Experimental Setup to Examine Leakage Outflow in a Scaled Water Distribution Network

AbstractLeakages in water distribution systems are one of the most emerging topics in the field of water supply. Therefore, understanding leak hydraulics is of high interest. This paper outlines an experimental laboratory network. The main purpose of this experimental water distribution system is to gain knowledge and experience for two tasks. First, the verification of the hydraulic modeling approaches concerning leakage outflow. Second, the practically performance evaluation of algorithms for leakage localization developed at our institute. The chosen laboratory setup allows multiple leakages, flow measurements at every position as well as pressure measurements on defined locations

Pyrrolizidines for direct air capture and CO2 conversion

Greenhouse gases such as CO2 strongly contribute to the rising temperatures of our planet, but as long as our society is dependent on fossil fuels, this trend will even increase in the near future. Therefore, CO2 capture and subsequent utilization constitute an approach for decarbonization and CO2 mitigation, and for this purpose, amine scrubbing remains the industrially most established process. In this article, we describe the CO2 capture-ability of pyrrolizidine-based diamines, a scaffold with remarkably good properties to fulfill this challenge. We observed fast equimolar CO2-uptake, as well as high stability of these compounds during multiple capture and release-cycles. In addition, the amines could be utilized for direct air capture. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of the pyrrolizidine absorbents in the reduction of CO2 and for the formation of oxazolidinones

Genetic analysis of multiple synchronous lesions of the colon adenoma–carcinoma sequence

The colorectal adenoma–carcinoma sequence represents a well-known paradigm for the sequential development of cancer driven by the accumulation of genomic defects. Although the colorectal adenoma–carcinoma sequence is well investigated, studies about tumours of different dignity co-existent in the same patient are seldom. In order to address the distribution of genetic alterations in different lesions of the same patient, we coincidently investigated carcinomas, adenomas and aberrant crypt foci in patients with sporadic colon cancer. By utilizing polymerase chain reaction, single-strand conformation polymorphism, heteroduplex-analysis, restriction fragment length polymorphism, protein truncation test and sequencing techniques we looked for mutations and microsatellite instability of APC, H- ras, K- ras, p53, DCC and the DNA repair genes hMLH1/hMSH2. In accordance with the suggested adenoma–carcinoma sequence of the colon, four patients reflected the progressive accumulation of genetic defects in synchronously appearing tumours during carcinogenesis. However, two patients with non-hereditary malignomas presented different genetic instabilities in different but synchronously appearing tumours suggesting non-clonal growth under almost identical conditions of the environment. Thus, sporadically manifesting multiple lesions of the colon were not necessarily driven by similar genetic mechanisms. Premalignant lesions may transform into malignant tumours starting from different types of genetic instability, which indicates independent and simultaneous tumorigenesis within the same organ. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH) in Psychiatry

New effective therapies for managing and treating psychiatric disorders such as major depression are urgently needed. Mood-enhancing effects have repeatedly been observed after whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) treatment in other medical disciplines, and there is promising evidence that WBH may be used in psychiatry for patients suffering from depressive disorders. Most importantly, a recent study demonstrated a significant, rapid, and partially lasting reduction of depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder following a single session of water-filtered infrared-A induced whole-body hyperthermia (wIRA-WBH). Underlying mechanisms of actions may include immune modulation and serotonergic neurotransmission via warm-sensitive afferent thermosensory pathways to the midbrain. Current studies are focused on verifying these earlier findings and clarifying the mechanisms involved. Herein, we report on the establishment of WBH methodology in the psychiatry setting and provide our opinions on necessary future research

Australian journalism students’ professional views and news consumption: results from a representative study

Journalism education's role in shaping students' professional views has been a topic of interest among scholars for the past decade in particular. Increasing numbers of studies are concerned with examining students' backgrounds and views in order to identify what role exposure to the tertiary environment may play in socialising them into the industry. This study reports on the results of the largest survey of Australian journalism students undertaken to date, with a sample size of 1884 students. The study finds that time spent studying journalism appears to be related to changes in role perceptions and news consumption. Final-year students are significantly more likely to support journalism's watchdog role and to reject consumer-oriented and "loyal" roles. They also consume more news than first-year students. On the other hand, journalism education appears to have little impact on views of controversial practices, with only marginal differences between final- and first-year students

Does regional loss of bone density explain low trauma distal forearm fractures in men (The Mr F study)?

Summary The pathogenesis of low trauma wrist fractures in men is not fully understood. This study found that these men have lower bone mineral density at the forearm itself, as well as the hip and spine, and has shown that forearm bone mineral density is the best predictor of wrist fracture. Introduction Men with distal forearm fractures have reduced bone density at the lumbar spine and hip sites, an increased risk of osteoporosis and a higher incidence of further fractures. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate whether or not there is a regional loss of bone mineral density (BMD) at the forearm between men with and without distal forearm fractures. Methods Sixty-one men with low trauma distal forearm fracture and 59 age-matched bone healthy control subjects were recruited. All subjects underwent a DXA scan of forearm, hip and spine, biochemical investigations, health questionnaires, SF-36v2 and Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). The non-fractured arm was investigated in subjects with fracture and both forearms in control subjects. Results BMD was significantly lower at the ultradistal forearm in men with fracture compared to control subjects, in both the dominant (mean (SD) 0.386 g/cm2 (0.049) versus 0.436 g/cm2 (0.054), p < 0.001) and non-dominant arm (mean (SD) 0.387 g/cm2 (0.060) versus 0.432 g/cm2 (0.061), p = 0.001). Fracture subjects also had a significantly lower BMD at hip and spine sites compared with control subjects. Logistic regression analysis showed that the best predictor of forearm fracture was ultradistal forearm BMD (OR = 0.871 (0.805–0.943), p = 0.001), with the likelihood of fracture decreasing by 12.9% for every 0.01 g/cm2 increase in ultradistal forearm BMD. Conclusions Men with low trauma distal forearm fracture have significantly lower regional BMD at the ultradistal forearm, which contributes to an increased forearm fracture risk. They also have generalised reduction in BMD, so that low trauma forearm fractures in men should be considered as indicator fractures for osteoporosis

Neoadjuvant bevacizumab and anthracycline-taxane-based chemotherapy in 678 triple-negative primary breast cancers; results from the geparquinto study (GBG 44)†

Background We evaluated the pathological complete response (pCR) rate after neoadjuvant epirubicin, (E) cyclophosphamide (C) and docetaxel containing chemotherapy with and without the addition of bevacizumab in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Patients and methods Patients with untreated cT1c-4d TNBC represented a stratified subset of the 1948 participants of the HER2-negative part of the GeparQuinto trial. Patients were randomized to receive four cycles EC (90/600 mg/m2; q3w) followed by four cycles docetaxel (100 mg/m2; q3w) each with or without bevacizumab (15 mg/kg; q3w) added to chemotherapy. Results TNBC patients were randomized to chemotherapy without (n = 340) or with bevacizumab (n = 323). pCR (ypT0 ypN0, primary end point) rates were 27.9% without and 39.3% with bevacizumab (P = 0.003). According to other pCR definitions, the addition of bevacizumab increased the pCR rate from 30.9% to 41.8% (ypT0 ypN0/+; P = 0.004), 36.2% to 46.4% (ypT0/is ypN0/+; P = 0.009) and 32.9% to 43.3% (ypT0/is ypN0; P = 0.007). Bevacizumab treatment [OR 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-2.42; P = 0.002], lower tumor stage (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.24-4.54; P = 0.009) and grade 3 tumors (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.14-2.48; P = 0.009) were confirmed as independent predictors of higher pCR in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions The addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy in TNBC significantly increases pCR rate

The Citation Field of Evolutionary Economics

Evolutionary economics has developed into an academic field of its own, institutionalized around, amongst others, the Journal of Evolutionary Economics (JEE). This paper analyzes the way and extent to which evolutionary economics has become an interdisciplinary journal, as its aim was: a journal that is indispensable in the exchange of expert knowledge on topics and using approaches that relate naturally with it. Analyzing citation data for the relevant academic field for the Journal of Evolutionary Economics, we use insights from scientometrics and social network analysis to find that, indeed, the JEE is a central player in this interdisciplinary field aiming mostly at understanding technological and regional dynamics. It does not, however, link firmly with the natural sciences (including biology) nor to management sciences, entrepreneurship, and organization studies. Another journal that could be perceived to have evolutionary acumen, the Journal of Economic Issues, does relate to heterodox economics journals and is relatively more involved in discussing issues of firm and industry organization. The JEE seems most keen to develop theoretical insights