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Diagenetic modification of carbonate depositional systems is a dominant process changing their pore systems away from primary texture and responsible for their challenging multi-modal and multi-scale behavior. It is these pore system characteristics that control dynamic behavior across many scales from plug – to log – to reservoir scale. One common diagenetic product in many Middle East reservoirs is dolomite and is invoked to be associated with improved storage and excess permeability. Despite these observations, reliable spatial models of dolomite distribution are rare, especially at field or seismic scale. This paper documents how the dolomite distribution across an outcrop in Morocco was captured and validated using high resolution 3D photogrammetry combined with hyperspectral acquisition. It suggested that these, “remote” attributes can be combined and not only provide spatial rules but also point to scenarios for reconstruction of timing and process of dolomitization.

Manufacturing of steel components is often done at high temperatures (HT) posing a serious challenge to components such as forming tools. Thermal spray coatings provide a cost-effective solution for surface protection under HT, corrosive environments and severe wear conditions. Thermally sprayed coatings based on cubic hard materials such as TiC and TiCN can provide an alternative to widely used Cr3C2-NiCr. While the latter possess a superb oxidation resistance and wear resistance at HT, they are prone to degradation in the presence of Mn, an element commonly alloyed in many modern steel grades such as TWIP (twinning-induced plasticity steel). In this study, a (Ti,Mo)(C,N)-29% Ni hardmetal feedstock powder was prepared by agglomeration and sintering. Coatings were deposited using a high velocity air-fuel (HVAF) spray process. The coating was benchmarked against a standard Cr3C2-NiCr coating obtained with the same spray process. Our work comprises analyses of the feedstock powder along with the resulting coating microstructure after deposition and heat treatment. Further, the HT sliding behavior against TWIP steel using a HT pin-on-disc tribometer at 700°C was investigated. The results showed a clear benefit of the TiCN-based coating, with almost no wear detected, while the Cr3C2-coating showed a significant wear loss. Based on these results, the TiCN-based coating is regarded as potential solution for prospective forming applications of modern high Mn steels, such as TWIP.

MOSFET gate length scaling has been a main source of progress in digital electronics for decades. Today, researchers still spend considerable efforts on reducing the gate length and on developing ultimately scaled MOSFETs, thereby exploring both new device architectures and alternative channel materials beyond Silicon such as two-dimensional TMDs (transition metal dichalcogenide s ). On the other hand, the envisaged scaling scenario for the next 15 years has undergone a significant change recently. While the 2013 ITRS edition required a continuation of aggressive gate length scaling for at least another 15 years, the 2015 edition of the ITRS suggests a deceleration and eventually a levelling off of gate length scaling and puts more emphasis on alternative options such as pitch scaling to keep Moore’s Law alive. In the present paper, future CMOS scaling is discussed in the light of emerging two-dimensional MOSFET channel, in particular two-dimensional TMDs. To this end, the scaling scenarios of the 2013 and 2015 ITRS editions are considered and the scaling potential of TMD MOSFETs is investigated by means of quantum–mechanical device simulations. It is shown that for ultimately scaled MOSFETs as required in the 2013 ITRS, the heavy carrier effective masses of the Mo- and W-based TMDs are beneficial for the suppression of direct source-drain tunneling, while to meet the significantly relaxed scaling targets of the 2016 ITRS heavy-effective-mass channels are not needed.

The etiology of depression is unknown but has been associated with dysregulation of neuronal activity at numerous loci on the limbic-cortical circuitry. The Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) is a validated rodent model of human depression with spontaneously emerging behavioral and physiological phenotype, however, the durability and robustness of the phenotypes have not been described. The objective of the current study was to evaluate longitudinal dynamics of the depressive-like symptoms in this animal model. FSL and control rats of both genders were assessed over 8 months, characterizing their performance at different time points on motor, sensorimotor and complex learning/memory based tasks. Changes over time in physiological parameters, such as corticosterone and blood glucose levels, were monitored. Regional glucose metabolism, used as a marker of neuronal activity, was assessed at different time points using F18-FDG Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Results show that certain deficits at 2-3 months--on tests such as the Elevated Plus Maze, Object Recognition, and the Forced Swim Test--were transitory and the phenotype was no longer present when re-testing at 6-7 months of age. However, a stable impairment was detected on a learning and memory task, particularly indicating dysfunction in retention of spatial information. Furthermore, at multiple time points, the PET scan indicated a significate bilateral, hypo-metabolism in the temporal lobes in the FSL rats compared to healthy controls. The data suggests possible alterations of entorhinal cortex metabolism concomitant with specific behavioral changes and supports the importance of understanding the dynamics and the time and gender dependence of the phenotypes present.

Objectives To deliver a nationwide implementation of the ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme in Brazil and to compare the outcomes with results obtained previously in Sub-Saharan Africa. Method A cohort study among 3694 Brazilian children aged 9–12 years within 128 elementary schools situated in 12 cities in the five Regions of Brazil. The ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme contains 11 90 min sessions: the first 45 min serve to encourage physical activity through the development of football skills (Play Football) and the second 45 min provide a vehicle for delivering 10 health messages (Play Fair). We measured preintervention and postintervention health knowledge (29-item questionnaire) and the children9s evaluation of the programme (6-item questionnaire). Results Mean age of the children across the five Regions was 10.6 years (range 9.2–11.6). The mean preintervention health knowledge score for the five Regions was 60.2% (range 53.8–65.3%); the mean postintervention score was 78.6% (range 70.7–86.8%); thus the mean increase in health knowledge was 18.4% (range 13.6–29.1%). 91% of the children gave a positive evaluation for the programme (range across five Regions: 82.3–96.7%). Summary The study showed that the ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme, which was originally developed in English and translated into another language, was delivered successfully with results equivalent to those previously obtained in Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme was effective across the five Regions of Brazil.

Controlled release of growth factors allows the efficient, localized, and temporally-optimized delivery of bioactive molecules to potentiate natural physiological processes. This concept has been applied to treatments for pathological states, including chronic degeneration, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. Peptide microspheres are particularly suited for this application because of their low cost, ease of manufacture, and interaction with natural remodeling processes active during healing. The present study characterizes gelatin microspheres for the entrapment and delivery of growth factors, with a focus on tailored protein affinity, loading capacity, and degradation-mediated release. Genipin crosslinking in PBS and CHES buffers produced average microsphere sizes ranging from 15 to 30 microns with population distributions ranging from about 15 to 60 microns. Microsphere formulations were chosen based on properties important for controlled transient and spatial delivery, including size, consistency, and stability. The microsphere charge affinity was found to be dependent on gelatin type, with type A (GelA) carriers consistently having a lower negative charge than equivalent type B (GelB) carriers. A higher degree of crosslinking, representative of primary amine consumption, resulted in a greater negative net charge. Gelatin type was found to be the strongest determinant of degradation, with GelA carriers degrading at higher rates versus similarly crosslinked GelB carriers. Growth factor release was shown to depend upon microsphere degradation by proteolytic enzymes, while microspheres in inert buffers showed long-term retention of growth factors. These studies illuminate fabrication and processing parameters that can be used to control spatial and temporal release of growth factors from gelatin-based microspheres.

In preclinical studies growth hormone and its primary mediator IGF-1 have shown potential to increase muscle mass and strength. A single patient with spinal muscular atrophy reported benefit after compassionate use of growth hormone. Therefore we evaluated the efficacy and safety of growth hormone treatment for spinal muscular atrophy in a multicenter, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial. Patients (n = 19) with type II/III spinal muscular atrophy were randomised to receive either somatropin (0.03 mg/kg/day) or placebo subcutaneously for 3 months, followed by a 2-month wash-out phase before 3 months of treatment with the contrary remedy. Changes in upper limb muscle strength (megascore for elbow flexion and hand-grip in Newton) were assessed by hand-held myometry as the primary measure of outcome. Secondary outcome measures included lower limb muscle strength, motor function using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale and other functional tests for motor function and pulmonary function. Somatropin treatment did not significantly affect upper limb muscle strength (point estimate mean: 0.08 N, 95% confidence interval (CI:-3.79;3.95, p = 0.965), lower limb muscle strength (point estimate mean: 2.23 N, CI:-2.19;6.63, p = 0.302) or muscle and pulmonary function. Side effects occurring during somatropin treatment corresponded with well-known side effects of growth hormone substitution in patients with growth hormone deficiency. In this pilot study, growth hormone treatment did not improve muscle strength or function in patients with spinal muscular atrophy type II/III.

SummaryIntroduction: This article is part of the Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on “Using Data from Ambient Assisted Living and Smart Homes in Electronic Health Records”.Background: Concepts of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) support a long-term health monitoring and further medical and other services for multi-morbid patients with chronic diseases. In Germany many AAL and telemedical applications exist. Synergy effects by common agreements for essential application components and standards are not achieved.Objectives: It is necessary to define a communication architecture which is based on common definitions of communication scenarios, application components and communication standards.Methods: The development of a communication architecture requires different steps. To gain a reference model for the problem area different AAL and telemedicine projects were compared and relevant data elements were generalized. The derived reference model defines standardized communication links.Results: As a result the authors present an approach towards a reference architecture for AAL-communication. The focus of the architecture lays on the communication layer. The necessary application components are identified and a communication based on standards and their extensions is highlighted.Conclusion: The exchange of patient in -dividual events supported by an event classification model, raw and aggregated data from the personal home area over a tele-medicine center to health care providers is possible.

Fragestellung: Multikinase-Inhibitoren (MKI) greifen an verschiedenen Stellen der Neovaskularisationskaskade wirkungsvoll an. Erste klinische und experimentelle Daten deuten darauf hin, dass MKIs einen vielversprechenden, neuartigen Ansatz in der Therapie der neovaskularen altersbedingten Makuladegeneration (AMD) darstellen, bisher ist jedoch wenig uber die Biokompatibilitat von MKIs in Bezug auf humane okulare Zellen bekannt. Diese In-vitro-Studie untersucht und vergleicht die Biokompatibilitat der MKIs Axitinib, Pazopanib und Sorafenib an okularen Zellen des vorderen und hinteren Augenabschnitts, sowie an organkultivierten Spenderhornhauten. Methodik: Primare humane Astrozyten aus dem Sehnervenkopf (ONHA), Trabekelmaschenwerkzellen (TMC) und retinale Pigmentepithelzellen (RPE), sowie humane korneale Endothel- und Linsenepithelzellen (CEC und LEC) wurden mit unterschiedlichen Konzentrationen von Axitinib, Pazopanib und Sorafenib (0,1–100 µg/mL) behandelt. Zur Simulation von oxidativem Stress wurden die Zellen zusatzlich mit 400 µM Wasserstoffperoxid koinkubiert. Die Induktion von Zelltod (Live-Dead-Assay), sowie die zellulare Vitalitat wurden mittels Live-Dead- und Tetrazolium-Farb-Reduktions-Assay (MTT) untersucht. Auserdem wurde der Einfluss der 3 Testsubstanzen auf das humane Hornhautendothel an seropositiven Spenderhornhauten in Organkultur mittels Phasenkontrastmikroskopie evaluiert. Ergebnisse: Bis zu einer Konzentration von 7,5 µg/mL zeigten sich bei keiner der untersuchten Substanzen und an keinem der untersuchten Zelltypen toxische Effekte. Auch nach 10 Tagen Inkubation der organkultivierten Spenderhornhaute mit 7,5 µg/mL Axitinib, Pazopanib oder Sorafenib ergab sich kein Hinweis auf endotheliale Toxizitat. Schlussfolgerung: Alle 3 untersuchten Substanzen, Axitinib, Pazopanib und Sorafenib, zeigten an den untersuchten okularen Zellen eine gute Biokompatibilitat. Auch unter den Bedingungen von oxidativem Stress kam es bis zu einer Konzentration von 7,5 µg/mL zu keinerlei toxischen Effekten. Erst bei hoheren Konzentrationen kam es zu einer dosisabhangigen Abnahme der zellularen Vitalitat und zur Induktion von Zelltod. Diese Effekte waren bei Pazopanib, gefolgt von Sorafenib, starker ausgepragt als bei Axitinib.

During the reported project work, ca. 200 different SSBR and SSBR/BR vulcanisates were produced and investigated. During compounding, for each mixture, various processing-related parameters were recorded. Afterwards, the vulcanisation behaviour was characterised by using vulcametry and the last step was to quantify the mechanical and fracture mechanical properties by selected methods. The general aim was to optimise the material properties regarding a possible application in car tires. Mainly, the type of polymer, type and content of filler as well as the surface modification of the used alternative filler TROVO®powder were varied to get a preferably balanced property level. It could be stated that the different main components of the rubber mixture (polymer, filler, coupling agent) have a large influence on the physical properties. Basing on the results, most promising combinations of polymer and filler were defined and further investigated. It was found that the silica filler can be replaced by maximal 10 phr TROVO®powder BK3 without loss in application-related properties or to get an increase in properties, respectively. From the processing-related properties, it could be concluded that due to the reduced polymer filler interaction, the processing requires less energy to get a homogeneous mixture. This can be an advantage. Further, for some application-related properties such as tear strength, an increase due to the substitution of small amounts of silica by TROVO®powder BK3 was observed. This means, TROVO®powder BK3 can contribute to an enhancement of the processing behaviour. Due to the large particle size and the low specific surface area, only small amount of polymer–filler interaction as a basis of reinforcement can be expected. However, the surface modification of TROVO®powder with silane or zinc for example is an elegant way, to transport critical substances into the mixture and distribute them very well.

Over decades, MOSFET gate length scaling has been the main source of progress in semiconductor electronics. Today, however, the motivation of the industry to continue gate length scaling is declining. On the other hand, researchers still spend considerable efforts on reducing the gate length and on developing ultimately scaled MOSFETs. To this end, both new device architectures and alternative channel materials are explored. In the present paper, the future of CMOS scaling in the light of emerging 2D channel materials is discussed.

Exhausting physical exercise and insufficient nutritional intake impairing immunological and neuro-endocrine pathways are the most discussed issues in research on overtraining syndrome (OTS). Interestingly, depletion of the total body sodium (Na(+))-content which occurs in case of various diseases with completely different aetiologies is associated with a symptom pattern strikingly comparable to overreaching (OR) and/or OTS. The transient dilution based hyponatraemia gained attention due to its impact on reduced performance and the death of various endurance athletes. But the stepwise depletion of the total body (tissue) Na(+)-content is a completely different pathophysiology and is still relatively unknown. That is because depleted tissue Na(+)-content is hard to detect. The complex, dominant mechanisms for the maintenance of plasma homeostasis are concealing the Na(+)-depletion in the tissues quite successfully in a stage when symptoms already may be prominent. Furthermore, we are all programmed to think about sedentary people who are rather at risk to have a salt (Na(+)) intake which is far too high. But either, competitive top athletes and engaged recreational athletes have high losses of electrolytes with sweat and might be prone to a stepwise Na(+)-depletion. All the more because they also try to have a balanced, health sodium reduced diet. One person of our research group who is used to a rather low sodium-nutrition repeatedly experienced OR-(short term-OTS)-symptoms when training loads of recreational sport activities were increasing. Getting aware about identical symptoms between OR and total body Na(+)-depletion in another professional context the decision for a self experiment was settled. Under a given training protocol changing symptoms under low sodium-nutrition were recorded. When OR-like symptoms became prominent the training loads were maintained but stringent Na(+)-substitution was performed instead of the usually recommended resting period. As experienced before, typical symptoms such as sleeping disorders, harassed feeling, high diuresis, thirst and increasing blood pressure developed within 2 weeks with the increased training loads and the usual low Na(+)-nutrition. This was before plasma sodium decreased below the physiological range. High Na(+)-substitution instead of a resting period enabled the recovery from OR symptoms within some days. Out of various articles we choose and report some interesting further medical phenomenon where our hypothesis of Na(+)-depletion as a trigger mechanism might give new ideas for identifying pathophysiological mechanisms. The hypothesis: Tissue Na(+)-depletion triggers OR- and OTS- development via the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system which initiate at first a stimulation and then exhaustion of the sympathetic system.

BACKGROUND Light-induced oxidative stress is an suggested reason for retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study investigates the influence of light on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis in the human RPE and potential cytoprotective effects of the tetracycline antibiotic minocycline. METHODS Primary human RPE cells were either pre- or post-incubated with minocycline and then exposed to white light or oxidative stress (600 µM, H(2)O(2)). Then viability, induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis and cell death was determined. Expression of apoptotic BAX and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and their mRNA were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS Both light exposure and oxidative stress decreased RPE cell viability and Bcl-2 expression and increased intracellular ROS, apoptotic cell death, and BAX expression. Minocycline reduced these effects under certain conditions. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that minocycline effectively protects human RPE cells against oxidative damage. However, in the light of minocycline's photosensitising properties its potential role in AMD treatment needs further evaluation.

Kumulative Lichtexposition wird fur die Entstehung der altersabhangigen Makuladegeneration (AMD) mitverantwortlich gemacht. Die Hemmung des „vascular endothelial growth factor A“ (VEGF) ist das wichtigste Ziel der aktuellen antiangiogenen Behandlungsstrategien bei AMD. In Fallberichten konnte die Wirksamkeit des Multikinaseinhibitors Sorafenib bei Patienten mit exsudativer AMD gezeigt werden. Diese Studie untersucht die Wirkung von Sorafenib auf die Expression der VEGF-Rezeptoren 1 und 2 (VEGFR-1/2) und die lichtinduzierte Expressionszunahme von VEGF in humanen retinalen Pigmentepithelzellen (RPE-Zellen). Der Effekt von Sorafenib auf die Expression von VEGFR-1 und -2 in primaren humanen RPE-Zellen wurde auf zellularer Ebene mittels RT-CR, Immunhistochemie und Westernblot untersucht. Zusatzlich wurden die RPE-Zellen mit rein weisem Licht bestrahlt und mit Sorafenib behandelt. Dann wurden die Vitalitat der RPE-Zellen und die Expression von VEGF auf zellularer Ebene bestimmt (Real-Time-PCR, Westernblot, Immunhistochemie, ELISA). Sorafenib reduziert die VEGFR-1/2-Expression von humanen RPE-Zellen. Die Bestrahlung der RPE-Zellen mit weisem Licht fuhrt zu einer Abnahme der Vitalitat und zur Induktion von VEGF. Diese lichtinduzierten Effekte werden signifikant reduziert, wenn Zellen mit Sorafenib (1 µg/ml) behandelt werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigen, dass der Multikinaseinhibitor Sorafenib vielversprechende Eigenschaften fur eine mogliche Anwendung bei exudativer AMD aufweist.

Scaling effects on the gate capacitance of trigate MOS field-effect transistors are studied by means of analytical models and numerical self-consistent solutions of the 2-D Schrodinger and Poisson equations. Special attention is paid to the quantum capacitance, which is related to the density of states. We show that, although the quantum capacitance strongly decreases when the channel dimensions are scaled, the gate capacitance is not reduced relative to the oxide capacitance in trigate MOS structures. This is due to the fact that both the oxide capacitance and the quantum capacitance scale with the channel cross section. From Schrodinger-Poisson simulations, we actually observe a relative increase in the gate capacitance when the silicon cross section is scaled below 7 nm × 7 nm, whereas the opposite trend is obtained from classical calculations. We relate this mainly to the differences between quantum-mechanical and classical electron distributions in real space. Quantization effects on the quantum capacitance are found to have less effect on the gate capacitance except for very small silicon cross sections in the order of 2 nm × 2 nm.

Zusammenfassung Die Bezeichnung Pseudohypoparathyreoidismus (PHP) beschreibt eine heterogene Gruppe von Erkrankungen, die durch eine Endorganresistenz gegenüber Parathormon (PTH) gekennzeichnet sind. Sie werden durch eine Defizienz der α-Untereinheit stimulierender G-Proteine (Gsα) verursacht. Gsα ist essenziell für die Signalvermittlung durch extrazelluläre Liganden über mehr als 1000 verschiedene G-Protein-gekoppelte Rezeptoren in das Zellinnere. Durch eine gewebespezifische Prägung verursachen maternale, autosomal-dominant vererbte Mutationen in dem für Gsα kodierenden GNAS-Genlocus PTH-Resistenz und klinische Zeichen der hereditären Albright-Osteodystrophie (AHO), einschließlich Brachymetakarpie, Kleinwuchs, subkutaner Ossifikationen und mentaler Retardierung (PHP-Typ Ia). Paternal vererbte GNAS-Mutationen führen zu selektiven AHO-Zeichen ohne Parathormonresistenz (Pseudo-PHP). Der PHP-Typ Ib, bei dem eine isolierte PTH-Resistenz vorliegt, wird durch heterozygote, maternal vererbte Deletionen stromaufwärts vom oder innerhalb des GNAS-Locus hervorgerufen, die durch eine Störung des Imprintingmusters eine gewebespezifische Stilllegung der Gsα-Expression hervorrufen. Diese Patienten zeigen in der Regel keine Zeichen der AHO. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein Überblick über die Rolle epigenetischer Faktoren bei der Ätiopathogenese verschiedener PHP-Formen gegeben.

The application of a novel wire-mesh sensor based on electrical capacitance (permittivity) measurements for the investigation of gas–oil two-phase flow in a vertical pipe of 67 mm diameter under industrial operating conditions is reported in this article. The wire-mesh sensor employed can be operated at up to 5000 frames per second acquisition speed and at a spatial resolution of 2.8 mm. By varying the gas and liquid flow rates, different flow patterns, such as bubbly, slug and churn flow, were produced and investigated. From the images of gas void fraction distribution, quantitative flow structure information, such as time series of cross-sectional void fraction, radial void fraction profiles and bubble size distributions, was extracted by special image-processing algorithms.

A wire-mesh sensor has been employed to study air/water and air/silicone oil two-phase flow in a vertical pipe of 67 mm diameter and 6 m length. The sensor was operated with a conductivity-measuring electronics for air/water flow and a permittivity-measuring one for air/silicone oil flow. The experimental setup enabled a direct comparison of both two-phase flow types for the given pipe geometry and volumetric flow rates of the flow constituents. The data have been interrogated at a number of levels. The time series of cross-sectionally averaged void fraction was used to determine characteristics in amplitude and frequency space. In a more three-dimensional examination, radial gas volume fraction profiles and bubble size distributions were processed from the wire-mesh sensor data and compared for both flow types. Information from time series and bubble size distribution data was used to identify flow patterns for each of the flow rates studied.

Zusammenfassung In diesem Beitrag werden zwei neuartige bildgebende Sensoren zur Untersuchung von Mehrphasenströmungen beschrieben – der kapazitive Gittersensor und der kapazitive Flächensensor. Beide Sensoren basieren auf einer matrixförmigen Anordnung von Messelementen, mit denen die elektrische Kapazität eines umgebenden Fluides sehr schnell abgetastet wird. Dadurch sind diese Sensoren in der Lage, zeitlich und räumlich hochaufgelöste Bilder der Phasenverteilung einer Mehrphasenströmung zu erzeugen. Die Sensoren und die zugehörige Messelektronik werden präsentiert. Darüber hinaus werden ausgewählte Ergebnisse von Strömungsvisualisierungen dargestellt und diskutiert.