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The quest for safe lower bounds to the elastic buckling of axially loaded circular cylindrical shells has exercised researchers for the past 100 years. Recent work bringing together the capabilities of nonlinear numerical simulation, interpreted within the context of extended linear classical theory, has come close to achieving this goal of defining safe lower bounds. This paper briefly summarizes some of the important predictions emerging from previous work and presents new simulation results that confirm these earlier predictions. In particular, we show that for a specified maximum amplitude of the most sensitive, eigenmode-based geometric imperfections, normalized with respect to the shell thickness, lower bounds to the buckling loads remain constant beyond a well-defined value of the Batdorf parameter. Furthermore, we demonstrate how this convenient means of presenting the imperfection-sensitive buckling loads can be reinterpreted to develop practical design curves which provide safe, but not overly conservative, design loads for monocoque cylinders with a given maximum permitted tolerance of geometric imperfection. Hence, once the allowable manufacturing tolerance is specified during design or is measured post-manufacturing, the greatest expected knockdown factor for a shell of any geometry is defined. With the recent research interest in localized imperfections, we also attempt to reconcile their relation to the more classical, periodic, and eigenmode-based imperfections. Overall, this paper provides analytical and computational arguments that motivate a shift in focus in defect-tolerant design of thin-walled cylinders--away from the knockdown experienced for a specific geometric imperfection and towards the worst possible knockdown expected for a specified manufacturing tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The buckling and postbuckling behavior of two composite tow-steered shells with cutouts of different sizes is assessed using nonlinear finite element analysis and compared to experimental measurements. The cylindrical shells are manufactured using an automated fiber placement system, where the shells' fiber orientation angles vary continuously around the shell circumference from ±10 deg on the crown and keel to ±45 deg on the sides. One shell features thickness variations due to tow overlaps that result from application of all 24 tows during each pass of the fiber placement system. The second shell uses the system's tow drop/add capability to achieve a more uniform wall thickness without overlaps. Unreinforced cutouts of two different sizes--the first smaller cutout representing a passenger door on a commercial aircraft and the second larger cutout a cargo door--were machined into each of the two cylinders resulting in a total of four test cases. These cylinders were tested in axial compression and buckled elastically in previous work and are now analyzed using nonlinear finite element models to compare bifurcation buckling loads as well as the load-displacement response in the prebuckling and postbuckling regimes. For all four shells analyzed, the prebuckling stiffness, buckling load, and deformation mode sequence throughout the loading-unloading cycle is accurately reproduced by the models. In particular, the shells first buckle locally around the cutouts in a stable (supercritical) manner with only a slight decrease in axial stiffness, which occurs due to the favorable load redistribution facilitated by tow steering. The shells then buckle globally in an unstable (subcritical) manner with diamond-shaped buckles forming to the left and right (circumferential direction) of the cutouts. The buckling load of all shells with cutouts is at least 82% of the buckling load of the pristine shells without cutouts. Overall, the ability to sustain local buckling phenomena, and the relatively small reductions in global buckling load compared to pristine shells without cutouts, demonstrates the great potential of using tow steering to mitigate the adverse effects of cutouts in axially compressed shell structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The western U.S. wildfire smoke plumes observed by the upward-pointing Wyoming Cloud Lidar (WCL) during the Biomass Burning Fluxes of Trace Gases and Aerosols (BB-FLUX) project are investigated in a two-part paper. Part II here presents the reconstructed vertical structures of seven plumes from airborne WCL measurements. The vertical structures evident in the fire plume cross sections, supported by in situ measurements, showed that the fire plumes had distinct macrophysical and microphysical properties, which are closely related to the plume transport, fire emission intensity, and thermodynamic structure in the boundary layer. All plumes had an injection layer between 2.8 and 4.0 km above mean sea level, which is generally below the identified boundary layer top height. Plumes that transported upward out of the boundary layer, such as the Rabbit Foot and Pole Creek fires, formed a higher plume at around 5.5 km. The largest and highest Pole Creek fire plume was transported farthest and was sampled by University of Wyoming King Air aircraft at 170 km, or 2.3 h, downwind. It was associated with the warmest, driest, deepest boundary layer and the highest wind speed and turbulence. The Watson Creek fire plume intensified in the afternoon with stronger CO emission and larger smoke plume height than in the morning, indicating a fire diurnal cycle, but some fire plumes did not intensify in the afternoon. There were pockets of relatively large irregular aerosol particles at the tops of plumes from active fires. In less-active fire plumes, the WCL depolarization ratio and passive cavity aerosol spectrometer probe mass mean diameter maximized at a height that was low in the plume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in well-being and an increase in mental health problems were registered in medical and psychotherapeutic practices, counseling centers, and clinics. According to previous studies, younger people and women seemed to be particularly affected. The aim of this study was to describe mental health problems of students and to draw consequences for the further handling of pandemics and other crises. Method: Students at the University of Heidelberg, a typical German "full university," were surveyed online using internationally comparable screening instruments like the Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). In addition, the students had the opportunity to describe in a narrative form their well-being and to make suggestions how to improve their situation. Results: Out of a population of 27,162 students who were contacted by email, 2,137 students completed the questionnaire. The salient finding is that according to the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, 72.2% of the respondents feel seriously impaired in their well-being. This corresponds to the finding that 75.8% of the respondents in the PHQ-D show indications of at least one syndrome diagnosis. Depression was found in 41.8% of the respondents in the PHQ-D. Indications of moderate to severe and severe depressive syndromes were present in 31.8%. Signs of somatoform syndromes are found in 25.4% and of anxiety syndromes in 20.0%. 1,089 students gave narrative reports on how they were feeling and made suggestions for improvement. About 75% reported severely reduced well-being. Their main complaints were loneliness and depression and lack of recognition for their specific academic and life situation during the pandemic. By far, the largest proportion of students supposed that their mental health issues were caused and/or intensified by the pandemic-related social contact restrictions. The vast majority of them made reasonable suggestions for controlled relaxation of contact restrictions. Conclusions: Students suffer severely from the pandemic-related social restriction. In respect to future pandemic outbreaks or other crises leading to social isolation, the dramatic consequences of social lockdowns should be taken into account. Under pandemic conditions, we especially should support persons lacking social networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MALINA oceanographic campaign was conducted during summer 2009 to investigate the carbon stocks and the processes controlling the carbon fluxes in the Mackenzie River estuary and the Beaufort Sea. During the campaign, an extensive suite of physical, chemical and biological variables were measured across seven shelf–basin transects (south–north) to capture the meridional gradient between the estuary and the open ocean. Key variables such as temperature, absolute salinity, radiance, irradiance, nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll a concentration, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance and taxonomy, and carbon stocks and fluxes were routinely measured onboard the Canadian research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen and from a barge in shallow coastal areas or for sampling within broken ice fields. Here, we present the results of a joint effort to compile and standardize the collected data sets that will facilitate their reuse in further studies of the changing Arctic Ocean. The data set is available at 10.17882/75345. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uncovers new manifestations of the homoclinic snaking mechanism in the post-buckling regime of a pressurized thin cylindrical shell under axial load. These new forms tend to propagate either wholly or partially in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of the applied load and so, unlike earlier forms in Woods & Champneys (1999, Heteroclinic tangles in the unfolding of a degenerate Hamiltonian Hopf bifurcation. Phys. D , 129 , 147–170), are fundamentally 2D in nature. The main effect of internal pressurization on the snaking mechanism is firstly to transition the circumferential multiplication of buckles from a one-tier pattern to a three-tier pattern. Secondly, internal pressurization can induce oblique snaking, whereby the sequential multiplication of buckles occurs in a helical pattern across the cylinder domain. For low levels of internal pressure, the single dimple remains—as in the unpressurized case—the unstable edge state that forms the smallest energy barrier around the stable pre-buckling equilibrium. For greater levels of pressure, the edge state changes to a single dimple surrounded by four smaller dimples. By tracing the limit point that denotes the onset of these edge states in the parameter space of internal pressure and axial load, we justify and validate the empirically derived design guideline for buckling of pressurized cylinders proposed by Fung & Sechler (1957, Buckling of thin-walled circular cylinders under axial compression and internal pressure. J. Aeronaut. Sci. , 24 , 351–356). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical instabilities and elastic nonlinearities are emerging means for designing deployable and shape adaptive structures. Dynamic snap-through buckling is investigated here as a means to tailor the deployment and retraction of a slat-cove filler (SCF), a morphing component used to reduce airframe noise. Upon deployment, leading-edge slats create a cove between themselves and the main wing, producing unsteady flow features that are a significant source of airframe noise. A SCF is designed here to autonomously snap out as the slat deploys, providing a smoother aerodynamic profile that reduces flow unsteadiness. The nonlinear structural behavior of the SCF is studied, and then tailored, to achieve a desirable snapping response. Three SCF configurations are considered: 1) a constant thickness (monolithic) superelastic shape-memory alloy (SMA) SCF, 2) a variable-thickness SMA SCF, and 3) a set of stiffness-tailored fiberglass composite SCFs. Results indicate that, although monolithic SMA SCFs provide a simple solution, thickness variations in both the SMA and stiffness-tailored composite SCF designs allow a decrease of the energy required for self-deployment and a reduction of the severity of the impact between the SCF and the slat during stowage. The enhanced nonlinear behavior from stiffness tailoring reduces peak material strains in comparison to previous SMA SCF designs that leveraged material superelasticity for shape adaptation. The stiffness tailoring is readily achieved through the use of layered composites, facilitating considerable weight savings compared to the dense SMA designs. The aeroelastic response of different SCFs is calculated using fluid/structure interaction analyses, and it is shown that both SMA and composite SCF designs can deploy and retract in full flow conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Metadata plays an essential role in the long-term preservation, reuse, and interoperability of data. Nevertheless, creating useful metadata can be sufficiently difficult and weakly enough incentivized that many datasets may be accompanied by little or no metadata. One key challenge is, therefore, how to make metadata creation easier and more valuable. We present a solution that involves creating domain-specific metadata schemes that are as complex as necessary and as simple as possible. These goals are achieved by co-development between a metadata expert and the researchers (i.e., the data creators). The final product is a bespoke metadata scheme into which researchers can enter information (and validate it) via the simplest of interfaces: a web browser application and a spreadsheet. 2. We provide the R package dmdScheme (dmdScheme: An R package for working with domain specific MetaData schemes (Version v0.9.22), 2019) for creating a template domain-specific scheme. We describe how to create a domain-specific scheme from this template, including the iterative co-development process, and the simple methods for using the scheme, and simple methods for quality assessment, improvement, and validation. 3. The process of developing a metadata scheme following the outlined approach was successful, resulting in a metadata scheme which is used for the data generated in our research group. The validation quickly identifies forgotten metadata, as well as inconsistent metadata, therefore improving the quality of the metadata. Multiple output formats are available, including XML. 4. Making the provision of metadata easier while also ensuring high quality must be a priority for data curation initiatives. We show how both objectives are achieved by close collaboration between metadata experts and researchers to create domain-specific schemes. A near-future priority is to provide methods to interface domain-specific schemes with general metadata schemes, such as the Ecological Metadata Language, to increase interoperability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Metadata plays an essential role in the long- term preservation, reuse, and interoperability of data. Nevertheless, creating useful metadata can be sufficiently difficult and weakly enough incentivized that many datasets may be accompanied by little or no metadata. One key challenge is, therefore, how to make metadata creation easier and more valuable. We present a solution that involves creating domain- specific metadata schemes that are as complex as necessary and as simple as possible. These goals are achieved by co- development between a metadata expert and the researchers (i.e., the data creators). The final product is a bespoke metadata scheme into which researchers can enter information (and validate it) via the simplest of interfaces: a web browser application and a spreadsheet. 2. We provide the R package dmdScheme (dmdScheme: An R package for working with domain specific MetaData schemes (Version v0.9.22), 2019) for creating a template domain- specific scheme. We describe how to create a domain- specific scheme from this template, including the iterative co- development process, and the simple methods for using the scheme, and simple methods for quality assessment, improvement, and validation. 3. The process of developing a metadata scheme following the outlined approach was successful, resulting in a metadata scheme which is used for the data generated in our research group. The validation quickly identifies forgotten metadata, as well as inconsistent metadata, therefore improving the quality of the metadata. Multiple output formats are available, including XML. 4. Making the provision of metadata easier while also ensuring high quality must be a priority for data curation initiatives. We show how both objectives are achieved by close collaboration between metadata experts and researchers to create domain- specific schemes. A near- future priority is to provide methods to interface domain- specific schemes with general metadata schemes, such as the Ecological Metadata Language, to increase interoperability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Lung carcinoids are uncommon neuroendocrine tumours. Molecular features of lung carcinoids have been poorly defined. microRNAs (miRNAs) are potent gene expression regulators with important roles in cancer development and progression. However, little is known on the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of lung carcinoids. Our goals were to identify commonly deregulated miRNAs in a rare case of lung carcinoid of typical histology with metastasis, as well as map miRNA target genes in pathways potentially associated with disease development and progression. Methods: miRNA expression profiles were assessed using the TaqMan Low Density Arrays, which is a platform including 384 miRNAs. miRNA profiles were generated in the tumor and its corresponding lymph node metastasis, compared to reference normal lung tissues. Furthermore, miRNA expression was validated in a separate, publicly available external dataset (n=19 typical lung carcinoids; 2/19 were metastatic tumors, compared to six normal lung tissues, GSE77380). Following this analysis, computational tools were applied for data interpretation. miRTarBase was used to determine miRNA-target genes, followed by ToppGene Suite analysis to identify pathways and biological functions. In addition, the expression of genes targeted by miRNAs was validated in a second, separate external dataset (n=13 tumour samples, GSE35679). GEO2R data analysis tool was used in both validation analyses (miRNAs and genes). Results: We identified 15 commonly significantly downregulated miRNAs (fold change, FC≥2 and p<0.05) in the tumour and its paired metastasis, with further decreasing levels in the metastatic lesion. Downregulation of miR-126-3p and miR-146b-5p was validated in the external dataset GSE77380. In addition, SOX2 and TCF4 genes, targeted by miR-126-3p, were consistently overexpressed in a subset of six typical lung carcinoids from the external dataset GSE35679. Pathways analysis showed that miRNAs miR-126-3p and miR-146b-5p target genes with a role in the regulation of adaptive immune response. Conclusion: Our results contribute to the identification of miRNA expression changes in a typical lung carcinoid and its corresponding lymph node metastasis. Down-regulated levels of miR-126-3p and miR-146b-5p and target gene over-expression could play a role in the progression of this case of primary typical lung carcinoid to regional metastasis. Identified miRNAs and target genes are potential candidates for validation in a larger number of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since ancient philosophy, extraordinary creativity is associated with mental disorders, emotional and cognitive destabilization, and melancholia. We here summarize the results of empirical and narrative studies and analyze the most prominent case of a highly creative person who suffered from dysthymia and major depression with suicidality. Hereby, we focus on the interaction of different phases of the creative process with "bipolar" personality traits. Finally, we offer an interdisciplinary interpretation of the creative dialectics between order and chaos. The results show that severe psychopathology inhibits creativity. Mild and moderate disorders can inspire and motivate creative work but are only leading to new and useful solutions when creators succeed in transforming their emotional instability and cognitive incoherence into stable and coherent forms. The cultural idea that creativity emerges in dialectical processes between order and chaos, is also to be found in the psychologic interplay of coherence and incoherence, and in neuro-scientific models of the dynamics between tightening and loosening of neuronal structures. Consequences are drawn for the psychotherapeutic treatment of persons striving for creativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have seen a paradigm shift regarding the role of nonlinearities and elastic instabilities in engineering science and applied physics. Traditionally viewed as unwanted aberrations, when controlled to be reversible and well behaved, nonlinearity can enable novel functionalities, such as shape adaptation and energy harvesting. The analysis and design of novel structures that exploit nonlinearities and instabilities have, in part, been facilitated by advances in numerical continuation techniques. An experimental analogue of numerical continuation, on the other hand, has remained elusive. Traditional quasi-static experimental methods control the displacement or force at one or more loadintroduction points over the test specimen. This approach fails at limit points in the control parameter, as the immediate equilibrium beyond limit points is statically unstable, causing the structure to snap to a different equilibrium. Here, we propose a quasistatic experimental path-following method that can continue along stable and unstable equilibria, and traverse limit points. In addition to controlling the displacement at the main load-introduction point, the technique relies on overall shape control of the structure using additional actuators and sensors. The proposed experimental method enables extended testing of the emerging class of structures that exploit nonlinearities and instabilities for novel functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. In the framework of the GAPS project, we observed the planet-hosting star KELT-9 (A-type star, v sin i ~ 110 km s−1) with the HARPS-N spectrograph at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo. In this work we analyse the spectra and the extracted radial velocities to constrain the physical parameters of the system and to detect the planetary atmosphere of KELT-9b. Methods. We extracted the mean stellar line profiles from the high-resolution optical spectra via an analysis based on the least-squares deconvolution technique. Then we computed the stellar radial velocities with a method optimised for fast rotators by fitting the mean stellar line profile with a purely rotational profile instead of using a Gaussian function. Results. The new spectra and analysis led us to update the orbital and physical parameters of the system, improving in particular the value of the planetary mass to Mp = 2.88 ± 0.35 MJup. We discovered an anomalous in-transit radial velocity deviation from the theoretical Rossiter-McLaughlin effect solution, calculated from the projected spin-orbit angle λ = −85.78 ± 0.46 degrees measured with Doppler tomography. We prove that this deviation is caused by the planetary atmosphere of KELT-9b, thus we call this effect Atmospheric Rossiter-McLaughlin effect. By analysing the magnitude of the radial velocity anomaly, we obtained information on the extension of the planetary atmosphere as weighted by the model used to retrieve the stellar mean line profiles, which is up to 1.22 ± 0.02 Rp. Conclusions. The Atmospheric Rossiter-McLaughlin effect will be observable for other exoplanets whose atmosphere has non-negligible correlation with the stellar mask used to retrieve the radial velocities, in particular ultra-hot Jupiters with iron in their atmospheres. The duration and amplitude of the effect will depend not only on the extension of the atmosphere, but also on the in-transit planetary radial velocities and on the projected rotational velocity of the parent star. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The identification of prognostic markers in neoadjuvant therapy patients is critical for treatment optimisation. The purpose of our retrospective study was to determine the role of Dkk1 as a predictor of NACT response in BC patients. Dkk1 levels were found to be lower in treated BC tumours than in untreated tumours. The results of 68 matched pre- and post-therapy tissues showed that advanced G status and TNBC subtype were associated with a higher percentage of Dkk1 expression reduction. In addition, decreased Dkk1-IRS in core needle biopsy tissues independently predicted regression grade (R4), according to Sinn. Dkk1 could then be identified as a biomarker for personalised neoadjuvant therapy. Purpose: To investigate the role of Dkk1 as a predictor of response to NACT in BC patients. Methods: This retrospective monocentric study included 145 women who had undergone NACT followed by breast surgery. Dkk1 protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry staining in core needle biopsies and mammary carcinoma specimens. Results: Dkk1 levels were lower in treated BC tumours than in untreated tumours. The outcomes of 68 matched pre- and post-therapy tissues showed that Dkk1 levels in mammary carcinoma tissues were significantly predicted by levels in core needle biopsies and that Dkk1 expression was reduced in 83% of cases. Smaller cT stage, positive Her2 expression, and decreased Dkk1-IRS in core needle biopsy tissues were all independent predictors of regression grade (R4), according to Sinn. However, the percentage of Dkk1 expression differences prior to and following NACT had no effect on PFS or OS. Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that Dkk1 could be identified as an independent predictor of NACT response in BC patients, particularly those with TNBC. Further research with a multicentric expanded (pre-/post-therapy) sample set and better-defined populations in terms of molecular subtypes, therapy modality, and long-term follow-up is recommended to obtain more solid evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of spin–orbit configuration interaction calculations has been carried out for the BiSe and BiTe molecules and analyzed in comparison with data obtained earlier for the isovalent BiO and BiS systems. An avoided crossing caused by the spin–orbit interaction between the X 2Π and A 4Π electronic states is shown to have a decisive effect on the lower-energy spectrum in each case. Irregularities in the X2 3/2 state vibrational manifold occur as a consequence of this nonadiabatic interaction, and the v vibrational number for the onset of these perturbations is found to gradually decrease in going from BiO to BiSe, in agreement with experiment. In BiTe the shape of the X2 potential curve is so altered by the avoided crossing that its minimum becomes shifted to a significantly larger distance than for the X1 state, unlike the case for BiSe or the lighter Bi chalcogenides. This characteristic appears to be the root cause for the fact that the X2 state has not yet been found experimentally in the BiTe spectrum, despite careful searches in the expected energy range. Radiative lifetimes have also been calculated for the low-lying states of both the BiSe and BiTe molecules, and these results are found to be consistent with experimental observations. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the electronic spectrum of the bismuth sulfide molecule using relativistic configuration interaction calculations employing effective core potentials. Effects of spin-orbit coupling; Spectroscopic constants for nine bismuth sulfide states; Radiative lifetimes and electric dipole moments.

Despite progress in treatment strategies, only ~24% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients survive >1 year. Our goal was to elucidate deregulated pathways modulated by microRNAs (miRNAs) in PDAC and Vater ampulla (AMP) cancers. Global miRNA expression was identified in 19 PDAC, 6 AMP and 25 paired, histologically normal pancreatic tissues using the GeneChip 4.0 miRNA arrays. Computational approaches were used for miRNA target prediction/identification of miRNA-regulated pathways. Target gene expression was validated in 178 pancreatic cancer and 4 pancreatic normal tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). 20 miRNAs were significantly deregulated (FC≥2 and p<0.05) (15 down- and 5 up-regulated) in PDAC. miR-216 family (miR-216a-3p, miR-216a-5p, miR-216b-3p and miR-216b-5p) was consistently down-regulated in PDAC. miRNA-modulated pathways are associated with innate and adaptive immune system responses in PDAC. AMP cancers showed 8 down- and 1 up-regulated miRNAs (FDR p<0.05). Most enriched pathways (p<0.01) were RAS and Nerve Growth Factor signaling. PDAC and AMP display different global miRNA expression profiles and miRNA regulated networks/tumorigenesis pathways. The immune response was enriched in PDAC, suggesting the existence of immune checkpoint pathways more relevant to PDAC than AMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Depression is more prevalent in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in the general population. This study evaluated disease‐related risk factors for depression in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Altogether 348 patients with IBD (228 with CD, 120 with UC) were included at our Outpatient IBD Clinic. Their characteristics, laboratory results and scores of depression, quality of life and clinical disease activity were retrospectively retrieved from questionnaires and medical records. The patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ‐9) was used as an algorithm for a probable diagnosis of major depression employing a cut‐off point ≥10. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for depression. RESULTS: Among these patients, 163 (46.8%) had no or minimal depression (PHQ‐9 score 0–4), 108 (31.0%) had mild depression (PHQ‐9 score 5–9) and 77 (22.1%) were at risk of major depression (PHQ‐9 score ≥10). Patients with CD had a higher risk of major depression than those with UC (25.4% vs 15.8%, P = 0.040). PHQ‐9 scores correlated strongly with clinical disease activity and quality of life scores in both groups but only weakly and solely in the CD group with biochemical disease activity. Clinical disease activity was identified as the only independent risk factor for depression in CD (odds ratio 7.814, 95% CI 2.688–22.717, P < 0.001), while no independent risk factor for depression was detected in UC. CONCLUSION: Achieving clinical remission in patients with IBD seems to be the most important factor to reduce the risk of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces conceptual design principles for a novel class of adaptive structures that provide both flow regulation and control. While of general applicability, these design principles, which revolve around the idea of using the instabilities and elastically nonlinear behaviour of post-buckled panels, are exemplified through a case study: the design of a shape-adaptive air inlet. The inlet comprises a deformable post-buckled member that changes shape depending on the pressure field applied by the surrounding fluid, thereby regulating the inlet aperture. By tailoring the stress field in the post-buckled state and the geometry of the initial, stress-free configuration, the deformable section can snap through to close or open the inlet completely. Owing to its inherent ability to change shape in response to external stimuli--i.e. the aerodynamic loads imposed by different operating conditions--the inlet does not have to rely on linkages and mechanisms for actuation, unlike conventional flow-controlling devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pre-operative assessments before cochlear implantation (CI) includes the examination of both tone hearing, and the level of the cochlear reserve indicated by speech understanding. The goal of this study was to explore the predictive influence of tone hearing and cochlear reserve in CI. Methods: We did a retrospective cohort study, which included adult patients who had undergone CI between January 2012 and December 2019 in a tertiary care center. The pre-operative tone hearing, unaided maximum monosyllabic word recognition score (WRSmax), aided hearing gain, aided monosyllabic word recognition score at 65 dB (WRS65(HA)), and speech perception gap (SPG) were measured. The duration of unaided hearing loss (UHL) was also assessed. These variables were compared with post-operative monosyllabic word recognition score after CI at 65 dB (WRS65(CI)). Results: 103 patients and 128 ears were included in this study. Regardless of tone hearing, patients with better pre-operative WRSmax and WRS65(HA) performed better post-operatively. WRSmax was found to be the most important factor that was statistically significantly associated with WRS65(CI). SPG was statistically significantly associated with WRSmax and SPG ≥ 20% group performed better post-operatively. Any duration of unaided hearing loss was statistically significantly inversely associated with WRSmax above 0%. Conclusion: Cochlear reserve represented by WRSmax may play the most important role as a predictive factor in outcomes after CI. SPG should be considered for indicating CI in patients, when WRS65(HA) does not reach WRSmax. Early rehabilitation with hearing aids and duration of hearing aid usage might play an important role in preserving cochlear reserve in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We model dynamics of two biocontrol agents and an invasive alien plant. [•] We use a global sensitivity analysis to asses the impact of the different parameters. [•] Flower production fluctuates between years without biocontrol agents but is increased when agents introduced. [•] Co-existence of the two modelled biocontrol agents is not the norm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Alcohol and drug abuse is frequent among performers and pop musicians. Many of them hope that alcohol and drugs will enhance their creativity. Scientific studies are scarce and conclusions limited for methodological reasons. Furthermore, extraordinary creativity can hardly be grasped by empirical-statistical methods. Thus, ideographic studies are necessary to learn from extraordinarily creative persons about the relationship of creativity with alcohol and drugs. The pop icon Jim Morrison can serve as an exemplary case to investigate the interrelation between alcohol and drug abuse and creativity. Methods: Morrison's self-assessments in his works and letters as well as the descriptions by others are analyzed under the perspective of creativity research. Results: In the lyrics of Jim Morrison and in biographical descriptions, we can see how Jim Morrison tried to cope with traumatic events, depressive moods and uncontrolled impulses through creative activities. His talent, skill and motivation to write creatively were independent from taking alcohol and drugs. He used alcohol and drugs to transgress restrictive social norms, to broaden his perceptions and to reinforce his struggle for self-actualization. In short, his motivation to create something new and authentic was reinforced by alcohol and drugs. More important was the influence of a supportive group that enabled Morrison's talents to flourish. However, soon the frequent use of high doses of alcohol and drugs weakened his capacity to realize creative motivation. Conclusions: Jim Morrison is an exemplary case showing that heavy drinking and the abuse of LSD, mescaline and amphetamines damages the capacity to realize creative motivation. Jim Morrison is typical of creative personalities like Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones and Jimmy Hendrix who burn their creativity in early adulthood through alcohol and drugs. We suppose that the sacrificial ritual of their decay offers some benefits for the excited spectators. One of these is the illusion that alcohol and drugs can lead to authenticity and creativity. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In psychiatry and psychotherapy, abstract scientific principles need to be exemplified by narrative case reports to gain practical precision. Goethe was one of the most creative writers, productive scientists, and effective statesmen that ever lived. His descriptions of feelings, emotions, and mental states related to anxieties, depressive episodes, dysthymia, and creativity are unique in their phenomenological precision and richness. His life and work can thus serve as an excellent example enhancing our understanding of the relationship between anxiety, depression and creativity. Furthermore, he described (self-)therapeutic strategies that reinforce and refine modern views. Methods: Goethe's self-assessments in his works and letters, and the descriptions by others are analyzed under the perspective of current psychiatric classification. His therapeutic techniques and recommendations are compared with cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and existential psychotherapy to amplify modern concepts of psychotherapy. Results: From a scientific perspective, several distinctive depressive episodes can be diagnosed in Goethe's life. They were characterized by extended depressive moods, lack of drive, and loss of interest and self-esteem combined with social retreat. Goethe displayed diffuse and phobic anxieties as well as dysthymia. His (self-)therapeutic strategies were: (a) the systematic use of helping alliances, (b) behavioral techniques, (c) cognitive reflection on meanings and beliefs, (d) psychodynamic and psychoanalytic remembering, repeating, and working through, and (e) existential striving for self-actualization, social commitment, meaning, and creativity. Conclusions: In Goethe's life, creative incubation, illumination, and elaboration appear to have been associated with psychic instability and dysthymia, sometimes with depressive episodes in a clinical sense. On the one hand, his creative work was triggered by anxieties, dysthymia, and depressive moods. On the other hand, his creativity helped him to cope with psychic disorders and suicidal tendencies. Furthermore, Goethe described psychotherapeutic strategies that resemble modern techniques. He integrated relational, behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic, and existential techniques and attitudes. These modern psychotherapeutic approaches can be exemplified and enhanced by reflecting upon the (self-)therapeutic efforts of one of the most creative persons that have ever lived. Hermeneutics as the art of communication and understanding derived from Goethe's (self-)therapy and creative works can serve as a meta-theoretical framework for the integration of different psychotherapeutic approaches. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a detailed abundance study based on spectroscopic data obtained with HARPS of two solar-analogue main targets for the asteroseismology programme of the CoRoT satellite: HD42618 and HD43587. The atmospheric parameters and chemical composition are accurately determined through a fully differential analysis with respect to the Sun observed with the same instrumental set-up. Several sources of systematic errors largely cancel out with this approach, which allows us to narrow down the 1-σ error bars to typically 20 K in effective temperature, 0.04 dex in surface gravity, and less than 0.05 dex in the elemental abundances. Although HD42618 fulfils many requirements for being classified as a solar twin, its slight deficiency in metals and its possibly younger age indicate that, strictly speaking, it does not belong to this class of objects. On the other hand, HD43587 is slightly more massive and evolved. In addition, marked differences are found in the amount of lithium present in the photospheres of these two stars, which might reveal different mixing properties in their interiors. These results will put tight constraints on the forthcoming theoretical modelling of their solar-like oscillations and contribute to increase our knowledge of the fundamental parameters and internal structure of stars similar to our Sun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large ground-based spectroscopic and photometric programme has accompanied the asteroseismological photometric observations of the satellite CoRoT since its launch. These simultaneously complementary observations allow to better characterize the targets, identify the modes and recover many other interesting physical information. In this paper, the spectroscopic ground-based programme is described, particularly with regards of the HARPS data, and some scientific cases are presented (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new high throughput methods based on different materials with chemical modifications for protein profiling of complex mixtures leads towards biomarkers; used particularly for early diagnosis of a disease. In this work, diamond-like carbon (DLC) is developed and optimized for serum protein profiling by matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). This study is carried out in connection with a material-based approach, termed as material-enhanced laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. DLC is selected as carrier surface which provides large surface to volume ratio and offers high sensitivity. DLC has a dual role of working as MALDI target while acting as an interface for protein profiling by specifically binding peptides and proteins out of serum samples. Serum constituents are bound through immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) functionality, created through glycidyl methacrylate polymerization under ultraviolet light followed by further derivatization with iminodiacetic acid and copper ion loading. Scanning electron microscopy highlights the morphological characteristics of DLC surface. It could be demonstrated that IMAC functionalized DLC coatings represent a powerful material in trapping biomolecules for their further analysis by MALDI-MS resulting in improved sensitivity, specificity and capacity in comparison to other protein-profiling methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large viscous drag of hypersonic vehicles is a major obstacle to the successful development of vehicles for prolonged atmospheric travel at high Mach numbers. On such vehicles, this skin-friction drag can be of similar magnitude to that of the inviscid drag on the body. To improve the vehicle's performance, the net thrust of the propulsion system has to be enhanced, either by increasing the thrust force or by reducing the vehicle drag. Here, reductions in viscous drag can offer a large margin for improvement of the net thrust level. One of the methods for the reduction of supersonic skin friction is the injection of low-density gas into the boundary layer (film cooling). In a recent development, film cooling by slot injection of hydrogen was combined with its combustion within the boundary layer. Analysis and experiments indicated substantial reductions of supersonic skin-friction drag. This paper provides further evidence for substantial skin-friction reductions by presenting shock-tunnel data of direct drag measurements in a circular supersonic combustion chamber with and without pressure gradients and with and without combustion of hydrogen in the boundary layer. The measurements are compared with theories, and the influence of entropy layers and combustor size is investigated. Measurements show a reduction of viscous drag of up to 77%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About one third of patients with schizophrenia respond unsatisfactorily to antipsychotic treatment and are termed "treatment-resistant". Clozapine is still the gold standard in these cases. However, 40%-70% of patients do not improve sufficiently on clozapine either. In the search for more efficacious strategies for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, drugs with different pharmacological profiles seem to raise new hopes, but are they valid? The aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence for aripiprazole as a potential strategy in monotherapy or combination therapy for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The evidence for aripiprazole monotherapy and for the combination of aripiprazole with psychotropics other than clozapine is scant, and no recommendation can be made on the basis of the currently available data. More effort has been made in describing combinations of aripiprazole and clozapine. Most of the open-label and case studies as well as case reports have shown positive effects of this combination on overall psychopathology and to some extent on negative symptoms. Several reports describe the possibility of dose reduction for clozapine in combination with aripiprazole, a strategy that might help so-called "treatment-intolerant" patients. The findings of four randomized controlled trials with respect to changes in psychopathology seem less conclusive. The most commonly found beneficial effects are better metabolic outcomes and indicators of the possibility of reducing the clozapine dose. However, other side effects, such as akathisia, are repeatedly reported. Further, none of the studies report longer-term outcomes. In the absence of alternatives, polypharmacy is a common strategy in clinical practice. Combining aripiprazole with clozapine in clozapine-resistant or clozapine-intolerant patients seems to be worthy of further investigation from the pharmacological and clinical points of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cancer biomarker refers to a substance or process that is indicative of the presence of cancer in the body. A biomarker might be either a molecule secreted by a tumor or it can be a specific response of the body to the presence of cancer. Cancer biomarker-based diagnostics have applications for establishing disease predisposition, early detection, cancer staging, therapy selection, identifying whether or not a cancer is metastatic, therapy monitoring, assessing prognosis, and advances in the adjuvant setting. Full adoption of cancer biomarkers in the clinic has to date been slow, and only a limited number of cancer biomarker products are currently in routine use. Among proteomic technologies, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) is a technique that has allowed rapid progress in cancer biology. Different further developed methods including e.g. SELDI (surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization) and MELDI (material-enhanced laser desorption/ionization) are simple and high-throughput techniques that analyze with high sensitivity and specificity intact proteins expressed in complex biological mixtures, such as serum, urine, and tissues. The combination of mass spectrometry (MS) with infrared (IR) spectroscopic imaging is an attempt to combine different technologies in systems analytics. Both MALDI-TOF and infrared tissue imaging enable studying proteins distribution in tissue samples with a resolution down to 50 and 5μm, respectively. In this review, we summarize recent applications and the synergistic combination of these new technologies to proteomic profiling for cancer biomarker discovery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Goethe was one of the most creative poets, scientists and statesmen ever existing. Since the age of fourteen, he suffered from severe mood swings. His descriptions of feelings, emotions, and mental states related to temperamental and poetic melancholy, depressive episodes, dysthymic phases, and creativity are unique in respect to their phenomenological precision and richness. Furthermore, his (self-) therapeutic strategies and his self transformation in literature remain interesting until today for psychopathology, psychotherapy and creativity research. Methods: Goethe''s self-assessments in his works and letters as well as the description of him by others are analysed by phenomenological and hermeneutic methods from the perspective of current psychiatric classification and psychotherapeutic knowledge. Results: From a modern scientific perspective Goethe''s mood swings are not to be regarded as expressions of a “poet''s melancholy” in fashion at his time but as symptoms of depressive episodes. Several distinctive depressive episodes can be diagnosed which were characterized by long lasting depressive mood, lack of drive, interests and self-esteem combined with social retreat and physical illness. Moreover, Goethe described a mood disorder which fits into the modern concept of “driven dysthymia” or Bipolar II disorder. Goethe''s depressive moods were associated with eminent poetic creativity whereas in times of scientific and political productivity Goethe seemed to be protected against depressive episodes. Limitations: Phenomenological and hermeneutic analysis cannot offer causal explanations but only reasons for understanding and communicative action. Conclusions: In Goethe''s life poetic incubation, illumination and elaboration seemed to be associated with psychic labilisation and dysthymia, sometimes with depressive episodes in a clinical sense. Thus, creative work was on the one hand triggered by depressive and dysthymic moods and served on the other hand to cope with depressive moods as well as with suicidal tendencies. In line with modern empirical results Goethe''s scientific and social activities and achievements were associated with personal well-being, but also with lack of poetic inspiration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Titin is a large intrasarcomeric protein that, among its many roles in muscle, is thought to modulate the in vivo assembly of the myosin motor filament. This is achieved through the molecular template properties of its A-band region, which is composed of fibronectin type III (FnIII) and immunoglobulin (Ig) domains organized into characteristic 7-domain (D-zone) and 11-domain (C-zone) superrepeats. Currently, there is little knowledge on the structural details of this region of titin. Here we report the conformational characterization of three FnIII tandems, A77-A78, A80-A82, and A84-A86, which are components of the representative fourth C-zone superrepeat. The structure of A77-A78 has been elucidated by X-ray crystallography to 1.65 Å resolution, while low-resolution models of A80-A82 and A84-A86 have been calculated using small-angle X-ray scattering. A77-A78 adopts an extended “up–down” domain arrangement, where domains are connected by a hydrophilic three-residue linker sequence. The linker is embedded in a rich network of polar contacts at the domain interface that results in a stiff molecular conformation. The models of A80-A82 and A84-A86, which contain hydrophobic six-residue-long interdomain linkers, equally showed elongated molecular shapes, but with slightly coiled or zigzagged conformations. Small-angle X-ray scattering data further suggested that the long linkers do not result in a noticeable increase in molecular flexibility but lead to semibent domain arrangements. Our findings indicate that the structural characteristics of FnIII tandems from A-band titin contrast markedly with those of poly-Ig tandems from the elastic I-band, which exhibit domain interfaces depleted of interactions and compliant conformations. Furthermore, the analysis of sequence conservation in FnIII domains from A-band titin points to the existence of conformationally defined interfaces at specific superrepeat positions, possibly leading to a periodic and locally ordered architecture supporting the molecular scaffold properties of this region of titin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim Decision-support models have considerable potential for guiding management strategies when problems are complex. The robustness of such decision-making processes is rarely evaluated, and the influence of decision criteria (or factors) in management decisions is seldom considered. We present a framework for a spatially-explicit sensitivity analysis by using a scheme developed to provide objective guidelines, in the form of static priority maps, for managing woody invasive alien plants (IAPs). Location The Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. Methods The model included seven factors related to management history, fire risk, and the age, identity, density and spread of IAPs. Each factor had a weight associated that reflected its relative importance in prioritizing areas for clearing. We changed these factor weights using three approaches of sensitivity analysis and assessed the effect of these changes on the spatial structure of the resulting priority maps in three different management regions. Results Different outcomes arose depending on the importance given to different factors. Priority maps were most sensitive to the fire-related factors, suggesting that fire is both a crucial driver of invasion in fynbos and an overriding determinant of management options. The factor ‘area burnt recently’ provided crucial information for the effective clearing of IAPs. The sensitivity of the model to changes in other factors was more context specific: levels of sensitivity were highly dependent on different features of the landscape, especially the spatial heterogeneity of particular factors. Main conclusions By clarifying the importance of factors in shaping priority maps, the sensitivity analysis framework enabled us to identify the necessary factors to produce outcomes matching a pre-selected management strategy. This is important for cost-efficient management, as acquisition and curation of data is expensive. This spatially-explicit sensitivity analysis is, thus, recommended to evaluate the robustness and generality of selected management strategies, and validate the assumptions derived from decision-making protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the development and testing of a simulation model to assess the impacts of two seed-feeding biological control agents on the dispersal of an invasive perennial tree, Hakea sericea (Proteaceae), which was introduced into South Africa from Australia during the 1850s. The agents are known to reduce seed banks at the individual plant level but the population-level effects are not well understood. The aim of the study was to estimate the extent to which the biological control has reduced the population growth and rate of spread of this species. H. sericea is a serotinous species which releases its wind-dispersed seeds en masse when the parent plants are killed, usually by fire. Field data were used to develop functions describing the fecundity of the plants and the impacts of the biological control agents as well as seedling recruitment rates and density dependent mortality. A group of ‘experts’ provided estimates of the cumulative proportion of seeds that would disperse over distances from 50 to 1000m following a fire. The estimates were used to fit various long-range dispersal functions. The Weibull distribution gave the overall best fit and was used to generate parameter sets from each expert''s estimates of dispersal. Simulations were then run using a reasonable range of fire intervals and dispersal parameters for the two experts whose estimates represented the minimum and maximum dispersal distances. Biological control agents have reduced the seed loads on H. sericea plants by more than 95%. This, in turn, reduced population growth rates, maximum seed dispersal distances and the formation of new invasion foci. Population growth rates and spread rates were positively correlated because greater dispersal distances resulted in lower densities and, thus, lower levels of density dependent mortality. Numerous previous studies have found that biological control can limit population growth rates of invasive plants, but this is one of the few to have estimated the impacts on the invasion rates and to use an individual-based modelling approach to estimate population-level effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: To report 5-year follow-up results of a randomised clinical trial comparing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) with open prostatectomy (OP). Methods: One hundred twenty patients with prostates greater than 100g in weight according to transrectal ultrasound were randomised to either the HoLEP or the OP group (ie, 60 patients to each group). Preoperative and postoperative assessments included American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA-SS), maximum urinary flow rates (Qmax), and postvoid residual urine (PVRU) volumes. Measurements were performed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 mo. Postoperative outcome data were compared. All complications were recorded. Results: Five years postoperatively, a total of 46 patients (38.3%) were lost to follow-up or had to be excluded from the study. All the remaining 74 patients (42 HoLEP vs. 32 OP patients, p =0.11) had undergone the 5-yr follow-up assessments. Mean AUA-SS was 3.0 in both groups (p =0.98), mean Qmax was 24.4ml/s in both groups (p =0.97) and PVRU volume was 11ml in the HoLEP and 5ml in the OP group (p =0.25). Late complications consisted of urethral strictures and bladder-neck contractures; reoperation rates were 5% in the HoLEP and 6.7% in the OP group (p =1.0). No patient developed benign prostatic hyperplasia recurrence. Conclusions: Five years after the operation, the improvements in micturition obtained with HoLEP and OP were equally good, and reoperation rates similarly low. HoLEP seems to be a true endourological alternative to OP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sample pretreatment is the most important procedure to remove the matrix for interfacing with mass spectrometry (MS). Additionally, for the samples with low concentration, the process of preconcentration is required before MS analysis. We have newly developed a solid-phase extraction stationary phase based on C60-fullerene covalently bound to silica for purification of biomolecules of different characteristics. Silica particles of different porosity are modified with aminopropyl linker and then covalently bound to C60-fullerenoacetic acid or C60-epoxyfullerenes. The developed materials have been successfully applied as an alternative to commercially available reversed-phase materials for solid-phase extraction. C60-fullerene silica is able to retain small and hydrophilic molecules like phosphopeptides, which can be easily lost by reversed-phase sorbents. The novel materials are applied for desalting and preconcentration of proteins and peptides, especially phosphopeptides. In addition, the C60-fullerene silica is applied for the solid-phase extraction of selected flavonoids with recoveries of ∼99%. The recoveries are compared with the commercially available solid-phase extraction materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: In this study we directly compared the efficacy and tolerability of the atypical antipsychotics quetiapine and risperidone in elderly patients with dementia and symptoms of disturbed perception, thought content, mood or behaviour (behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia—BPSD). Methods: We conducted an 8-week, rater-blinded, randomised study of 72 outpatients (55–85years) with BPSD (assessed by NPI baseline score), who received flexibly-dosed quetiapine (50–400mg/day) or risperidone (0.5–2mg/day). Primary efficacy measure: Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Parts 1 and 2; secondary efficacy measures: Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Age-adjusted concentration test (AKT). Safety evaluations included the incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and adverse events (AEs). Results: Sixty-nine of 72 patients were evaluable for efficacy (72 were evaluated for safety), 4 patients discontinued (3 due to AEs: quetiapine 2, risperidone 1; 1 lost to follow-up). Sixty-five patients received quetiapine (n =34; mean dose 77±40mg/day) or risperidone (n =31; mean dose 0.9±0.3mg/day). There was no significant difference between treatments on NPI scores; within treatment groups, NPI scores decreased significantly from baseline to Week 8 (P ≤0.05 vs. baseline). Most patients (quetiapine arm 67.6%, risperidone arm 71.0%) experienced clinical improvement (CGI-Improvement scores); both agents reduced agitation (CMAI scores); and there was no cognitive impairment (MMSE and AKT scores). There were no significant differences between treatments in any safety measures, including EPS. Four patients experienced serious AEs (quetiapine arm 3; risperidone arm 1); none were considered treatment-related by the study investigator. There were no cerebrovascular AEs or deaths. Conclusions: Quetiapine or risperidone, at low doses, were equally effective and generally well tolerated (including no cognitive impairment) in the treatment of BPSD in elderly patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To evaluate the role of lasers that allow acute removal of obstructing tissue in the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A MEDLINE search over the last 6 years focused on randomized trials, large case series and review articles. A total of more than 4,000 patients were analyzed with respect to the morbidity and outcome, and the advantages and disadvantages of the various lasers. Laser treatment of BPH has evolved from coagulation to enucleation. Blood loss is significantly reduced as compared to transurethral resection and open prostatectomy. Ablative/vaporizing techniques have recently become popular again with the marketing of new high-powered 80 W potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) and 100 W holmium lasers. Vaporization immediately removes obstructing tissue, but tissue specimen cannot be obtained. KTP short-term results are promising, but long-term results and randomized trials are lacking. Postoperative volume reduction is less than with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), and the KTP laser can be used for BPH treatment only. HoLEP allows whole lobes of the prostate to be removed. Prostates of all sizes can be operated on. It is at least as safe and effective as TURP and open prostatectomy, with significantly lower morbidity, as shown by several well-designed randomized clinical trials. It provides specimen for histological evaluation. In addition, the holmium laser can be used for the endourological treatment of stones, strictures and tumors. HoLEP appears to be a size-independent new “gold standard” in the surgical treatment of BPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: At present, carbon nano-materials are being utilized in various procedures, especially in laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) for analyzing a range of analytes, which include peptides, proteins, metabolites, and polymers. Matrix-oriented LDI-MS techniques are very well established, with weak organic acids as energy-absorbing substances. Carbon materials, such as nano-tubes and fullerenes are being successfully applied in the small-mass range, where routine matrices have strong background signals. In addition, the role of carbon nano-materials is very well established in the fractionation and purification fields. Modified diamond powder and surfaces are utilized in binding peptides and proteins from complex biological fluids and analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). Polylysine-coated diamond is used for solid-phase extraction to pre-concentrate DNA oligonucleotides. Graphite is useful for desalting, pre-concentration, and as energy-absorbing material (matrix) in desorption/ionization. Carbon nano-tubes in their different derivatized forms are used as matrix materials for the analysis of a range of analytes, such as carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides, proteins, and some environmental samples by LDI-MS. Fullerenes are modified in different ways to bind serum entities analyzed through MALDI/TOF-MS and are subsequently utilized in their identifications. In addition, the fullerenes are a promising matrix in LDI-MS, but improvements are needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Evaluate the current role of lasers in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: The results of a MEDLINE search for randomised trials and case series of the last 5 yr and published review articles were analysed for the safety and efficacy of neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP), and holmium (Ho):YAG laser prostatectomy. The analysis includes 12 reports on randomised clinical trials, 2 comparative studies, 10 review articles, and a total of >5000 patients. Results: Laser treatment of BPH has evolved from coagulation to enucleation. Blood loss is significantly reduced compared with transurethral resection and open prostatectomy. Visual laser ablation of the prostate and interstitial laser coagulation cause coagulative necrosis with secondary ablation. Long postoperative catheterisation, unpredictable outcomes, and high reoperation rates have restricted the use of these techniques. Ablative/vaporising techniques have become popular again with the marketing of new high-powered 80-W KTP and 100-W Ho lasers. Vaporisation immediately removes obstructing tissue. Short-term results are promising, but large series, long-term results, and randomised trials are lacking. Holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP) allows whole lobes of the prostate to be removed, mimicking the action of the index finger in open prostatectomy. Prostates of all sizes can be operated on. It is at least as safe and effective as transurethral resection of the prostate and open prostatectomy, with significantly lower morbidity. It is the only laser procedure that provides a specimen for histologic evaluation. Conclusions: HoLEP appears to be a size-independent new “gold standard” in the surgical treatment of BPH. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biomarkers play a potential role in the early detection and diagnosis of a disease. Our aim is to derivatize carbon nanotubes for exploration of the differences in human body fluids e.g. serum, through matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation/time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF-MS) that can be related to disease and subsequently to be employed in the biomarker discovery process. This application we termed as the material enhanced laser desorption ionisation (MELDI). The versatility of this technology is meant to increase the amount of information from biological samples on the protein level, which will have a major impact to serve the cause of diagnostic markers. Serum peptides and proteins are immobilized on derivatized carbon nanotubes, which function as binding material. Protein-loaded suspension is placed on a stainless steel target or buckypaper on aluminum target for direct analysis with MALDI-MS. The elution method to wash the bound proteins from carbon nanotubes was employed to compare with the direct analysis procedure. Elution is carried out by MALDI matrix solution to get them out of the entangled nanotubes, which are difficult to desorb by laser due to the complex nanotube structures. The advantage of these optimized methods compared to the conventional screening methods is the improved sensitivity, selectivity and the short analysis time without prior albumin and immunoglobulin depletion. The comparison of similarly modified diamond and carbon nanotubes exhibit differences in their nature to bind the proteins out of serum due to the differences in their physical characteristics. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy provided hint for the presence of tertiary amine peak at the crucial chemical step of iminodiacetic acid addition to acid chloride functionality on carbon nanotubes. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was utilized to quantitatively measure the copper capacity of these derivatized carbon nanotubes which is a direct measure of capacity of this material to bind the number of proteins from serum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The bacterial actin homologue, MreB, is required for the maintenance of a rod-shaped cell and has been shown to form spirals that traverse along the longitudinal axis of Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli cells. The depletion of MreB in Caulobacter crescentus resulted in lemon-shaped cells that possessed defects in the integrity of the cell wall. MreB localization appeared as bands or spirals that encircled the cell along its entire length and switched to a mid-cell location at a time that coincided with the initiation of cell division. The formation of smaller MreB spirals or bands at the mid-cell was dependent on the presence on the cytokinetic protein, FtsZ. Penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2) also formed band-like structures perpendicular to the cell periphery that resembled, and depended upon, MreB localization. PBP2 co-immunoprecipitated with several other penicillin-binding proteins, suggesting that these proteins are in association in Caulobacter cells. We hypothesize that MreB filaments function as a cytoskeleton that serves as an organizer or tracking device for the PBP2–peptidoglycan biosynthesis complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the development of numerous synthetic routes to synthesize episulfides. Transformation of alkene into an oxygen-functionalized precursor; Occurrence of frequent polymerization of the thiiranes; Evaluation of the chemistry of atomic sulfur; Factors influencing the generation of alkene on thermolysis.

At the beginning of the twentieth century the transplantation or implantation of either human or animal testicular tissue was an appealing form of androgen therapy in hypogonadal and aging males. This article on the history of medicine discusses the work of the American urologist G. Frank Lydston from Chicago, who was a well-known and respected surgeon in the academic world and was involved in the early clinical trials of this procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molybdenum oxo complexes 1a and 1b catalyze efficiently the sulfur transfer to a series of alkenes 4 and allenes 6, for which elemental sulfur, phenylthiirane, or methylthiirane have been employed as sulfur sources to afford the corresponding episulfides 5 and 7. The most effective catalytic episulfidation system to date is the combination of the dithiophosphate-ligated oxo complex 1b and phenylthiirane (1β). This metathesis process is efficient enough to convert usually reluctant alkenes (cyclopentene, cycloheptene, Z-cyclooctene, Z-cyclononene, E-cyclodecene, norbornene, and even bicyclopropylidene) to their episulfides in good yields under mild conditions. The direct catalytic sulfuration of allenes (cyclonona-1,2-diene, cyclonona-1,2,5-triene, cyclodeca-1,2-diene, and 2,4-dimethylpenta-2,3-diene) to their labile methylenethiiranes is unprecedented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary In Caulobacter crescentus the partitioning proteins ParA and ParB operate a molecular switch that couples chromosome partitioning to cytokinesis. Homologues of these proteins have been shown to be important for the stable inheritance of F-plasmids and the prophage form of bacteriophage P1. In C. crescentus , ParB binds to sequences adjacent to the origin of replication and is required for the initiation of cell division. Additionally, ParB influences the nucleotide-bound state of ParA by acting as a nucleotide exchange factor. Here we have performed a genetic analysis of the chromosome partitioning protein ParB. We show that C. crescentus ParB, like its plasmid homologues, is composed of three domains: a carboxyl-terminal dimerization domain; a central DNA-binding, helix–turn–helix domain; and an amino-terminal domain required for the interaction with ParA. In vivo expression of amino-terminally deleted parB alleles has a dominant lethal effect resulting in the inhibition of cell division. Fluorescent in situ hybridization experiments indicate that this phenotype is not caused by a chromosome partitioning defect, but by the reversal of the amounts of ATP- versus ADP- bound ParA inside the cell. We present evidence suggesting that amino-terminally truncated and full-length, wild-type ParB form heterodimers which fail to interact with ParA, thereby reversing the intracellular ParA-ATP to ParA-ADP ratio. We hypothesize that the amino-terminus of ParB is required to regulate the nucleotide exchange of ParA which, in turn, regulates the initiation of cell division. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary In the last decade, the use of cytological techniques, together with the analysis of complete genomes, has dramatically advanced our understanding of bacterial development. Work on several well-developed model systems such as Bacillus subtilis , Caulobacter crescentus , Myxococcus xanthus and Streptomyces spp., has provided us with an in-depth understanding of processes such as sporulation, multicellular behaviour and the bacterial cell cycle. At the same time, these studies have revolutionized our view of the bacterial cell and shown it to be a highly complex entity with spatial and temporal organization. The recent American Society for Microbiology (ASM) conference on prokaryotic development demonstrated that several laboratories have now started to connect data obtained through functional genomic analysis with subcellular organization, thereby generating three-dimensional regulatory networks. This meeting report highlights new findings in the field, such as regulation of protein localization during sporulation and the cell cycle, control of cell–cell interaction and the initiation of cell division. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the direct synthesis of isothiocyanates from isonitriles with elemental sulfur. Characterization of the novel adduct between isonitrile and molybdenum complex; Episulfidation of cyclic olefins; Mechanism for the catalytic sulfur-transfer process.

PURPOSE: To evaluate frequency and risk factors of immunologic graft reactions after allogenic penetrating keratoplasty.DESIGN: Interventional comparative nonrandomized clinical trial.METHODS: The setting took place in a university eye hospital. The retrospective study included 338 patients (338 eyes). The patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty performed by a single surgeon in the study period from 1989 to 1997. Follow-up period had to be longer than 12 months (mean ± SD, 31.4 ± 18.8 months). Frequency of immunologic graft reactions characterized by relatively few small monomorph whitish cells in the anterior chamber, almost no flare, and retrocorneal cellular precipitates.RESULTS: Immunologic graft reactions were detected in 46 patients (46/338 = 13.6%). Statistically significant risk factors for the development of graft reactions were loosening of sutures (P = .046), and preoperative and postoperative corneal vascularization (P = .04). Frequency of an immunologic graft reaction was statistically independent (P > .05) of the graft diameters used in the present study, age, and gender of the patients, HLA-typing, donor age, and preservation data of the donor material. Seventy-four percent (34/46) of all graft reactions were detected within the first 2.5 years after surgery. Thirteen percent (6/46) of all graft reactions were observed more than 4 years after keratoplasty. With intensive corticosteroid treatment, graft transparency could be regained in 44 (95.6%) of the 46 patients with an immunologic graft reaction.CONCLUSIONS: Most important risk factors for immunologic graft reactions occurring in approximately 14% of patients after allogenic penetrating keratoplasty are suture loosening and preoperative and postoperative corneal vascularization. Graft diameters as used in the present study, HLA-typing, age of the donor, and preservation data of the donor material may not play a major role. More than 10% of graft reaction episodes can occur more than 4 years postgrafting. With intensive corticosteroid treatment, graft transparency can be regained in the majority of patients after an immunologic graft reaction when detected early. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]