Obituary: Lars Pedersen was a Social Democrat and a Good Comrade

Lars Pedersen, a prominent member of the Social Democratic group in Norddjurs Kommune, tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident. Known for his strong community ties and commitment to social democratic values, Lars was respected for his dedication to public service and his vibrant personality. His sudden death is mourned by family, friends, and colleagues, who remember him as a good comrade and advocate for a just society. His passing leaves a significant void in the local political landscape.

Writing and Pronunciation Diverge

The article discusses the growing divergence between written and spoken Danish, highlighting the challenges this poses for teaching spelling. It explains how natural language evolution leads to pronunciation changes that are not reflected in writing, making it harder for students to learn correct spelling. The authors suggest using correspondence rules to bridge the gap between pronunciation and writing, and propose that a more radical reform of Danish orthography could help address these issues. The article emphasizes the importance of focusing on actual pronunciation in language education.

Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy Assisted by Partial Least-Squares Regression for Multi-Gas Measurements

The study demonstrates the use of quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) combined with partial least-squares regression (PLS) for detecting and measuring concentrations of water, ammonia, and methane in gas mixtures. The research highlights the effectiveness of QEPAS in handling overlapping absorption spectra and the application of PLS for accurate gas concentration estimation. The experimental setup includes a mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator and a QEPAS sensor module. The study confirms the method's high sensitivity and accuracy, making it suitable for real-life applications in environmental monitoring and industrial safety.

Debate: Region Midtjylland's Breach of Agreement

Region Midtjylland is criticized for breaching an agreement by reducing the opening hours of the emergency clinic and removing the emergency vehicle in Grenaa. The author expresses deep dissatisfaction, feeling betrayed by the political decision, and calls for the reversal of these changes to restore trust.

A high-affinity human TCR-like antibody detects celiac disease gluten peptide–MHC complexes and inhibits T cell activation

Researchers developed a high-affinity human TCR-like antibody that can detect gluten peptide-MHC complexes associated with celiac disease and inhibit T cell activation. This antibody mimics the TCR interface and blocks the activation and proliferation of gluten-responsive human CD4+ T cells both in vitro and in transgenic mice. The findings suggest potential for personalized medicine treatments in celiac disease without compromising other immune functions.

SAP CodeJam goes Middelfart!

SAP CodeJam is set to take place in Middelfart, Denmark, on March 3rd, 2020. The event will focus on ABAP for SAP HANA Fundamentals, offering participants tools, sandboxes, and interactive sessions with experts. The event is free but has limited space, encouraging early registration.

Even the most stringent gluten-free diet is ‘more aspirational than achievable’, say scientists

A study analyzing antibody tests on 18 asymptomatic celiac patients who adhered to a gluten-free diet found that many still ingested measurable amounts of gluten. Dr. Jocelyn A. Silvester from Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School reported that 25 of 313 food samples tested contained detectable gluten, with 40% exceeding the 'gluten-free' threshold of 20 ppm. The study suggests that maintaining a completely gluten-free diet may be more challenging than expected. Additionally, Australian researchers from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging discovered a potential bacterial link to celiac disease, finding that certain bacterial proteins can mimic gluten, potentially triggering an immune response in patients with celiac disease.

Versatile photoacoustic spectrometer based on a mid-infrared pulsed optical parametric oscillator

The article demonstrates the effectiveness of a nanosecond-pulsed single-mode mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator for photoacoustic spectroscopic measurements. The device covers wavelength ranges of 1.4 μm to 1.7 μm and 2.8 μm to 4.6 μm, with a mid-infrared output power of up to 500 mW, making it suitable for environmental monitoring and breath gas analysis. Spectroscopic measurements of methane, nitrogen dioxide, and ammonia were conducted, showing good agreement with HITRAN database data. The detection limit for methane was found to be 8 ppbV at 105 seconds of integration time.

Syrian Kurds offer Denmark cooperation on ISIS fighters

Salih Muslim, former leader of the Kurdish party PYD and now representative for the political coalition in the autonomous region of Northern Syria, proposes that Denmark helps establish special courts in Kurdish areas to try Danish ISIS fighters. The military wing of PYD, YPG, part of the SDF, is currently fighting ISIS in Deir ez-Zour with Western support. Western countries are reluctant to repatriate their foreign fighters due to security concerns. Kurdish sources report a growing capacity problem with the increasing number of captured ISIS fighters. The U.S. Defense Department acknowledges the issue. Muslim suggests bringing legal resources to the Kurdish areas to coordinate trials for foreign fighters. Danish Defense Minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen prefers trials in the location of the crimes but has not commented on Muslim's proposal. Søren Søndergaard of Enhedslisten supports the idea if it aligns with international legal principles. The Kurdish-controlled areas in Syria are not an independent state, and according to the ICCT, local ISIS fighters are being tried despite limited resources. Turkey's opposition to Kurdish statehood complicates the situation, as providing judicial assistance could be seen as supporting state-building efforts.

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