Bio Weide-Beef - Die Migros startet durch

Die Migros lancierte auf den 1. April 2010 das Weide-Beef-Programm in den drei grössten Deutschschweizer Migros-Genossenschaften neu

Production of fermentescible sugar from paper-pulp: looking for a dynamic and multiscale integrated models based on physical parameters

In order to achieve economic viability, the biorefining of lignocellulosic resources must be operated at very high feedstock dry matter content. The paper pulp product is rather appropriate for modern biorefining, because it displays low lignin content, is free of inhibitory compounds that can perturb fermentations and is devoid of microbial contaminants. Nevertheless the enzyme liquefaction and saccharification of paper-like pulps are subject to the same constraints as other pulps obtained via alternative methods such as steam explosion or dilute acid hydrolysis. Therefore, the better scientific understanding and ultimately the technical mastering of these critical biocatalytic reactions, which involve complex matrices at high solids content, is currently a major challenge that must be met in order to facilitate the intensification of biorefining operations. Our aim is to investigate dynamic of transfer phenomena and limitation of biocatalytic reactions with lignocelluloses resources under high concentration conditions. Our action focuses on the identification of rate limiting steps of the liquefactions mechanisms by physical and biochemical characterization of pre-treated lignocellulosic resources at a macroscopic scale (power consumption, rheology), microscopic scale (particle size, morphology) and molecular scale (chemical analysis). Firstly, based on real and model matrices and using Metzner & Reed concept, non-Newtonian rheological behaviour of fiber suspensions are described by a structured rheological model including parameters such as concentration, size and shape. Secondly, the complex relationships between fibre structure, degradation, chemical composition and rheological behaviour is investigated. To this end, physical and biochemical on line and off-line analyses will be conducted during bioreaction with a specific and fully instrumented bioprocess. Relation between apparent viscosity change and biocatalytic degradation of fiber may then be discussed

In-situ physical analysis of cellulose fibre suspensions during enzymatic hydrolysis

In-situ physical analysis of cellulose fibre suspensions during enzymatic hydrolysi

Socioeconomic and modifiable predictors of blood pressure control for hypertension in primary care attenders in the Western Cape, South Africa

Background. Low socioeconomic status is associated with the risk of hypertension. There are few reports of the effect of socioeconomic and potentially modifiable factors on the control of hypertension in South Africa (SA).Objectives. To investigate associations between patients’ socioeconomic status and characteristics of primary healthcare facilities, and control and treatment of blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Methods. We enrolled hypertensive patients attending 38 public sector primary care clinics in the Western Cape, SA, in 2011, and followed them up 14 months later as part of a randomised controlled trial. Blood pressure was measured and prescriptions for antihypertension medications were recorded at baseline and follow-up. Logistic regression models assessed associations between patients’ socioeconomic status, characteristics of primary healthcare facilities, and control and treatment of blood pressure.Results. Blood pressure was uncontrolled in 60% (1 917/3 220) of patients at baseline, which was less likely in patients with a higher level of education (p=0.001) and in English compared with Afrikaans respondents (p=0.033). Treatment was intensified in 48% (892/1 872) of patients with uncontrolled blood pressure at baseline and follow-up, which was more likely in patients with higher blood pressure at baseline (p<0.001), concurrent diabetes (p=0.013), more education (p=0.020), and those who attended clinics offering off-site drug supply (p=0.009), with a doctor every day (p=0.004), or with more nurses (p<0.001).Conclusion. Patient and clinic factors influence blood pressure control and treatment in primary care clinics in SA. Potential modifiable factors include ensuring effective communication of health messages, providing convenient access to medications, and addressing staff shortages in primary care clinic

Interaction between Mas1 and AT1RA contributes to enhancement of skeletal muscle angiogenesis by angiotensin-(1-7) in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

The heptapeptide angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) is protective in the cardiovascular system through its induction of vasodilator production and angiogenesis. Despite acting antagonistically to the effects of elevated, pathophysiological levels of angiotensin II (AngII), recent evidence has identified convergent and beneficial effects of low levels of both Ang-(1-7) and AngII. Previous work identified the AngII receptor type I (AT1R) as a component of the protein complex formed when Ang-(1-7) binds its receptor, Mas1. Importantly, pharmacological blockade of AT1R did not alter the effects of Ang-(1-7). Here, we use a novel mutation of AT1RA in the Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rat to test the hypothesis that interaction between Mas1 and AT1R contributes to proangiogenic Ang-(1-7) signaling. In a model of hind limb angiogenesis induced by electrical stimulation, we find that the restoration of skeletal muscle angiogenesis in SS rats by Ang-(1-7) infusion is impaired in AT1RA knockout rats. Enhancement of endothelial cell (EC) tube formation capacity by Ang-(1-7) is similarly blunted in AT1RA mutant ECs. Transcriptional changes elicited by Ang-(1-7) in SS rat ECs are altered in AT1RA mutant ECs, and tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics demonstrate that the protein complex formed upon binding of Ang-(1-7) to Mas1 is altered in AT1RA mutant ECs. Together, these data support the hypothesis that interaction between AT1R and Mas1 contributes to proangiogenic Ang-(1-7) signaling

GT2004-53372 FORCED RESPONSE PREDICTION METHODOLOGY FOR THE DESIGN OF HP COMPRESSORS BLADED DISKS

ABSTRACT This paper presents a general approach related to bladed disk forced response prediction and a typical way to use it in the design process. Firstly, a good confidence level in prediction tools must be reached. The first application is a highly instrumented HP compressor blisk representative of a real engine environment. Simulation of forced response is compared to measurements in order to check the accuracy of prediction. For this test case, the results obtained are in very good agreement with measurements. The good quality of prediction is due to the complete characterization performed on the test case: all the influent parameters were identified before testing. But during the design process, many important parameters are unknown and this level of accuracy can not be obtained. Nevertheless, forced response prediction in the early design process can provide interesting information even if uncertainties are high for some parameters. As an illustration, a second application is proposed, based on the design experience of a new HP compressor of a known engine family. Some forced response predictions were performed during development and compared afterwards with measurements obtained during engine testing. This analysis has permitted to confirm some technical choices and to assess the High Cycle Fatigue risk associated to this new engine configuration. INTRODUCTION The forced response prediction of bladed disks is the main challenge to mitigate the risk of vibration of these structures. It is a way to avoid the late discovery of High Cycle Fatigue problems. Indeed, in the current design process, engine manufacturers know the vibration levels only at the very end of the development, during engine testing, or sometimes in operation (it is difficult to cover the entire flight domain with ground testing). But forced response prediction is complex because much of the needed information is unknown at the early stages of the design process: -an accurate computation of the aerodynamic forcing function -the dynamic behavior of the structure that can be complex (high modes, mistuning, non linearity) -an estimation of the total damping, as a combination of mechanical and aeroelastic damping. Many solutions have been proposed concerning the forced response simulation tools, both for unsteady aerodynamics and for the fluid/structure coupling. This paper does not describe a new computational method but tries to address the problem of the way to use forced response prediction in the design process. This paper &apos;s objective is to propose a general methodology coherent with an industrial context, that is to say with many unknown parameters

Determination of an optimal response cut-off able to predict progression-free survival in patients with well-differentiated advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours treated with sunitinib: an alternative to the current RECIST-defined response.

BACKGROUND: Sunitinib prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNET). Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)-defined partial responses (PR; classically defined as ⩾30% size decrease from baseline) are infrequent. METHODS: Individual data of pNET patients from the phase II [NCT00056693] and pivotal phase III [NCT00428597] trials of sunitinib were analysed in this investigator-initiated, post hoc study. The primary objective was to determine the optimal RECIST (v.1.0) response cut-off value to identify patients who were progression-free at 11 months (median PFS in phase III trial); and the most informative time-point (highest area under the curve (AUC) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and logistic regression) for prediction of benefit (PFS) from sunitinib. RESULTS: Data for 237 patients (85 placebo; 152 sunitinib (n=66.50 mg \u274-weeks on/2-weeks off\u27 schedule; n=86 \u2737.5 mg continuous daily dosing (CDD)\u27)) and 788 scans were analysed. The median PFS for sunitinib and placebo were 9.3 months (95% CI 7.6-12.2) and 5.4 months (95% CI 3.5-6.01), respectively (hazard ratio (HR) 0.43 (95% CI 0.29-0.62); P CONCLUSIONS: A 10% reduction within marker lesions identifies pNET patients benefiting from sunitinib treatment with implications for maintenance of dose intensity and future trial design