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Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating (SHD) was applied to ~180 medium- to large-scale solifluction features on the northern edge of Juyflye, Jotunheimen (southern Norway) using an electronic Schmidt-hammer (RockSchmidt) and an improved local SHD age-calibration equation. Age estimates from four different types of solifluction landforms were analysed and compared with those from recalibrated estimates from patterned ground previously investigated on Juvflye. Average SHD-age estimates are c. 9.8 and 9.3 ka for the two dominant morphological types of solifluction features ('type A' boulder tongues and 'type B' stone-banked solifluction lobes) and c. 8.6 ka for sorted stripes and circles. Our results indicate that active formation of all investigated types of solifluction features, sorted stripes, and sorted circles ceased in the Early Holocene, prior to the onset of the regional Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) at c. 7.7 ka. Formation of all of these periglacial landforms appears to have commenced shortly after local deglaciation (c. 11.4 ka) in water-saturated till. Alternative origins are rejected, including the possibility of development before the last glaciation, survival beneath cold-based glaciers, and exhumation in the Early Holocene. Cessation of activity is attributed to changing ground conditions affecting active layer processes, particularly reduced soil moisture and pore water pressure. Temporal variations of the altitudinal permafrost limits had little or no impact on the timing of either the Early Holocene climax in activity or subsequent stabilisation. Caution is therefore urged in the utilisation of large-scale solifluction and patterned ground landforms as palaeoclimatic indicators. • Successful application of SHD and improved local age-calibration equation • Climax in periglacial activity during Early Holocene • Stabilisation of solifluction and patterned ground prior to HTM • No relationship between stabilisation and altitudinal permafrost limit • Active layer conditions crucial not presence of underlying permafrost [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock‐slope failures (RSFs) constitute significant natural hazards, but the geophysical processes that control their timing are poorly understood. However, robust chronologies can provide valuable information on the environmental controls on RSF occurrence: information that can inform models of RSF activity in response to climatic forcing. This study uses Schmidt‐hammer exposure‐age dating (SHD) of boulder deposits to construct a detailed regional Holocene chronology of the frequency and magnitude of small rock‐slope failures (SRSFs) in Jotunheimen, Norway. By focusing on the depositional fans of SRSFs (≤103 m3), rather than on the corresponding features of massive RSFs (~108 m3), 92 single‐event RSFs are targeted for chronology building. A weighted SHD age–frequency distribution and probability density function analysis indicated four centennial‐ to millennial‐scale periods of enhanced SRSF frequency, with a dominant mode at ~4.5 ka. Using change detection and discreet Meyer wavelet analysis, in combination with existing permafrost depth models, we propose that enhanced SRSF activity was primarily controlled by permafrost degradation. Long‐term relative change in permafrost depth provides a compelling explanation for the high‐magnitude departures from the SRSF background rate and accounts for: (i) the timing of peak SRSF frequency; (ii) the significant lag (~2.2 ka) between the Holocene Thermal Maximum and the SRSF frequency peak; and (iii) the marked decline in frequency in the late‐Holocene. This interpretation is supported by geomorphological evidence, as the spatial distribution of SRSFs is strongly correlated with the aspect‐dependent lower altitudinal limit of mountain permafrost in cliff faces. Results are indicative of a causal relationship between episodes of relatively warm climate, permafrost degradation and the transition to a seasonal‐freezing climatic regime. This study highlights permafrost degradation as a conditioning factor for cliff collapse, and hence the importance of paraperiglacial processes; a result with implications for slope instability in glacial and periglacial environments under global warming scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a human case of ocular Dirofilaria infection in a traveler returning to Austria from India. Analysis of mitochondrial sequences identified the worm as Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis, a close relative of Dirofilaria repens, which was only recently described in Hong Kong and proposed as a new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boulder-dominated landforms of periglacial, paraglacial and related origin constitute a valuable, but often unexplored source of palaeoclimatic and morphodynamic information. The timing of landform development initiation and its subsequent stabilization can be linked to past climatic conditions offering the potential to reconstruct cold climatic periods. In this study, Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating (SHD) was applied to a variety of boulder-dominated landforms (sorted stripes, blockfield, rock-slope failure, paraglacial alluvial fan) in Rondane, eastern South Norway for the first time. On the basis of old and young control points a regional SHD calibration curve was established and successively utilized for the calculation of surface exposure ages for individual landforms. The chronological investigation of development and stabilization of the respective landforms permitted an assessment of Holocene climate variability in Rondane and its impact on overall landform evolution. Our obtained SHD age estimates ranged from 11.44 ± 1.22 ka (ST-D2) to 4.09 ± 1.51 ka (AF1) showing their inactive and relict character. Most surface exposure ages for sorted stripes clustered between 9.88 ± 1.35 ka and 9.25 ± 1.21 ka, hence indicating stabilization during the late stage of the Erdalen Event or shortly thereafter. It is inferred that the blockfield formed prior to the Last Glacial Maximum, was protected by cold-based ice throughout glaciation and shortly reactivated during the Erdalen Event only to subsequently becoming inactive. The surface exposure age of a rock-slope failure (7.58 ± 0.73 ka) falls into the early phase of the Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM, ~8.0–5.0 ka). This indicates permafrost degradation and/or increasing hydrological pressure negatively influencing slope stability. The paraglacial alluvial fan with its four subsites yielded ages between 8.73 ± 1.63 ka and 4.09 ± 1.51 ka. The old exposure ages point to fan aggradation following regional deglaciation due to paraglacial processes, whereas the younger ages can be explained by increasing precipitation during the onset neoglaciation at ~4.0 ka. Our results underline the importance of meltwater for the activation of periglacial landforms in a continental climate and indicate that the Erdalen Event and immediately following onset of the HTM had major impact on landscape evolution in Rondane. Our obtained surface exposure ages from boulder-dominated landforms in Rondane give important insights into the local palaeoclimatic variability during the Holocene. • Successful application of Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating • First surface exposure ages of peri- and paraglacial landforms from Rondane • Stabilization of landforms during a late stage of the Erdalen Event • Lack of moisture due to continentality was compensated by meltwater supply. • Paraglacial alluvial fan development steered by debris flows throughout the Holocene [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matthews, J. A. & Winkler, S. 2010: Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating (SHD): application to early Holocene moraines and a reappraisal of the reliability of terrestrial cosmogenic-nuclide dating (TCND) at Austanbotnbreen, Jotunheimen, Norway. Boreas, 10.1111/j.1502-3885.2010.00178.x. ISSN 0300-9483. Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating (SHD) and terrestrial cosmogenic-nuclide dating (TCND) are complementary techniques that can be used for mutual testing. SHD is low-cost but requires local control points of known age and may be affected by local geological variation and other environmental factors that influence weathering rates. TCND is vulnerable to the occurrence of anomalous boulders, other geomorphological uncertainties and the effects of snow-shielding at high altitudes. Both techniques are sensitive to post-depositional disturbances if other than solid bedrock is sampled. SHD was applied to two moraine ridges beyond the Little Ice Age limit of Austanbotnbreen in the Hurrungane massif, southern Norway. Independent regional and experimental local age-calibration curves were used to reappraise previous TCND results. Neither the two boulder surfaces nor their proximal bedrock surfaces could be differentiated statistically in terms of SHD exposure ages or their mean R-values (±95% confidence intervals), which ranged from 40.73±1.72 to 43.34±0.69. The best of the independent regional-calibration curves produced SHD exposure ages of 9413±723 and 9304±602 years, which are consistent with moraine formation early ( c. 10.2 ka) and late ( c. 9.7 ka) within the late-Preboreal Erdalen Event. The current precision of SHD, as reflected in 95% confidence intervals of ±500-900 years, enables rejection of a Finse Event ( c. 8.2 ka) age for either moraine. Results are consistent with a retracted Austanbotnbreen between the Erdalen Event and the Little Ice Age, and a modified model of Neoglaciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The formation of terminal moraines dating from glacier advances during the A.D. 1990s was investigated at six temperate glaciers in the Jostedalsbreen and Jotunheimen regions of southern Norway. Morphological and sedimentological information was analysed and combined with detailed observations, photographic evidence, and length variation measurements. Bulldozing (pushing) of proglacial sediments was the predominant process at the low-lying glacier termini of the debris-free outlets of the Jostedalsbreen ice cap. Evidence for bulldozing includes the relocation and rotation of boulders and the presence of lichen-covered boulders in the distal slopes of moraines. Differences in moraine sedimentology between the individual sites are attributed to variations in the pre-existing material pushed up, rather than to specific processes. In Jotunheimen, several modes of moraine-ridge formation were active: dumping of supraglacial debris and the marginal freezing-on and subsequent melting-out of subglacial sediment slabs were more important than bulldozing at some sites and in some years. Low air temperatures in winter at the higher altitude glacier termini enabled freezing-on to occur. However, the forelands are below the lower limit of discontinuous permafrost and evidence of thrusting is absent. Whereas discrete terminal moraine ridges at Jostedalsbreen are related to (seasonal) advances, the less dynamic glaciers of Jotunheimen allow the accretion of successive ridges during consecutive years. No single regional mode of moraine formation is characteristic for southern Norway: several processes are involved depending on individual glacier morphology and dynamics, the glaciological regime, and environmental conditions (especially climate) on the glacier forelands. The importance of specific processes varies within and between glacier forelands. Thus, spatial and temporal variation and local individuality has to be taken into account in the interpretation of moraine-ridge formation. Similar variability is likely to have been characteristic of terminal moraines deposited during the “Little Ice Age” and earlier in the Quaternary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reviews the evolution of video quality measurement techniques and their current state of the art. We start with subjective experiments and then discuss the various types of objective metrics and their uses. We also introduce V-Factor, a "hybrid" metric using both transport- and bitstream information. Finally, we summarize the main standardization activities, such as the work of the Video Quality Experts Group (VQEG), and we take a look at emerging trends in quality measurement, including image preference, visual attention, and audiovisual quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An understanding of T cell responses that are crucial for control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) has major implications for the development of immune-based interventions. We studied the frequency of purified protein derivative (PPD)-specific CD3+ cells expressing interleukin-2 (IL)-2, gamma interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-10 in HIV-negative pulmonary tuberculosis patients (TB, n =30) as well as in healthy individuals (controls, n =21) from Central Africa. Increased frequencies of PPD-stimulated CD3+ cells expressing IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in TB were seen when compared with frequencies of controls. The presence of type 1 cytokine biased responses in TB patients was supported by a shift in the distribution pattern of cytokine expression from exclusively IL-2 or TNF-α expression seen in controls towards an increased frequency of IFN-γ/IL-2 or IFN-γ/TNF-α co-expression in TB. Higher levels of PPD-induced IFN-γ in the supernatants from TB patients than from controls were found, which correlated with its intracellular expression. PPD was a weak inducer of IL-10 in T cells and insufficient in promoting cytokine production in TCRγδ+CD3+ cells. Non-specific stimulation with PMA and ionomycin revealed increased frequencies of CD4+ cells expressing IFN-γ in controls, while expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and TNF-α was not different. Non-specific cytokine responses of TCRγδ+CD3+ cells were similar in all groups. Pulmonary TB in Central Africa is associated with enhanced expression and secretion of specifically induced cytokines that are frequently implicated in host defense against MTB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents a perceptual model for hiding a spread-spectrum watermark of variable amplitude and density in an image. Significance and uses of digital watermarking; Information on masking as a method of hiding watermarks in an image; Schemes on how to put a watermark in an image.

ABSTRACT. Owing to increased winter balances especially since AD 1988/89, almost all valley outlet glaciers of Jostedalsbreen in western Norway are experiencing the largest advance since that of the early 18th century, the regional "Little Ice Age" maximum. Brigsdalsbreen advanced 441 m between 1987 and 1997. By the end of this period, the glacier had reached the outlet of the proglacial lake Brigsdalsvatnet, ploughing into unfrozen, fine-grained, water-soaked glaciolimnic sediments from the lake bottom and forming frontal moraines. These moraines are characterised by a lack of internal structures and preferred fabric. Owing to the strong advance, the moraine morphology is constantly changing, leaving only temporary moraine ridges. Observations made along the glacier front suggest that the formation of these moraines can best be described as "bulldozed moraines", since the term push moraine, commonly associated with advancing glaciers, should be restricted to permafrost environments. Different processes involved in moraine formation at frontal and lateral glacier margins result from variations in proglacial sediment properties, microrelief and glacier dynamics. Among these processes, large boulders left in the proglacial areas are pushed forward, forming pressure ridges on the distal side. Some of the largest boulders (c. 80-120 m[sup 3]) are overturned or rotated by the glacier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements with an electronic Schmidt-hammer (RockSchmidt) were conducted on 23 sites of sorted stripes (periglacial patterned ground) on Juvflye, Jotunheimen (central South Norway). All were located above the current lower limit of alpine permafrost. Performing Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating (SHD) based on application of a new local age-calibration equation for R Rock -values yielded SHD-ages between 7975 ± 370 and 6660 ± 355 years ago, which are closely comparable to results obtained previously from sorted circles at the same location. The age estimates are interpreted as 'composite' ages indicative of upfreezing of boulders, lateral sorting, and subsequent stabilisation. Formation of patterned ground essentially ceased with the onset of the regional Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM). Neither sorted stripe sites at higher altitude, continuously underlain by permafrost during the entire Holocene, nor those at lower altitudes affected by re-aggradation of permafrost in the late Holocene show signs of significant recent morphodynamic activity. Likely explanations for early- to mid-Holocene stabilisation include (1) substantial changes of soil moisture conditions and related thermodynamics within the active layer affecting frost action, (2) loss of fine-grained substrate matrix from the coarse stripes and hence reduced frost susceptibility, and (3) exhaustion of supply of boulders from the fines-dominated areas. Whereas the sorted stripe data set as a whole did not reproduce the altitudinal gradient characteristic of sorted circles on Juvflye, the strength of the relationship between sorted stripe mean R Rock -values and altitude increased with declining slope gradient. Although interpretation of SHD-ages for patterned ground remains challenging, this successful application of the electronic Schmidt-hammer, with its increased efficiency and technical improvements over the mechanical Schmidt-hammer, offers considerable potential for future SHD-studies in both morphodynamic and palaeoclimatic contexts. • Successful application of the electronic Schmidt-hammer (RockSchmidt) for SHD • Stabilisation of sorted stripes around onset of regional Holocene Thermal Maximum • Good correspondence of ages for sorted stripes with previously studied sorted circles • Indication of relationship between sorted stripe age and altitude on low angle slopes • No substantial late Holocene morphodynamic activity despite underlying permafrost [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface exposure–age dating was applied to rock surfaces associated with ice‐marginal moraines at elevations of ~1520–1780 m a.s.l. on the slopes of Galdhøpiggen and Glittertinden, the two highest mountains in Scandinavia located in the Jotunheimen mountains of central southern Norway. This is important for understanding the pattern and timing of wastage of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet at the Younger Dryas–Holocene transition. Cosmogenic exposure dating (here 10Be dating) of boulders from the moraine ridges yielded overall mean ages (corrected for glacio‐isostatic uplift, surface erosion and snow shielding) of ~11.6 ka from Galdhøpiggen and ~11.2 ka from Glittertinden. Similar 10Be ages were also obtained from additionally collected proximal and distal erratic boulders and bedrock samples. These enabled age calibration of Schmidt‐hammer R‐values and independent Schmidt‐hammer exposure‐age dating (SHD) of the moraine ridges, which yielded comparable mean SHD ages of ~10.8 and ~10.6 ka from the Galdhøpiggen and Glittertinden sites, respectively. Taking account of the age resolution and other limitations of both dating techniques, the results suggest that the two sets of moraines have approximately the same age but that neither technique can distinguish unambiguously between moraine formation in the late Younger Dryas or Early Holocene. Together with features of moraine‐ridge morphology and estimates of equilibrium‐line altitude depression of ~360–575 m (corrected for land uplift), the results imply moraine formation during short‐lived re‐advances of active glaciers, at least the lower reaches of which were warm‐based. It is concluded that the local glaciers remained active and advanced during deglaciation either very late in the Younger Dryas or very early in the Holocene, possibly in response to the Preboreal Oscillation at ~11.4 ka. The study supports the concept of a thin Younger Dryas ice sheet and places time constraints on the timing of final deglaciation in southern Norway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-altitudinal plateaus of Jotunheimen in central South Norway, the mountain region home of Norway's highest summits, create a unique and diverse natural environment. The specific gross morphology of Jotunheimen facilitates the occurrence of a variety of periglacial landforms ranging considerably in both dimension and age. The regional distribution of permafrost is one of the major controlling factors for the altitudinal distribution of these periglacial landforms. The largest individual features of patterned ground, undisputed the regionally most dominant periglacial landforms, are situated on terrain currently underlain by permafrost. They visually appear to be quite relict, despite the occurrence of permafrost, and the exact timing of their formation remains unknown. This example points to additional factors significantly influencing the periglacial landform assemblage, like topography, ground moisture availability, and the local deglaciation history. The lack of a regional overview regarding periglacial landforms in Jotunheimen exacerbates the need for a profound investigation of their altitudinal zonation and potential causal links to climate, permafrost, (de-)glaciation, and other factors.The compilation of a regional overview based on aerial imagery and a literature review aims, therefore, to reveal further insight into the controlling factors for and mechanisms of periglacial landform development in Jotunheimen. This shall be achieved by creating an altitudinal zonation for periglacial features and highlighting causal links between their spatial/altitudinal distribution and possible influencing factors. In an outlook to future studies this attempt may also provide more detailed information on the regional basal properties of the former Scandinavian ice sheet, the regional/local deglaciation patterns for the Jotunheimen region, and about the exact chronology of formation of the periglacial landforms studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feedbacks between geomorphic and vegetation dynamics create spatial patterns of vegetation, soils and landforms in biogeomorphic ecosystems and determine their structure and functioning. In glacier forelands, it was shown that these biogeomorphic feedbacks link paraglacial adjustment and vegetation succession and control landscape development and stability over space and time (Eichel et al. 2016, 2018). However, the role of biogeomorphic feedbacks also depends on the environmental setting of the biogeomorphic ecosystem, e.g. on its geomorphic disturbance regime and the occurrence of ecosystem engineer species. In glacier forelands, previous research has primarily focussed on the European Alps and different environmental settings have not been comprehensively investigated yet. Here, we explore the coupling between paraglacial adjustment and vegetation succession in the Southern Alps, New Zealand. In comparison to previously investigated glacier forelands in the European Alps, the selected foreland of Mueller Glacier is characterized by an extraordinarily high geomorphic activity due to high amounts of precipitation (~4000 mm yr-1) and frequent storm events, a mostly continuous glacier wastage since the Little Ice Age maximum (1730/1735) and a mostly endemic flora. Our objectives are to (i) analyse linkages between paraglacial adjustment and vegetation succession in space and time, (ii) identify potential ecosystem engineer species, and (iii) determine the extent of biogeomorphic feedbacks and their role for landscape development and stability. To assess biogeomorphic feedbacks in space and time, we conducted a vegetation and environmental plot survey (55 plots) and created geomorphic and vegetation maps from field mapping, a UAV survey and deep learning algorithms (convolutional neural networks). Finally, we linked geomorphic and ecologic properties to the glacial chronology (Winkler, 2018). Analyses of plot data, geomorphic and vegetation maps show that (i) paraglacial adjustment and vegetation succession are mostly independent from terrain age but depend on material properties and are interlinked in a biogeomorphic succession. (ii) Once geomorphic activity decreases, stable patches are created by the prostate/low growing shrub species Muehlenbeckia axillaris and Coriaria spp., which are therefore potential ecosystem engineer species that promote slope stabilization and facilitate further vegetation succession. (iii) Biogeomorphic feedbacks mostly occur on a local (patch) scale, large areas of the foreland are either dominated by unvegetated highly active slopes or dense late-successional vegetation. Yet, our results indicate that vegetation colonization and ecosystem engineering are important controls for landscape stabilization, which can take substantially longer than in the European Alps. In conclusion, our study shows that similar biogeomorphic feedbacks link paraglacial adjustment and vegetation succession in the European and the Southern Alps, but feedback strength and extent depend on environmental setting.ReferencesEichel J, Corenblit D, Dikau R (2016) Conditions for feedbacks between geomorphic and vegetation dynamics on lateral moraine slopes: a biogeomorphic feedback window. Earth Surf Process Landforms 41:406–419. doi:10.1002/esp.3859Eichel J, Draebing D, Meyer N (2018) From active to stable: paraglacial transition of Alpine lateral moraine slopes. Land Degradation & Development 29:4158–4172. doi:10.1002/ldr.3140Winkler S (2018) Investigating Holocene mountain glaciations: a plea for the supremacy of glacial geomorphology when reconstructing glacier chronologies. Erdkunde 72:215–234. doi:10.3112/erdkunde.2018.03.04 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on mountain glaciations has a long history and in the light of current global change, they are increasingly recognised as highly important palaeoclimatic archives for the immediate and more distant geological past. One of the most important leaps forward with the investigation of mountain glaciations during the past 2 decades was substantial improvement achieved within the field of numerical age dating techniques, in particular progress of surface exposure dating using cosmogenic radionuclides (CRN). This development has definitely given the entire research field new momentum. Unfortunately, this methodological progress is in many cases not matched by the recommended necessary level of precautions regarding the interpretative steps with the reconstruction of Holocene glacier chronologies. Improved precision and accuracy with numerical dating techniques comes often with an increasing lack of attention with the geomorphological analysis of the dated landforms. With recent studies it has subsequently become more popular to outline moraines primarily based on individual CRN boulder age clusters without detailed geomorphological mapping or examination. Such an attempt has also been conducted on Holocene glacier forelands in Aoraki/Mt.Cook National Park where a substantial number of CRN boulders ages have been employed to identify and label numerous "moraines". Subsequently, arithmetic means of CRN ages for these apparent "moraines" were linked to individual glacier advances and palaeoclimatically interpreted accordingly. A sound geomorphological analysis of the studied glacier foreland does, however, reveal that this procedure is actually erroneous. Among the problems identified are (a) inclusion of hugely overprinted moraine remnants that lack proper characterisation, (b) wrong subdivision of moraine segments belonging to one defined individual moraines, and (c) mismatching of apparent CRN ages for moraine segments that morphologically need to correspond for any meaningful reconstruction of former marginal positions. A revision of this particular glacier chronology provides major implications for any subsequent palaeoclimatic interpretation as the number of reliably documented neoglacial events decrease from 9 to 5.The value of geomorphological analysis in the context of investigating mountain glaciations is, however, not primarily restricted to chronological approaches. It may also provide assistance with the conceptual context for mechanisms of deglaciation patterns or long-term landscape evolution. In the upper Waimakariri River catchment following a Late Glacial readvance dated to c. 17.5 ka ago, a lake dammed by the related moraine system and debris-covered dead ice should have existed for many centuries before it subsequently drained. That lake would naturally have influenced both the immediate deglaciation mechanism and landform evolution post-LGM. Despite introduced during the 1950s, the concept of this particular palaeo-lake has never been exposed to any detailed geomorphological analysis yet. Whereas the existence of a post-LGM palaeo-lake itself remains out of question, the proposed link to glacier retreat following a Late Glacial re-advance is unrealistic in light of a logical time sequence for individual elements of the local landform assemblage. The lake needs to be younger and postdate Deglaciation in this section of the Waimakariri River.Summarising, detailed geomorphological analysis is indispensable with any attempt to investigate mountain glaciations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth and decay of Quaternary glaciers and ice sheets had fundamental implications for environmental changes worldwide. The chronology of the last deglaciation following the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 26.5-20 ka) and its ice marginal positions in Norway are generally perceived as being well constrained. The detailed vertical extent in Norway remains, however, still uncertain over large areas. The knowledge of the vertical dimension of the LGM ice sheet can provide crucial information on palaeo-environmental factors like sea-level changes, atmospheric and oceanic circulation, (de-)glaciation patterns, which are important variables for climate modelling. The interpretation of differently weathered bedrock in mountain areas affected by Quaternary glaciation can be crucial for determining ice-sheet behaviour and thickness. Based on 10Be terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide dating and Schmidt-hammer exposure age-dating (SHD) performed in eastern and western South Norway, we provide new insights in (de)glaciation patterns, landform evolution and estimate ice thickness during and following the LGM. We present the first numerical dates from the western study area showing that deglaciation started ~4 ka earlier and ice sheet downwasting lasted longer than assumed. SHD ages obtained from periglacial and related landforms (e.g. rock-slope failures, pronival ramparts) in this area point to their stabilization during the Holocene Thermal Maximum (~8-5 ka). The rock-slope failures investigated did not occur shortly after local deglaciation, it appears that they cluster around warm periods due to climate-driven factors, like decreasing permafrost depth or increasing cleft-water pressure. Exposed bedrock at the summit in the eastern study area yields a 10Be exposure age predating the Late Weichselian Maximum of 43.7 ± 1.9 ka, possibly indicating ice free areas during the LGM. Instead of the inferred ice coverage at ~15 ka, our SHD ages from blockfields suggest ice-free and severe periglacial conditions occurred earlier. Landforms above 1450 m a.s.l. (e.g. sorted stone polygons, blockstreams) do not show any form of reactivation during cold periods within the Late Glacial or the Holocene. Our results have wider implications on the glaciation history of the area. The results point to a more complex ice sheet behaviour than previously expected. Therefore, we suggest a more complex and topographically controlled configuration of the LGM ice sheet in relation to previous reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In southern Norway, early-Holocene climatically induced glacier expansion episodes have been recognised at ~11.1, 10.5, 10.2, 9.7 and 8.2 ka, but the only convincingly dated, single- or doubleridged moraines are those associated with the regional Erdalen Event (i.e., ~10.2-9.7 ka). We applied three numerical-age dating techniques to sequences of up to five moraine ridges deposited by the former Sognefjell ice cap and by Styggedalsbreen, a large cirque glacier in the nearby Hurrungane massif. On inner and outer ridges and relict patterned ground proximal to the moraines, six 10Be and eight Schmidt hammer (SHD) surface exposure ages were obtained. Thirteen radiocarbon dates were obtained from stream-bank mire sediments proximal to the Sognefjell moraines. The basal date is similar to those from cores in an adjacent lake indicating disappearance of the Sognefjell ice-cap immediately following the Erdalen Event. Three of four SHD results, and one of three 10Be surface exposure ages from the Sognefjell moraines support this. At Styggedalsbreen, two of three 10Be surface exposure ages lie between the 8.2 ka (Finse) and Erdalen Event, though 1 s dating uncertainties only overlap with the former: the third is clearly affected by cosmogenic nuclide inheritance. SHD results also suggest the younger event, but this is attributed to lithological differences between the Schmidt-hammer calibration site and the sampled moraine boulders. Considering the chronological evidence as a whole, supported by equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) calculations for Styggedalsbreen, we conclude that the moraines were formed by up to five short but distinct fluctuations of these ice masses during the Erdalen Event. This indicates more complex decadal- to centennial-scale glacier variations and climatic perturbations within the Erdalen Event than previously recognised. The implied exceptional glaciological sensitivity to climate variability is attributed to local topographic factors causing glacial fluctuations in response to relatively small ELA changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on cases of ventriculoatrial shunt infection. Medical histories of the patients; Results of physical and laboratory examinations; Details of the treatment rendered to the patients.

Medial moraines form important pathways for sediment transportation in valley glaciers. Despite the existence of well-defined medial moraines on several glaciers in the New Zealand Southern Alps, medial moraines there have hitherto escaped attention. The evolving morphology and debris content of medial moraines on Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier on the western flank of the Southern Alps is the focus of this study. These temperate maritime glaciers exhibit accumulation zones of multiple basins that feed narrow tongues flowing down steep valleys and terminate ~ 400 m above sea level. The medial moraines at both glaciers become very prominent in the lower ablation zones, where the medial moraines widen, and develop steeper flanks coeval with an increase in relative relief. Medial moraine growth appears somewhat self-limiting in that relief and slope angle increase eventually lead to transport of debris away from the medial moraine by mass-movement-related processes. Despite similarities in overall morphologies, a key contrast in medial moraine formation exists between the two glaciers. At Fox Glacier, the medial moraine consists of angular rockfall-derived debris, folded to varying degrees along flow-parallel axes throughout the tongue. The debris originates above the ELA, coalesces at flow-unit boundaries, and takes a medium/high level transport pathway before subsequently emerging at point-sources aligned with gently dipping fold hinges near the snout. In contrast at Franz Josef Glacier, the medial moraine emerges farther down-glacier immediately below a prominent rock knob. Clasts show a mix of angular to rounded shapes representing high level transport and subglacially transported materials, the latter facies possibly also elevated by supraglacial routing of subglacial meltwater. Our observations confirm that a variety of different debris sources, transport pathways, and structural glaciological processes can interact to form medial moraines within New Zealand's Southern Alps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inland valleys of New Zealand’s South Island were heavily glaciated during the last glacial cycle. Subsequent fluvial incision has eroded out glacial deposits from the valleys in many locations, making it difficult to reconstruct glacial dynamics and chronology. The Brabazon and Butler Downs lie in a fault-controlled intra-montaine basin that has been largely protected from fluvial erosion and the area contains extensive evidence for multiple glacial margins. This paper presents a detailed glacial geomorphology map of the Brabazon and Butler Downs at a scale of 1:20,000. Glacial landforms have been mapped and subdivided into three main zones: an upper zone distinguished by a flight of kame terraces, a middle zone containing kettles and meltwater channels, and a lower zone of lateral moraines. The new map provides insight into former glacial environments in the region and provides a related framework for future paleoclimate reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Schmidt-hammer R-values were measured on glacially-scoured bedrock outcrops located inside and outside of 11 'Little Ice Age' glacier-foreland boundaries in the Jotunheimen and Jostedalsbreen regions of southern Norway. Analysing paired samples differing in exposure age by ~10,000 years constitutes a field experiment on chemical weathering rates within and between regions. Mean R-values (± 95 % confidence intervals) from inside sites were 65.9 ± 0.6 and 66.9 ± 0.6 for rock surfaces composed of pyroxene-granulite gneiss in Jotunheimen at altitudes of 990–1360 m above sea level and granite and granitic gneiss in the Jostedalsbreen region at 270–620 m a.s.l. The corresponding values from outside sites of 39.9 ± 0.9 and 39.0 ± 0.9 were significantly lower, indicating a higher degree of chemical weathering. In contrast, regional differences in mean R-values were insignificant. A similar pattern is reflected in indices of rock weathering (39.0 % for Jotunheimen and 41.6 % for Jostedalsbreen), and weathering rate (2.8 R-value units and 3.0 units per 1000 years, respectively). These results imply an estimated minimum age resolution of Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating of ~265–315 years and a maximum age range of ~20,000 years. They suggest potential application of the Schmidt hammer to both studies of weathering rates and exposure-age dating at the regional scale, despite lithological variation associated with different rock types and climatic variation associated with altitudinal differences of up to 1000 m between the sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Here we confirm lower humoral and cellular responses in hematological patients compared with controls and highlight the response in risk-groups such as CAR-T-cell recipients. The main risk factor for a poor humoral response was anti-CD20 therapy. CD19+ B-cell and CD4+ T-cell levels were shown to be additional predictive markers for seroconversion. Further, we demonstrate a decline in antibodies over six months in responders and controls, and question if second vaccination non-responders benefit from of a third vaccination. Here we analyzed SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies and T-cell responses after two coronavirus disease 2019 vaccinations over a six-month period in patients with hematological malignancies and assessed the effect of a third vaccination in a subgroup. Sixty-six patients and 66 healthy controls were included. After two vaccinations seroconversion was seen in 52% and a T-cell-specific response in 59% of patients compared with 100% in controls (p = 0.001). Risk factors for a poor serological response were age (<65a), history of anti-CD20 therapy within the year preceding vaccination, CD19+ B-cells < 110/µL, and CD4+ T-cells > 310/µL. The magnitude of T-cell response was higher in patients <65a and with CD19+ B-cells < 110/µL. Patients and healthy controls demonstrated a significant decrease in SARS-CoV-2 S antibody levels over the period of six months (p < 0.001). A third vaccination demonstrated a strong serological response in patients who had responded to the previous doses (p < 0.001). The third vaccination yielded seroconversion in three out of 19 patients in those without serological response. We conclude that both humoral and cellular responses after SARS-CoV-2 immunization are impaired in patients with hematological malignancies. A third vaccination enhanced B-cell response in patients who previously responded to the second vaccination but may be of limited benefit in patients without prior seroconversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently finally determined in laboratory settings by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase-chain-reaction (rt-PCR). However, simple testing with immediately available results are crucial to gain control over COVID-19. The aim was to evaluate such a point-of-care antigen rapid test (AG-rt) device in its performance compared to laboratory-based rt-PCR testing in COVID-19 suspected, symptomatic patients. Methods: For this prospective study, two specimens each of 541 symptomatic female (54.7%) and male (45.3%) patients aged between 18 and 95 years tested at five emergency departments (ED, n = 296) and four primary healthcare centres (PHC, n = 245), were compared, using AG-rt (positive/negative/invalid) and rt-PCR (positive/negative and cycle threshold, Ct) to diagnose SARS-CoV-2. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and likelihood ratios (LR+/-) of the AG-rt were assessed. Results: Differences between ED and PHC were detected regarding gender, age, symptoms, disease prevalence, and diagnostic performance. Overall, 174 (32.2%) were tested positive on AG-rt and 213 (39.4%) on rt-PCR. AG correctly classified 91.7% of all rt-PCR positive cases with a sensitivity of 80.3%, specificity of 99.1%, PPV of 98.3, NPV of 88.6%, LR(+) of 87.8, and LR(-) of 0.20. The highest sensitivities and specificities of AG-rt were detected in PHC (sensitivity: 84.4%, specificity: 100.0%), when using Ct of 30 as cut-off (sensitivity: 92.5%, specificity: 97.8%), and when symptom onset was within the first three days (sensitivity: 82.9%, specificity: 99.6%). Conclusions: The highest sensitivity was detected with a high viral load. Our findings suggest that AG-rt are comparable to rt-PCR to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 suspected symptomatic patients presenting both at emergency departments and primary health care centres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dirofilariosis is a vector-borne parasitosis caused by filarial nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria. In humans, who represent accidental hosts, dirofilariosis is mostly caused by Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis. In Austria, the first reported case occurred in 1978. Since then, several (case) reports have been published. Methods: A systematic and retrospective review of collected published cases and new, unpublished confirmed cases of human dirofilariosis occurring in Austria was performed. A nematode was extracted from the eyelid of a previously unreported case and subsequently characterized histologically and using molecular biology techniques. Results: Data on a total of 39 cases of human dirofilariosis in Austria occurring between 1978 and 2020 are summarized. Over the past four decades the incidence has markedly increased, in particular after 1998. Of the 39 patients, men and women were equally affected, and the mean age was 47.1 years. The area most frequently affected was the head (38.5% of cases). Confined ocular involvement was observed in 23.1% of cases, and nematodes were isolated from the neck/trunk, extremities and the genito-inguinal area in 25.6, 15.4 and 15.4% of patients, respectively. Microfilariae were detected in two cases. Of the 39 patients, only 73.9% tested positive for anti-filarial antibodies and 56.3% for eosinophilia, despite successful isolation of a nematode; consequently, these measures did not represent reliable markers for dirofilariosis. Most patients had a travel history to countries endemic for Dirofilaria species. One patient who had not traveled abroad represented the only autochthonous case recorded to date. Dirofilaria repens was the predominant species, identified in 89.7% of cases. In the newly reported case of subcutaneous dirofilariosis, a live non-gravid Dirofilaria repens adult female of 12 cm length was isolated from the eyelid of the patient, and a video of the extraction is provided. Conclusions: The incidence of human dirofilariosis cases has increased strikingly over the last four decades in Austria. More cases can be expected in the foreseeable future due to changes in human behavior and (travel) activities as well as climate changes and the associated alterations in the availability of the natural reservoir, the vectors and the intrinsic characteristics of the parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a new immersive multi-player game system developed for two different environments, namely, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). To evaluate our system, we developed three game applications--a first- person-shooter game (for VR and AR environments, respectively) and a sword game (for the AR environment). Our immersive system provides an intuitive way for users to interact with the VR or AR world by physically moving around the real world and aiming freely with tangible objects. This encourages physical interaction between players as they compete or collaborate with other players. Evaluation of our system consists of users' subjective opinions and their objective performances. Our design principles and evaluation results can be applied to similar immersive game applications based on AR/VR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract-In this paper, we present a hybrid framework for articulated 3-D human motion tracking from multiple synchronized cameras with potential uses in surveillance systems. Although the recovery of 3-D motion provides richer information for event understanding, existing methods based on either deterministic search or stochastic sampling lack robustness or efficiency. We therefore propose a hybrid sample-and-refine framework that combines both stochastic sampling and deterministic optimization to achieve a good compromise between efficiency and robustness. Similar motion patterns are used to learn a compact low-dimensional representation of the motion statistics. Sampling in a low-dimensional space is implemented during tracking, which reduces the number of particles drastically. We also incorporate a local optimization method based on simulated physical force/moment into our framework, which further improves the optimality of the tracking. Experimental results on several real human motion sequences show the accuracy and robustness of our method, which also has a higher sampling efficiency than most particle filtering-based methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease of preterm infants. Mouse models of hyperoxia-induced lung injury are often used to study pathogenesis and potential therapeutic approaches of BPD. Beside histological studies, gene expression analysis of lung tissue is typically used as experimental readout. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the standard method for gene expression analysis; however, the accuracy of the quantitative data depends on the appropriate selection of reference genes. No data on validated reference genes for hyperoxia-induced neonatal lung injury in mice are available. In this study, 12 potential reference genes were systematically analyzed for their expression stability in lung tissue of neonatal mice exposed to room air or hyperoxia and healthy adult controls using published software algorithms. Analysis of gene expression data identified Hprt, Tbp, and Hmbs as the most stable reference genes and proposed combinations of Hprt/Sdha or Hprt/Rpl13a as potential normalization factors. These reference genes and normalization factors were validated by comparing Il6 gene and protein expression and may facilitate accurate gene expression analysis in lung tissues of similar designed studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, but research efforts in neonatology are complicated due to the unavailability of large volume blood samples. Whole blood assays can be used to overcome this problem by performing both functional and gene expression studies using small amounts of blood. Gene expression studies using RT-qPCR estimate mRNA-levels of target genes normalized to reference genes. The goal of this study was to identify and validate stable reference genes applicable to cord blood samples obtained from developing neonates of different gestational age groups as well as to adult peripheral blood samples. Eight reference gene candidates (ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, GUSB, HPRT, PPIB, RPLP0, RPL13) were analyzed using the three published software algorithms Bestkeeper, GeNorm and NormFinder. Results: A normalization factor consisting of ACTB and PPIB allows for comparative expression analyses of neonatal samples from different gestational age groups. Normalization factors consisting of GAPDH and PPIB or ACTB and GAPDH are suitable when samples from preterm and full-term neonates and adults are compared. However, all candidate reference genes except RPLP0 exhibited significant intergroup gene expression variance and a higher gene expression towards an older age which resulted in a small but statistically significant systematic bias. Systematic analysis of RNA-seq data revealed new reference gene candidates with potentially superior stability. Conclusions: The current study identified suitable normalization factors and proposed the use of the additional single gene RPLP0 to avoid systematic bias. This combination will enable comparative analyses not only between neonates of different gestational ages, but also between neonates and adults, as it facilitates more detailed investigations of developmental gene expression changes. The use of software algorithms did not prevent unintended systematic bias. This generally highlights the need for careful validation of such results to prevent false interpretation of potential age-dependent changes in gene expression. To identify the most stable reference genes in the future, RNA-seq based global approaches are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dirofilariosis is a vector-borne parasitosis caused by filarial nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria. In humans, who represent accidental hosts, dirofilariosis is mostly caused by Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis. In Austria, the first reported case occurred in 1978. Since then, several (case) reports have been published. Methods: A systematic and retrospective review of collected published cases and new, unpublished confirmed cases of human dirofilariosis occurring in Austria was performed. A nematode was extracted from the eyelid of a previously unreported case and subsequently characterized histologically and using molecular biology techniques. Results: Data on a total of 39 cases of human dirofilariosis in Austria occurring between 1978 and 2020 are summarized. Over the past four decades the incidence has markedly increased, in particular after 1998. Of the 39 patients, men and women were equally affected, and the mean age was 47.1 years. The area most frequently affected was the head (38.5% of cases). Confined ocular involvement was observed in 23.1% of cases, and nematodes were isolated from the neck/trunk, extremities and the genito-inguinal area in 25.6, 15.4 and 15.4% of patients, respectively. Microfilariae were detected in two cases. Of the 39 patients, only 73.9% tested positive for anti-filarial antibodies and 56.3% for eosinophilia, despite successful isolation of a nematode; consequently, these measures did not represent reliable markers for dirofilariosis. Most patients had a travel history to countries endemic for Dirofilaria species. One patient who had not traveled abroad represented the only autochthonous case recorded to date. Dirofilaria repens was the predominant species, identified in 89.7% of cases. In the newly reported case of subcutaneous dirofilariosis, a live non-gravid Dirofilaria repens adult female of 12 cm length was isolated from the eyelid of the patient, and a video of the extraction is provided. Conclusions: The incidence of human dirofilariosis cases has increased strikingly over the last four decades in Austria. More cases can be expected in the foreseeable future due to changes in human behavior and (travel) activities as well as climate changes and the associated alterations in the availability of the natural reservoir, the vectors and the intrinsic characteristics of the parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a human case of Borrelia miyamotoi infection diagnosed in Austria. Spirochetes were detected in Giemsa-stained blood smears. The presence of B. miyamotoi in the patient's blood was confirmed by PCR, and phylogenetic analysis identified an infection with a strain from Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been growing interest in using precipitable water vapor (PWV) derived from global positioning system (GPS) signal delays to predict rainfall. However, the occurrence of rainfall is dependent on a myriad of atmospheric parameters. This paper proposes a systematic approach to analyze various parameters that affect precipitation in the atmosphere. Different ground-based weather features such as Temperature, Relative Humidity, Dew Point, Solar Radiation, PWV along with Seasonal and Diurnal variables are identified, and a detailed feature correlation study is presented. While all features play a significant role in rainfall classification, only a few of them, such as PWV, Solar Radiation, Seasonal, and Diurnal features, stand out for rainfall prediction. Based on these findings, an optimum set of features are used in a data-driven machine learning algorithm for rainfall prediction. The experimental evaluation using a 4-year (2012–2015) database shows a true detection rate of 80.4%, a false alarm rate of 20.3%, and an overall accuracy of 79.6%. Compared to the existing literature, our method significantly reduces the false alarm rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground-based whole sky cameras are now-a-days extensively used for localized monitoring of the clouds. They capture hemispherical images of the sky at regular intervals using a fisheye lens. In this paper, we derive a model for estimating the solar irradiance using pictures taken by those imagers. Unlike pyranometers, these sky images contain information about the cloud coverage and can be used to derive cloud movement. An accurate estimation of the solar irradiance using solely those images is thus a first step towards short-term solar energy generation forecasting, as cloud movement can also be derived from them. We derive and validate our model using pyranometers co-located with our whole sky imagers. We achieve a root mean square error of 178 Watt/m² between estimated and measured solar irradiance, outperforming state-of-the-art methods using other weather instruments. Our method shows a significant improvement in estimating strong short-term variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhinoviruses (RVs) are responsible for the majority of upper airway infections; despite their high prevalence and the resulting economic burden, effective treatment is lacking. We report here that RV induces metabolic alterations in host cells, which offer an efficient target for antiviral intervention. We show that RV-infected cells rapidly up-regulate glucose uptake in a PI3K-dependent manner. In parallel, infected cells enhance the expression of the PI3K-regulated glucose transporter GLUT1. In-depth metabolomic analysis of RV-infected cells revealed a critical role of glucose mobilization from extracellular and intracellular pools via glycogenolysis for viral replication. Infection resulted in a highly anabolic state, including enhanced nucleotide synthesis and lipogenesis. Consistently, we observed that glucose deprivation from medium and via glycolysis inhibition by 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) potently impairs viral replication. Metabolomic analysis showed that 2-DG specifically reverts the RV-induced anabolic reprogramming. In addition, treatment with 2-DG inhibited RV infection and inflammation in a murine model. Thus, we demonstrate that the specific metabolic fingerprint of RV infection can be used to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sky-cloud images obtained from ground-based sky cameras are usually captured using a fisheye lens with a wide field of view. However, the sky exhibits a large dynamic range in terms of luminance, more than a conventional camera can capture. It is thus difficult to capture the details of an entire scene with a regular camera in a single shot. In most cases, the circumsolar region is overexposed, and the regions near the horizon are underexposed. This renders cloud segmentation for such images difficult. In this paper, we propose HDRCloudSeg - an effective method for cloud segmentation using high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging based on multiexposure fusion. We describe the HDR image generation process and release a new database to the community for benchmarking. Our proposed approach is the first using HDR radiance maps for cloud segmentation and achieves very good results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sky/cloud images obtained from ground-based sky-cameras are usually captured using a fish-eye lens with a wide field of view. However, the sky exhibits a large dynamic range in terms of luminance, more than a conventional camera can capture. It is thus difficult to capture the details of an entire scene with a regular camera in a single shot. In most cases, the circumsolar region is over-exposed, and the regions near the horizon are under-exposed. This renders cloud segmentation for such images difficult. In this paper, we propose HDRSeg - an effective method for cloud segmentation using High-Dynamic-Range (HDR) imaging based on multi-exposure fusion. We describe the HDR generation process and release a new database to the community for benchmarking. Our proposed approach is the first using HDR images for cloud segmentation and achieves very good results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Case Presentation: We report a case of septic shock syndrome caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in a patient who had undergone splenectomy due to an autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), which is characterized as a dysfunction of immunoregulation. Although the patient was vaccinated with a conjugated polysaccharide vaccine after the splenectomy, he was still susceptible to S. pneumoniae infection, because the isolated serovar (24F), a serovar long thought to be apathogenic, is not covered by any vaccine currently approved, neither a conjugated nor an unconjugated polysaccharide one.Conclusions: This case demonstrates that, due to presence of different serovars, also infections with bacteria against which patients are vaccinated have to be considered as differential diagnosis. Although vaccine development has extended the coverage of S. pneumoniae from 7 to 23 serovars within recent years, there is still demand for novel vaccines which can provide broader protection also against so-thought "apathogenic" strains, especially for groups at high risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A major obstacle to effectively treat and control tuberculosis is the absence of an accurate, rapid, and low-cost diagnostic tool. A new approach for the screening of patients for tuberculosis is the use of rapid diagnostic classification algorithms. Methods: We tested a previously published diagnostic algorithm based on four biomarkers as a screening tool for tuberculosis in a Central European patient population using an assessor-blinded cross-sectional study design. In addition, we developed an improved diagnostic classification algorithm based on a study population at a tertiary hospital in Vienna, Austria, by supervised computational statistics. Results: The diagnostic accuracy of the previously published diagnostic algorithm for our patient population consisting of 206 patients was 54% (CI: 47%-61%). An improved model was constructed using inflammation parameters and clinical information. A diagnostic accuracy of 86% (CI: 80%-90%) was demonstrated by 10-fold cross validation. An alternative model relying solely on clinical parameters exhibited a diagnostic accuracy of 85% (CI: 79%-89%). Conclusion: Here we show that a rapid diagnostic algorithm based on clinical parameters is only slightly improved by inclusion of inflammation markers in our cohort. Our results also emphasize the need for validation of new diagnostic algorithms in different settings and patient populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A test for diagnosis of active Tuberculosis (TB) from peripheral blood could tremendously improve clinical management of patients. Methods: Of 178 prospectively enrolled patients with possible TB, 60 patients were diagnosed with pulmonary and 27 patients with extrapulmonary TB. The frequencies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) specific CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells producing cytokines were assessed using overnight stimulation with purified protein derivate (PPD) or early secretory antigenic target (ESAT)-6, respectively. Results: Among patients with active TB, an increased type 1 cytokine profile consisting of mainly CD4+ T cell derived interferon (IFN)-γ was detectable. Despite contributing to the cytokine profile as a whole, the independent diagnostic performance of one cytokine producing T cells as well as polyfunctional T cells was poor. IFN-γ/Interleukin(IL)-2 cytokine ratios discriminated best between active TB and other diseases. Conclusion: T cells producing one cytokine and polyfunctional T cells have a limited role in diagnosis of active TB. The significant shift from a "memory type" to an "effector type" cytokine profile may be useful for further development of a rapid immune-diagnostic tool for active TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe falciparum malaria is associated with considerable rates of mortality, despite the administration of appropriate anti-malarial treatment. Since overall survival is associated with total parasite biomass, blood exchange transfusion has been proposed as a potential method to rapidly reduce peripheral parasitaemia. However, current evidence suggests that this treatment modality may not improve outcome. Automated red blood cell exchange (also referred to as "erythrocytapheresis") has been advocated as an alternative method to rapidly remove parasites from circulating blood without affecting patients' volume and electrolyte status. However, only limited evidence from case reports and case series is available for this adjunctive treatment. This retrospective cohort study describes the use of automated red blood cell exchange for the treatment of severe malaria at the Medical University of Vienna. Methods: Epidemiologic data for imported malaria cases in Austria are reported and data of patients treated for malaria at the General Hospital/Medical University of Vienna were extracted from electronic hospital records. Results: Between 2000 and 2010, 146 patients were hospitalized at the Medical University of Vienna due to malaria and 16 of those were classified as severe malaria cases. Eleven patients of this cohort were potentially eligible for an adjunctive treatment with automated red blood cell exchange. Five patients eventually underwent this procedure within a period of seven hours (range: 3-19 hours) after hospital admission. Six patients did not undergo this adjunctive treatment following the decision of the treating physician. The procedure was well tolerated in all cases and rapid reduction in parasite counts was achieved without occurrence of haemodynamic complications. One patient died within seven days, whereas four patients survived without any sequelae. Discussion and conclusion: Automated red blood cell exchange was a safe and efficient procedure to rapidly clear peripheral parasitaemia. Whether the fast reduction in parasite biomass may ultimately improve patient survival remains however unclear. Randomized controlled trials are needed to conclusively appreciate the value of this adjunctive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Electrical Impedance measurements can be used to estimate the content of intra-thoracic air and thereby give information on pulmonary ventilation. Conventional Impedance measurements mainly indicate relative changes, but no information concerning air-volume is given. The study was performed to test whether a 3-point-calibration with known tidal volumes (VT) during conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) allows subsequent calculation of VT from total Tidal- Impedance (tTI) measurements using Quadrant Impedance Measurement (QIM). In addition the distribution of TI in different regions of the thorax was examined. Methodology and Principal Findings: QIM was performed in five neonatal piglets during volume-controlled CMV. tTI values at three different VT (4, 6, 8 ml/kg) were used to establish individual calibration curves. Subsequently, each animal was ventilated with different patterns of varying VT (2-10 ml/kg) at different PEEP levels (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 cmH2O). VT variation was repeated after surfactant depletion by bronchoalveolar lavage. VT was calculated from tTI values (VTcalc) and compared to the VT delivered by the ventilator (VTPNT). Bland-Altman analysis revealed good agreement between VTcalc and VTPNT before (bias 20.08 ml; limits of agreement 21.18 to 1.02 ml at PEEP = 3 cmH2O) and after surfactant depletion (bias 20.17 ml; limits of agreement 21.57 to 1.22 ml at PEEP = 3 cmH2O). At higher PEEP levels VTcalc was lower than VTPNT, when only one fixed calibration curve (at PEEP 3 cmH2O) was used. With a new calibration curve at each PEEP level the method showed similar accuracy at each PEEP level. TI showed a homogeneous distribution over the four assessed quadrants with a shift toward caudal regions of the thorax with increasing VT. Conclusion: Tidal Impedance values could be used for precise and accurate calculation of VT during CMV in this animal study, when calibrated at each PEEP level [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Circulating levels of sIL-4R, IL-18 and IFN-γ were studied by ELISA in 36 Gabonese patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria (29 children, 7 adults). Drug induced clearance of parasitemia, studied in 22 patients with mild disease, was accompanied by a rapid decrease of sIL-4R and IFN-γ to normal values and an increase of circulating IL-18, suggesting the downregulation of a type 2 biased immune response and a dissociated type 1 responsiveness while resolving parasitemia. Comparing subgroups with hyperparasitemia/severe anemia and mild malaria, children with severe malaria had significant higher levels of sIL-4R and IFN-γ, whereas IL-18 levels were not statistically different. Furthermore, among those children, higher levels of circulating IL-18 correlated with a lower degree of parasitemia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) is a life-threatening condition clinically presenting as SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome). However, there is no comprehensive data concerning diagnostic algorithms, prevalence, outcome and biomarker performance in SIRS patients. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study on 451 consecutive patients fulfilling ≥2 SIRS criteria. The Hscore and the HLH-2004 criteria were used to determine the presence of sHLH, and the correlation of the screening-biomarkers ferritin, sCD25, and sCD163 with both scores was assessed. Out of 451 standard-care SIRS patients, five patients had high Hscores (≥169), suggesting incipient or HLH-like disease, and these patients were in urgent need for intensified therapy. However, none of these patients fulfilled five HLH-2004 criteria required for formal diagnosis. From the studied biomarkers, ferritin correlated strongest to both the HLH-2004 criteria and the Hscore (rs = 0.72, 0.41, respectively), and was the best predictor of 30-day survival (HR:1.012 per 100 μg/L, 95% CI: 1.004–1.021), when adjusted for patient's age, sex, bacteremia and malignant underlying-disease. Also, the HLH-2004 (HR per point increase: 1.435, 95% CI: 1.1012–2.086) and the Hscore (HR per point increase:1.011, 95% CI: 1.002–1.020) were independent predictors of 30-day-survival. The Hscore detected patients in hyperinflammatory states requiring urgent therapy escalation. Degrees of hyperinflammation, as assessed by ferritin and both HLH scores, are associated with worse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]