Cycloalkenopyridines by ring transformations of diazines and triazines

This paper is a short review on the synthesis of 2,3-cycloalkenopyridines and 3,4-cycloalkenopyridines by inter- and intra-molecular cycloadditions

Screening of micro-organisms for Venturia inaequalis control by means of DGGE

Venturia inaequalis causes apple scab. The control of the disease in organic apple production depends on the use of copper which will be restricted in future for environmental reasons. In the search for environmental friendly microbial biocontrol agents and stimulation of antagonistic populations in situ the molecular technique of DGGE fingerprinting can is applied. This fingerprinting technique allows to bypass culturing techniques and even can identify not yet culturable organisms. Comparison of microbial fingerprints and pathogen development in the leaf samples during winter and spring has been performed to identify populations with antagonistic potential. Such potential antagonistic organisms can be further identified by their specific DNA sequence. Preliminary results identify possible antagonists. The identification based on the sequence can help to focus on specific isolation or stimulation of a possible antagonist or a consortium of antagonists

Social and cultural contributions to metacognition

Explicit metacognition is a hallmark of human consciousness. Its central role in the exchange of knowledge within social groups suggests that it may be shaped by social interactions. But whether, and how, social interactions may exert an effect on metacognition remains unknown. The experiments conducted in my PhD exemplify each in their own way how metacognitive ability is related to the ability to understand other people’s minds (mentalizing). Chapter Two and Three show that people with compromised mentalizing ability are also more likely to have metacognitive difficulties. Contrary to the common belief that people have privileged access to their own mental states, I found that people infer their mental states indirectly from their behaviour––similar to how they infer the mental states of others. Correspondingly, people who are unable make such inferences about others (as is the case in Autism Spectrum Condition or ASC) also tend to have difficulties with doing so about themselves. Chapter Four and Five show that cultural differences in collaboration and interaction affect metacognitive ability. Across two studies, I found that Chinese students had better awareness of their own and others’ mental states than occupation, age, income, gender and performance matched English students. This enhanced ability to process new evidence and correct errors generalized to how the different populations processed new social advice. Together, this work suggest that metacognition is deeply rooted in social interaction and culture

Robin Sequence:Clinical implications and functional outcomes following (non-) surgical management

Robin Sequence (RS) is a congenital craniofacial abnormality characterized by mandibular hypoplasia, glossoptosis, and varying degrees of upper airway obstruction. The interaction between the various etiological causes, the great variability in clinical expression, and the lack of a uniform definition continuously pose challenges to clinicians. The aim of this thesis is to gain another step towards a better understanding of this complex and challenging condition by focusing on the clinical characteristics and functional outcomes regarding airway, feeding, swallowing, and growth in patients with RS. In this way, we attempt to add valuable information to the current knowledge of RS and therefore contribute to an improved quality of care for these patients

End-Stage Renal Disease Related Hyperparathyroidism:Towards a Patient-Tailored Journey

Hyperparathyroidism is a common consequence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients with hyperparathyroidism related to ESRD may experience symptoms such as pruritus, muscle weakness, concentration difficulties, and feeling depressed. Moreover, these patients have an increased risk of mortality and cardiovascular events. The treatment algorithm consists of vitamin D repletion, phosphate binders, calcimimetics, and parathyroidectomy. Over time, the patient with chronic kidney disease moves through advancing stages of kidney disease, towards dialysis treatment or kidney transplantation with, in parallel, different stages of hyperparathyroidism. Which treatment is most optimal in each stage of the disease for the individual patient, is a matter of debate. This thesis focusses on providing evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of patients with hyperparathyroidism related to ESRD. In the first chapters of this thesis, the pathophysiology and outcomes of hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients are evaluated. Next, chapter 4 to 7 describe the outcomes of parathyroidectomy in terms of success rates, impact on kidney function and quality of life. The final chapters (8 to 12) evaluate the role of parathyroidectomy and cinacalcet in the treatment algorithm of ESRD-related hyperparathyroidism. Based on the results of this thesis, Van der Plas created a treatment algorithm for patients with ESRD-related hyperparathyroidism. Dialysis patients who are expected to receive a kidney transplant in the near future, are recommended to await the transplant for spontaneous resolution of hyperparathyroidism, bridging with calcimimetics. Patients who received a kidney transplant with persistent hyperparathyroidism are advised to undergo parathyroidectomy

The Inter-Society for the Electronic Arts revived?

This is an edited version of an introduction written for the panel session with the same name of June 13, 2013. The editing took place after the session was held. Both the introduction and the panel session are seen as the beginning of a discussion that should help to give direction to the future of ISEA. This article was edited by ISEA International board member Bonnie Mitchell, and received input from the panellists as well as from Wolfgang Schneider, Roger Malina and Peter Beyls. The panellists were Bonnie Mitchell, Anne Nigten (former ISEA board member), Vicki Sowry (ISEA2013 organiser), Ernest Edmonds (presenter at the first ISEA symposia) and Peter Anders (ISEA International board member). I would like to thank them all for their constructive thinking. The panel proposal is followed first by a mini manifesto (why cooperation?) and then an historic overview of ISEA, which is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. Before presenting the viewpoints of the panel members, I will try to give some of those viewpoints an historic context, and add to that some insights from personal experience. Finally, I will try to draw some conclusions. In that way I hope to lay the foundation for a more or less structured discussion that will continue after the panel and ISEA2013 are over