X-ray radiation from ions with K-shell vacancies

Abstract New types of space resolved X-ray spectra produced in light matter experiments with high intensity lasers have been investigated experimentally and theoretically. This type of spectra is characterised by the disappearance of distinct resonance line emission and the appearance of very broad emission structures due to the dielectronic satellite transitions associated to the resonance lines. Atomic data calculations have shown, that rather exotic states with K-shell vacancies are involved. For quantitative spectra interpretation we developed a model for dielectronic satellite accumulation (DSA-model) in cold dense optically thick plasmas which are tested by rigorous comparison with space resolved spectra from ns-lasers. In experiments with laser intensities up to 10 19 W/cm 2 focused into nitrogen gas targets, hollow ion configurations are observed by means of soft X-ray spectroscopy. It is shown that transitions in hollow ions can be used for plasma diagnostic. The determination of the electron temperature in the long lasting recombining regime is demonstrated. In Light-matter interaction experiments with extremely high contrast (up to 10 10 ) short pulse (400 fs) lasers electron densities of n e ≈3×10 23 cm −3 at temperatures between kT e =200–300 eV have been determined by means of spectral simulations developed previously for ns-laser produced plasmas. Expansion velocities are determined analysing asymmetric optically thick line emission. Further, the results are checked by observing the spectral windows involving the region about the He α -line and the region from the He β -line to the He-like continuum. Finally, plasmas of solid density are characteristic in experiments with heavy ion beams heating massive targets. We report the first spectroscopic investigations in plasmas of this type with results on solid neon heated by Ar-ions. A spectroscopic method for the determination of the electron temperature in extreme optically thick plasmas is developed

Evidence-based hydro- and balneotherapy in Hungary-a systematic review and meta-analysis

Balneotherapy is appreciated as a traditional treatment modality in medicine. Hungary is rich in thermal mineral waters. Balneotherapy has been in extensive use for centuries and its effects have been studied in detail. Here, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials conducted with Hungarian thermal mineral waters, the findings of which have been published by Hungarian authors in English. The 122 studies identified in different databases include 18 clinical trials. Five of these evaluated the effect of hydro- and balneotherapy on chronic low back pain, four on osteoarthritis of the knee, and two on osteoarthritis of the hand. One of the remaining seven trials evaluated balneotherapy in chronic inflammatory pelvic diseases, while six studies explored its effect on various laboratory parameters. Out of the 18 studies, 9 met the predefined criteria for meta-analysis. The results confirmed the beneficial effect of balneotherapy on pain with weight bearing and at rest in patients with degenerative joint and spinal diseases. A similar effect has been found in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. The review also revealed that balneotherapy has some beneficial effects on antioxidant status, and on metabolic and inflammatory parameters. Based on the results, we conclude that balneotherapy with Hungarian thermal-mineral waters is an effective remedy for lower back pain, as well as for knee and hand osteoarthritis. © 2013 The Author(s)

EQ-5D in Central and Eastern Europe : 2000-2015

Objective: Cost per quality-adjusted life year data are required for reimbursement decisions in many Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. EQ-5D is by far the most commonly used instrument to generate utility values in CEE. This study aims to systematically review the literature on EQ-5D from eight CEE countries. Methods: An electronic database search was performed up to July 1, 2015 to identify original EQ-5D studies from the countries of interest. We analysed the use of EQ-5D with respect to clinical areas, methodological rigor, population norms and value sets. Results: We identified 143 studies providing 152 country-specific results with a total sample size of 81,619: Austria (n=11), Bulgaria (n=6), Czech Republic (n=18), Hungary (n=47), Poland (n=51), Romania (n=2), Slovakia (n=3) and Slovenia (n=14). Cardiovascular (20%), neurologic (16%), musculoskeletal (15%) and endocrine/nutritional/metabolic diseases (14%) were the most frequently studied clinical areas. Overall 112 (78%) of the studies reported EQ VAS results and 86 (60%) EQ-5D index scores, of which 27 (31%) did not specify the applied tariff. Hungary, Poland and Slovenia have population norms. Poland and Slovenia also have a national value set. Conclusions: Increasing use of EQ-5D is observed throughout CEE. The spread of health technology assessment activities in countries seems to be reflected in the number of EQ-5D studies. However, improvement in informed use and methodological quality of reporting is needed. In jurisdictions where no national value set is available, in order to ensure comparability we recommend to apply the most frequently used UK tariff. Regional collaboration between CEE countries should be strengthened

Capsaicin-Induced Changes in LTP in the Lateral Amygdala Are Mediated by TRPV1

The transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel is a well recognized polymodal signal detector that is activated by painful stimuli such as capsaicin. Here, we show that TRPV1 is expressed in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA). Despite the fact that the central amygdala displays the highest neuronal density, the highest density of TRPV1 labeled neurons was found within the nuclei of the basolateral complex of the amygdala. Capsaicin specifically changed the magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the LA in brain slices of mice depending on the anesthetic (ether, isoflurane) used before euthanasia. After ether anesthesia, capsaicin had a suppressive effect on LA-LTP both in patch clamp and in extracellular recordings. The capsaicin-induced reduction of LTP was completely blocked by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NAME and was absent in neuronal NOS as well as in TRPV1 deficient mice. The specific antagonist of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), AM 251, was also able to reduce the inhibitory effect of capsaicin on LA-LTP, suggesting that stimulation of TRPV1 provokes the generation of anandamide in the brain which seems to inhibit NO synthesis. After isoflurane anesthesia before euthanasia capsaicin caused a TRPV1-mediated increase in the magnitude of LA-LTP. Therefore, our results also indicate that the appropriate choice of the anesthetics used is an important consideration when brain plasticity and the action of endovanilloids will be evaluated. In summary, our results demonstrate that TRPV1 may be involved in the amygdala control of learning mechanisms

Discussions on an Interval Arithmetic Standard at Dagstuhl Seminar 08021

Efforts have been made to standardise interval arithmetic for over a decade. The reasons have been to enable more widespread use of the technology, to enable more widespread sharing and collaboration among researchers and developers of the technology, and to enable easier checking that computer codes have been correctly programmed. During the late 1990’s, the first author of this report led such a project to introduce an interval data type into the Fortran language. One reason for failure of that effort was the Fortran language standardization committee’s lack of familiarity with interval technology and consequent caution. Another was misunderstanding between the Fortran standardization committee’s basic tenets on standardizing interline optimization and some views expressed by members of the interval analysis community. A third was confusion over how extended interval arithmetic (arithmetic dealing with division by intervals that contain zero) should be handled. This was coupled with a heavy committee load associated with other projects, such as standardizing an interface for interoperability with “C ” language programs. Since then, the interval analysis community has studied and gained additional understanding of extended interval arithmetic. One such study is [3], a systematization of the options. Another, with a particular point of view, is Prof. Kulisch’s contribution to this volume. Extended arithmetic remain

Growth and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Diamond/Amorphous Carbon Composite Films Prepared by MWCVD.

Abstract not availableJRC.I-Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (Ispra

Bioproperties of Nanocrystalline Diamond/Amorphous Carbon Composite Films

Nanocrystalline diamond/amorphous carbon (NCD/a-C) nanocomposite films have been deposited by microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition (MWCVD) from CH4/N2 mixtures. The films have been thoroughly characterized by a variety of methods with respect to their composition, morphology, structure and bonding environment. Thereafter, the bioproperties of these films have been investigated. Tests with osteoblast-like cells and pneumocytes proved that the NCD/a-C films are not cytotoxic. In addition, exposure of the films to a simulated body fluid revealed that they are bioinert. Further experiments addressed the question whether biomolecules such as RNA or proteins bind unspecifically on the surfaces of NCD/a-C films. By means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning force spectroscopy measurements it was established that, in contrast to control experiments with mica and glass, no interaction between the nanocrystalline diamond and either RNA or protein molecules took place. The results of these experiments concerning the biologically relevant properties of NCD/a-C films are discussed in view of possible future applications, e.g. as a material for the immobilization of biomolecules and their characterization by AFM measurements and related techniques.JRC.I.4-Nanotechnology and Molecular Imagin