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The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of a single ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (US-HIFU) treatment in patients with breast fibroadenoma (FA) in terms of volume and pain reduction as well as palpation findings. From december 2013 until november 2014 27 women with a symptomatic FA were treated in one HIFU-session. Follow-up visits were performed after 7 days, 6 months and 1, 2, 3 and 5 years with clinical examination and ultrasound. One year after the procedure, a core needle biopsy of the residual lesion was offered. There was a significant volume reduction 6 months after HIFU from 1083.10 to 347.13 mm3 (p < 0.0001) with a mean volume reduction ratio (VRR) of 61.63%. Thereafter the FAs showed a further, but no longer significant decrease in size. One patient with an initial incomplete ablation and histologically confirmed persistent vital cells after 1 year showed a strong regrowth after 3 years. Excluding this patient from analysis, the mean VRR at months 12, 24, 36, and 60 was 86.44%, 94.44%, 94.90%, and 97.85%, respectively. Before HIFU, 59.26% of the patients had pain (22.33/100 VAS) which decreased to 6.56/100 after 12 months and remained reduced over the 5 year follow up period. A decrease in palpability from 85.19 to 7.69% was observed within 24 months. A single HIFU intervention let to a substantial reduction in size, pain, and palpability with its most potential effect during the first 12 months. Subsequently, the observed effect remained stable over a 5 year follow up period. Incomplete initial treatment was associated with the risk of regrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early identification of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and advancing kidney insufficiency, followed by specialist care, can decelerate the progression of the disease. However, awareness of the importance and possible consequences of kidney insufficiency is low among doctors and patients. Since kidney insufficiency can be asymptomatic even in higher stages, it is often not even known to those belonging to risk groups. This study aims to clarify whether, for hospitalised patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, a risk-based appointment with a nephrology specialist reduces disease progression. Methods: The target population of the study is hospitalised CKD patients with an increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), more specifically with an ESRD risk of at least 9% in the next 5 years. This risk is estimated by the internationally validated Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE). The intervention consists of a specific appointment with a nephrology specialist after the hospital stay, while control patients are discharged from the hospital as usual. Eight medical centres include participants according to a stepped-wedge design, with randomised sequential centre-wise crossover from recruiting patients into the control group to recruitment to the intervention. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is measured for each patient during the hospital stay and after 12 months within the regular care by the general practitioner. The difference in the change of the eGFR over this period is compared between the intervention and control groups and considered the primary endpoint. Discussion: This study is designed to evaluate the effect of risk-based appointments with nephrology specialists for hospitalised CKD patients with an increased risk of end-stage renal disease. If the intervention is proven to be beneficial, it may be implemented in routine care. Limitations will be examined and discussed. The evaluation will include further endpoints such as non-guideline-compliant medication, economic considerations and interviews with contributing physicians to assess the acceptance and feasibility of the intervention. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00029691. Registered on 12 September 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The surgical goals of gender reassignment surgery of the breast in female-to male transsexuals (FMT) is the aesthetic shaping of a male thoracic wall with minimal scarring, while preserving the sensitivity of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). For large and ptotic breasts, we perform a mastectomy over an inframammary access with inferior pedicled NAC under color Doppler visualization of the perforators. This paper presents the technique, including complications and assessment of quality of life, as part of a unicentric analysis. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 23 patients (46 mastectomies) performed between September 2014 and September 2020. The complication rate and the number of corrective surgeries were recorded for quality assessment. A semiquantitative score was used to evaluate aesthetic outcome, nipple sensitivity, quality of life, and sexuality. Results: A total of 46 mastectomies were performed in 23 patients. The patient survey showed high patient satisfaction. Loss of nipple sensitivity was observed after one mastectomy (2.17%). In 91.67% of cases, patients reported that their appearance reflected how they feel on the inside. In 75% of cases, patients reported feeling equal to other men. The overall complication rate was 10.87%. Shape correction due to persistent excess of volume was rare (2.17%, equivalent to one mastectomy). Conclusion: Subcutaneous mastectomy with inferior nipple pedicle can be performed with a high degree of safety and satisfaction in FMT. Color Doppler-guided visualization of the perforator vessels is helpful in allowing a thin pedicle preparation, thus reducing the need for secondary surgeries to optimize the shape. Level of Evidence IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large proportion of the world's disease burden is attributable to mental illnesses. Although effective interventions are available, many patients still have limited access to evidence-based treatments. Aside from access, treatment gaps, including inappropriate medication selection and monitoring, are also routinely recognised. Mental health clinical pharmacists can help address these gaps and enable patients to receive optimised pharmaceutical care, particularly appropriate medication selection and monitoring. The European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP) Special Interest Group on Mental Health was established to improve standardised service provision in mental health settings across Europe. The Special Interest Group identified significant barriers (predominantly associated with reimbursement and position within the multidisciplinary team) to effective pharmaceutical care amongst those with mental illnesses. This commentary presents recommendations to address these gaps through improved mental health clinical pharmacy service provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Breast surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. Tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) offers the possibility to anesthetize large areas with highly diluted local anesthetic. Methods: In this paper, the implementation, and experiences with TLA in the field of breast surgery are discussed. Conclusion: For carefully selected indications, breast surgery in TLA represents an alternative to ITN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document reports a brief update to the previously published protocol of the MinDial study. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00029691. Registered on 12 Sept. 2022, https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00029691. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunnel inspection, i.e. detection of damages and defects on concrete surfaces, is essential for monitoring structural reliability and health conditions of transport facilities, thus providing safe and sustainable urban transportation infrastructures. In this study, an innovative visual-based system is developed for damage and object detection tasks in roadway tunnels based on deep learning techniques. The main components of the developed Machine Vision System such as industrial cameras, flash-based light sources, controller, the synchronization unit and corresponding software programs are designed to collect high-resolution images with sufficient quality from dimly lit tunnel environments in normal traffic flows with an operating speed of 30–50 km/h. Unlike recent studies, the training data includes multiple types of damage such as cracks, spalling, rust, delamination and other surface changes. Furthermore, 10 classes of common tunnel objects including traffic signs, traffic cameras, traffic lights, ventilation ducts, various sensors and cables are labeled for object detection. As state-of-the-art Convolutional Neural Networks, DeepLab and U-Net are trained and evaluated using accuracy metrics for image segmentation. The results highlight the most important parameters of the discussed Machine Vision System as well as the performance of DeepLab and U-Net for object and damage detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rechtsmedizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Incremental sheet-bulk metal forming (iSBMF) enables the manufacture of functional lightweight components featuring a load-adapted shape with a high material efficiency. The flexibility of the incremental forming process allows for the modification of the strain path through the adjustment of the tool motion while maintaining the final product geometry. These modifications generate both a different strain hardening and damage evolution. In this paper, a numerical and experimental investigation of the different strain paths is carried out to identify their impact on the resulting load capacity of gears. In experiments on the quasistatic load capacity of the gears it is validated that forming of gears with a strain path showing a reduced damage potential leads to a 50% higher load capacity compared to the most unfavorable strain path. Moreover, all investigated load paths present load changes that have to be taken into account in numerical modeling of iSBMF processes. Therefore, a new approach for a material characterization under multiple load changes and high effective plastic strain is tested. Compared to numerical modeling with a characterized monotonically flow curve, this approach decreases the deviation force prediction by around 80% without increasing the calculation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By feeding on grapevine roots, the ectoparasite Xiphinema index transmits grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), causing fanleaf degeneration in the plant. Therefore, rootstock breeding programs are considered a key to resistance to both threats. Previous screening depends on long-lasting inoculation experiments and mainly focuses on evaluating gall formation on the parasitized roots to identify potential resistance in grapevines. Since the roots of grapevine rootstocks resistant to X. index and even those of susceptible cultivars showed no reliable gall formation after parasitism, and further, root thickening was regularly found on non-inoculated control plants, nematode reproduction rates were used to validate rootstock phenotypes regarding susceptibility or resistance to X. index. For our approach, a glass vial assay was performed, and 35 days after inoculation the nematode population was determined by counting juveniles after the extraction. Reproduction rates were high on susceptible rootstock cultivars and decreased the more resistant a cultivar is considered. Besides focusing solely on root gall formation, the nematode reproduction rate should be included as a reliable indicator for resistance screening. The described assay setup enables the evaluation of resistance levels by fast screening to select promising rootstock candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alaskan wildfires have major ecological, social, and economic consequences, but associated health impacts remain unexplored. We estimated cardiorespiratory morbidity associated with wildfire smoke (WFS) fine particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in three major population centers (Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Matanuska‐Susitna Valley) during the 2015–2019 wildfire seasons. To estimate WFS PM2.5, we utilized data from ground‐based monitors and satellite‐based smoke plume estimates. We implemented time‐stratified case‐crossover analyses with single and distributed lag models to estimate the effect of WFS PM2.5 on cardiorespiratory emergency department (ED) visits. On the day of exposure to WFS PM2.5, there was an increased odds of asthma‐related ED visits among 15–65 year olds (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.16), people >65 years (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.31), among Alaska Native people (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.23), and in Anchorage (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.15) and Fairbanks (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.17). There was an increased risk of heart failure related ED visits for Alaska Native people (Lag Day 5 OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.25). We found evidence that rural populations may delay seeking care. As the frequency and magnitude of Alaskan wildfires continue to increase due to climate change, understanding the health impacts will be imperative. A nuanced understanding of the effects of WFS on specific demographic and geographic groups facilitates data‐driven public health interventions and fire management protocols that address these adverse health effects. Plain Language Summary: The Alaskan wildfire season is getting longer, and large fires are becoming more common. We do not know how the smoke from these fires is affecting the health of Alaskans. In this study, we evaluated the associations between wildfire smoke exposure and cardiorespiratory visits to the ED in three major population centers where the majority of the Alaskan population lives: Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Matanuska‐Susitna Valley. We found that as the concentration of wildfire smoke increases, there are more likely to be visits to the ED for asthma, particularly among people older than 15 years of age, women, Alaska Native people, and people living in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Similarly, we found that Alaska Native people were more likely to visit the ED for cardiovascular issues than non‐Alaska Native people. Among people living in rural areas in the Matanuska‐Susitna Valley, we observed an initial decrease in cardiovascular ED visits on the day of exposure to wildfire smoke, but then these visits increased 2–3 days later. Understanding how wildfire smoke impacts specific demographic and geographic groups facilitates data‐driven public health interventions and fire management protocols that address these adverse health effects. Key Points: The size and frequency of wildfires in Alaska are increasing, but there are no assessments of the direct health impacts of these eventsIn Alaska, wildfire smoke is positively associated with asthma emergency room visits, and this varies by age, sex, race, and geographyAlaska Native people had a higher risk of several cardiovascular outcomes during wildfire events [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a study of density fluctuations in coronal holes. We used a reduced magnetohydrodynamic (RMHD) model that incorporated observationally constrained density fluctuations to determine whether density fluctuations in coronal holes can enhance Alfvén wave reflection and dissipation, thereby heating coronal holes and driving the fast solar wind. We show results for two models of the background atmosphere. Each model is a solution of the momentum equation and includes the effects of wave pressure on the solar wind outflow. In the first model, the plasma density and Alfvén speed vary smoothly with height. Wave reflection is relatively weak in the smooth model, resulting in a low energy dissipation rate. In the second model, we include additional density fluctuations along the flux tube based on the observations. We find that density ρ fluctuations on the order of δρ/ρ ∼ 0.24 increase the Alfvén wave turbulence to levels sufficient to heat the open field regions in coronal holes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active regions in the inner solar corona, when observed in X-ray emission, consist of bright, hot loops surrounded by unstructured clouds. The emission from the clouds extends to a height of ≈4–5 × 104 km at temperatures of ≈2–3 MK. These "hot clouds" are variable, but persist for many days and do not appear to connect directly to the active region streamers or other large-scale structures observed higher in the corona. We present an observational analysis of these diffuse structures to establish basic plasma parameters such as magnetic field strength, particle density, and temperature. The values of β, the ratio of the plasma pressure to the magnetic field pressure, were found to be generally less than unity, though often approaching unity in the upper portions of the active region, where the hot clouds are located. The magnetic field may therefore only partially confine these regions and inhibit flare-like instabilities that could otherwise be driven by gradients of plasma pressure and current density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectus excavatum (PE) is one of the most common congenital deformities of the thorax and is characterized by a depressed sternum with reduction of the antero-posterior thoracic diameter. Although the majority of patients with PE have no physiologic limitations, it is often associated with psychological problems influencing the patients' quality of life. Surgical treatment options show particular variation with regard to invasiveness and morbidity of the respective procedures. Surgical treatment using a custom-made silicone implant represents a less invasive alternative for patients without further accompanying physical symptoms. This article describes the simultaneous correction of a PE combined with tubular breast deformity using this minimally invasive technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Radiologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Postoperative seromas are a problem in the surgical treatment of breast cancer. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the lysine-urethane-based tissue adhesive TissuGlu® without drainage is equal/ non-inferior to standard mastecomy with drainage. Methods: The study was designed as a prospective, randomized, multicentre non-inferiority study comparing the use of TissuGlu® without drainage with standard wound care with a drain insertion in ablative breast procedures. The number of clinical interventions, quality of life and wound complications were followed-up for 90 days in both groups. Results: Although the statistical power was not reached, twice as many clinical interventions were performed in the TissuGlu® group than in the drainage group, especially aspirations of clinically relevant seromas (p = 0.014). The TissuGlu® group produced overall less wound fluid, but developed a clinically relevant seroma (100% vs. 63%) which made an intervention necessary. Less hospitalisation time was observed in the TissuGlu® group, but the complication rate was higher. There was no significant difference in regards to postoperative pain. In summary the non-inferiority of TissuGlu® compared to standard drainage couldn't be reached. Discussion: The present evaluation shows no advantage of the tissue adhesive TissuGlu® in terms of seroma formation and frequency of intervention compared to a standard drainage for mastectomies, but the shorter inpatient stay certainly has a positive effect on the quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vendor-provided rational polynomial coefficients (RPCs) are commonly used to generate digital elevation models (DEMs) from high-resolution satellite images. This results in a level of accuracy that can be improved using ground control points (GCPs). It is well known that due to the inherent bias of sensor orientation the generated DEM is distorted. In the traditional way of working, the bias is corrected by integrating GCPs into the standard processing chain. This involves additional effort, since the provision of GCPs and the measurement of their image coordinates are required.In this paper, we examine whether and how the data recorded by NASA's ICESat (Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite) mission can be used as GCPs without measuring image coordinates. The starting point are DEMs that are generated by image matching from KOMPSAT-3 satellite images with given RPCs. We developed a point-to-surface matching method that matches the ICESat points to the DEM in order to correct the DEM and improve its precision. For the experimental investigations a KOMPSAT 3 image pair is used that covers an area of 20 by 16 km2 in the Yangsan city regions. The generated DEM has a height accuracy of about 9 m. The point-to-surface algorithm with 505 ICESat points led to an improvement of the DEM height accuracy to about 2 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automation of 3D LiDAR point cloud processing is expected to increase the production rate of many applications including automatic map generation. Fast development on high-end hardware has boosted the expansion of deep learning research for 3D classification and segmentation. However, deep learning requires large amount of high quality training samples. The generation of training samples for accurate classification results, especially for airborne point cloud data, is still problematic. Moreover, which customized features should be used best for segmenting airborne point cloud data is still unclear. This paper proposes semi-automatic point cloud labelling and examines the potential of combining different tailor-made features for pointwise semantic segmentation of an airborne point cloud. We implement a Dynamic Graph CNN (DGCNN) approach to classify airborne point cloud data into four land cover classes: bare-land, trees, buildings and roads. The DGCNN architecture is chosen as this network relates two approaches, PointNet and graph CNNs, to exploit the geometric relationships between points. For experiments, we train an airborne point cloud and co-aligned orthophoto of the Surabaya city area of Indonesia to DGCNN using three different tailor-made feature combinations: points with RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color, points with original LiDAR features (Intensity, Return number, Number of returns) so-called IRN, and points with two spectral colors and Intensity (Red, Green, Intensity) so-called RGI. The overall accuracy of the testing area indicates that using RGB information gives the best segmentation results of 81.05% while IRN and RGI gives accuracy values of 76.13%, and 79.81%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high level of particulate matter in the atmosphere has an adverse long-term effect on human health. It has been associated with increased pulmonary tract and lung infections. It is more common in urban areas, especially megacities due to the confluence of industries and motorized machinery. Considering that most of the world's population lives in urban areas, there is a need to monitor air pollution arising from particulate matter in order to ensure clean and safe air in cities in accordance with goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals. One way of doing this is through the use of Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), which are suited for time varying data. Particulate matter concentration recorded by a network of low-cost sensors in Stuttgart is trained on three of the most popular RNN variants: Standard LSTM, Peephole LSTM and Gated Recurrent Unit. Two optimizers are used, Stochastic Gradient descent and Adam. Training is done on a single sensor and the optimum weights transferred and used in the prediction of other sensor values. This study concludes that Gated Recurrent Unit with Stochastic Gradient Descent is the most effective of the three variants in predicting particulate matter PM2.5 concentrations. In addition to this, weight transfer between sensors is not affected by temperature, wind direction, wind speed and geographic distance between sensors but rather by atmospheric pressure and the similarity of recorded Particulate matter levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic management applications including congestion detection and tracking rely on traffic from multiple sources to model the traffic conditions. The sources are either stationary sensors which include inductive loop detectors (ILD), radar stations and Bluetooth/WiFi/BLE sensors or Floating Car Data (FCD) from moving vehicles which transmit their locations and speeds. The different sources have their inherent strengths and weaknesses but when used together, they have the potential to provide traffic information with increased robustness. Multi-sensor data fusion has the potential to enhance the estimation of traffic state in real-time by reducing the uncertainty of individual sources, extending the temporal and spatial coverage and increasing the confidence of data inputs. In this study, we fuse data from different FCD providers to improve travel time and average segment speeds estimation. We use data from INRIX, HERE and TomTom FCD commercial services and fuse the speeds based on their confidence values and granularity on virtual sub-segments of 250 m. Speeds differences between each pair of datasets are evaluated by calculating the absolute mean and standard deviation of differences. The evaluation of systematic differences is also performed for peak periods depending on the day of the week. INRIX FCD speeds are compared with ground truth spot speeds where both datasets are measured at a 1-minute interval which show good agreement with an error rate of between 8–20%. Some issues that affect FCD accuracy which include data availability and reliability problems are identified and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast and efficient detection and reconstruction of buildings have become essential in real-time applications such as navigation, 3D rendering, augmented reality, and 3D smart cities. In this study, a modern Deep Learning (DL)-based framework is proposed for automatic detection, localization, and height estimation of buildings, simultaneously, from a single aerial image. The proposed framework is based on a Y-shaped Convolutional Neural Network (Y-Net) which includes one encoder and two decoders. The input of the network is a single RGB image, while the outputs are predicted height information of buildings as well as the rooflines in three classes of eave, ridge, and hip lines. The extracted knowledge by the Y-Net (i.e. buildings' heights and rooflines) is utilized for 3D reconstruction of buildings based on the third Level of Detail (LoD2). The main steps of the proposed approach are data preparation, CNNs training, and 3D reconstruction. For the experimental investigations airborne data from Potsdam are used, which were provided by ISPRS. For the predicted heights, the results show an average Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and a Normalized Median Absolute Deviation (NMAD) of about 3.8 m and 1.3 m, respectively. Moreover, the overall accuracy of the extracted rooflines is about 86%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several close spacecraft flybys of Phobos have been performed over the past 40 yr in order to determine the gravity field of this tiny Martian moon. In this work, the second-degree coefficients of the gravity field of Phobos were derived from the radio tracking data of two combined Mars Express flybys (2010 and 2013), by applying a least squares regularized inverse technique, that introduces as an a priori the gravity field retrieved from a shape model based on constant density hypothesis. A gravitational mass estimate of |$(7.0765\pm 0.0075)\times 10^5 \, \mathrm{m^3\, s}^{-2}$| and second-degree gravity coefficients C 20 = −0.1378 ± 0.0348 and C 22 = 0.0166 ± 0.0153(3σ) were derived. The estimated C 20 value, in contrast to the value of C 20 computed from the shape model under the constant density assumption, supports an inhomogeneous distribution inside Phobos at a confidence interval of 95 per cent (1.96σ). This result indicates a denser mass in the equatorial region or lighter mass in polar areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of particulate matter is increasingly gaining significance due to its harmful effects on human and urban ecosystems. In view of it, many communities worldwide are collecting air quality data privately to influence their policy makers to make stricter provisions for reducing harmful emissions and thereby improving their quality of life. Likewise, in many German cities, a community of air quality monitors which rely on low-cost PM Sensors is gathering momentum. Such communities possess privately-owned & low-cost air quality monitoring devices that claim to accurately measure PM concentrations and are openly accessible via internet. One such initiative is an air quality monitoring network viz. "luftdaten.info", which contains of more than 300 low-cost sensors that consistently obtains PM data, colloquially referred as fine dust, in the city of Stuttgart as well as its surrounding districts. Besides, eight stations are continuously monitoring PM concentration in Stuttgart; these are operated by the State Environmental Agency (LuBW- Landesanstalt für Umwelt Baden-Württemberg). Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences (HFT) has currently installed 7 low-cost PM sensors to monitor and study PM concentration in one of its projects. This study endeavors to relate PM 2.5 and PM 10.0 using low-cost sensors. It intends to investigate the reliability of the measured PM concentration using such low-costs sensors once these are placed horizontally and vertically apart and comparing the measures of the 7 sensors. Another objective is to compare the PM concentration measurements with a meteorological station operated by the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg in the vicinity. A correlation analysis is performed to develop understanding of relationships of PM concentration with meteorological parameters, viz. with respect to ambient temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind speed and wind direction. Furthermore, it attempts to develop a regression model using above listed meteorological parameters. Finally, deficiencies in the measurement of low-costs and its placement effects are commented. Further suggestions are made for improving the data capturing and analytical procedures while using low-cost sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 imagery is a key factor to provide earth observation data at a global scale with higher temporal resolution. Integration of data from two sensors is possible with the consistent harmonized data framed in common reference and processing, which can be used for comparing geophysical surface characteristics. This study focuses on the analysis of the atmospheric correction methods available for both Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 products to convert the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of atmosphere reflectance. Other investigations (De Keukelaere, 2018) carried out similar analyses focusing on data acquired over water, while this study emphasises the analyses over land covers. Two processing algorithms iCOR and Sen2COR are utilized to perform atmospheric corrections, and results are statistically and visually compared. Comparisons based on same images processed with different algorithms show very strong correlation for some classes (urban: 0.99), while correlation values around 0.85 were achieved between images from different sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study generates a process in GEE (Google Earth Engine) for SUHI (Surface Urban Heat islands) identification derived from TIRS (Thermal Infrared Sensor) and OLI (Operational Land Imager) sensors of Landsat 8 imagery in the area of Stuttgart, Germany. By comparing the temperature images in winter and summer seasons through a regression model, a relation between the Surface Cover (SC), the Terrain Shape (DEM) and the LST (Land Surface Temperature) is established. A Python code is developed for modelling the data and displaying the results linked to GEE. Three different models are used to establish the relationship between different variables (Temperature, Height, Wind etc.). Accuracy/goodness of fit of these models are measured using R-squared and standard error. Results shows that polynomial regression of 3rd order degree fits best to the dataset used in this study. Moreover, it is found that temperature values are not perfect for this study, as Landsat 8 have been acquired at 10'o clock in the morning (local time), whereas night time acquisition (which was not available for Stuttgart, Germany) would be best suited for the study. The results indicate that urban areas and meadow (open areas without vegetation) get the bigger values of temperature. Terrain Shape with respect to height indicates that the bigger the height, the lower the temperature in most of the regions. This project provides insight into the development of applications using a web-based platform and leads to a fast and accurate result for identifying the SUHI effect. It can contribute to the necessity of planning more vegetation areas in order to reduce hot temperature values in Stuttgart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of particulate matter is increasingly gaining significance due to its harmful effects on human and urban ecosystems. In view of it, many communities worldwide are collecting air quality data privately to influence their policy makers to make stricter provisions for reducing harmful emissions and thereby improving their quality of life. Likewise, in many German cities, a community of air quality monitors which rely on low-cost PM Sensors is gathering momentum. Such communities possess privately-owned & low-cost air quality monitoring devices that claim to accurately measure PM concentrations and are openly accessible via internet. One such initiative is an air quality monitoring network viz. "luftdaten.info", which contains of more than 300 low-cost sensors that consistently obtains PM data, colloquially referred as fine dust, in the city of Stuttgart as well as its surrounding districts. Besides, eight stations are continuously monitoring PM concentration in Stuttgart; these are operated by the State Environmental Agency (LuBW- Landesanstalt für Umwelt Baden-Württemberg). Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences (HFT) has currently installed 7 low-cost PM sensors to monitor and study PM concentration in one of its projects. This study endeavors to relate PM 2.5 and PM 10.0 using low-cost sensors. It intends to investigate the reliability of the measured PM concentration using such low-costs sensors once these are placed horizontally and vertically apart and comparing the measures of the 7 sensors. Another objective is to compare the PM concentration measurements with a meteorological station operated by the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg in the vicinity. A correlation analysis is performed to develop understanding of relationships of PM concentration with meteorological parameters, viz. with respect to ambient temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind speed and wind direction. Furthermore, it attempts to develop a regression model using above listed meteorological parameters. Finally, deficiencies in the measurement of low-costs and its placement effects are commented. Further suggestions are made for improving the data capturing and analytical procedures while using low-cost sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 imagery is a key factor to provide earth observation data at a global scale with higher temporal resolution. Integration of data from two sensors is possible with the consistent harmonized data framed in common reference and processing, which can be used for comparing geophysical surface characteristics. This study focuses on the analysis of the atmospheric correction methods available for both Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 products to convert the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of atmosphere reflectance. Other investigations (De Keukelaere, 2018) carried out similar analyses focusing on data acquired over water, while this study emphasises the analyses over land covers. Two processing algorithms iCOR and Sen2COR are utilized to perform atmospheric corrections, and results are statistically and visually compared. Comparisons based on same images processed with different algorithms show very strong correlation for some classes (urban: 0.99), while correlation values around 0.85 were achieved between images from different sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study generates a process in GEE (Google Earth Engine) for SUHI (Surface Urban Heat islands) identification derived from TIRS (Thermal Infrared Sensor) and OLI (Operational Land Imager) sensors of Landsat 8 imagery in the area of Stuttgart, Germany. By comparing the temperature images in winter and summer seasons through a regression model, a relation between the Surface Cover (SC), the Terrain Shape (DEM) and the LST (Land Surface Temperature) is established. A Python code is developed for modelling the data and displaying the results linked to GEE. Three different models are used to establish the relationship between different variables (Temperature, Height, Wind etc.). Accuracy/goodness of fit of these models are measured using R-squared and standard error. Results shows that polynomial regression of 3rd order degree fits best to the dataset used in this study. Moreover, it is found that temperature values are not perfect for this study, as Landsat 8 have been acquired at 10'o clock in the morning (local time), whereas night time acquisition (which was not available for Stuttgart, Germany) would be best suited for the study. The results indicate that urban areas and meadow (open areas without vegetation) get the bigger values of temperature. Terrain Shape with respect to height indicates that the bigger the height, the lower the temperature in most of the regions. This project provides insight into the development of applications using a web-based platform and leads to a fast and accurate result for identifying the SUHI effect. It can contribute to the necessity of planning more vegetation areas in order to reduce hot temperature values in Stuttgart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Materialwissenschaft und Werkstoffechnik is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The mechanical properties of a component are significantly influenced by the prevailing residual stress state. A deliberate induction of compressive residual stresses or a reduction of tensile residual stresses can improve the component properties, such as fatigue strength. Single point incremental forming is a flexible manufacturing process to produce complex shaped parts by the computerized numerically controlled movement of a hemispherical forming tool. Because the process parameters can be locally adjusted it is possible to influence the residual stress state of the component. The influence of the forming mechanisms bending, shearing and membrane stretching, as well as the role of the hydrostatic compression on the residual stress state is widely unknown. This work aims to fill this gap. Therefore, linear grooves are formed into AA5083 sheets in a single-stage incremental forming process. The residual stress state of the unclamped sheet is measured on both sides of the groove center by means of X-ray diffraction. The relative intensity of the dominant forming mechanism is adjusted by adapting the relevant process parameters step-down increment Δz and tool radius RTool. The forming mechanisms are analyzed numerically by splitting the total plastic energy into the three forming mechanisms bending, shearing and membrane stretching. The numerical results for bending and membrane stretching could be validated by crystallographic analysis. A shift in the energy ratio of the forming mechanism from bending to shearing with increasing relative step-down increment Δz/RTool could be observed numerically. The maximum residual stress amplitudes are found for Δz/RTool < 1. The results indicate that a deliberate residual stress state can be induced by adjusting the dominant forming mechanism of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To prospectively investigate the role of re-irradiation (re-RT) combined with hyperthermia (HT) in a contemporary cohort of patients affected by recurrent breast cancer (RBC).Methods: Within the prospective registry HT03, patients with resected RBC and previous irradiation were included. Re-RT was applied to the recurrence region with doses of 50-50.4 Gy, with a boost up to 60-60.4 Gy to the microscopically or macroscopically positive resection margins (R1/R2) region. Concurrent HT was performed at 40-42 ℃. Primary endpoint was LC. Acute and late toxicity, overall survival, cancer-specific survival (CSS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were also evaluated.Results: 20 patients and 21 RBC were analyzed. Median re-RT dose was 50.4 Gy and a median of 11 HT fractions were applied. Re-RT+HT was well tolerated, with three patients who experienced a grade (G) 3 acute skin toxicity and no cases of ≥G3 late toxicity. With a median follow up of 24.7 months, two local relapses occurred. Ten patients experienced regional and/or distant disease progression. Five patients died, four of them from breast cancer. PFS was favorable in patients treated with re-RT+HT for the first recurrence with doses of 60 Gy. A trend towards better CSS was found in patients with negative or close margins and after doses of 60 Gy.Conclusion: Full-dose re-RT+HT for RBC is well tolerated, provides good LC, and seems to be more effective when applied at the time of the first relapse and after doses of 60 Gy. The registry will be continued for validation in a larger cohort and with longer follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This article investigates the qualities and thermal effects of a novel electrosurgical device (PT) which has been designed by ERBE Elektromedizin GmbH, Germany, for the preparation of critical locations such as in skin-sparing or nipple-sparing techniques and compares it to a standard device (SD) in a porcine ex vivo breast model using an heat map generated by infrared thermography.Methods: In total, 42 abdominal wall specimens of porcine tissue consisting of the skin and the underlying subcutaneous and muscle layer were alternately dissected using one of the devices and pre-settings. During the preparation with the two devices, the epicutaneous temperature was measured by an infrared camera (VarioCam, Jenoptik, Germany) and the maximum temperature as well as the slope of the temperature rise was analysed.Results: The use of PT shows significantly lower values for [Formula: see text] compared to SD. This effect was independent from the chosen mode. Using the same instrument in different modes, the use of AutoCut mode showed a significant reduction of [Formula: see text] at all indicated time points (SD: p < 0.0001 and PT: p < 0.0001). In summary, the combination of AutoCut + PT showed the lowest rise in temperature, whereas the combination of DryCut + SD led to the highest rise in temperature. The temperature difference between these two settings was 13.84 °C, which means a possible temperature reduction of 67% can be achieved by the right choice of device and its tailored mode.Conclusions: The novel PT shows a significant reduction in epicutaneous temperature and a significant reduction of the slope of temperature rise most probably by a more focused application of energy compared to SD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of symptomatic breast fibroadenomas (FA) after 6 and 12 months. Materials and methods: Between December 2013 and November 2014, 27 patients with histologically confirmed FA received one application of HIFU under local anesthesia (NCT02011919). Follow-up visits occurred after 6 and 12 months measuring the FA volume and clinical symptoms. A volume reduction of more than 65% was defined as success. Core needle biopsy (CNB) was offered after 12 months if indistinct residuals were visible on ultrasound (US). Results: A successful reduction in FA volume after 12 months was achieved in 24/27 patients (89%). At baseline 16 patients (59%) had pain, which was resolved in 63% (10/16). All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic related outcome. Twenty-four patients (89%) would repeat the procedure. After 12 months 21 patients with sonographically indistinct residuals underwent a CNB. There were no vital cells in 86%. Three cases showed vital cells of FA. Retrospectively possible reasons in these three cases were an insufficient treatment due to bad visibility and insufficient fixation of the FA during HIFU and/or a too short follow-up time. Conclusion: US-guided HIFU is an effective procedure and a minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of breast FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient multiple ionization of large benzene clusters has been observed following irradiation of a supersonic cluster beam by ArF-laser pulses at low fluences. The mechanism of multiple ionization is shown to be distinct from that believed to predominate in electron impact or synchrotron ionization experiments. The fluence dependence is instead interpreted by considering independent ionization of molecules within the cluster. The efficiency of multiple ionization over a range of laser fluence can be predicted quantitatively using a recently proposed exciton annihilation model, and explains the 106 enhancement of the double ionization rate over the molecular value. The critical sizes N*(z) for stability of a z-charged drop with respect to Coulomb fission are N*(2)=23, N*(3)=52, and N*(4)=92 and can be accounted for by liquid drop models. However, the fission of doubly charged clusters could not be detected in dynamical mass spectrometry experiments on the 10-6 to 10-4 s time scale. The surprising critical aspect of the fission rate is discussed, and arguments are made in favor of the Gay–Berne dynamical mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetylene·Ar complex in the S1 state has been characterized through laser fluorescence excitation spectra in the acetylene A←X, 3n0 (n=0–4) bands region. Two isomeric structures have been determined for the acetylene(A)·Ar complex from rotational band analysis, even though only one structure was known to exist for the ground state acetylene(X)·Ar. The in-plane isomer has the Ar atom situated in the molecular plane of the trans-bent acetylene, 3.77 Å from the acetylene center of mass and tilted from the H atoms. The out-of-plane isomeric structure, directly inverted from the rotational constants, has argon 3.76 Å away from the acetylene center of mass and 18° tilted from the C2 rotational axis. This structure is most likely due to large amplitude bending motions away from the equilibrium position which is along the C2 axis. Axis switching effect in the rotational band analysis for both isomers has been examined and found to be negligible. (Formulas for calculating the three-dimensional axis switching angles are detailed in the Appendix.) Three van der Waals vibrational mode frequencies have been determined from the vibrational progressions in the spectra; the stretching fundamental of the out-of-plane isomer is 28 cm-1; the in-plane bending fundamental, and the out-of-plane bending first overtone of the in-plane isomer are 11 and 17 cm-1, respectively.The isomeric structures have been compared with the results from a pairwise-atom potential calculation with parameters transferred from the ones previously derived for C2H4·Ar potential calculations. It was found that when the set of parameters that most closely reflects the electronic density distribution in C2H2(A) orbitals was used, two potential minima mimicking the two isomeric structures were generated. This potential calculation can even qualitatively reproduce the complex spectral shift induced by the ν3 mode excitation in acetylene. Combining... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Der Nervenarzt is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With the emergence of knowledge implicating the human gut microbiome in the development and regulation of several physiological systems, evidence has accumulated to suggest a role for the gut microbiome in psychiatric conditions and drug response. A complex relationship between the enteric nervous system, the gut microbiota and the central nervous system has been described which allows for the microbiota to influence and respond to a variety of behaviors and psychiatric conditions. Additionally, the use of pharmaceuticals may interact with and alter the microbiota to potentially contribute to adverse effects of the drug. The gut microbiota has been described in several psychiatric disorders including depression and anxiety, but only a few reports have discussed the role of the microbiome in schizophrenia. The following review examines the evidence surrounding the gut microbiota in behavior and psychiatric illness, the role of the microbiota in schizophrenia and the potential for antipsychotics to alter the gut microbiota and promote adverse metabolic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Aerenchyma develops in different plant organs and leads to the formation of intercellular spaces that can be used by the plant to transport volatile substances. Little is known about the role of cell walls in this process, although the mechanism of aerenchyma formation is known to involve programmed cell death and some cell wall modifications. We assessed the role that cell wall-related mechanisms might play in the formation of aerenchyma in sugarcane roots. Methods Sections of roots (5 cm) were subjected to microtomography analysis. These roots were divided into 1-cm segments and subjected to cell wall fractionation. We performed analyses of monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and lignin and glycome profiling. Sections were visualized by immunofluorescence and immunogold labelling using selected monoclonal antibodies against polysaccharide epitopes according to the glycome profiles. Key Results During aerenchyma formation, gas spaces occupied up to 40 % of the cortex cross-section within the first 5 cm of the root. As some of the cortex cells underwent dissolution of the middle lamellae, leading to cell separation, cell expansion took place along with cell death. Mixed-linkage β-glucan was degraded along with some homogalacturonan and galactan, culminating in the formation of cell wall composites made of xyloglucan, arabinoxylans, cellulose and possibly lignin. Conclusion The composites formed seem to play a role in the physical-chemical properties of the gas chambers, providing mechanical resistance to forces acting upon the root and at the same time decreasing permeability to gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide optimal cut-off values of anti-Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) serologic tests, we evaluated performance of ELISA IgG, ELISA IgA, IFA IgM, and IFA IgG using 138 serum samples of 49 MERS-CoV-infected patients and 219 serum samples of 219 rRT-PCR-negative MERS-CoV-exposed healthcare personnel and patients. The performance analysis was conducted for two different purposes: (1) prediction of neutralization activity in MERS-CoV-infected patients, and (2) epidemiologic surveillance of MERS-CoV infections among MERS-CoV-exposed individuals. To evaluate performance according to serum collection time, we used 'days post onset of illness ( dpoi)' and 'days post exposure ( dpex)' assessing neutralization activity and infection diagnosis, respectively. Performance of serologic tests improved with delayed sampling time, being maximized after a seroconversion period. In predicting neutralization activity, ELISA IgG tests showed optimal performance using sera collected after 21 dpoi at cut-off values of OD ratio 0.4 (sensitivity 100% and specificity 100%), and ELISA IgA showed optimal performance using sera collected after 14 dpoi at cut-off value of OD ratio 0.2 (sensitivity 85.2% and specificity 100%). In diagnosis of MERS-CoV infection, ELISA IgG exhibited optimal performance using sera collected after 28 dpex, at a cut-off value of OD ratio 0.2 (sensitivity 97.3% and specificity 92.9%). These new breakpoints are markedly lower than previously suggested values (ELISA IgG OD ratio 1.1, sensitivity 34.8% and specificity 100% in the present data set), and the performance data help serologic tests to be practically used in the field of MERS management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The etiology and underlying mechanisms of pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) are still unknown, since no systematic analyses exist. Our results indicate that PAO is a heterogeneous, rare but severe disease including a substantial number of fractures with a significant delay from first symptom to diagnose. Introduction: Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) is a rare but severe type of premenopausal osteoporosis. Most common symptom includes acute lower back pain due to vertebral fracture predominantly occurring in the last trimester of pregnancy or immediately postpartum. The exact underlining mechanisms and risk factors of PAO are still unknown, and up to date, there are no published systematic analyses. Methods: We identified 102 PAO patients and matched them with 102 healthy controls according to age, region, and gravidity to evaluate risk factors in a large and homogenous population of women. Results: The baseline characteristics and anthropometric data of the two study groups were similar. Eighty-eight percent of the patients with PAO suffered from one or more fractures with a mean of 3.3 fractures per patient. The most common fracture site was the thoracolumbar spine, whereas 29, 37, 48, and 35% of the patients reported fractures at TH11, TH12, L1, and L2, respectively. PAO patients suffered more frequently from excessive dental problems in childhood ( p < 0.001). The control group performed significantly more frequently sports both before ( p < 0.002) and after puberty ( p < 0.01). Compared to the controls, the patients with PAO reported twice as often severe diseases during pregnancy ( p < 0.029). Hereby, the frequency of immobilization was twice as often in the PAO group compared to that in the control group ( p < 0.005). Conclusions: Our results indicate that PAO is a heterogeneous, rare but severe disease including a substantial number of fractures with a significant delay from first symptom to diagnose. Increased awareness is warranted to immediately start effective treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cumulative term applied to a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of neoplasms that occur in the bowel. Based on twin studies, up to 45 % of the CRC cases may involve a heritable component. Yet, only in 5-10 % of these cases high-penetrant germline mutations are found (e.g. mutations in APC and DNA mismatch repair genes) that result in a familial aggregation and/or an early onset of the disease. Genome-wide association studies have revealed that another ~5 % of the CRC cases may be explained by a cumulative effect of low-penetrant risk factors. Recent attempts to identify novel genetic factors using whole exome and whole genome sequencing has proven to be difficult since the remaining, yet to be discovered, high penetrant CRC predisposing genes appear to be rare. In addition, most of the moderately penetrant candidate genes identified so far have not been confirmed in independent cohorts. Based on literature examples, we here discuss how careful patient and cohort selection, candidate gene and variant selection, and corroborative evidence may be employed to facilitate the discovery of novel CRC predisposing genes. Conclusions: The picture emerges that the genetic predisposition to CRC is heterogeneous, involving complex interplays between common and rare (inter)genic variants with different penetrances. It is anticipated, however, that the use of large clinically well-defined patient and control datasets, together with improved functional and technical possibilities, will yield enough power to unravel this complex interplay and to generate accurate individualized estimates for the risk to develop CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen was intentionally introduced into ultra-high strength steel by cadmium plating. The purpose was to examine the effect of cadmium plate thickness and hence hydrogen on the impact energy of the steel. The AISI 4340 steel was austenitized at 1000 °C for 1 h, water quenched, and tempered at temperatures between 257 and 593 °C in order to achieve a range of targeted strength levels. The specimens were cadmium plated with 0.00508 mm (0.2 mils), 0.00762 mm (0.3 mils), and 0.0127 mm (0.5 mils). Results demonstrated that the uncharged specimens exhibited higher impact energy values when compared to the plated specimens at all tempering temperatures. The cadmium-plated specimens had very low Charpy impact values irrespective of their ultimate tensile strength values. The model of hydrogen transport by mobile dislocations to the fracture site appears to provide the most suitable explanation of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Updated road databases are required for many purposes such as urban planning, disaster management, car navigation, route planning, traffic management and emergency handling. In the last decade, the improvement in spatial resolution of VHR civilian satellite sensors - as the main source of large scale mapping applications - was so considerable that GSD has become finer than size of common urban objects of interest such as building, trees and road parts. This technological advancement pushed the development of "Object-based Image Analysis (OBIA)" as an alternative to pixel-based image analysis methods. Segmentation as one of the main stages of OBIA provides the image objects on which most of the following processes will be applied. Therefore, the success of an OBIA approach is strongly affected by the segmentation quality. In this paper, we propose a purposedependent refinement strategy in order to group road segments in urban areas using maximal similarity based region merging. For investigations with the proposed method, we use high resolution images of some urban sites. The promising results suggest that the proposed approach is applicable in grouping of road segments in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]