Strain effects at solid surfaces near the melting point

We investigate the effects of strain on a crystal surface close to the bulk melting temperature T_m, where surface melting usually sets in. Strain lowers the bulk melting point, so that at a fixed temperature below but close to T_m the thickness of the quasi-liquid film is expected to grow with strain, irrespective of sign. In addition, a strain-induced solid surface free energy increase/decrease takes place, favoring/disfavoring surface melting depending on the sign of strain relative to surface stress. In the latter case one can produce a strain-induced prewetting transition, where for increasing temperature the liquid film suddenly jumps from zero to a finite thickness. This phenomenology is illustrated by a realistic molecular dynamics simulation of strained Al(110).Comment: Acceped for publication on Surface Scienc

Communicative interaction in the English language classroom : a field study of a western teacher as change agent in two Chinese primary schools in Zhong Shan, People\u27s Republic of China

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a \u27Change Agent\u27 in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Chinese primary schools, and to determine whether changes were perceivable in the number and type of communicative interactions that occurred in EFL classrooms. The Department of Education of Zhong Shan, People\u27s Republic of China, welcomed this research as the communicative approach to teaching English is sanctioned by the authorities. However, the formality of the actual classroom in primary schools often precludes much use of this method. An Investigation of the influence of a Westerner in the role of \u27Change Agent\u27 (teacher trainer), may provide more information on adequate EFL teacher training. As Penner (1995) pointed out, these Change Agents need to be aware of the pedagogical complexities between the traditional/formal and the communicative teaching approach in China and have had experience in EFL leaching. As such, the study was of particular relevance to both the Chinese EFL teachers and the Education Department of Zhong Shan. It was also of benefit to future decisions in EFL teacher training because it explored the situation of primary school settings and the demands on adequate input of methodology which up to now has not yet been investigated in primary settings. Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, this study investigated the use of the communicative method in two Standard 4 classrooms at different schools, prior to and after an in-service and the work with a Change Agent. The researcher was the Change Agent and acted as both a participant observer and as a teacher model while team teaching with the teachers from the two classes. Interviews, questionnaires and field notes provided the qualitative data, while counts of number and type of communicative interactions before and after intervention provided the quantitative data. Data on type and number increase in communicative interaction after the researcher\u27s intervention ceased, suggested that the two Chinese EFL teachers were able to promote more communicative interaction and initiated more permanent change in their EFL teaching approach. The implication for more and better communicative interaction is that the teachers of both classes planned, designed and implemented relevantly more pair and group work and material provision after the in-service. The Department of Education of the Southern District of Zhong Shan and the teachers of the research classes positively commented on the external contact with a foreign EFL teacher. Thus, direct influence of a Western teacher as Change Agent who promoted communicative interaction directly at the school premises was considered a relevant and new approach

The Effect of Toll-Like Receptor 4 in the Aqueous Humor of Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis

In our previous study, we found that acute anterior uveitis (AAU) could be induced in wild-type mice (C3H/HeN), but it could not be induced in TLR4 gene-deficient mice (C3H/HeJ), we concluded that the translocation of transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) may play an important role. In this study, we examined the concentration of different cytokines in the aqueous humor of C3H/HeN mice and C3H/HeJ mice with the aim of exploring the role of different cytokines in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and TLR4-mediated signal transduction in the development of AAU

AAV2-Mediated Combined Subretinal Delivery of IFN-α and IL-4 Reduces the Severity of Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis

We previously showed that adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) mediated subretinal delivery of human interferon-alpha (IFN-α) could effectively inhibit experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). In this study we investigated whether subretinal injection of both AVV2.IFN-α and AAV2.IL-4 had a stronger inhibition on EAU activity. B10RIII mice were subretinally injected with AAV2.IFN-α alone (1.5×107 vg), AAV2.IL-4 alone (3.55×107 vg), and AAV2.IFN-α combined with AAV2.IL-4. PBS, AAV2 vector encoding green fluorescent protein (AAV2.GFP) (5×107 vg) was subretinally injected as a control. IFN-α and IL-4 were effectively expressed in the eyes from three weeks to three months following subretinal injection of AAV2 vectors either alone or following combined administration and significantly attenuated EAU activity clinically and histopathologically. AAV2.IL-4 showed a better therapeutic effect as compared to AAV2.IFN-α. The combination of AAV2.IL-4 and AAV2.IFN-α was not significantly different as compared to AAV2.IL-4 alone. There was no difference concerning DTH (delayed-type hypersensitivity) reaction, lymphocyte proliferation and IL-17 production among the investigated treatment groups, suggesting that local retinal gene delivery did not affect the systemic immune response

Perpspektiven auf Musikunterricht mit digitalen Medien

Digitale Medien sind für Kinder allgegenwärtig, Für den Musikunterricht bieten sich Apps und portable Geräte an, um mit ihnen auf vielfältige Weise Klänge zu produzieren, Aufnahmen zu machen. Musik zu hören und über Musik nachzudenken. Der Artikel gibt eine systematische Übersicht über verschiedenen Anwendungen von Apps und Programmen, zu didaktischen Grundlagen zu ihrem Einsatz und konkrete Beispiel

Digital musizieren - Apps ermöglichen vielfältige musikalische Erfahrungen

Der Musikunterricht in Kindergarten und Unterstufe kann mit digitalen Tools und Apps sinnvoll und gewinnbringend ergänzt werden. Die Musik-Apps sind nicht als Ersatz für physische Instrumente zu sehen. Sie können aber ein weiteres Werkzeug in einem vielfältigen Musikunterricht sein. Schülerinnen und Schüler experimentieren und improvisieren mit Klängen und gestalten Musik mit Hilfe von digitalen Medien

Perspektiven auf Musikunterricht mit digitalen Medien

Musik mit digitalen Medien spielt in der Lebenswelt der Kinder eine immer wichtigere Rolle. In welcher Form können diese in den Musikunterricht der Grundschule einbezogen werden? Im Zentrum stehen die musikpädagogischen Chancen und Schwierigkeiten. Speziell im Bereich von Gestaltungsprozessen entstehen wertvolle Möglichkeiten der Visualisierung und Sensibilisierung von Klängen und Rhythmen. Den Lernenden wird somit ermöglicht, ästhetische Erfahrungen zu machen und Wirkunsverhältnisse von Musik explizit zu erleben. Den Abschluss bilden Einblicke in Projekte mit digitalen Medien, welche mit Kinder der Primarschulstufe in der Schweiz durchgeführt wurden.http://www.grundschulverband.de/fileadmin/bilder/Publikationen/Mitgliederbaende/GSV-Band141_Auszug_160715_Bestell-Link_unten_QR.pd

Amaurosis fugax with elevated acute phase proteins

Case report of a 66-year-old woman with episodes of amaurosis fugax and hemicranic headache with otherwise normal ophthalmologic and neurological examinations and normal imaging. While ESR was in the normal range for patient's age, acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein and fibrinogen) were elevated. Giant cell arteritis was proved by temporal artery biopsy. Giant cell arteritis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis of amaurosis fugax even in patients with normal ESR. Acute phase protein testing can give relevant diagnostic information.Fallbericht einer 66-jährigen Patientin mit Amaurosis-fugax-Episoden und Halbseitenkopfschmerz, aber ansonsten regelrechten ophthalmologischen und neurologischen Befunden und unauffälliger Bildgebung. Im Gegensatz zur normalen Blutsenkungsgeschwindigkeit waren die Akutphasenproteine (C-reaktives Protein und Fibrinogen) erhöht. Die vermutete Riesenzellarteritis konnte durch eine Temporalarterien-Biopsie histologisch gesichert werden. Die Riesenzellarteritis sollte als wichtige Differentialdiagnose bei unklarer Amaurosis fugax auch bei normaler Blutsenkung in Betracht gezogen werden; Akutphasenproteine (C-reaktives Protein, Fibrinogen) können diagnostisch hilfreich sein.Ce travail présente le cas d'une patiente âgée de 66 ans avec des épisodes d'amaurosis fugax et des hémicrânies mais un status neurologique et ophtalmologique sans particularités et des examens d'imageries diagnostiques normaux. Contrairement à la vitesse de sédimentation qui était normale, les protéines de la phase aiguë (protéine C réactive et fibrinogène) étaient élevées. La suspicion d'artérite à cellules géantes a été confirmée histologiquement par une biopsie de l'artère temporale. L'artérite temporale doit faire partie du diagnostic différentiel en présence d'amaurosis fugax même si la vitesse de sédimentation reste normale; la mesure des protéines de la phase aiguë (protéine C réactive, fibrinogène) peut être utile au diagnostic