Forcing spanning subgraphs via Ore type conditions

Abstract We determine an Ore type condition that allows the embedding of 3-colourable bounded degree graphs of sublinear bandwidth: For all ∆, γ > 0 there are β, n 0 > 0 such that for all n ≥ n 0 the following holds. Let G = (V, E) and H be n-vertex graphs such that H is 3-colourable, has maximum degree ∆(H) ≤ ∆ and bandwidth bw(H) ≤ βn, and G satisfies deg(u) + deg(v) ≥

Characterization of conserved properties of hemagglutinin of H5N1 and human influenza viruses: possible consequences for therapy and infection control

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epidemics caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) are a continuing threat to human health and to the world's economy. The development of approaches, which help to understand the significance of structural changes resulting from the alarming mutational propensity for human-to-human transmission of HPAIV, is of particularly interest. Here we compare informational and structural properties of the hemagglutinin (HA) of H5N1 virus and human influenza virus subtypes, which are important for the receptor/virus interaction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Presented results revealed that HA proteins encode highly conserved information that differ between influenza virus subtypes H5N1, H1N1, H3N2, H7N7 and defined an HA domain which may modulate interaction with receptor. We also found that about one third of H5N1 viruses which are isolated during the 2006/07 influenza outbreak in Egypt possibly evolve towards receptor usage similar to that of seasonal H1N1.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The presented results may help to better understand the interaction of influenza virus with its receptor(s) and to identify new therapeutic targets for drug development.</p

First evidence of vertical Hepatozoon canis transmission in dogs in Europe

Background Hepatozoon canis is a protozoal agent that is known to be transmitted by oral uptake of H. canis-infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks in dogs. Vertical transmission of H. canis has only been described once in a study evaluating dogs from Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the parasitological status of puppies from a bitch that had tested positive for Hepatozoon spp. prior to giving birth. Findings A 4-year-old, female, pregnant dog imported from Italy (Sardinia) to Germany showed clinical signs of lethargy and tachypnoea and tested positive for H. canis by PCR. The dog gave birth to eight puppies, one of which was stillborn and another that had to be reanimated. Haematology, buffy coat analysis and a biochemistry profile were performed for each dog. EDTA-blood of the surviving seven puppies and bone marrow, liver, spleen, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord of the stillborn puppy was tested for the presence of Hepatozoon spp. by PCR. The mother and the seven surviving puppies tested positive for H. canis by PCR at day 62 post-partum. Gamonts were detected in all dogs by buffy coat evaluation. Haematological and biochemistry results revealed mild abnormalities. In the stillborn puppy, spleen, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid were positive for H. canis. Conclusion The results confirm that vertical transmission is a possible route of H. canis infection in dogs, demonstrated by molecular detection of the pathogen in the stillborn puppy. In the seven surviving puppies, vertical transmission was the most likely transmission route. A potential impact of the level of parasitaemia on the health of puppies, as well as its pathogenesis, should be investigated further

Sprachliche Austauschaktivitäten und deren Auswirkungen auf interkulturelle Kompetenzen und Sprachlernmotivation: Executive Summary

Rapport de l’Institut pour l’enseignement et l’apprentissage (HEP Lucerne) financé par le Centre scientifique de compétence sur le plurilinguismeReport of the Institute of Teaching and Learning (University of Teacher Education Lucerne) funded by the Research Centre on MultilingualismBericht des Instituts für Lehren und Lernen (PH Luzern) finanziert aus Mitteln des Wissenschaftlichen Kompetenzzentrums für MehrsprachigkeitRapporto dell’Istituto per l’Insegnamento e l’Apprendimento (Alta Scuola Pedagogica di Lucerna) finanziato dal Centro scientifico di competenza per il plurilinguism

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P &lt; 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Peer influence on the development of internalizing behaviors at school. Classroom and gender effects

Mehrere Studien zeigen, dass sich Jugendliche innerhalb von Freundschaftsdyaden in ihrer Ausprägung internalisierenden Verhaltens beeinflussen. Offen ist hingegen, inwieweit sich Peereinfluss auf internalisierendes Verhalten, beispielsweise durch Prozesse emotionaler Ansteckung, auch auf Ebene der Schulklasse vollzieht. Es wurde deshalb untersucht, inwiefern die Ausprägung internalisierenden Verhaltens unter den Klassenkameradinnen und -kameraden die individuelle Entwicklung internalisierenden Verhaltens beeinflusst. Angesichts der Geschlechtsunterschiede im Bereich internalisierenden Verhaltens wurde weiter geprüft, ob Mädchen und Jungen unterschiedlich durch ihre Peers beeinflusst werden. Es wurde erwartet, dass höhere Ausprägungen internalisierenden Verhaltens in der Klasse zu mehr individuellem internalisierenden Verhalten über die Zeit beitragen. Zusätzlich wurde erwartet, dass Mädchen generell stärker durch die Peers beeinflusst werden als Jungen und dass sowohl Mädchen als auch Jungen eher von gleichgeschlechtlichen Peers beeinflusst werden. An der Längsschnittstudie mit vier Messzeitpunkten von der 7. bis zur 9. Klasse nahmen 864 Schülerinnen und Schüler (M Alter zu T1 = 13.12 Jahre; 48% Mädchen) teil, die über ihr internalisierendes Verhalten berichteten. Mehrebenenanalytische Längsschnittmodelle zeigten, dass das Niveau internalisierenden Verhaltens in der Gesamtklasse keinen Einfluss auf die individuelle Entwicklung internalisierenden Verhaltens hatte und Mädchen nicht generell stärker beeinflusst wurden. Mädchen wurden jedoch durch das internalisierende Verhalten unter den Mädchen ihrer Klasse beeinflusst, wohingegen Jungen weder von anderen Jungen noch von Mädchen beeinflusst wurden. Die Bedeutung dieser Befunde für das Verständnis von Peereinflussprozessen auf internalisierendes Verhalten in der Schule wird diskutiert. (DIPF/Orig.)Several studies suggest that adolescents’ development of internalizing behaviors is influenced by friends’ levels of such behaviors. However, it is an open question whether peer influence on internalizing behaviors can occur on the classroom level, for example through processes of emotional contagion. It was therefore investigated in how far the level of internalizing behaviors among the classmates has an effect on adolescents’ individual development of such behaviors. Given the differences in girls’ and boys’ internalizing behavior development, this study further investigated gender differences in classmates’ influence on internalizing behaviors. It was expected that higher levels of internalizing behaviors in the classroom predict more individual internalizing behavior in the future. Further, we expected that girls are more influenced by their classmates than boys and that both girls and boys are more influenced by same-gender peers. A sample of 864 participants (M age at T1 = 13.12 years; 48% girls) was followed across four measurement occasions from seventh to ninth grade. Students self-reported on their internalizing behaviors. Longitudinal multilevel models indicated that classmates’ levels of internalizing behaviors did not predict individual internalizing behaviors across time and girls were not more susceptible than boys. However, there was a significant effect of female (but not male) classmates’ mean internalizing behaviors on girls’ internalizing behaviors. No effect of either female or male classmates’ internalizing behaviors on boys’ behavior was found. Implications for understanding peer influence on internalizing behavior development are discussed. (DIPF/Orig.