Application of a full body inertial measurement system in alpine skiing: a comparison with an optical video based system

This study aims at determining the accuracy of a full body inertial measurement system in a real skiing environment in comparison with an optical video based system. Recent studies have shown the use of inertial measurement systems for the determination of kinematical parameters in alpine skiing. However, a quantitative validation of a full body inertial measurement system for the application in alpine skiing is so far not available. For the purpose of this study, a skier performed a test-run equipped with a full body inertial measurement system in combination with a DGPS. In addition, one turn of the test-run was analyzed by an optical video based system. With respect to the analyzed angles, a maximum mean difference of 4.9° was measured. No differences in the measured angles between the inertial measurement system and the combined usage with a DGPS were found. Concerning the determination of the skier's trajectory, an additional system (e.g., DGPS) must be used. As opposed to optical methods, the main advantages of the inertial measurement system are the determination of kinematical parameters without the limitation of restricted capture volume, and small time costs for the measurement preparation and data analysis.     

Structure of the nervous system in Tubiluchus troglodytes (Priapulida)

Abstract. The nervous system of the meiobenthic priapulid species Tubiluchus troglodytes is described by immunohistochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The brain is circumpharyngeal, consisting of a central ring of neuropil and both anterior and posterior somata. From the brain emerges a ventral nerve cord, which shows ganglion-like swellings in the neck and caudal region. The introvert includes longitudinal neurite bundles running below and between the rows of scalids, with a small cluster of sensory cells under each scalid. In the body wall of the neck and trunk region, longitudinal and circular neurite bundles are present in an orthogonal pattern. The tail is innervated from the caudal swelling of the ventral nerve cord; it also includes longitudinal and circular bundles in an orthogonal pattern. The pharynx has a reticulated system of neurite bundles running between the pharyngeal teeth and fimbrillae. Below each tooth and fimbrilus is a ganglion-like cluster of somata. The intestine is surrounded by a nerve net. The data on the nervous system are compared within other priapulids and with other species of Scalidophora (Kinorhyncha and Loricifera).     

Time Trends of Helicobacter pylori Resistance to Antibiotics in Children Living in Vienna,Austria

Background: Increase of antibiotic resistance is a worldwide problem. Within the 4 years before the turn of the millennium Helicobacter pylori strains isolated in children living in Vienna, Austria, showed a primary clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance of 20% and 16%, respectively. The aim of this retrospective follow‐up survey was to assess the further development and current antimicrobial resistance status. Methods: Children having undergone upper endoscopy between March 2002 and March 2008 at the same two co‐operating pediatric gastroenterology units which had also been collaborating on the prior assessment were included. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by rapid urease test, histology, and culture. If the latter was positive, susceptibility testing to amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole by E‐test followed. From March 2004 onwards, susceptibility to levofloxacin, tetracycline and rifampin was additionally assessed. Results: Out of 897 children, 153 had a proven infection with H. pylori and no history of prior eradication treatment. Their median age was 11.5 years (range 0.5–20.9 years). Primary resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole were 34% and 22.9%, respectively; dual resistance was found in 9.8% of the strains; 0.9% was resistant to tetracycline and rifampin, respectively. No case of amoxicillin resistance was detected. The only independent risk factor for clarithromycin resistance turned out to be the origin of a child from Austrian parents. Conclusions: In the last decade, the rate of primary resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin continued to rise. No significant change was found regarding primary resistance to metronidazole or dual resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin, respectively.     

VCD study of α‐methylbenzyl amine derivatives: Detection of the unchanged chiral motif

Chiral α‐methylbenzyl amine is a well known and often used chiral auxiliary, e.g., in the resolution of racemates or asymmetric catalysis. In this work, α‐methylbenzyl amine and its derivatives N,α‐dimethylbenzyl amine, N,N,α‐trimethylbenzyl amine, and bis[α‐methylbenzyl] amine were investigated by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT). For all compounds, stable low energy conformers were obtained by the DFT calculations and based on those, the theoretical vibrational absorption (VA) and VCD spectra were calculated and compared with experimental spectra. Hence, the absolute configurations and conformational preferences were determined. A qualitative comparison of all the experimental VCD spectra of the investigated chiral molecules supported by the calculated ones is given which clearly shows similarities between the spectra of the different chiral amines. These can be assigned to vibrations of the unchanged chiral center. Chirality 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Spatial evaluation model for assessing and mapping impacts on threatened species in regions adjacent to Natura 2000 sites due to dam construction

The main purpose of this study was the development of an impact evaluation model to effectively assess and map possible ecological impacts due to a dam construction on habitats and species from the nearest Natura 2000 sites. A new approach has been developed in order to assess and map possible impacts on habitats due to a dam construction at both construction and operation phase. This methodology includes procedures in order to assess impacts and by calculating evaluation scores. Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) evaluation scores were assigned to grouped habitat regions at construction and operation dam phase. The construction may affect the presence of the species Lutra at the site near the river but will have no effect at the area where the dam basin and the Natura 2000 site intersect. The other species are not expected to be affected from the dam construction. During the operation phase, the presence of water will influence species like Bombina in a very positive way. The dam operation itself will not have negative effects on the rest of habitats but due to the presence of water, factors like a possible increase on traffic and population may affect negatively the habitats especially near the village areas. The proposed methodology offers an alternative point of view on impact assessment and it is expected to serve as become a valuable tool for decision makers to evaluate potential impacts to threatened species and habitats due to a technical project at construction and operation phase.     

Assessing the validity of impact pathways for child labour and well-being in social life cycle assessment

Background, aim and scope  

Assuming that the goal of social life cycle assessment (SLCA) is to assess damage and benefits on its ‘area of protection’ (AoP) as accurately as possible, it follows that the impact pathways, describing the cause effect relationship between indicator and the AoP, should have a consistent theoretical foundation so the inventory results can be associated with a predictable damage or benefit to the AoP. This article uses two concrete examples from the work on SLCA to analyse to what extent this is the case in current practice. One considers whether indicators included in SLCA approaches can validly assess impacts on the well-being of the stakeholder, whereas the other example addresses whether the ‘incidence of child labour’ is a valid measure for impacts on the AoPs.