Identification of a possible superconducting transition above room temperature in natural graphite crystals

Measuring with high precision the electrical resistance of highly ordered natural graphite samples from a Brazil mine, we have identified a transition at $\sim$350~K with $\sim$40~K transition width. The step-like change in temperature of the resistance, its magnetic irreversibility and time dependence after a field change, consistent with trapped flux and flux creep, and the partial magnetic flux expulsion obtained by magnetization measurements, suggest the existence of granular superconductivity below 350~K. The zero-field virgin state can only be reached again after zero field cooling the sample from above the transition. Paradoxically, the extraordinarily high transition temperature we found for this and several other graphite samples is the reason why this transition remained undetected so far. The existence of well ordered rhombohedral graphite phase in all measured samples has been proved by x-rays diffraction measurements, suggesting its interfaces with the Bernal phase as a possible origin for the high-temperature superconductivity, as theoretical studies predicted. The localization of granular superconductivity at these two dimensional interfaces prevents the observation of a zero resistance state or of a full Meissner state.Comment: 14 pages with 21 figure

Factors associated with self-assessed increase in tobacco consumption among over-indebted individuals in Germany: a cross-sectional study

Background Over-indebtedness is an increasing phenomenon in industrialised nations causing individual hardship and societal problems. Nonetheless, few studies have explored smoking among over-indebted individuals. Methods A cross-sectional survey (n=949) on retrospectively assessed changes in tobacco consumption was carried out in 2006 and 2007 among clients of 84 officially approved debt and insolvency counselling centres in Germany (response rate 39.7%). Logistic regressions were performed to explore factors associated with reports of increased smoking after onset of over-indebtedness. Results 63% of all respondents stated daily or occasional tobacco consumption. Almost one fifth reported an increase in smoking after becoming over-indebted. Females were less likely to report increased smoking than men (aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.44-0.99) whereas respondents who had been over-indebted for more than 10 years were more likely to report increased smoking than those who had been over-indebted for less than five years (aOR 1.66; 95%-CI 1.00-2.76). The odds of increased smoking were also elevated among those who reported that their families and friends had withdrawn from them as a consequence of their over-indebtedness (aOR 1.82; 95%-CI 1.06-3.14). Conclusions The study identifies over-indebted individuals and particularly over-indebted men as a high-risk group of smokers. Low levels of social embeddedness/support were associated with a further increase in smoking after becoming over-indebted. Given recent increases of over-indebtedness, the findings highlight the need to develop appropriate public health policies

Association between overweight, obesity and self-perceived job insecurity in German employees

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent studies have shown an association between job insecurity and morbidity as well as mortality, however until now, knowledge about a potential association between job insecurity and overweight or obesity has been lacking.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to identify a possible association between job insecurity and overweight or obesity, we analysed data from the German Socioeconomic Panel (GSOEP) 2004/2005, a longitudinal study of private households in Germany. In this representative cohort of the German adult population, living and working conditions were observed. Data on Body Mass Index (BMI) and self-perceived probability of job loss within the next 2 years were available for 10,747 adults either employed or attending training programs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified 5,216 (49%) individuals as being overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m²) and 1,358(13%) individuals as being obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²). A total of 5,941 (55%) participants reported having concerns regarding job insecurity. In the multivariate analysis - after adjustment for relevant confounders - a statistically significant association between obesity and job insecurity (100% probability for losing the job in the following two years) could be observed with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.55 (95% confidence interval: 1.09-5.96).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Because of these results, we were able to conclude that overweight and obese persons perceive job insecurity more often than their normal weight counterparts in Germany and that the concurrence of obesity and job insecurity might lead employees into a vicious cycle. Further research with an emphasis on the occupational setting might be necessary in order to establish useful preventive programmes at the workplace.</p

The Ability of Nitric Oxide to Lower Intraocular Pressure Is Dependent on Guanylyl Cyclase

Purpose While nitric oxide (NO) donors are emerging as treatments for glaucoma, the mechanism by which NO lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) is unclear. NO activates the enzyme guanylyl cyclase (GC) to produce cyclic guanosine monophosphate. We studied the ocular effects of inhaled and topically applied NO gas in mice and lambs, respectively. Methods: IOP and aqueous humor (AqH) outflow were measured in WT and GC-1α subunit null (GC-1−/−) mice. Mice breathed 40 parts per million (ppm) NO in O2 or control gas (N2/O2). We also studied the effect of ocular NO gas exposure (80, 250, 500, and 1000 ppm) on IOP in anesthetized lambs. NO metabolites were measured in AqH and plasma. Results: In awake WT mice, breathing NO for 40 minutes lowered IOP from 14.4 ± 1.9 mm Hg to 10.9 ± 1.0 mm Hg (n = 11, P < 0.001). Comparable results were obtained in anesthetized WT mice (n = 10, P < 0.001). In awake or anesthetized GC-1−/− mice, IOP did not change under similar experimental conditions (P ≥ 0.08, n = 20). Breathing NO increased in vivo outflow facility in WT but not GC-1−/− mice (+13.7 ± 14.6% vs. −12.1 ± 9.4%, n = 4 each, P < 0.05). In lambs, ocular exposure to NO lowered IOP in a dose-dependent manner (−0.43 mm Hg/ppm NO; n = 5 with 40 total measurements; P = 0.04) without producing corneal pathology or altering pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics. After ocular NO exposure, NO metabolites were increased in AqH (n = 8, P < 0.001) but not in plasma. Conclusions: Breathing NO reduced IOP and increased outflow facility in a GC-dependent manner in mice. Exposure of ovine eyes to NO lowers IOP

The Role of Transporters in the Pharmacokinetics of Orally Administered Drugs

Drug transporters are recognized as key players in the processes of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. The localization of uptake and efflux transporters in organs responsible for drug biotransformation and excretion gives transporter proteins a unique gatekeeper function in controlling drug access to metabolizing enzymes and excretory pathways. This review seeks to discuss the influence intestinal and hepatic drug transporters have on pharmacokinetic parameters, including bioavailability, exposure, clearance, volume of distribution, and half-life, for orally dosed drugs. This review also describes in detail the Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS) and explains how many of the effects drug transporters exert on oral drug pharmacokinetic parameters can be predicted by this classification scheme

Entwicklung der enzymimmunologischen Messverfahren auf Mikrotitrationsplatten zur Bestimmung von Testosteron und Progesteron im Blutplasma

Als Alternative fuer den Einsatz in dezentralen Laboratorien wurden Messverfahren fuer Testesteron und Progesteron auf enzymimmunologer Basis entwickelt, die nicht an den hohen Geraete- und Zeitaufwand des Radioimmuntests gebunden sind. Die Hormone werden ueber eine enzymatische Farbreaktion messbar gemachtAvailable from: D-7000-Stuttgart-Hohenheim Univ. (Germany). Universitaetsbibliothek, Garbenstr. 15 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Mindestpreise, Marktformen und Anbieterverhalten Vorlaeufige Fassung

Bibliothek Weltwirtschaft Kiel C 154223 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Externe Bestimmungsfaktoren der Entwicklungspolitik der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 1960-1980 eine statistische und historische Analyse

UuStB Koeln(38)-4E1909 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Industrialization, regional labour market, and productive investments by remigrants in a peripheral region The case of Thraki in Northern Greece

SIGLEBibliothek Weltwirtschaft Kiel C 135,407 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Regionale Entwicklungspolitik fuer die Landwirtschaft und die gewerbliche Wirtschaft in Brasilien

SIGLETIB Hannover: RN 2684 (71) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman