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Flux penetration into small superconductor/ferromagnet elements is investigated by magneto-optical imaging and magnetic scanning transmission x-ray microscopy at low temperatures. It is found that penetration of magnetic flux into a thin bilayer of YBCO and Py strongly depends on the direction of a perpendicular magnetic field. The soft-magnetic layer acts as an amplifier for magnetic in-plane components that are generated by electric currents in the superconductor. These in-plane components point in opposite direction above the ferromagnet and below the superconductor. As a consequence a strong inclination of the local magnetic field occurs that significantly slows down or speeds up the flux penetration into such elements. From detailed magnetic scanning x-ray microscopy results it is found that the effect dramatically increases if the elements get smaller. In 20 × 20 μm2 superconducting squares we observe magnetic flux penetration that differs by more than a factor of four when reversing the external magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Biogeochemical processes within the Atlantic basin alter the nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) isotopic compositions (δ15N and δ18O) of nitrate before this nutrient is carried from the upper water column into the deep ocean by the formation of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). Here, nitrate δ15N and δ18O measurements along the 2013 CLIVAR/GO-SHIP Atlantic section A16N from 6°S to 61°N are used to calculate the δ15N and δ18O of regenerated nitrate added to the interior at different latitudes and depths along the section. The δ15N of nitrate being regenerated is similar among depths and covaries with δ15N of the nitrate supply to overlying surface waters. These observations are consistent with regenerated nitrate deriving dominantly from sinking N, rather than from dissolved organic or suspended particulate organic N that is circulated through the ocean interior. The δ15N of regenerated nitrate never declines below the δ15N of the nitrate supply, consistent with the dominance of subsurface nitrate over N 2 fixation and atmospheric N deposition in fueling net community production. In the low latitudes (<15°N), shallow and mid-depth nitrate δ15N entering from the South in Subantarctic Mode Water (SAMW) is as high as 6.2‰ vs. air due to partial nitrate assimilation in the Southern Ocean surface, while the nitrate δ18O is similar to that measured in deep water. Its low δ18O indicates that nitrate at shallow and mid-depths is mostly regenerated, the low δ18O of which overprints the high δ18O of unused ("preformed") nitrate from the Southern Ocean. Regenerated nitrate δ18O is calculated to be 1.1–1.2‰ higher than ambient seawater, consistent with previous work. At the southern end of the section, the δ15N of the sinking flux is as high as that of SAMW (~6.2‰) or higher, maintaining the high δ15N of shallow/mid-depth waters and raising the δ15N of nitrate on deeper isopycnals, including those within NADW. SAMW ultimately supplies water for NADW formation, but the high nitrate δ15N of SAMW observed in the southern end of the section does not survive into newly formed NADW, which has a nitrate δ15N of 4.83‰ vs. air. This indicates that the high nitrate δ15N of northward-flowing shallow/mid-depth waters is overprinted by the input of low-δ15N fixed N to the Atlantic, largely by N 2 fixation. Our reconstruction of the δ15N of sinking N indicates that most newly fixed N is added south of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. In the subpolar North Atlantic, the A16N data indicate that the δ15N of the nitrate in NADW does not differ from that of its regional upper ocean sources, for two reasons. First, nitrate is completely consumed in much of the subpolar North Atlantic surface, minimizing the isotopic signal from partial nitrate assimilation. Second, much of the sinking N from the North Atlantic surface is regenerated in newly formed NADW, reuniting the nitrate assimilated in the surface with the preformed nitrate carried down in NADW. Highlights • Nitrate δ15N and δ18O profiles were measured across the North Atlantic. • A range of approaches was used to calculate the isotopic composition of regenerated nitrate added to the Atlantic interior. • The δ15N of regenerated nitrate is consistent with regenerated nitrate deriving dominantly from sinking N (e.g., as opposed to the remineralization of DON). • In the South, the high δ15N of the sinking flux maintains the high δ15N of shallow/mid-depth waters and raises the δ15N of nitrate on deeper isopycnals. • The high nitrate δ15N of northward-flowing shallow/mid-depth waters is almost entirely erased by the input of low-δ15N newly fixed nitrogen to the Atlantic. • Reconstruction of the δ15N of sinking nitrogen indicates that most newly fixed nitrogen is added south of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and research question: In case of events such as a cyber attack or a mass casualty incident, ad hoc measures have to be taken in hospitals. As part of the critical infrastructure, hospitals are required by law to prepare, update and exercise alarm and emergency plans for various special situations. The processes and instruments involved for emergency response are defined in the hospital alert and emergency planning. The present study aims to explain with which resources and for which special situations hospitals are prepared. Methods: A prospective, exploratory, anonymous survey of hospitals in Germany was conducted. Hospitals with both internal medicine and surgery departments were included. Out of 2497 hospitals listed in the German Hospital Directory (www.deutsches-krankenhaus-verzeichnis.de), 1049 met the inclusion criteria. After correcting for hospital groups with shared administrations, 850 employees were identified and contacted by e‑mail. Quality and risk management managers were asked about resources, risks, and content of their own hospital alert and emergency planning using a standardized questionnaire. The survey was conducted using the online platform EFS Survey (Tivian XI GmbH, Cologne) via www.unipark.de. Access to the survey was via a nonpersonalized hyperlink. Apart from the size and type of hospital surveyed, no data were collected that would allow identification of an individual person. Results: Of the participating hospitals 45% (n = 43) were primary care hospitals, 24% (n = 23) were specialty care hospitals, 10% (n = 9) were nonuniversity maximum care hospitals, and 21% (n = 20) were university maximum care hospitals. In total 95 hospitals participated in the survey, of which 98% (n = 93) reported having a hospital alert and emergency plan. Preparation for individual scenarios varied widely. Of the participating hospitals 45% (n = 43) reported having been the target of cyber attacks with an emphasis on maximum care hospitals (55%, n = 11 of 20). Technical redundancy for computer systems is available in 67% (n = 63) of participating hospitals, while independent means of communication exist in 50% (n = 47) of hospitals. A physician-staffed crisis and disaster management unit existed in 60% (n = 56) of the surveyed hospitals. At least a part time position for planning issues was installed in 12 hospitals. Conclusion: Most participating hospitals are aware of the need for a hospital alert and emergency plan and have various scenario-specific plans in place. Especially mass casualty events, fire and hospital evacuation scenarios are uniformly covered among participating hospitals; however, gaps appear to exist not only for chemical, biological or radionuclear situations but also especially in the area of extreme weather events and infrastructure failures. Only about two thirds of all participating hospitals have contingency plans for water supply and/or heating failures. An important limitation of the study is the comparatively low response rate of 12.9% (n = 95 of 850). While primary care hospitals were underrepresented in the study, 32% of Germany's larger hospitals (> 800 beds) participated. In the future, there is a particular need to engage enough medical staff in the area of hospital alert and emergency planning and refunding of these measures by hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the neutron flux in activation experiments, a commonly used monitor is zirconium and in particular the stable isotopes 94 , 96 Zr. 96Zr is very sensitive to epithermal neutrons. Despite its widespread application, most gamma intensities of the radioactive neutron capture product, 97Zr, yield large uncertainties. With the help of a new γ spectroscopy setup and GEANT simulations, we succeeded in determining a new set of γ -ray intensities with significantly reduced uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale The denitrifier method allows for highly sensitive measurement of the 15N/14N (δ15N value) and 18O/16O (δ18O value) of nitrate dissolved in natural waters and for highly sensitive δ15N measurement of other N forms (e.g., organic N) that can be converted into nitrate. Here, updates to instrumentation and protocols are described, and improvements in data quality are demonstrated. Methods A 'heart cut' of the N2O was implemented in the extraction system to (1) minimize introduction of contaminants into the mass spectrometer, reducing isotopic drift and (2) decrease the fraction of sample lost at the open split to improve sensitivity. Referencing protocols were updated, including a correction scheme for a weak dependence of nitrate δ18O values on nitrate concentration. Analyses of samples from the US GEOTRACES North Atlantic Program and of reference solutions from the same analysis batches were used to characterize performance. Results The drift is typically <0.1‰ for both δ15N and δ18O values. Within-batch and inter-batch replication yields 1 standard deviation (SD) of ≤0.06‰ for δ15N values and ≤0.14‰ for δ18O values down to 5 μM nitrate and ≤0.08‰ and ≤0.23‰ at 2 and 1 μM. The blank is typically 0.06 nmol N, 0.3% of the N in a 20 nmol N sample. Differences between reference materials in seawater are indistinguishable from reported differences for δ15N values, with a contraction for δ18O values of ≤5%. Conclusions The new instrumentation and protocols yield nitrate isotopic data with external precision of ≤0.1‰ for large sample sets such as those derived from oceanographic sections. Further study should investigate the causes of (1) the weak dependence of nitrate δ18O values on nitrate concentration and (2) the inter-batch variation in the δ18O contraction (due mostly to oxygen atom exchange with water). Nevertheless, comprehensive correction schemes are in place for the measurement of both the δ15N and δ18O values of nitrate. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spectral induced polarization (SIP) data are commonly analysed using phenomenological models. Among these models the Cole-Cole (CC) model is the most popular choice to describe the strength and frequency dependence of distinct polarization peaks in the data. More flexibility regarding the shape of the spectrum is provided by decomposition schemes. Here the spectral response is decomposed into individual responses of a chosen elementary relaxation model, mathematically acting as kernel in the involved integral, based on a broad range of relaxation times. A frequently used kernel function is the Debye model, but also the CC model with some other a priorly specified frequency dispersion (e.g. Warburg model) has been proposed as kernel in the decomposition. The different decomposition approaches in use, also including conductivity and resistivity formulations, pose the question to which degree the integral spectral parameters typically derived from the obtained relaxation time distribution are biased by the approach itself. Based on synthetic SIP data sampled from an ideal CC response, we here investigate how the two most important integral output parameters deviate from the corresponding CC input parameters. We find that the total chargeability may be underestimated by up to 80 per cent and the mean relaxation time may be off by up to three orders of magnitude relative to the original values, depending on the frequency dispersion of the analysed spectrum and the proximity of its peak to the frequency range limits considered in the decomposition. We conclude that a quantitative comparison of SIP parameters across different studies, or the adoption of parameter relationships from other studies, for example when transferring laboratory results to the field, is only possible on the basis of a consistent spectral analysis procedure. This is particularly important when comparing effective CC parameters with spectral parameters derived from decomposition results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spectral induced polarisation (SIP) measurements capture the low-frequency electrical properties of soils and rocks and provide a non-invasive means to access lithological, hydrogeological, and geochemical properties of the subsurface. The Debye decomposition (DD) approach is now increasingly being used to analyse SIP signatures in terms of relaxation time distributions due to its flexibility regarding the shape of the spectra. Imaging and time-lapse (monitoring) SIP measurements, capturing SIP variations in space and time, respectively, are now more and more conducted and lead to a drastic increase in the number of spectra considered, which prompts the need for robust and reliable DD tools to extract quantitative parameters from such data. We here present an implementation of the DD method for the analysis of a series of SIP data sets which are expected to only smoothly change in terms of spectral behaviour, such as encountered in many time-lapse applications where measurement geometry does not change. The routine is based on a non-linear least-squares inversion scheme with smoothness constraints on the spectral variation and in addition from one spectrum of the series to the next to deal with the inherent ill-posedness and non-uniqueness of the problem. By means of synthetic examples with typical SIP characteristics we elucidate the influence of the number and range of considered relaxation times on the inversion results. The source code of the presented routines is provided under an open source licence as a basis for further applications and developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report and interpret the nitrate δ 15 N and δ 18 O distributions in the cross-basin transect of the US GEOTRACES North Atlantic expedition. Low nitrate δ 15 N observed in the shallow thermocline of the central western portion of the basin (reaching as low as 2.5‰ vs. air; ~ 2.3‰ lower than deep Atlantic nitrate) reflects the remineralization of nitrogen with a low δ 15 N, presumably mostly from nitrogen fixation. A strong correlation between the δ 15 N and concentration of nitrate argues that the focusing of the low δ 15 N signal in the upper thermocline of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre is at least partly due to the low concentration of nitrate in those waters, such that the east-to-west δ 15 N decrease in shallow thermocline nitrate does not require an east-to-west increase in nitrogen fixation rate. In underlying intermediate-depth water, which enters the section largely from the South, the nitrate δ 15 N is ~ 1‰ higher than in deep water while the δ 18 O is similar to that in deep water. The δ 15 N elevation derives from the partial assimilation of nitrate in Southern Ocean surface waters prior to Antarctic Intermediate and Subantarctic Mode Water formation. The δ 18 O elevation of preformed nitrate in southern-sourced intermediate waters has been diluted by the addition of nitrate from regeneration/nitrification in the low latitudes, which does not similarly weaken the δ 15 N elevation. In deep water, the nitrate δ 15 N in samples with a high relative contribution of North Atlantic Deep Water is almost indistinguishable from that of samples with a higher contribution of Antarctic Bottom Water (4.8–4.9‰ vs. air). Thus, the high nitrate δ 15 N in northward flowing intermediate waters is almost entirely erased by the input of low-δ 15 N newly fixed nitrogen to the Atlantic (including that from the Mediterranean) prior to the incorporation of those intermediate depth waters into southward flowing North Atlantic Deep Water. The data appear consistent with a nitrogen isotopic balance between northward and southward nitrate transports across the GEOTRACES section, suggesting that most Atlantic nitrogen fixation occurs south of the section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neutron capture cross section of the s-process branch nucleus 63Ni affects the abundances of other nuclei in its region, especially 63Cu and 64Zn. In order to determine the energy-dependent neutron capture cross section in the astrophysical energy region, an experiment at the Los Alamos National Laboratory has been performed using the calorimetric 4π BaF2 array DANCE. The (n,γ) cross section of 63Ni has been determined relative to the well-known 197Au standard with uncertainties below 15%. Various 63Ni resonances have been identified based on the Q value. Furthermore, the s-process sensitivity of the new values was analyzed with the new network calculation tool NETZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depending on the temperature and the magnitude and orientation of an external magnetic field, the critical current density, Jc, of a coated conductor can be limited either by the properties of the grain boundaries or by those of the grains. In order to ascertain what governs Jc under different conditions, we have measured straight and curved tracks, patterned into RABiTS-MOD samples, while a magnetic field was swept in the plane of the films. Significantly different results were obtained at different field and temperature ranges, which we were able to attribute to Jc being limited by either grain boundaries or grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laryngeal mask insertion (LMI) represents a fundamental skill for anesthesiologists in routine management as well as in difficult airway situations. This study aimed to evaluate the time needed by first year anesthesiology residents to perform 40 LMIs and assessed the associated success rates and the number of attempts needed for successful LMI.Methods: This prospective single center study evaluated the number of work days, the success rate and the attempts needed for successful LMI (LMA ProSeal™) in consecutive blocks of five LMI procedures and the related difficulties and complications.Results: From 2007 to 2010 a total of 10 anesthesiology resident physicians were evaluated consecutively. These residents needed a mean of 18.3 ± 4.1 (mean ± standard deviation) working days to successfully perform 40 LMIs. The LMI success rate after the first 5 LMIs increased steadily up to the results after 40 LMIs per resident (LMI success rate within 1 attempt 72 versus 86 %, p = 0.09, LMI success rate within all LMI attempts 74 versus 96 %, p = 0.001). The mean number of attempts required until successful LMI decreased from 1.45 ± 0.82 after the first 5 LMIs to 1.16 ± 0.37 after 40 LMIs (p = 0.03). The most common difficulties associated with unsuccessful LMI by residents that led to handing over to an experienced colleague were small oral aperture (9.8 %), short thick neck, large tongue, blood/mucus in the mouth or throat (each 7.3 %) and retrognathy (4.9 %).Conclusions: The increasing LMI success rate and the decreasing rate of LMI attempts for successful airway management correlated to a learning curve and development of LMI dexterity over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on transport and magnetization measurements of the critical current density Jc in ErNi2B2C single crystals that show strongly enhanced vortex pinning at the Néel temperature TN and low applied fields. The height of the observed Jc peak decreases with increasing magnetic field in clear contrast with that of the peak effect found at the upper critical field. Angular transport measurements of Jc revealed the correlated nature of this pinning enhancement, which we attribute to the formation of antiphase boundaries at TN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of prophylactic perioperative antibiotic therapy if indicated could successfully and safely prevent surgical wound infections. The current guidelines (S1) for prophylactic perioperative antibiotic therapy of the Study Group of the Scientific Medical Associations (AWMF) of 2004 was replaced by a recommendation of the study group of the Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft for Chemotherapy (PEG) in 2010. This recommendation includes recent research data from 2000 to 2008. Indications and choice of antibiotic agent depend on specific risk factors of the patient and the operation performed. The aim of this article is to describe the current recommendations of the PEG for general and visceral surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endogenous viral superantigen 7 in DBA/2 mice serves as a target antigen on syngeneic ESb-MP lymphoma cells for allogeneic graft-vs-leukaemia reactive cells. Allogeneic viral superantigen 7 reactive Vbeta6+ T cells are able to transfer graft-vs-leukaemia reactivity and to kill specifically viral superantigen 7+ ESb-MP tumour cells in vitro. Here we elucidate the mechanism of this superantigen specific cell lysis. Already 10 min after co-incubation with in vitro stimulated Vbeta6+ T cells, viral superantigen 7+ ESb-MP tumour cells show an apoptotic phenotype (Annexin V-positivity, DNA-fragmentation). This extremely rapid type of cell death is not mediated by the death inducing ligands CD95L, TRAIL and TNF but by perforin and granzyme B. Surprisingly, neither mitochondria nor any of the known caspases appear to be involved in this type of tumour cell killing. In contrast, nitric oxide, released by activated macrophages and endothelial cells, induces in the same tumour cells another type of apoptosis which is much slower and involves mitochondria and caspase activation. A synergistic effect between the two different effector mechanisms of superantigen reactive donor cytotoxic T lymphocytes and nitric oxide releasing host macrophages and endothelial cells might explain the effective immune rejection of even advanced metastasised cancer in this graft-vs-leukaemia animal model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 37 million inhabitants, Tokyo is the world's largest city in UN statistics. With this work we call this ranking into question. Usually, global city rankings are based on nationally collected population figures, which rely on administrative units. Sprawling urban growth, however, leads to morphological city extents that may surpass conventional administrative units. In order to detect spatial discrepancies between the physical and the administrative city, we present a methodology for delimiting Morphological Urban Areas (MUAs). We understand MUAs as a territorially contiguous settlement area that can be distinguished from low-density peripheral and rural hinterlands. We design a settlement index composed of three indicators (settlement area, settlement area proportion and density within the settlements) describing a gradient of built-up density from the urban center to the periphery applying a sectoral monocentric city model. We assume that the urban-rural transition can be defined along this gradient. With it, we re-territorialize the conventional administrative units. Our data basis are recent mapping products derived from multi-sensoral Earth observation (EO) data – namely the Global Urban Footprint (GUF) and the GUF Density (GUF-DenS) – providing globally consistent knowledge about settlement locations and densities. For the re-territorialized MUAs we calculate population numbers using WorldPop data. Overall, we cover the 1692 cities with >300,000 inhabitants on our planet. In our results we compare the consistently re-territorialized MUAs and the administrative units as well as their related population figures. We find the MUA in the Pearl River Delta the largest morphologically contiguous urban agglomeration in the world with a calculated population of 42.6 million. Tokyo, in this new list ranked number 2, loses its top position. In rank-size distributions we present the resulting deviations from previous city rankings. Although many MUAs outperform administrative units by area, we find that, contrary to what we assumed, in most cases MUAs are considerably smaller than administrative units. Only in Europe we find MUAs largely outweighing administrative units in extent. • A globally consistent calculation of morphological city extents • New ranking of city sizes based on extents and population compared to admin units • Identification of the Pearl River Delta as the largest agglomeration in the world • Morphological city extents are, contrary to expectations, smaller than admin units • In Western Europe, however, we mainly reveal larger city extents than admin units [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the end of life patients often show distressful symptoms which significantly reduce their quality of life. The goal of all healthcare professionals should be to recognize the beginning of this end of life period in order to provide good symptom management. For this purpose, existing symptoms have to be recorded, suitable therapeutic goals have to be defined for the current situation and potential therapeutic strategies have to be individually formulated. Besides the identification of underlying causes with the possibility of causal treatment, a symptom-based therapy is often necessary. Therapeutic approaches of different professions should be equally considered and should additionally be used for the benefit of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: About 50% of the heavy elements are produced in stars during the slow neutron capture process. The analysis of branching points allows us to set constraints on the temperature and the neutron density in the interior of stars. Purpose: The temperature dependence of the branch point 171Tmis weak. Hence, the 171Tmneutron capture cross section can be used to constrain the neutron density during the main component of the s process in thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) stars. Methods: A 171Tmsample produced at the ILL was activated with thermal and epithermal neutrons at the TRIGA research reactor at the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. Results: The thermal neutron capture cross section and the resonance integral have been measured for the first time to be σth = 9.9 ± 0.9 b and σRI = 193 ± 14 b. Conclusions: Based on our results, new estimations of the direct capture components' impact on the Maxwellian-nAveraged cross sections (MACS) are possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: About 50% of the heavy elements are produced in stars during the slow neutron capture process. The analysis of branching points allows to set constraints on the temperature and the neutron density in the interior of stars. The temperature dependence of the branch point 171Tm is weak. Hence, the 171Tm neutron capture cross section can be used to constrain the neutron density during the main component of the s process in thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch stars. Purpose: In order to perform neutron capture experiments on 171Tm, sample material has to be produced and characterized. The characterization is done by γ spectroscopy, relying on the intensities of the involved γ lines. Only the 66.7-keV γ line can be observed whose intensity was uncertain so far. Method: An enriched 170Er sample was activated with thermal neutrons at the TRIGA (Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics) research reactor at the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. The activation resulted in an easily quantifiable number of 171Er nuclei that subsequently decayed to 171Tm. Result: The intensity of the 66.7-keV γ line of the 171Tm decay was measured to Iγ=(0.144±0.010)%. Conclusions: Our result is in good agreement with the value found in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the nuclear mass range A≈60 to 90 of the solar abundance distribution the weak s-process component is the dominant contributor. In this scenario, which is related to massive stars, the overall neutron exposure is not sufficient for the s process to reach mass flow equilibrium. Hence, abundances and isotopic ratios are very sensitive to the neutron capture cross sections of single isotopes, and nucleosynthesis models need accurate experimental data. In this work we report on a new measurement of the 63Cu(n,γ) cross section for which the existing experimental data show large discrepancies. The 63Cu(n,γ) cross section at kBT=25 keV was determined via activation with a quasistellar neutron spectrum at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Geel, and the energy dependence was determined with the time-of-flight technique and the calorimetric 4πBaF2 detector array DANCE at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. We provide new cross section data for the whole astrophysically relevant energy range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-resolved scanning transmission x-ray microscopy has been used for the direct imaging of spin-wave dynamics in a thin film yttrium iron garnet (YIG) with sub-200 nm spatial resolution. Application of this x-ray transmission technique to single-crystalline garnet films was achieved by extracting a lamella (13 × 5 × 0.185 μ m 3) of the liquid phase epitaxy grown YIG thin film out of a gadolinium gallium garnet substrate. Spin waves in the sample were measured along the Damon-Eshbach and backward volume directions of propagation at gigahertz frequencies and with wavelengths in a range between 200 nm and 10 μ m. The results were compared to theoretical models. Here, the widely used approximate dispersion equation for dipole-exchange spin waves proved to be insufficient for describing the observed Damon-Eshbach type modes. For achieving an accurate description, we made use of the full analytical theory taking mode-hybridization effects into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidents in which a person is run over are often associated with multiple serious injuries. Immediate bleeding control is crucial. Pressure and shear stress at the borders of subcutaneous tissue to the muscle fascia can cause hypoperfusion and the emergence of blood-filled cavities that are associated with a high risk of infection and necrosis, a so-called Morel-Lavallée lesion. Insufficient therapy can lead to local complications and furthermore to live-threatening sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3) have been available since the beginning of 2016. SEPSIS-3 completely replaces the old SIRS criteria in the definition of sepsis and defines sepsis from now on as "life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection". However, it seems questionable whether in clinical practice the new definition is really superior to the old one. The most important question is the following: Is it helpful to have a definition that first recognizes a patient once organ dysfunction has occurred and the patient already needs intensive care? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the x-ray magnetic circular dichroism effect, the soft x-ray range provides powerful detection capabilities concerning element specific structural, chemical, and magnetic properties. We present the implementation of a variable 0.22 T magnet system based on permanent magnets into the new UHV scanning microscope 'MAXYMUS' at HZB/BESSY II, allowing surface sensitive and simultaneous standard transmission microscopic investigations in a variable external magnetic field. The outstanding potential of these new investigation possibilities will be demonstrated showing the development of the magnetic domain structure concurrently at the surface and in the bulk, providing a profound understanding of fundamental mechanisms in coupled magnetic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percutaneous hepatic chemosaturation is a treatment option for unresectable primary or secondary liver tumors. In this procedure the part of the inferior vena cava (VCI) that collects blood from the hepatic veins is isolated using a double balloon catheter. Like this, systemic distribution of the chemotherapeutic agent melphalan which is administered via the hepatic artery can be prevented. After passage through the liver and drainage from the retrohepatic VCI, the chemosaturated blood passes through two extracorporeal filters. Subsequently, the filtered blood is returned via the jugular vein. The procedure is often accompanied by severe hemodynamic instability, the cause of which is still not completely understood. In addition, coagulation management of extracorporeal circulation is often challenging. The authors report a case in which a thrombus formed in the returning leg of the extracorporeal circulation despite sufficient activated clotting time (ACT). Targeted problem search and resolution were necessary simultaneously to hemodynamic stabilization and interdisciplinary collaboration to successfully perform the intervention and provide the patient with safe treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we present a case of a tracheal fistula due to an anastomotic insufficiency following abdominothoracic esophageal resection. Despite immediate discontinuity resection, the tracheal fistula could not be surgically closed, resulting in incomplete control of the source of infection and an alternative treatment concept in the form of interventional fistula closure using a Y-tracheal stent. However, owing to existing severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is associated with a considerable risk of peri-interventional hypoxia, a temporary bridging concept using venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was implemented successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) comprises a group of pulmonary vascular diseases that are characterized by progressive exertional dyspnea and right heart insufficiency ultimately resulting in right heart decompensation. The classification is into five clinical subgroups that form the absolutely essential basis for decisions on the indications for different pharmacological and non-pharmacological forms of treatment. The guidelines were updated in 2015 and in addition to the hitherto existing pharmacological treatment options of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists and prostacyclins, the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat has now been incorporated for treatment of certain forms of PH. This article provides an overview of the new treatment recommendations in the current guidelines, e. g. for PH patients who are in intensive care units due to surgical interventions or progressive right heart insufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the hospital, human resource planning has to consider the needs and preferences of personnel and planners as well as the financial interest of the hospital. Additionally, staff planning has become more complex due to a growing number of part-time doctors as well as a variety of working shifts.Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe existing human resource planning in German anesthesiology departments. Furthermore, we evaluated existing software solutions supporting human resource planning.Materials and Methods: Anesthesiology departments of German university hospitals were enrolled in the study. The aspects covered were tools and time needed for planning, amount of conflicts while planning, components of the software solutions and the efficiency and satisfaction according to the users. This was evaluated for short-, intermediate- and long-term planning. Two groups were compared: departments with and without software exchanging information among the three planning periods.Results: Out of 35 university anesthesiology departments, 23 took part in the survey. On average they employed 105.8 ± 27.8 doctors who had to cover 13.5 ± 6.3 different shifts during a weekday. Personnel planning is mostly done by senior physicians. In some departments, other staff, such as residents and junior doctors, were involved as well. Software that exchanged information between short-, intermediate- and long-term planning was used in 53 % of the departments (12 out of 23). Five departments used commercially available planning software: Polypoint Deutschland (PolypointDeutschland), Atoss (Atoss AG) and SP Expert (Interflex Datensysteme). The time needed for short-term planning was slightly reduced in the exchanging software group. No difference was shown for the intermediate planning period. The use of this software led to a slight reduction in planning conflicts and increased the self-estimated efficiency of the users (p = 0.02). Throughout all groups, the major complaint was missing interfaces, for example between the software and human resources department. The ideal planning software should reduce time needed for planning and prevent planning conflicts according to the interviewed physicians. Furthermore it should be flexible and transparent for all involved staff.Conclusions: This study analyzed structures established in human resource planning in the anesthesiology departments for the first time. Time for planning varies significantly in comparable departments indicating suboptimal processes. Throughout Germany, the requirements for human resources planning are similar; for example, the software should integrate all aspects of HR planning. Different approaches are under evaluation but so far no software solution has prevailed. The used solutions vary substantially and therefore a comparison is difficult. There is no software solution with wide adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every day, more than 800 women die from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth. Since 1952 the Confidential Enquiry of Maternal Deaths Reports (CEMD) have collected and analysed data on maternal mortality in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. This publication analyses the CEMD from 1985-2013 regarding anaesthesia- and analgesia related maternal deaths during pregnancy or peripartum. During this period, there has been a reduction in directly anaesthesia-related maternal deaths to 4.3%. Yet, an increase in anaesthesia-associated maternal deaths has been recorded. The rate of fatal complications during obstetric regional anaesthesia doubled in recent years, while the fatality risk for obstetric general anaesthesia has decreased. Many of the reported maternal deaths could presumably have been avoided. The anaesthesiologist has to be familiar with state-of-the-art, guideline-based concepts for anaesthesia during pregnancy, childbirth or post partum, especially using tools like simulation. Vital sign monitoring after obstetric anaesthesia has to be identical to other postoperative monitoring, and Modified Early Warning Scores should be used for this purpose. In regional anaesthesia, current standards for hygiene have to be adhered to and patients have to be visited after spinal/epidural anaesthesia. Interdisciplinary communication and collaboration still have to be improved; careful interdisciplinary planning of childbirth in high-risk obstetric patients is strongly advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The penetration of magnetic flux into high-temperature superconductors has been observed using a high-resolution technique based on x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. Superconductors coated with thin soft-magnetic layers are observed in a scanning x-ray microscope under the influence of external magnetic fields. Resulting electric currents in the superconductor create an inhomogeneous magnetic field distribution above the superconductor and lead to a local reorientation of the ferromagnetic layer. Measuring the local magnetization of the ferromagnet by x-ray absorption microscopy with circular-polarized radiation allows the analysis of the magnetic flux distribution in the superconductor with a spatial resolution on the nanoscale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the eruption of the worldwide SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in late 2019/early 2020, multiple elective surgical interventions were postponed. Through pandemic measures, elective operation capacities were reduced in favour of intensive care treatment for critically ill SARS-CoV-2 patients. Although intermittent low-incidence infection rates allowed an increase in elective surgery, surgeons have to include long-term pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications of SARS-CoV-2 infections (especially "Long Covid") in their perioperative management considerations and risk assessment procedures. This review summarizes recent consensus statements and recommendations regarding the timepoint for surgical intervention after SARS-CoV-2 infection released by respective German societies and professional representatives including DGC/BDC (Germany Society of Surgery/Professional Association of German Surgeons e.V.) and DGAI/BDA (Germany Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine/Professional Association of German Anesthesiologists e.V.) within the scope of the recent literature. The current literature reveals that patients with pre- and perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection have a dramatically deteriorated postoperative outcome. Thereby, perioperative mortality is mainly caused by pulmonary and thromboembolic complications. Notably, perioperative mortality decreases to normal values over time depending on the duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Securing the airway by means of endotracheal intubation ( ETI) represents a fundamental skill for anaesthesiologists in emergency situations. This study aimed to evaluate the time needed by first-year anaesthesiology residents to perform 200 ETIs and assessed the associated success rates and number of attempts until successful ETI. Methods This prospective single centre study evaluated the number of working days, the success rate, the attempts needed until successful ETI in consecutive blocks of 25 ETI procedures and the related difficulties and complications. Results From 2007 to 2010, 21 residents were evaluated consecutively. These residents needed a mean (mean ± standard deviation) of 15.6 ± 3.0 days for 25 ETIs. Out of all residents 52% reached the target value of 200 ETIs after 50.2 ± 14.8 weeks of total working time. The ETI success rate after the first 25 ETIs increased steadily to the results after 200 ETIs ( ETI success rate within one ETI attempt: 67% vs. 83%, P = 0.0001; ETI success rate within all ETI attempts: 82% vs. 92%, P = 0.0001). The number of attempts required until successful ETI decreased from 1.6 ± 0.8 after the first 25 ETIs to 1.3 ± 0.6 after 200 ETIs ( P = 0.0001). Conclusion The increasing rate of relative ETI success and the decreasing rate of necessary attempts for successful airway management suggest a steadily increasing gain in ETI experience. The complications that developed during the first 200 ETI procedures justify supervision by a specialist in the field or a senior physician. Moreover, these results may influence the minimum requirement for qualification in anaesthesiology and emergency medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first edition of the World Society of Emergency Surgeons (WSES) guidelines on the indications and treatment of open abdomen in trauma as well as in non-trauma patients was published at the end of 2018. Publications from 1980 to 2017 were included in the evaluation. Based on the GRADE system each publication was checked for its evidence and evaluated in a Delphi process. In this article the aspects of the guidelines are presented and commented on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intravascular fluid administration belongs to the cornerstones of perioperative treatment with a substantial impact on surgical outcome especially with respect to major abdominal surgery. By avoidance of hypovolemia and hypervolemia, adequate perioperative fluid management significantly contributes to the reduction of insufficient tissue perfusion as a determinant of postoperative morbidity and mortality. The effective use of intravascular fluids requires detailed knowledge of the substances as well as measures to guide fluid therapy. Fluid management already starts preoperatively and should be continued in the postoperative setting (recovery room, peripheral ward) considering a patient-adjusted and surgery-adjusted hemodynamic monitoring. Communication between all team members participating in perioperative care is essential to optimize fluid management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]