A high-resolution monitoring approach of urban CO2 fluxes. Part 2 - surface flux optimisation using eddy covariance observations

Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 requires ground-breaking technological and methodological advancements in climate change mitigation planning and actions from local to regional scales. Monitoring the cities' CO2 emissions with sufficient detail and accuracy is crucial for guiding sustainable urban transformation. Current methodologies for CO2 emission inventories rely on bottom-up (BU) approaches which do not usually offer information on the spatial or temporal variability of the emissions and present substantial uncertainties. This study develops a novel approach which assimilates direct CO2 flux observations from urban eddy covariance (EC) towers with very high spatiotemporal resolution information from an advanced urban BU surface flux model (Part 1 of this study, Stagakis et al., 2023) within a Bayesian inversion framework. The methodology is applied to the city centre of Basel, Switzerland (3 × 3 km domain), taking advantage of two long-term urban EC sites located 1.6 km apart. The data assimilation provides optimised gridded CO2 flux information individually for each urban surface flux component (i.e. building heating emissions, commercial/industrial emissions, traffic emissions, human respiration emissions, biogenic net exchange) at 20 m resolution and weekly time-step. The results demonstrate that urban EC observations can be consistently used to improve high-resolution BU surface CO2 flux model estimations, providing realistic seasonal variabilities of each flux component. Traffic emissions are determined with the greatest confidence among the five flux components during the inversions. The optimised annual anthropogenic emissions are 14.7 % lower than the prior estimate, the human respiration emissions have decreased by 12.1 %, while the biogenic components transformed from a weak sink to a weak source. The root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) of the weekly comparisons between EC observations and model outputs are consistently reduced. However, a slight underestimation of the total flux, especially in locations with complex CO2 source/sink mixture, is still evident in the optimised fluxes.

A high-resolution monitoring approach of urban CO2 fluxes. Part 1 - bottom-up model development

Monitoring carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of urban areas is increasingly important to assess the progress towards the Paris Agreement goals for climate neutrality. Cities are currently voluntarily developing their local inventories, however, the approaches used across different cities are not systematically assessed, present consistency issues, neglect the biogenic fluxes and have restricted spatial and temporal resolution. In order to assess the accuracy of the urban emission inventories and provide information which is useful for planning local climate change mitigation actions, high resolution modelling approaches combined or evaluated with atmospheric observations are needed. This study presents a new high-resolution bottom-up (BU) model which provides hourly maps of all major components contributing to the local urban surface CO₂ flux (i.e. building emissions, traffic emissions, human respiration, soil respiration, plant respiration, plant photosynthetic uptake) and can therefore be used for direct comparison with in-situ atmospheric observations and development of local scale atmospheric inversion methodologies. The model design aims to be simple and flexible using inputs that are available in most cities, facilitating transferability to different locations. The inputs are primarily based on open geospatial datasets, census information, road traffic monitoring and basic meteorological parameters. The model is applied on the city centre of Basel, Switzerland, for the year 2018 and the results are compared to a local inventory. It is demonstrated that the model captures the highly dynamic spatiotemporal variability of the urban CO₂ fluxes according to main environmental drivers, population activity dynamics and geospatial information proxies. The annual modelled emissions from buildings and traffic are estimated 14.8 % and 9 % lower than the respective information derived by the local inventory. The differences are mainly attributed to the emissions from the industrial areas and the highways which are beyond the geographical coverage of the model.

Air temperature and incidence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae

BACKGROUND

Higher outdoor temperature may be related to an increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria. We investigated the association between local outdoor air temperature and the incidence of extended-spectrum betalactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) correcting for known drivers of antibiotic resistance.

METHODS

We performed a time-series regression study using prospectively collected weekly surveillance data on all ESBL-PE isolated from in- and outpatients of the University Hospital Basel, a tertiary care center in Switzerland, between 01/2008-12/2017. Temperature was measured hourly at the meteorological institute of the University Basel next to our institution over this time period. A time-series approach using a Poisson regression model and different lag terms for delayed exposure effects was performed to assess associations between minimal, mean and maximal weekly temperature and the number of ESBL-PE recovered.

RESULTS

Over 10 years, recovery of ESBL-PE increased (annual incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.14, 95%CI 1.13-1.16), while mean weekly temperature measures remained stable. In multivariable analyses, increasing temperature was associated with higher recovery rates of ESBL-PE after three to four weeks, correcting for potential confounders, such as the number of admissions, proportion of long-term nursing facility- and ICU-admissions, age, Charlson comorbidity index and consumption of antimicrobials (IRRs per 10 °C ranging from 1.14 to 1.22, 95%CIs 1.07-1.33). These trends remained when analyzing correlations between temperature with the proportion of extended spectrum cephalosporin resistance of all recovered Enterobacteriaceae.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher outdoor temperature may be associated with an increase of ESBL-PE-incidence, independent of important confounders, such as antimicrobial consumption and thus should be considered for future resistance-trajectories.

Silver nanoparticles adversely affect the swimming behavior of European Whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) larvae within the low µg/L range

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs; speciation: NM-300 K) in the lab on the behavior of larvae in European Whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus), a relevant model species for temperate aquatic environments during alternating light and darkness phases. The behavioral parameters measured included activity, turning rate, and distance moved. C. lavaretus were exposed to AgNP at nominal concentrations of 0, 5, 15, 45, 135, or 405 µg/L (n = 33, each) and behavior was recorded using a custom-built tracking system equipped with light sources that reliably simulate light and darkness. The observed behavior was analyzed using generalized linear mixed models, which enabled reliable detection of AgNP-related movement patterns at 10-fold higher sensitivity compared to recently reported standard toxicological studies. Exposure to 45 µg/L AgNPs significantly resulted in hyperactive response patterns for both activity and turning rates after an illumination change from light to darkness suggesting that exposure to this compound triggered escape mechanisms and disorientation-like behaviors in C. lavaretus fish larvae. Even at 5 µg/L AgNPs some behavioral effects were detected, but further tests are required to assess their ecological relevance. Further, the behavior of fish larvae exposed to 135 µg/L AgNPs was comparable to the control for all test parameters, suggesting a triphasic dose response pattern. Data demonstrated the potential of combining generalized linear mixed models with behavioral investigations to detect adverse effects on aquatic species that might be overlooked using standard toxicological tests.

Direct observations of CO2 emission reductions due to COVID-19 lockdown across European urban districts

The measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 in 2020 included restrictions of people's mobility and reductions in economic activities. These drastic changes in daily life, enforced through national lockdowns, led to abrupt reductions of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions in urbanized areas all over the world. To examine the effect of social restrictions on local emissions of CO₂, we analysed district level CO₂ fluxes measured by the eddy-covariance technique from 13 stations in 11 European cities. The data span several years before the pandemic until October 2020 (six months after the pandemic began in Europe). All sites showed a reduction in CO₂ emissions during the national lockdowns. The magnitude of these reductions varies in time and space, from city to city as well as between different areas of the same city. We found that, during the first lockdowns, urban CO₂ emissions were cut with respect to the same period in previous years by 5% to 87% across the analysed districts, mainly as a result of limitations on mobility. However, as the restrictions were lifted in the following months, emissions quickly rebounded to their pre-COVID levels in the majority of sites.

Incubation media modify silver nanoparticle toxicity for whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) embryos

Toxicological studies were performed to examine silver nanoparticle (AgNP, size: 14.4 ± 2.5 nm) transformation within three different test media and consequent effects on embryos of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) and roach (Rutilus rutilus). The test media, namely ASTM very hard water, ISO standard dilution medium, and natural lake water differed predominantly in ionic strength. Total silver was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), while AgNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and single particle ICP-MS. Silver species distributions were estimated via thermodynamic speciation calculations. Data demonstrated that increased AgNP dissolution accompanied by decreasing ionic strength of the test medium did not occur as noted in other studies. Further, other physicochemical parameters including AgNP size and metallic species distribution did not markedly affect AgNP-induced toxicity. Irrespective of the test medium, C. lavaretus were more sensitive to AgNP exposure (median lethal concentration after 8 weeks: 0.51-0.73 mg/L) compared to R. rutilus, where adverse effects were only observed at 5 mg/L in natural lake water. In addition, AgNP-induced toxicity was lower in the two standard test media compared to natural lake water. Currently, there are no apparent studies assessing simultaneously the sensitivity of C. lavaretus and R. rutilus to AgNP exposure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to (1) investigate AgNP-induced toxicity in C. lavaretus and R. rutilus cohabiting in the same aquatic environment and (2) the role played by test media in the observed effects of AgNPs on these aquatic species.

Urban Water Storage Capacity Inferred From Observed Evapotranspiration Recession

Water storage plays an important role in mitigating heat and flooding in urban areas. Assessment of the water storage capacity of cities remains challenging due to the inherent heterogeneity of the urban surface. Traditionally, effective storage has been estimated from runoff. Here, we present a novel approach to estimate effective water storage capacity from recession rates of observed evaporation during precipitation-free periods. We test this approach for cities at neighborhood scale with eddy-covariance based latent heat flux observations from 14 contrasting sites with different local climate zones, vegetation cover and characteristics, and climates. Based on analysis of 583 drydowns, we find storage capacities to vary between 1.3 and 28.4 mm, corresponding to e-folding timescales of 1.8-20.1 days. This makes the urban storage capacity at least five times smaller than all the observed values for natural ecosystems, reflecting an evaporation regime characterized by extreme water limitation.

The study of prompt fission γ rays at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory

The study of prompt fission γ rays (PFGs) is crucial for understanding the energy and angular momentum distribution in fission, and over the last decade there has been an revived interest in this aspect of fission. We present the new experimental setup at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory for detecting PFGs resulting from charged particle-induced fission. Additionally, PFGs from the reaction 240Pu(d,pf) were measured in April 2018, and the fission gated proton-γ coincidence spectrum is shown. In order to explore the dependence of the PFG emission on the excitation energy and angular momentum of the compound nucleus, we plan several experiments where charged particle reactions are used to induce fission in various plutonium isotopes. The final results will be compared to predictions made by the Fission Reaction Event Yield Algorithm (FREYA) in an upcoming publication, to benchmark the current modelling of both the PFGs and the fission process.

Employing FREYA for fission product yield evaluations

The fast event-by-event fission code FREYA (Fission Reaction Event Yield Algorithm) generates large samples of complete fission events while employing only a few physics-based parameters. Not only is FREYA fast, it is also flexible, able to employ a variety of input formats to test the implications of various fission yield evaluations on neutron and photon observables. We describe how FREYA was applied to the neutron-rich nuclei needed for r-process nucleosynthesis calculations as an example of this flexibility. Finally, we discuss how we plan to make use of this flexibility to extend FREYA to calculations of cumulative fission product yields to aid evaluations of these yields in the future.

Parameter Optimization and Sensitivity Studies of Spontaneous Fission with FREYA

For many years, the state of the art for simulating fission in transport codes amounted to sampling from average distributions. However, such "average" fission models have limited capabilities. Energy is not explicitly conserved and no correlations are available because all particles are emitted independently. However, in a true fission event, the emitted particles are correlated. Recently, Monte Carlo codes generating complete fission events have been developed, thus allowing the use of event-by-event analysis techniques. Such techniques are particularly useful because the complete kinematic information is available for the fission products and the emitted neutrons and photons. It is therefore possible to extract any desired observables, including correlations. The fast event-by-event fission code FREYA (Fission Reaction Event Yield Algorithm) generates large samples of complete fission events, employing only a few physics-based parameters. A recent optimization of these parameters for the isotopes in FREYA that undergo spontaneous fission is described and results are presented. The sensitivity of neutron observables in FREYA to the input yield functions is also discussed and the correlation between the average neutron multiplicity and fragment total kinetic energy is quantified.

P2532Incidence and outcome of perioperative myocardial infarction/injury after non-cardiac surgeries diagnosed by high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I

Background

In order to differentiate perioperative myocardial infarction/injury (PMI) after non-cardiac surgery from preexisting cardiomyocyte injury from chronic disorders, recent studies have shown the importance of using an acute absolute increase as a criterion for PMI. For high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT), PMI defined as an absolute increase of 14ng/L (the 99th percentile) has been shown to be strongly associated with 30-day mortality. Until now, no data on hs-cTnI are available. This is a major unmet clinical need, as relevant differences between hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI have recently been identified and, as worldwide hs-cTnI is more commonly used as compared to hs-cTnT. We hypothesized that applying the same criterion to hs-cTnI, would reveal a similar association with outcomes.

Purpose

To evaluate the incidence and outcome of PMI diagnosed by hs-cTnI after non-cardiac surgery.

Methods

We included prospectively consecutive high cardiovascular risk patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Hs-cTnI concentrations were measured before surgery and, daily after surgery, for three days. PMI was defined as an absolute rise of ≥26ng/L (the 99th percentile of the assay studied) from baseline values. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, acute heart failure and arrhythmias, and the secondary outcome was all-cause mortality, within 30 days and one year.

Results

We included 2,018 patients submitted to 2,551 surgeries. Patients had median age of 73 years (IQR 68–79) and 56% were male. After surgery, 231 patients (9%, 95% CI 8–10%) fulfilled PMI diagnostic criterion. Patients with PMI had higher rates of MACE than patients without PMI, at 30 days (13% vs. 2%; P<0.001) and, at one-year follow-up (25% vs. 8%; P<0.001). All-cause mortality was also higher in PMI patients within 30 days and one year (9% vs. 1.5% and, 22% vs. 8%, respectively; P<0.001). In multivariate cox regression analysis, PMI showed a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.7 (95% CI, 2.9–7.6; P<0.001) within 30 days, and a HR of 2.7 (95% CI, 2.0–3.7; P<0.001) within one year for the occurrence of MACE. For total mortality, PMI showed a HR of 3.8 (95% CI, 2.1–6.8; P<0.001) within 30 days and a HR of 2.0 (95% CI, 1.4–2.7; P<0.001) after one year.

Conclusion

PMI is frequent and associated with high rates of MACE and mortality in short- and long-term follow-up after non-cardiac surgery, regardless of the high-sensitivity troponin assay used for diagnosis.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Swiss Heart Foundation, University basel, Abbott, Astra zeneca, Forschungsfond Kantonsspital Aarau, Cardiovascular Research Foundation Basel, FAPESP

Zebrafish larvae show negative phototaxis to near-infrared light

Zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio) are among the most used model species to test biological effects of different substances in biomedical research, neuroscience and ecotoxicology. Most tests are based on changes in swimming activity of zebrafish larvae by using commercially available high-throughput screening systems. These systems record and analyse behaviour patterns using visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) light sources, to simulate day (VIS) and night (NIR) phases, which allow continuous recording of the behaviour using a NIR sensitive camera. So far, however, the sensitivity of zebrafish larvae to NIR has never been tested experimentally, although being a critical piece of information for interpreting their behaviour under experimental conditions. Here, we investigated the swimming activity of 96 hpf (hours post fertilization) and 120 hpf zebrafish larvae under light sources of NIR at 860 nm and at 960 nm wavelength and under VIS light. A thermal source was simultaneously presented opposite to one of the light sources as control. We found that zebrafish larvae of both larval stages showed a clear negative phototactic response towards 860 nm NIR light and to VIS light, but not to 960 nm NIR light. Our results demonstrated that zebrafish larvae are able to perceive NIR at 860 nm, which is almost identical to the most commonly used light source in commercial screening systems (NIR at 850 nm) to create a dark environment. These tests, however, are not performed in the dark from the zebrafish´s point of view. We recommend testing sensitivity of the used test organism before assuming no interaction with the applied light source of commonly used biosensor test systems. Previous studies on biological effects of substances to zebrafish larvae should be interpreted with caution.

Outdoor Temperature Influences Cold Induced Thermogenesis in Humans

Objective: Energy expenditure (EE) increases in response to cold exposure, which is called cold induced thermogenesis (CIT). Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been shown to contribute significantly to CIT in human adults. BAT activity and CIT are acutely influenced by ambient temperature. In the present study, we investigated the long-term effect of seasonal temperature variation on human CIT.

Materials and Methods: We measured CIT in 56 healthy volunteers by indirect calorimetry. CIT was determined as difference between EE during warm conditions (EE_warm) and after a defined cold stimulus (EE_cold). We recorded skin temperatures at eleven anatomically predefined locations, including the supraclavicular region, which is adjacent to the main human BAT depot. We analyzed the relation of EE, CIT and skin temperatures to the daily minimum, maximum and mean outdoor temperature averaged over 7 or 30 days, respectively, prior to the corresponding study visit by linear regression.

Results: We observed a significant inverse correlation between outdoor temperatures and EE_cold and CIT, respectively, while EE_warm was not influenced. The daily maximum temperature averaged over 7 days correlated best with EE_cold (R² = 0.123, p = 0.008) and CIT (R² = 0.200, p = 0.0005). The mean skin temperatures before and after cold exposure were not related to outdoor temperatures. However, the difference between supraclavicular and parasternal skin temperature after cold exposure was inversely related to the average maximum temperature during the preceding 7 days (R² = 0.07575, p = 0.0221).

Conclusion: CIT is significantly related to outdoor temperatures indicating dynamic adaption of thermogenesis and BAT activity to environmental stimuli in adult humans.

Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier NCT02682706.

Update on Heavy Flavor Production in Cold Matter

I will discuss areas of heavy flavor theory where new progress has been made.

Do titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce food depletion for filter feeding organisms? A case study with Daphnia magna

Although nanoparticles are increasingly investigated, their impact on the availability of food (i.e., algae) at the bottom of food chains remains unclear. It is, however, assumed that algae, which form heteroagglomerates with nanoparticles, sediment quickly limiting the availability of food for primary consumers such as Daphnia magna. As a consequence, it may be hypothesized that this scenario - in case of fundamental importance for the nanoparticles impact on primary consumers - induces a similar pattern in the life history strategy of daphnids relative to situations of food depletion. To test this hypothesis, the present study compared the life-history strategy of D. magna experiencing different degrees of food limitation as a consequence of variable algal density with daphnids fed with heteroagglomerates composed of algae and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2). In contrast to the hypothesis, daphnids' body length, weight, and reproduction increased when fed with these heteroagglomerates, while the opposite pattern was observed under food limitation scenarios. Moreover, juvenile body mass, and partly length, was affected negatively irrespective of the scenarios. This suggests that daphnids experienced - besides a limitation in the food availability - additional stress when fed with heteroagglomerates composed of algae and nTiO2. Potential explanations include modifications in the nutritious quality of algae but also an early exposure of juveniles to nTiO2.

[Ophthalmomyiasis externa]

Ophthalmomyiasis refers to infestation of the eye by fly larvae. Although rare, cases have been reported from all over the world. Patients with ophthalmomyiasis suffer from itching, foreign body sensation and epiphora. Ophthalmomyiasis is mostly caused by larvae of Oestrus ovis, the common sheep botfly. Larvae of Oestrus ovis are photophobic and hide in the upper and lower fornix. First line treatment consists of mechanical removal of the larvae.

Heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in the LHC era: from proton-proton to heavy-ion collisions

This report reviews the study of open heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in high-energy hadronic collisions, as tools to investigate fundamental aspects of Quantum Chromodynamics, from the proton and nucleus structure at high energy to deconfinement and the properties of the Quark-Gluon Plasma. Emphasis is given to the lessons learnt from LHC Run 1 results, which are reviewed in a global picture with the results from SPS and RHIC at lower energies, as well as to the questions to be addressed in the future. The report covers heavy flavour and quarkonium production in proton-proton, proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions. This includes discussion of the effects of hot and cold strongly interacting matter, quarkonium photoproduction in nucleus-nucleus collisions and perspectives on the study of heavy flavour and quarkonium with upgrades of existing experiments and new experiments. The report results from the activity of the SaporeGravis network of the I3 Hadron Physics programme of the European Union 7[Formula: see text] Framework Programme.

Synthesis of coplanar PCT as reference substances for the residue analysis of polychlorinated terphenyls

In the course of the development of a new and reliable analytical method for the PCT, a group of environmental contaminants, six coplanar terphenyl congeners were synthesized and characterized by means of spectroscopic methods. These congeners are 3,3″,4,4″,5-pentachloro-p-terphenyl, 3,3″,4,5,5″-pentachloro-p-terphenyl, 3,3″,4,5″-tetrachloro-m-terphenyl, 3,3″,4,4″,5-pentachloro-m-terphenyl, 3,3″,5,5',5″-pentachloro-m-terphenyl, and 3,3″,4,4″,5,5″-hexachloro-m-terphenyl. A combination of silica gel column chromatography and preparative NP-HPLC was successfully applied for the first time for the isolation of especially the asymmetrically chlorinated target compounds from product mixtures of the syntheses. For the 29 coplanar, tetra- to heptachlorinated meta- and para-indicator congeners which are envisaged to be used within the analytical method, a simplified systematic nomenclature is suggested. Furthermore, calculation results for all torsion angles of the preferred conformations of the substances are given. The practical relevance of the calculated conformation optima is exemplarily demonstrated by the chromatographic behavior of the PCT compounds.

The SASSCAL contribution to climate observation, climate data management and data rescue in Southern Africa

Abstract. A major task of the newly established "Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management" (SASSCAL; www.sasscal.org) and its partners is to provide science-based environmental information and knowledge which includes the provision of consistent and reliable climate data for Southern Africa. Hence, SASSCAL, in close cooperation with the national weather authorities of Angola, Botswana, Germany and Zambia as well as partner institutions in Namibia and South Africa, supports the extension of the regional meteorological observation network and the improvement of the climate archives at national level. With the ongoing rehabilitation of existing weather stations and the new installation of fully automated weather stations (AWS), altogether 105 AWS currently provide a set of climate variables at 15, 30 and 60 min intervals respectively. These records are made available through the SASSCAL WeatherNet, an online platform providing near-real time data as well as various statistics and graphics, all in open access. This effort is complemented by the harmonization and improvement of climate data management concepts at the national weather authorities, capacity building activities and an extension of the data bases with historical climate data which are still available from different sources. These activities are performed through cooperation between regional and German institutions and will provide important information for climate service related activities.

[Intracranial hypertension and jugular vein thrombosis]

BACKGROUND

Pseudotumor cerebri is an idiopathic increase in intracranial pressure, which commonly affects obese women of fertile age. The diagnostic criteria according to the guidelines of the German Society for Neurology are increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, symptoms of increased CSF pressure, normal results of CSF examination, no relevant medication and a lack of structural and vascular lesions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

CASE REPORT

This article presents the case of a 39-year-old male patient who presented at hospital with visual obscuration and recently occurred double vision. Except for a recently diagnosed thrombosis of the left jugular vein of unknown origin, there was nothing else of note in the medical history. Biomicroscopic examination showed papilledema with hemorrhages and cotton wool spots. The CSF opening pressure was initially > 50 cmH2O. During therapy by lumbar puncture (three times), oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and loop diuretics, the abducens nerve palsy and papilledema receded. Anticoagulation therapy (initially with coumarin derivatives, then with low molecular weight heparins) was unsuccessful in eliminating the thrombosis of the jugular vein. Surgical intervention was not recommended by the vascular surgeons.

CONCLUSION

This case report demonstrates the unusual combination of (idiopathic) intracranial hypertension and thrombosis of the jugular vein, which occurred spontaneously and without any detectable coagulation disorders.

QCD and strongly coupled gauge theories: challenges and perspectives

We highlight the progress, current status, and open challenges of QCD-driven physics, in theory and in experiment. We discuss how the strong interaction is intimately connected to a broad sweep of physical problems, in settings ranging from astrophysics and cosmology to strongly coupled, complex systems in particle and condensed-matter physics, as well as to searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. We also discuss how success in describing the strong interaction impacts other fields, and, in turn, how such subjects can impact studies of the strong interaction. In the course of the work we offer a perspective on the many research streams which flow into and out of QCD, as well as a vision for future developments.

Über die Darstellung von P-Chlor-substituierten Ν,N′-Dimethylharnstoff-verbrückten Diphosphorverbindungen, deren Enthalogenierung mit Oxalsäurebis(trimethylsilylester) und anschließende Oxidation mit Tetrachlororthobenzochinon / Preparation of P-Chloro-Substituted N′,N′-Dimethylurea-Bridged Diphosphorus Compounds, their Dehalogenation with Oxalic Acid Bis(trimethylsilyl) Ester and Subsequent Oxidation with Tetrachloroobenzoquinone

Reaction of N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)urea (1) with dichlorophosphines. RPCl2 (R = Et: 14; R = Pr: 15) has furnished the P-chloro-substituted acyclic diphosphorus compounds, 16 and 17. In the analogous reaction of 1 with Ph2PCl the corresponding bis(diphenylphosphino)-substituted derivative, 21 was formed. Dehalogenation of 11, 16 and 17 with oxalic acid bis(trimethylsilyl) ester, 22 has produced the mixed-valent cyclic λ3P,λ4P-diphosphorus compounds, 23-25 in almost quantitative yield. Oxidation of the λ3P atom in 23-25 with tetrachloroorthobenzoquinone, 26 has given rise to partial cleavage of the P-P bond, and only moderate yields of the products, 29, 31 and 32, have been obtained. The characterization of the various compounds obtained rests, especially, on their 1H and 31P NMR spectra, and on a study of their mass spectral fragmentation pattern

On the efficiency and correction of vertically oriented blunt bioaerosol samplers in moving air

The aspiration efficiency of vertical and wind-oriented Air-O-Cell samplers was investigated in a field study using the pollen of hazel, sweet chestnut and birch. Collected pollen numbers were compared to measurements of a Hirst-type Burkard spore trap. The discrepancy between pollen counts is substantial in the case of vertical orientation. The results indicate a strong influence of wind velocity and inlet orientation relative to the freestream on the aspiration efficiency. Various studies reported on inertial effects on aerosol motion as function of wind velocity. The measurements were compared to a physically based model for the limited case of vertical blunt samplers. Additionally, a simple linear model based on pollen counts and wind velocity was developed. Both correction models notably reduce the error of vertically oriented samplers, whereas only the physically based model can be used on independent datasets. The study also addressed the precision error of the instruments used, which was substantial for both sampler types.

[Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) finger prosthesis - what have we learnt? Experiences over 10 years]

PURPOSE

In the following article we evaluate the clinical and radiological results after PIP joint replacement to answer the question if the outcome improved over the last years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective clinical study 53 patients with 66 PIP joint implants (SBI-Avanta, Small Bone Innovations, Inc.) were assessed on the basis of clinical and radiological parameters. We examined the patients' range of motion, their grip strength, the rate of radiological loosening, the development of pain and the patients' satisfaction. 2 groups were included in the study. Patients operated from 2001 to 2007 (group A) were compared with patients operated from 2008 to 2011 (group B). To facilitate a standardized examination, we developed a score providing a comprehensive representation of the outcome after PIP joint replacement.

RESULTS

Group B showed significant improvement in the rate of loosening of the prosthesis (44-4%) in the last follow-up examination. Further improvement was demonstrated in pain reduction, range of motion (77°/67°), the patients' satisfaction and development of swan neck deformity (11%/18%). There was no significant improvement in the patients' grip strength and the rate of revision surgery.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results after PIP joint replacement are very good. All patients reported a marked improvement in pain reduction. In group B a significant reduction in the rate of loosening of the prosthesis was shown. Moreover, the rate of swan neck deformity, the range of motion, the reduction of pain and the patient's satisfaction improved over the last years. The application of a new PIP-joint-score for a standardized evaluation of the outcome indicated a good correlation with patient satisfaction over time. The experience of the past years enabled improvements in PIP joint replacement. We consider cementing the prosthesis, a large contact area between the prosthesis and the bone and an emphasis on easy intraoperative flexion/extension as factors which can improve the results after PIP joint replacement. However, some problems could not been solved to date. In this respect, prospective clinical and biomechanical studies are necessary.

Emission and burnt smell characteristics from combustion experiments with defined materials

Typical burnt smell often results from fire accidents or in general from incomplete combustion. Recently, eleven compounds were identified, which are basically responsible for this odour. When analyzing residual materials from different fire accidents, the pattern that means the relative ratios of these compounds among each other varies strongly, although always causing a burnt smelling. Consequently, lab-scale combustion experiments were performed in order to investigate the influence of defined materials from domestic environment on the burnt-smell fingerprints. Furthermore, the occurrence of other polar and higher molecular combustion products was studied. It was found that under good combustion conditions, the burnt smell patterns resulting from the single materials were astonishingly consistent, mostly dominated by methylphenols or naphthalene. No correlation could be found between these 'fingerprints' and combustion product groups identified by GC/MS-screenings. LC/MS/MS-measurements especially pointed at the existence of higher molecular weight phenolic and acidic functionalized compounds in the combustion residues.

Congener specific analysis of polychlorinated terphenyls

In order to identify and to quantify polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) in environmental matrices, the chromatographic behavior of coplanar and non-coplanar congeners was evaluated. A mixture of 16 single PCT congeners was used for method development. Four of these compounds were synthesized for the first time by SUZUKI-coupling reaction. These were p-PCT (2,2'',6,6''-tetrachloro-, 2',3,3'',4,4'',5',-hexachloro-, 2',3,3'',5,5',5''-hexachloro-) and m-PCT (2,2'',3,3'',5,5''-hexachloro-). They were characterized by NMR ((1)H,(13)C) spectroscopy. By means of the new column chromatographic clean-up reported here, a good matrix removal and the separation of the coplanar PCT congeners from the non-coplanar ones was obtained. The recovery rates for all congeners were good for the PCT in different test matrices like fat, charcoal, and soil. The quality of the clean-up, the separation and the recovery rates were determined by GC/MS analysis. The method was applied for the first time to a real sample from a fire accident, where different PCT, obviously formed during the combustion process, were found. The conclusion is drawn that this method is suitable for the analysis of PCT in different environmental samples.

Anwendbarkeit der Selbsttonometrie unter ambulanten Bedingungen zur Gewinnung von Tagesprofilen des intraokularen Druckes

BACKGROUND

Diurnal profiles of intraocular pressure at opening times in the doctor's office do not deliver enough information, especially nightly and early morning measurements are lacking. Self-tonometry using the automatic self-tonometer "Ocuton S" might be suitable to achieve valid 24-hour IOP profiles without the need to stay in a hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

96 people were taught to use the automatic self-tonometer once. Those who had learnt self-tonometry after this training underwent a diurnal IOP profile for 24 hours in the hospital using Goldmann tonometry and self-tonometry every 4 hours at the same times of day. One to three days later, they created a third IOP profile at home using self-tonometry at the same intervals as at the hospital. The IOP profiles were then tested for equality.

RESULTS

50 people out of 96 were able to perform self-tonometry after one training session. The IOP measurements of all three IOP profiles did not differ by more than 2 mmHg and thus may be considered comparable. There was no significant difference between daily curves, either.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-tonometry using the automatic self-tonometer "Ocuton S" appears to be suitable to record diurnal profiles of intraocular pressure at home.

Nucleation particles in diesel exhaust: composition inferred from in situ mass spectrometric analysis

Mass spectrometric measurements of size and composition of diesel exhaust particles have been performed under various conditions: chassis dynamometer tests, field measurements near a German motorway, and individual car chasing. Nucleation particles consisting of volatile sulfate and organic material could be detected both at the chassis dynamometer test facility and during individual car chasing. We found evidence that if nucleation occurs, sulfuric acid/water is the nucleating agent. Low-volatile organics species condense only on the preexisting sulfuric acid/water clusters. Nucleation was found to depend strongly on various parameters such as exhaust dilution conditions, fuel sulfur content, and engine load. The latter determines the fraction of the fuel sulfur that is converted to sulfuric acid. The organic compounds (volatile and low-volatile) condense only on preexisting particles, such as both sulfuric acid nucleation particles and larger accumulation mode soot particles. On the latter, sulfuric acid also condenses, if the conditions for nucleation are not given. The overall ratio of sulfate to organic (volatile and low-volatile) is also strongly dependent on the engine load. It was found that the production of nucleation particles even at high engine load can be suppressed by using low-sulfur fuel.

Inhomogeneous shadowing effects on J/psi production in dA collisions

We study the effect of spatially homogeneous and inhomogeneous shadowing on J/psi production in deuterium-nucleus collisions. We discuss how the shadowing and its spatial dependence can be measured by comparing central and peripheral dA collisions. These event classes may be selected by using gray protons from heavy ion breakup and events where the proton or neutron in the deuterium does not interact. We find that inhomogeneous shadowing has a significant effect on central dA collisions, larger than expected in central AA collisions. Results are presented for dAu collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV and dPb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=6.2 TeV.

Investigation into a cluster of infant deaths following immunization: evidence for methanol intoxication

A cluster of infant deaths due to severe metabolic acidosis following immunization was reported in a prosperous farming village in Egypt. Fears that more deaths might occur, and of a deleterious effect on national immunization programs prompted an urgent investigation by national and international partners. The deaths, and other previously unrecognized illness following immunization, were associated with excessive topical application of methanol. Methanol was employed as an anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory agent following injections. Fear of adverse reactions to vaccine had encouraged increasing use of methanol for these purposes. Local physicians and nurses were unaware of the toxicity of methanol and did not consider it in the differential diagnosis, and thus did not offer appropriate life-saving therapy. The interaction of traditional practices and modern medical interventions can have clinically important consequences, and should be considered when programs are introduced and as they are monitored.

Isomer specific synthesis using the Suzuki-coupling. Polychlorinated terphenyls as standards for environmental analysis

Defined polychlorinated terphenyl (PCT) single congeners as reference standards are the prerequisite for the development of analytical methods for their determination and quantification in the environment. The selective synthesis of PCTs for environmental analytical purposes by application of the Suzuki-coupling reaction is described. Under easily modified standard reaction conditions of this coupling process the PCTs can be obtained by reaction of benzeneboronic acids with dibromobenzenes mostly in good yields, as described by the synthesis of following PCT congeners: p-PCT (3,3("),5,5(")-tetrachloro-, 2,2("),4,4(")-tetrachloro-, 2('),3,3("),5,5(")-pentachloro-); m-PCT (3,3("),5,5(")-tetrachloro-) and o-PCT (3,3("),5,5(")-tetrachloro-). The terphenyl congeners were characterized by NMR (1H, 13C)- and FT-IR-spectroscopy. Their purity was checked by GC/MS analysis. The experimental and quantum-chemically calculated FT-IR-spectra were compared and it was shown, that the determination of the chlorine substitution pattern in the terphenyl congeners by their typical absorption spectra is possible.

[Shiitake dermatitis: flagellate dermatitis after eating mushrooms]

The name of flagellate dermatitis originates from self-flagellating medieval people. This dermatitis is not rare as a drug eruption following bleomycin therapy. An identical skin eruption caused by the mushroom shiitake Lentinus edodes is more common but reported mostly from Japan. We saw a 67-year-old patient who presented with the typical linear scratch marks after a dinner in a Chinese restaurant. The basic mechanism is a toxic epidermal damage. Since it is not clear why the dermatitis does not occur frequently since Shiitake is the second most popular mushroom in the world, we discuss possible cofactors that may trigger the toxic reaction.

[Basic tenets for quality circles in North Rhine Medical Service of Public Health Insurance]

The Medical Advisory Service of the Health Insurance in the area of the Northern Rhine (MDK Nordrhein) has set up an internal concept for quality management since 1998. This concept includes the installation and performance of quality circles. Staff members were internally qualified as "presenters". They worked out principles for quality circles of the MDK North Rhine which were implemented as binding basic rules by the managing conference of the MDK. The principles will be presented in detail.

Purification and characterization of the lysozyme from the gut of the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata

The gut of the adult soft ticks Ornithodoros moubata displays high lytic activity against the bacteria Micrococcus luteus. The activity differed in the range of two orders of magnitude among individual animals and increased on average 4 fold during the first week following ingestion. In homogenates of first instar nymphs the activity was much lower increasing exponentially as nymphs neared the first molt. The protein responsible for this activity was purified out of gut contents of adult ticks by means of affinity adsorption on magnetic-chitin followed by two chromatography steps on cation exchange FPLC column MonoS. The homogeneous active protein has a mass of 14006 +/- 20 Daltons as determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence of this protein is K-V-Y-D-R-C-S-L-A-S-E-L-R with the highest similarity to the lysozyme from liver of rainbow trout and to lysozymes from digestive tracts of several mammals. The motif DRCSLA is specific for the digestive lysozymes of several dipteran insects. Based on this evidence, we have identified the protein as the tick gut lysozyme. The tick gut lysozyme has a pI near 9.7 and retains its full activity after treatment at 60 degrees C for 30 minutes. The pH optimum of the tick lysozyme was in the range from pH 5-7. Only marginal activity could be detected at pH > 8 which raises the question about the function of lysozyme in anti-bacterial defense in the environment of the tick gut.

The effect of buthionine sulfoximine on the growth of Leishmania donovani in culture

Changes in composition of the principal low molecular mass thiols of Leishmania donovani were monitored during the transformation of promastigotes, first to stationary phase metacyclic forms and then to amastigotes. No consistent variation in the thiol composition of the parasite which could account for the known increase in resistance of metacyclic and amastigote lifecycle forms to oxidant stress could be established. Amastigotes cultivated at 37 degrees C also produced ovothiol A, as judged by incorporation of radiolabel from [3-methyl]methionine and [14C]histidine, and the incorporation of radiolabel from [35S]cysteine into ovothiol A represented about 10-15% of the total label recovered in ovothiol A, glutathione and trypanothione. Amastigotes were less susceptible than promastigotes to the effects of the redox cyclers paraquat and menadione and grew in culture in the presence of up to 20 mM buthionine sulfoximine, which completely blocked the synthesis of glutathione and its spermidine conjugates. Glutathione and trypanothione biosynthesis is, therefore, not necessary for the replication of L. donovani amastigotes in culture. Inhibition of the formation of glutathione and trypanothione did not result in an upregulation of ovothiol A production.