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Paleosol macromorphology, petrography and stable isotope geochemistry of carbonate nodules from Permo–Triassic (P–T) boundary strata of the central Karoo basin, South Africa are presented in order to evaluate their utility as geochemical archives of Permian–Triassic paleoatmospheric chemistry and their potential to provide a terrestrial carbon isotope chemostratigraphy for correlation with contemporaneous global marine δ 13 C records. Paleosol morphologies across P–T boundary strata of the central Karoo basin indicate the region was a poorly drained, seasonally to continuously flooded bottomland. Radiaxial calcite, microspar and micrite microtextures are observed in the calcite nodules associated with P–T paleosol profiles. Micritic calcite is typical of soil carbonate that forms in well-drained soils characterized by open-system gaseous diffusion between the soil and global atmosphere, whereas more coarsely crystalline textures and radiaxial calcite are more typical of crystallization in phreatic environments with limited gaseous diffusion between the soil and global atmosphere. In this regard, only those nodules composed of micritic calcite can be considered as a potentially reliable source of proxy information for paleoatmospheric δ 13 C values across the P–T boundary. The δ 13 C values of all carbonate nodules from two overlapping measured sections near Carlton Heights, South Africa range from − 24.4‰ to − 1.8‰, whereas micritic calcite nodule δ 13 C values range from − 7.0‰ to − 21.3‰. Comparison of calcite δ 13 C values with penecontemporaneous organic matter δ 13 C values indicate that calcite δ 13 C values δ 13 C values. Rather, these more negative carbonate nodule δ 13 C values likely reflect calcite crystallization under poorly drained, swampy conditions characterized by a semi-closed chemical system that evolved independently of Earth's troposphere. Therefore, previously reported negative carbon isotope shift(s) measured from carbonate nodules in the Karoo basin P–T strata do not provide a record of atmospheric δ 13 C, and probably do not provide a viable carbon isotope stratigraphy that can be realistically correlated with global P–T marine carbon isotope stratigraphies.

FoxD3 is a forkhead-related transcriptional regulator that is essential for multiple developmental processes in the vertebrate embryo, including neural crest development and maintenance of mammalian stem cell lineages. Recent results demonstrate a requirement for FoxD3 in Xenopus mesodermal development. In the gastrula, FoxD3 functions as a transcriptional repressor in the Spemann organizer to maintain the expression of Nodal-related members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily that induce dorsal mesoderm formation. Here we report that the function of FoxD3 in mesoderm induction is dependent on the recruitment of transcriptional corepressors of the TLE/Groucho family. Structure-function analyses indicate that the transcriptional repression and mesoderm induction activities of FoxD3 are dependent on a C-terminal domain, as well as specific DNA-binding activity conferred by the forkhead domain. The C-terminal domain contains a heptapeptide similar to the eh1/GEH Groucho interaction motif. Deletion and point mutagenesis demonstrated that the FoxD3 eh1/GEH motif is required for both repression of transcription and induction of mesoderm, as well as the direct physical interaction of FoxD3 and Grg4 (Groucho-related gene-4). Consistent with a functional interaction of FoxD3 and Grg4, the transcriptional repression activity of FoxD3 is enhanced by Grg4, and reduced by Grg5, a dominant inhibitory Groucho protein. The results indicate that FoxD3 recruitment of Groucho corepressors is essential for the transcriptional repression of target genes and induction of mesoderm in Xenopus.

A requirement for the commercialization of power SiC transistors is their long term reliable operation under the hard switching conditions and high temperatures encountered in the field. Normally-ON 1200 V vertical-channel implanted-gate SiC JFETs, designed for high-power bidirectional (four quadrant) solid-state-circuit-breaker applications, were repetitively pulse hard switched at 150 °C from a 1200 V blocking state to an on-state current of 115 A, which is in excess of 13 times the JFET's 250-W/cm2 rated current at 150 °C. The JFETs were fabricated in seven photolithographic levels with a single masked ion-implantation forming the p+ gates and guard rings, and with no epitaxial regrowth. The pulsed testing was performed using a low inductance RLC circuit. In this circuit, energy initially stored in a capacitor is discharged in a load resistor through the JFET under test. The JFET hard-switch stressing included over 2.4 million 1200-V/115-A hard-switch events at 150 °C and at a repetition rate of 10 Hz. The peak energies and powers dissipated by the JFET at each hard-switch event were 73.2 mJ and 68.2 kW, respectively. The current rise rate was 166 A/μs and the pulse FWHM was 1.8 μs. After over 2.4 million hard-switch events at 150 °C, the JFET blocking voltage characteristics remained unchanged while the on-state conduction slightly improved, which indicate reliable operation. An optically triggered solid-state-circuit-breaker, based on these rugged JFET, is proposed.

BACKGROUND The Ponseti method is the most common method to treat idiopathic clubfoot in North America. Despite initial correction, recurrence is common with this method. The factors predictive of recurrence are not well defined in the literature. METHODS A retrospective chart review was done of procedures performed at our institution from 2005 to 2010 in children undergoing general anesthesia for primary percutaneous Achilles tenotomy for the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot using the Ponseti casting method (101 patients, 148 feet). All patients were followed up for at least 2 years postoperatively (2 to 7.5 y, average 3.5 y). The patients were divided into 2 groups: group N with no repeat procedures on Achilles tendon and group R with a secondary procedure to address the residual equinus deformity. We looked at postoperative equinus correction through the use of postoperative measurements on digital images using a goniometer. The amount of postoperative dorsiflexion at the initial procedure was compared between the 2 groups using the paired t test. The feet were then divided into 3 groups on the basis of the amount of initial correction, and the rates of future surgical procedures were compared among these groups. RESULTS A total of 101 patients (148 feet) were evaluated. Seventy-two patients (106 feet) did not have any future procedures to address equinus deformity (group N). Twenty-nine patients (42 feet) underwent future procedure (group R) to correct the residual equinus. The N and R groups differed in amount of postoperative dorsiflexion (14.0 vs. 5.1; P

Induction and patterning of the mesodermal germ layer is a key early step of vertebrate embryogenesis. We report that FoxD3 function in the Xenopus gastrula is essential for dorsal mesodermal development and for Nodal expression in the Spemann organizer. In embryos and explants, FoxD3 induced mesodermal genes, convergent extension movements, and differentiation of axial tissues. Engrailed-FoxD3, but not VP16-FoxD3, was identical to native FoxD3 in mesoderm-inducing activity, indicating that FoxD3 functions as a transcriptional repressor to induce mesoderm. Antagonism of FoxD3 with VP16-FoxD3 or morpholino-knockdown of FoxD3 protein resulted in a complete block to axis formation, a loss of mesodermal gene expression, and an absence of axial mesoderm, indicating that transcriptional repression by FoxD3 is required for mesodermal development. FoxD3 induced mesoderm in a non-cell-autonomous manner, indicating a role for secreted inducing factors in the response to FoxD3. Consistent with this mechanism, FoxD3 was necessary and sufficient for the expression of multiple Nodal-related genes, and inhibitors of Nodal signaling blocked mesoderm induction by FoxD3. Therefore, FoxD3 is required for Nodal expression in the Spemann organizer and this function is essential for dorsal mesoderm formation.

Although animated maps are widely promoted as ideal vehicles for learning and scientific discovery, there has been little empirical work that demonstrates their relative effectiveness in relation to static small-multiple alternatives. In this article, we attempt to clarify the issues related to the potential of animation from an explicitly geographic perspective, but one that is also grounded in broader cognitive science and human-computer interaction considerations. We compared the effectiveness of animated with static small-multiple maps, specifically in relation to map readers' ability to identify clusters that move over space and through time. In this study, we focused on several factors that might impact (or help explain) map readers' ability to correctly identify clusters. These factors included animation pace, cluster coherence, and gender. We found that map readers answer more quickly and identify more patterns correctly when using animated maps than when using static small-multiple maps....

Plastic films are used in soil fumigation to control fumigant emission into the atmosphere. In previous studies it was shown that the plastic films are permeable to fumigant vapors. Virtually impermeable films (VIF) have been developed to reduce such emission and to increase the efficacy of pest control. A rapid, accurate, sensitive and simple method to measure the permeability of plastic films to soil fumigants that was developed in the present study is described in this paper. The method uses a static, closed system in which the tested film is fixed between two cells. The fumigant is sampled by a solid-phase microextraction method and measured quantitatively by gas chromatography. The method was used to assess the permeability of two plastic films — a low-density polyethylene film (LDPE) and a VIF — to commercial soil fumigants formulated individually or in mixtures. All the tested fumigants permeated through the commonly used LDPE film, in the following descending order of permeability: methyl isothiocyanate (MITC), methyl bromide (MBr), 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D; Telone), chloropicrin (CP). The VIF was impermeable to all the tested fumigants except MITC, the permeation of which was reduced by 40%. The permeation of some fumigants through LDPE films was influenced by the formulation used. The permeation of CP was increased when it was combined with MBr in Bromopic. With Telopic, a mixture of 1,3-D and CP, the permeation of 1,3-D through LDPE film was 62% greater than that of Telone, whereas that of CP was not affected. The permeation rates of both MBr and CP were 25–30% greater when they were formulated as a mixture in Bromopic than when they were formulated individually. The formulation of fumigants as mixtures of two components did not affect their permeability through VIF. This study showed that differences in the suitability of plastic films for soil fumigation can be measured easily in a laboratory. It also showed that the VIP was more effective than LDPE in reducing losses of fumigant to the atmosphere, thus allowing more efficient use of fumigants to manage soilborne pests. The presented method helps us to choose the most adequate film for optimizing fumigation efficacy, and reducing costs and environmental risks.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is not only responsible for an increased number of metaphyseal and spinal fractures but it also complicates their treatment. To prevent the initial loosening, we developed a new implant with an enlarged implant/bone interface based on the concept of perforated, hollow cylinders. We evaluated whether osseointegration of a hollow cylinder based implant takes place in normal or osteoporotic bone of sheep under functional loading conditions during anterior stabilization of the lumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Osseointegration of the cylinders and status of the fused segments (ventral corpectomy, replacement with iliac strut, and fixation with testing implant) were investigated in six osteoporotic (age 6.9 +/- 0.8 years, mean body weight 61.1 +/- 5.2 kg) and seven control sheep (age 6.1 +/- 0.2 years, mean body weight 64.9 +/- 5.7 kg). Osteoporosis was introduced using a combination protocol of ovariectomy, high-dose prednisone, calcium and phosphor reduced diet and movement restriction. Osseointegration was quantified using fluorescence and conventional histology; fusion status was determined using biomechanical testing of the stabilized segment in a six-degree-of-freedom loading device as well as with radiological and histological staging. RESULTS: Intact bone trabeculae were found in 70% of all perforations without differences between the two groups (P = 0.26). Inside the cylinders, bone volume/total volume was significantly higher than in the control vertebra (50 +/- 16 vs. 28 +/- 13%) of the same animal (P

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Allogeneic transplantation can not be offered to many patients due to potential side-effects of conventional conditioning. Dose-reduced conditioning approaches improve tolerability, however, treatment efficacy may be reduced as well. We have, therefore, developed a dose intense but toxicity reduced conditioning regimen based on treosulfan and fludarabine and report first results. PATIENTS AND METHODS 65 patients with a median age of 50 years were transplanted from related (n = 21) or unrelated donors (n = 44) after conditioning with treosulfan (3 x 10, 3 x 12 or 3 x 14 g/m(2) i. v.) and fludarabine (5 x 30 mg/m(2) i. v.). 21 patients were in complete remission (CR) and 44 patients had not reached a CR at the time of transplantation. 59 of 65 patients were considered unfit for a conventional conditioning regimen. RESULTS The actuarial overall survival after 3 years is 59.2 %, the event-free survival 40.1 %. Patients with a related donor or transplantation in CR had a better overall (85.4 resp. 74.2 %) and event-free survival (52.2 % resp. 61.9 %). The cumulative incidence of relapse at 3 years was 26.2 %. Non-relapse mortality at day 100 is 17.4 % (cumulative incidence). In stepwise Cox regression analyses for overall survival, event-free survival and non-relapse mortality the covariables transplantation in CR vs. not in CR and the donor status were shown to be influential. CONCLUSIONS These results with a conditioning therapy of treosulfan and fludarabine indicate that patients despite higher age, concomitant disease or after intensive pretreatment can be successfully transplanted without increased treatment-related mortality.

A requirement for the commercialization of power SiC transistors is their long-term reliable operation under hard switching conditions and high temperatures encountered in the field. Normally ON 1200-V vertical-channel implanted-gate SiC JFETs, designed for high-power bidirectional (four-quadrant) solid-state circuit breaker applications, were repetitively pulsed hard switched at 150°C from a 1200-V blocking state to an on-state current of 115 A, which is in excess of 13 times the JFET's 250-W/cm2 rated current at 150°C. The JFETs were fabricated in seven photolithographic levels with a single masked ion implantation forming the p+ gates and guard rings and with no epitaxial regrowth. The pulsed testing was performed using a low-inductance RLC circuit. In this circuit, the energy initially stored in a capacitor is discharged in a load resistor through the JFET under test. The JFET hard switch stressing included over 2.4 million 1200-V/115-A hard switch events at 150°C and at a repetition rate of 10 Hz. The peak energies and powers dissipated by the JFET at each hard switch event were 73.2 mJ and 68.2 kW, respectively. The current rise rate was 166 A/μs, and the pulse FWHM was 1.8 μs. After over 2.4 million hard switch events at 150°C, the JFET blocking voltage characteristics remained unchanged while the on-state current conduction slightly improved, which indicate reliable operation.

Invasive Candida infections (IC) belong to the most important opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. IC is difficult to diagnose, because clinical symptoms are nonspecific and cultural methods lack sensitivity or specificity. We evaluated the Platelia Candida enzyme immunoassay (Candida EIA) for the diagnosis of IC in patients with haematological malignancies. A total of 62 neutropenic patients with 469 serum samples were included in the study. Candida colonization was monitored by weekly cultures of mouth washings, urine, and stool samples. Yeasts were grown from samples of 42 patients (68%), mainly Candida albicans (50%), followed by Candida glabrata (23%) and Candida krusei (20%). According to the criteria of the EORTC/NIH, the patients were categorized: (1) 3 patients with proven IC; (2) 6 patients with probable IC; (3) 34 patients colonized with Candida; (4) 19 patients without Candida colonization and without IC. In the patient categories (1) to (4), 3/3 (100%), 3/6 (50%), 20/34 (59%), and 7/19 (37%) patients were Candida EIA positive (>0.5 ng/ml) in at least one serum sample. The sensitivity of the assay for the detection of proven IC was 100%, for proven and probable IC 67%, the specificity was 49% for both groups. An increase of the cut-off value to 2.0 ng/ml raised the specificity to 61%, but lowered the sensitivity to 56%. In conclusion, the Platelia Candida EIA does not discriminate between Candida colonization and probable invasive infection in haematological patients.

Cross-equatorial, westerly winds are key features of tropical circulation in monsoonal regions. Although prominent in numerical climate models of Pangaea (the supercontinent straddling earth’s equator, Late Palaeozoic to Early Mesozoic), such flow has not been confirmed previously by migration directions of ancient dunes. Wind-blown sandstones that span 100 million years of earth history are widely exposed in south-western USA. If recent palaeomagnetic data from the Colorado Plateau are used to correct Mesozoic palaeogeographic maps, the Plateau is placed about 10 further south than previously assumed, and the prevailing north-westerly surface winds recorded by dune-deposited sandstones are explicable as cross-equatorial westerlies – the hallmark of modern monsoon circulation. Permian to Early Jurassic dunes were driven by north-westerlies produced by a steep pressure gradient spanning the supercontinent during December–January–February. Although winds are light in most modern, near-equatorial settings, the East African Jet accounts for more than half the cross-equatorial flow in June–July–August. The thicknesses of annual depositional cycles within the Navajo Sandstone indicate that the near-equatorial, north-westerly winds that drove these particular dunes were stronger than the modern East African Jet. The Early Jurassic dunes that deposited the thick cycles were positioned west of the dominant (southern hemisphere) thermal low and against highlands to the west – a setting very similar to the East African Jet. The mountains along the western coast of Pangaea not only enhanced wind strength, but also cast a rain shadow that allowed active dunes to extend very close to the palaeoequator.

The graft vs. leukemia (GVL) effect is one of the most important factors of anti-tumor activity after allogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplants (alloSCT). Its effectiveness depends mainly on the tumor biology as well as the tumor burden. Patients with a high tumor burden may not respond to GVL-effect despite otherwise sensitive biology. Campath-1H is known as an effective treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Due to its ability to induce profound immunosuppression, it has also been used as part of conditioning regimens before alloSCT. We report a patient, who received campath-1H in combination with docetaxel for treatment of chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte infusion resistant CLL after alloSCT, who developed shortly after discontinuation of treatment with campath-1H severe eosinophilia of the peripheral blood and typical clinical as well as histological signs of cutaneous chronic graft vs. host disease followed by complete clearance of CLL. The clinical course demonstrates the impact of the tumor burden on the GVL-effect, as well as the effectiveness of campath-1H in the presence chemo-resistance in a patient with CLL. Furthermore, the GVL effect was not abrogated by the use of campath-1H.

The most severe mass extinction of marine species and terrestrial vertebrates and plants is associated with the Permian–Triassic boundary (∼251 Ma). The extinction interval is also marked by the disappearance of most Late Permian gymnosperm palynomorphs at a layer containing solely the abundant remains of fungi. This ‘fungal spike’ apparently represents widespread devastation of arboreous vegetation. Stratigraphic and palynological study of the Carlton Heights section in the southern Karoo Basin of South Africa revealed a 1-m-thick fungal spike zone that occurs simultaneously with the last appearance of typically Late Permian gymnosperm pollen. The plant extinction and fungal spike zone are found above the last occurrence of Late Permian mammal-like reptiles of the Dicynodont Zone at other Karoo sections. Using the fungal event as a time line in marine and non-marine sections allows placement of the marine extinctions and the extinction of terrestrial plants and reptiles within a brief crisis interval of less than about 40 000 years at the end of the Permian.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are a rare entity of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). Despite the poor outcome after conventional chemotherapy, the impact of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation is not well defined in these patients. In a retrospective study, we evaluated the outcome of 15 patients (9 male, 6 female) with PTCL after HDCT with autologous (10 patients) and allogeneic (5 patients) stem cell transplantation between 1996 and 2001 at our department. At the time of transplantation three patients were in second remission, seven patients were in partial remission (PR), and three patients had refractory disease. Two patients were treated with sequential HDCT (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisolone, m-CHOEP). The conditioning regimes were heterogeneous. After HDCT ten patients (67%, autologous 7, allogeneic 3) achieved CR, two patients (13%, autologous 2, allogeneic 0) had refractory disease, and three patients (20%, autologous 1, allogeneic 2) died because of toxic side effects before evaluation of response was performed. The median overall survival (OS) was 12 months. The 1-year probability of survival for the autologous and allogeneic groups was 58% and 40%, respectively. At the time of evaluation, six patients are alive and nine patients have died (four severe infection, one late toxicity, two disease progression, and two relapse). Despite the small number of patients in this study, HDCT with autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation seems to be an effective treatment option that can achieve CR for patients with PTCL. Because of the poor outcome of these patients after conventional chemotherapy, HDCT seems to be a rational option in first-line therapy. Whether it improves survival in these patients should be further investigated.

A nonanalytic (soft) finite-state control was developed for a controlled trans-femoral (TF) prosthesis. The control and actions are performed according to a rule-base written in a natural language. A systematic procedure of developing a knowledge base prosthesis controller and an effective way for estimating the gait speed are presented. The prosthesis prototype with sensing, microcomputer based electronics, and a servo controlled knee damper were integrated and successfully tested in the clinic. The stability to support the body weight, absorption of ground impact, and smooth forward progression reported by the amputee. An improved body support on a bent knee during mid-stance and instant response to a change in walking speed were recorded.

This paper summarizes the micro-level survey evidence from Central Asia generated and analyzed in the period 1991–2012. We provide an exhaustive overview over all accessible individual and household-level surveys undertaken in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – and of all academic papers published using these datasets. We argue that Central Asia is a fascinating region for the study of comparative economics given its dual experience of transition and development. However, the region is also understudied, in part due to lack of data, and especially due to a lack of panel data. We identify knowledge gaps derived from this lack of longitudinal surveys and suggest worthwhile areas for future research. Finally, we also present a new and novel individual-level panel dataset called “Life in Kyrgyzstan”.

Our aim was to evaluate postoperative morbidity and mortality following initial intervention, comparing primary repair versus palliative shunt in the setting of ductal-dependent tetralogy of Fallot. When neonatal surgical intervention is required, controversy and cross-center variability exists with regard to surgical strategy. The multicenter Pediatric Health Information System database was queried to identify patients with TOF and ductal-dependent physiology, excluding pulmonary atresia. Eight hundred forty-five patients were included-349 (41.3%) underwent primary complete repair, while 496 (58.7%) underwent initial palliation. Palliated patients had significantly higher comorbid diagnoses of genetic syndrome and coronary artery anomalies. Primary complete repair patients had significantly increased morbidity across a number of variables compared to shunt palliation, but mortality rate was equal (6%). Second-stage complete repair was analyzed for 285 of palliated patients, with median inter-stage duration of 231 days (175-322 days). In comparison to primary complete repairs, second-stage repairs had significantly decreased morbidity and mortality. However, cumulative morbidity was higher for the staged patients. Median adjusted billed charges were lower for primary complete repair ($363,554) compared to staged repair ($428,109). For ductal-dependent TOF, there is no difference in postoperative mortality following the initial surgery (6%) whether management involves primary repair or palliative shunt. Although delaying complete repair by performing a palliative shunt is associated with a shift of much of the morbidity burden to outside of the newborn period, there is greater total postoperative morbidity and resource utilization associated with the staged approach.

The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine has created 2 documents to help preceptors and other educators when working with students using electronic health records (EHRs). The guidelines will help preceptors work effectively with students when using EHRs. The position statement will assist preceptors and other educators when engaging compliance officers or organizations in discussions about the need for medical students to work meaningfully with electronic medical records.

Background and Study Aims: Duodenal or jejunal biopsies are needed to establish the diagnosis of celiac disease. It is widely advocated that these biopsies be taken from the distal duodenum. Patients and Methods: After finding two index cases with diagnostic biopsies taken from the duodenal bulb, we retrospectively analyzed biopsies from the descending duodenum and the duodenal bulb of 51 patients with suspected or diagnosed celiac disease. The diagnosis of celiac disease and classification of the histological changes were performed by one pathologist. Results: In the two index cases the diagnosis of celiac disease could only be established by taking the biopsies from the duodenal bulb, and not from the descending duodenum. In the retrospective analysis the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes was on average higher, but not significantly, in the descending part of the duodenum. Conclusions: Most patients with celiac disease show similar mucosal changes in biopsies taken from the descending part of the duodenum and from the duodenal bulb. But in patients who have already been on a gluten-free diet in childhood and later abandoned their diet, an additional duodenal bulb biopsy should be done.

Theoretical and structural studies followed by the directed synthesis and in vitro biological tests lead us to novel noncovalent thrombin pseudopeptide inhibitors. We have incorporated an azapeptide scaffold into the central part of the classical tripeptide d -Phe-Pro-Arg inhibitor structure thus eliminating one stereogenic center from the molecule. A series of compounds has been designed to optimize the occupancy of the S2 pocket of thrombin. Increased hydrophobicity at P2 provides an enhanced fit into this active site S2 pocket. In the present paper, we also report on the structure of these inhibitors in solution and conformational analysis of inhibitors in the active site in order to asses the consequences of the replacement of the central α-CH by a nitrogen functionality. In vitro biological testing of the designed inhibitors shows that elimination of R, S stereoisomerism and restriction of conformational freedom influences the binding of inhibitors in a favorable fashion.

Background: An increased permeability to sugars is found in the intestine of untreated patients with coeliac disease after oral ingestion. Aim: To test whether in vitro permeability resembles in vivo permeability tests and whether an in vitro gliadin gluten challenge could be performed by an in vitro permeability test. Methods: We measured in vivo (urinary excretion after sucrose–lactulose–mannitol ingestion) and in vitro permeability (by mini-Ussing chambers) in 25 healthy controls, 12 relatives of coeliac disease patients, 19 treated, eight partly treated and 16 untreated patients with coeliac disease. Results: In vivo sugar permeability was increased in nearly all coeliac patients. Additionally, in vitro permeability to lactulose (P=0.0007), mannitol (P=0.004) and sucrose (P=0.042) was higher in untreated patients with coeliac disease. It correlated with in vivo permeability (sucrose τ=0.61, P=0.006; lactulose τ=0.41, P

The length of straightened segments of macromolecules (SSM) in unconsolidated xerogels of superhigh molecular polyethylene, which turned out to attain 18 nm, was evaluated from the position of the band of longitudinal acoustic vibrations in a low–frequency Raman spectrum. The mean length of the straightened segments of macromolecules is equal to about 11 nm.

Paleomagnetic poles and magnetostratigraphy were obtained from the late Carnian and early Norian Petrified Forest Formation, The remanent magnetization characteristics of this variegated claystones formation are correlated closely with stratal color; red strata display uni- vectorial magnetizations directed to the origin of orthogonal axes plots between 300' and 630°C whereas progressively greater overlap in magnetization component stabilities is exhibited by pur- ple, blue, and green strata. Rock-magnetic, petrographic, and microprobe investigations indicate that detrital titanohematite is the carrier of much of the characteristic magnetization, with a smaller contribution from magnetite in green and portions of the red strata. Eight magnetic po- larity intervals were observed in three quarters of the formation (155 m); good correlation is ob- served with the coeval portion of the Newark Supergroup. Paleopoles from the late Carnian Blue Mesa and the early Norian Painted Desert Members of the Petrified Forest Formation are identi- cal and agree well with other Chinle Group paleopoles from the Colorado Plateau; the tight clus- ter formed by all poles indicates that little or no apparent polar wander (APW) with respect to North America occurred during the Late Triassic (late Carnian through Rhaetian time). In addi- tion, Chinle Group paleopoles derived from strata located on the North American (NA) craton also are tightly grouped and indicative of a paucity of significant APW through the Late Triassic. With that same observation from the coeval Newark Supergroup. three independent Late Triassic data sets from different tectonic settings in NA indicate minimal or no APW during more than 20 m.y. The combination of the vertebrate fauna and magnetostratigraphy within the Chinle Group provides a high degree of age control, allowing comparisons among coeval Colorado Plateau (CP) and NA craton paleopoles at about a 250-500 kyr level. CP Chinle Group paleopoles are displaced 9&3O clockwise from cratonic paleopoles. The Chinle Group is one of five sets of pa- leomagnetically sampled Mesozoic strata shown by magnetostratigraphy andlor biostratigraphy to have been deposited coevally on both the CP and the NA craton: paleopoles from the five sets indicate that CP paleopoles have been displaced a total of 1023' relative to NA cratonic counter- parts. Furthermore, the wealth of paleomagnetic and biostratigraphic data now available from both the Chinle and Newark strata demonstrates that nothing is sacred in NA tectonics: Newark Basin paleopoles are displaced 9+3O counterclockwise from western cratonic poles.

Permanent grassland of a typical Alpine region in Austria (Styria, 700 m above sea level, 1100 mm precipitation) was cut either 2, 3 or 4 times per year, conserved as barn-dried hay and fed to dairy cows at three concentrate levels [zero, concentrate according to requirements or 25% of dry matter (DM) intake concentrate]. Fertilisation levels were 32 m 3 slurry with or without 100 kg N ha −1 mineral N. Because of lower DM yield (8.65, 8.05, 6.51 t ha −1 ) and higher forage intake (10.4, 13.2 and 15.3 kg DM) the potential stocking rate decreased with increasing cutting frequency. Milk yield and N excretion per cow increased with increasing cutting frequency. When milk yield and N excretion were related to the forage area there was only a small influence of cutting frequency at the low level of concentrate. When the forage was supplemented with concentrate according to requirements, both milk yield and N excretion per ha decreased with increasing cutting frequency. Additional fertilisation of 100 kg mineral N increased the amount of slurry from 37.5 to 41.4 m 3 ha −1 forage and excretion of N from 149 to 160 kg ha −1 forage.

An insitu sizing technique for single levitated solid aerosols is reported. The particle size is investigated in micrometre-sized sodium chloride particles, where the size and state of matter depend strongly on the ambient humidity. The experimental approach makes use of elastic light scattering from the particles that are levitated in an electrodynamic aerosol trap, where the patterns of scattered light are fast Fourier transformed for size determination. It is shown that this approach requires for solid particles short detection times of the scattered light, typically of the order of 0.1 ms, so that the solid particle can be treated as almost stationary in the trap. Size calibration of the fast Fourier transforms of the light scattering patterns is obtained by correlating the space frequency with the equivalent edge length. Deviations from a linear correlation are interpreted as evidence for the occurrence of non-cubic crystal shapes. This result is in agreement with additional experiments using conventional light microscopy.

The trial was designed to assess the safety, pharmacodynamics and effects on reperfusion of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor lamifiban when given with thrombolysis to patients with ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction.Studies of fibrinolytic agents in acute myocardial infarction have demonstrated a direct relationship between early complete reperfusion and survival. Blockade of the platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor complex inhibits platelet aggregation and may speed reperfusion when given in conjunction with thrombolysis to patients with acute myocardial infarction.Patients with ST segment elevation presenting within 12 h of symptom onset who were treated with either tissue-plasminogen activator or streptokinase were enrolled in this three-part Phase II dose exploration study. In Part A, all patients received the GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor lamifiban in an open-label, dose escalation scheme. Parts B and C were a randomized, double-blind comparison of a bolus plus 24-h infusion of lamifiban versus placebo with patients randomized in a 2:1 ratio. The goal was to identify a dose(s) of lamifiban that provided85% adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation inhibition. A composite of angiographic, continuous electrocardiographic and clinical markers of reperfusion was the primary efficacy end point, and bleeding was the primary safety end point.Platelet aggregation was inhibited by lamifiban in a dose-dependent manner with the highest doses exceeding 85% ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibition. There was more bleeding associated with lamifiban (transfusions in 16.1% lamifiban-treated vs. 10.3% placebo-treated patients). Lamifiban induced more rapid reperfusion as measured by all continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters.Lamifiban given with thrombolytic therapy appears to be associated with more rapid and complete reperfusion than placebo. As expected in this small sample, there were no obvious clinical benefits to lamifiban over placebo. Reconciliation of ECG monitoring with clinical outcomes will require a larger, adequately powered clinical trial.

The free surfaces of liquid water, formamide and ethylene glycol are prepared as a microjet in a high vacuum where they are studied by UV photoelectron spectroscopy with He I ( hν =21.22 eV) photons. The low vapour pressure liquid formamide UPS spectrum, which has already been reported, serves as an independent test of the accuracy of the present method. In agreement with a detailed investigation of experimental offset potentials, a measurement of the electrical current transported by the jet provides a highly accurate absolute calibration of the photoelectron spectra with respect to the vacuum zero energy level. The corrected spectra show several ionization bands which are shifted by approximately 1 eV to lower ionization energies with respect to the related gas phase molecular orbitals as a result of the electronic relaxation energy contribution to the molecular solvation forces.

Neue Leitbilder in der Altenhilfe wie Selbstbestimmung der alten Menschen, Normalisierung, Individualisierung und Offnung der Heime fuhrten zu wachsender Bedeutung Sozialer Arbeit im Heim. Die Profilierung ist an ein umfassendes Qualitatsmanagement und generalisierbare Datenbasis gebunden. Demgegenuber besteht Mangel an empirischen Studien. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die Ergebnisse einer Tatigkeitsanalyse von 16 Mitarbeitern im Sozialdienst eines Tragers in der stationaren Altenhilfe in Baden-Wurttemberg dar. Der Schwerpunkt in der direkten Arbeit liegt in der Durchfuhrung und Organisation sozialer Aktivitaten und Gruppenangebote als tagesstrukturierende und die sozialen Kontakte fordernde Masnahmen. In der Einzelfallhilfe ist neben der sozialrechtlichen Beratung die psychosoziale Beratung von Bewohnern und Angehorigen zur Bewaltigung kritischer Lebensereignisse und im Umgang mit Verhaltensanderungen von Bewohnern von besonderer Bedeutung. In der indirekten Arbeit liegt der Schwerpunkt auf der internen Organisation zur Abstimmung von Pflegeplanung und sozialer Betreuung im multiprofessionellen Team und anderen Dienstleistungsbereichen der Einrichtung. Die Offnung der Heime und ihre Einbindung ins Gemeinwesen wird durch Informations- und Offentlichkeitsarbeit, der Zusammenarbeit mit ortlichen Vereinen und externen Diensten und Hilfen und nicht zuletzt durch die Gewinnung und Anleitung von Ehrenamtlichen geschaffen.

Single-photon infrared emission spectroscopy (SPIRES) has been used to measure emission spectra from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A supersonic free-jet expansion has been used to provide emission spectra of rotationally cold and vibrationally excited naphthalene and benzene. Under these conditions, the observed width of the 3.3-micrometers (C-H stretch) band resembles the bandwidths observed in experiments in which emission is observed from naphthalene with higher rotational energy. To obtain complete coverage of IR wavelengths relevant to the unidentified infrared bands (UIRs), UV laser-induced desorption was used to generate gas-phase highly excited PAHs. Lorentzian band shapes were convoluted with the monochromator-slit function in order to determine the widths of PAH emission bands under astrophysically relevant conditions. Bandwidths were also extracted from bands consisting of multiple normal modes blended together. These parameters are grouped according to the functional groups mostly involved in the vibration, and mean bandwidths are obtained. These bandwidths are larger than the widths of the corresponding UIR bands. However, when the comparison is limited to the largest PAHs studied, the bandwidths are slightly smaller than the corresponding UIR bands. These parameters can be used to model emission spectra from PAH cations and cations of larger PAHs, which are better candidate carriers of the UIRs.

The adsorption of poly(styrene) from solution on gold and copper surfaces is promoted by XPh2 substituents, where X = N, P, As, Sb. Such polymers generate ultrathin layers that were investigated wi...

We investigate the morphological evolution during the growth of strained Ge x Si 1 − x layers from ln solution (5 ⩽ x ⩽ 15%). Surface ripples develop due to elastic stress relaxation. These ripples self-organize in a way that a defined wavelength and a two-dimensional pattern aligned along (1 0 0) directions develops. During further growth, the ripples transform into pseudomorphic islands and island growth proceeds in vertical direction at constant island width. The ripple wavelength and the island size are controlled by the germanium content and verify energetical predictions. Further, the theoretical expectation is corroborated that island development occurs even at low misfits when deposition is controlled by energetics.

Chronic bilateral subdural hematoma (SDH) is a rare but serious complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) [1-3]. Risk factors such as thrombocytopenia, intra-thecal chemothe...

This paper describes the development of a thermoelectric generator for low temperature applications and focuses on the conceptual design, mathematical modeling as well as simulation of thermoelectric generators for the exhaust system of diesel-powered commercial vehicles. Two design studies have been investigated intensively within the last years. The first design study is based on common bismuth telluride (BiTe) thermoelectric modules, and the second one is characterized by axial cascaded sheets with radial located thermoelectric material (BiTe) and an integrated heat exchanger for hot exhaust gas and cold coolant water. This offers the advantage of a very high degree of integration and a compact design with the possibility to increase the electric power by adding or removing additional sheets. Functional prototypes of the two design studies have been realized and verified at an engine test bench. Comprehensive measurements showed the challenges of this trendsetting technology and potential for further optimization.

Extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements performed at $\mathrm{In}\ensuremath{-}K$ edge have resolved the outstanding issue of bond-length strain in semiconductor-alloy heterostructures. We determine theIn-As bond length to be $2.581\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004\AA{}$ in a buried, 213 \AA{} thick ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{0.78}{\mathrm{In}}_{0.22}\mathrm{As}$ layer grown coherently on GaAs(001). This bond length corresponds to a strain-induced contraction of $0.015\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004\AA{}$ relative to the In-As bond length in bulk ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{In}}_{x}\mathrm{As}$ of the same composition; it is consistent with a simple model which assumes a uniform bond-length distortion in the epilayer despite the inequivalent In-As and Ga-As bond lengths.

A cDNA encoding a calmodulin-stimulated 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) was isolated from a human brain cDNA library. The cDNA, designated HSPDE1B1, encoded a protein of 536 amino acids that shared 96% sequence identity with the bovine "63 kDa" calmodulin-stimulated PDE. The recombinant protein had cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity that was stimulated approximately 2-fold by Ca2+/calmodulin and preferred cGMP as substrate. In addition, the enzymatic activity of HSPDE1B1 was inhibited by phosphodiesterase inhibitors with potencies similar to that displayed toward the bovine PDE1 enzymes: IBMX approximately equal to 8-methoxymethyl-IBMXvinpocetine approximately equal to zaprinastcilostamiderolipram. HSPDE1B1 mRNA was found predominantly in the brain. Lower mRNA levels were found in heart and skeletal muscle. In situ hybridisation of brain revealed expression of HSPDE1B1 predominately in neuronal cells of the cerebellum, hippocampus and caudate. The HSPDE1B1 gene was mapped to human chromosome 12. A partial genomic sequence of HSPDE1B1 was isolated and shown to contain two splice junctions that are conserved in the rat PDE4 and the Drosophila dunce genes.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a disorder caused by anti-platelet autoantibodies (Ab), most of which are directed against epitopes on platelet membrane glycoprotein complexes GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb/IX. To detect platelet Ab, reliable techniques, such as MAIPA or immunobead assay, have been developed. They all achieve their selective specificity by the use of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) against defined glycoproteins of the platelet membrane. In order to determine the most frequent Ab-specificities, a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, named platelet-glycoprotein-ELISA (P-GP-ELISA), has been developed. It uses purified GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb/IX complexes, respectively, as antigens and enables determination of platelet-associated as well as circulating Ab (IgG, IgM). MoAbs are not required and therefore there is no risk of competition between MoAb and Ab. Levels of Ab in patients with the clinical diagnosis of an idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura were analysed. 92.7% (76/82) platelet eluates with significantly increased levels of Ab against at least one of the glycoproteins were found, whereas no sample from healthy volunteers (0/37) gave a positive result, pointing to a high sensitivity and specificity of the test system. Since its application is also easy and quick, P-GP-ELISA should facilitate detection of Ab against platelet membrane proteins in routine determinations.

Bleomycin is generally used as an antineoplastic drug for the intravenous treatment of germ cell tumors or lymphomas. Due to its toxic effect on epithelial cells bleomycin is also used for the treatment of malignant pleural or pericardial effusions. Inadvertent intrathecal administration of cytotoxic drugs may occur due to increasingly complex therapeutic protocols, even when control mechanisms are applied. We report the case of a 39-year-old man with chronic myeloid leukemia. During the treatment of a lymphoblast crisis 30 mg of bleomycin were inadvertently injected intrathecally. Prompt cerebrospinal fluid exchange, dilution with normal saline, and corticosteroid treatment resulted in a opsitive outcome without major side effects.

Introduction The pentalogy of Cantrell is rare clustering of congenital defects, first described by Cantrell and colleagues in 1958. The exact pathogenesis for the pentalogy remains unknown and no specific genetic abnormalities have been correlated; however, a failure of embryogenesis has been suspected. The microduplication of chromosome 15q21.3 (57,529,846 to 58,949,448) found in our patient with pentalogy of Cantrell has not been described previously. Case presentation We describe a case of a newborn Caucasian male baby with prenatally diagnosed pentalogy of Cantrell and a novel maternally inherited copy number variant detected by chromosome microarray analysis. Among the genes within the duplicated region is ALDH1A2, encoding the enzyme retinaldehyde dehydrogenase type 2. Conclusion Vital for retinoic acid synthesis during early development, ALDH1A2 has previously been demonstrated in animal models to have a strong association with congenital heart disease and diaphragmatic hernia, two key elements comprising pentalogy of Cantrell. It is possible that perturbation of retinoic acid levels during development secondary to this microduplication could underlie the pathology observed in the current case of pentalogy of Cantrell.

Occupancy of integrin adhesion receptors can alter the functions of other integrins and cause partition of the ligand-occupied integrin into focal adhesions. Ligand binding also changes the conformation of integrin extracellular domains. To explore the relationship between ligand-induced conformational change and integrin signaling, we examined the effect of ligands specific for integrin alpha IIb beta 3 on the functions of target integrins alpha 5 beta 1 and alpha 2 beta 1. We report that binding of integrin-specific ligands to a suppressive integrin can inhibit the function of other target integrins (trans-dominant inhibition). Trans-dominant inhibition is due to a blockade of integrin signaling. Furthermore, this inhibition involves both a conformational change in the extracellular domain and the presence of the beta cytoplasmic tail in the suppressive integrin. Similarly, ligand-induced recruitment of alpha IIb beta 3 to focal adhesions also involves a conformational rearrangement of its extracellular domain. These findings imply that the ligand-induced conformational changes can propagate from an integrin's extracellular to its intracellular face. Trans-dominant inhibition by integrin ligands may coordinate integrin signaling and can lead to unexpected biological effects of integrin-specific inhibitors.