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AIMS To compare the time required for perioperative glucose management using fully automated closed-loop versus standard insulin therapy. METHODS We performed a time-motion study to quantify the time requirements for perioperative glucose management with fully closed-loop (FCL) and standard insulin therapy applied to theoretical scenarios. Following an analysis of workflows in different periods of perioperative care in elective surgery patients receiving FCL or standard insulin therapy upon hospital admission (pre- and intra-operatively, at the intermediate care unit and general wards), the time of process-specific tasks was measured by shadowing hospital staff. Each task was measured 20 times and its average duration in combination with its frequency according to guidelines was used to calculate the cumulative staff time required for blood glucose management. Cumulative time was calculated for theoretical scenarios consisting of elective minor and major abdominal surgeries (pancreatic surgery and sleeve gastrectomy, respectively) to account for the different care settings and lengths of stay. RESULTS The FCL insulin therapy reduced the time required for perioperative glucose management compared to standard insulin therapy, across all assessed care periods and for both perioperative pathways (range 2.1-4.5). For a major abdominal surgery, total time required was 248.5 min using FCL versus 753.9 min using standard insulin therapy. For a minor abdominal surgery, total time required was 68.6 min and 133.2 min for FCL and standard insulin therapy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The use of fully automated closed-loop insulin delivery for inpatient glucose management has the potential to alleviate the workload of diabetes management in an environment with adequately trained staff.

Aims: To investigate the effect of empagliflozin on glucose dynamics in individuals suffering from postbariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Methods: Twenty-two adults with PBH after RYGB were randomized to empagliflozin 25 mg or placebo once daily over 20 days in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. The primary efficacy outcome was the amplitude of plasma glucose excursion (peak to nadir) during a mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT). Outcomes of the outpatient period were assessed using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and an event-tracking app. Results: The amplitude of glucose excursion during the MMTT was 8.1 ± 2.4 mmol/L with empagliflozin versus 8.1 ± 2.6 mmol/L with placebo (mean ± standard deviation, P = 0.807). CGM-based mean amplitude of glucose excursion during the 20-day period was lower with empagliflozin than placebo (4.8 ± 1.3 vs. 5.2 ± 1.6. P = 0.028). Empagliflozin reduced the time spent with CGM values >10.0 mmol/L (3.8 ± 3.5% vs. 4.7 ± 3.8%, P = 0.009), but not the time spent with CGM values <3.0 mmol/L (1.7 ± 1.6% vs. 1.5 ± 1.5%, P = 0.457). No significant difference was observed in the quantity and quality of recorded symptoms. Eleven adverse events occurred with empagliflozin (three drug-related) and six with placebo. Conclusions: Empagliflozin 25 mg reduces glucose excursions but not hypoglycemia in individuals with PBH.

Rolling bearings are frequently subjected to high stresses within modern machines. To prevent bearing failures, the topics of condition monitoring and predictive maintenance have become increasingly relevant. In order to efficiently and reliably maintain rolling bearings in a predictive manner, an estimate of the remaining useful life (RUL) is of great interest. The RUL prediction quality achieved when using machine learning depends not only on the selection of the sensor data used for condition monitoring, but also on its preprocessing. In particular, the execution of so-called feature engineering has a major impact on prediction quality. Therefore, in this paper, various methods of feature engineering are presented based on rolling–bearing endurance tests and recorded structure-borne sound signals. The performance of these methods is evaluated in the context of a regression-based RUL model. Furthermore, the way in which the quality of RUL prediction can be significantly improved is demonstrated, by adding further processed, time-considering features.

Elections are an important corner stone of democratic processes. In addition to publishing the final result (e.g., the overall winner), elections typically publish the full tally consisting of all (aggregated) individual votes. This causes several issues, including loss of privacy for both voters and election candidates as well as so-called Italian attacks that allow for easily coercing voters. Several e-voting systems have been proposed to address these issues by hiding (parts of) the tally. This property is called tally-hiding. Existing tally-hiding e-voting systems in the literature aim at hiding (part of) the tally from everyone, including voting authorities, while at the same time offering verifiability, an important and standard feature of modern e-voting systems which allows voters and external observers to check that the published election result indeed corresponds to how voters actually voted. In contrast, real elections often follow a different common practice for hiding the tally: the voting authorities internally compute (and learn) the full tally but publish only the final result (e.g., the winner). This practice, which we coin publicly tally-hiding, indeed solves the aforementioned issues for the public, but currently has to sacrifice verifiability due to a lack of practical systems. In this paper, we close this gap. We formalize the common notion of publicly tally-hiding and propose the first provably secure verifiable e-voting system, called Kryvos, which directly targets publicly tally-hiding elections. We instantiate our system for a wide range of both simple and complex voting methods and various result functions. We provide an extensive evaluation which shows that Kryvos is practical and able to handle a large number of candidates, complex voting methods and result functions. Altogether, Kryvos shows that the concept of publicly tally-hiding offers a new trade-off between privacy and efficiency that is different from all previous tally-hiding sys

Rolling bearings are frequently subjected to high stresses within modern machines. To prevent bearing failures, the topics of condition monitoring and predictive maintenance have become increasingly relevant. In order to efficiently and reliably maintain rolling bearings in a predictive manner, an estimate of the remaining useful life (RUL) is of great interest. The RUL prediction quality achieved when using machine learning depends not only on the selection of the sensor data used for condition monitoring, but also on its preprocessing. In particular, the execution of so-called feature engineering has a major impact on prediction quality. Therefore, in this paper, various methods of feature engineering are presented based on rolling–bearing endurance tests and recorded structure-borne sound signals. The performance of these methods is evaluated in the context of a regression-based RUL model. Furthermore, the way in which the quality of RUL prediction can be significantly improved is demonstrated, by adding further processed, time-considering features.

Rolling bearings are frequently subjected to high stresses within modern machines. To prevent bearing failures, the topics of condition monitoring and predictive maintenance have become increasingly relevant. In order to efficiently and reliably maintain rolling bearings in a predictive manner, an estimate of the remaining useful life (RUL) is of great interest. The RUL prediction quality achieved when using machine learning depends not only on the selection of the sensor data used for condition monitoring, but also on its preprocessing. In particular, the execution of so-called feature engineering has a major impact on prediction quality. Therefore, in this paper, various methods of feature engineering are presented based on rolling–bearing endurance tests and recorded structure-borne sound signals. The performance of these methods is evaluated in the context of a regression-based RUL model. Furthermore, the way in which the quality of RUL prediction can be significantly improved is demonstrated, by adding further processed, time-considering features.

Rolling bearings are frequently subjected to high stresses within modern machines. To prevent bearing failures, the topics of condition monitoring and predictive maintenance have become increasingly relevant. In order to efficiently and reliably maintain rolling bearings in a predictive manner, an estimate of the remaining useful life (RUL) is of great interest. The RUL prediction quality achieved when using machine learning depends not only on the selection of the sensor data used for condition monitoring, but also on its preprocessing. In particular, the execution of so-called feature engineering has a major impact on prediction quality. Therefore, in this paper, various methods of feature engineering are presented based on rolling–bearing endurance tests and recorded structure-borne sound signals. The performance of these methods is evaluated in the context of a regression-based RUL model. Furthermore, the way in which the quality of RUL prediction can be significantly improved is demonstrated, by adding further processed, time-considering features.

Rolling bearings are frequently subjected to high stresses within modern machines. To prevent bearing failures, the topics of condition monitoring and predictive maintenance have become increasingly relevant. In order to efficiently and reliably maintain rolling bearings in a predictive manner, an estimate of the remaining useful life (RUL) is of great interest. The RUL prediction quality achieved when using machine learning depends not only on the selection of the sensor data used for condition monitoring, but also on its preprocessing. In particular, the execution of so-called feature engineering has a major impact on prediction quality. Therefore, in this paper, various methods of feature engineering are presented based on rolling–bearing endurance tests and recorded structure-borne sound signals. The performance of these methods is evaluated in the context of a regression-based RUL model. Furthermore, the way in which the quality of RUL prediction can be significantly improved is demonstrated, by adding further processed, time-considering features.

Malignant transformation of cells typically involves several genetic lesions, whose combined activity gives rise to cancer1. Here we analyse 1,148 patient-derived B-cell leukaemia (B-ALL) samples, and find that individual mutations do not promote leukaemogenesis unless they converge on one single oncogenic pathway that is characteristic of the differentiation stage of transformed B cells. Mutations that are not aligned with this central oncogenic driver activate divergent pathways and subvert transformation. Oncogenic lesions in B-ALL frequently mimic signalling through cytokine receptors at the pro-B-cell stage (via activation of the signal-transduction protein STAT5)2-4 or pre-B-cell receptors in more mature cells (via activation of the protein kinase ERK)5-8. STAT5- and ERK-activating lesions are found frequently, but occur together in only around 3% of cases (P = 2.2 × 10-16). Single-cell mutation and phospho-protein analyses reveal the segregation of oncogenic STAT5 and ERK activation to competing clones. STAT5 and ERK engage opposing biochemical and transcriptional programs that are orchestrated by the transcription factors MYC and BCL6, respectively. Genetic reactivation of the divergent (suppressed) pathway comes at the expense of the principal oncogenic driver and reverses transformation. Conversely, deletion of divergent pathway components accelerates leukaemogenesis. Thus, persistence of divergent signalling pathways represents a powerful barrier to transformation, while convergence on one principal driver defines a central event in leukaemia initiation. Pharmacological reactivation of suppressed divergent circuits synergizes strongly with inhibition of the principal oncogenic driver. Hence, reactivation of divergent pathways can be leveraged as a previously unrecognized strategy to enhance treatment responses.

We study the threshold corrections for inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) and their all-order resummation. Using recent results for the QCD form factor, related anomalous dimensions and Mellin moments of DIS structure functions at four loops we derive the complete soft and collinear contributions to the DIS Wilson coefficients at four loops. For a general $SU(n_c)$ gauge group the results are exact in the large-$n_c$ approximation and for QCD with $n_c=3$ we present precise approximations. We extend the threshold resummation exponent $G^N$ in Mellin-$N$ space to the fifth logarithmic (N$^4$LL) order collecting the terms $\alpha_{\rm s}^{\,3} (\alpha_{\rm s} \ln N)^n$ to all orders in the strong coupling constant $\alpha_{\rm s}$. We study the numerical effect of the N$^4$LL corrections using both the fully exponentiated form and the expansion of the coefficient function in towers of logarithms. As a byproduct, we derive a numerical result for the complete pole structure of the QCD form factor in the parameter of dimensional regularization $\varepsilon$ at four loops., Comment: 43 pages, LaTeX, 10 figures ( Journal version )

We study the threshold corrections to the structure functions in deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) at the fifth logarithmic (N$^4$LL) order of the soft-gluon exponentiation in massless perturbative QCD. Using recent results for the splitting functions and the quark form factor, we derive the fourth-order contribution to the coefficient $f^{\rm q}$ of the form factor and from it the N$^4$LL part of the exponentiation coefficient $B^{\rm DIS}$ in the limit of a large number of colours. An approximation scheme is shown that leads to sufficiently accurate N$^4$LL results for full QCD. The N$^4$LL corrections are small and lead to a further stabilization of the perturbative expansion for the soft-gluon exponent., Comment: 6 pages, LaTeX (PoS style), 4 figures, Contribution to the proceedings of `DIS2019', Torino (Italy), April 2019

Ultrasound has significantly increased safety and effectiveness in regional anesthesia. However, little is known about its clinical use. We studied clinical approaches currently used by anesthesiologists, conducted a nationwide survey, and analyzed data collected in ordered logistic regression models. All active members of the Swiss Society for Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation (SSAR/SGAR) were asked to participate. Reported practice in nerve localization, safety, and techniques used for peripheral nerve blocks (PNB) were main outcome measures. Experience ranged from 3 to >30 years. The mean number of block techniques mastered was 11.5 ± 5.9. Standard monitoring was regularly used, whereas sterile coats were less frequently used by anesthesiologists who self-estimated a higher level of expertise in PNB (ordered logit coefficient -0.05, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.02, P < 0.001; pseudo r2 = 0.019; probability > Chi2 = 0.02). The more self-estimated expertise anesthesiologists had, the less likely they were to use nerve stimulation in combination with ultrasound (dual guidance) (ordered logit coefficient -0.31; 95% CI -0.85 to -0.03: P = 0.03; pseudo r2 = 0.007; probability > Chi2 = 0.05). The high share of reported standard monitoring meets the recommendations of the Helsinki Patient Safety Declaration. Dual guidance appears to be the preferred approach for safely localizing nerves for PNB in Switzerland.

National or international guidelines can help surgeons and anesthesiologists make treatment decisions, but the existence of conflicting recommendations can hinder treatment rather than helping. A case in point is the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease, a chronic subcutaneous infection located in the sacrococcygeal area. Its incidence is rising, reaching almost 100/100,000 inhabitants. Three surgical societies have proposed guidelines for treating the disease, but these guidelines vary greatly in their approach to anesthesia. Who should provide input into guidelines? And how can medical disciplines successfully collaborate? Anesthesiologists must be involved in defining perioperative recommendations not only in patients with pilonidal sinus disease.

In the present work, reaction products in the 136Xe+238U multinucleon-transfer reaction at 1 GeV were investigated employing the high-resolution position-sensitive gamma-ray tracking array AGATA coupled to the large-solid-angle mass spectrometer PRISMA at the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (INFN, Italy). Beam-like reaction products were identified and selected by the PRISMA spectrometer. Recoils and fission fragments were tagged by DANTE micro-channel plate detectors installed within the scattering chamber. Fission and transfer events are discriminated by exploiting kinematic coincidences between the binary reaction products. Mass yields and relative cross-section distributions are extracted and compared with calculations based on the GRAZING model for multinucleon-transfer reactions. Furthermore, population yields for nuclei in the actinide region are obtained and compared to X-ray yields measured by AGATA. Perspectives and limitations for the production of the hard-to-reach neutron-rich isotopes are discussed. A Doppler correction for the target-like nuclei enables gamma-ray spectroscopy of the heavy reaction partner. Nuclear structure information of neutron-rich actinide nuclei are a benchmark for theoretical models providing predictions for the heaviest nuclei. An extension of the ground-state rotational band in 240U is achieved and evidence for an extended first negative-parity band in 240U is found. The results are compared to recent mean-field and density-functional theory calculations. Furthermore, multinucleon-transfer reactions are a gateway to nuclei in the vicinity of the Z=50 and N=82 shell closures. Nuclei in this region serve as a benchmark for nuclear shell-model calculations based on modern effective interactions, but are difficult to populate due to a lack of suitable beam-target combinations. Excited reaction products were measured after multinucleon transfer in 136Xe+238U at 1 GeV and 136Xe+208Pb at 930 MeV with the AGATA tracking array coupled

In the present work, reaction products in the 136Xe+238U multinucleon-transfer reaction at 1 GeV were investigated employing the high-resolution position-sensitive gamma-ray tracking array AGATA coupled to the large-solid-angle mass spectrometer PRISMA at the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (INFN, Italy). Beam-like reaction products were identified and selected by the PRISMA spectrometer. Recoils and fission fragments were tagged by DANTE micro-channel plate detectors installed within the scattering chamber. Fission and transfer events are discriminated by exploiting kinematic coincidences between the binary reaction products. Mass yields and relative cross-section distributions are extracted and compared with calculations based on the GRAZING model for multinucleon-transfer reactions. Furthermore, population yields for nuclei in the actinide region are obtained and compared to X-ray yields measured by AGATA. Perspectives and limitations for the production of the hard-to-reach neutron-rich isotopes are discussed. A Doppler correction for the target-like nuclei enables gamma-ray spectroscopy of the heavy reaction partner. Nuclear structure information of neutron-rich actinide nuclei are a benchmark for theoretical models providing predictions for the heaviest nuclei. An extension of the ground-state rotational band in 240U is achieved and evidence for an extended first negative-parity band in 240U is found. The results are compared to recent mean-field and density-functional theory calculations. Furthermore, multinucleon-transfer reactions are a gateway to nuclei in the vicinity of the Z=50 and N=82 shell closures. Nuclei in this region serve as a benchmark for nuclear shell-model calculations based on modern effective interactions, but are difficult to populate due to a lack of suitable beam-target combinations. Excited reaction products were measured after multinucleon transfer in 136Xe+238U at 1 GeV and 136Xe+208Pb at 930 MeV with the AGATA tracking array coupled

Objectives: Residual airspace following thoracic resections is a common clinical problem. Persistent air leak, prolonged drainage time, and reduced hemostasis extend hospital stay and morbidity. We report a trial of pharmacologic-induced diaphragmatic paralysis through continuous paraphrenic injection of lidocaine to reduced residual airspace. The objectives were confirmation of diaphragmatic paralysis and possible procedure related complications. Methods: Six eligible patients undergoing resectional surgery (lobectomy or bilobectomy) were included. Inclusion criteria consisted of: postoperative predicted FEV1 greater than 1300ml, right-sided resection, absence of parenchymal lung disease, no class III antiarrhythmic therapy, absence of hypersensitivity reactions to lidocaine, no signs of infection, and informed consent. Upon completion of resection an epidural catheter was attached in the periphrenic tissue on the proximal pericardial surface, externalized through a separate parasternal incision, and connected to a perfusing system injecting lidocaine 1% at a rate of 3ml/h (30mg/h). Postoperative ICU surveillance for 24h and daily measurement of vital signs, drainage output, and bedside spirometry were performed. Within 48h fluoroscopic confirmation of diaphragmatic paralysis was obtained. The catheter removal coincided with the chest tube removal when no procedural related complications occurred. Results: None of the patients reported respiratory impairment. Diaphragmatic paralysis was documented in all patients. Upon removal of catheter or discontinuation of lidocaine prompt return of diaphragmatic motility was noticed. Two patients showed postoperative hemodynamic irrelevant atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: Postoperative paraphrenic catheter administration of lidocaine to ensure reversible diaphragmatic paralysis is safe and reproducible. Further studies have to assess a benefit in terms of reduction in morbidity, drainage time, and hospital stay, and determine

We discuss a number of FORM features that are essential in the automatic processing of very large numbers of diagrams as used in the Forcer program for 4-loop massless propagator diagrams. Most of these features are new., Comment: 16 pages, LaTeX (PoS style) using axodraw2.sty. To appear in the proceedings of `Loops & Legs 2016', Leipzig (Germany), April 2016

BACKGROUND One-lung ventilation during thoracic surgery is associated with hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in the deflated and subsequently reventilated lung. Numerous studies have reported volatile anesthesia-induced attenuation of inflammatory responses in such scenarios. If the effect also extends to clinical outcome is yet undetermined. We hypothesized that volatile anesthesia is superior to intravenous anesthesia regarding postoperative complications. METHODS Five centers in Switzerland participated in the randomized controlled trial. Patients scheduled for lung surgery with one-lung ventilation were randomly assigned to one of two parallel arms to receive either propofol or desflurane as general anesthetic. Patients and surgeons were blinded to group allocation. Time to occurrence of the first major complication according to the Clavien-Dindo score was defined as primary (during hospitalization) or secondary (6-month follow-up) endpoint. Cox regression models were used with adjustment for prestratification variables and age. RESULTS Of 767 screened patients, 460 were randomized and analyzed (n = 230 for each arm). Demographics, disease and intraoperative characteristics were comparable in both groups. Incidence of major complications during hospitalization was 16.5% in the propofol and 13.0% in the desflurane groups (hazard ratio for desflurane vs. propofol, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.46 to 1.22; P = 0.24). Incidence of major complications within 6 months from surgery was 40.4% in the propofol and 39.6% in the desflurane groups (hazard ratio for desflurane vs. propofol, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.28; P = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS This is the first multicenter randomized controlled trial addressing the effect of volatile versus intravenous anesthetics on major complications after lung surgery. No difference between the two anesthesia regimens was evident.

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) are associated with familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). LRRK2 is a complex protein that consists of multiple domains, including predicted C-terminal WD40 repeats. In this study, we analyzed functional and molecular features conferred by the WD40 domain. Electron microscopic analysis of the purified LRRK2 C-terminal domain revealed doughnut-shaped particles, providing experimental evidence for its WD40 fold. We demonstrate that LRRK2 WD40 binds and sequesters synaptic vesicles via interaction with vesicle-associated proteins. In fact, a domain- based pulldown approach combined with mass spectrometric analysis identified LRRK2 as being part of a highly specific protein network involved in synaptic vesicle trafficking. In addition, we found that a C-terminal sequence variant associated with an increased risk of developing PD, G2385R, correlates with a reduced binding affinity of LRRK2 WD40 to synaptic vesicles. Our data demonstrate a critical role of the WD40 domain within LRRK2 function.

Background: A recent method determines regional gas flow of the lung by electrical impedance tomography (EIT). The aim of this study is to show the applicability of this method in a porcine model of mechanical ventilation in healthy and diseased lungs. Our primary hypothesis is that global gas flow measured by EIT can be correlated with spirometry. Our secondary hypothesis is that regional analysis of respiratory gas flow delivers physiologically meaningful results. Methods: In two sets of experiments n = 7 healthy pigs and n = 6 pigs before and after induction of lavage lung injury were investigated. EIT of the lung and spirometry were registered synchronously during ongoing mechanical ventilation. In-vivo aeration of the lung was analysed in four regions-of-interest (ROI) by EIT: 1) global, 2) ventral (non-dependent), 3) middle and 4) dorsal (dependent) ROI. Respiratory gas flow was calculated by the first derivative of the regional aeration curve. Four phases of the respiratory cycle were discriminated. They delivered peak and late inspiratory and expiratory gas flow (PIF, LIF, PEF, LEF) characterizing early or late inspiration or expiration. Results: Linear regression analysis of EIT and spirometry in healthy pigs revealed a very good correlation measuring peak flow and a good correlation detecting late flow. PIFEIT = 0.702 . PIFspiro + 117.4, r(2) = 0.809; PEFEIT = 0.690 . PEFspiro-124.2, r(2) = 0.760; LIFEIT = 0.909 . LIFspiro + 27.32, r(2) = 0.572 and LEFEIT = 0.858 . LEFspiro-10.94, r(2) = 0.647. EIT derived absolute gas flow was generally smaller than data from spirometry. Regional gas flow was distributed heterogeneously during different phases of the respiratory cycle. But, the regional distribution of gas flow stayed stable during different ventilator settings. Moderate lung injury changed the regional pattern of gas flow. Conclusions: We conclude that the presented method is able to determine global respiratory gas flow of the lung in different phases o

El trabajo de Cáritas Luxemburgo con los refugiados, desplazados internos y migrantes en Colombia, Líbano y Luxemburgo ofrece algunos ejemplos de cómo una organización confesional se puede ver favorecida o desfavorecida por su carácter religioso y de cómo debe adherirse a los estándares humanitarios.

Background: A recent method determines regional gas flow of the lung by electrical impedance tomography (EIT). The aim of this study is to show the applicability of this method in a porcine model of mechanical ventilation in healthy and diseased lungs. Our primary hypothesis is that global gas flow measured by EIT can be correlated with spirometry. Our secondary hypothesis is that regional analysis of respiratory gas flow delivers physiologically meaningful results. Methods: In two sets of experiments n = 7 healthy pigs and n = 6 pigs before and after induction of lavage lung injury were investigated. EIT of the lung and spirometry were registered synchronously during ongoing mechanical ventilation. In-vivo aeration of the lung was analysed in four regions-of-interest (ROI) by EIT: 1) global, 2) ventral (non-dependent), 3) middle and 4) dorsal (dependent) ROI. Respiratory gas flow was calculated by the first derivative of the regional aeration curve. Four phases of the respiratory cycle were discriminated. They delivered peak and late inspiratory and expiratory gas flow (PIF, LIF, PEF, LEF) characterizing early or late inspiration or expiration. Results: Linear regression analysis of EIT and spirometry in healthy pigs revealed a very good correlation measuring peak flow and a good correlation detecting late flow. PIFEIT = 0.702 . PIFspiro + 117.4, r(2) = 0.809; PEFEIT = 0.690 . PEFspiro-124.2, r(2) = 0.760; LIFEIT = 0.909 . LIFspiro + 27.32, r(2) = 0.572 and LEFEIT = 0.858 . LEFspiro-10.94, r(2) = 0.647. EIT derived absolute gas flow was generally smaller than data from spirometry. Regional gas flow was distributed heterogeneously during different phases of the respiratory cycle. But, the regional distribution of gas flow stayed stable during different ventilator settings. Moderate lung injury changed the regional pattern of gas flow. Conclusions: We conclude that the presented method is able to determine global respiratory gas flow of the lung in different phases o

El trabajo de Cáritas Luxemburgo con los refugiados, desplazados internos y migrantes en Colombia, Líbano y Luxemburgo ofrece algunos ejemplos de cómo una organización confesional se puede ver favorecida o desfavorecida por su carácter religioso y de cómo debe adherirse a los estándares humanitarios.

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) are associated with familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). LRRK2 is a complex protein that consists of multiple domains, including predicted C-terminal WD40 repeats. In this study, we analyzed functional and molecular features conferred by the WD40 domain. Electron microscopic analysis of the purified LRRK2 C-terminal domain revealed doughnut-shaped particles, providing experimental evidence for its WD40 fold. We demonstrate that LRRK2 WD40 binds and sequesters synaptic vesicles via interaction with vesicle-associated proteins. In fact, a domain- based pulldown approach combined with mass spectrometric analysis identified LRRK2 as being part of a highly specific protein network involved in synaptic vesicle trafficking. In addition, we found that a C-terminal sequence variant associated with an increased risk of developing PD, G2385R, correlates with a reduced binding affinity of LRRK2 WD40 to synaptic vesicles. Our data demonstrate a critical role of the WD40 domain within LRRK2 function.

The mismatching of alveolar ventilation and perfusion (V-A/Q) is the major determinant of impaired gas exchange. The gold standard for measuring V-A/Q distributions is based on measurements of the elimination and retention of infused inert gases. Conventional multiple inert gas elimination technique (MIGET) uses gas chromatography (GC) to measure the inert gas partial pressures, which requires tonometry of blood samples with a gas that can then be injected into the chromatograph. The method is laborious and requires meticulous care. A new technique based on micropore membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MMIMS) facilitates the handling of blood and gas samples and provides nearly real-time analysis. In this study we compared MIGET by GC and MMIMS in 10 piglets: 1) 3 with healthy lungs; 2) 4 with oleic acid injury; and 3) 3 with isolated left lower lobe ventilation. The different protocols ensured a large range of normal and abnormal V-A/Q distributions. Eight inert gases (SF6, krypton, ethane, cyclopropane, desflurane, enflurane, diethyl ether, and acetone) were infused; six of these gases were measured with MMIMS, and six were measured with GC. We found close agreement of retention and excretion of the gases and the constructed V-A/Q distributions between GC and MMIMS, and predicted Pa-O2 from both methods compared well with measured Pa-O2. V-A/Q by GC produced more widely dispersed modes than MMIMS, explained in part by differences in the algorithms used to calculate V-A/Q distributions. In conclusion, MMIMS enables faster measurement of V-A/Q, is less demanding than GC, and produces comparable results.

We briefly discuss recent research on the spin-averaged parton densities of the proton, focusing on some aspects relevant to hard processes at the LHC. Specifically, after recalling the basic framework and the need for higher-order calculations, we address the evolution equations governing the scale dependence of the parton distributions and their solution, schemes for initial conditions and the inclusion of heavy quarks, recent progress on fits to data, and future high-precision constraints from LHC measurements., Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX, 12 figures. Plenary talk presented at DIS 2007, Munich, April 2007. To appear in the proceedings

Results are presented of two studies addressing the scaling violations of deep-inelastic structure functions. Factorization-scheme independent fits to all ep and mu p data on F_2 are performed at next-to-leading order (NLO), yielding alpha_s(M_Z) = 0.114 +- 0.002_exp (+0.006-0.004)_th . In order to reduce the theoretical error dominated by the renormalization-scale dependence, the next-higher order (NNLO) needs to be included. For the flavour non-singlet sector, it is shown that available calculations provide sufficient information for this purpose at x > 10^-2., Comment: 3 pages LaTeX including 4 eps-figures, uses npb.sty. Talk presented at DIS'99, DESY-Zeuthen, April 1999. To appear in the proceedings

Previous studies of the kinematic coverage for measuring the photon structure function F_2^gamma at a future 500 GeV e^+e^- linear collider are updated using current estimates of luminosities and important detector parameters. The perturbative expansion for the evolution of F_2^gamma is briefly recalled in view of a recent claim that all existing next-to-leading order analyses of the photon structure are incorrect. A simple illustration is given of the different sensitivities of hadronic and photonic structure functions on the strong coupling constant alpha_s., Comment: 6 pages LaTeX including 7 eps-figures, uses espcrc2.sty (included). Talk presented at PHOTON'99, Freiburg (Germany), May 1999. To appear in the proceedings [Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.)]

Results are presented of two studies addressing the scaling violations of deep-inelastic structure functions. Factorization-scheme independent fits to all ep and mu p data on F_2 are performed at next-to-leading order (NLO), yielding alpha_s(M_Z) = 0.114 +- 0.002_exp (+0.006-0.004)_th . In order to reduce the theoretical error dominated by the renormalization-scale dependence, the next-higher order (NNLO) needs to be included. For the flavour non-singlet sector, it is shown that available calculations provide sufficient information for this purpose at x > 10^-2., Comment: 3 pages LaTeX including 4 eps-figures, uses npb.sty. Talk presented at DIS'99, DESY-Zeuthen, April 1999. To appear in the proceedings

Previous studies of the kinematic coverage for measuring the photon structure function F_2^gamma at a future 500 GeV e^+e^- linear collider are updated using current estimates of luminosities and important detector parameters. The perturbative expansion for the evolution of F_2^gamma is briefly recalled in view of a recent claim that all existing next-to-leading order analyses of the photon structure are incorrect. A simple illustration is given of the different sensitivities of hadronic and photonic structure functions on the strong coupling constant alpha_s., Comment: 6 pages LaTeX including 7 eps-figures, uses espcrc2.sty (included). Talk presented at PHOTON'99, Freiburg (Germany), May 1999. To appear in the proceedings [Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.)]

Recent results presented in the structure functions working group are briefly summarized for the following topics: The theoretical treatment of heavy quarks in structure functions, higher-order corrections for the leading-twist evolution (including small-x resummations), the present status of the proton's parton densities, and the impact of higher twists on determinations of the strong coupling constant. The reader is referred to Part I for accounts of the transition to the photoproduction region, pion and photon structure results, and high-Q^2 phenomena., Comment: 9 pages Latex including 5 figures (9 eps-files), uses sprocl.sty. Talk presented at DIS'98, Brussels, April 1998. To appear in the proceedings

Recent results presented in the structure functions working group are briefly summarized for the following topics: The theoretical treatment of heavy quarks in structure functions, higher-order corrections for the leading-twist evolution (including small-x resummations), the present status of the proton's parton densities, and the impact of higher twists on determinations of the strong coupling constant. The reader is referred to Part I for accounts of the transition to the photoproduction region, pion and photon structure results, and high-Q^2 phenomena., Comment: 9 pages Latex including 5 figures (9 eps-files), uses sprocl.sty. Talk presented at DIS'98, Brussels, April 1998. To appear in the proceedings

The QCD treatment of the photon structure is recalled. Emphasis is given to the recently derived momentum sum rule, and to the proper choice of the factorization scheme and/or boundary conditions for the evolution equations beyond the leading order. Parametrizations of the photon's parton content are examined and compared. The small-x behaviour of the photon structure is briefly discussed., Comment: 14 pages LaTeX, including 6 eps-figures. Invited talk presented at PHOTON '97, Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands, May 1997. To appear in the proceedings

The QCD treatment of the photon structure is recalled. Emphasis is given to the recently derived momentum sum rule, and to the proper choice of the factorization scheme and/or boundary conditions for the evolution equations beyond the leading order. Parametrizations of the photon's parton content are examined and compared. The small-x behaviour of the photon structure is briefly discussed., Comment: 14 pages LaTeX, including 6 eps-figures. Invited talk presented at PHOTON '97, Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands, May 1997. To appear in the proceedings

The resummation of $O(\alpha_s^{l+1} \ln^{2l} x)$ terms in the evolution kernels of non--singlet combinations of unpolarized and polarized structure functions is investigated. The agreement with complete calculations up to order $\alpha_s^2$ is demonstrated, and the leading small-$x$ contributions to the three--loop non--singlet splitting functions $P^{\pm}$ are derived. The additional contributions due to the resummed terms are studied numerically for the most important non--singlet structure functions. They are found to be about $1\,\%$ or smaller in the kinematical regions accessible at present and in the foreseeable future., Comment: 10 pages, encoded ps file using uufiles

The resummation of $O(\alpha_s^{l+1} \ln^{2l} x)$ terms in the evolution kernels of non--singlet combinations of unpolarized and polarized structure functions is investigated. The agreement with complete calculations up to order $\alpha_s^2$ is demonstrated, and the leading small-$x$ contributions to the three--loop non--singlet splitting functions $P^{\pm}$ are derived. The additional contributions due to the resummed terms are studied numerically for the most important non--singlet structure functions. They are found to be about $1\,\%$ or smaller in the kinematical regions accessible at present and in the foreseeable future., Comment: 10 pages, encoded ps file using uufiles

The QCD treatment of the photon structure beyond the leading order is discussed with emphasis on a proper choice of the factorization scheme and/or the boundary conditions. Recent parametrizations of the photon's parton content are examined and compared. The sensitivity of the photon structure function on the QCD scale parameter is reconsidered., Comment: 8 pages, LateX, 8 figures (not included, hardcopies available upon request), LMU-11/94

The QCD treatment of the photon structure beyond the leading order is discussed with emphasis on a proper choice of the factorization scheme and/or the boundary conditions. Recent parametrizations of the photon's parton content are examined and compared. The sensitivity of the photon structure function on the QCD scale parameter is reconsidered., Comment: 8 pages, LateX, 8 figures (not included, hardcopies available upon request), LMU-11/94

Objectives: Residual airspace following thoracic resections is a common clinical problem. Persistent air leak, prolonged drainage time, and reduced hemostasis extend hospital stay and morbidity. We report a trial of pharmacologic-induced diaphragmatic paralysis through continuous paraphrenic injection of lidocaine to reduced residual airspace. The objectives were confirmation of diaphragmatic paralysis and possible procedure related complications. Methods: Six eligible patients undergoing resectional surgery (lobectomy or bilobectomy) were included. Inclusion criteria consisted of: postoperative predicted FEV1 greater than 1300ml, right-sided resection, absence of parenchymal lung disease, no class III antiarrhythmic therapy, absence of hypersensitivity reactions to lidocaine, no signs of infection, and informed consent. Upon completion of resection an epidural catheter was attached in the periphrenic tissue on the proximal pericardial surface, externalized through a separate parasternal incision, and connected to a perfusing system injecting lidocaine 1% at a rate of 3ml/h (30mg/h). Postoperative ICU surveillance for 24h and daily measurement of vital signs, drainage output, and bedside spirometry were performed. Within 48h fluoroscopic confirmation of diaphragmatic paralysis was obtained. The catheter removal coincided with the chest tube removal when no procedural related complications occurred. Results: None of the patients reported respiratory impairment. Diaphragmatic paralysis was documented in all patients. Upon removal of catheter or discontinuation of lidocaine prompt return of diaphragmatic motility was noticed. Two patients showed postoperative hemodynamic irrelevant atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: Postoperative paraphrenic catheter administration of lidocaine to ensure reversible diaphragmatic paralysis is safe and reproducible. Further studies have to assess a benefit in terms of reduction in morbidity, drainage time, and hospital stay, and determine