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The action of antibodies and of the haemolytic complement system does not induce immune immobilization of Treponema pallidum, but only destroys superficial wall structures of these Gram-negative organisms. In sensitized and complement coated treponemes the immobilization is a result of the lysozyme interaction with the mucopeptide layer of the cell wall. In a lysozyme-free medium, immunologically damaged treponemes are able to repair the defects in the outer layers of their cell wall structures. Furthermore, it is shown that the long lag period in immune immobilization of T. pallidum can only partly be explained by the interaction of lysozyme with the treponemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on an article on the theory of the Liapunov exponents of Hamiltonian systems and the transition from regular to irregular classic motion. Method for calculating the fraction of the phase space; Significance of choosing the correct Poincaré section.

A multi-model ensemble-based system for seasonal-to-interannual prediction has been developed in a joint European project known as DEMETER (Development of a European Multimodel Ensemble Prediction System for Seasonal to Interannual Prediction). The DEMETER system comprises seven global atmosphere–ocean coupled models, each running from an ensemble of initial conditions. Comprehensive hindcast evaluation demonstrates the enhanced reliability and skill of the multimodel ensemble over a more conventional single-model ensemble approach. In addition, innovative examples of the application of seasonal ensemble forecasts in malaria and crop yield prediction are discussed. The strategy followed in DEMETER deals with important problems such as communication across disciplines, downscaling of climate simulations, and use of probabilistic forecast information in the applications sector, illustrating the economic value of seasonal-to-interannual prediction for society as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]