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Hot flushes are common and troublesome symptoms of menopause. The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is increased in plasma during hot flushes but it has not been clear if CGRP is causally involved in the mechanism underpinning the flushes. Here, we examined the effect of interventions with CGRP in a mouse model of hot flushes based on flush-like temperature increases triggered by forced physical activity in ovariectomized mice. Compared to normal mice, ovariectomized mice reacted with an exaggerated, flush-like, temperature increase after physical exercise. This increase was completely blocked by the non-peptide CGRP-antagonist MK-8825 (-0.41 degrees Celsius, 95% CI: -0,83 to 0,012

Introduction Heritable connective tissue disorders (HCTD) are a group of mostly autosomal dominant genetic diseases, characterized by cardiovascular involvement, tissue fragility, joint hypermobility and skin involvement. Some of them are associated with life threatening events such as aortic dissection and rupture, and a high mortality rate. We recently introduced Preimplantation Genetic Testing for monogenic disease (PGT-M) with a focus on HCTD and set up an explorative qualitative study to investigate the lived experiences and feelings of women, as well as their attitudes and psychological responses to PGT-M. Materials & Methods All couples are seen by a clinical geneticist and a psychologist, and blood samples of the couple are drawn for karyotyping, exclusion of carriership of cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and fragile-X syndrome. Informative linked microsatellite markers flanking the causal (familial) mutation are identified for each couple. Once these parameters are defined, DNA, obtained from trophectoderm cells biopsied from a day 5-6 embryo, is genome-wide amplified. Subsequently, the informative linked microsatellite markers as well as the underlying disease causing mutation are analysed in each of these day 5-6 embryo's. In total, twelve HCTD couples have undergone the PGT-M procedure (FBN1: 4, SMAD3: 2, one each for TGFBR1, TGFB2, COL3A1, COL1A2, COL2A1 and WNT10A). In total, 52 embryos have been tested, 19 of them carried the healthy haplotype (microsatellite analysis) and did not carry the familial mutation (Sanger sequencing) and thus were suitable for transfer to the mother. Data of seven women, aged 26-39years, were collected by semi-structured interviews and interpreted by thematic analysis. At the time of the interviews, one participant had one child through PGT-M, two participants were pregnant after embryo transfer and four women did not have a successful embryo transfer leading to pregnancy yet. Results Our study shows that PGT-M is both physically and emotionally a demanding procedure. The main reason for choosing PGT-M is the severity of the disease. None of the couples wants to transmit the disease to their offspring. Since termination of pregnancy is not acceptable to them, PGT-M is preferred over prenatal diagnosis. The “drop-out race”, as all interviewed women call it, going from an encouraging number of available oocytes (after pick-up), to a limited number of useful embryos, is perceived as extremely stressful. Due to the frequent hospital visits and the prescribed strict timing of hormone injections, all women stated it is impossible to keep the PGT-M procedure hidden from their friends and colleagues. Women emphasize that receiving adequate information, during every step of the PGT-M process, is essential to learn more about the entire PGT-M trajectory. They also express the need of psychological support to help them in coping with this physical and psychological demanding technique. Conclusions PGT-M is a valuable option of reproductive technology for HCTD couples. Due to the significant emotional impact the PGT-M procedure causes, we advise that it should always go hand-in-hand with effective communication and psychological care in order to prevent distress in couples.

In the last decade, the importance of the measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has grown significantly. Today, HRQoL measurement is generally considered to be important in clinical trials, in the assessment of disease severity, in patient management and in the field of health economics. Therefore, a good understanding of the concept of HRQoL and its measurement instruments is a prerequisite for both researchers and clinicians. The European Academy for Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Taskforce on Quality of Life encourages the application of HRQoL instruments in research and clinical practice, and with this manuscript, the Taskforce aims to contribute to the quality of this application. In dermatology, a large number of HRQoL instruments exist and herewith, we summarize the most commonly used generic and dermatology-specific HRQoL instruments. Information is given on the most important psychometric characteristics of these instruments, including: scale structure, reliability, validity and responsiveness. Furthermore, a flow chart is provided to support researchers and clinicians in selecting an existing instrument or, in case an appropriate instrument does not exist, in finding alternative solutions. The present manuscript is the first of a series of manuscripts to be written on behalf of the EADV Taskforce on Quality of Life, aiming to contribute to the scientific knowledge and measurement of patient reported outcomes in dermatological research and practice.

A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) model was developed consisting of six continuous stirred tank reactors which describe the hydraulic flow patterns occurring in different SBR phases. The model was developed using the results of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation studies of an SBR reactor under a selection of dynamic operational phases. Based on the CFD results, the model structure was refined and a simplified ‘driver’ model to allow one to mimic the flow pattern driven by the external operational conditions (influent, aeration, mixing) was derived. The resulting model allows the modeling of biological processes, settlement and hydraulic conditions of cylindrical SBRs.

To cite this article: Stalder J-F, Barbarot S, Wollenberg A, Holm EA, De Raeve L, Seidenari S, Oranje A, Deleuran M, Cambazard F, Svensson A, Simon D, Benfeldt E, Reunala T, Mazereeuv J, Boralevi F, Kunz B, Misery L, Mortz CG, Darsow U, Gelmetti C, Diepgen T, Ring J, Moehrenschlager M, Gieler U, Taieb A, for the PO-SCORAD Investigators Group. Patient-Oriented SCORAD (PO-SCORAD): a new self-assessment scale in atopic dermatitis validated in Europe. Allergy 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02577.x. ABSTRACT: Background: Patient-oriented medicine is an emerging concept, encouraged by the World Health Organization, to greater involvement of the patient in the management of chronic diseases. The Patient-Oriented SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD) index is a self-assessment score allowing the patient to comprehensively evaluate the actual course of atopic dermatitis (AD), using subjective and objective criteria derived mainly from the SCORAD, a validated AD severity clinical assessment tool. Objectives: To validate the PO-SCORAD index in a large European population of patients exhibiting all forms of AD severity by assessing its correlation with the SCORAD index. Patients/methods: Four hundred and seventy-one patients (185 adults, 286 children) consulting for AD in hospitals from 9 European countries were recruited. The investigators and the patients used the SCORAD and PO-SCORAD scales, respectively, to assess AD severity at inclusion (D0) and 28 ± 7 days later (D28). Results: Patient-Oriented SCORing Atopic Dermatitis and SCORAD scores were significantly correlated at D0 [r = 0.67 (95% CI: 0.62; 0.72), P < 0.0001]. Consistency was confirmed at D28, with a stronger linear correlation between both scales [r = 0.79 (95% CI: 0.75; 0.83), P < 0.0001]. Absolute changes from baseline in SCORAD and PO-SCORAD scores were also significantly correlated [r= 0.71 (95% CI: 0.64; 0.76), P < 0.0001]. Although no specific intervention was investigated, AD improved over the study, with a decrease of PO-SCORAD and SCORAD scores from D0 to D28 by -19.19% and -24.39%, respectively. The consistency of the correlations was similar in the adult and children groups. Conclusions: This study validated the use of PO-SCORAD to self-assess AD severity and demonstrated its good correlation with SCORAD. (Less)

Integrated dynamic simulation analysis of a full-scale municipal sequential batch reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was performed using the KOSMO pollution load simulation model for the combined sewer system (CSS) and the ASM3 + EAWAG-BioP model for the WWTP. Various optimising strategies for dry and storm weather conditions were developed to raise the purification and hydraulic performance and to reduce operation costs based on simulation studies with the calibrated WWTP model. The implementation of some strategies on the plant led to lower effluent values and an average annual saving of 49,000 € including sewage tax, which is 22% of the total running costs. Dynamic simulation analysis of CSS for an increased WWTP influent over a period of one year showed high potentials for reducing combined sewer overflow (CSO) volume by 18–27% and CSO loads for COD by 22%, NH4-N and Ptotal by 33%. In addition, the SBR WWTP could easily handle much higher influents without exceeding the monitoring values. During the integrated simulation of representative storm events, the total emission load for COD dropped to 90%, the sewer system emitted 47% less, whereas the pollution load in the WWTP effluent increased to only 14% with 2% higher running costs.

Dynamic simulation analyses of five different sequencing batch reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were used in order to optimise developed regulation strategies and to develop new strategies. The results were applied directly to 15 full-scale SBR plants. To do this, the cycle strategies were extended through the use of appropriate aggregates, or were anchored in the programmable logic controller (PLC) and process control system (PCS) with the help of online sensors. This enabled all regulation strategies to be introduced and automated without problems.

Models for engineering design of nitrifying systems use one ammonia oxidizer biomass (AOB) state variable. A simple extension using two AOB populations allows a more accurate prediction of nitrification systems at switching process environments. These two AOB subpopulations are characterized by two different sets of kinetic parameters. Selection pressure and competition between the two functional AOB populations are determined by process conditions as demonstrated by three case studies: Case study I describes dynamics of two AOB populations showing different temperature sensitivities (modified Arrhenius term on growth and decay) when bioaugmented from the warm sidestream treatment environment to the cold mainstream and vice-versa. Case study II investigates competition between fast growing μ-strategists and k-strategists adjusted to low ammonia levels depending on the internal mixed liquor recycle rate (IMLR). Case study III shows that AOB transferred from the waste activated sludge of an SBR to the parallel continuous flow system with different decay kinetics can overgrow or coexist with the original population.

High β-glucan content is desirable in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for many food uses. The effects of environment, head type, and starch-hull type on total β-glucan and protein content, extract viscosity, and seed color in barley were tested. Barley cultivars varying in head (two row and six row), starch (normal, waxy, high-amylose, and fractured), and hull (covered and hull-less) phenotypes were grown in single-row plots at one location from 1989 to 1991. Higher mean β-glucan content and extract viscosity occurred in 1989, a lowmoisture, hot year. Cultivars with the two-row and six-row head type did not differ for any of the traits analyzed. Waxy hull-less cultivars had the highest mean β-glucan content (69.3 g/kg) and extract viscosity (29.1 cP) compared with the normal covered cultivars (38.0 g/kg and 4.6 cP, respectively). Single degree-of-freedom contrasts found differences between normal starch and waxy starch isotypes consistent among the background genotypes ('Azhul', 'Betzes', 'Bowman', 'Robust'). Dietary fiber analysis of selected samples grown in 1990 found the highest soluble fiber content in cultivars having waxy or high amylose starch and hull-less seed. In a separate experiment, 'Wanubet', a waxy hull-less cultivar, was grown in 42 commercial fields from 1989 to 1991. β-Glucan content varied from 45.5 to 94.6 g/kg, extract viscosity from 8.9 to 108.2 cP, and protein content from 98.0 to 186.0 g/kg. Seed color varied but was unrelated to these components. The significant effect of environment on all of the characteristics indicates the need for food barley quality standards and tests.

It is well known that dietary protein restriction can delay the appearance of uraemic symptoms and give symptomatic relief in patients with chronic renal failure. During the last decade, several investigators have argued that protein restriction instituted at an early phase in renal disease may influence the rate of progression of renal failure favourably. Animal experiments have given strong evidence that, in the case of nephron loss, high dietary protein promotes further loss of renal function. Many studies have been conducted to investigate the possible favourable effect of a protein-restricted diet in patients with renal disease. However, the scientific proof that long-term protein restriction delays the progression of chronic renal insufficiency in man is still missing.

Simulation studies for a full-scale anaerobic unit of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were performed using the anaerobic digestion model no. 1 (ADM1). The anaerobic full-scale plant consists of one mesophilic and one thermophilic digester, operated in an anaerobic sequential batch reactor (ASBR) mode, and sludge enrichment reactors (SER) for each digester. The digesters are fed with a mixture of vegetable waste and process wastewater from the food factory. Characteristics such as CODtotal, Ntotal and NH4-N concentrations in the influent and effluent of the digester and SERs were measured and used for input fractionation. Parameters such as level, pH, biogas amount and composition in the digester were measured online and used for calibration. For simulation studies, different temperatures and operation modes with varying chemical oxygen demand (COD) input loads corresponding to feedstocks such as fruits, vegetables and grain were analysed and compared. Higher gas production and digestion efficiency in the thermophilic reactor and in shorter cycles were found and confirmed at full scale. Serial operation mode increased the gas production, but pH inhibition occurred earlier. Feeding only biosolids into digester I and the effluent of digester I together with process water into digester II further improved gas production in serial operation mode.

The effects of oven temperatures of 82, 93, 121 and 163°C were studied using 31 fresh pork leg roasts cooked to 74°C in oven bags. Warmed-over-flavor (WOF) was measured by sensory analysis after holding 3 hr at 68°C and after holding 24 hr at 2°C and then reheating to 68°C prior to serving. Roasts cooked at 82 and 93°C tended to have less WOF after refrigeration and reheating than roasts cooked at 121 and 163°C. Roasts cooked at 93°C had fewer aerobic mesophilic bacteria than those cooked at 121 and 163°C. In general, objective and sensory perception measurements indicated that roasts cooked at 82 and 93°C were of higher quality.

In five full-scale municipal sequential batch reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) indications for lag phases, a dynamic alpha factor and ammonium adsorption behaviour of the activated sludge were found. A dynamic simulation analysis of all WWTPs showed the need to implement these characteristics into the model in order to improve the calibration procedure, to meet better results for optimisation studies and even to calculate better fitting running costs including the aeration energy. Even if these effects could be characterised as minor effects, it is planned to utilise the knowledge about these effects for further optimisation of the SBR process and to achieve significant improvements.

Significant NH4-N balance deficits were found during the measurement campaigns for the data collection for dynamic simulation studies at five full-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) waste water treatment plants (WWTPs), as well as during subsequent calibrations at the investigated plants. Subsequent lab scale investigations showed high evidence for dynamic, cycle-specific NH4+ ad-/desorption to the activated flocs as one reason for this balance deficit. This specific dynamic was investigated at five full-scale SBR plants for the search of the general causing mechanisms. The general mechanism found was a NH4+ desorption from the activated flocs at the end of the nitrification phase with subsequent nitrification and a chemical NH4+ adsorption at the flocs in the course of the filling phases. This NH4+ ad-/desorption corresponds to an antiparallel K+ ad/-desorption. One reasonable full-scale application was investigated at three SBR plants, a controlled filling phase at the beginning of the sedimentation phase. The results indicate that this kind of filling event must be specifically hydraulic controlled and optimised in order to prevent too high waste water break through into the clear water phase, which will subsequently be discarded. Significant NH4‐N balance deficits were found during the measurement campaigns for the data collection for dynamic simulation studies at five full-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) waste water treatment plants (WWTPs), as well as during subsequent calibrations at the investigated plants. Subsequent lab scale investigations showed high evidence for dynamic, cycle- specific NH4+ ad-/desorption to the activated flocs as one reason for this balance deficit. This specific dynamic was investigated at five full-scale SBR plants for the search of the general causing mechanisms. The general mechanism found was a NH4+ desorption from the activated flocs at the end of the nitrification phase with subsequent nitrification and a chemical NH4+ adsorption at the flocs in the course of the filling phases. This NH4+ ad-/desorption corresponds to an antiparallel K+ ad/-desorption.One reasonable full-scale application was investigated at three SBR plants, a controlled filling phase at the beginning of the sedimentation phase. The results indicate that this kind of filling event must be specifically hydraulic controlled and optimised in order to prevent too high waste water break through into the clear water phase, which will subsequently be discarded.

[1] Ozone profiles from the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) onboard the Aura satellite of the NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) were experimentally added to the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) four-dimensional variational (4D-var) data assimilation system of version CY30R1, in which total ozone columns from Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) onboard the Envisat satellite and partial profiles from the Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SBUV/2) instrument onboard the NOAA-16 satellite have been operationally assimilated. As shown by results for the autumn of 2005, additional constraints from MLS data significantly improved the agreement of the analyzed ozone fields with independent observations throughout most of the stratosphere, owing to the daily near-global coverage and good vertical resolution of MLS observations. The largest impacts were seen in the middle and lower stratosphere, where model deficiencies could not be effectively corrected by the operational observations without the additional information on the ozone vertical distribution provided by MLS. Even in the upper stratosphere, where ozone concentrations are mainly determined by rapid chemical processes, dense and vertically resolved MLS data helped reduce the biases related to model deficiencies. These improvements resulted in a more realistic and consistent description of spatial and temporal variations in stratospheric ozone, as demonstrated by cases in the dynamically and chemically active regions. However, combined assimilation of the often discrepant ozone observations might lead to underestimation of tropospheric ozone. In addition, model deficiencies induced large biases in the upper stratosphere in the medium-range (5-day) ozone forecasts.

Three full-scale municipal sequential batch reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were investigated by dynamic simulation studies using ASM1.All three WWTPs showed similar kinetic and stoichiometric conditions in the SBR population behaviour after calibration of the models. The simulation results detected only a discrepancy to the ammonia online data during and shortly after shock loading under anoxic and anaerobic conditions that so far could not be adjusted by the ASM1 model. However, these differences did not severely affect the quality of the simulations nor the effluent flows. Additionally, in all cases a dynamic alpha factor curve occurred during the aeration phases that was verified by further oxygen transfer measurements. This might reveal new aspects for the process control, design and simulation of SBR WWTPs. A short lag phase was detected in many cases at the beginning of the first aeration phase.

Quantification of quality of life (QoL) related to disease severity is important in patients with atopic eczema (AE), because the assessment provides additional information to the traditional objective clinical scoring systems.To measure health-related QoL (HRQoL) in patients with AE; to analyse discriminant, divergent and convergent validity by examining the association between various QoL methods; and to examine the association between disease severity assessed by an objective Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and QoL.HRQoL was assessed at two visits at a 6-monthly interval in 101 patients with AE and 30 controls with one dermatology-specific questionnaire [Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) or Children's DLQI (CDLQI)], one generic instrument (SF-36) and three visual analogue scales (VASs) of severity and pruritus. Objective SCORAD was used to measure disease severity.Patients with AE had significantly lower QoL than healthy controls and the general population. DLQI /CDLQI, pruritus, and patient and investigator overall assessment of eczema severity were significantly (P0.0001) and positively correlated with SCORAD, while the generic questionnaire showed only poor correlation. A gender difference was found for the mental component score of SF-36 (P = 0.019).AE has an impact on HRQoL. Patients' mental health, social functioning and role emotional functioning seem to be more affected than physical functioning. A simple VAS score of patients' assessment of disease severity showed the highest and most significant correlations with most of the HRQoL methods used. There is evidence to support the ability of patients with AE to make an accurate determination of their disease severity and QoL.

Aqueous extracts of potato peel waste were freeze-dried, high performance liquid chromatography (PLC) of the freeze-dried extracts revealed that chlorogenic (50.31%), gallic (41.67%), protocatechuic (7.81%), andcaffeic (0.21%) acids were the major phenolics. During 15 days storage of the freeze-dried extract, no degradation of phenolics occurred. After 4 days storage at 63 o C, 5.00g of sunflower oil containing either the freeze-dried extract (200 ppm) or butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) (200 ppm) reached peroxide values (PV) of 37.38 and 37.47 meq kg -1 respectively. L-ascorbic acid-6-palmitate was the best antioxidant (PV=10.65 meq kg -1 ) but the freeze-dried extract was as good as BHA

Phenolics were extracted from potato peel waste using water or methanol. Phenolic acids in the extracts were quantified by HPLC. The greatest amounts of phenolic acids resulted when potato homogenate was refluxed with water for 30 min, yielding a total concentration of 48 mg/100 g. Four phenolic acids (chlorogcnic, gallic, protocatechuic, and caffeic) were characterized as major components. Aqueous extracts were stored 20 days and after 7 days at 25 o C exposed to light, chlorogenic acid had degraded to caffeic acid

The final report for a Laboratory Directed Research and Development project entitled, ``Capturing Recrystallization of Metals in a Multiscale Materials Model'' is presented. In this project, deformation and recrystallization processes have been followed experimentally and theoretically in order to incorporate essential mechanisms from the defect (dislocation) and grain size length scales. A nonlinear rotational gradient theory has been developed which enables the incorporation of microstructural parameters. The evolution of these parameters during deformation and recrystallization has been characterized qualitatively and quantitatively, applying various electron optic techniques ranging over several length scales. The theoretical and experimental framework developed is general. It has been exemplified by an application to recrystallization in single crystals and bicrystals of aluminum. The recrystallization process has been modeled using a 3-D model for the changes in key structural parameters during recrystallization.

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is an acute metabolic disorder that occurs in ethanol abusers who because of gastritis or other concurrent illness stop eating and drinking and vomit repeatedly. This causes dehydration and ketoacidosis with little or no hyperglycaemia and glucosuria. A case of severe alcoholic ketoacidosis is presented and the literature on alcoholic ketoacidosis is reviewed.

The yellow nail syndrome is the combination of slow growing yellow discoloured nails, lymphoedema and pleural effusion. The symptoms are supposed to be due to impaired lymphatic drainage. It is a rare clinical condition: through the last 30 years only about a hundred cases have been reported. The treatment is symptomatic (diuretics and pleuradesis). We review the literature and report four cases.

The response of boundary layers under the global favourable, “zero”, and unfavorable longitudinal pressure gradients as well as the local variations in the pressure distribution over a flat plate model with respect to an external acoustic disturbance is investigated. The forcing frequencies is chosen to provoke the highest response. The initial Tollmien-Schlichting wave amplitudes in the region of their appearance are directly measured. The boundary layer domain having real influence on a formation of the initial amplitude is detected.

Neonatal mortality and follow-up examination among children with birthweightor = 1500 g born in the period 1983-1987 inclusive has been recorded in an unselected material from a Danish county (Viborg County). There were 100 with birthweightor = 1500 g and the low-birthweight rate was 7/1000. The neonatal survival was 72% dispersed with 32% for children with birthweightor = 1000 g and 90% for children with birthweight 1001-1500 g. Four children died before follow-up examination. Of the surviving 68 children 66 were examined between the ages 21 months to six and a half years, the average age being about three years. The test-results were based on a questionnaire to the parents, an objective examination including neuropaediatric assessment and a Denver developmental screening test. Seven children were found to have moderate to severe handicaps, equal to 10% of surviving children. Of these seven children, three (4.5%) have cerebral paresis. Five other children were found to have small "handicaps". In conclusion 12 children or 18% had varying degrees of disability while 54 children were without demonstrable disability at follow up examination.

We wanted to assess the protective effects on exercise-induced asthma as well as the clinical efficacy and safety of increasing doses of a new sustained-release formulation of terbutaline sulphate in 17 asthmatic children aged 6-12 years (mean 9 years). Placebo, 2, 4, and 6 mg terbutaline were given b.i.d. for 14 days in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. At the end of each two week period, an exercise test was performed and plasma terbutaline was measured. Compared with placebo, no significant effect was seen on asthma symptoms monitored at home, or on exercise-induced asthma. The percentage falls in FEV1 after the exercise test were 36, 35, 27 and 28%, after placebo, 4, 8 and 12 mg terbutaline/day, respectively. A small but statistically significant dose-related increase was seen in morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) recordings. It is concluded that continuous treatment, even with high doses or oral terbutaline, does not offer clinically useful protection against exercise-induced asthma.

The epidemiological and clinical features of all adult tuberculosis (tbc) cases in a Danish county over a 12 year period (82 cases) are presented. Most patients with pulmonary disease have thorax X-ray pictures showing pathological changes. Of the patients who only have extrapulmonary disease, 88% have normal X-ray examinations of the lungs. The patients can be divided into two groups: Danes and foreigners. The Danish patients are older, 81% are over the age of forty. They mostly have pulmonary disease (85%). They often have one or several concomitant diseases. The foreigners are younger, 90% are below the age of forty. They frequently have extrapulmonary disease (35%). They seldom have concomitant diseases.

On the basis of a prospective random sample investigation of 611 alcohol-related visits to the four psychiatric emergency units of the City of Copenhagen, demographic variables, referral sources and dispositions of treatment are described. On every 10th day throughout 1985 all visits were registered. The distribution of all variables except age and sex deviate significantly from those of non-alcohol-related visits. Thus fewer alcoholics cohabit and more are divorced. 25% of the alcohol-related visits resulted in an overnight stay in the unit, while 10% resulted in admission to the psychiatric ward. For non-alcohol-related visits the proportions were the reverse.

From July 1973 to January 1988, 66 children aged from three months to 14 years, 36 boys and 29 girls, were seen at the Central Hospital, Viborg, with acute encephalitis. In 25 cases the encephalitis was caused by mumps, in eight by measles, in six by chicken pox, one by herpes simplex, one by RS-virus, and one by mycoplasma. One case was seen after vaccination, one after infection and in 22 cases the cause of the encephalitis remained unknown. Sequelae were seen in 17 cases. The risk of encephalitis after mumps, measles, and rubella is an important argument for the use of MMR-vaccination and the risk of encephalitis after chickenpox may justify a vaccination campaign against chickenpox.

The whippability of meals from three hybrid varieties of sunflower was examined under varying conditions of temperature, meal concentration, pH and whipping time. Whippability was measured in terms of initial foam volume produced and the stability of the foam after periods of 30 and 120 min. Optimal levels of maximum volume and stability under the varying conditions were determined by response surface analysis. Optimal levels were not the same for all hybrids tested. The nitrogen solubility index of the meal from each hybrid correlated strongly with initial foam volume but not with foam stability.

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Modern science has developed an electro‐chemical theory which makes it possible to bring to light the various corrosive processes taking place under water or under the influence of humidity, i.e. the conditions that are of particular interest when dealing with boiler plants. Very complex phenomena are often involved, appearing in a variety of circumstances and under different forms. It is not always possible, therefore, to give a precise definition of the type of corrosion implicated.