Quantifying inequality in health in the absence of a natural reference group

When quantifying inequality in health, the excess fraction (i.e. the proportional reduction in the outcome in question that would occur if all groups had the same, lowest, risk rate) is an appealing measure. If the population contains a natural, healthiest reference group, the excess fraction is straightforward to estimate. In the absence of an a priori reference group, calculating the excess fraction requires reflection, since using the group with the lowest observed risk rate as reference can lead to erroneous conclusions. This paper proposes a simple simulation procedure for calculating the excess fraction, without fixing a reference group.     

Gradientenbetontechnologie

The technology of graded concrete – From the development of concrete mixtures and the conceptual design to the automatized manufacturing In accordance with the principle form follows force, the DFG Priority Programme (SPP) 1542 – Leicht Bauen mit Beton – focuses on energy efficient building elements which are designed specifically for desired operational demands. This concept is a specific adaption of the component's inner structure and works in parallel to the optimization of its outer shape which is often limited due to the outer geometry of slabs, walls and supporting pillars. The technology of graded concrete provides an innovative possibility to adapt the inner structure of a concrete component in order to meet defined static and structural‐physical requirements. The challenging demands imposed by the technology of graded concrete require a holistic approach including the development of the concrete mixtures, the design of the building components and finally the automatized manufacturing. In collaboration between the departments ILEK, IWB and ISYS of the University of Stuttgart a complete process chain for the manufacturing of functionally graded concrete components was realized. This approach for concrete results in fully recyclable building elements with significant savings in mass and energy.     

Clostridiumnovyi’s Alpha-Toxin Changes Proteome and Phosphoproteome of HEp-2 Cells

C. novyi type A produces the alpha-toxin (TcnA) that belongs to the large clostridial glucosylating toxins (LCGTs) and is able to modify small GTPases by N-acetylglucosamination on conserved threonine residues. In contrast, other LCGTs including Clostridioides difficile toxin A and toxin B (TcdA; TcdB) modify small GTPases by mono-o-glucosylation. Both modifications inactivate the GTPases and cause strong effects on GTPase-dependent signal transduction pathways and the consequent reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton leading to cell rounding and finally cell death. However, the effect of TcnA on target cells is largely unexplored. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive screening approach of TcnA treated HEp-2 cells and analyzed their proteome and their phosphoproteome using LC-MS-based methods. With this data-dependent acquisition (DDA) approach, 5086 proteins and 9427 phosphosites could be identified and quantified. Of these, 35 proteins were found to be significantly altered after toxin treatment, and 1832 phosphosites were responsive to TcnA treatment. By analyzing the TcnA-induced proteomic effects of HEp-2 cells, 23 common signaling pathways were identified to be altered, including Actin Cytoskeleton Signaling, Epithelial Adherens Junction Signaling, and Signaling by Rho Family GTPases. All these pathways are also regulated after application of TcdA or TcdB of C. difficile. After TcnA treatment the regulation on phosphorylation level was much stronger compared to the proteome level, in terms of both strength of regulation and the number of regulated phosphosites. Interestingly, various signaling pathways such as Signaling by Rho Family GTPases or Integrin Signaling were activated on proteome level while being inhibited on phosphorylation level or vice versa as observed for the Role of BRCA1 in DNA Damage Response. ZIP kinase, as well as Calmodulin-dependent protein kinases IV & II, were observed as activated while Aurora-A kinase and CDK kinases tended to be inhibited in cells treated with TcnA based on their substrate regulation pattern.     

Einfluß der Oberflächenspannung auf den Ausfluß aus Poncelet-Öffnungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Zum mikroskopischen Nachweis der Kakaoschalen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Der Schalennachweis in Kakaoerzeugnissen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

A Study of Starch Granule Size and Distribution in 29 Barley Varieties

The starch granule size and distribution has been determined on 29 different samples of barley. There is a wide range in the ratio of small to large granules which varies from a minimum of 5.5:1 to a maximum of 37:1. Small granules were separated from large granules in four varieties and the average weight of the granules determined. From these values the actual percentage of small granules in the original barley starch was determined. Small granule starch may account for from 6.2–30.6% of total starch weight in the varieties examined.