Optimized supernova constraints on dark energy evolution

A model-independent method to study the possible evolution of dark energy is presented. Optimal estimates of the dark energy equation of state w are obtained from current supernovae data from Riess et al. (2004) following a principal components approach. We assess the impact of varying the number of piecewise constant estimates of w using a model selection method, the Bayesian information criterion, and compare the most favored models with some parametrizations commonly used in the literature. Although data seem to prefer a cosmological constant, some models are only moderately disfavored by our selection criterion: a constant w, w linear in the scale factor, w linear in redshift and the two-parameter models introduced here. Among these, the models we find by optimization are slightly preferred. However, current data do not allow us to draw a conclusion on the possible evolution of dark energy. Interestingly, the best fits for all varying-w models exhibit a w<-1 at low redshifts.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures; typos removed and reference added to match published versio

Abiturienten des Jahrgangs 1970 in Studium und Beruf - Eine Verbleibsanalyse. Ergebnisse aus einer gemeinsamen Erhebung des IAB und BMBW bei Abiturienten des Jahrgangs 1970 in Baden-Württemberg

"Anhand des Datenmaterials aus einer schriftlichen Befragung bei ca. 9.500 Abiturienten des Jahrgangs 1970 in Baden-Württemberg (Totalerhebung) bei einer Rücklaufquote von ca. 60% (= 5.400 beantwortete Fragebögen) wird analysiert, inwieweit diese Abiturienten erstens die verfügbaren beruflichen Bildungsmöglichkeiten genutzt haben und zweitens in welchem Umfang sie erwerbstätig geworden sind. Bis zum Befragungszeitpunkt Anfang 1979 - also 8 1/2 Jahre nach dem Abitur - haben 93,7% aller Abiturienten ein Studium begonnen. - haben von allen Abiturienten, die je ein Studium begonnen haben, 77,3% das Studium mit einem Hochschulabschluß beendet und 4,1% das Studium abgebrochen; 18,6% studieren noch. - waren von allen Abiturienten mit einem Hochschulabschluß 74,7% erwerbstätig, 10,5% befanden sich als Referendare/Lehramtsanwärter und 7% als Studenten in einem Zweit- oder Aufbaustudium oder als Doktoranden noch in Ausbildung, 8% waren nicht erwerbstätig, arbeitslos bzw. arbeitsuchend, beurlaubt. Bildungsplanung und Arbeitsmarktprognose müssen angesichts dieser Befunde mit langen Übergangsphasen vom Abitur in Studium und Beruf rechnen."Abiturienten - Verbleib, Studium, Beruf, Baden-Württemberg

Phosphorus and potassium fertilization of tangor 'Murcott'

O tanger 'Murcott' (Citrus sinensis x Citrus reticulata) é uma planta pouco enfolhada e muito produtiva, por isso, sofrendo esgotamentos que podem levar as árvores à morte. Deficiências de potássio são apontadas como uma das causas desse esgotamento. Por outro lado, são bastante controvertidas as respostas dos citros à adubação fosfatada, bem como as recomendações de incorporação profunda de adubos fosfatados no solo. Com o objetivo de estudar o efeito de níveis de adubação potássica e formas de incorporação de fósforo na cova, pré-plantio, foi realizado esse experimento, na Estação Experimental Agronômica da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. O estudo foi efetuado com o tangor 'Murcott' enxertado sobre laranjeira 'Caipira', plantado num solo de transição entre Podzólico Vennelho e Amarelo e Plintossolo, no período de 1980 a 1987. Foram testados três níveis de adubação potássica e três formas de incorporação de fósforo na cova, pré-plantio. Observou-se que o fósforo aumentou o número e o peso médio de frutos produzidos, principalmente quando incorporado superficialmente. Não houve diferença entre a incorporação superficial e profunda do fósforo; o nível mais alto de adubação potássica aumentou o peso médio dos frutos.Tangor 'Murcott' (Citrus sinensis x Citrus reticulata) is a low foliage plant, highly yielding, thus being subjected to exhaustion which may cause plant death. Potassium deficiency is pointed out as accounting for this exhaustion. On the other hand, citrus response to phosphate fertilization is contradictory, as well as the indication for deep application of phosphorus into the soil. To evaluate the effect of different leveis of K fertilizer and P depth of application before seeding, an experiment was carried out at the Agronomic Experimental Station of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, located in Eldorado do Sul, Southem Brazil (30º 06' S; 51º 39' W). Tangor 'Murcott', grafted on 'Caipira' orange (Citrussinensis) and planted on a Paleudult soil, was studied from 1980 to 1987. The treatments consisted of three levels of K fertilizer and three ways of P incorporation in to the soil, both before seeding. Results showed that P increased the number and the average weight of the fruits produced, specially when incorporated at the surface. There was no difference for the depth of P application. The highest level of K fertilizer increased the average weight of the fruits

Transarterielle Chemoembolisation als Selektionsmarker für Patienten mit HCC vor LTX unter retrospektiver Zuhilfenahme histologischer Ergebnisse [meeting abstract]

Einleitung: Für die meisten Patienten mit HCC ist die LTX die einzige kurative Behandlungsoption. Bei diesen Patienten scheint eine Kontrolle der Erkrankung durch lokale Verfahren im Intervall bis zur LTX zu erreichen zu sein. Als das beste Verfahren gilt die transarterielle Chemoembolisation (TACE). Die Effektivität ist jedoch umstritten. Möglicherweise kann sie aber Patienten startifizieren, die ein hohes Rezidivrisiko haben. Material und Methoden: Im Zeitraum zwischen 1995 und 2005 wurden n=27 Patienten mit HCC im Alter zwischen 22 und 69 Jahren transplantiert. Hiervon erhielten n=15 Patienten eine Vorbehandlung in Form einer alleinigen TACE oder kombiniert mit PEI [n=1] bzw. LITT [n=1]. Retrospektiv wurde das Gesamtüberleben sowie das „Event-free-survival“ (Rezidiv, Reinfektion und Tod) analysiert. Ergebnisse: Die mittlere Wartezeit betrug bei Patienten in der TACE-Gruppe 214 Tage, bei Patienten ohne Vorbehandlung 133 Tage. Bei einem mittleren Nachbeobachtungszeitraum von 1097 ± 1193 Tagen für TACE-Patienten und 1674 ± 966 Tagen für non-TACE-Patienten betrug das Überleben für Patienten, die mit TACE vorbehandelt wurden 83,3%, für Patienten, die keine TACE erhielten 86.7% (p=0,5693). Gleiches fand sich für das Event-free-survival (p=0,8823). Das Gesamtüberleben der Patienten, die auf der Warteliste einen Tumorprogress hatten lag bei 77%, während Patienten mit stabiler Tumorgröße oder Regredienz der Tumore ein Überleben von 93% aufwiesen (p=0,0153). Unter TACE-Behandlung zeigten 5/15 Patienten eine zunehmende Anzahl an Herden im histologischen Präparat verglichen mit der Ausgangsbildgebung. Nur bei einem Patienten zeigte sich der Progress der Erkrankung bereits in der präoperativen Bildgebung. Patienten mit einem Progress der Erkrankung hatten ein Gesamtüberleben von 60%, während Patienten mit „stable disease“ oder Rückgang der Herde ein Gesamtüberleben von 100% hatten (p=0,0180). Schlussfolgerung: Unseren Ergebnisse zufolge ist der Effekt der TACE als Bridgingverfahren auf das Überleben der Patienten fraglich. Allerdings scheint die TACE zur Riskostratifizierung geeignet zu sein. In unserem Patientenkollektiv hatten Patienten, die eine Progredienz der Erkrankung auf der Warteliste zeigten ein signifikant schlechteres Gesamtüberleben. Dies gilt auch bei ausschließlicher Betrachtung der Patienten mit TACE

Результаты теоретических и опытных работ по изучению механизма работы буровых компоновок со смещенным центром масс поперечного сечения

Актуальность работы: необходимость повышения эффективности бурения геологоразведочных скважин в сложных горно-геологических условиях, в том числе связанных с естественным искривлением скважин. Цель исследования: разработка методики использования и конструкций буровых компоновок со смещенным центром масс (тяжести) поперечного сечения, позволяющих повысить эффективность бурения геологоразведочных скважин. Методы исследования: аналитические исследования, опытно-конструкторские работы и экспериментальные опытные работы. Результаты. Разработаны теоретические положения, методика применения и конструкции буровых компоновок со смещенным центром тяжести поперечного сечения; проведены производственные испытания различных конструкций буровых компоновок со смещенным центром тяжести поперечного сечения при различных способах бурения. Выводы. На основе разработанной модели движения буровых компоновок со смещенным центром тяжести поперечного сечения получены аналитические зависимости для расчета величин эксцентриситета поперечного сечения буровых компоновок, обеспечивающие их вращение вокруг оси скважины (вид Ф1), а также длину вовлекаемого в режим вращения Ф1 участка колонны, что позволяет создавать компоновки бурильной колонны, способные работать в более благоприятном режиме и обеспечивать повышение эффективности бурового процесса. На основе стандартных снарядов со съемным керноприемником типоразмера HQ разработаны и изготовлены трубы со смещенным центром тяжести, которые испытаны на производственных скважинах в составе компоновки, в которой размещено три трубы со смещенным центром тяжести поперечного сечения. Результаты испытаний показали, что в составе высокосбалансированных бурильных колонн снаряда со съемным керноприемником эффективно применение труб со смещенным центром тяжести: достигается снижение интенсивности естественного искривления скважин, снижается вибрация и затраты мощности на работу бурильной колонны.Relevance of the research is the necessity to increase the efficiency of drilling prospecting wells in difficult mining-and-geological conditions, including those connected with a natural curvature of wells. The aim of the research is to develop a technique of using and designs of boring configurations with the displaced cross section mass center which allow increasing the efficiency of drilling the prospecting wells. Research methods: analytical researches, developmental works and experimental skilled works. Results. The authors have developed the theoretical regulations, a technique of application and a design of boring configurations with the displaced cross section mass center and carried out the production tests of various designs of boring configurations of with the displaced cross section mass center when drilling. Conclusions. Based on the developed model of movement of boring configurations with the displaced center of gravity of cross section the authors obtained the analytical dependences for calculating the sizes of eccentricity of boring configuration cross section providing their rotation round a well axis (Ф1 type), as well as the length of the column part involved in the rotation mode Ф1 that allows developing the configurations of a boring column capable of operating in more favorable mode and providing the increase of boring efficiency. Based on standard shells with the removable core receiver of a standard size of HQ the pipes with the displaced cross section mass center were developed and produced. They were tested on production wells as a part of configuration in which three pipes with the displaced cross section mass center were placed. The results of the tests showed that it is efficient to apply the pipes with the displaced cross section mass center as a part of the high-balanced boring columns as the decrease in intensity of natural curvature of wells is reached, vibration and costs of power for boring column operation decrease

Sexual difference in bone geometry of adult patients with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Data using peripheral quantitative computed tomography

BACKGROUND/AIMS Glucocorticoid treatment may influence bone and muscle development in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This study evaluated bone mineral density (BMD), bone geometry and muscle mass. METHODS 73 adult patients with classical CAH were followed. BMD, bone geometry and muscle mass were measured using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Glucocorticoid-equivalent doses throughout life were calculated and at the time pQCT androgen levels were measured. RESULTS In males the mean standard deviation (SD) score for trabecular BMD (-0.33 ± 0.71) was reduced, whereas mean cortical BMD (1.05 ± 1.11) was elevated. Mean total (0.86 ± 1.12) and medullary cross-sectional area (CSA; 1.12 ± 1.17) were significantly increased (p < 0.001). In all patients SD scores for cortical thickness (-0.65 ± 0.91) and muscle CSA (-0.83 ± 0.91) were reduced. Treatment duration was associated with lower trabecular BMD in males (r = -0.63, p < 0.001). Suppressed androgens and simple virilizing CAH had an adverse effect on the muscle CSA SD score (OR 0.58 and 0.46, respectively, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION There was a sexual difference with enlarged total and medullary CSA in females, whereas in males trabecular BMD was reduced and cortical BMD elevated. Cortical thickness and muscle CSA were reduced in all CAH patients with a possible long-term impact on bone development and stability. Monitoring of bone and muscle development might be warranted

Characterization of Antibiotic and Biocide Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors of Staphylococcus Species Associated with Bovine Mastitis in Rwanda

The present study was conducted from July to August 2018 on milk samples taken at dairy farms in the Northern Province and Kigali District of Rwanda in order to identify Staphylococcus spp. associated with bovine intramammary infection. A total of 161 staphylococcal isolates originating from quarter milk samples of 112 crossbred dairy cattle were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed and isolates were examined for the presence of various resistance genes. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were also analyzed for the presence of virulence factors, genotyped by spa typing and further phenotypically subtyped for capsule expression using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Selected S. aureus were characterized using DNA microarray technology, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and whole-genome sequencing. All mecA-positive staphylococci were further genotyped using dru typing. In total, 14 different staphylococcal species were detected, with S. aureus being most prevalent (26.7%), followed by S. xylosus (22.4%) and S. haemolyticus (14.9%). A high number of isolates was resistant to penicillin and tetracycline. Various antimicrobial and biocide resistance genes were detected. Among S. aureus, the Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes, as well as bovine leukocidin (LukM/LukF-P83) genes, were detected in two and three isolates, respectively, of which two also carried the toxic shock syndrome toxin gene tsst-1 bovine variant. t1236 was the predominant spa type. FTIR-based capsule serotyping revealed a high prevalence of non-encapsulated S. aureus isolates (89.5%). The majority of the selected S. aureus isolates belonged to clonal complex (CC) 97 which was determined using DNA microarray based assignment. Three new MLST sequence types were detected