Car path tracking in traffic flow networks with bounded buffers at junctions

This article deals with the modeling for an individual car path through a road network, where the dynamics is driven by a coupled system of ordinary and partial differential equations. The network is characterized by bounded buffers at junctions that allow for the interpretation of roundabouts or on-ramps while the traffic dynamics is based on first-order macroscopic equations of Lighthill-Whitham-Richards (LWR) type. Trajectories for single drivers are then influenced by the surrounding traffic and can be tracked by appropriate numerical algorithms. The computational experiments show how the modeling framework can be used as navigation device

Prostaglandin E Positively Modulates Endothelial Progenitor Cell Homeostasis: An Advanced Treatment Modality for Autologous Cell Therapy

Aims: The mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and their functioning in postnatal neovascularization are tightly regulated. To identify new modulators of EPC homeostasis, we screened biologically active prostaglandin E compounds for their effects on EPC production, trafficking and function. Methods and Results: We found that EPC are a rich source for prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2), stimulating their number and function in an auto- and paracrine manner. In vivo blockade of PGE 2 production by selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition virtually abrogated ischemia-induced EPC mobilization demonstrating its crucial role in EPC homeostasis following tissue ischemia. Conversely, ex vivo treatment of isolated EPC with the clinically approved PGE 1 analogue alprostadil enhanced EPC number and function. These effects were mediated by increased expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and were dependent on nitric oxide synthase activity. Most importantly, ex vivo PGE 1 pretreatment of isolated EPC significantly enhanced their neovascularization capacity in a murine model of hind limb ischemia as assessed by laser Doppler analysis, exercise stress test and immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: The conserved role for PGE in the regulation of EPC homeostasis suggests that ex vivo modulation of the prostaglandin pathway in isolated progenitor cells may represent a novel and safe strategy to facilitate cell-based therapies. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Base

The European Communication (Dis)Order: mapping the media-relevant European legislative acts and identification of dependencies, interface areas and conflicts

Im Vorfeld der EU-Ratspräsidentschaft Deutschland im zweiten Halbjahr 2020 hat das Leibniz-Institut für Medienforschung | Hans-Bredow-Institut (HBI) mehrere Gutachten und Untersuchungsberichte erarbeitet, die als Diskussionsgrundlage für die EU-Medienkonferenz im Juli 2020 und die nachfolgenden Focus Sessions dienten. Ziel der HBI-Untersuchungen war dabei die Identifikation von Möglichkeiten der mittel- und langfristigen Verbesserung der Kohärenz der europäischen Informations- und Kommunikationsordnung. Die derzeitige Informations- und Medienordnung ist ein rechtliches Mehr-Ebenen-System, das aus Normen der EU, des Bundes und der Länder besteht. Hinzu treten völkerrechtliche Vorgaben, aber auch Normen der Selbstregulierung. Die derzeitige Regulierung in diesem Bereich, die teils jahrzehntealten Pfadabhängigkeiten folgt, ist angesichts struktureller Transformationen öffentlicher und individueller Information und Kommunikation immer wieder Gegenstand grundsätzlicher Debatten über ihre Kohärenz, Kongruenz, Zeitgemäßheit und Zukunftsfähigkeit. Mit dem vorliegenden Gutachten soll eine systematische materiell-rechtliche Kartographierung der derzeit bestehenden Regelungen auf europäischer Ebene erfolgen, die den für die derzeitige EU-Medienordnung relevanten Sekundärrechtskorpus aus Sicht audiovisueller Angebote überblicksartig beschreibt, die einzelnen Rechtsakte aus einer komparativen Governance-Perspektive analysiert und so Abhängigkeiten, Überlappungen, strukturelle Unterschiede und mögliche Widersprüche aufzeigt. Dazu gehören mögliche Durchwirkungs- und Spill-Over-Effekte von Rechtsakten aus anderen Bereichen, deren Regelungen sich (auch) im Medienbereich bemerkbar machen und so faktischen Einfluss auf die Medienordnung haben

Alkaloids from the Sponge Stylissa carteri Present Prospective Scaffolds for the Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1).

The sponge Stylissa carteri is known to produce a number of secondary metabolites displaying anti-fouling, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activity. However, the anti-viral potential of metabolites produced by S. carteri has not been extensively explored. In this study, an S. carteri extract was HPLC fractionated and a cell based assay was used to evaluate the effects of HPLC fractions on parameters of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) infection and cell viability. Candidate HIV-1 inhibitory fractions were then analyzed for the presence of potential HIV-1 inhibitory compounds by mass spectrometry, leading to the identification of three previously characterized compounds, i.e., debromohymenialdisine (DBH), hymenialdisine (HD), and oroidin. Commercially available purified versions of these molecules were re-tested to assess their antiviral potential in greater detail. Specifically, DBH and HD exhibit a 30%-40% inhibition of HIV-1 at 3.1 μM and 13 μM, respectively; however, both exhibited cytotoxicity. Conversely, oroidin displayed a 50% inhibition of viral replication at 50 μM with no associated toxicity. Additional experimentation using a biochemical assay revealed that oroidin inhibited the activity of the HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase up to 90% at 25 μM. Taken together, the chemical search space was narrowed and previously isolated compounds with an unexplored anti-viral potential were found. Our results support exploration of marine natural products for anti-viral drug discovery

Quantification of trace element contents in frozen fluid inclusions by UV-fs-LA-ICP-MS analysis

We have developed a new analytical setup for the determination of trace element concentrations in fluid inclusions by UV-fs-LA-ICP-MS. Laser ablation was performed at a low temperature of -40 degrees C by using a modified heating-freezing stage as the ablation cell. With this method it was possible to successfully analyse 53 of 55 frozen synthetic NaCl-H2O fluid inclusions in quartz, covering a size range between 8 mu m and 25 mu m down to a depth of 50 mu m. The high success rate could be achieved as the 194 nm UV-fs-laser allows excellent control over the opening procedure of frozen fluid inclusions. Trace element analyses were performed with a fast scanning magnetic sector field ICP-MS. The lower limits of detection for fluid inclusion analysis vary from 0.1 mu g g(-1) (for Bi-209) to 10 mu g g(-1) (for K-39). The typical analytical uncertainty, depending on the element and respective concentration level, ranges between 10% and 30% (1RSD), based on the reproducibility of experimentally synthesized fluid inclusions. All elements from a stock solution, which behaved inert during the HP/HT experiments (B, K, Cd, Te, Tl, Pb and Bi), could be recovered in the synthetic inclusions at concentrations that correspond within their specific analytical uncertainties to their original concentration of 53 mu g g(-1). The method represents a highly efficient tool for the determination of accurate trace element data on low concentration levels in small fluid inclusions with a high success rate of >90%. The latter is particularly advantageous considering the commonly time consuming characterization of fluid inclusions.NTH Graduate School GeoFluxe

Breed and Supplementation Influence on Consumer Ratings of Ground Meat from Pasture-Raised Lamb

Consumer acceptance of pasture-raised hair sheep lamb was investigated. Food hub participants (n = 284) from Richmond, Virginia, were recruited to receive ground lamb and provide product quality ratings before and after product preparation. Over 96% of survey respondents specified that they would purchase local ground lamb if available, 35% indicated that they would purchase it at least once a month, and 43% indicated that they would pay a premium for it. Animal management pertaining to breed and supplementation had little effect on consumer ratings. The findings suggest that ground meat from hair sheep lambs could provide an opportunity to enhance profitability for small-scale producers in Virginia. Extension educators may be able to apply the findings in assisting sheep producers with lamb marketing

Deterministic integration of quantum dots into on-chip multi-mode interference beamsplitters using in-situ electron beam lithography

The development of multi-node quantum optical circuits has attracted great attention in recent years. In particular, interfacing quantum-light sources, gates and detectors on a single chip is highly desirable for the realization of large networks. In this context, fabrication techniques that enable the deterministic integration of pre-selected quantum-light emitters into nanophotonic elements play a key role when moving forward to circuits containing multiple emitters. Here, we present the deterministic integration of an InAs quantum dot into a 50/50 multi-mode interference beamsplitter via in-situ electron beam lithography. We demonstrate the combined emitter-gate interface functionality by measuring triggered single-photon emission on-chip with $g^{(2)}(0) = 0.13\pm 0.02$. Due to its high patterning resolution as well as spectral and spatial control, in-situ electron beam lithography allows for integration of pre-selected quantum emitters into complex photonic systems. Being a scalable single-step approach, it paves the way towards multi-node, fully integrated quantum photonic chips.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figure