Feasible adaptation strategies for increased risk of flooding in cities due to climate change.

Northern Europe is one of the regions where more frequent and more severe storms and storm surges are expected due to climatic changes. In order to maintain an acceptable risk of flooding suitable adaptation strategies must be defined and implemented. Optimum solutions demand collaboration of different professionals and thus simple graphical means must be employed to illustrate the economic impacts of the change in risk of flooding. A case study indicates that urban drainage infrastructure capacity should be upgraded while there is currently no economic incentive to improve protection against sea surges.

Neuronal intranuclear inclusions, dysregulation of cytokine expression and cell death in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the expression of the inflammatory mediators IL-1beta, IL-1ra, IL-6 and the transcription factors IRF-1 and C/EBPdelta (previously identified in a transgenic model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) by gene expression profiling) in the central nervous system of SCA3 patients in relation to neuronal cell loss and ataxin-3-positive neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NI), to identify a putative upregulation of cytokines or microglia in SCA3 brains and to investigate whether enhanced cytokine expression was a generalized event mediating neuronal dysfunction in SCA3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Light- and electronmicroscopic immunohistochemistry was performed on SCA3 tissues derived from five patients from unrelated families with genetically confirmed diagnosis, and six individuals without a history of neurological or inflammatory disease. RESULTS: NI were found almost exclusively in brain regions that also showed neuronal cell loss, i.e. in pons and dentate nucleus neurons, rarely in putamen and thalamus, but not in cerebral or cerebellar cortex. NI displayed an irregular surface and were mostly attached to the nucleoli. Quantitative analysis of NI in the pons revealed an inverse relation of NI and cell loss, i.e. patients with more severe neuronal cell loss had a smaller proportion of neurons with NI. Thus, formation of NI is not necessarily an indicator of cell death but could exert a protective effect. We found increased expression of IL-1beta, IL-1ra, IL-6 and C/EBPdelta only in pons and dentate nucleus neurons and both in neurons with and without NI, suggesting that NI are not a prerequisite for transcriptional changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the selectively affected neuronal populations in SCA3 undergo a complex alteration of gene expression independent from the formation of NI.

Reduced release of DNA from streptococcus pneumoniae after treatment with rifampin in comparison to spontaneous growth and ceftriaxone treatment.

In order to study the release of DNA from Streptococcus pneumoniae in vitro during spontaneous growth and treatment with ceftriaxone or rifampin, a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction was used. During spontaneous growth, high concentrations of bacterial DNA were released. Exposure to 10 microg/ml of ceftriaxone decreased the DNA release, in median, by 19 times (P=0.03 vs. spontaneous growth). Treatment with 10 microg/ml of rifampin led to a reduction of DNA release, in median, by a factor of 49 (P=0.03 vs. ceftriaxone; six experiments performed on different days).

Molecular structure of Te(OMe)4.ClTe(OMe)3, a model for ligand exchange between Te(IV) centers.

ClTe(OiPr)3 could be prepared from stoichiometric amounts of TeCl4 and Te(OiPr)4, a reaction that requires the exchange of ligands between different Te centers. Ligand redistribution between telluranes was studied, and rapid exchange of -Cl and -OR (R = Me, iPr) ligands in solutions of several binary mixtures of Te(OMe)4, Te(OiPr)4, ClTe(OMe)3, and ClTe(OMe)3, and ClTe(OiPr)3 was established by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The solid-state structure of Te(OMe)4.ClTe(OMe)3, the first structurally characterized adduct between different telluranes, was investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It exhibits a very short Te-O...Te bridge between the two Te centers and additional Te...O and Te...Cl contacts between different adduct molecules. Selected structural parameters of Te(OMe)4.ClTe(OMe)3 are Te1-Cl1 274.6(3), Te1-O13 191.0(5), Te1-O12 194.9(6), Te1-O11 200.9(7), Te1...O24 226.8(5), Te1...O11a 314.2(8), Te2-O21 191.6(5), Te2-O22 198.7(5), Te2-O23 190.1(5), Te2-O24 225.3(5), Te2...O13 307.8(6), and Te2...O22b 269.2(6) pm and Te2-O24...Te1 126.1(2) degrees. Ab initio (MP2/LANL2DZP) geometry optimization of the model compound Te(OH)4.ClTe(OH)3 revealed that the central Te-O...Te bridge is less symmetric and hence weaker in the isolated adduct molecule than in the solid state. The stability of Te(OMe)4.ClTe(OMe)3 toward decomposition in Te(OMe)4 and ClTe(OMe)3 is attributed to the strengths of the short Te-O...Te bridge between Te(OMe)4 and ClTe(OMe)3. On the basis of the molecular structures of Te(OH)4.ClTe(OH)3 and Te(OMe)4.ClTe(OMe)3, a mechanism for the exchange of -OR groups between Te(IV) centers is proposed.

Assessment of hemispheric language lateralization: a comparison between fMRI and fTCD.

The cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in the basal arteries during a word-generation task was assessed by functional transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (fTCD) and by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The study investigates how event-related CBFV modulations in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) relate to regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes. Both fMRI and fTCD were used in 13 subjects (7 men, 6 women, aged 21 to 44 years). The maximum difference of relative CBFV changes between the left and right MCA during the word-generation task was used as the language laterality index (LIfTCD). For the fMRI examination during the nearly identical language task, the corresponding index was defined by LIfMRI = 100(N(L) - N(R))/(N(L) + N(R)), where N(L) and N(R) refer to the numbers of voxels activated in the left and right hemisphere, respectively. The evoked CBFV changes expressed by LIfTCD and the corresponding laterality index, LIfMRI, estimated by fMRI showed a close linear relation (regression analysis: r = 0.95, p < 0.0001). The results of this study demonstrate that language-related velocity changes in the MCAs relate to rCBF increases in a linear fashion. Since the laterality indices assessed by fMRI and fTCD are in such close agreement both techniques can therefore be used in a complementary way.

[Population trends, 1993]. / Bevolkerungsentwicklung 1993.

PIP: Population trends in Germany in 1993 are reviewed, with an emphasis on international migration of foreigners and refugees. Other topics covered include marriages, births, and deaths for the total population and by religion; internal migration; international migration of Germans; and changes in population size. Some comparative data for earlier years are also provided.^ieng

[Population trends 1992]. / Bevolkerungsentwicklung 1992.

PIP: Information is presented on population trends in Germany in 1992, together with some comparative data for earlier years. The emphasis is on international migration and migration between the former East and West Germany. Live births, deaths, and population size and growth are also briefly considered.^ieng

[Population trends, 1989]. / Bevolkerungsentwicklung 1989.

PIP: Information is presented on population trends in West Germany in 1989, with a focus on international migration. Topics covered include live births, deaths, total migration, immigration and emigration of Germans and foreigners, and population size. Sections are also included on population trends in East Germany and preliminary findings for 1990.^ieng

[Foreigners, 1989]. / Auslander 1989.

PIP: The first part of this article contains data on the foreign population in West Germany in 1989, along with some comparative statistics for earlier years. Information is included on population size, births and deaths, international migration, refugees, regional distribution, nationality, and age structure. The second part provides summary statistics on foreigners in East Germany.^ieng

[Population development, 1988]. / Bevolkerungsentwicklung 1988.

PIP: Population trends in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1988 are described, with an emphasis on international migration of both Germans and foreigners. A brief review of trends in births, deaths, migration, and population size over the past two decades is also provided, and prospects for the future are discussed.^ieng

[Ethnic Germans from East bloc countries and Germans from the German Democratic Republic--quantitative development and structure]. / Aussiedler und Ubersiedler--zahlenmassige Entwicklung und Struktur.

PIP: This article focuses on two types of migration to West Germany: the migration of ethnic Germans from Eastern Europe and migration from East Germany. Information is included on the volume of this migration between 1950 and 1988, countries of origin, family characteristics, age and sex structure, religion, labor force participation, and occupational structure. Comparisons are also made with data for the native population of West Germany.^ieng

[Trends in the number of aliens since 1987]. / Entwicklung der Auslanderzahl seit 1987.

PIP: Trends in the foreign population in West Germany since 1987 are examined. Data are from the Central Register of Foreigners and the 1987 census. Information is included on methodological problems, population size, foreigners as a percentage of the total population, births and deaths, international migration, refugees, regional distribution, and nationality.^ieng

Scaling and root planing efficacy in multirooted teeth.

The effect of operator experience level and root surface access on instrumentation of multirooted teeth was investigated. Fifty molars designated for extraction were randomly distributed among four operators of two different experience levels for scaling and root planing with or without surgical access. Following treatment the teeth were extracted and scored in a blind manner for residual calculus. Teeth were sectioned to allow assessment of the furcal aspects. Results show that operators of both experience levels obtained calculus-free root surfaces significantly more often with flap access than with a non-surgical approach. Additionally, operators with more experience achieved calculus-free root surfaces significantly more often than operators of lesser experience with both an open and closed procedure. However, when furcation aspects alone were assessed, it was found that the more experienced operators obtained a calculus-free surface only 68% of the time with an open approach. Results suggest that, although both surgical access and a more experienced operator significantly enhance calculus removal in molars with furcation invasion, total calculus removal in furcations utilizing conventional instrumentation may be limited.

[Aliens in federal districts, 1987]. / Auslander im Bundesgebiet 1987.

PIP: The author examines the situation of immigrants in the Federal Republic of Germany. Data are primarily for 1987 and are compared with data for selected earlier years. Consideration is given to migrants seeking asylum by country of origin, total foreign population and growth trends by country of origin, foreigners' trends in fertility and mortality, regional differences in foreign population distribution, and residence permits. Data are from official sources.^ieng

The precision of statistics of international migrations--a study of flows between Italy and the Federal Republic of Germany.

PIP: The authors compare the quality of data concerning migration between Italy and the Federal Republic of Germany. Data are from the population registers of both countries. The analysis finds that German sources show migration levels between the two countries to be twice as high as do the Italian sources. Reasons for these discrepancies are discussed.^ieng

[Population growth, 1986]. / Bevolkerungsentwicklung, 1986.

PIP: The authors examine recent population growth in the Federal Republic of Germany and present population statistics, the most recent of which are for 1986. A section on natural increase includes information on marriages and marriage age; births, including data on national origin; mothers' age structure; deaths, including stillbirths and infant deaths; births among resident foreigners; and public opinion concerning population size and growth. A section on growth due to migration examines internal migration and the international migration of German citizens and foreigners. Data and estimates are based on a variety of official and nonofficial sources.^ieng

[Foreigners in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, 1986]. / Auslander im Bundesgebiet 1986.

PIP: The author provides data for recent years on the foreign population in the states of the Federal Republic of Germany and compares the West German foreign population with that of other European countries and the world. The data indicate increased migration, particularly of refugees; decreased emigration of foreigners; and increased births among foreigners. The foreign population is broken down by country of origin, with Turkish immigrants accounting for the largest portion.^ieng

[Population trends, 1985]. / Bevolkerungsentwicklung 1985.

PIP: The authors present official data for the Federal Republic of Germany for 1985 concerning marriages, births, deaths, and international migration. Findings include a slight surplus of births for the foreign population and a continuing birth deficit for the German population as well as a net in-migration for Germans and a net out-migration for foreigners. The totals indicate a net decrease of 29,000 for the total population.^ieng