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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem that affects around 11 to 13% of the world’s population and more than 18% of European citizens. Characteristic syndromes of CKD during all stages of the disease are proteinuria and ongoing glomerular dysfunction caused by cellular damages at the glomerular filtration barrier. While some rare cases of the disease are correlated to genetic depositions the majority of cases are caused by diabetes, glomerulosclerosis, high blood pressure and glomerulonephritis. Thus, recapitulating the interplay of high blood pressure and changes at the glomerular filtration barrier in vitro seems an adequate way to mimic CKD. Here we present a microphysiological system of the glomerular filter that is capable to simulate high blood pressure at the glomerular filtration barrier in vitro. It consists of a closed loop microfluidic circuit with an integrated pneumatically driven heart like micro pump that constantly circulates the cell culture media at the blood site of the glomerular barrier. The ThinCert™ insert could be reversibly integrated into a holder system that ensures the correct position of the insert within the microfluidic circuit. By using different modulations of the integrated pneumatic micro pump different physiological and pathophysiological conditions e.g. hypertonic stress, like in CKD, could be applied. The influence of hypertonic conditions on the filtration above the barrier was studied by changes of TEER values and measurement of the flux of fluorescent labelled albumin through the cellular barrier.

Copyright of Die Unternehmensbesteuerung (Ubg) is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In addition to taste and melting behavior, the gloss is an important quality criterion of chocolate products. Differences considering the gloss on products can be attributed to different causes in the production process. The chocolate that has been pre‐crystallized by shearing and supercooling is further cooled, crystallized and transported as a solid chocolate out of the cooling process. The cooling of the chocolate is largely unexplored in a paternoster refrigerator and therefore the resulting streaming profile and temperature profile are numerically studied in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to taste and melting behavior, the gloss is an important quality criterion of chocolate products. Differences considering the gloss on products can be attributed to different causes in the production process. The chocolate which has been precrystallized by shearing and supercooling is further cooled, crystallized, and transported as a solid chocolate out of the cooling process. The cooling of the chocolate is largely unexplored in a paternoster refrigerator. Therefore, the resulting flow profile and temperature profile are numerically studied in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four, three and two dimensional NMR experiments involving 15N, 13C and (15N, 13C)-labeled IIA dimers help detect the secondary structure of the IIA domain to facilitate an analysis of the three dimensional structure of the cyloplasmic subunit of the mannose transporter of Escherichia coli. Molecular mass of the IIA domain, which comprises a central beta-sheet of one antiparallel and four parallel strands, is 2 times 14kDa. Both sides of the sheet contain helices.

Three cyclic phosphopeptides containing intramolecular phosphodiester linkages were synthesized. Precursors for the macrocyclization by phosphitylation were synthesized using Boc-L-Ser(OBn)-OH or Boc-L-Thr(OBn)-OH as starting materials. The cyclic phosphopeptides were then generated after phosphitylation with 4-chlorobenzyl bis(N, N-diisopropylamino)phosphinite or 4-chlorobenzyl dichlorophoshinite, oxidation and hydrogenolysis. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations were used to determine the structure of one of the cyclic phosphopeptides in solution.

We study a class of homotopies between maps from 4-manifolds to surfaces which we call cusp merges. These homotopies naturally appear in the uniqueness problems for certain pictorial descriptions of 4-manifolds derived from maps to the 2-sphere (for example, broken Lefschetz fibrations, wrinkled fibrations, or Morse 2-functions). Our main results provide a classification of cusp merge homotopies in terms of suitably framed curves in the source manifold, as well as a fairly explicit description of a parallel transport diffeomorphism associated to a cusp merge homotopy. The latter is the key ingredient in understanding how the aforementioned pictorial descriptions change under homotopies involving cusp merges. We apply our methods to the uniqueness problem of surface diagrams of 4-manifolds and describe algorithms to obtain surface diagrams for total spaces of (achiral) Lefschetz fibrations and 4-manifolds of the form M × S1, where M is a 3-manifold. Along the way we provide extensive background material about maps to surfaces and homotopies thereof and develop a theory of parallel transport that generalizes the use of gradient flows in Morse theory [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Due to consumer concerns about food-related diseases and an increase in the use of genetically modified food, more and more “green consumers” integrate environmental considerations into daily purchases, asking for healthier, safer and higher quality food. Marketing managers still face the challenge of broadening the understanding of how and why consumers purchase organic food. Specifically, a deeper understanding of the value dimensions consumers perceive in the context of organic food products is required to develop and implement successful management strategies which might transfer positive consumer perceptions to actual buying behavior and satisfaction. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on theoretical and empirical insights on organic food consumption in different markets, this research investigates antecedents of organic food products and differences regarding the relative importance of the value-based drivers across two Western nations. Findings – The results from survey data indicate significant differences in the value perceptions, especially the functional and individual value perceptions, and recommendation behavior related to organic food for consumers from the USA and Germany. In addition, the segmentation approach provides evidence for consumer segments that cross-national borders: the “convinced opponents,” the “silent/private consumers,” the “prestige-seekers” and the “passionate evangelists.” Originality/value – Consequently, instead of a country-based segmentation approach, marketers should emphasize the different types of consumers across national borders in order to address the differences in customer value perception in the organic food market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – In an attempt to satisfy the rising demand for luxury in the era of the “democratisation of luxury” or the “luxurification of society” without threatening the uniqueness and exclusivity of luxury brands, a profound understanding of the luxury concept and its deeper values is essential. As the complexity of luxury value and the assessment of effects on individual luxury value perception and related behavioral outcomes are still poorly understood and widely unexplored, the purpose of this paper is to fill this research gap. Design/methodology/approach – In the exploratory study context of examining the antecedents and outcomes of individual luxury value perception, PLS path modeling was used for the empirical tests of the hypotheses. Findings – The results support the assumption that the desire for luxury brands involves several dimensions of luxury value including financial, functional, individual and social consumer perceptions. Besides, the individual luxury value perception is significantly related to the consumption of luxury goods in terms of purchase intention, recommendation behavior and the willingness to pay a premium price. Originality/value – The incremental value of the present study is to present and empirically verify a concept that embraces the complexity of luxury value and its causal effects on different aspects of luxury consumption. The results have important implications for luxury brand management and future research in the domain of luxury goods. By addressing the specific value aspects that are highly relevant for consumer loyalty to the brand, a luxury company can stimulate purchase behavior with appropriate marketing campaigns that create and preserve the most important value aspects throughout the supply chain from production to distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caught between the conflicting priorities of satisfying the rising demand for luxury brands in the global marketplace and the effort to protect the uniqueness and exclusivity of their products, brand managers face serious challenges in the luxury market. What is the optimal balance between brand growth and brand over-exposure? And what are the basic drivers of customer brand perception that influence luxury brand strength? In an attempt to answer these questions, this study focuses on the conceptualization and empirical investigation of antecedents of luxury brand perception and hypothesized effects on luxury brand strength. The results support the assumption that consumers' individual luxury brand perception is based on financial, functional and social considerations. Besides, consumers' brand perception is significantly related to the cognitive, affective and conative components of luxury brand strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine-grained sediments constitute a major stressing factor for the aquatic ecosystem in the 15 000 km2 Kharaa River catchment in Northern Mongolia. The objectives of this study were to identify the suspended sediment (SS) sources and quantify the sediment budget of the basin. Sediment sources were identified with the help of sediment tracing methods utilizing Be-7, Cs-137 and Pb-210 radionuclides. High-resolution discharge data were used in combination with daily suspended solid measurements to calculate the SS budget. These calculations were compared with the monthly archive data on SS and discharge to investigate temporal load variations. In addition, the sediment budget model SedNet was used to estimate the SS budget and test its applicability in a cold semi-arid region. Results of the sediment tracing showed that riverbank erosion generates 74.5% of the suspended sediment load, whereas surface erosion contributes 21.7% and gully erosion only 3.8%. In the most intensely used agricultural tributary catchment Zagdelin Gol, upland erosion contributed only 12.7% to the total SS losses. The calculated mean annual sediment load for the years 1990-2002 was 20.3 kt⋅a−1. The SedNet model computed SS export from the catchment in the same order of magnitude as measured data (16.2 kt⋅a−1). The results help to identify effective management measures to reduce sediment loads and mitigate its impact on the aquatic environment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streams in North Rhine- Westphalia ( Germany) are frequently impacted by hydromorphological degradation leading to a loss of sensitive species and a reduction in diversity. These findings mean that the final objective of the European Water Framework Directive to achieve the good ecological status will be failed for a large number of streams. In a holistic approach, a new concept, considering the cost efficiency, has been developed to enhance habitats by morphological changes. This guide serves as a basis for stream restoration projects. The theoretical background is that near-natural sections influence adjacent sections of medium habitat quality positively by migration of type-specific sensitive organisms. The preconditions are a local taxa richness in the catchment area, the reduction of nutrients and organic matter, and the guarantee of free movement. This so-called 'spreading effect' can be measured upstream and downstream. The length of by these means valourized sections depends on the stream type and on the biological quality component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explains how to structure tax-efficient management participations in management and leveraged buyouts (MBO/LBO) using a German example. Key issue which arises on structuring management participations in MBO/LBO; Discussion of how management holding equity stakes work in a German single-purpose acquisition vehicle; Importance of balancing the managers' ability to disproportionately participate in capital gains.

Background: Age, clinical presentation and echocardiographic parameters are important factors in the decision on an individualized therapeutic strategy for patients with aortic stenosis (AS). Less is known about this information in a non-selected non-biased cohort., Methods: We performed a retrospective, systematic analysis of patients admitted to our hospital from 1/1/2014 to 1/6/2018 with the diagnosis of AS. We collected demographic, clinical and echocardiographic parameters. All patients were evaluated and treated in one single institution by experienced cardiologists. We classified patients into 4 age groups to compare the above-mentioned variables. Category A: patients younger than 65 years, category B age between 65-74, category C age between 75-84, and category D patients older 85., Results: We included 321 adults with AS in our study. There was a significant correlation between the aortic valve area, aortic velocity (Vmax), aortic pressure gradients (PMax) and age. The AVA decreased, Vmax and PMax increased with age (P=0.001, P=0.042 and P=0.017, respectively). 74.1% of all patients were symptomatic, but there were no differences between the age categories (P=0.406). The incidence of cardiovascular comorbidities was high throughout all age categories. Forty-four point five percent of all patients had a coronary artery disease, but there were no differences between the age categories (P=0.221). Echocardiographic aspect of AS was similar in all age groups except the right ventricular pressure (RVP): RVP was significantly higher in patients younger than 65 years., Conclusions: Based on our results, we conclude that age is a weak parameter for making decisions about the optimal AS therapy. AVAs in AS decreases moderately with age. Age does not impact any clinical or echocardiographic parameters. Cardiovascular diseases and symptomatic AS are found in all age categories., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2019 Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy. All rights reserved.)