X-ray powder pattern line intensities were measured for the (Cr, Re)σ and (Re, Fe)σ phases by a step-scanning diffractometer, using CrKα radiation, scintillation counter, and a pulse height analyzer. The measured intensity ratios for all available pairs of adjacent lines were compared by means of a computer with the corresponding calculated intensity ratios based on approximately 1800 different ordering schemes for each alloy. The results showed ordering in both alloys, and indicated that the ordering was based on atomic size. These results are different from those obtained previously by Kasper and Waterstrat (no ordering), and by Ageyev et al. [In (Cr, Re)σ the Cr atoms are preferentially in large coordination number positions.]

Sex differences in the incidence of infections may indicate different risk factors and behaviour but have not been analysed across pathogens. Based on 3.96 million records of 33 pathogens in Germany, notified from 2001 to 2013, we applied Poisson regression to generate age-standardised incidence rate ratios and assessed their distribution across age and sex. The following trends became apparent: (a) pathogens with male incidence preponderance at infant and child age (meningococcal disease (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.19, 95% CI 1.03–1.38, age = 0–4); influenza (IRR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.06–1.13, age = 0–4)), (b) pathogens with sex-switch in incidence preponderance at puberty (e.g. norovirus (IRR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.19 in age = 5–14, IRR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.99, age ⩾ 60), (c) pathogens with general male incidence preponderance (bacterial/parasitic infections with campylobacter, Yersinia and Giardia), (d) pathogens with male incidence preponderance at juvenile and adult age (sexually transmitted or vector-borne infections (combined-IRR = 2.53, 95% CI 2.36–2.71, age = 15–59), (e) pathogens with male preponderance at older age (tick-borne encephalitis - IRR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.21–6.24, listeriosis - IRR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.38–3.06, age ⩾ 60). Risk factor concepts only partly serve to interpret similarities of grouped infections, i.e. transmission-related explanations and sex-specific exposures not consistently explain the pattern of food-borne infections (b). Sex-specific differences in infectious disease incidence are well acknowledged regarding the sexually transmitted diseases. This has led to designing gender-specific prevention strategies. Our data suggest that for infections with other transmission routes, gender-specific approaches can also be of benefit and importance.

This article reports investigation of the effects of high-rate stochastic micro-mechanics on the produced particulate size distribution during ball milling of reactive bimetallic foils (nanoheaters), by experimental and computational modeling. In particular, Ni-Al foils are ball-milled at various load charges, revolution rates and process durations, and the resulting particulate geometries are characterized by micrograph statistical analysis. Numerical simulation of the evolving particulate structure is based on coalescence and fragmentation of flexible monometallic ellipsoidal primitives, impacted by milling balls and vial walls with kinetic theory-based kinematics. Particulates are constrained by discrete compliant and continuum media and undergo conceptual ideal elastic transformations modeled by strain energy methods, and recast into inelastic frictional and plasticity-driven welding and fracture events. Finally the theoretical model predictions of particulate size distribution are validated against laboratory microscopy observations.

A train of high-speed microdrops impacting on a liquid pool can create a very deep and narrow cavity, reaching depths more than 1000 times the size of the individual drops. The impact of such a droplet train is studied numerically using boundary integral simulations. In these simulations, we solve the potential flow in the pool and in the impacting drops, taking into account the influence of liquid inertia, gravity and surface tension. We show that for microdrops the cavity shape and maximum depth primarily depend on the balance of inertia and surface tension and discuss how these are influenced by the spacing between the drops in the train. Finally, we derive simple scaling laws for the cavity depth and width.

Congenital and acquired cardiovascular diseases contribute significantly to the threefold elevated risk of premature death in Turner syndrome. A multitude of cardiovascular anomalies and disorders, many of which deleteriously impact morbidity and mortality, is frequently left undetected and untreated because of poor adherence to screening programmes and complex clinical presentations. Imaging is essential for timely and effective primary and secondary disease prophylaxis that may alleviate the severe impact of cardiovascular disease in Turner syndrome. This review illustrates how cardiovascular disease in Turner syndrome manifests in a complex manner that ranges in severity from incidental findings to potentially fatal anomalies. Recommendations regarding the use of imaging for screening and surveillance of cardiovascular disease in Turner syndrome are made, emphasising the key role of non-invasive and invasive cardiovascular imaging to the management of all patients with Turner syndrome.

We have obtained high spectral resolution (R ≈ 9000), integral field observations of the three spiral galaxies NGC 3521, NGC 7217 and NGC 7331 using the new fiber-based Integral Field Unit instrument VIRUS-W at the 2.7 m telescope of the McDonald Observatory in Texas. Our data allow us to revisit previous claims of counter rotation in these objects. A detailed kinematic decomposition of NGC 7217 shows that no counter rotating stellar component is present. We find that NGC 7217 hosts a low dispersion, rotating disk that is embedded in a high velocity dispersion stellar halo or bulge that is co-rotating with the disk. Due to the very different velocity dispersions (≈ 20 km s−1 vs. 150 km s−1) , we are further able to perform a Lick index analysis on both components separately which indicates that the two stellar populations are clearly separated in (Mgb,〈Fe〉) space. The velocities and dispersions of the faster component are very similar to those of the interstellar gas as measured from the [O iii] emission. Morphological evidence of active star formation in this component further suggests that NGC 7217 may be in the process of (re)growing a disk inside a more massive and higher dispersion stellar halo.

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP TXNIP and SNP ARNT), both on chromosome 4, have been reported to be associated with roundworm (Ascaris suum) burden in pigs. In the present study, we selected pigs with two SNP TXNIP genotypes (AA; n = 24 and AB; n = 24), trickle-infected them with A. suum from 8 weeks of age until necropsy 8 weeks later, and tested the hypothesis that pigs with the AA genotype would have higher levels of resistance than pigs of AB genotype. We used different indicators of resistance (worm burden, fecal egg counts (FEC), number of liver white spots and A. suum-specific serum IgG antibody levels). Pigs of the AA genotype had lower mean macroscopic worm burden (2·4 vs 19·3; P = 0·06), lower mean total worm burden (26·5 vs 70·1; P = 0·09) and excreted fewer A. suum eggs at week 8 PI (mean number of eggs/g feces: 238 vs 1259; P = 0·14) than pigs of the AB genotype, as expected based on prior associations. The pigs were also genotyped at another locus (SNP ARNT) which showed a similar trend. This study provides suggestive evidence that resistant pigs may be selected using a genetic marker, TXNIP, and provides further support to the quantitative trait locus on chromosome 4.

A considerable expansion of biogas production in Germany, paralleled by a strong increase in maize acreage, has caused growing concern that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during crop substrate production might counteract the GHG emission saving potential. Based on a 2-year field trial, a GHG balance was conducted to evaluate the mitigation potential of regionally adapted cropping systems (continuous maize, maize-wheat-Italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass ley), depending on nitrogen (N) level and N type. Considering the whole production chain, all cropping systems investigated contributed to the mitigation of GHG emissions (6·7–13·3 t CO2 eq/ha), with continuous maize revealing a carbon dioxide (CO2) saving potential of 55–61% compared with a fossil energy mix reference system. The current sustainability thresholds in terms of CO2 savings set by the EU Renewable Energy Directive could be met by all cropping systems (48–76%). Emissions from crop production had the largest impact on the mitigation effect (⩾50%) unless the biogas residue storage was not covered. The comparison of N fertilizer types showed less pronounced differences in GHG mitigation potential, whereas considerable site effects were observed.

Blood lipid response to a given dietary intervention could be determined by the effect of diet, gene variants or gene–diet interactions. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether variants in presumed nutrient-sensitive genes involved in lipid metabolism modified lipid profile after weight loss and in response to a given diet, among overweight European adults participating in the Diet Obesity and Genes study. By multiple linear regressions, 240 SNPs in twenty-four candidate genes were investigated for SNP main and SNP–diet interaction effects on total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and TAG after an 8-week low-energy diet (only main effect), and a 6-month ad libitum weight maintenance diet, with different contents of dietary protein or glycaemic index. After adjusting for multiple testing, a SNP–dietary protein interaction effect on TAG was identified for lipin 1 (LPIN1) rs4315495, with a decrease in TAG of − 0·26 mmol/l per A-allele/protein unit (95 % CI − 0·38, − 0·14, P= 0·000043). In conclusion, we investigated SNP–diet interactions for blood lipid profiles for 240 SNPs in twenty-four candidate genes, selected for their involvement in lipid metabolism pathways, and identified one significant interaction between LPIN1 rs4315495 and dietary protein for TAG concentration.

Fish consumption is the major dietary source of EPA and DHA, which according to rodent experiments may reduce body fat mass and prevent obesity. Only a few human studies have investigated the association between fish consumption and body-weight gain. We investigated the association between fish consumption and subsequent change in body weight. Women and men (n 344 757) participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition were followed for a median of 5·0 years. Linear and logistic regression were used to investigate the associations between fish consumption and subsequent change in body weight. Among women, the annual weight change was 5·70 (95 % CI 4·35, 7·06), 2·23 (95 % CI 0·16, 4·31) and 11·12 (95 % CI 8·17, 14·08) g/10 g higher total, lean and fatty fish consumption per d, respectively. The OR of becoming overweight in 5 years among women who were normal weight at enrolment was 1·02 (95 % CI 1·01, 1·02), 1·01 (95 % CI 1·00, 1·02) and 1·02 (95 % CI 1·01, 1·04) g/10 g higher total, lean and fatty consumption per d, respectively. Among men, fish consumption was not statistically significantly associated with weight change. Adjustment for potential over- or underestimation of fish consumption did not systematically change the observed associations, but the 95 % CI became wider. The results in subgroups from analyses stratified by age or BMI at enrolment were not systematically different. In conclusion, the present study suggests that fish consumption has no appreciable association with body-weight gain.

Weight regain after weight loss is common. In the Diogenes dietary intervention study, a high-protein and low-glycaemic index (GI) diet improved weight maintenance. The objective of the present study was to identify (1) blood profiles associated with continued weight loss and weight regain (2) blood biomarkers of dietary protein and GI levels during the weight-maintenance phase. Blood samples were collected at baseline, after 8 weeks of low-energy diet-induced weight loss and after a 6-month dietary intervention period from female continued weight losers (n 48) and weight regainers (n 48), evenly selected from four dietary groups that varied in protein and GI levels. The blood concentrations of twenty-nine proteins and three steroid hormones were measured. The changes in analytes during weight maintenance largely correlated negatively with the changes during weight loss, with some differences between continued weight losers and weight regainers. Increases in leptin (LEP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly associated with weight regain (P < 0·001 and P = 0·005, respectively), and these relationships were influenced by the diet. Consuming a high-protein and high-GI diet dissociated the positive relationship between the change in LEP concentration and weight regain. CRP increased during the weight-maintenance period only in weight regainers with a high-protein diet (P < 0·001). In addition, testosterone, luteinising hormone, angiotensinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, resistin, retinol-binding protein 4, insulin, glucagon, haptoglobin and growth hormone were also affected by the dietary intervention. The blood profile reflects not only the weight change during the maintenance period, but also the macronutrient composition of the dietary intervention, especially the protein level.

Photoemission spectra from HTSC materials ( primarily 123 -type ), cleaved and measured at 20K, reveal a rich DOS structure which compares favorably with a calculated band structure, except for a residual 0.5 eV shift which may reflect some correlation effects. Band dispersion is observed throughout the valence bands, with clear evidence for a 0.2 eV wide band dispersing through EF. The orbital character at EF is a mix of Cu-3d and O-2p. There is unambiguous evidence for a large BCS-like gap (2Δ≥ 4kTc).

Model dendrimers based on bis-(diphenylamino)stilbene repeat units have been synthesized and shown to have very stable bipolaronic charge states. Calculations at the AM-1 level predict two orders magnitude enhancement in the third-order nonlinearity in going from the neutral to bipolaron state. Measurement of two-photon cross-sections for PPV dimers with attached diphenylamino donor groups show enhanced two-photon cross-sections for ns pulses. Preliminary evaluation of one of the model dendrimers indicates even larger two-photon cross-sections are possible.

The formation of acentric films using alternating polyelectrolyte deposition (APD) has been achieved on hydrophobic and hydrophilic glass substrates. APD is a layer-by-layer technique for the formation of polymer films by alternately immersing a substrate in aqueous solutions of a polyanion and a polycation. APD provides precise control of the overall film thickness that through automated processing may exceed a thousand layers. In this study, APD films were made of an NLO-active polycation, stilbazolium-substituted polyepichlorohydrin (SPECH), and NLO-inactive polyanions. The peak maximum UV-Visible absorbance in transmission through the films was linear as a function of the number of bilayers. Second harmonic generation (SHG) was used as a tool to indicate acentric order of polarizable sidechain chromophores within the APD films. The SHG exhibited the expected quadratic intensity increase with film thickness.

Organic chromophores have been exploited for a wide range of discrete optical and electronic functions as well as a growing number of combined opto-electronic functions. We are pursuing development of organic and polymer materials for a range of applications that require properties including liquid crystallinity, second order optical nonlinearity, photorefractivity and, more recently, special nonlinear optical behavior involving molecular chirality.

We study the current-voltage characteristics of both double and single carrier polymer light emitting devices in the high intensity electrical excitation regime. Single layer devices are investigated with the orange-emitting MEH-PPV as the active polymer. Performing very low duty (≈0.001 %) pulsed electroluminescence measurements with electric fields up to 1*109 V/m, we observe for the hole-dominated devices a space charge limited current with a saturating mobility and a saturating external quantum efficiency of 1%. For double carrier devices, the current starts to saturate in the high-field regime, appoaching Ohmic-like behavior. We report current densities of 100 A/cm2and brightnesses of 7*105 cd/m2. The spectral features are monitored below the onset of degradation.

To understand the properties of light-sensitive compounds used in optical limiters having photoinduced charge transfer mechanisms, we have investigated the photophysics of a series of di(2-thienyl-3,3'-butyl)polyenes. Spectroscopic measurements, including UV/Vis, fluorescence, fluorescence lifetimes, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet state lifetime, solvent effects and two-photon absorption coefficient were obtained as a function of the number of double bonds(n = 1-5). Trends in the data reflected the ordering, energy gap between and mixing of 1Bu* and 1Ag* excited state configurations.