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We present a proof-of-principle study demonstrating x-ray Raman Spectroscopy (XRS) from carbon samples at ambient conditions in conjunction with other common diagnostics to study warm dense matter, performed at the high energy density scientific instrument of the European x-ray Free Electron Laser (European XFEL). We obtain sufficient spectral resolution to identify the local structure and chemical bonding of diamond and graphite samples, using highly annealed pyrolytic graphite spectrometers. Due to the high crystal reflectivity and XFEL brightness, we obtain signal strengths that will enable accurate XRS measurements in upcoming pump–probe experiments with a high repetition-rate, where the samples will be pumped with high-power lasers. Molecular dynamics simulations based on density functional theory together with XRS simulations demonstrate the potential of this technique and show predictions for high-energy-density conditions. Our setup allows simultaneous implementation of several different diagnostic methods to reduce ambiguities in the analysis of the experimental results, which, for warm dense matter, often relies on simplifying model assumptions. The promising capabilities demonstrated here provide unprecedented insights into chemical and structural dynamics in warm dense matter states of light elements, including conditions similar to the interiors of planets, low-mass stars, and other celestial bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insulator–metal transition in liquid hydrogen is an important phenomenon to understand the interiors of gas giants, such as Jupiter and Saturn, as well as the physical and chemical behavior of materials at high pressures and temperatures. Here, the path toward an experimental approach is detailed based on spectrally resolved x-ray scattering, tailored to observe and characterize hydrogen metallization in dynamically compressed hydrocarbons in the regime of carbon–hydrogen phase separation. With the help of time-dependent density functional theory calculations and scattering spectra from undriven carbon samples collected at the European x-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility (EuXFEL), we demonstrate sufficient data quality for observing C–H demixing and investigating the presence of liquid metallic hydrogen in future experiments using the reprated drive laser systems at EuXFEL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding oats alone before or after feeding chopped alfalfa or, in admixture with the alfalfa on the glycaemic and insulinaemic responses of horses as well as post-prandial breath hydrogen and methane excretion. Horses were fed in a randomized order, chopped alfalfa as a source of dietary fibre and unprocessed oats as a source of starch. Chopped alfalfa intake was adjusted to a crude fibre intake of 0.5 g/kg bodyweight (BW) per meal and the oats intake was adjusted to a starch intake of 2 g/kg BW per meal. The feeds were offered in three different ways: (i) alfalfa followed by oats (A/O), (ii) oats followed by alfalfa (O/A) or (iii) a mixture of alfalfa and oats (A + O). Oats alone were used as a control. Blood and breath were collected after the test meal was fed at the end of a 11.5-h overnight fast following a 10-day acclimatization period. The highest glycaemic and insulinaemic responses were measured when the A/O and O/A diets orders were fed, whereas most hydrogen was produced after feeding oats alone. It was concluded that adding alfalfa chaff to a meal of oats prolonged the pre-caecal digestion of starch, but there was no evidence for any effect on pre-caecal starch digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the order Mucorales (Zygomycetes), the facultative parasites Parasitella parasitica, Chaetocladium brefeldii, Chaetocladium jonesii and Absidia parricida are known to initiate biotrophic fusion parasitic interactions on a wide variety of other mucoralean hosts. Their phylogenetic relationship within the Mucorales and their ability to form parasitic structures with several known host species was examined. Together with interspecific reactions between the mycoparasites, this study found: (i) no evident differences in the spectrum of non-parasitic hosts tested within the study; (ii) A. parricida parasitises all other fusion parasites; (iii) A. parricida is ancestral to all other parasites; (iv) A. parricida is reported for the first time as phylogenetically basal to all other mucoralean fungi except the Umbelopsidaceae and (v) based on phylogenetic analyses and physiological and morphological characteristics, the slow-growing species A. parricida and Absidia zychae are removed from the genus Absidia and reclassified in the newly described genus Lentamyces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown is an early event in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In a previous study we have found a direct stabilization of barrier characteristics after treatment of bovine brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) with human recombinant interferon-β-1a (IFN-β-1a) in an in vitro BBB model. In the present study we examined the effect of human recombinant IFN-β-1a on the barrier properties of BCECs derived from four different species including humans to predict treatment efficacy of IFN-β-1a in MS patients. Methods We used primary bovine and porcine BCECs, as well as human and murine BCEC cell lines. We investigated the influence of human recombinant IFN-β-1a on the paracellular permeability for 3H-inulin and 14C-sucrose across monolayers of bovine, human, and murine BCECs. In addition, the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) was determined in in vitro systems applying porcine and murine BCECS. Results We found a stabilizing effect on the barrier characteristics of BCECs after pretreatment with IFN-β-1a in all applied in vitro models: addition of IFN-β-1a resulted in a significant decrease of the paracellular permeability across monolayers of human, bovine, and murine BCECs. Furthermore, the TEER was significantly increased after pretreatment of porcine and murine BCECs with IFN-β-1a. Conclusion Our data suggest that BBB stabilization by IFN-β-1a may contribute to its beneficial effects in the treatment of MS. A human in vitro BBB model might be useful as bioassay for testing the treatment efficacy of drugs in MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four horses were randomly fed a diet containing rolled, micronised or extruded barley; the barley intake was adjusted to supply 2 g starch/kg bodyweight per day. During a 10-day acclimatisation period the horses were also fed 1 kg grass hay/100 kg bodyweight per day. Samples of blood and breath were collected at the end of each period after the test meal of barley had been fed after a 12-hour overnight fast. The glycaemic and insulinaemic responses of the horses were measured as an indication of the pre-caecal digestibility of starch, and postprandial breath hydrogen and methane were measured to detect microbial fermentation of starch. The highest peak serum glucose and serum insulin concentrations were observed after feeding the extruded barley, lower concentrations were observed after feeding the micronised barley and the lowest concentrations were observed after feeding the rolled barley. Breath hydrogen increased within four hours of feeding all the barley diets, and the mean (sd) peak hydrogen concentrations were 98~3 (55.2) ppm for rolled barley, 59.3 (31.5) ppm for micronised barley and 96.1 (51.9) ppm for extruded barley. There were wide variations within individual horses but these concentrations were not significantly different. Breath methane concentrations were very variable and, although there were no significant differences, there was a trend for higher methane concentrations after the feeding of rolled barley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a contagious lung tumour of sheep caused by Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). The disease is a particular problem in flocks in many parts of the world. The aim of the study was to assess screening methods for individual animals as a prelude to future eradication trials. Results of histological examination were used as the standard to evaluate the relative sensitivity and specificity of an established heminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for JSRV proviral DNA from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples. PCR results from tissue samples are included as control data. PCR testing of blood samples was found to have an estimated sensitivity of only 10% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3–20) while the sensitivity of the PCR test on BAL samples was 89% (CI 79–96) in comparison to the results of histological examination. We conclude that PCR testing of BAL samples is an effective confirmatory test for sheep with suspected clinical OPA. It is also a useful tool for the pre-clinical identification of individual infected sheep within an infected flock and therefore may prove beneficial in future control or eradication programmes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The principles of maedi-visna eradication programmes were applied to a field trial for the eradication of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA). In two maternal flocks the prevalence of gross and histological lesions in slaughtered animals was 18.3 per cent and 29.8 per cent, respectively. The lambing period was supervised for three consecutive years from 1999 to 2001, during which the lambs were taken away from their mothers at birth, deprived of maternal colostrum, and hand-reared away from other sheep. Over the three-year period, 322 hand-reared animals, mainly male lambs between 10 and 14 months old, were slaughtered; their lungs were examined grossly, 52.5 per cent of them were examined histologically, and 105 samples of caudal mediastinal lymph nodes were examined by PCR. NO OPA tumours were detected in the slaughter specimens from the derived flock, but one lamb had histological lesions in one lung location; intrauterine transmission was ruled out in this case. No clinical OPA has subsequently been observed in the hand-reared flock. Bronchoalveolar lavage samples from the breeding stock were examined by PCR in order to rule out further subclinical cases of OPA. NO Jaagsiekte retrovirus was detected in any of the 488 samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the specificity of polymerase chain reaction primers to the rape seed pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans. Differentiation of DNA bands between isolates; Determination of group-specificity pathogenicity; Use of chemical and dideoxynucleotide chain termination methods.

From the concept of generalized condensation [M. Van den Berg, J. T. Lewis, and J. V. Pulè, Helv. Phys. Acta 59, 1271 (1986)] it is known that two critical densities ρc and ρm exist for a free boson gas. Density ρc is the classical one and ρm is the critical density below which there can be no macroscopic occupation of ground state. A free boson gas is studied in a weak external potential which behaves asymptotically like |x1|α1+|x2|α2+··· +|xd|αd near the origin. It is shown that there are only two possibilities to get ρc<ρm<∞, namely, α1=α2=∞ and d≥3 (this corresponds to Dirichlet boundary conditions), and α1=2 and d≥2 (i.e., a harmonic oscillator). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sb/Sb 2 O 3 formation is an interplay between Sb ECD and precipitation of Sb 2 O 3. • Local pH shifts causing the precipitation of Sb 2 O 3 are monitored for the first time. • Critical deposition conditions and the Sb nucleation mechanism are determined. • ECD rate, pH shift and Sb 2 O 3 layer are responsible Sb/Sb 2 O 3 composite properties. • A model for the formation mechanism of Sb/Sb 2 O 3 composites is proposed. Antimony (Sb) and antimony oxide have (Sb 2 O 3) gained attention in research and industry in recent years because of their potential use in secondary batteries and as materials for sensor applications. As shown in recent studies, Sb/Sb 2 O 3 composites with a variety of nanostructures and compositions can be manufactured by a straightforward electrochemical deposition process. In the present work the formation mechanism of Sb/Sb 2 O 3 composites is investigated by means of electrochemical and chemical methods combined with electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. A local pH shift, caused by the electrodeposition of Sb and leading to the co-deposition of Sb 2 O 3 , is verified experimentally for the first time. The Sb nucleation mechanism is investigated by fast transient measurements. The formation of Sb 2 O 3 is examined by titration with KOH. Based on the results, a nucleation and growth model is proposed that explains the development of different Sb/Sb 2 O 3 structures and compositions depending on the applied electrochemical process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Multiple anthelmintic resistance in small ruminant nematodes is widespread in some overseas and tropical countries but is a relatively new problem in Europe. A population of Trichostrongylus spp. 100% resistant to ivermectin and albendazole and partially resistant to levamisole was identified in a Dorper sheep flock in Southern Germany using a faecal egg count reduction test and larval cultures. This is the first reported case of triple anthelmintic resistance in small ruminant gastrointestinal nematodes in Germany. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Harmful alcohol consumption in Germany is a serious public health problem: About 7.7 million adults in Germany can be classified as risky alcohol consumers, about 74,000 deaths per year are related to alcohol consumption, and about 1.8 million adults in Germany (18–64 years) are classified as alcohol dependent. A treatment rate of 9% of all alcohol dependent patients in Germany implies a lack of supply and misuse of medical care. The aim of the study was to examine whether family practitioners (FPs) and psychiatrists have sufficient skills to diagnose and treat patients with alcohol problems. Methods: A total of 6324 FPs and psychiatrists in the states of Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany were invited to participate in this survey. Nine hundred seventy-four participants (90.3%/FPs) could be included in the statistical analysis (response rate: 14.3%/FPs, 21.6%/psychiatrists). Data was analysed descriptively and logistical regressions were used to identify predictors for physicians' ability to feel adequately trained to diagnose and treat patients with alcohol problems. Results: In comparison to psychiatrists, less FPs reported feeling sufficiently trained to counsel patients with alcohol problems (81.5% vs. 44.8%). Regression analysis revealed that FPs who felt not adequately trained had less experience with patients with alcohol dependence (OR 7.4), had attended fewer hours on alcohol addiction in continuing medical education (OR 4.8), and were more likely to be female (OR 1.9). A minimum of 10 h of training was associated with improved self-assessed competence. Conclusion: Harmful drinking is a serious public health problem, and patients with alcohol dependence represent a large and demanding patient group in primary health care setting. Our study shows that the lack of training is a severe barrier in the work with this patient group in the primary care setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic computation of statistical moments and related quantities, such as the mean, variance, skewness and kurtosis, is performed with simple neural networks. The computed quantities can be used to estimate the parameters of input data probability distributions, gauge the normality of data, add useful features to the inputs, preprocess data and for other applications. Such neural networks can be embedded in larger ones that perform signal processing or pattern recognition tasks. Convergence to the correct values is demonstrated with experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic computation of statistical moments and related quantities, such as the mean, variance, skewness and kurtosis, is performed with simple neural networks. The computed quantities can be used to estimate the parameters of input data probability distributions, gauge the normality of data, add useful features to the inputs, preprocess data and for other applications. Such neural networks can be embedded in larger ones that perform signal processing or pattern recognition tasks. Convergence to the correct values is demonstrated with experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a male yearling forest reindeer (R tarandus fennicus), submitted dead for postmortem examination. It notes the findings of the postmortem, microbiological and histological examination of the deer, including the isolation of Clostridium noyvi from its cellular morphology. It mentions that Clostridium noyvi is widely distributed in soil and causes black disease. It concludes that the deer was incompletely vaccinated and highly susceptible to black disease.

Background: Patients regard health care professionals as role models for leading a healthy lifestyle. Health care professionals' own behaviour and attitudes concerning healthy lifestyle have an influence in counselling patients. The aim of this study was to assess consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and illegal substances among physicians and medical students in two German states: Brandenburg and Saxony.Methods: Socio-demographic data and individual risk behaviour was collected by an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Physicians were approached via mail and students were recruited during tutorials or lectures.Results: 41.6% of physicians and 60.9% of medical students responded to the questionnaire; more than 50% of the respondents in both groups were females. The majority of respondents consumed alcohol at least once per week; median daily alcohol consumption ranged from 3.88 g/d (female medical students) to 12.6 g/d (male physicians). A significantly higher percentage of men (p < 0.05) reported hazardous or harmful drinking compared to women. A quarter of all participating physicians and one third of all students indicated unhealthy alcohol-drinking behaviour. The majority of physicians (85.7%) and medical students (78.5%) were non-smokers. Both groups contained significantly more female non-smokers (p < 0.05). Use of illegal substances was considerably lower in physicians (5.1%) than medical students (33.0%). Male students indicated a significantly (p < 0.001) higher level of illegal drug-use compared to female students.Conclusion: More than one third of the medical students and health care professionals showed problematic alcohol-drinking behaviour. Although the proportion of non-smokers in the investigated sample was higher than in the general population, when compared to the general population, medical students between 18-24 reported higher consumption of illegal substances.These results indicate that methods for educating and promoting healthy lifestyle, particularly with respect to excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use and abuse of illegal drugs should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lambs born prematurely are often unable to breathe due to pulmonary immaturity and a lack of surfactant production. Attempts to deliver live, moderately preterm lambs from critically ill ewes in late pregnancy are therefore often unsuccessful. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of repeated administration of dexamethasone (DEXA) to final-stage pregnant ewes on subsequent perinatal lamb survival and respiratory and metabolic disorders associated with neonatal asphyxia. Two different treatment protocols with dexamethasone were used to induce parturition on days 137 and 138 of pregnancy (full term 149 days). In group LTP (long-term protocol, n = 12) low doses of dexamethasone were administered repeatedly starting with 2 mg once daily on days 130–133, followed by a single dose of 4 mg on day 134. For the final induction of parturition 16 mg of the drug were administered on day 135 and this dose was then repeated every 12 h until lambing. In group STP (short-term protocol) 15 ewes received 16 mg DEXA on day 135, followed by the same dose every 12 h until lambing. The vitality and laboratory parameters of the lambs born to these dams were compared to lambs delivered by caesarean section (group CS) on day 147 or 148 of gestation whose dams ( n = 23) had received a single injection of 10 mg dexamethasone 12 h prior to surgery, and to lambs born naturally to 19 ewes at full term (group FT) after an average of 149 days of gestation. Lambs from groups LTP and STP were born between day 137 and 139 of gestation, showing characteristics of immaturity. Of 18 lambs in group LTP, 16 survived without critical care (88.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 67.2–96.9%). Group STP comprised 24 lambs, 18 of which survived without critical care (75%; 95% CI = 55.1–88.0%). Out of 39 lambs in group CS, 37 survived (94.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 83.1–98.6%), and 27 of the 28 lambs in group FT, respectively (96.4%; 95% CI = 82.3–99.4%). There was no statistically significant difference in the survival rates between the four groups. In all four groups there was a significant increase of pH, BE and HCO 3− values within the first 24 h post natum, and a significant decrease in p CO 2(v) values. Compared to previous studies which indicated high mortality rates in moderately preterm lambs the results indicate that repeated exogenous administration of DEXA has a positive effect on the survival rates of lambs born after induced parturition at around 92% of the full pregnancy term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyse the puerperal development of ewes referred to a veterinary teaching hospital following caesarean section in comparison with assisted parturition. Laparotomy was performed either via left flank incision (group 1, n=86) or ventral mid-line approach (group 2, n=33). Both groups were compared with ewes following non-surgical intervention (group 3, n=73). The overall fetal death rate was 41 per cent. There was no significant difference in fetal deaths between groups 1 and 2, but assisted delivery led to a higher number of liveborn lambs compared with caesarean section (P<0.05). Seven ewes (3.6 per cent) died or were euthanased on welfare grounds during caesarean surgery, and the overall maternal mortality rate following dystocia in the postpartum period was 10.9 per cent. While there was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2 in the percentage of ewes developing healing disorders, the complications that occurred were more severe after the left flank approach (P=0.04), and the mean hospitalisation period was significantly longer in group 1 than in group 2 (P<0.05), leading to the conclusion that ventral mid-line laparotomy has some advantages over a left flank approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prevalence and incidence of food hypersensitivity (FHS) and its trends in early childhood are unclear. Methods: A birth cohort born on the Isle of Wight (UK) between 2001 and 2002 was followed-up prospectively. Children were clinically examined and skin prick tested at set times and invited for food challenges when indicated. Results: Nine hundred and sixty-nine children were recruited and 92.9%, 88.5% and 91.9% of them respectively were assessed at 1, 2 and 3 years of age. Prevalence of sensitization to foods was 2.2%, 3.8% and 4.5% respectively at these ages. Cumulatively, 5.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.9–7.1] children were sensitized to a food. Using open food challenge and a good clinical history, the cumulative incidence of FHS was 6.0% (58/969, 95% CI: 4.6–7.7). Based on double-blinded, placebo-controlled, food challenge (DBPCFC) and a good clinical history, the cumulative incidence was 5.0% (48/969, 95% CI: 3.7–6.5). There is no evidence to suggest that the incidence of FHS has increased, comparing these results with previous studies. Overall, 33.7% of parents reported a food-related problem and of these, 16.1% were diagnosed with FHS by open challenge and history and 12.9% by DBPCFC and history. Main foods implicated were milk, egg and peanut. Conclusions: By the age of 3 years, 5–6% of children suffer from FHS based on food challenges and a good clinical history. There were large discrepancies between reported and diagnosed FHS. Comparing our data with a study performed in the USA more than 20 years ago, there were no significant differences in the cumulative incidence of FHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Correct diagnosis of food hypersensitivity (FHS) is important to ensure appropriate patient care and to accurately establish the population prevalence and incidence. Food challenges play a very important role in the diagnosis of FHS, but it is unclear when open food challenges (OFCs) opposed to double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFCs) should be used. This study investigated the use of OFCs and DBPCFCs when diagnosing FHS. METHODS: Children with a reported history of FHS or with sensitization to a food without known previous consumption were invited to undergo food challenges. Children of consenting parents underwent an OFC and those with a positive OFC were approached to undergo a DBPCFC. Food challenges were either performed as 1-day or 1-week challenges depending on sensitization status and clinical history. RESULTS: Forty-one children underwent both OFCs and DBPCFCs. The positive predictive values for 1-day and 1-week OFCs were 73% (8/11; 95% CI: 39-94%) and 57% (20/35; 95% CI: 39-74%) respectively. There was no evidence to indicate that the younger children were more likely to have a positive OFC confirmed by a DBPCFC compared to older children (Fisher's exact P = 0.53). In the 1-day challenges parents indicated a preference for OFC rather than DBPCFC. By contrast, in the 1-week challenge parents indicated a preference for DBPCFC (P = 0.0192). CONCLUSION: Open food challenge may be suitable for diagnosing immediate objective symptoms, whereas DBPCFC may be needed for the diagnosis of delayed and mainly subjective symptoms, irrespective of the child's age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Correct diagnosis of food hypersensitivity (FHS) is important to ensure appropriate patient care and to accurately establish the population prevalence and incidence. Food challenges play a very important role in the diagnosis of FHS, but it is unclear when open food challenges (OFCs) opposed to double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFCs) should be used. This study investigated the use of OFCs and DBPCFCs when diagnosing FHS. Methods Children with a reported history of FHS or with sensitization to a food without known previous consumption were invited to undergo food challenges. Children of consenting parents underwent an OFC and those with a positive OFC were approached to undergo a DBPCFC. Food challenges were either performed as 1-day or 1-week challenges depending on sensitization status and clinical history. Results Forty-one children underwent both OFCs and DBPCFCs. The positive predictive values for 1-day and 1-week OFCs were 73% (8/11; 95% CI: 39–94%) and 57% (20/35; 95% CI: 39–74%) respectively. There was no evidence to indicate that the younger children were more likely to have a positive OFC confirmed by a DBPCFC compared to older children (Fisher’s exact P = 0.53). In the 1-day challenges parents indicated a preference for OFC rather than DBPCFC. By contrast, in the 1-week challenge parents indicated a preference for DBPCFC ( P = 0.0192). Conclusion Open food challenge may be suitable for diagnosing immediate objective symptoms, whereas DBPCFC may be needed for the diagnosis of delayed and mainly subjective symptoms, irrespective of the child’s age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effects of bi-directional gap junction coupling of two model neurons with subthreshold oscillations have been examined when the individual neurons are operating at different dynamical states either in the tonic or bursting firing mode. Our simulations indicate that intermediate coupling strengths mostly lead to highly variable, often chaotic impulse patterns whereas transition to completely synchronized activity at high coupling strengths is generally going along with transitions to regular limit cycle activity. The synchronized activity pattern, however, can be completely different from the original pattern of the uncoupled neurons. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present structure and equation of state (EOS) measurements of biaxially orientated polyethylene terephthalate (PET, (C 10 H 8 O 4) n , also called mylar) shock-compressed to ( 155 ± 20 ) GPa and ( 6000 ± 1000 ) K using in situ X-ray diffraction, Doppler velocimetry, and optical pyrometry. Comparing to density functional theory molecular dynamics (DFT-MD) simulations, we find a highly correlated liquid at conditions differing from predictions by some equations of state tables, which underlines the influence of complex chemical interactions in this regime. EOS calculations from ab initio DFT-MD simulations and shock Hugoniot measurements of density, pressure and temperature confirm the discrepancy to these tables and present an experimentally benchmarked correction to the description of PET as an exemplary material to represent the mixture of light elements at planetary interior conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is attacked by many parasitic fungi which often occur in mixed infections. Monitoring of these phytopathogens by morphological criteria is restricted due to their appearance especially in the later stages of disease development. We have developed molecular markers for a clear-cut differentiation of a variety of rape seed pathogenic fungi based on randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Twenty polymorphic fragments have been selected in Southern hybridization experiments to test their taxon-specificity. in summary, only four amplification products gave unspecific cross-hybridization patterns, one fragment corresponds to a genetic element common to three species within the genus Alternaria, and 15 RAPD markers were highly specific for distinct fungal species. This report demonstrates the value of the RAPD-PCR technique to amplify taxon-specific DNA fragments that can be used as hybridization probes for the diagnosis of a variety of rape seed pathogens (Alternaria brassicae, A. brassicicola, A. raphani; Cylindrosporium concentricum; Fusarium moniliforme; Phoma ligam; Phythium sp.; Rhizoctonia solani; Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; Verticillium dahliae, V. latericium) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drunken lamb syndrome (DLS) has recently been described as lamb D-lactic acidosis syndrome (LDLAS). In 2012, 18 lambs aged between 7 days and 28 days with LDLAS were identified. Biochemically, each lamb had a metabolic acidosis characterised by D-lactic acidosis and exhibited clinical signs including: not hyperthermic, no evidence of dehydration, demonstrating an ataxic gait tending to recumbency (DLS) and possibly somnolence. These lambs received 50 mmol of sodium bicarbonate as an 8.4 per cent solution given orally, together with parenteral long-acting amoxicillin. All 18 cases made a full clinical recovery. This study demonstrates a novel effective treatment for a disease that is usually fatal, and also demonstrates a strong correlation between venous plasma bicarbonate concentrations and venous plasma D-lactate concentrations (R2=0.49). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucor species are common soil fungi but also known as agents of human infections (mucormycosis) and used in food production and biotechnology. Mucor circinelloides is the Mucor species that is most frequently isolated from clinical sources. The taxonomy of Mucor circinelloides and its close relatives (Mucor circinelloides complex - MCC) is still based on morphology and mating behaviour. The aim of the present study was a revised taxonomy of the MCC using a polyphasic approach. Using a set of 100 strains molecular phylogenetic analysis of five markers (ITS, rpb1, tsr1, mcm7, and cfs, introduced here) were performed, combined with phenotypic studies, mating tests and the determination of the maximum growth temperatures. The multi-locus analyses revealed 16 phylogenetic species of which 14 showed distinct phenotypical traits and were recognised as discrete species. Five of these species are introduced as novel taxa: M. amethystinus sp. nov., M. atramentarius sp. nov., M. variicolumellatus sp. nov., M. pseudocircinelloides sp. nov., and M. pseudolusitanicus sp. nov. The former formae of M. circinelloides represent one or two separate species. In the MCC, the simple presence of well-shaped zygospores only indicates a close relation of both strains, but not necessarily conspecificity. Seven species of the MCC have been implemented in human infection: M. circinelloides, M. griseocyanus, M. janssenii, M. lusitanicus, M. ramosissimus, M. variicolumellatus, and M. velutinosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have illuminated a thin-film superconducting Al lumped-element microwave resonator with 780 nm light and observed the resonator quality factor and resonance frequency as a function of illumination and microwave power in the 20 to 300 mK temperature range. The optically induced microwave loss increases with increasing illumination but decreases with increasing microwave power. Although this behavior may suggest the presence of optically activated two-level systems, we find that the loss is better explained by the presence of nonequilibrium quasiparticles generated by the illumination and excited by the microwave drive. We model the system by assuming that the illumination creates an effective source of phonons with energy higher than double the superconducting gap and solve the coupled quasiparticle-phonon rate equations. We fit the simulation results to our measurements and find good agreement with the observed dependence of the resonator quality factor and frequency shift on temperature, microwave power, and optical illumination. Examination of the model reveals approaches to reducing optically induced loss and improving the relaxation time of superconducting quantum devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced modulation formats such as phase-coded modulation require the deployment of more complex receiver configurations. Waveguide-integrated silicon-on-insulator boards provide versatile optical functions for compact differential phase shift keying and quaternary phase shift keying receivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This article investigated the prevalence of peanut allergy in three cohorts of children born in the same geographical location, Isle of Wight, UK and seeks to determine whether the prevalence of peanut allergy has changed between 1994 and 2004. Methods: Three cohorts of children (age 3–4 years) born on the Isle of Wight, were assessed for peanut allergy and the outcomes compared: Cohort A: Born in 1989; reviewed at 4 years of age ( n = 2181). Cohort B: Born between 1994 and 1996; reviewed between 3 and 4 years of age ( n = 1273). Cohort C: Born between 2001 and 2002; reviewed at 3 years of age ( n = 891). Results: Peanut sensitization increased significantly from 1.3% in Cohort A to 3.3% ( P = 0.003) in Cohort B before falling back to 2.0% in Cohort C ( P = 0.145). Similarly, clinical peanut allergy increased significantly from 0.5% in Cohort A to 1.4% ( P = 0.023) in Cohort B, with a subsequent fall to 1.2% in Cohort C ( P = 0.850). Conclusions: Our data from three cohorts of 3- to 4-year-old children born in the same geographical area shows that peanut allergy prevalence has changed over time. Peanut sensitization and reported allergy in children born in 1994–1996 increased from 1989 but seems to have stabilized or slightly decreased since the late 1990s, although not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moments of inertia play a vital role in the motion of rigid bodies. Accurate information for moments of inertia is, however, not easily obtained for common bodies such as vehicles, aeroplanes, trains and humans. Presented in this text is a procedure, requiring minimal equipment expenditure, for the determination of the moments of inertia, for an off-road vehicle. The point of departure is rigid-body oscillation about a pivoting point, with a spring providing a restoring force. The moment of inertia about the pivoting point is then determined by both measuring the period of oscillation and calculating the gradient of the torque–angular acceleration curve. The results of the two methods for determining the pitch, roll and yaw moments of inertia of the body and chassis about the body's centre of gravity are compared. It is found that calculation is very sensitive to distance measurements and accurate determination of the position of the centre of gravity. The procedure gives results of adequate accuracy considering the experimental effort and costs involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chatzimanolis N, Kraus J, Bauer R , Engelhardt B, Bregenzer T, Kuehne BS, Tofighi J, Laske C, Stolz E, Blaes F, Voigt K, Traupe H, Kaps M, Oschmann P. CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ lymphocytes in interferon-β1b-treated and -untreated patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. Acta Neurol Scand 2004 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2004.00346.x© Blackwell Munksgaard 2004.Multiple sclerosis (MS) is believed to be an autoimmune disease of the human central nervous system mediated by autoreactive T cells. Interferon-β1b (IFN-β1b) has been shown to be effective in reducing disease activity defined by clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria in relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS). Yet, the exact mechanisms by which these benefits are achieved remain unknown. CD45RA is a marker for naive T lymphocytes and intercellular adhesion molecule-3 (ICAM-3) is expressed on resting lymphocytes.Forty-eight patients with RRMS, 24 of them treated with recombinant IFN-β1b and 24 untreated, were enrolled in this prospective study over 18 months. We investigated the percentage of CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ cells within the total lymphocyte subset in the peripheral blood serially every 3 months and in CSF once at baseline. Detailed clinical examination including Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was performed every 3 months and cranial MRI scans were assessed every 6 months.We found a temporary increase in the CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood of both untreated and IFN-β1b-treated RRMS patients. Moreover, we determined a significant negative correlation (r = −0.5874;P < 0.01) between age as well as the EDSS score (r = −0.3629;P < 0.05) and the percentages of CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood but a positive correlation between EDSS score and the CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ ratio (r = 0.3913;P < 0.05) in the CSF at baseline.CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood might indicate immunosenescence in MS. However, from our data it cannot be finally concluded whether it is also influenced by IFN-β1b treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new ECRH system is being constructed for ASDEX Upgrade with a total power of 4 MW, generated by four gyrotrons, and a pulse duration of 10 s. Particular features are the use of gyrotrons which can work at various frequencies in the range 104–140 GHz and correspondingly broad band transmission components. The transmission will be at normal air pressure, and at the torus we will have a tunable double disk vacuum window. A further aim is the installation of fast moveable mirrors for a feedback controlled localized power deposition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The transport mechanism mediating brain uptake of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α has been studied. When [SUP125]I-labeled rat TNF-α was used in internal carotid artery perfusions in rats, the cytokine showed transcytosis through the blood-brain barrier in intact form (permeability-surface area product 0.34 ± 0.13 μl · min[SUP-l] · g[SUP-l]). Uptake was inhibited by low nanomolar concentrations of unlabeled rat TNF-α. Human TNF-α, which does not interact with the p80 TNF receptor in rodents, showed no brain uptake. mRNA expression of both p60 and p80 receptors could be demonstrated in native brain microvessel preparations. These transcripts increased to 149% (p60) and 127% (p80) of control 4 h after a systemic immune stimulation (2 mg/kg bacterial endotoxin ip). Lipopolysaccharide treatment did not alter the rate of brain uptake of TNF-α measured between 4 and 24 h later. In conclusion, a receptormediated mechanism is responsible for the transcytosis of TNF-α. Saturable transport, requiring the p80 receptor, occurs at concentrations encountered under pathophysiological conditions and therefore constitutes a relevant mechanism of communication between the immune system and the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work focuses on the application of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) as a facile process to generate homogeneous layers of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using water as an environmentally friendly solvent. The EPD process requires a pretreatment of the commercially available MWCNT powder to create a surface charge on the surfaces of the MWCNTs as well as to realize stable suspensions. After pre-treatment, the electrophoretic mobility of the MWCNTs was approximately μ ≈ − 4.3 · 10−4 cm 2 V −1 s −1 and the resulting ζ-potential is in the range of ζ ≈ −55 mV. The suspension showed no sedimentation over 50 days. The EPD was carried out at an applied voltage of 50 V. The MWCNTs were successfully deposited as open porous layers on gold as well as on aluminum. The specific double layer capacitance of the MWCNT-layers on gold amounts to C ≈ 11.9 Fg −1. However, on aluminum as substrate, the EPD of the MWCNTs is associated with the formation of a thin barrier like oxide film. In this case a major part of the applied voltage drops down across the oxide film and only a minor part across the suspension. Consequently, the field strength in the suspension decreases. Moreover, the capacitance of the oxide film dominates the whole capacitance of the electrode. The specific capacitance amounts to C = 0.3 mFg −1 related to the deposited mass of MWCNTs. • Electrophoretic deposition of MWCNTs on gold and aluminum • Environmentally friendly electrophoretic deposition from aqueous solution • Evidence of oxide formation on interface Al/MWCNTs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present results from the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser facility, where we used a high intensity (∼1020  W/cm²) x-ray pump x-ray probe scheme to observe changes in the ionic structure of silicon induced by x-ray heating of the electrons. By avoiding Laue spots in the scattering signal from a single crystalline sample, we observe a rapid rise in diffuse scattering and a transition to a disordered, liquidlike state with a structure significantly different from liquid silicon. The disordering occurs within 100 fs of irradiation, a timescale that agrees well with first principles simulations, and is faster than that predicted by purely inertial behavior, suggesting that both the phase change and disordered state reached are dominated by Coulomb forces. This method is capable of observing liquid scattering without masking signal from the ambient solid, allowing the liquid structure to be measured throughout and beyond the phase change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Error-free operation of an all-optical wavelength converter at 160 Gbit/s based on a semiconductor optical amplifier and a silicon-on-insulator photonic circuit, consisting of two cascaded Mach-Zehnder delay interferometers, is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]