Explore the vast range of titles available.

Abstract Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are Gram-positive commensal gut bacteria that can also cause fatal infections. To study clinically relevant multi-drug resistant E. faecalis and E. faecium strains, methods are needed to overcome physical (thick cell wall) and enzymatic barriers that limit the transfer of foreign DNA and thus prevent facile genetic manipulation. Enzymatic barriers to DNA uptake identified in E. faecalis and E. faecium include type I, II and IV restriction modification systems and CRISPR-Cas. This review examines E. faecalis and E. faecium DNA defence systems and the methods with potential to overcome these barriers. DNA defence system bypass will allow the application of innovative genetic techniques to expedite molecular-level understanding of these important, but somewhat neglected, pathogens. The molecular biology of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium has lagged behind other Gram-positive pathogens due to physical and enzymatic barriers restricting DNA transfer, with this review summarising the barriers and highlighting how improving transformation will accelerate our understanding of these important pathogens.

We present a simple protocol for certifying graph states in quantum networks using stabiliser measurements. The certification statements can easily be applied to different protocols using graph states. We see, for example, how it can be used for measurement based verified quantum computation, certified sampling of random unitaries, quantum metrology and sharing quantum secrets over untrusted channels.

Mutations in NR5A1 have been reported as a frequent cause of 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) associated to a broad phenotypic spectrum ranging from infertility, ambiguous genitalia, anorchia to gonadal dygenesis and female genitalia. Here we present the clinical follow up of four 46,XY DSD patients with three novel heterozygous mutations in the NR5A1 gene leading to a p.T40P missense mutation and a p.18DKVSG22del nonframeshift deletion in the DNA-binding domain and a familiar p.Y211Tfs*83 frameshift mutation. Functional analysis of the missense and nonframeshift mutation revealed a deleterious character with loss of DNA-binding and transactivation capacity. Both, the mutations in the DNA-binding domain, as well as the familiar frameshift mutation are associated with highly variable endocrine values and phenotypic appearance. Phenotypes vary from males with spontaneous puberty, substantial testosterone production and possible fertility to females with and without Müllerian structures and primary amenorrhea. Exome sequencing of the sibling's family revealed TBX2 as a possible modifier of gonadal development in patients with NR5A1 mutations.

This article examines the determinants of perceived job security in German standard employment relationships (SER). Although SERs still dominate and shape the labour market, they have undergone several modifications in the recent past. Using survey data from 2006, the article examines how work organizations and particularly multiple workplace demands influence the perceived job security of employees in SERs. The article also asks whether − 20 years after reunification – structural and cultural differences still exist between East and West Germany. The results show that employees in East German SERs are more willing to accept flexibility and performance requirements. The article suggests that a new psychological contract has emerged, which promises long-term employment only if employees eventually meet the new workplace demands. Yet the overall lower job security of East Germans, fuelled by lower trust in their employers’ information policies, indicates the fragile nature of this arrangement.

Background/Objective Microvascular alterations play a key role in the development of diabetes complications. Retinal vessel analysis is a unique method to examine microvascular changes in brain‐derived vessels. Methods Sixty‐seven pediatric and adolescent type 1 diabetes patients and 58 healthy control persons (mean age 12.4 ± 2.9 years) underwent non‐mydriatic retinal photography of both eyes. Central retinal arteriolar and central retinal venular (CRVE) diameter equivalents as well as the arteriolar‐to‐venular ratio were calculated using a semiautomated software. All anthropometric and laboratory parameters were measured according to standardized procedures for children. Results Retinal vessel diameter did not differ between type 1 diabetic children and healthy controls. However, there was an independent association of higher hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels with arteriolar narrowing. Arteriolar narrowing of 5.4 μm was observed with each percent increase in HbA1c. Longer duration of diabetes was associated with wider retinal arterioles. CRVE was not associated with diabetes duration or HbA1c. Conclusions Microvascular arteriolar alterations are already present in childhood and may indicate subclinical atherosclerosis and increased risk of diabetes complications later in life. Future research will have to investigate the potential use of retinal vessel diameters for treatment monitoring and guidance of therapy in children.

The purpose of this study is to examine how disabilities in adolescence are associated with employment outcomes in young adulthood. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), I analyze the implications of four disability types (physical, learning, intellectual, and multiple disabilities) on three employment outcomes (earnings, employer-provided benefits, and occupational status). Analyses based on ordinary logistic regression and Poisson regression show that learning disability is associated with lower earnings, fewer employer-provided benefits, and lower occupational status. Education and occupational status partially mediate the relationship between learning disability and earnings and fully mediate the relationship between learning disability and employer-provided benefits. The relationship between learning disability and occupational status is partially mediated by education and discrimination. Intellectual disability is associated with fewer employer-provided benefits. Multiple disabilities are associated with lower earnings and fewer employer-provided benefits. Educational and occupational status partially mediate these relationships. Physical disability does not have an effect on employment outcomes. Thus, the association between disability and employment depends on the combination of disability types and employment outcomes. Learning and multiple disabilities are associated with particularly worse outcomes.

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and small for gestational age (SGA) status are associated with cardiovascular risks. We therefore, investigated antiatherogenic effects of growth hormone (GH). Subfractions of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A (Lp-PLA2), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured at baseline, after 8 and 52 weeks of GH treatment in 51 short children born SGA (n=33) or with GHD (n=18). The overall group showed post-treatment reductions of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (p=0.016), small-dense LDL cholesterol (sdLDL-C, p<0.001), Lp-PLA2 (p<0.001), and hsCRP (p=0.005), but increase of HDL2a cholesterol (HDL2a-C, p=0.025). SGA children revealed significant correlations between Lp-PLA2 and LDL-C and sdLDL-C both before and after GH, significant reductions of sdLDL-C, Lp-PLA2, hsCRP, and an increase of HDL2a-C. GHD children showed the same lipid responses, though not significantly. Children with GHD or born SGA may benefit from GH by growth acceleration and reduction of cardiovascular long-term risks.

The objective of the study was to assess the effect of atorvastatin on inflammation markers and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind pilot study involving 28 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and subfractions of LDL were measured at baseline, after 1 year and 2 years of treatment with atorvastatin (10 mg/day) vs. placebo. For the atorvastatin group, we found posttreatment reductions of Lp-PLA2 activity (p<0.001), LDL cholesterol (p=0.001), non-small dense LDL cholesterol (p<0.001), total cholesterol (p<0.001), and apolipoprotein B (apo B) (p<0.001), whereas small dense LDL cholesterol and hsCRP did not change significantly. In adolescents with T1D, long-term treatment with atorvastatin is safe and may reduce cardiovascular risk by significant decreases of Lp-PLA2 activity and LDL cholesterol.

The four ITER Electron Cyclotron Upper Launchers (UL) are designed to control Magneto- Hydrodynamic instabilities with the deposition of Electron Cyclotron power. According to the present design, each launcher comprises two rows of four input waveguides, whose output beam is focused and driven towards the plasma by four sets of mirrors. In order to study the beam-launcher interaction throughout quasi-optical propagation, with particular attention to straylight behaviour, and to verify analytical calculations, a 3D model of the UL optical system has been implemented with the electromagnetic code GRASP® and the Physical Optics method. Detailed description of the components are introduced: pure hybrid mode HE11 from cylindrical waveguide as input beams, real shapes of the mirror contours, semi-analytical description of the ellipsoidal surfaces of focussing mirrors. A conceptual calculation scheme has been developed in order to take into account not only the direct contribution of the single source on its next scatterer but also the first order indirect effects: crosstalk from different lines of the same row and crosstalk from different rows have been evaluated after reflection on the first and third set of mirrors. The evaluations presented have been performed on the preliminary UL design, the last major milestone before finalization; however, the numerical model is suitable to be applied to future evolutions of the setup and/or other configurations.

ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH: Operational layoffs got more often into the public focus during the past few years. In this paper the following questions are examined: Under which conditions are dismissals accepted by different groups of the population and to what extent cause dismissals internal resistance? The study relies on interviews in East and West Germany with more than 3,000 persons between 20 and 60 years. The results demonstrate: Dis-missals are not accepted as self-evident. The evaluation of hypothetical scenarios and own experiences refers to this conclusion. However, the perception of teh measures can be affected positively or negatively by the process organization. Reprinted by permission of the VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Germany