Identifying the quark content of the isoscalar scalar mesons f_0(980), f_0(1370), and f_0(1500) from weak and electromagnetic processes

The assignments of the isoscalar scalar mesons f0(980), f0(1370), and f0(1500) in terms of their qqbar substructure is still a matter of heated dispute. Here we employ the weak and electromagnetic decays D(s)(+) to f0+pi(+) and f0 two-photon decays, respectively, to identify the f0(980) and f0(1500) as mostly ssbar, and the f0(1370) as dominantly nonstrange, in agreement with previous work. The two-photon decays can be satisfactorily described with quark as well as with meson loops, though the latter ones provide a less model-dependent and more quantitative description.Comment: v1, 15 pages, plain LaTeX, 1 eps figure. v2, 18 pages, plain LaTeX (figure included). More discussion, especially on the f0(1370) and its empirical two-photon widt

BaiCD gene cluster abundance is negatively correlated with Clostridium difficile infection

Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. Secondary bile acids were shown to confer resistance to colonization by C. difficile. 7 alpha-dehydroxylation is a key step in transformation of primary to secondary bile acids and required genes have been located in a single bile acid-inducible (bai) operon in C. scindens as well as in C. hiranonis, two Clostridium sp. recently reported to protect against C. difficile colonization. Aim To analyze baiCD gene abundance in C. difficile positive and negative fecal samples. Material & methods A species-specific qPCR for detecting baiCD genes was established. Fecal samples of patients with CDI, asymptomatic toxigenic C. difficile colonization (TCD), non-toxigenic C. difficile colonization (NTCD), of C. difficile negative (NC) patients, and of two patients before and after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for recurrent CDI (rCDI) were tested for the presence of the baiCD genes. Results The prevalence of the baiCD gene cluster was significantly higher in C. difficile negative fecal samples than in samples of patients diagnosed with CDI (72.5% (100/138) vs. 35.9% (23/64;p<0.0001). No differences in baiCD gene cluster prevalence were seen between NC and NTCD or NC and TCD samples. Both rCDI patients were baiCD-negative at baseline, but one of the two patients turned positive after successful FMT from a baiCD-positive donor. Conclusion Fecal samples of CDI patients are less frequently baiCD-positive than samples from asymptomatic carriers or C. difficile-negative individuals. Furthermore, we present a case of baiCD positivity observed after successful FMT for rCDI

NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) Coatings on Gold Sensors—a QCM Study of Hemocompatibility

The reliability of implantable blood sensors is often hampered by unspecific adsorption of plasma proteins and blood cells. This not only leads to a loss of sensor signal over time, but can also result in undesired host vs. graft reactions. Within this study we evaluated the hemocompatibility of isocyanate conjugated star shaped polytheylene oxide—polypropylene oxide co-polymers NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) when applied to gold surfaces as an auspicious coating material for gold sputtered blood contacting sensors. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors were coated with ultrathin NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) films and compared with uncoated gold sensors. Protein resistance was assessed by QCM measurements with fibrinogen solution and platelet poor plasma (PPP), followed by quantification of fibrinogen adsorption. Hemocompatibility was tested by incubation with human platelet rich plasma (PRP). Thrombin antithrombin-III complex (TAT), β-thromboglobulin (β-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) were used as coagulation activation markers. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize platelet adhesion to the sensor surfaces. Compared to uncoated gold sensors, NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) coated sensors revealed significant better resistance against protein adsorption, lower TAT generation and a lower amount of adherent platelets. Moreover, coating with ultrathin NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) films creates a cell resistant hemocompatible surface on gold that increases the chance of prolonged sensor functionality and can easily be modified with specific receptor molecules

DC Networks on the Distribution Level – New Trend or Vision?

"DC networks on Distribution Level – are they a new trend or a Vision?" That is the question that has focused the efforts of the Working Group the last two years, and whose consideration is summarized in this report. This report represents the first phase evaluation of this topic and is focused primarily on medium (MVDC) and low voltage (LVDC) level applications

Benjamin et Bataille Rencontre(s) franco-allemande(s) à la recherche d'une autre discursivité

I. INTRODUCTION Je n'ai pas besoin de vous dire combien je me sens attaché à la France, tant par mes relations que par mes travaux. Rien au monde, pour moi, ne pourrait remplacer la Bibliothèque nationale. De plus, je n'ai qu'à me féliciter de l'accueil que j'ai trouvé en France dès 1923 ; de la bienveillance des autorités aussi bien que du dévouement de mes amis. C'est par ces mots dans une lettre à Horkheimer écrite en 1939 que Benjamin révèle l'importance qu'a revêtue dans sa vie et dans s..

Textkohäsion als Bedingung des Leseverständnisses bei der Verarbeitung expositorischer Texte

Die Ermittlung relevanter Faktoren für mangelndes Leseverständnis von Schülern und die Bestimmung geeigneter Förderperspektiven bilden nach wie vor weithin ungelöste Forschungsfragen [...]. Insbesondere für die Klassenstufen 9 und 10 sind differenzierte Diagnoseinstrumente ein Desiderat. In der jüngeren fachdidaktischen Leseforschung wird nach starkem Engagement im Bereich Lesestrategien [...] und Forschungen zum Verstehen von Bildern in Kombination mit Texten [...] dem Medium Text als Faktor des Leseverständnisses wieder mehr Bedeutung zugemessen. In diesem Beitrag konzentrieren [sich die Autoren] auf die Auswirkung von Textkohäsion auf das Leseverständnis expositorischer Texte. Unter dem Begriff Kohäsion werden dabei diejenigen Merkmale subsumiert, die auf der Textoberfläche den "roten Faden" eines Textes bilden. Ziel ist es herauszufinden, was Texte verständlich macht, um den Weg für die Entwicklung fundierter und praktikabler Konzepte von Lesetrainings zu ebnen, mit deren Hilfe gezielte Interventionen durchgeführt werden können. (DIPF/Orig.