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Objectives The anterior, percutaneous Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection in the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle (LCA) guided by laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) is considered the golden standard treatment for several neurolaryngological disorders. The study presented in this article aims to assess the effectiveness of an alternative approach by which the injection is performed laterally under ultrasound monitoring. Study design Anatomical dissection study in human cadavers. Settings Academic health care center. Methods Ultrasound-guided bilateral dye (0.1 mL of dye solution containing cold-curing polymers, latex, acrylates, acrylic esters, alcohol, and green color) injection in the LCA was performed by means of 24G needles and 1 mL syringes using the lateral approach. The dye location and distribution were assessed by anatomic dissection, performed immediately after the injection. Results In 9/10 specimens, the dye was exclusively detectable in the LCA. In 1/10 case (left side), the dye could not be delivered in the LCA because of unintended penetration of the thyroid cartilage by the needle during injection. Anatomic dissection confirmed that the dye spread neither into the thyroarytenoid (TA) nor the cricothyroid muscle (CT). Conclusions The anatomic dissection following lateral dye injection in the LCA under ultrasound guide confirmed the precision of this approach in delivery a substance exclusively in a pre-determined target. This feature makes this method an interesting addition or alternative to the standard LEMG-guided BoNT injection at least when the LCA is its target. Level of evidence III.

Objectives Previous meta-analyses suggested that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may have beneficial effects on telomere length (TL) and telomerase activity (TA), two biological markers of cellular aging and cell stress. The present review aimed to provide the most comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence to date and tested a number of important effect moderators. Method Twenty-five studies (18 RCTs, 1 RCT and cohort study, 6 non-randomized studies) with 2099 participants in total were obtained with a systematic literature search, 10 studies had not been included in any previous meta-analysis. Effect sizes were aggregated with random-effects models, the risk of bias was evaluated with standardized checklists, and the most influential moderators were identified with a machine-learning approach. Results On average, MBIs had small-to-medium effects on TL (g = 0.23, 95% CI = [0.07, 0.39], p = 0.006) and TA (g = 0.37 [0.01, 0.73], p = 0.046), which, however, were driven by retrospective case–control studies with experienced meditators (TL) and by studies without control interventions and studies from Asia (TA). Most studies had an unclear risk of bias and low analytic power, and there was an indication of publication bias among the TL studies. Conclusions TL may not be a useful outcome to assess the efficacy of common MBIs. Effects on TA were smaller than previously assumed and may not be specific for MBIs; TA likely is increased by other active interventions as well. More high-quality and high-powered studies, which also apply open-science practices, are needed to move the field forward.

Since the introduction of transcutaneous-transcricoidal needle approaches, electromyography (EMG) of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle (PCA) became easier to perform and teach. Among the Neurolaryngology working group of the European Laryngological Society, several centers have adopted PCA EMG as part of their routine EMG workup in vocal fold immobility collectively gathering long-term experience. The purpose is to give an update and an extension to already existing guidelines on laryngeal EMG with specific regard to PCA EMG.Consensus of all co-authors is based on continuous exchange of ideas and on joint laryngeal EMG workshop experiences over at least 7 years. A Delphi method of consensus development was used, i.e., the manuscript was circulated among the co-authors until full agreement was achieved.Step-by-step instructions on how to perform and interpret PCA EMG are provided.Further research should include the establishment of normal values for PCA and thyroarytenoid muscle (TA) EMG as well as studies on the nature of some unusual activation pattern commonly seen in chronically lesioned PCA.

Voice diagnostics before and after phonosurgical interventions should aim at detailed planning of surgical techniques and evaluability of postoperative outcome. They should consider multimodal concepts and include measurements of perceptual voice analysis, laryngostroboscopy, voice acoustics, aerodynamics, and self-evaluation by the patients. Selected methods for voice diagnostics should reflect current knowledge and define the departmental procedure.Stimmdiagnostische Untersuchungen vor und nach phonochirurgischen Eingriffen dienen zum einen der detaillierten Planung der chirurgischen Vorgehensweise und zum anderen der Nachvollziehbarkeit des postoperativen Ergebnisses. Die Stimmdiagnostik verfolgt dabei eine vielschichtige Vorgehensweise und umfasst Aspekte aus perzeptiver Stimmklangbeurteilung, Laryngostroboskopie, Stimmakustik, Aerodynamik und der Selbsteinschätzung durch die Patient*innen. Die Auswahl stimmdiagnostischer Methoden sollte sich dabei immer am aktuellen Wissensstand orientieren und das einrichtungsinterne Vorgehen prägen.

The Nemhauser-Trotter theorem states that the standard linear programming (LP) formulation for the stable set problem has a remarkable property, also known as (weak) persistency: for every optimal LP solution that assigns integer values to some variables, there exists an optimal integer solution in which these variables retain the same values. While the standard LP is defined by only non-negativity and edge constraints, a variety of other LP formulations have been studied and one may wonder whether any of them has this property as well. We show that any other formulation that satisfies mild conditions cannot have the persistency property on all graphs, unless it is always equal to the stable set polytope., Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures

Purpose This paper describes a first attempt to quantify LEMG data based on turn number calculation. The results obtained for both healthy and ailing thyroarytenoid (TA) muscles of patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI) were compared with the respective qualitative evaluation concerning volitional activity to determine whether the two types of analyses deliver similar results. Methods LEMG data obtained from 44 adults with UVFI were considered for the study. Semiquantitative evaluation of TA volitional activity and turn number were assessed for the ailing and the healthy TA and the difference in percentage was calculated. Paired data were compared with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The volitional activity assessment and the turn number evaluation were compared with the Kruskal–Wallis test, and their relationship was tested with the Kendall rank correlation. Results Datasets of 27 patients were considered compatible with turns/s calculation. The results showed that complete paralysis correlated with no turns; single fiber volitional activity with 62–208 turns/s, strongly decreased volitional activity with 198–501 turns/s; and dense volitional activity with 441–1234 turns/s. On the ailing VF only, the Kruskal–Wallis test showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0001), and the Kendall rank correlation a positive relationship (r = 0.853,p ≤ 0.0001) between the volitional activity rating and the turn number assessment. Conclusions Our preliminary results showed that turn number evaluation is an effective tool to confirm LEMG qualitative analysis, and that, in combination with laryngostroboscopy and voice assessment, can help improving the accuracy of the diagnosis and prognosis and the effectiveness of the chosen therapy.

Purpose Persistent unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UFVP) with glottal insufficiency often requires type I medialization thyroplasty (MT). Previous implants cannot be adjusted postoperatively if necessary. The newly developed APrevent® VOIS implant (VOIS) can provide postoperative re-adjustment to avoid revision MT. The objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the VOIS intraoperatively concerning voice improvement, surgical feasibility and device handling. Methods During routine MT, VOIS was applied short time in eight patients before the regular implantation of the Titanium Vocal Fold Medialization Implant (TVFMI™). In all patients, perceptual voice sound analysis using R(oughness)–B(reathiness)–H(oarseness)-scale, measurement of M(aximum)–P(honation)–T(ime) and glottal closure in videolaryngoscopy were performed before and after implanting VOIS/TVFMI™. Acoustic analyses of voice recordings were performed using freeware praat. Surgical feasibility, operative handling and device fitting of VOIS and TVFMI™ were assessed by the surgeon using V(isual)-A(nalog)-S(cale). Data were statistically analyzed with paired t test. Result All patients showed significant improvement of voice sound parameters after VOIS/TVFMI™ implantation. The mean RBH-scale improved from preoperative R = 2.1, B = 2.3, H = 2.5 to R = 0.6, B = 0.3, H = 0.8 after VOIS and R = 0.5, B = 0.3, H = 0.8 after TVFMI™ implantation. The mean MPT increased from preoperative 7.9 to 14.6 s after VOIS and 13.8 s after TVFMI™ implantation. VOIS/TVFMI™ achieved complete glottal closure in 7/8 patients. The satisfaction with intraoperative device fitting and device handling of VOIS was as good as that of TVFMI™. Conclusion The novel APrevent® VOIS implant showed similar intraoperative voice improvement compared to routinely used TVFMI™ without adverse device events and with safe device fitting.

Purpose Laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) has been considered as gold standard in diagnostics of vocal fold movement impairment, but is still not commonly implemented in clinical routine. Since the signal interpretation of LEMG signals (LEMGs) is often a subjective and semi-quantitative matter, the goal of this study was to evaluate the inter-rater reliability of neurolaryngologists on LEMGs of volitional muscle activity. Methods For this study, 52 representative LEMGs of 371 LEMG datasets were selected from a multicenter registry for a blinded evaluation by 7 experienced members of the neurolaryngology working group of the European Laryngological Society (ELS). For the measurement of the observer agreement between two raters, Cohen’s Kappa statistic was calculated. For the interpretation of agreements of diagnoses among the seven examiners, we used the Fleiss’ Kappa statistic. Result When focusing on the categories “no activity”, “single fiber pattern”, and “strongly decreased recruitment pattern”, the inter-rater agreement varied from Cohen’s Kappa values between 0.48 and 0.84, indicating moderate to near-perfect agreement between the rater pairs. Calculating with Fleiss’ Kappa, a value of 0.61 showed good agreement among the seven raters. For the rating categories, the Fleiss’ Kappa value ranged from 0.52 to 0.74, which also showed a good agreement. Conclusion A good inter-rater agreement between the participating neurolaryngologists was achieved in the interpretation of LEMGs. More instructional courses should be offered to broadly implement LEMG as a reliable diagnostic tool in evaluating vocal fold movement disorders in clinical routine and to develop future algorithms for therapy and computer-assisted examination.

Menstrual function is strongly affected by nutritional status and energy availability in female athletes, and impaired menstrual function can impact bone mineral density. Nutritional interventions have been proposed to mitigate menstrual dysfunction. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the ability of nutritional interventions, directed at improving energy availability, to restore normal menstrual status in female athletes. PubMed, Cinahl, and SportDiscus databases were comprehensively searched. Included studies had to investigate the impact of increasing energy availability in female athletes through a nutritional intervention. The primary outcome measure of interest was menstrual status. Included studies were reviewed for methodological rigor using the American Academy of Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist. Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the athletes who completed the interventions in the studies, 0–100% resumed normal menses. For those that improved, the mean length of time for return to menses ranged from 2.63 to 15.6 months. The length of the interventions (3–9 months), mean ages of the participants (17–1-22.6 years), and particular dietary intervention(s) (counseling, education, and nutritional supplementation) varied between the studies. Nutritional interventions may restore normal menses in some female athletes. Educational strategies targeted at improved eating and understanding the energy demands of sport, as well as weekly interaction with athletes should be considered.

Purpose In clinical practice, laryngo(strobo)scopy (LS) is still mainly used for diagnostics and management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UFVP), although only laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) can provide information on causes of vocal fold immobility, especially on possible synkinetic reinnervation after recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury. The goal of this retrospective study was the evaluation whether signs of synkinetic reinnervation in LS can be objectified in comparison to LEMG data. Methods Between 1/2015 and 2/2018, 50 patients with laryngostroboscopically suspected UVFP received routine LEMG examination. The LEMG findings were retrospectively compared with LS findings. The LEMG data analysis focused on the diagnosis of synkinetic reinnervation of the TA/LCA and/or PCA. The digital LS recordings were retrospectively re-evaluated by phoniatricians considering 22 selected laryngostroboscopic parameters. Results LEMG revealed synkinesis in 23 (46%) and absence of synkinesis in 27 (54%) patients. None of the 22 parameters showed significant association between patients with synkinetic reinnervation and LS findings. The only laryngostroboscopic parameter that was significantly associated with a silent LEMG signal compared to single fiber activity in LEMG was a length difference on the side of the UVFP (p-value 0.0001; OR 14.5 (95% CI 3.047–66.81; Sensitivity 0.5; Specificity 0.9355). Conclusion Our findings show that synkinesis cannot be diagnosed using only LS. This study underlines the importance of LEMG in clinical routine for detection of laryngeal synkinesis in patients with UVFP before any further therapeutic steps are initiated to avoid later therapy failure.

Winter is an ecologically challenging season for ectothermic cold-water fish in natural streams because of reduced flow and freezing. Hydropower regulation in many northern rivers increase winter stream flow and temperatures, and reduce ice formation and surface ice cover. From a background review of knowledge about e.g. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) winter survival strategies, we explore responses to hydropower impacts as a basis for adaptive management, mitigating strategies, and future research. Winter intensity and duration, hydrologic conditions and channel characteristics drive complex ice processes which become more complex and pervasive in smaller, high-gradient streams. Stream ice formation may be divided into the dynamic period ‘freeze-up’ in early winter with sub-surface ice, more stable ‘mid-winter’ with surface ice, and the ecologically challenging ‘ice break-up’ in winter-spring with potential mechanical ice runs and scouring. The characteristics of periods vary depending on climate and hydropower regulation. In reaches downstream of power-plant outlets water temperature may increase and reduce surface ice formation. The mid-winter period destabilize or become absent. In bypass reaches flows decrease and facilitate freezing and ice production. Knowledge about longitudinal water temperature changes is limited. Hydro-peaked systems may aggravate high-low flow effects. A basic winter survival strategy in salmon and trout is energy storage, but also reduced metabolism, tolerance and starvation effected by quiescence. Energy storage may depend on local conditions, but there is little indication of adaptation to local thermal climates. Intraspecific phenotypic plasticity is important. The main behavioural strategy is risk-reducing sheltering in the substratum or deep areas, and nocturnal activity. Local movements between daytime refuges and nighttime slow-current activity areas are usually limited to meters. Larger fish may move more and aggregate in restricted suitable deep-slow refuge habitats such as pools and deep glides. Fish cope with ordinary thermal ice phenomena, and do not appear to become trapped in ice. Surface ice may reduce fish metabolism, but other factors, e.g. availability of substrate shelter, may override this effect. Mechanical ice break-ups and less surface ice may reduce survival. An adaptive mitigating strategy may be higher regulated flows in winter which increase rearing and/or resting habitat and survival, but studies are few and knowledge is limited. However, higher regulated flows also affect temperature regime. Low flows increase ice formation, reduce and fragment available habitat, and may reduce egg and fish survival. Influx of ground water may mitigate these impacts, as will stabilize minimum flows. Sudden drops in regulated water discharge should be avoided. Fish may strand, in particular at low temperatures in the daytime when fish are less mobile and seek shelter. The challenging winter season is understudied, and important management considerations and future research areas for better adaptive management are suggested.

Participation is usually regarded as a good practice in environmental policymaking, but its effects on policy strategies are unclear. Based on literature research, surveys, and interviews with participants, the present paper assesses whether decisional participation in formulating Austria’s National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) was worth the effort. Assessed against the goals of the participation process, we find that it raised awareness for adaptation and facilitated an exchange among the participants and that it improved the content of the NAS. However, regarding the goal of enhancing the acceptance of and commitment to the NAS, we find that this has been achieved among those who participated but not among high-level policymakers who are responsible for implementing the NAS. We conclude that (decisional) participation has its benefits in formulating comprehensive policy strategies but that it is most likely not able to overhaul their well-documented weaknesses, among them weak political commitment and implementation failures.

This study combines advanced characterization techniques with conventional Charpy impact tests to relate the mechanical properties to the microstructure of technically pure molybdenum, especially regarding its toughness. V-notched samples with different orientations were prepared from a rolled molybdenum plate in stress-relieved and recrystallized condition. The ductile-to-brittle transition-temperature was analyzed in terms of the delamination behavior influenced by the microstructure. A pronounced increase of toughness was found for specific oriented samples, which can be explained by macroscopic delamination. Elongated grains led to enhanced delamination in Charpy impact tests with variations for different orientations. In general, delamination occurs as a result of brittle fracture; however, an increase in toughness in the Charpy impact test can be provoked. This mechanism is called thin sheet toughening or delamination toughening. Electron backscatter diffraction measurements were performed to get a deeper knowledge about crack propagation and delamination behavior in the rolled plate. Recrystallization shifts the transition region to significantly higher temperatures, which is explained by the globular grain shape as well as grain boundary segregation. The occurrence of delamination is discussed, taking texture, grain shape and segregation effects into account.

In the upper aerodigestive tract, biofilm deposits by oropharyngeal microbes can cause failure of medical polymer devices like voice prostheses. Previous studies on testing of inhibitive strategies still lack of comparability due to varying study protocols concerning growth media, microbial species and growth conditions. Goal of the study was therefore to test cultivation of a mixed biofilm of isolated oropharyngeal microbes under in vitro growth conditions using mixtures of common growth media. Mixtures of yeast peptone dextrose medium (YPD), fetal bovine serum (FBS), RPMI 1640, Yeast nitrogen base medium (YNB) and brain heart infusion (BHI) were tested to grow mixed biofilm deposits of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus epidermidis, Rothia dentocariosa and Lactobacillus gasseri on medical grade silicone. Periodic assessment of living biofilm was performed over 22 days by a digital microscope and the cultivated biofilm structures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy after completion of the study. Mixtures of BHI, YPD and FBS improved microscopic growth of multispecies biofilm deposits over time, while addition of RPMI and YNB resulted in reduction of visible biofilm deposit sizes. A mixtures of FBS 30% + YPD 70% and BHI 30% + YPD 70% showed enhanced support of permanent surface growth on silicone. Growth kinetics of in vitro multispecies biofilms can be manipulated by using mixtures of common growth media. Using mixtures of growth media can improve growth of longterm multispecies oropharyngeal biofilm models used for in vitro testing of antibiofilm materials or coatings for voice prostheses.

This study aimed to assess the oral health status and dental care behaviours of patients treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in an Austrian tertiary hospital. Dental care behaviours, oral hygiene level, caries, and periodontal parameters were assessed in 48 patients treated for HNSCC >6 months ago. Only 52 % requested a dental check-up after HNSCC diagnosis and prior to treatment, and of those, 80 % received some type of dental treatment. At time-point of clinical examination, 69 % of the patients had consulted a dentist within the last year, but 88 % still needed dental treatment; 75 % had at least one tooth with caries and 78 % had moderate to severe periodontitis. Although it was recommended, only half of the patients did consult a dentist prior to HNSCC treatment and oral health appeared, in general, low prioritized. About 90 % of the current group of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cancer patients presented large treatment needs, both in regard with caries and periodontal disease, about 20 months after cancer treatment.

Since its introduction in 1999 by Friedrich, the titanium vocal fold medialization implant (TVFMI) is widely used for medialization thyroplasty in glottal closure insufficiency. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term functional outcome after medialization thyroplasty using TVFMI. Between 1999 and 2009 123 patients (mean age 55.3 years, 76 male and 47 female) underwent medialization thyroplasty with the TVFMI (96 left, 27 right). For purpose of long-term follow-up, 33 patients could be examined. Prior to surgery, about 8 weeks and at least 1 year after surgery perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic and videolaryngostroboscopic examinations have been performed. The interval between surgery and long-term follow-up was on average 57 (23-120) months. None of the 123 patients presented early major postoperative complications (e.g. implant dislocation, dyspnoea with need of tracheostomy, wound infection, postoperative bleeding). In three patients the TVFMI had to be removed 2-6 months after surgery due to granulation tissue formation. In one patient a subepithelial localization of the implant could be seen without necessity of removal. Perceptual and acoustic parameters were significantly improved after surgery with long-lasting effect even years after surgery. Airway resistance (R(aw)) showed an increase over time without a relevant negative impact on the peak expiratory flow (PEF). Medialization thyroplasty using TVFMI allows precise and save positioning of the implant with stable perceptual and acoustic improvement. The only postoperative complication was the development of endolaryngeal granulation tissue resulting in removal of the implant.

Currently, the main production route of molybdenum parts is via thermomechanical processing of sintered starting material. This is often carried out in the upper warm-deformation temperature range ( 0.5*TM [K]) and annealing of molybdenum.

In the current investigation, sintered molybdenum specimens with random textures were deformed in compression in a deformation dilatometer over a range of temperatures from 0.44T M [K] to 0.61T M [K] and true strains between φ = 0.3 and 0.92. Subsequent annealing treatments were carried out in the dilatometer in order to study static recrystallization phenomena. Electron backscatter diffraction scans of deformed and recrystallized specimens revealed that the microstructure after hot deformation is a recovered structure with two remarkably strong orientation components, 〈111〉 parallel to the loading direction exhibiting a high Taylor factor and 〈100〉 parallel to the loading direction with a low one. The fraction of the first component increases with lowering the deformation temperature, while static recrystallization leads to a higher fraction of the second component. The late-stage recrystallization behavior is sluggish due to a high amount of recovery. The results are discussed employing models for textural evolution in body-centered cubic (bcc) metals on the one hand and recrystallization of high-stacking-fault energy materials on the other.

Stimmstorungen im Kindesalter treten verhaltnismasig haufig auf. Intensive Aufklarung von Familie, Erziehern und Arzten uber Ursachen und Behandlungsmoglichkeiten kindlicher Stimmstorungen haben zu einer Sensibilisierung gegenuber dem Thema kindlicher Heiserkeit und zu einer besseren Fruherkennung von Stimmerkrankungen im Kindesalter gefuhrt. Kindliche Heiserkeit wird haufig durch Phonationsverdickungen infolge funktioneller Dysphonien verursacht. Weitere Ursachen konnen angeborene Kehlkopfdysplasien, Stimmlippenzysten und Larynxpapillomatosen sein. Im Fall kindlicher Heiserkeit ist eine facharztliche Abklarung notwendig, um entsprechende Therapieschritte einleiten zu konnen. Bei Stimmlippenzysten und Larynxpapillomatosen sind phonochirurgische Interventionen indiziert. Phonationsverdickungen sollten zunachst konservativ logopadisch und bei Therapieresistenz auch phonochirurgisch behandelt werden, da sie nicht selten die Stimmqualitat bis ins Erwachsenenalter beeintrachtigen konnen.

Understory fire modeling is a key tool to investigate the cornerstone concept of landscape ecology, i.e. how ecological processes relate to landscape structure and dynamics. Within this context, we developed FISC—a model that simulates fire ignition and spread and its effects on the forest carbon balance. FISC is dynamically coupled to a land-use change model to simulate fire regimes on the Amazonian landscapes of the Xingu Headwaters under deforestation, climate change, and land-use management scenarios. FISC incorporates a stochastic cellular automata approach to simulate fire spread across agricultural and forested lands. CARLUC, nested in FISC, simulates fuel dynamics, forest regrowth, and carbon emissions. Simulations of fire regimes under modeled scenarios revealed that the major current and future driver of understory fires is forest fragmentation rather than climate change. Fire intensity proved closely related to the landscape structure of the remaining forest. While climate change may increase the percentage of forest burned outside protected areas by 30% over the next four decades, deforestation alone may double it. Nevertheless, a scenario of forest recovery and better land-use management would abate fire intensity by 18% even in the face of climate change. Over this time period, the total carbon balance of the Xingu’s forests varies from an average net sink of 1.6 ton ha−1 year−1 in the absence of climate change, fire and deforestation to a source of −0.1 ton ha−1 year−1 in a scenario that incorporates these three processes.

The goal of this study was to estimate the incidence of temporary and permanent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (URLNP) after esophagectomies with cervical anastomosis and to determine the impact of surgical technique, tumor type, tumor localization and age on the incidence of URLNP. From March 2002 to November 2009, 84 patients underwent a laryngoscopical evaluation before and after esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis prospectively. If the postoperative URLNP recovered within 6 months, the paresis was classified as transient; if not, it was defined as permanent. The results indicate that the overall incidence of postoperative URLNP was 50% (42/84). Twenty-four of the 84 patients (28.6%) showed a transient URLNP. A permanent URLNP was observed in 9 of the 84 patients (10.7%). The remaining 9 of the 84 patients (10.7%) were categorized as paresis with unknown clinical outcome due to missing follow-up. There were significantly more postoperative URLNPs in the group operated by transthoracic esophagectomy than by transhiatal esophagectomy (p

Climate Dynamics, 38 (3-4), ISSN:0930-7575, ISSN:1432-0894

Zu den ursprunglichen Hochtemperaturanwendungen von technisch reinem Molybdan sind in den letzten Jahrzehnten zunehmend Anwendungen bei Raumtemperatur hinzugekommen, bei denen Molybdan als Hochleistungswerkstoff zum Einsatz kommt. Ein wichtiges Beispiel sind Sputtertargets, die fur die Herstellung von TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display)-Flachbildschirmen benotigt werden. Aufgrund der Forderung nach immer groseren zu beschichtenden Glassubstraten haben sich neue Herausforderungen an die Produktion ergeben. Diese signifikanten Formatvergroserungen sowie die vom Markt geforderten immer hoheren Werkstoffreinheiten waren die Ursache, das Erholungs- und Rekristallisationsverhalten von Molybdan erneut zu untersuchen, zumal die in der Literatur auffindbaren Rekristallisationsdiagramme von Molybdan aus den 1960er Jahren stammen. Auserdem kann heute mittels ECCI (Electron Channelling Contrast Imaging) am Rasterelektronenmikroskop genauer zwischen rekristallisierten, erholten oder verformten Kornern unterschieden werden. Interessant ist dabei vor allem die Beurteilung der Substruktur in den Kornern, weil das kubisch-raumzentrierte Molybdan aufgrund seiner hohen Stapelfehlerenergie stark zu Erholungsvorgangen neigt. Diese Arbeit beschreibt die Erstellung eines Rekristallisationsdiagramms fur die heutige Qualitat von technisch reinem Molybdan und diskutiert es im Vergleich zu einem Rekristallisationsdiagramm von Pink aus dem Jahr 1965.

In insular Newfoundland, Canada, studies were conducted from 1999 to 2003 on the effects of ‘simulated’ hydropeaking power generation on juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). In 1999, Atlantic salmon parr were released into an experimental reach below a hydroelectric facility and flow was manipulated over a range of discharge (1.0–4.2 m3 s−1) during a series of ‘experiments’ simulating hydropeaking in both summer and fall. Fish were implanted with radio transmitters, manually tracked, precisely located (±1 m), habitat selection evaluated, and movement response determined. Experiments were continued in 2002 and 2003 to contrast response of salmon between summer and winter, the magnitude of flow changes were greater (0.7–5.2 m3 s−1) and changes were made more rapidly (instantly). As discharge was increased, velocity and depth use by parr increased, and fish adapted behaviourally by increased contact with the substrate. Salmon parr also exhibited two distinct movement patterns in the summer and fall of 1999 studies; high site fidelity or considerable movement during trials. Salmon were more mobile during both static and dynamic flow conditions and throughout the diel cycle in the summer of 2002 experiment, and 2 fish were stranded and died, the only time this happened in the four series of experiments. Within each experiment generally there were no differences between movements at static high and low flows for day and night movements, with one exception, and night time movements were always greatest, again with one exception. During dynamic flow changes, within each experiment, distances moved during down ramping and up ramping were not significantly different except in the summer of 1999. Overall, comparing between experiments for up and down ramping events, distances moved in the summer of 2002 were statistically higher than for all other experiments. Not surprisingly, the home ranges of fish in the summer of 2002 were also the greatest while the smallest home ranges were in the winter of 2003. Results suggest hydropeaking regimes may be energetically costly potentially affecting over-winter survival which is related to energy reserves obtained during summer. Collectively these studies provide comprehensive information on the response of juvenile Atlantic salmon parr to hydropeaking, on both diel and seasonal scales, and will assist hydro producers and regulators design and operate hydropeaking regimes to minimize ecological impact.

In many rivers, natural variations in water discharge are affected by flow regulation related to hydropower production. Due to increased energy demand, there has been increased development of mini hydropower stations on small, steep rivers. As the majority of previous research has focused on experimental streams or larger river systems, knowledge on the effects of hydro regulation on small rivers, in particular during winter, are scarce. In order to increase our understanding on the winter ecology of Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar L.), we studied parr distribution and mobility in a small (average wetted width: 10.7 m), steep (average riverbed gradient: 1.3%) and unregulated river throughout winter. We tagged 145 parr using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) technology. During autumn, freeze-up, mid winter and late winter, parr were tracked using manual tracking devices. Each time an individual was found, its position was geo-referenced. Water discharge and water temperature were recorded continuously throughout the study period. Forty-eight parr were observed at least once during all four tracking surveys. Of these, only thirty-one were observed more than once during every survey. Our results indicate that (1) in comparison to autumn, parr moved closer to the shoreline during winter; (2) parr performed longer movements during autumn and freeze-up than during mid winter and late winter; and (3) within the range of naturally occurring fluctuations, no differences in the mobility pattern of parr was observed in relation to water discharge. However, parr moved less at low water temperatures. Further, we discuss the results on distribution and mobility of parr during winter in perspective to the potential effects of hydro regulation.

A telemetry study in a Norwegian regulated river was conducted through a 12-day period in mid-winter 2003. The objective was to study activity (defined as number of movement per hour) and movement (defined as distance moved per hour) during different ice formation events. Twenty-four Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr were radio tagged and continuously monitored by both manually tracking (N = 24) and by fixed recording stations (N = 15). Detailed data on climate, flow and ice formation and its spatial distribution were collected and used in the analyses. Fish activity was not found to be affected by their size (L F). There was a significant difference in activity between diel periods with highest activity during dusk (5–6 p.m.). Between high and low flow (mean ± SD, 21.1 m3 s−1 ± 1.7 SD and 11.1 m3 s−1 ± 1.7 SD, respectively) no significant difference in activity was found. During the experiment extensive anchor ice growth occurred mainly in the riffle part with thickness up to 50 cm. Juveniles tend to avoid riffle section during anchor ice formation and exploited ice covered areas, indicating critical and preferable habitats respectively. Further, a significant difference in movement was found between five selected ice events with highest mean movement during an anchor ice event and lowest mean movement during an ice break up with no anchor ice formation. No significant difference in activity or movement between parr exposed to frazil ice and parr not exposed were found.

Neurosarcoidosis is an uncommon disorder and requires a careful clinical evaluation to reach a diagnosis. Generally, patients with peripheral symptoms, which include paresthesias, muscle weakness, and stocking glove deficits, have a better outcome compared with those with central nervous system involvement. Patients with mass lesions or hydrocephalus tend to have more relapses and are often more resistant to routine therapy. Neurosarcoidosis often responds to glucocorticoids, usually within days or weeks of initiating therapy. Patients are usually maintained on 40 to 80 mg per day for 4 to 6 weeks, which is then tapered slowly. Alternative treatments for refractory neurosarcoidosis, or to reduce or eliminate steroids, include methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, cyclosporine, infliximab, chlorambucil, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine.

Weekly urinalysis was conducted for 12 weeks on a group of 21 long-term catheter users with confirmed catheter encrustation and urinary tract colonization with urease-positive bacteria, in order to explore the cause of considerable variation in the severity of encrustation between sufferers. The rapidity of catheter blockage correlated significantly with the pH above which crystals precipitated from urine (the nucleation pH) but not the pH of the voided urine itself. Linear regression showed the nucleation pH to be significantly predicted by a combination of urinary calcium and magnesium concentrations, with calcium being the more influential variable. Reducing the rate of catheter encrustation could be achieved by lowering the urinary concentration of calcium and magnesium, which may only require catheter users to increase their fluid intake.