On the equivalence of Eulerian and Lagrangian variables for the two-component Camassa-Holm system

The Camassa-Holm equation and its two-component Camassa-Holm system generalization both experience wave breaking in finite time. To analyze this, and to obtain solutions past wave breaking, it is common to reformulate the original equation given in Eulerian coordinates, into a system of ordinary differential equations in Lagrangian coordinates. It is of considerable interest to study the stability of solutions and how this is manifested in Eulerian and Lagrangian variables. We identify criteria of convergence, such that convergence in Eulerian coordinates is equivalent to convergence in Lagrangian coordinates. In addition, we show how one can approximate global conservative solutions of the scalar Camassa-Holm equation by smooth solutions of the two-component Camassa-Holm system that do not experience wave breaking

Occasions, people and places for pork consumption in Europe. Empirical findings from the Q-Porkchains pan-European consumer survey

Objective: to describe the occasions when, the places where and people with whom respondents reported pork meat consumption. Design & Setting: Cross-sectional web based survey in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece and Poland, January 2008, with quota samples on gender (male, female), age categories (20- 44y and 45-70y), and locality of residence (urban, rural with low pig production density and rural with high pig production density). Subjects: 2437 respondents (51% women, 49% men; mean age 41.4 y SD 13.1). Methods: Online computer based survey, including sociodemographic information, anthropometrics (weight, height), and further questions on frequency of pork consumption (30 common items, 17 country-specific items), the occasions (working day, any day, weekend, special occasions), the company (alone, with family, with friends, with others) and the place of actual consumption (at home, outside of home). Results are aggregated for the five European countries. Results: Tenderloin, mignonette, brochette together with pork shoulder ranked as the first choices for weekend and special occasions. The most out-of home consumed products are mixed gyros-pita meat, pork based brochette, pizza, small cuts, marinated meat, escalope, shoulder, tenderloin and mixed meat. The Greek country specific Sygglino, Tigania, and the Country-style sausage are amongst the main preferences for out of home consumption. At European level, most products are consumed at home and with the family. Meat products such as salami, ham, and similar products are amongst the first choices when eating alone. Semi-processed meat like brochettes, small cuts and marinated or ready to eat dishes as gyros-pitas and pizza are the main choice for eating in the company of friends. Conclusions: European respondents seem to make specific choices of food depending on to the occasions, the places and the company. This information highlights the potential orientation of consumers towards fresh meat for special occasions or weekends, and more processed and convenient products when alone or socializing. This information is also useful to address interventions aiming at the improvement of food related health in Europe.Occasions, Pork consumption, Europe, Q-Porkchains, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Two-Photon Doppler cooling of alkaline-earth-metal and ytterbium atoms

A new possibility of laser cooling of alkaline-earth-metal and Ytterbium atoms using a two-photon transition is analyzed. We consider a $^{1}S_{0}$ - $^{1}S_{0}$ transition, with excitation in near resonance with the $^{1}P_{1}$ level. This greatly increases the two-photon transition rate, allowing an effective transfer of momentum. The experimental implementation of this technique is discussed and we show that for Calcium, for example, two-photon cooling can be used to achieve a Doppler limit of 123 microKelvin. The efficiency of this cooling scheme and the main loss mechanisms are analyzed.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Targeting GATA4 for cardiac repair

Various strategies have been applied to replace the loss of cardiomyocytes in order to restore reduced cardiac function and prevent the progression of heart disease. Intensive research efforts in the field of cellular reprogramming and cell transplantation may eventually lead to efficient in vivo applications for the treatment of cardiac injuries, representing a novel treatment strategy for regenerative medicine. Modulation of cardiac transcription factor (TF) networks by chemical entities represents another viable option for therapeutic interventions. Comprehensive screening projects have revealed a number of molecular entities acting on molecular pathways highly critical for cellular lineage commitment and differentiation, including compounds targeting Wnt- and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta)-signaling. Furthermore, previous studies have demonstrated that GATA4 and NKX2-5 are essential TFs in gene regulation of cardiac development and hypertrophy. For example, both of these TFs are required to fully activate mechanical stretch-responsive genes such as atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). We have previously reported that the compound 3i-1000 efficiently inhibited the synergy of the GATA4-NKX2-5 interaction. Cellular effects of 3i-1000 have been further characterized in a number of confirmatory in vitro bioassays, including rat cardiac myocytes and animal models of ischemic injury and angiotensin II-induced pressure overload, suggesting the potential for small molecule-induced cardioprotection.Peer reviewe

Reaching across the disciplinary divide to extend Open Science

Open Science aims to make research publicly available— from the data collected and methods used, to peer review processes and educational materials. Open science emerged in the late 20th century as a way to formalize the practice that scientists had ostensibly engaged in for centuries, and where the newly-formed internet could house materials for others to access. Principles of open science include Open Data, Open Source, Open Methodology, Open Peer Review, Open Access, and Open Educational Resources. Most of those principles are not exclusive to scientific research; indeed, many researchers across academia engage in similar practices in their own disciplines. Although Open Scholarship is a more inclusive term, the legacy of Open Science remains prevalent across academia. Our discussion will be framed by our previous professional experiences, which included creating connections between humanities/social sciences and scientific research, as well as supporting scholarship in those areas. In this talk, we will share some strategies for engaging colleagues who support researchers outside of the sciences in open practices that go beyond organizing events for Open Access and Open Education weeks. We will discuss some initiatives such as extending support for ORCID to researchers from all disciplines or broadening the definition of data to embrace non-traditional scholarly outputs, and widening library instruction to include open principles. Furthermore, we will suggest some approaches to help non-scientist researchers move toward open principles. We believe that open science, in the spirit of being truly open, belongs to all scholars, and that many in the humanities and social sciences are already practicing open principles

3-Year prospective multicenter study on one-stage implant surgery and early loading in the edentulous mandible

Background: The long-term success rates achieved in dental implantology suggest that flexibility might well exist within the various implant systems to a degree that an altered protocol (ie, one-stage surgery and immediate or early loading) can be performed under controlled conditions. However, before variations of the protocol can be considered for general use, they must be subjected to critical analysis, particularly with respect to the predictability of osseointegration, alteration of soft tissue barrier, and relative change in bone height around the implants. Purpose: The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate implant survival and periimplant conditions around endosseous implants placed in a one-stage surgical procedure and early loading. Materials and Methods: A total of 170 implants were placed in 40 patients with mandibular edentulism and were functionally loaded within 6 weeks with overdentures (n = 30) or fixed prostheses (n = 10). All patients and prosthetic constructions were evaluated according to a standardized protocol during 3 years of follow-up. Cumulative implant survival rates were calculated, and implant loss in relation to implant size and bone quality and quantity were evaluated. Furthermore, the protocol included assessment of clinical (plaque and bleeding scores, prosthesis stability) and radiographic parameters. Results: Over a period of 3 years, the implant survival rate was 93% for both implants and prostheses (fixed or removable). No implants were lost after the first year of loading. The periimplant tissues were in a healthy condition. Mean marginal bone resorption from the time of loading to the 3-year follow-up was 0.41 mm (SD 0.52). Conclusions: From this study it may be concluded that early loading results in good implant survival and proper periimplant health in edentulous mandibles.</p

Insights on dissolved organic matter production revealed by removal of charge-transfer interactions in senescent leaf leachates

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a critical part of the global carbon cycle. Currently, it is understood that at least a portion of the chromophoric DOM (CDOM) character can be described through an electronic interaction of charge transfer (CT) complexes. While much work has been done to understand the influence of CT on soil and aquatic reference standard DOM, little is known about the influence of CT in fresh terrestrially derived DOM. In this study, leaf litter leachates from three tree species were treated (reduced) with sodium borohydride to determine the contribution of CT on a source of fresh terrestrial DOM. Leaf litter was sampled four times through decomposition under natural (field) conditions to determine the influence of degradation on response to borohydride treatment. Leaf litter CDOM displayed a unique loss of UVB absorption following borohydride treatment, as well as a homogenizing effect on fluorescence emission character. Humification index (HIX) differentiated Elliot Soil Humic Acid and Suwannee River Fulvic Acid from leaf litter leachates. However, biological index (BIX), and spectral slope metrics were not able to differentiate leaf leachates from these reference standards. Apparent quantum yields were similar in magnitude between leaf leachates and reference standards, although leaf leachate spectra displayed features not evident in reference standards. These results help understand the origins of DOM optical properties and associated quantitative indices in freshly sourced terrestrial material. Overall, these results suggest that even at the initial stages of decomposition, terrestrial CDOM exhibits optical characteristics and responses to removal of electron accepting ketones and aldehydes, through borohydride treatment, similar to more processed CDOM

Application of high-throughput sequencing for studying genomic variations in congenital heart disease

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) represent the most common birth defect in human. The majority of cases are caused by a combination of complex genetic alterations and environmental influences. In the past, many disease-causing mutations have been identified; however, there is still a large proportion of cardiac malformations with unknown precise origin. High-throughput sequencing technologies established during the last years offer novel opportunities to further study the genetic background underlying the disease. In this review, we provide a roadmap for designing and analyzing high-throughput sequencing studies focused on CHD, but also with general applicability to other complex diseases. The three main next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms including their particular advantages and disadvantages are presented. To identify potentially disease-related genomic variations and genes, different filtering steps and gene prioritization strategies are discussed. In addition, available control datasets based on NGS are summarized. Finally, we provide an overview of current studies already using NGS technologies and showing that these techniques will help to further unravel the complex genetics underlying CHD

Use and understanding of nutrition information on food labels in six European countries

Aim: The goal of the study was to investigate the use of nutrition information on food labels and understanding of guideline daily amount (GDA) front-of-pack nutrition labels in six European countries. Subjects and methods: In-store observations and in-store interviews were conducted in major retailers in the UK (n = 2019), Sweden (n = 1858), France (n = 2337), Germany (n = 1963), Poland (n = 1800) and Hungary (n = 1804), supplemented by questionnaires filled out at home and returned (overall response rate 50.3%). Use of labels was measured by combining in-store observations and in-store interviews on concrete purchases in six product categories. Understanding of GDA front-of-pack nutrition labels was measured by a variety of tasks dealing with conceptual understanding, substantial understanding and health inferences. Demographics, nutrition knowledge and interest in healthy eating were measured as potential determinants. Results: Across six product categories, 16.8% of shoppers were found to have looked for nutrition information on the label, with the nutrition grid (table or list), GDA labels and the ingredients list as the main sources consulted and calories, fat and sugar the information most often looked for. Understanding of GDA labels was high in the UK, Sweden and Germany, and more limited in the other countries. Regression analysis showed that, in addition to country-specific differences, use and understanding are also affected by differences in interest in healthy eating and in nutrition knowledge and by social grade. Conclusion: Understanding of nutrition information seems to be more widespread than use, suggesting that lack of use is a question of not only understanding, but also motivation. Considerable national differences exist in both understanding and use, some of which may be attributed to different histories of the role of nutrition in the public debate

Pufendorf, Samuel

During the last two decades, Samuel von Pufendorf’s (1632–1694) natural law philosophy has become the subject of renewed and growing attentiveness among intellectual historians and philosophers (Seidler 2015). In the late-seventeenth century and early eighteenth century, Pufendorf was the most widely-read moral and political philosopher in Europe, whose reputation is most clearly exemplified in the impressive number of translations and editions of his works. Pufendorfian natural law theory offered a shared vocabulary and conceptual possibilities for the discussion of morality, politics and interstate relations for numerous eighteenth-century thinkers, such as Christian Thomasius, the authors of the Scottish Enlightenment and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Pufendorf spent large parts of his career in princely courts and portrayed the history of states and their natural law foundations in his widely circulated historical works (Seidler 1997). Moreover, he also wrote on the issues of theology and church-state relations (Döring 1992, Zurbuchen 1998).Peer reviewe