Dvojezičnost in jezikovno izobraževanje za izboljšanje kognitivnega zdravja starejših ljudi

This article explores whether lifelong bilingualism can be associated with delayed age-related cognitive decline, with cognitive (or brain) reserve as the mechanism that compensates by positively increasing the functional capacity of the brain for older persons. A structural review of recent psychoneurolinguistic studies shows that older bilinguals display several years of delay in dementia symptoms as compared to monolinguals, as well as that positive effects exist in bilingual brain networks, also related to other neurodegenerative disorders. The field is clearly missing an established methodology, nevertheless, lifelong bilingualism can be considered to induce cognitive reserve. Drawing from these implications, we hypothesize that successful ageing could be facilitated by the active use of multiple languages, and in this light, we discuss language education for older persons, the role of Third Age Universities, the implementation of crucial aspects in such courses, and the proper assessment of the effectiveness of language proficiency and cognition.V članku raziskujemo, ali lahko vseživljenjsko dvojezičnost povezujemo z zamikom starostnega pešanja kognitivnih sposobnosti in kognitivno rezervo kot mehanizmom, ki pozitivno vpliva na možganske zmogljivosti pri starejših ljudeh. Pregled novejših psiho- in nevrolingvističnih študij kaže, da pri starejših dvojezičnih osebah prihaja do večletnega zamika pojava simptomov demence v primerjavi z enojezičnimi osebami ter da obstajajo pozitivni učinki dvojezičnih možganskih mrež, prav tako povezani z drugimi nevrodegenerativnimi boleznimi. Na tem področju manjka metodologija, vendar pa lahko vseživljenjsko dvojezičnost povezujemo tudi s kognitivno rezervo. Na tej podlagi lahko postavimo hipotezo, da k zdravemu staranju lahko pripomore tudi aktivna raba več jezikov, na podlagi tega pa razpravljamo o jezikovni izobrazbi za starejše ljudi, vlogi univerz za tretje življenjsko obdobje, izvajanju kritičnih vidikov tovrstnih tečajev ter ustrezni oceni učinkovitosti znanja jezikov in kognicije

Risk Management Using Futures Contracts: The Impact of Spot Market Contracts and Production Horizons on the Optimal Hedge Ratio

We specify a principal-agent marketing channel involving producers, wholesalers, retailers and a futures market. Our hedge ratio for producers appears to be much lower than the common price-risk minimising ones as we account for producers vertical contracts and, by using annual data, their production horizon. The Dutch ware potato marketing channel and its futures market in Amsterdam show that possibly through decreases in producers and wholesalers risk aversions, their optimal dynamic hedge ratios decreased from 38% and 12%, respectively, in 1982 to 18% and 10%, respectively, in 2003. These results comply with the decreased futures volume traded in Amsterdam over the years.Principal-Agent Model, Risk Management, Futures and Spot Market Contracts, Production Horizons, Food Marketing Channels, Marketing, Risk and Uncertainty,

Nastava iz prirodoslovnog područja za slijepu djecu i djecu s oštećenjima vida

Nowadays, science education is based predominantly on the principle of constructivism, according to which children should be active participants in the learning process and construct their knowledge based on experience. For blind or visually impaired children, science education methods and educational tools must be adapted according to their perceptual needs, in order for these children to be active participants in the learning process. The aim of the current paper is to describe the latest view on active and inquiry-based learning in science education for blind or visually impaired children while simultaneously minimizing misconceptions. Further, the paper compiles the recent research that enables prosperous and high-quality adaptive educational approaches and tools. Thus, the content of this paper will be useful for both science teachers and researchers of inclusive classrooms.Nastava iz prirodoslovnog područja danas se najčešće temelji na principima konstruktivizma prema kojima djeca trebaju biti aktivni sudionici procesa učenja i izgrađivati svoje znanje na temelju iskustva. Metode i sredstva korištena u nastavi prirodoslovnog područja moraju biti prilagođeni perceptivnim potrebama slijepe djece i djece s oštećenjima vida kako bi im se omogućilo aktivno sudjelovanje u procesu učenja. Cilj ovoga rada je opisati posljednje spoznaje o aktivnom i istraživačkom učenju slijepe djece i djece s oštećenjima vida u nastavi prirodoslovnog područja te otkloniti postojeće zablude. Nadalje, rad predstavlja recentna istraživanja koja ukazuju na prilagođene uspješne i visokokvalitetne odgojno-obrazovne pristupe i metode. S obzirom na navedeno, sadržaj rada bit će od koristi nastavnicima iz prirodoslovnog područja, kao i istraživačima inkluzivnih učionica

Biomedical application of electroporation: electrochemotherapy and electrogene therapy

Electroporation refers to exposure of cells to external electric field thatresults in transiently or permanently increased permeability of cell membranes. Cancer treatment, where local application of electroporation to tumor nodules is combined with chemotherapeutic drugs bleomycin or cisplatin is called electrochemotherapy. The antitumor effectiveness of electrochemotherapy is primarily based on direct killing of tumor cells due to the increased chemotherapeutic drug uptake, but other mechanisms, such as vascular disrupting action was also demonstrated. Our group is involved in elucidating the underlying mechanism of vascular disrupting action by studying the changes in cytoskeletal proteins after electrochemotherapy in endothelial cells by immunocytochemistry. In addition, metastatic potential and global changes in gene expression of melanoma cells that survived electrochemotherapy were also studied, demonstrating that metastatic potential of cells is not changed and that a very low percentage of genes are down or up regulated after electrochemotherapy, which further supports its safe use in the clinical setting. Another application of electroporation is delivery of plasmid DNA into the cells for gene therapy. Our group is involved in preparation of plasmid DNA with tissue specific promoters and without genes for antibiotic resistance, thus enabling safe use of gene therapy in line with USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European medicines Agency (EMA) recommendations

A time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay for the measurement of testosterone in saliva: Monitoring of testosterone replacement therapy with testosterone buciclate

Monitoring of testosterone replacement therapy requires a reliable method for testosterone measurement. Determination of salivary testosterone, which reflects the hormone's biologically active plasma fraction, is a superior technique for this purpose. The aim of the present study was to establish a new sensitive time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay for the accurate measurement of testosterone levels in saliva and to validate it by monitoring testosterone replacement therapy in eight hypogonadal men. A clinical phase I- study with the new ester testosterone buciclate was performed to search for new testosterone preparations to produce constant serum levels in the therapy of male hypogonadism. After two control examinations eight male patients with primary hypogonadism were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (n = 2x4) and given single doses of either 200 mg (group I) or 600 mg (group II) testosterone buciclate intramuscularly. Saliva and blood samples were obtained 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days post injection and then weekly for three months. The time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay for salivary testosterone shows a detection limit of 16 pmol/l, an intra-assay CV of 8.9% (at a testosterone concentration of 302 pmol/l), an inter-assay CV of 8.7% (at a testosterone concentration of 305 pmol/l) and a good correlation with an established radioimmunsassay of r = 0.89. The sample volume required by this method is only 180 mu l for extraction and duplicate determination. The assay procedure requires no more than three hours. In group I (200 mg) testosterone did not increase to normal levels either in saliva or in serum. However, in group II, androgen levels increased significantly and were maintained in the normal range for up to 12 weeks with maximal salivary testosterone levels of 303 +/- 18 pmol/l (mean+/-SE) and maximal testosterone levels of 13.1 +/- 0.9 nmol/l (mean+/-SE) in serum in study week 6 and 7. The time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay for salivary testosterone provides a useful tool for monitoring androgen status in men and women and is well suited for the follow-up of testosterone replacement therapy on an outpatient basis. The long-acting ester testosterone buciclate is a promising agent for substitution therapy of male hypogonadism and in combination with testosterone monitoring in saliva offers an interesting new perspective for male contraception

MRI: Acquisition of a SQUID Magnetometer for Analysis of Advanced Materials

Technical Summary: Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry is a non-destructive technique that reveals detailed information about the electron spin interactions in many types of materials. This project will involve a state-of-the-art SQUID magnetometer and Magnetic Property Measurement System (MPMS), which is a critical tool for characterizing several types of materials currently being investigated by researchers within the Laboratory for Surface Science & Technology (LASST) and other University of Maine (UMaine) laboratories. Specific measurement capabilities include DC and AC magnetic susceptibility, magnetoresistivity, van der Paaw conductivity, and Hall mobility. State-of-the-art MPMS capabilities will be especially valuable to several research programs at UMaine pertaining to (i) surface magnetism in nanoparticles, (ii) magnetic anisotropies in sedimentary rocks, (iii) electrical transport in physical and chemical sensing devices, (iv) optical properties of nanostructures in high magnetic fields, and (v) magnetic nanoparticle based biosensors. The MPMS will serve as a focal point for training undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and visiting scientists in magnetic materials, nanotechnology, biophysics, and materials science. This instrument is a critical tool for expanding the capacity of UMaine research into magnetic aspects of nanotechnology, biophysics, sensor technology, and materials science. As no SQUID magnetometer currently exists in the State of Maine, the instrumentation will provide access for research projects from interested parties throughout the state, including non-Ph.D. granting institutions and small Maine businesses. The instrument is relatively easy to operate and provides direct information on electron spin interactions, and thus it will be a powerful tool to teach physics and nanotechnology concepts to several different constituents participating in UMaine outreach activities, including K-12 students and teachers, the general public, under-represented groups, and industry partners.Layman Summary: Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry is a non-destructive technique that reveals detailed information about the electron spin interactions in many types of materials. Knowledge of electron interactions in materials is extremely important in building the next generation of computers, electronics, and contrast agents in biological magnetic screening techniques (i.e. MRI). To gain the necessary information, a system with control over both the magnetic field strength and temperature is critical. To this end, a SQUID/Magnetic Property Measurement System (MPMS) is ideal for these measurements. This project will purchase a state-of-the-art MPMS system and will be especially valuable to several research programs at UMaine pertaining to surface magnetism in nanoparticles, magnetic anisotropies in sedimentary rocks, electrical transport in physical and chemical sensing devices, and magnetic nanoparticle based biosensors. The proposed MPMS will serve as a focal point for training undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and visiting scientists in magnetic materials, nanotechnology, biophysics, and materials science. As no SQUID magnetometer currently exists in the State of Maine, the instrumentation will provide access for research projects from interested parties throughout the state, including non-Ph.D. granting institutions and small Maine businesses. The instrument is relatively easy to operate and provides direct information on electron spin interactions, and thus it will be a powerful tool to teach physics and nanotechnology concepts to several different constituents participating in UMaine outreach activities, including K-12 students and teachers, the general public, under-represented groups, and industry partners

Relation between composition and vacant oxygen sites in the mixed ionicelectronic conductors La5.4W1 yMyO12 delta M Mo, Re; 0 lt; y lt; 0.2 and their mother compound La6 xWO12 delta 0.4 lt; x lt; 0.8

A detailed analysis of specimen composition, water uptake and their interrelationship in the systems La6 xWO12 amp; 948; 0.4 amp; 8804; x amp; 8804;0.8 and La6 xW1 yMyO12 amp; 948; 0 amp; 8804;y amp; 8804;0.2; M Mo, Re is presented. The three specimen series were investigated in dry and wet D2O conditions. A systematic trend in mass loss and onset temperature variation was observed in La6 xWO12 amp; 948; 0.4 amp; 8804;x amp; 8804;0.8 . Even very small amounts lt; 1 wt of secondary phases were found to notably modify the specimen s water uptake and onset temperature of mass loss. The theoretical model for vacancy concentration available was used to calculate the vacant oxygen sites starting from mass loss values determined by thermogravimetry. A discrepancy between the calculated and observed concentration of vacant oxygen sites is observed for all three systems. The effect of substitution of W by Re or Mo on the vacancy amount is explained taking into account diffraction measurements and information on the oxidation state of the substituting elements Mo and R

Ultrahigh oxygen permeation flux through supported Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-delta membranes

[EN] Oxygen transport membranes made of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-delta (BSCF) were manufactured by tape casting and co-firing. The disk-shaped membranes consisted of a top gastight layer (70 mu m thick) and a porous substrate (830 mu m thick) with 34% open porosity. The variation of the permeation operation conditions allowed (i) the identification of the different limitations steps in the permeation process, i.e., bulk oxygen ion diffusion, catalytic surface exchange and gas phase diffusion in the membrane compartments and porous substrate, and (ii) the ultimate optimization of the oxygen flux. The variables considered in the systematic permeation study included the inlet gas flow rate of the sweep and air feed, the temperature and the nature of the oxygen feed gas (air or pure oxygen). Moreover, the influence of the deposition of a catalytic activation layer (17 mu m thick) made of BSCF on top of the thin gastight layer was investigated. As a result of this parametric study, unpreceded oxygen flux values were achieved, i.e., a maximum flux of 67.7 ml(STP) min(-1) cm(-2) was obtained at 1000 degrees C using pure oxygen as the feed and argon as the sweep, while a flux of 12.2 ml(STP) min(-1) cm(-2) at 1000 degrees C was obtained when air was used as the feed. (C) 2011 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.Financial support from the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation (Project ENE2008-06302 and FPI Grant JAE-Pre 08-0058), EU through FP7 NASA-OTM Project (NMP3-SL-2009-228701), and the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres through the Helmholtz Alliance MEM-BRAIN (Initiative and Networking Fund) is kindly acknowledged. Mrs H. Burlet has contributed to this work with the careful revision of the English language.Baumann, S.; Serra Alfaro, JM.; Lobera González, MP.; Escolástico Rozalén, S.; Schulze-Kueppers, F.; Meulenberg, WA. (2011). Ultrahigh oxygen permeation flux through supported Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-delta membranes. Journal of Membrane Science. 377(1-2):198-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2011.04.050S1982053771-