Repression-sensitization and social desirability responding.

3 groups of male and female Ss were given Byrne's R-S scale and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability (SD) scale. The scores on these 2 scales were correlated and significant negative correlations were obtained for all 3 groups. The magnitude and consistency of these correlations appear to reflect sufficient independence between these dimensions to justify considering them as separate variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rapid hemostasis of arterial puncture sites with collagen in patients undergoing diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization

Despite the continuous reduction of sheath sizes in diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterizations and the discontinuation of coumadin use after coronary stent implantation, a challenging role remains for hemostatic devices in the sealing femoral puncture sites. Since the introduction of the vascular hemostatic device (VHD) in 1991 and the hemostatic puncture closing device (HPCD) in 1992, numerous studies investigating these devices have been published. The deployment success rates reported in 2,292 patients for VHD is 97%, ranging from 88 to 100%. For HPCD, the mean deployment success rate resulting from 622 published patients leads to an identical result of 97%, ranging between 91 and 100%. For time to hemostasis, data have been analyzed according to the four different clinical situations, depending on level of anticoagulation (none or full) and the time of sheath removal (immediate or delayed). In randomized studies, when compared with the manual control groups, both devices revealed a statistically significant reduction in time to hemostasis: 12 to 16 minutes less for diagnostic catheterization and 14 to 30 minutes less for PTCA. As for minor local complications, no clinically relevant differences seem to exist. None of these devices has been proven to reduce major local complications. Prospective trials addressing early mobilization after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and the cost effectiveness of arterial closure devices in defined subgroups are warranted.     

Murphy's law in cardiac surgery

We report the case of a 41-year-old man who underwent heart transplantation after suffering from aortic dissection during the implantation of a biventricular assist device for heart failure after coronary artery bypass grafting. The biventricular assist device had to be operated by hand for 10 hours because of a technical defect. In the end perseverance won out and the patient is now doing well at 2.5 years of follow-up.     

Einsatz von Protonenbestrahlung in der Technologie der Leistungshalbleiter

Übersicht Durch Protonenbestrahlung können Rekombinationszentren in Siliziumbauelementen in definierter Tiefe erzeugt werden. Dadurch ergibt sich ein neuer Freiheitsgrad für die Optimierung bipolarer Bauelemente. — Durch den Einsatz von Protonenbestrahlung können bei GTO-Thyristoren geringere Schaltverluste und bei Dioden günstigeres Kommutierungsverhalten erzielt werden. Falls die mit der Wasserstoffimplantation verbundene Bildung energetisch flacher Donatoren nicht zulässig ist, könnte stattdessen He-Bestrahlung eingesetzt werden.

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Use of proton eradiation in semiconductor power devices technology

Contents With proton irradiation, recombination centres in well defined depths of silicon devices can be formed. In this way a new degree of freedom for optimizing the switching behaviour of bipolar silicon devices is obtained. — Proton irradiation enables reduced switching losses of GTO thyristors and improved recovery behaviour of power diodes. If the hydrogen implantation correlated donor formation is not tolerable, He-irradiation may be used.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. phil. nat. W. Gerlach zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Maillard reaction products enriched food extract reduce the expression of myofibroblast phenotype markers

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are associated with a wide range of degenerative diseases. The present investigation aimed at analysing the influence of AGE containing nutritional extracts on cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) as the major cell type responsible for cardiac fibrosis. Mice CFs were treated with bread crust extract (BCE) which contained significant amounts of a variety of AGE modifications. BCE treatment with up to 30 mg/mL did not impair cell viability. Furthermore, BCE induced a moderate elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and activation of redox sensitive pathways like the p42/44(MAPK), p38(MAPK) and NF-kappaB but did not alter Akt kinase phosphorylation. Expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin and tropomyosin-1, which represent markers for myofibroblast differentiation, was reduced after bread crust treatment. These data suggest a putative antifibrotic effect of melanoidin-rich food.     

pH-dependent mineral release and surface properties of cornstraw biochar: agronomic implications

Surface charge and pH-dependent nutrient release properties of cornstraw biochar were examined to elucidate its potential agronomic benefits. Kinetics of element release was characterized by rapid H(+) consumption and rapid, pH-dependent P, Ca, and Mg release, followed by zero-order H(+) consumption and mineral dissolution reactions. Initial K release was not pH-dependent, nor was it followed by a zero-order reaction at any pH. Rapid and constant rate P releases were significant, having the potential to substitute substantial proportions of P fertilizer. K releases were also significant and may replace conventional K fertilizers, however, not long-term plant demand. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the biochar leached with a mild acidic solution increased linearly from 179 to 888 mmol(c) (kg C)(-1) over a pH range of 4-8, while the anion exchange capacity of 154 mmol(c) (kg C)(-1) was constant over the same pH range. Since native soil organic constituents have much higher CEC values (average 2800 mmol(c) (kg C)(-1) at pH 7), improved soil fertility as a result of enhanced cation retention by the biochar probably will be favorable only in sandy and low organic matter soils, unless surface oxidation during aging significantly increases its CEC.