary systems, if a supercritical component, like nitrogen or carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), is present in the mixture. Whereas nitrogen can be treated as non-polar component, carbon dioxide has a strong quadrupole moment. Using PCP-SAFT-EOS in combination with the density gradient theory the prediction of the surface tensions of mixtures close to experimental data is possible.

The density gradient theory was combined with a modern equation of state based on statistical mechanics, the perturbed chain-statistical association fluid theory, or with the well-known Peng−Robinson equation of state, and is applied to compute the surface tension of various binary mixtures made up of nonpolar substances. Additionally, some new data for the system methane + hexane and methane + heptane were measured using the pendant drop method equipped with a high-pressure cell. Both equations of state can be used to predict the surface tension of mixtures very close to experimental data. The surface tension of pure ethane could also be predicted using the surface tension data of other n-alkanes. Additionally, the surface tensions for mixtures as a function of liquid composition, of temperature, and of pressure were calculated for systems, where no experimental data are available. If the mixture contains a high volatile component, strong relative enrichment effects in the interface could be observed.

Human lymphocytes were exposed to the leukemogenic pesticide isofenphos (IFP) to investigate its effects on chromosomal DNA and cholinergic homeostasis using cholinesterase activity as a marker. Isolated peripheral lymphocytes were administered concentrations of IFP ranging from 0.1 ng/ml to 10 microg/ml. The absence (Group 1) and presence (Group 2) of DNA repair inhibitors 4 mM hydroxyurea (HU), 40 microM cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C) and an NADPH regenerating system (NRS) (Group 3) were analyzed at 1, 6 and 24 h by single cell gel electrophoresis using the comet assay. Significant damage to DNA directly from IFP at 1 h by remarkably low concentrations was observed in Group 1, escalating in Group 2 with DNA repair inhibition, while Group 3 disruptions were highest due to the presence of the NRS P-450 microsomal fraction conducive to producing reactive IFP-oxon and N-desalkyl metabolites. The extent of DNA aberrations increased further in parallel within the groups at 6 and 24 h. Male and female chemical sensitivities were similar on average (P < 0.01). Cholinesterase activity measured in a satellite group was inhibited with 0.1 microg/ml IFP by 69, 62, and 48% at 1, 6, and 24 h, respectively, indicating gradual induction of compensatory synthesis. Restoration of cholinergic homeostasis may be exceptionally impaired at higher IFP concentrations from acetyl-CoA depletion [Leuk. Res. 25 (2001) 883]. In summary, these studies reveal that exposure to the organophosphate pesticide isofenphos induces human DNA mutation beyond endogenous repair capacity and disrupts cholinergic nuclear signaling affectively constructing the mutator phenotype of leukemogenesis.

The Internet can be used to deliver in-depth education to adult learners who do not have the time nor the means to participate in traditional extension activities. The Agricultural Management E-School (AMES) offers noncredit home study courses in farm management and agricultural marketing topics on a fee basis. Evaluations indicate a high degree of satisfaction with both the content and the delivery mechanism of the courses.

In the context of nucleation, bubble formation and their growth within polymer melts interfacial tension (IFT) plays an important role especially for understanding the complete foaming procedure and for taking influence on the resulting polymer foam characteristics. Material and system properties like the range of viscosity and IFT, mass transfer phenomena and chemical composition affect the choice of experimental methods for determining IFT. The PD technique has shown to be applicable to high experimental pressures and temperatures as well as relatively high liquid drop viscosity. In the presented investigation, different materials are applied in order to observe various effects that may take influence on the IFT of a polymer in condensed or supercritical fluid atmosphere. Liquid viscosity which varies with chain length and amount of dissolved gas does not take influence on the experimental result. The phase behaviour which also depends on molecular weight dominates the course of IFT at changing temperature and pressure. On the contrary to its monomer, complete mixing of polystyrene with compressed carbon dioxide is out of reach and IFT does not disappear within the investigated pressure range of up to 25 MPa. Based on a high number of experimental investigations, fluid mixtures are classified due to their mutual solubility in order to obtain qualitative information on IFT.

Fractionation of pigments occurs over time during supercritical extraction of oil from natural matrices containing carotenoids. Paprika powder and paprika oleoresin were extracted using CO2 at temperatures of up to 80°C and pressures up to 50 MPa. The pigment concentration in the supercritical phase was monitored with an on-line near infrared visible (NIR-VIS) detector. Concentrations of 90 to 200 g/kg total carotenoids were achieved in oleoresin extracted from starting material containing only 1.2 g/kg total carotenoids. The ratio of s-carotene + free xanthophylls to total carotenoids in the recovered oleoresin diminished from nearly 50% (w/w) at the beginning down to 10% at the end of the extraction. Increased pressure improved kinetics of carotenoid extraction.

The ossification of the fetal calcaneus was studied in a series of plastinated sections of 44 normal feet and three clubfeet. The results documented a precise sequence of perichondral and endochondral ossification in the normal calcaneus characterized by ossification grooves and associated cartilage canals. Within the clubfoot calcaneus, the coordination of perichondral and endochondral ossification is disturbed, ossification grooves and associated cartilage canals are not found in regular positions, and the process of endochondral ossification obviously is disturbed. The findings in the clubfoot specimens point to grave irregularities of the extracellular matrix within or outside the calcaneus.

Basic structural investigations on rape-seed as an example of a natural granular material with spherical shape are presented. Moisture dependent structure coefficients such as bulk and kernel density were measured in an especially developed apparatus. It was found, that density independence of a microwave moisture measurement could be obtained by applying a properly defined pre-pressure to a layer of material, thus obtaining moisture independent porosity and density. Furthermore, a permittivity model for rape-seed is presented, which relates dielectric constant, moisture content and structure coefficients. The various binding states ofwater as well as moisture dependent swelling of the seeds are included. The permittivity model was substantiated by dielectric measurements in X-band.

Porosity and particle volume are important properties of solids in numerous technical processes. Dehydration in food technology often leads to a decrease of particle size, combined with a change of porosity. Knowledge of the moisture dependence of these properties helps to avoid quality losses during drying. Common methods of porosity determination like mercury porosimetry or B.E.T. gas adsorption do not allow moisture variation. Therefore, a porosity evaluation method consisting of a combination of image analysis and gas displacement in a pycnometer is developed. Taking helium as the gas allows to measure open as well as encapsulated pore volume of the biological product. With particular consideration of basic geometrical particle shape of the investigated natural bulk materials, the disadvantage of image analysis being a two-dimensional measuring method is limited. Experimental results are of high reproducibility and show good agreement with literature data and a standard porosimetry method. Particle size prediction derived from a combination of particle volume balance and estimated porosity shows good agreement between calculated and measured particle size, even under variation of moisture content. This comparison also indicates the high reliability of the presented porosity analysis.

The basic development of a contactless optionally density-independent and continuously operating on-line microwave moisture sensor for organic bulk materials is presented. Moisture determination by means of microwave power is volumetric, but for process control, quality preservation etc. the water content in weight percentage is recommended. Therefore, density and structure parameters, as well as dielectric properties, of different organic bulk materials with characteristic particle shape are measured and compared under different moisture content. Due to cellular tissues and organic compounds, structural behaviour depends very much on moisture and temperature. Results from compression experiments show the possibility of keeping the bulk structure constant within a wide range of water content. Consequently, microwave moisture measurement could be density-independent. A first calculation model shows the correlation between structure properties and the dielectric constant.

Neuronal intestinal dysplasia (NID) is wellknown, but its definition is a topic of debate. The histopathological diagnosis of NID is based on traditional enzyme-histochemical methods such as the acetylcholinesterase and dehydrogenase reaction on native cryosections. In this study, we have investigated the enteric nervous system in whole mount preparations of resected intestinal segments affected by NID of the plexus submucosus (type B). The plexuses of the tunica mucosa and tunica submucosa were visualized by immunohistochemical methods using a polyclonal antibody to protein gene produce 9.5 (PGP 9.5). PGP 9.5 is a novel general cytoplasmatic marker specific for the nervous system. The morphology of the plexuses is revealed in full, making possible changes easily discernible. Known pathological findings of the NID can be identified and judged more precisely with this method. Numerous enlarged nerve trunks run within the tunica submucosa and tunica mucosa. Hyperplastic ganglia with an unusually high nerve cell number in the tunica submucosa can be demonstrated as well as heterotopic nerve cells in the tunica mucosa.

The postoperative facial nerve palsy is a complication after parotidectomy which one is afraid of. The waterjet seems to be a surgical technic which allows separating different tissues without destroying important structures like vessels and nerves.Totally, 106 nerve preparations, done by the waterjet of 14 beagles, were evaluated. According to a defined procedure during parotidectomy by waterjet different cones and pressure were used. After a period time of 21 days the trunk, the frontal branch and both oral branches of the facial nerve of both sides were dissected. The tissue preparation was done using the standard technic for EM-sections.There are mainly changes due to the preparation like the reduction of nerve fibers and fibrosis depending which cones and pressure has been used.Therefore neither the size of the jet (120 or 150 μm) nor the operating pressure of 40 to 60 or 80 bar plays an important role for the function of the facial nerve. Damage to the nerve is mainly due to the preparation technic and the application time. Using the 200 μm jet there is regularly facial nerve damage.

Initial results on the application of the water-jet in a parotidectomy setting in an animal study demonstrate that there are morphologic changes which do, and some which do not, affect the clinial function of the facial nerve due to the different jet sizes and operating pressures used. In a further study the histomorphometric data of the facial nerve dissected by the water-jet should be evaluated and correlated to the different sizes of jet and operating pressures.In total, 102 nerves (in 14 beagles) which had been dissected by water-jets of different sizes and operating pressures were evaluated. After an observation period of 21 days, including documentation of the clinical function of the facial nerve, the nerves were dissected. The number of nerve fibers and the diameter of the different nerve fibers were then evaluated.All nerve fibers dissected with jet sizes of 120 and 150 μm showed an identical cumulative frequency of fiber diameters. All nerve fibers dissected with a water-jet of 200 μm showed morphologic and clinical abnormalities and--in terms of nerve fiber diameters--clear differences to the nerve fibers dissected with 120- or 150-μm jets. Altogether, there is a decrease in fiber diameter along the nerve course.Our data show a shift of larger diameters of the nerve trunk to smaller diameters in the terminal nerve fibers. This phenomenon has not been described in the literature to date and is probably not due to the water-jet. Additionally, our data show that 22% of the original nerve fiber damaged by the water-jet is sufficient to preserve the nerve's clinical function.

Current methodologies for the analysis of the killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) locus utilize specific primer-directed polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR), which require a wide range of DNA input, multiple reaction conditions, and up to 16 individual reactions. We have developed and validated a multiplex SSP-PCR method for the genetic analysis of the KIR locus. Design and optimization of four multiplex groups targeting 14 genes and their alleles on the KIR locus has been completed. Each multiplex group contains PCR products that differ in size by a minimum of 15 bp to allow sufficient fragment length resolution for size discrimination by gel electrophoresis. This assay allows for efficient genotyping of the KIR locus while requiring a minimum amount of DNA input, utilizing the simplicity of SSP-PCR.

A new separation scheme for deoiling of high viscous media, soy lecithin as an example, with pure supercritical CO2 can be presented. Successful tests were carried out in a special high pressure extraction apparatus built on a semi-industrial scale. For the extraction process, the viscous media was brought into intensive contact with high-turbulent CO2 in a special spraying device. The results of the extraction are being completed by supplemental observation and measurement in a high pressure optical cell.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Specialist Team for Seaway Mobility (ST/SM) has progressed significantly in the development of new mission-oriented maneuvering criteria in the format of a NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG). This work was finalized in July 2010, and the STANAG has now been submitted for ratification to all NATO member countries. Navies can now include maneuverability requirements in their vessel specifications more comprehensively and accurately. Obviously, this will have implications for prospective ship designers and builders, who will be obliged to meet these requirements. The objective of this paper is to create awareness that these criteria are approaching soon. Tools and methods are to be prepared and validated to assist in the design of the vessel in accordance with the criteria. The paper explains the prediction and verification procedures of vessel compliance. First, the philosophy and approach of the criteria is explained and discussed. Discussing all criteria is a task too detailed for this paper, as there are up to 240 criteria, depending on missions and capabilities. A selected subset of criteria is discussed in this paper. An example of the verification process is carried out for one ship: the naval combatant benchmark vessel 5415M. The reader will be guided through the steps of: selection of criteria, selection of tools, and the verification itself. The contents of the steps will be different in each loop of the design spiral. This paper shows methods to predict and verify compliance with each requirement in both the conceptual and detailed design stage. In the conceptual design stage the verification is done by performing numerical simulations. In the detailed design stage, these simulations are augmented by a smart selection of scaled model tests.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Results of obstetric practice are conventionally assessed by consideration of perinatal and maternal mortality rates, rates of intervention in labour (induction, epidural analgesia), rates of operative procedures for delivery (episiotomy, forceps, Caesarean section) and rates of postpartum complications (retained placenta, postpartum haemorrhage). Other important considerations are physical and emotional morbidity and whether or not the woman and her partner are pleased with the birthing experience and their birth attendants. The editorial committee wishes to request readers to provide information concerning the long-term emotional results of the male partner's decision to be present at the birth of his child since such data is not available and yet is relevant to the advice given to women regarding the partner's role during parturition. This paper reports a marvellous perinatal mortality rate for births in a birth centre. Indeed the editor makes the prediction that this figure of less than 1 death per 1,000 births for women accepted for delivery in a Birth Centre, including those with intrauterine death diagnosed when the woman was admitted in labour, will stand as a record, since this rate is less than 10% of that for the state of Victoria as a whole (9.7 per 1,000 births in 1990). The results according to the method of delivery are also exemplary. It should be noted however, that 19 fetal deaths in utero occurred in the 889 women excluded from the group because of antenatal complications, and the authors do not provide information regarding neonatal deaths in this group or the number, if any, of these women admitted in labour with an intrauterine death. The data provided indicates that the perinatal mortality rate in the 5,365 women initially booked for delivery in the Birth Centre was at least 4.3 per 1,000 (23 in 5,365). Authors' Response: In addition to the 4 perinatal deaths in patients who presented to the Birth Centre in labour, and the 17 intrauterine deaths listed in table 4, there were 15 other deaths (9 stillbirths, 6 neonatal deaths) in the patients excluded antenatally i.e. the perinatal mortality rate for the original series of 5,365 women was 6.7 per 1,000 births. Summary: In reviewing the first 10 years experience of the Royal Women's Hospital Family Birth Centre (FBC), we examined the outcomes of pregnancy and labour in a group of women who requested alternative birthing care and who were identified antenatally as being a ‘low-risk’ population. This study is a retrospective analysis of 5,365 women booked with the birth centre between 1980 and 1989. Over 16% of women developed antenatal complications precluding further care there, while a further 16% developed complications in labour requiring transfer out to conventional labour wards. Thus 67% of those originally booked delivered in the FBC. The instrumental delivery rate was 11%, and the Caesarean section rate was 4%. Of the women who delivered in the FBC, 3.1% had a postpartum haemorrhage and 1.8% required manual removal of placenta. Approximately 4% of babies born in the FBC required some resuscitation, and 0.8% needed admission to the neonatal nursery. Two perinatal deaths occurred in women admitted in labour to the FBC with a live baby, whilst 2 other women presented in labour with a fetal death in utero (perinatal mortality 0.89 per 1,000).

Contents Catheters were surgically placed in the uterine artery and vein of four control and four dexamethasone (DXMS)-treated cows on days 248 or 249 of gestation; at the same time the corpus luteum was removed and all animals were treated with 10 mg chlormadinone acetate i.m. daily to maintain pregnancy. After one day of blood sampling which began on day 250, animals received either 20 mg DXMS crystalline suspension i.m. or only the vehicle solution. Blood sampling was then continued for five additional days. Plasma was assayed for unconjugated estrone (E1), progesterone (P4), and pregnenolone (P5). Concentrations of El were higher in the venous samples (p < 0.02) and increased over time (p < 0.02). There was a site x time interaction (p < 0.05) and a significant effect of DXMS-treatment on the linear component (p < 0.02) of the slope values for the El concentrations for both sampling sites. Concurrently, there was an effect of time on P4 concentrations (p lt; 0.01), the venous P4 concentrations were higher (p < 0.01), and there was also a site x time interaction (p < 0.01) but not treatment effect. There was no significant effect on concentrations of P5 between treatment goups or sampling sites. It is concluded that DXMS activates the synthetic system(s) involved in production of estrone in the cow during late pregnancy. This change in estrone synthesis occurred at an increasing rate during the 5 day sampling period. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the placenta must be capable of utilizing precursors in the cholesterol or pregnenolone group for estrone synthesis and that the major pathway could be the delta-5 pathway. Inhalt: Veranderungen in der placentaren Hormonsekretion beim Rind nach Behandlung mit Dexamethason. Bei insgesamt 8 Kuhen wurden am 248./249. Tag der Trachtigkeit Katheter in die Vena und Arteria uterina eingelegt, gleichzeitig wurde das Corpus luteum entfernt und zur Aufrechterhaltung der Graviditat wurden 10 mg Chlormadinonacetat taglich wahrend der gesamten Versuchsdauer i.m. verabreicht. Nach einer ersten Blutentnahmeperiode am Tag 250 erhielten jeweils 4 Tiere entweder 20 mg Dexamethason (kristalline Suspension) bzw. das Vehikel (Kontrollguppe) i.m. verabreicht. Die Blutentnahmen erfolgten uber weitere 5 Tage, erfast wurde der Verlauf von freiem Estron, Progesteron und Pregnenolon. Die in der Vena uterina gemessenen Estronkonzentrationen lagen jeweils hoher (p < 0,02) als in der entsprechenden Arterie und stiegen bis zum Ende des Experiments an (p < 0,02). Weiterhin zeigte sich eine Interaktion zwischen dem Ort der Blutentnahme und dem Zeitpunkt (p < 0,05), der Anstieg der Estronkonzen-trationen nach der Behandlung mit Dexamethason war – bezogen auf die lineare Komponente – sigifikant erhoht (p < 0,02). Fur P4 ergab sich ein deutlicher Abfall (p < 0,01), wobei in der Vena uterina stets hohere Werte gemessen wurden als in der Arteria uterina (p < 0,01). Auch hier war eine Interaktion zwischen dem Zeitpunkt und dem Ort der Blutentnahme gegeben (p < 0,01), allerdings konnte ein Behandlungs-effekt nicht dargestellt werden. Fur Pregnenolon ergaben sich keine Unterschiede zwischen Arteria und Vena uterina sowie den Behandlungsgruppen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, das eine einmalige Behandlung mit Dexamethason zu einer zunehmenden Steigerung der Estronproduktion fuhrt, im Hinblick auf die unveranderte Progesteronsekretion wird geschlossen, das dabei eher der Delta-5-Syntheseweg zugrundeliegen konnte und das die entsprechenden Precursoren auf der Ebene des Cholesterins oder Prepenolons zu suchen sind.

The reduction of resistance and the increase of propulsive efficiency are major drivers for ship designers both for economic reasons and increasingly for reducing the ship’s environmental footprint. Reducing the frictional resistance by air injection below the ship in combination with special coatings is an active area of research; anecdotally, performance gains are usually large. The paper gives an overview of some model scale and full scale measurements results of ships with one type of air lubrication—air bubble lubrication—performed by MARIN. The experiments were performed under the SMOOTH project. The first series of experiments focused on an inland shipping vessel that was tested both on model scale and on full scale, with and without air lubrication. A second series of tests consisted of maneuvering and seakeeping tests with a model painted with different coatings and with and without air lubrication. No appreciable effects of air bubble lubrication were found during the resistance and propulsion tests at either model or full scale and no significant effects of air bubble lubrication on maneuvering and seakeeping model tests could be determined.

Synopsis The instability of emulsions is basically clarified by a phase separation. The separated phase can either cream or sediment. Destabilization is mostly compounded by coalescence and gives a first indication through extension of droplets. In the cosmetics industry as well as many other branches of industry such as the food industry and paint and coatings industry, product stability is one of the most important quality criteria. Many stability tests have already been performed with the widest variety of methods from different fields of technology. In research and development it is especially important to obtain quick results on the stability of a formulation. Such results represent a tool that can help developers find an optimal formulation in a short time. In addition, they can shorten development times, leading to quicker introduction of a product in the market. Moreover, they can help to reduce storage stability tests to minimum, making less climatized rooms, space and work required to predict shelf-lives. The cycle test is an example of such a method developed in the field of rheology [1]. In this test the sample is subjected to continuously changing temperatures and its behavior observed. However, other methods can also conceivably used to predict stabilities. The aim of this work is to find a new model to predict the long-term stability. This model should be based on empirical data and it should determine the applicability of the time temperature superposition (TTS) principle to emulsions. Resume L'instabilite d'une emulsion est rendue visible par une separation de phases. La phase separee peut flotter ou sedimenter. L'instabilite est souvent renforcee par la coalescence et livre les premiers signes par le grossissement des gouttes. La stabilite d'un produit est l'un des criteres les plus importants, pas seulement dans l'industrie cosmetique mais aussi dans d'autres domaines comme l'industrie alimentaire ou la fabrication des peintures ou vernis. Ces dernieres annees, beaucoup de tests concernant la stabilite ont ete faits avec les methodes les plus diverses provenant de differents domaines. C'est surtout important dans la recherche et le developpement d'obtenir une information rapide concernant la stabilite des formulations. Ainsi un outil, qui doit aider les chercheurs a trouver une formulation optimale dans un laps de temps tres court est mis a leur disposition. Avec ceci, le temps de developpement peut etre reduit, ce qui peut permettre un lancement plus rapide de produit sur le marche. De plus, les tests de stabilite pourraient etre reduits au minimum et ainsi moins de pieces climatisees, moins de place et moins de temps de travail sont necessaires pour l'estimation des stabilites. Par exemple, dans le domaine de la rheologie, le test des cycles a ete developpe [1]. Dans ce test, l’echantillon est exposea une temperature changeant regulierement et son comportement est observe dans ces conditions. Cependant d'autres methodes concernant l'estimation de la stabilite sont envisageables. Le but de ce travail est de trouver un modele pour pouvoir predire le stabilite longue duree. Ce modele doit etre base sur des donnees empiriques. L'utilisation du principe de ‘Time Temperature Superposition’ (TTS-Superposition temps-temperature) pour les emulsions est traite dans ce travail.

Performance and efficiency of industrial processes are generally influenced by interfacial effects. In any process involving more than one homogeneous phase, interfaces appear that either determine the procedure itself like in liquid — liquid extraction or the final product like magarines or coatings. High pressure processes are affected in the same way, only that interfacial phenomena are not so easily accessible to observation. Often, certain effects are assumed to occur just by deduction from the final result. Recently, methods have been developed in order to quantify dominating interfacial properties at high pressures. Among these, the interfacial tension plays an important role since this measure resembles the energy for creating new interface. While the interfacial tension is used to describe fluid interfaces, the analogous measure for solid — fluid interfaces is directly named interfacial energy. The interfacial energy on its turn is related to the wetting behavior of liquids on solid surfaces. Hence, it becomes quite clear that any liquid — fluid mass transfer operation is strongly influenced by the interfaces being present within the process. Since the rate of transferred moles is directly related to the extensionof the interface by M ˙ = k A Δ c (1) and k as the mass transfer coefficient is influenced among others by interfacial convection the variety and complexity of the associated interfacial phenomena becomes apparent.

The neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM, is thought to be necessary for the interaction between neurons, axons and glial cells, axons and target structures, and for myelination. The NCAM localization in the peripheral nerves has been less well studied. The data have shown significant differences. In this study, the distribution of the NCAM immunoreactivity in the sciatic nerves of 10- and 15-day-old Wistar rats was examined on ultrathin sections by the immunogold postembedding method. The sections were immunotested with a polyclonal antibody (Santa Cruz Biotechnology) that recognizes rat NCAM. The antibody was visualized with donkey anti-goat IgG, conjugated to 6 nm colloidal gold. NCAM immuno-like activity was found on axoplasmic profiles of myelinated and nonmyelinated axons, at non-assembled myelin lamellae, and at axo-glial junctions of the paranodes. The compact myelin and the Schwann cell cytoplasm were immunonegative. The presence of some NCAM immunoactivity on the level of the noncompact myelin membranes, deprived of the major myelin protein Po, might be associated with the mechanism of their maintenance.

PURPOSE: Several alterations of the enteric nervous system have been described as an underlying neuropathologic correlate in patients with idiopathic slow-transit constipation. To obtain comprehensive data on the structural components of the intramural nerve plexus, the colonic enteric nervous system was investigated in patients with slow-transit constipation and compared with controls by means of a quantitative morphometric analysis. METHODS: Resected specimens were obtained from ten patients with slow-transit constipation and ten controls (nonobstructive neoplasias) and processed for immunohistochemistry with the neuronal marker Protein Gene Product 9.5. The morphometric analysis was performed separately for the myenteric plexus and submucous plexus compartments and included the quantification of ganglia, neurons, glial cells, and nerve fibers. RESULTS: In patients with slow-transit constipation, the total ganglionic area and neuronal number per intestinal length as well as the mean neuron count per ganglion were significantly decreased within the myenteric plexus and external submucous plexus. The ratio of glial cells to neurons was significantly increased in myenteric ganglia but not in submucous ganglia. On statistical analysis, the histopathologic criteria (submucous giant ganglia and hypertrophic nerve fibers) of intestinal neuronal dysplasia previously described in patients with slow-transit constipation were not completely fulfilled. CONCLUSION: The colonic motor dysfunction in slow-transit constipation is associated with quantitative alterations of the enteric nervous system. The underlying defect is characterized morphologically by oligoneuronal hypoganglionosis. Because the neuropathologic alterations primarily affect the myenteric plexus and external submucous plexus, superficial submucous biopsies are not suitable to detect these innervational disorders.

To test the assumption that the various types of neuron in the human putamen appear to be randomly distributed and to quantify the way in which they are arranged, stochastic geometry, multivariate analysis and the interactive evaluation technique were employed.Twenty-seven human putamina without demonstrable signs of neurologic change were dissected out, fixed in 4% formalin and embedded in paraffin. The 20-micron paraffin sections were stained in an aldehyde-fuchsin and cresyl-violet solution, which makes it possible to distinguish between seven different neuron populations in the putamen. The gravity centers, size and form factors of these neurons were determined morphometrically under a light microscope. The data obtained were used to calculate the spatial distribution of the neurons by interactive and structure analytical methods.Visual point field analysis revealed an irregular arrangement of the different types of neurons. Point process analysis detected a significant hard core process of type 1 and a cluster process of type 6 neurons. With nearest neighborhood analysis, significant differences were found between certain populations of neurons and Poisson processes. Comparison of the results of multivariate cluster analysis with the investigator-dependent results of visual point field analysis showed clear differences.By means of structure analytical methods, the arrangement of different populations of neurons can be demonstrated. Some neuronal distributions are detectable only by using one of these techniques. The question of random or nonrandom distribution of the neurons in the human putamen can now be answered definitively: arrangement of the different populations of neurons is structured.

Certain reconstructive procedures, like auricular reconstructions, require thin and well-vascularized skin. The aims of this study were to analyze if the increased survival of expanded skin flaps was due to morphologic changes of the dermis, if thinning of short-time expanded skin was possible without harm to the microcirculation and if tissue selective cutting methods could be used to resect subcutaneous fat without damaging its vessels. Eighty-two 200-ml expanders were implanted into the trunk regions of 26 beagles and filled immediately with sterile saline. In the first series of experiments, the expansion was terminated after intervals of 0.5–5 weeks and dermal vessels were analyzed morphometrically. In the second series the expanded flaps were raised after 2 weeks and thinned solely surgically or with the additional use of an ultrasonic knife or with cutting by water jet. In contrast to sham flaps, the expanded skin showed only very few areas of necrosis and these were located superficially in most cases. The relative volume of the dermal vessels and their quantity showed a significant increase after the expansion. Additionally, the subcutaneous tissue could be thinned down to 0.4 mm with the water-jet-cutter. Findings demonstrated that the method used could create a well-vascularized skin flap of minimal thickness that could be very helpful for special reconstructive procedures.