Recent progress constraining the nuclear equation of state from astrophysics and heavy ion reactions

The quest for the nuclear equation of state (EoS) at high densities and/or extreme isospin is one of the longstanding problems of nuclear physics. Ab initio calculations for the nuclear many-body problem make predictions for the density and isospin dependence of the EoS far away from the saturation point of nuclear matter. On the other hand, in recent years substantial progress has been mode to constrain the EoS both, from the astrophysical side and from accelerator based experiments. Heavy ion experiments support a soft EoS at moderate densities while recent neutron star observations require a ``stiff'' high density behavior. Both constraints are discussed and shown to be in agreement with the predictions from many-body theory.Comment: Invited talk given at NPA III, Dresden, Germany, March 200

Influence of seminal plasma on fertility of fresh and frozen-thawed stallion epididymal spermatozoa

The use of epididymal stallion spermatozoa for routine artificial insemination can secure easy future use of valuable genetics after unforeseen death or injury of a valuable stallion. The aims of this study were to (1) directly compare pregnancy rates for fresh and frozen-thawed stallion epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa after conventional artificial insemination and (2) to investigate the effect of seminal plasma on the fertility of epididymal spermatozoa after insemination. Twenty-one mares were randomly assigned to three stallions. Mares were inseminated at five consecutive oestrous periods using fresh ejaculated spermatozoa (Fr-E, n=18), fresh epididymal spermatozoa that had been exposed to seminal plasma (Fr-SP+, n=12) or fresh epididymal spermatozoa that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (Fr-SP-, n=9), frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa (Cr-E, n=18), frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa that had been exposed to seminal plasma prior to freezing (Cr-SP+, n=18) and frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (Cr-SP-, n=15). Pregnancy examinations were performed 14 days after each ovulation. Pregnancy rates were 55.6% (Fr-E, 10/18), 75% (Fr-SP+, 9/12), 22.2% (Fr-SP-, 2/9), 38.9% (Cr-E, 7/18), 27.8% (Cr-SP+, 5/18) and 6.7% (Cr-SP-, 1/15). Overall pregnancy rates for fresh and frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa that had been exposed to seminal plasma were significantly better than for epididymal spermatozoa that had never been exposed to seminal plasma (P<0.05). We conclude that the exposure of stallion epididymal spermatozoa to seminal plasma improves pregnancy rate

Online Lectures - continuing education in veterinary medicine assisted by e-learning

Practising veterinarians in Germany are obliged to take part in continuing education. Due to high expenses which are incurred while taking part in continuing education, such as replacement of personnel, travel costs, conference fees, etc., it is important that efforts toward achievement of learning objectives are maximized. Through the introduction of rapid e-learning techniques, several conferences have been digitised and made available via the internet including publication of CD-ROMs to give participants the possibility of repeated learning. The acceptability of this technique was tested via utilisation data and a survey of participants. It was found that 83.3% of lecturers provided their talks (i.e., a total of approximately 196 lectures) for digital distribution. The website featuring the on-line lectures recorded an average of 22 visits per day during a 12-month period. The survey conducted on 82 participants showed a high level of acceptance toward the e-learning technique. In conclusion, there is evidence of a great demand for using new media in continuing education for practitioners of veterinary medicine.Die Tierärztinnen und Tierärzte in Deutschland sind gesetzlich zur Fortbildung verpflichtet. Da die Gesamtkosten für die Fortbildung sehr hoch sind (Praxisvertreter, Reisekosten, Tagungsbeitrag), sollte der Lernerfolg möglichst ergiebig sein. Durch Rapid-eLearning wurden mehrere Vortragsveranstaltungen digitalisiert und per Internet und CD verbreitet, um die Möglichkeiten der Nacharbeitung zu verbessern. Anhand der Nutzungszahlen und einer Nutzerbefragung wurde die Akzeptanz dieser Technik überprüft. 83,3% der Referenten stellten ihre Vorträge für eine digitale Verbreitung zur Verfügung, sodass insgesamt 196 online-Vorträge entstanden sind. Die Internetseiten verzeichneten innerhalb von 12 Monaten durchschnittlich 22 Besuche (visits) am Tag. In der Befragung von 82 Tagungsteilnehmern konnte eine hohe Akzeptanz der Technik nachgewiesen werden. Zusammenfassend lässt sich feststellen, dass sich innerhalb der Tierärzteschaft eine hohe Nachfrage nach dem Einsatz neuer Medien in der Fortbildung zeigt