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Handling emergencies requires efficient and effective collaboration of medical professionals. To analyze their performance, in an application study, we have developed VisCoMET, a visual analytics approach displaying interactions of healthcare personnel in a triage training of a mass casualty incident. The application scenario stems from social interaction research, where the collaboration of teams is studied from different perspectives. We integrate recorded annotations from multiple sources, such as recorded videos of the sessions, transcribed communication, and eye‐tracking information. For each session, an information‐rich timeline visualizes events across these different channels, specifically highlighting interactions between the team members. We provide algorithmic support to identify frequent event patterns and to search for user‐defined event sequences. Comparing different teams, an overview visualization aggregates each training session in a visual glyph as a node, connected to similar sessions through edges. An application example shows the usage of the approach in the comparative analysis of triage training sessions, where multiple teams encountered the same scene, and highlights discovered insights. The approach was evaluated through feedback from visualization and social interaction experts. The results show that the approach supports reflecting on teams' performance by exploratory analysis of collaboration behavior while particularly enabling the comparison of triage training sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of ultralow‐velocity zones (ULVZs) remains an open question despite recent advances in mineral physics and seismology. Here, we examine the hypothesis that FeSi formed from core‐mantle chemical reactions is a plausible source of ULVZs at the core‐mantle boundary (CMB). The sound velocities of B2‐structured FeSi were measured up to 115(2) GPa and 1600(200) K by nuclear inelastic scattering (NIS) in laser‐heated diamond anvil cells (LH‐DACs). Within uncertainties, the sound velocities of B2‐FeSi display negligible anharmonicity, hence validating the extrapolation of velocity‐density relations (Birch's law) to P‐T conditions of the CMB. The sound velocities of B2‐FeSi are significantly lower compared to other candidate phases in a lowermost mantle assemblage, and the Preliminary Reference Earth Model at CMB conditions. Less than 8.4 vol% of FeSi in the aggregate is thus sufficient to explain both the velocity decrements and the high density anomaly observed in a wide range of ULVZs. Plain Language Summary: Seismic studies have revealed patches on the Earth's core‐mantle boundary (CMB), which have extremely low seismic velocities. However, the origin of these so‐called ultralow‐velocity zones (ULVZs) remains unclear. One plausible source could be FeSi, which is assumed to form from chemical reactions between material from the core and the mantle. Here, we test this hypothesis in an experimental study, where the elastic behavior of FeSi is measured while the sample is exposed to very high pressures and temperatures comparable to those in the Earth's lower mantle. From these measurements we derived the sound velocities of the high‐pressure phase of FeSi at the CMB. We found that the sound velocities of FeSi are significantly lower than those of the average lowermost mantle measured in seismic studies, and also lower than those of other mineral phases in this region, which are also considered as potential sources of ULVZs. FeSi is thus a plausible candidate to explain the origin of ULVZs. Our results show that less than 8.4% of FeSi by volume in the aggregate are enough to explain both the amplitude of the velocity reduction and the high density anomaly observed in a wide range of ULVZs. Key Points: Very low sound velocities in B2‐FeSi, a candidate phase at the CMB, measured up to 115 GPa and 1600 K by NISNegligible anharmonic contributions to sound velocities validate the extrapolation of Birch's law to CMB conditionsLess than 8.4 vol% B2‐FeSi produced by core‐mantle reactions are enough to explain the seismic anomalies associated with the ULVZs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the dynamics of the Agulhas inshore front in the submesoscale range upstream of 26° E. Submesoscale frontal eddies are observed in the vicinity of Port Elizabeth (26° E) from satellite images and in observations collected from underwater gliders. Using a submesoscale‐resolving numerical model (dx ∼ 0.75 km), we are able to simulate similar submesoscale eddies. Barotropic instability is confirmed as the generation mechanism by a one‐dimensional linear stability analysis and an eddy kinetic energy budget. Kinetic energy is transferred from the mean flow to the eddies through the mean horizontal shear, which is a signature of barotropic instability. When the Agulhas Current is in a nonmeandering state, submesoscale eddy generation is a recurrent process which locally drives the front's variability. Along the front, the spatial variability of barotropic instability is shaped by the background strain. A large strain aligned with the frontal axis intensifies the frontal shear upstream of 28° E while a weakening of the strain allows for barotropic instability to be triggered downstream. Although an intermittent process, the barotropic instability shows a dominant period of variability comparable with the variability of the Agulhas Current and Undercurrent. Key Points: Submesoscale frontal eddies are generated due to barotropic instability in the Agulhas CurrentThe background strain provides favorable conditions for instability generationA new regime of variability is highlighted in addition to the two modes described by Paldor and Lutjeharms (2009) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zentralblatt fuer Arbeitsmedizin, Arbeitsschutz und Ergonomie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Cruise data sets, satellite remote sensing observations, and model data analyses are combined to highlight the existence of a coastal surface poleward flow in the southwest of Madagascar: the Southwest MAdagascar Coastal Current (SMACC). The SMACC is a relatively shallow (<300 m) and narrow (<100 km wide) warm and salty coastal surface current, which flows along the south western coast of Madagascar toward the south, opposite to the dominant winds. The warm water surface signature of the SMACC extends from 22°S (upstream) to 26.4°S (downstream). The SMACC exhibits a seasonal variability: more intense in summer and reduced in winter. The average volume transport of its core is about 1.3 Sv with a mean summer maximum of 2.1 Sv. It is forced by a strong cyclonic wind stress curl associated with the bending of the trade winds along the southern tip of Madagascar. The SMACC directly influences the coastal upwelling regions south of Madagascar. Its existence is likely to influence local fisheries and larval transport patterns, as well as the connectivity with the Agulhas Current, affecting the returning branch of the global overturning circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the requirements for achieving high-fidelity interference of photon pairs emitted by two independently trapped Rb-87 atoms at remote locations. For this purpose, one has to ensure indistin-guishability of the single photon wave packets. The crucial parameters here are the synchronization of the two setups, the frequency matching of the photons, as well as their spatial mode overlap. We show that in our experiment these parameters can be controlled to a high degree. This is a first step towards entangling two trapped atoms over a large distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the problem of designing a static output feedback controller for uncertain polynomial systems via an iterative sums of squares (SOS) approach. The derivation of the static output feedback controller is given in terms of the solvability conditions of state-dependent bilinear matrix inequalities (BMIs). An iterative algorithm based on the SOS decomposition is proposed to solve these state-dependent BMIs. Finally, numerical examples are provided at the end of the study as to demonstrate the validity of the proposed design technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a tomographic technique based on Photoelectron Angular Distributions (PADs) measured by Velocity-Map-Imaging (VMI) to reconstruct the three-dimensional shape of ultrashort free electron wave packets obtained from 1+2 Resonance Enhanced Multi-Photon Ionization (REMPI) of potassium atoms. To this end the laser pulse is rotated about its propagation direction and a set of PADs are recorded at different rotation angles. The tomographic reconstruction technique is described and results for linear and elliptical polarization are presented. Results for linearly polarized light producing cylindrically symmetric electron wave packets confirm the validity of our method whereas elliptically polarized light serves as a prototype for polarization-shaped laser pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoelectron Angular Distributions (PADs) resulting from nonperturbative excitation of potassium atoms using shaped femtosecond laser pulses are presented. We study control exerted by (1) the polarization of an unshaped, i.e., a bandwidth-limited light pulse, (2) shaped linearly polarized light, and (3) a combination of both degrees of freedom, i.e., polarization-shaped laser pulses. A theoretical approach to describe PADs from nonperturbative Resonance Enhanced Multi-Photon Ionization (REMPI) with ultrashort polarization-shaped laser pulses is presented and compared to experimental results. Applications of this technique to the generation and observation of atomic ring currents are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Hautarzt is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Kindling is a generally accepted model for studying epilepsy development in the context of overexpression of processes of neuronal plasticity. In previous studies we have shown that establishment of kindling by repeated application of subconvulsive doses of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) also led to marked changes in hippocampal excitability and an impairment in learning behaviour. With the intention of further investigating the relationship between kindling development, kindling-induced changes in excitability and learning deficits, rats were chemically kindled under pretreatment with the nootropic drug piracetam. Furthermore, we tested acute piracetam effects on developed kindling seizures, the learning deficit and potentiation effects. At the investigated dose piracetam did not influence the kindling development. The kindling-induced potentiation of hippocampal field potentials was significantly diminished in piracetam-pretreated rats. Piracetam acutely injected completely antagonized this potentiation effect. Piracetam brought about a significant improvement in impaired learning performance in rats pretreated during kindling induction and acutely injected before the learning experiment, respectively. Possible correlations between the suppressing of the kindling related potentiation in hippocampal structures by piracetam and its beneficial effect on learning impairment are discussed as antagonizing overexpression of potentiation in the course of kindling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumours in hollow organs requires light application devices which enable homogeneous illumination of the tissue surface in hollow organs. This paper presents two laser light application systems generating a homogeneous light distribution and one monitoring unit which detects variations in the applied laser light intensity during treatment. A cylindrical light diffuser has been developed for PDT of cylindrical organs (e.g. bronchus, oesophagus). This system guarantees a defined homogeneity of the laser light intensity. An exact positioning to a defined treatment area is possible. Adjacent tissue is prevented from laser light irradiation. A special lens system has been developed for the irradiation of flat surfaces (e.g. skin, carina, organ wall of the large bowel and the stomach). The illumination area is defined by the distance to the tissue and the large aperture. The size of the system allows for it to pass through the biopsy channel of conventional endoscopes. A monitoring device recently developed helps to detects of the fibre, changes in the medium around the fibre tip, and variations of the laser output power during laser treatment. All devices serve for evaluating an accurate light dosimetry in clinical PDT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to obtain further evidence of the pharmacological effects of retention-facilitating substances, the influence of sodium-orotate, methylglucamine orotate, and pirazetam on the bioelectrical activity of central nervous system structures were studied. Sodium orotate showed no influence on the cortical and hippocampal spontaneous EEGs of conscious nonimmobilized rabbits. The amplitude of the first surface-positive wave of the cortical evoked potential that was elicited by stimulation of tooth pulp was, however, significantly increased in long-lasting terms by both pirazetam and the two salts of orotic acid. Similarly, the three substances also influenced the changes in excitability induced by PTP of tooth pulp. The findings suggest that these chemicals facilitate in nonspecific manner responses to externally applied stimuli through central structures. The relationships between the altered stimulus response and the retention-facilitating action of these substances are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Stoma formation is a standard procedure in gastrointestinal surgery; however, the incidence seems to remain high. Here, we performed a prospective study on 137 patients with ileostomy or colostomy in order to identify potential risk factors. Methodology: 137 patients received stomas and were prospectively followed up four times after surgery. Early and late stoma complications, potential risk factors, and QOL were recorded using a modified SF-36 form. Results were subjected to statistical analysis and discussed with the view onto the current literature. Results: 72 patients received a colostomy and 65 patients an ileostomy. There was a complication rate of 55.5% (n = 76). 53 patients had early, 44 patients had late, and some had both early and late complications. Early complications occurred less than two months after surgery and included necrosis (16.1%), abscess (13.9%), and dehiscence (10.9%). Late complications included parastomal hernia (11.7%), chronic peristomal skin alteration (8.8%), stenosis (6.6%), prolaps (3.6%), and retraction 0.7%). 15 patients with late stoma complications needed surgery. High body mass index, emergency procedure, and omitted preoperative stoma marking were associated with significant higher risks for developing stoma complications. The availability of a stoma nurse greatly influenced outcome and QOL. Conclusion: Stoma complications are not rare and the surgeon should pay special attention to details of the technique. QOL of stoma patients is greatly influenced by specially trained stoma nurses. The identified risk factors have to be considered in order to reduce the incidence of stoma complications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an abstract about the study of the involvement of synaptic glycoproteins GP65 and GP55 in hippocampal long-term potentiation. Both, Gp65 and gp55 are major glycoproteins of synaptic membranes in rat forebrain. Both proteins are encoded by the same gene and derive from alternatively spliced transcripts. They have a single transmembrane region proximal to the C-terminus and two or three extracellular immunglobulin-like domains.