Cardiovascular Benefits of GLP-1-BasedTherapies in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: Effects on Endothelial and Vascular Dysfunction beyond Glycemic Control

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive multisystemic disease accompanied by vascular dysfunction and a tremendous increase in cardiovascular mortality. Numerous adipose-tissue-derived factors and beta cell dysfunction contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with T2DM. Nowadays, numerous pharmacological interventions are available to lower blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Beside more or less comparable glucose lowering efficacy, some of them have shown limited or probably even unfavorable effects on the cardiovascular system and overall mortality. Recently, incretin-based therapies (GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-IV inhibitors) have been introduced in the treatment of T2DM. Beside the effects of GLP-1 on insulin secretion, glucagon secretion, and gastrointestinal motility, recent studies suggested a couple of direct cardiovascular effects of GLP-1-based therapies. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview about the current knowledge of direct GLP-1 effects on endothelial and vascular function and potential consequences on the cardiovascular outcome in patients with T2DM treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists or DPP-IV inhibitors

Radiative orbital electron capture by the atomic nucleus

The rate for the photon emission accompanying orbital 1S electron capture by the atomic nucleus is recalculated. While a photon can be emitted by the electron or by the nucleus, the use of the length gauge significantly suppresses the nuclear contribution. Our calculations resolve the long standing discrepancy of theoretical predictions with experimental data for $\Delta J=2$ forbidden transitions. We illustrate the results by comparison with the data established experimentally for the first forbidden unique decays of $^{41}$Ca and $^{204}$Tl.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Shape coexistence and tilted-axis rotation in neutron-rich hafnium isotopes

We have performed tilted-axis-cranked Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations for a neutron-rich hafnium isotope ($^{182}$Hf) whose proton and neutron numbers are both in the upper shell region. We study whether the shell effects play a role in producing high-$K$ isomers or highly gamma-deformed states at high spin. In particular, the possibility of shape coexistence and the effect of wobbling motion are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Phys. Lett.

Assessing uncertainties in flood forecasts for decision making: prototype of an operational flood management system integrating ensemble predictions

Ensemble forecasts aim at framing the uncertainties of the potential future development of the hydro-meteorological situation. A probabilistic evaluation can be used to communicate forecast uncertainty to decision makers. Here an operational system for ensemble based flood forecasting is presented, which combines forecasts from the European COSMO-LEPS, SRNWP-PEPS and COSMO-DE prediction systems. A multi-model lagged average super-ensemble is generated by recombining members from different runs of these meteorological forecast systems. A subset of the super-ensemble is selected based on a priori model weights, which are obtained from ensemble calibration. Flood forecasts are simulated by the conceptual rainfall-runoff-model ArcEGMO. Parameter uncertainty of the model is represented by a parameter ensemble, which is a priori generated from a comprehensive uncertainty analysis during model calibration. The use of a computationally efficient hydrological model within a flood management system allows us to compute the hydro-meteorological model chain for all members of the sub-ensemble. The model chain is not re-computed before new ensemble forecasts are available, but the probabilistic assessment of the output is updated when new information from deterministic short range forecasts or from assimilation of measured data becomes available. For hydraulic modelling, with the desired result of a probabilistic inundation map with high spatial resolution, a replacement model can help to overcome computational limitations. A prototype of the developed framework has been applied for a case study in the Mulde river basin. However these techniques, in particular the probabilistic assessment and the derivation of decision rules are still in their infancy. Further research is necessary and promising

Radiative electron capture in the first forbidden unique decay of 81Kr

The photon spectrum accompanying the orbital K-electron capture in the first forbidden unique decay of 81Kr was measured. The total radiation intensity for the photon energies larger than 50 keV was found to be 1.47(6) x 10^{-4} per K-capture. Both the shape of the spectrum and its intensity relative to the ordinary, non-radiative capture rate, are compared to theoretical predictions. The best agreement is found for the recently developed model which employs the length gauge for the electromagnetic field.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Beta decay of 71,73Co; probing single particle states approaching doubly magic 78Ni

Low-energy excited states in 71,73Ni populated via the {\beta} decay of 71,73Co were investigated in an experiment performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University (MSU). Detailed analysis led to the construction of level schemes of 71,73Ni, which are interpreted using systematics and analyzed using shell model calculations. The 5/2- states attributed to the the f5/2 orbital and positive parity 5/2+ and 7/2+ states from the g9/2 orbital have been identified in both 71,73Ni. In 71Ni the location of a 1/2- {\beta}-decaying isomer is proposed and limits are suggested as to the location of the isomer in 73Ni. The location of positive parity cluster states are also identified in 71,73Ni. Beta-delayed neutron branching ratios obtained from this data are given for both 71,73Co.Comment: Accepted for publication in PR

β -delayed three-proton decay of 31 Ar

The β decay of Ar31, produced by fragmentation of an Ar36 beam at 880 MeV/nucleon, was investigated. Identified ions of Ar31 were stopped in a gaseous time projection chamber with optical readout allowing us to record decay events with emission of protons. In addition to β-delayed emission of one and two protons we clearly observed the β-delayed three-proton branch. The branching ratio for this channel in Ar31 is found to be 0.07±0.02%