Search

Background: The rehabilitation process following cochlear implant (CI) surgery is carried out in a multimodal therapy according to German national guidelines and includes technical and medical aftercare. In times of the corona pandemic surgery and rehabilitation appointments were cancelled or delayed leading to a more difficult access to auditory rehabilitation. Newly implemented hygiene modalities due to the SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic have changed medical aftercare and the rehabilitation process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of rehabilitation under corona conditions. Material and methods: An anonymous survey of adult cochlear implant patients was carried out by a non-standardized questionnaire. Demographics were analyzed and the quality of medical aftercare, speech therapy, technical aftercare, psychological support and the hygiene modalities were compared to previous rehabilitation stays. Results: In total 109 patients completed the questionnaire. The quality of rehabilitation and individual therapy were rated as qualitatively similar or improved. The threat of the pandemic and fear of corona were rated unexpectedly high with 68% and 50%, respectively. The hygiene measures during the rehabilitation stay eased subjective fears at the same time. The majority of patients were annoyed by wearing face masks but visors, protection shields and social distancing were more tolerated. Conclusion: The implementation of the new hygiene modalities within the therapeutic rehabilitation setting was well-accepted by patients allowing access to auditory rehabilitation. A successful rehabilitation should ensure a fear-free environment by adhering to the necessary hygiene modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HNO 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.)

This study used microelectrodes to record pH profiles in fresh shelf sea sediment cores collected across a range of different sediment types within the Celtic Sea. Spatial and temporal variability was captured during repeated measurements in 2014 and 2015. Concurrently recorded oxygen microelectrode profiles and other sedimentary parameters provide a detailed context for interpretation of the pH data. Clear differences in profiles were observed between sediment type, location and season. Notably, very steep pH gradients exist within the surface sediments (10-20 mm), where decreases greater than 0.5 pH units were observed. Steep gradients were particularly apparent in fine cohesive sediments, less so in permeable sandier matrices. We hypothesise that the gradients are likely caused by aerobic organic matter respiration close to the sediment-water interface or oxidation of reduced species at the base of the oxic zone (NH , Mn, Fe, S). Statistical analysis suggests the variability in the depth of the pH minima is controlled spatially by the oxygen penetration depth, and seasonally by the input and remineralisation of deposited organic phytodetritus. Below the pH minima the observed pH remained consistently low to maximum electrode penetration (ca. 60 mm), indicating an absence of sub-oxic processes generating H or balanced removal processes within this layer. Thus, a climatology of sediment surface porewater pH is provided against which to examine biogeochemical processes. This enhances our understanding of benthic pH processes, particularly in the context of human impacts, seabed integrity, and future climate changes, providing vital information for modelling benthic response under future climate scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shelf sediments play a vital role in global biogeochemical cycling and are particularly important areas of oxygen consumption and carbon mineralisation. Total benthic oxygen uptake, the sum of diffusive and faunal mediated uptake, is a robust proxy to quantify carbon mineralisation. However, oxygen uptake rates are dynamic, due to the diagenetic processes within the sediment, and can be spatially and temporally variable. Four benthic sites in the Celtic Sea, encompassing gradients of cohesive to permeable sediments, were sampled over four cruises to capture seasonal and spatial changes in oxygen dynamics. Total oxygen uptake (TOU) rates were measured through a suite of incubation experiments and oxygen microelectrode profiles were taken across all four benthic sites to provide the oxygen penetration depth and diffusive oxygen uptake (DOU) rates. The difference between TOU and DOU allowed for quantification of the fauna mediated oxygen uptake and diffusive uptake. High resolution measurements showed clear seasonal and spatial trends, with higher oxygen uptake rates measured in cohesive sediments compared to the permeable sediment. The significant differences in oxygen dynamics between the sediment types were consistent between seasons, with increasing oxygen consumption during and after the phytoplankton bloom. Carbon mineralisation in shelf sediments is strongly influenced by sediment type and seasonality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We undertook a seasonal study of benthic N-cycling on the Celtic Sea continental shelf in 2015, augmented by an earlier cruise in 2014. Two cruises in 2015 were centred before and after the Spring phytoplankton bloom and a further cruise was carried out in late summer. Five sites covering the mud to sand continuum were visited on all cruises, where we determined ammonium-oxidation, anammox and denitrification rates, expression of anammox and denitrification genes, N-nutrient fluxes and sediment porewater profiles of N-nutrients. Highest process rates were found during the post-bloom and late summer periods. The Celtic Sea was overwhelmingly a source of inorganic-N to the overlying water column. The efflux of nitrate was controlled by the magnitude of ammonium-oxidation. The latter accounted for 10-16% of total Oxygen consumption in cohesive sediments and 35-56% in sandy sediments. Ammonium oxidation rates in the range of 0.001-2.288 mmol m days were inversely correlated with sediment porosity and positively correlated with organic matter content (OM) which together explained 66% of the variance in rates. N-removal was dominated by anammox (0.003-0.636 mmol m days), rather than denitrification (0.000-0.034 mmol m days). This finding was supported by the corresponding gene expression data. The expression of hydrazine oxidoreductase (anammox) was significantly correlated with anammox and total N-removal rates. Anammox was positively correlated with porosity and OM, whilst denitrification was correlated with OM. The N-requirement of these processes was largely met through nitrification (ammonium-oxidation) rather than influx from the overlying water column. We estimated that N-removal via denitrification and anammox removed 6-9% of the organic-N deposited at the sea-floor from the overlying water column. The Celtic Sea system was thereby losing N which must be replenished on an annual basis in order to sustain productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results from a 1D setup of the European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM) biogeochemical model were compared with new observations collected under the UK Shelf Seas Biogeochemistry (SSB) programme to assess model performance and clarify elements of shelf-sea benthic biogeochemistry and carbon cycling. Observations from two contrasting sites (muddy and sandy) in the Celtic Sea in otherwise comparable hydrographic conditions were considered, with the focus on the benthic system. A standard model parameterisation with site-specific light and nutrient adjustments was used, along with modifications to the within-seabed diffusivity to accommodate the modelling of permeable (sandy) sediments. Differences between modelled and observed quantities of organic carbon in the bed were interpreted to suggest that a large part (>90%) of the observed benthic organic carbon is biologically relatively inactive. Evidence on the rate at which this inactive fraction is produced will constitute important information to quantify offshore carbon sequestration. Total oxygen uptake and oxic layer depths were within the range of the measured values. Modelled depth average pore water concentrations of ammonium, phosphate and silicate were typically 5-20% of observed values at the muddy site due to an underestimate of concentrations associated with the deeper sediment layers. Model agreement for these nutrients was better at the sandy site, which had lower pore water concentrations, especially deeper in the sediment. Comparison of pore water nitrate with observations had added uncertainty, as the results from process studies at the sites indicated the dominance of the anammox pathway for nitrogen removal; a pathway that is not included in the model. Macrofaunal biomasses were overestimated, although a model run with increased macrofaunal background mortality rates decreased macrofaunal biomass and improved agreement with observations. The decrease in macrofaunal biomass was compensated by an increase in meiofaunal biomass such that total oxygen demand remained within the observed range. The permeable sediment modification reproduced some of the observed behaviour of oxygen penetration depth at the sandy site. It is suggested that future development in ERSEM benthic modelling should focus on: (1) mixing and degradation rates of benthic organic matter, (2) validation of benthic faunal biomass against large scale spatial datasets, (3) incorporation of anammox in the benthic nitrogen cycle, and (4) further developments to represent permeable sediment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of early diagnosis and modern effective therapies has reduced mortality and disability linked to late-onset acquired or hereditary neuromuscular transmission disorders. Nevertheless, identification of the pathogenesis of these diseases remains a challenge. In addition to non-specific and fluctuating presenting symptoms current diagnostic work-up strategies include electrophysiology, antibody measurements and less frequently molecular genetics. For differential diagnostic purposes there is an increasing demand for improving awareness concerning late-onset congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) which are rare but nevertheless symptomatically treatable diseases. Especially in seronegative myasthenic syndromes, molecular genetic analyses of CMS genes should be integrated into the differential diagnostic work-up. Therefore, some facets of neuromuscular synaptogenesis in the context of seronegative acquired myasthenic syndromes and recently uncovered congenital myasthenic syndromes are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HNO 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.)

Copyright of HNO 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.)

Laser spectroscopy with either optogalvanic or laser induced fluorescence detection have been employed to measure the hyperfine structure of 25 transitions of atomic niobium in the visible and near infrared spectral range. The magnetic dipole hyperfine interaction constants A of 43 energy levels (22 of even and 21 of odd parity) were determined, 30 of which have been investigated for the first time. The values obtained for the even parity levels are compared with the results of a parametric analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A parametric analysis of the fine and the magnetic dipole hyperfine structure for the three configurations of odd parity 4d35s5p, 4d45p and 4d25s25p was performed. Effective one-electron parameters were determined and theoretical predictions are given for the magnetic dipole hyperfine structure constants A for the levels of these three configurations. Additionally, 12 new energy levels could be found, four of odd and eight of even parity, by re-analysing data for experimental wavelengths of Nb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodetachment microscopy has been performed on a beam of 32S- ions. Analysing the electron images obtained, we find that the electron affinity measurements performed with the photodetachment microscope contain a small bias, due to the difference between the actual and assumed values of the applied electric field. Having a measure of this bias, we can reanalyse older data recorded on the negative ions O- and Si- along similar lines. As a consequence, the values of the electron affinities of Oxygen, Silicon and Sulfur can be given with an improved accuracy. The recommended values (with expanded uncertainties) are now 11784.676(7)cm-1 for 16O, 11207.246(8)cm-1 for 28Si, and 16752.974(5)cm-1 for 32S, i.e. 1.461 113 5(12), 1.389 521 3(13) and 2.077 104 0(9) eV, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A parametric analysis of the fine and the hyperfine structure for the three even configurations 4d45s, 4d45s² and 4d5 has been performed. Effective one-electron parameters anlkskl (kskl = 01, 12 and 10) and bnl02 were determined for these three configurations. Extremely large ratios a4d10/a4d01 were found. Theoretical predictions for the hyperfine structure constants A and B for all levels of the configurations 4d45s, 4d45s² and 4d5 have been determined from experimental data. Additionally, the fine and hyperfine structure for the two energetically high lying even configurations 4d46s and 4d³5s6s are discussed. The results presented here call into doubt the existence of the fine structure levels 4d³5s6s 6F11/2 at an energy of 39408.88 cm-1 and 4d³5s5p 6G13/2 at 18876.46 cm-1 given in the Moore tables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on hyperfine structure measurements in 21 lines of atomic niobium in the spectral region from 640 nm to 870 nm by means of optogalvanic laser spectroscopy and laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy using a hollow cathode discharge and a tunable single-mode cw ring laser. Hyperfine structure constants A and B of altogether 29 excited energy levels were determined, 18 of them for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isotope shift (IS) and hyperfine structure (hfs) of nine levels (31720 to 38921 cm-1) assigned to the configuration 4 f 12 6 s 7 s in neutral erbium have been determined experimentally using Doppler-reduced saturation absorption spectroscopy in a gas discharge. We performed a fine structure analysis in the SL-coupling scheme of the single configuration 4 f 12 6 s 7 s, confirming and extending the classification of even parity Er I levels. We discriminated the different hfs contributions of the 4f12 core and the ( 6 s +7 s) outer electrons of the shell in a non-relativistic JJ-coupling approach and in the relativistic effective tensor operator formalism in SL-coupling. The relativistic one-electron parameters of the hfs for 167Er were fitted to the experimental data by a least squares fit procedure: [0pt] a 01 4f =-147(3) MHz, [0pt] a 10 6s + a 10 7s =-1840(30) MHz, [0pt] b 02 4f ( f , 6 s )+ g170-168 ( f , 7 s ))= -24(15) MHz and for 6s7s =-740(30) MHz, z 4f = 0(5) MHz, ( g 3,6s ( f , 6 s )+ g 3, 7s ( f ,6 s )+ g170-166 ( f +7 s ))=-50(29) MHz. The resulting parameters for the hfs are compared with those known for other configurations of the Er atom and ion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] 6s7s =-1500(50) MHz, z 4f =0(10) MHz, ( g 3,6s ( f ,6 s )+ g 3,7s ( f +7 s ))=-50(29) MHz. The resulting parameters for the hfs are compared with those known for other configurations of the Er atom and ion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doppler-free saturation absorption spectroscopy was applied on an atomic thulium vapour in a see-through hollow cathode for the determination of precise values for the magnetic dipole hyperfine structure constants A of 6 levels of the configuration 4 f 6 s7 s. A parametric analysis of the hyperfine structure has been performed, using wave-functions from a fine structure calculation, which leads to one-electron hyperfine structure parameters a=−500(6) MHz, a=−5058(47) MHz, and a=−1012 MHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hyperfine structure of the odd configurations 5 d6 p and 5 d6 s6 p was studied with laser optogalvanic spectroscopy and high resolution interferometry in a platinum hollow cathode. A parametric hyperfine structure analysis for the configurations (5 d+6 s)6 p with 10 excited odd-parity levels was performed forPt. We obtained one-electron hfs parameters, a=1160(320) MHz, a=35600(5300) MHz and a=1300(780) MHz for the configuration 5 d6 s6 p. The corresponding $$\left\langle {r^{ - 3} } \right\rangle _{nl}^{k_s k_l } $$ values are compared with those known for other 5 d-elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to a new wood preservative agent (Sinesto B), whose active ingredient is 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA), was determined by urinalysis of the parent chemical and its metabolites in workers employed in four Finnish sawmills. The excretion of these chemicals was compared with the inhaled dose analyzed in air samples collected at the breathing zone and with the percutaneous absorption determined by epicutaneous sampling. The main route for entrance of 2-EHA into the body is by breathing, because the urinary concentration of 2-EHA correlated linearly with the concentration of 2-EHA in the air ( r = 0.70). There was no correlation between skin contamination and urinary levels of 2-EHA. In most cases the highest urinary concentrations of 2-EHA were found immediately after the work shift. Therefore, in order to evaluate a worker's exposure, the urine sample has to be taken immediately after the work shift. Workers in cranes had the highest exposure to 2-EHA, which describes well the evaporation of Sinesto B into the ambient air. 2-EHA was not found in the urine of non-exposed workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods for the synthesis of racemic and optically active title compounds are presented. Key step of these four-step procedures is the alkylation with 1-bromo-2-fluoroalkanes of glycine-ester-derived imines in anhydrous medium using lithium diisopropylamide as a base at low temperature or phase transfer catalyzed alkylation with 50% NaOH and triethylbenzylammoniumchloride as the phase transfer catalyst, respectively. Subsequent three-step deprotection gave the free acids in 13-33% overall yield. Deracemization of γ-fluoro- α-aminobutyric acid methyl and ethyl esters with α-chymotrypsin was shown to give the (−)-enantiomers of the esters and (+)- γ-fluoro- α-aminobutyric acid in >98% ee, while from the tert-butylester the opposite stereochemical result was observed giving the (−)-acid with 88% ee. Optically active γ-fluoro- α-amino acids were synthesized alternatively by phase transfer catalysis with N-benzyl-cinchonium chloride or using an auxiliary-directed asymmetric alkylation of the imine derived from (R)-(+)-camphor or (R)-(+)-2-hydroxypinan-3-one. These processes gave different enantiomers of γ-fluoro- α-aminobutyric acid via a monomeric lithium enolate in the first or a dimeric lithium enolate in the second case, respectively. The enantiomeric excess can be improved by lithium/magnesium exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Versatile three-step procedures for syntheses of seven racemi γ-fluoro-a-amino acids are described. Alkylation of tert-butyl N-(diphenylmethylene) glycinate with 1-bromo-2-fluoroalkanes gave N-protected aminoacid esters both in anhydrous medium using lithium-diisopropylamide as base at low temperature or in a two phase system of 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide and methylene chloride with triethylbenzylammonium chloride as the phase transfer catalyst at room temperature. Subsequent two-step deprotection with citric acid and hydrochloric acid gave the title compounds in 13–33% overall yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the experimental hyperfine structure data given in part I of this work and on the fine structure analysis of Wyart and Camus a parametric analysis of the hyperfine structure of the configuration 4f 135d6s6p of neutral Yb has been performed leading to the following one-electron parameters for the magnetic dipole hyper- fine structure of the isotope 173Yb a4f01 = -375(11) MHz, a5d01 = -68(17) MHz, a6s10 = -3 090(80) MHz, and a6p01 = -170(30) MHz and for the electric quadrupole hyperfine structure b4f02 = 7 490(150) MHz, b5d02 = 3 500(200) MHz, and b6p02 = 4 700(200) MHz. Theoretical predictions are made for all unknown A and B constants of the configuration investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult male 3-month-old Wistar rats were given 0, 100 mg/l, 1, 5 or 10 g/l 2-ethylhexanoic acid in their drinking water for 20 days. Their daily consumption of contaminated water was measured and compared with the free acid found in their 24-h urine samples. The excretion was dose and time dependent. At the termination of the experiment, liver mitochondrial carnitine acetyltransferase activity was induced dose dependently and the citrulline synthesis in the urea cycle inhibited. Our results compare very well with the toxicity of a structural congener of the 2-ethylhexanoic acid, i.e. valproate, an antiepileptic drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]