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The author argues for an industry in which unethical behavior is punished; professional expectations, pay, and desired outcomes are standardized; and creators are given the same rights and protections as other professional marketers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing numbers of patients and novel drugs for distinct causes of systolic and diastolic heart failure, automated assessment of cardiac function is important. We aimed to provide a non-invasive method to predict diagnosis of patients undergoing cardiac MRI (cMRI) and to obtain left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP).

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a fatal complication experienced by otherwise healthy epilepsy patients. Dravet syndrome (DS) is an inherited epileptic disorder resulting from loss of function of the voltage-gated sodium channel, NaV1.1, and is associated with particularly high SUDEP risk. Evidence is mounting that NaVs abundant in the brain also occur in the heart, suggesting that the very molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy could also precipitate cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Despite marked reduction of NaV1.1 functional expression in DS, pathogenic late sodium current (INa,L) is paradoxically increased in DS hearts. However, the mechanisms by which DS directly impacts the heart to promote sudden death remain unclear.

Ni2Mo3N was synthesized by ammonolysis of NiMoO4, prepared by a sol-gel-based modified Pechini route. X-ray powder diffraction measurements confirmed that Ni2Mo3N crystallizes in a filled β-Mn type (cubic space group P4132) with a lattice parameter of a= 6.6338 Å. Group theoretical methods were applied to elucidate the relation between the crystal structure of Ni2Mo3N and that of the rock salt type. The high-temperature behavior was investigated in-situby X-ray diffraction measurements in flowing ammonia gas at temperatures up to 875 °C. Ni2Mo3N exhibits significant catalytical activity for ammonia decomposition, which is critically discussed in comparison to literature.

Objectives: To describe the concept, establishment and the operationalization of the biobank of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study (SwiSCI), the available biosamples, and demographic and clinical characteristics of study participants. Setting: The SwiSCI biobank is a platform for research within SwiSCI. It collects and processes serum, plasma, PBMCs, RNA, DNA, and urine from three rehabilitation centers. Samples are collected at admission to first rehabilitation and at discharge. Additionly, the biobank provides services to projects nested in SwiSCI or otherclinical trials among Spinal Cord Injury population. Methods: Descriptive statistics were used for an overview of available biosamples, study participant characteristics, and comparison of the participating centers. Results: Between the SwiSCI biobank establishment on June 27th, 2016, and October 19th, 2023, the SwiSCI Study has obtained informed consent from 524 individuals. Of these, 315 (60.1%) have agreed to donate biospecimens to the biobank. The average age of the contributors was 54 years (range: 38–65), with the majority being male (80%). Most participants suffered from traumatic injuries (66%) and were classified as paraplegic (64%). Approximately 80% presented with motor and sensory-incomplete SCI. The median Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) score was 31 (Interquartile Range: 19–58). The proportion of individuals providing paired biosamples at two distinct time points ranged from 63% (for RNA) to 65% (for urine and urine sediment). Conclusions: The SwiSCI biobank is a unique platform designed to serve as a basis for collaborative SCI research, including multi-omics approaches. The longitudinal collection of biospecimens and cryopreservation of multiple aliquots for each participant are fundamental for scrutinizing the temporal associations, ensuring research reproducibility, and achieving an adequate sample size for future investigations.

After providing an overview of the legal framework of unjust dismissal litigation in Germany, the author answers questions pertaining to the law. ********** The law governing the termination of employment [...]

A Hollywood, Florida, conference of specialists in preventing, detecting, and responding to money laundering might not seem to be the most likely spot for the next innovation in nuclear nonproliferation [...]

In Haus- und Gebäudeinstallationen werden Kompensatoren und Wellschläuche als flexibles Verbindungsstück zwischen Rohrleitungen eingesetzt. Ihre Hauptaufgabe besteht in der Ableitung auftretender Kräfte, die beispielsweise durch thermische Ausdehnung und Versatz hervorgerufen werden. Somit besitzen sie eine sicherheits- und funktionsrelevante Bedeutung. Für einen effizienten und sicheren Anlagenbetrieb sind zur Umsetzung einer zustandsabhängigen Instandhaltungsstrategie Kenntnisse über das Degradationsverhalten eines Kompensators notwendig, um frühzeitig mögliche Schadensereignisse zu erkennen. Innerhalb eines Forschungsprojekts wurden messtechnische Charakteristiken hypothetischer Degradationszustände mit dem Ziel untersucht, ein Konzept für eine Systemdiagnose zu entwickeln.

This study develops two new analytical models for constant rate pumping at a partially penetrating well in a double‐porosity confined aquifer, considering skin and formation zones. One model, referred to as the two‐zone model, incorporates a flow equation to depict the flow in the skin around the well. The other model, named the source‐term model, introduces a novel source term at the outer rim of the skin to reflect the effects of both the skin and wellbore storage. The analytical solutions for both models are derived by the Laplace transform and finite Fourier cosine transform. Additionally, a finite element solution for the source‐term model is presented. Results suggest the source‐term model is suitable to most wells when the width of the skin is less than 1 m and the radius of influence exceeds the outer rim of the skin. Temporal drawdown distribution for a negative skin exhibits a triple‐humped shape with two flat stages, while that for a positive skin shows monotonous increase. The source‐term model enables orthogonal 5 × 5 nodes for finite element approximation to discretize a well and its adjacent skin. The finite element solution aligns with early drawdown data measured at an observation well under the effects observed in two field constant rate pumping tests. In conclusion, this study introduces a novel approach to modeling two‐zone flow, which may find practical utility in field applications. Numerical modeling experts always say finely discretizing space as many nodes achieves accurate simulation of groundwater flow in aquifers. However, it takes unnecessary addition to computational cost with applying a large number of orthogonal nodes to discretize the circular rim of a well and the ring‐shaped skin zone around the well. The radius rwof a well is usually 0.1 m. The inner radius of the skin zone equals rw; the other outer radius rsusually falls in 1 m. Our example demonstrates the number of the orthogonal nodes is about 600 if rw= 0.1 m, rs= 1 m, and the well rim is discretized as four nodes, but the prediction of a conventional model is incorrect. This study introduces a new groundwater flow model. The model allows orthogonal 5 × 5 nodes to discretize a well rim and its surrounding skin zone, which is practical at low computational cost. This new model is applied to two field constant‐rate pumping tests in which a well extracts groundwater with a constant volumetric rate. Results suggest the predicted water level by the new model approaches the measured water level in the tests. The model may serve as a useful alternative for groundwater pumping and simulations. Two novel analytical models are proposed for flow due to constant rate pumping at a two‐zone double‐porosity confined aquiferOne model named as two‐zone model is built by applying flow equations to both skin and formation zonesA new source term is introduced in the other model, called as source‐term model, to reflect the effects of the skin and wellbore storage Two novel analytical models are proposed for flow due to constant rate pumping at a two‐zone double‐porosity confined aquifer One model named as two‐zone model is built by applying flow equations to both skin and formation zones A new source term is introduced in the other model, called as source‐term model, to reflect the effects of the skin and wellbore storage

Merton [1974] develops a structural framework for the pricing of corporate debt subject to default by noting the analogy between the payoff to equity holders in a levered firm and [...]

Störungen, wie z. B. ein defektes Werkzeug, führen häufig im Ablauf einer Baustellenmontage zu Verzögerungen und dazu, dass die Montagesteuerung kurzfristig einen neuen Montageablauf festlegen muss, um negative Folgen zu vermeiden. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Forschungsprojekt vorgestellt, welches die Entwicklung einer Methode zum Ziel hat, in der Online-Simulation eingesetzt wird, um schnell günstige Alternativpläne zu identifizieren und anhand unternehmensindividueller Zielgrößen zu bewerten.*

ABSTRACTIntroductionCardiac hypertrophy is associated with adverse outcomes across cardiovascular disease states. Despite strides over the last three decades in identifying molecular and cellular mechanisms driving hypertrophy, the link between pathophysiological stress stimuli and specific myocyte/heart growth profiles remains unclear. Moreover, the optimal strategy for preventing pathology in the setting of hypertrophy remains controversial.Areas CoveredThis review discusses molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac hypertrophy with a focus on factors driving the orientation of myocyte growth and the impact on heart function. We highlight recent work showing a novel role for the spectrin-based cytoskeleton, emphasizing regulation of myocyte dimensions but not hypertrophy per se. Finally, we consider opportunities for directing the orientation of myocyte growth in response to hypertrophic stimuli as an alternative therapeutic approach. Relevant publications on the topic were identified through Pubmed with open-ended search dates.Expert OpinionTo define new therapeutic avenues, more precision is required when describing changes in myocyte and heart structure/function in response to hypertrophic stimuli. Recent developments in computational modeling of hypertrophic networks, in concert with more refined experimental approaches will catalyze translational discovery to advance the field and further our understanding of cardiac hypertrophy and its relationship with heart disease.

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Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, with growing evidence identifying obesity as an important risk factor for the development of AF. Although defective atrial myocyte excitability due to stress-induced remodeling of ion channels is commonly observed in the setting of AF, little is known about the mechanistic link between obesity and AF. Recent studies have identified increased cardiac late sodium current (INa,L) downstream of calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) activation as an important driver of AF susceptibility. Methods: Here, we investigated a possible role for CaMKII-dependent INa,Lin obesity-induced AF using wild-type (WT) and whole-body knock-in mice that ablates phosphorylation of the Nav1.5 sodium channel and prevents augmentation of the late sodium current (S571A; SA mice). Results: A high-fat diet (HFD) increased susceptibility to arrhythmias in WT mice, while SA mice were protected from this effect. Unexpectedly, SA mice had improved glucose homeostasis and decreased body weight compared to WT mice. However, SA mice also had reduced food consumption compared to WT mice. Controlling for food consumption through pair feeding of WT and SA mice abrogated differences in weight gain and AF inducibility, but not atrial fibrosis, premature atrial contractions or metabolic capacity. Conclusions: These data demonstrate a novel role for CaMKII-dependent regulation of Nav1.5 in mediating susceptibility to arrhythmias and whole-body metabolism under conditions of diet-induced obesity.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Cardiac fibrosis contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and arrhythmia. Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are collagen-producing cells that regulate extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis. A complex signaling network has been defined linking environmental stress to changes in CF function and fibrosis. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) has emerged as a critical integrator of pro-fibrotic signals in CFs downstream of several established signaling networks.Areas covered: This article provides an overview of STAT3 function in CFs and its involvement in coordinating a vast web of intracellular pro-fibrotic signaling molecules and transcription factors. We highlight recent work elucidating a critical role for the fibroblast cytoskeleton in maintaining spatial and temporal control of STAT3-related signaling . Finally, we discuss potential opportunities and obstacles for therapeutic targeting of STAT3 to modulate cardiac fibrosis and arrhythmias. Relevant publications on the topic were identified through Pubmed.Expert opinion: Therapeutic targeting of STAT3 for CVD and arrhythmias presents unique challenges and opportunities. Thus, it is critical to consider the multimodal and dynamic nature of STAT3 signaling. Going forward, it will be beneficial to consider ways to maintain balanced STAT3 function, rather than large-scale perturbations in STAT3 function.

AbstractBackground:Reduced ejection fraction (EF) in chronic moderate aortic regurgitation (AR) could be either due to a late remodelling response after longstanding moderate AR, or could represent a specific phenotype of cardiomyopathy (CMP) with concomitant AR. The aim of this study was to analyse progression of left ventricular (LV) impairment in moderate AR.Methods:All patients in our echocardiography database between 2005 and 2016 were screened to identify pure chronic moderate AR, excluding significant coronary artery disease (CAD) or concomitant valve disease. Remaining 152 patients were divided into three groups: (a) preserved systolic LV function; (b) reduced LV EF and prediagnosed concomitant cardiomyopathy (CMP); (c) reduced LV EF without prediagnosed CMP.Results:The majority patients (group A = 66%) had preserved systolic LV function, remaining oligosymptomatic with stable LVEDD at follow-up. Non-CMP patients with reduced EF at baseline (group C = 18%) were significantly older (group C: 74 vs. group A: 61 years, p < .001) whereas left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) significantly increased over time (p = .046). Development of renal insufficiency, atrial fibrillation and NYHA > II were significant risk factors linked to the worsening of LV function in patients with moderate AR.Conclusion:Preserved LV EF and LVEDD remain stable over a long lasting period in the majority of patients. However, these data suggest that some patients develop reduced LV EF, even without progression of AR to severe, especially if renal insufficiency or atrial fibrillation are present.

Arterial hypertension (AHT) is a major risk factor for stroke, yet blood pressure (BP) goals thereafter remain uncertain. Although additional prognostic value of 24-hour ambulant BP monitoring (ABPM) is acknowledged, its clinical impacts remain limited. We suspected that routine ABPM could identify characteristic circadian BP patterns in different brain lesion types, the knowledge of which might, in turn, be helpful in improving overall BP management in patients after stroke. In our study, we compared cardiovascular parameters derived from ABPM and traditional blood pressure measurements (TBPM) among 105 stroke survivors who entered our inpatient neuro-rehabilitation program. The mean age of mostly male (64.8%) patients was 71 ± 12 years. Ischemic strokes were predominant (75.2%). Despite normotensive systolic BP means in TBPM (133.5 ± 18.2 mmHg) and ABPM (24 h: 122.8 ± 14.7 mmHg), AHT persisted in up to 67.6% of all patients, with ABPM uncovering nocturnal systolic non- or reversed dipping in 89.5% and 53.3%, respectively. The latter was predominant (85.7%) in the hemorrhagic subgroup which also displayed lower daytime SBP than the ischemic one (ABPM: 117.1 ± 11.8 vs 124.7 ± 14.7 mmHg, p= 0.033). Further differences were present among distinct brain lesion types. Sufficient dippers were younger (58 ± 12 vs 75 ± 11 years, p< 0.001), but adjusting for age yielded no independent correlations. In spite of normotensive daytime BP measurements, ABPM detects latent AHT and insufficient nocturnal BP dipping after the acute phase of stroke. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of increased nocturnal BP in patients after stroke.

Background: Although the value of fast diagnostic protocols in suspected acute coronary syndrome has been validated, there is insufficient real world evidence including patients with lower pre-test probability, atypical symptoms and confounding comorbidities. The feasibility, efficacy and safety of European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/1 and 0/3-hour algorithms using high-sensitivity troponin T were evaluated in a consecutive cohort with suspected acute coronary syndrome.Methods: During 12 months, 2525 eligible patients were enrolled. In a pre-implementation period of 6 months, the prevalence of protocols, disposition, lengths of emergency department stay and treatments were registered. Implementation of the 0/1-hour protocol was monitored for another 6 months. Primary endpoints comprised the change of diagnostic protocols and 30-day mortality after direct discharge from the emergency department.Results: Use of the ESC 0/1-hour algorithm increased by 270% at the cost of the standard 0/3-hour protocol. After rule-out (1588 patients), 1309 patients (76.1%) were discharged directly from the emergency department, with an all-cause mortality of 0.08% at 30 days (one death due to lung cancer). Median lengths of stay were 2.9 (1.9–3.8) and 3.2 (2.7–4.4) hours using a single high-sensitivity troponin T below the limit of detection (5 ng/L) at presentation and the ESC 0/1-hour algorithm, respectively, as compared to 5.3 (4.7–6.5) hours using the ESC 0/3-hour rule-out protocol (P<0.001). Discharge rates increased from 53.9% to 62.8% (P<0.001), without excessive use of diagnostic resources within 30 days.Conclusion: Implementation of the ESC 0/1-hour algorithm is feasible and safe, is associated with shorter emergency department stay than the ESC 0/3-hour protocol, and an increase in discharge rates.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Unique identifier: NCT03111862.

ABSTRACTThis study explored how fifth-grade teachers and their students use indexical expressions (i.e. verbal expressions to convey the degree of certainty or tentativeness) as being indicative of dialogism in whole-class discussions in four elementary classes. Half of the classes received instruction on geographic information system (GIS)-related topics by way of technology integration and inquiry-based instruction, whereas the other half received typical social-studies lessons involving paper maps, serving as a baseline group. Technology integration was associated with relatively more use of indexical expressions, both boosters (to convey certainty) and hedges (to denote tentativeness), by teachers and their students and higher impact of student language on teacher language in the degree of absoluteness and tentativeness. Moreover, whereas the network of indexical expressions in the technology-integrated classes included a reciprocal impact between teachers and students and among students, the network in the baseline classes was limited to student-student exchanges alone. These findings suggest that technology integration in inquiry lessons tends to encourage the use of tentative and confirmatory language that aligns with the nature of the discipline.

Monitoring antibiotic use is essential to provide a framework enabling veterinarians to use antibiotics prudently. Electronic medical records from the University of Veterinary Medicine's Clinic for Ruminants in Vienna were analysed with respect to sheep and goat antibiotic doses administered over a 15‐year period (2005–2019). Antibiotic use was assessed using total milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), total milligrams, number of doses administered, defined daily doses (DDD) for cattle and estimated DDD for sheep. A total of 5113 antibiotic doses were recorded over the 15‐year period. Urinary tract disorders required the highest number of doses administered per animal (mean 16.9; median 16.0). Antibiotic use patterns varied according to the metrics used for analysis. By mg/kg, the largest proportion of antibiotics administered were penicillin/streptomycin (43.0% of the total mg/kg), followed by tetracyclines (17.3%) and sulphonamide/trimethoprim combinations (15.2%). By number of doses administered, the most frequently used antibiotics were penicillins (excluding combinations with streptomycin) (33.9% of total number of doses administered), fluoroquinolones (25.1%), third/fourth‐generation cephalosporins (13.6%) and penicillin/streptomycin (13.4%). As the university clinic was a city‐based referral centre, this analysis cannot be compared directly with antibiotic use in commercial herds or flocks. The considered choice of antibiotic use metrics is essential for an effective and meaningful analysis of the responsible use of antibiotics by veterinarians in practice.

Patients with coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) face an elevated risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). High-dose dobutamine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (DCMR) is a well-established technique to detect hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there is a lack of data regarding the safety of DCMR in patients with CABG. This study aims to evaluate the safety of DCMR in patients with CABG.

Abomasal ulcers are common in cattle, especially in calves, and to date, there is no reliable antemortem method for diagnosis, to our knowledge. We assessed if measuring sucrose in blood after oral administration in calves could be used to identify animals with abomasal ulcers. Terminally ill calves (n= 12; part A) and calves designated for slaughter (n= 123; part B) were given a sucrose solution per os, and blood samples were taken 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min (part A) or 30 and 60 min (part B) after administration. The calves were then euthanized or slaughtered, and their abomasa were examined. Serum samples were analyzed using highperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and data were analyzed using general linear mixed models. Calves both with and without affected abomasa had increasing sucrose values over time without significant differences. Also, there was no relationship between the size of the mucosal lesion and sucrose values.

In the past, the analytical model developed for a radially divergent heat flow in an aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system considers only the process of either thermal conduction or thermal dispersion. In addition, the existing models commonly regarded the inner boundary at the injection well as the constant‐temperature condition, which does not meet the continuity condition of heat flux at the wellbore. We herein propose an analytical model for a realistic representation of heat flow in an ATES system by considering the effects of both thermal conduction and thermal dispersion in the heat transfer equation and a Robin‐type boundary condition at the injection well. The model consists of three heat flow equations depicting the temperature distributions in the confined aquifer and its underlying and overlying rocks. The Laplace transform method is applied to solve the proposed model. The solutions for the cases of dispersion‐ and conduction‐dominant flow fields are also developed and discussed. Comparisons between the present solutions with five existing solutions developed for similar heated water injection problems are made. A global sensitivity method is also performed to analyze the thermal response to the change in each of the aquifer parameters. Finally, our solution is validated through the comparison with the finite difference solution and observed data from an ATES experiment site in Mobile, Alabama. A model for heat transfer includes the effects of both conduction and dispersion in ATES systemsThe Robin‐type boundary condition is set to keep the continuity of heat flux at the rim of the wellboreThe solution is validated by comparison with temperature data from an experimental ATES site

Agricultural expansion and intensification is occurring in seasonally dry regions of Central America, while droughts are intensifying due to increasing water demand and climatic change. Empirical measurements of water consumption of major crops in this region are scarce but crucial to assess agricultural water use dynamics in the light of increasing regional water conflicts. We empirically quantify total crop water use (CWU) and water footprints (WFs) of rainfed upland rice (wet season) and groundwater‐irrigated melons (dry season) grown sequentially as a double cropping system, one of the major cropping systems in the seasonally dry province of Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica. Data for this study cover 2 years and were measured with a state‐of‐the‐art eddy covariance water and carbon flux station. Upland rice only consumed green water (CWUgreen= 383 L/m2), while melons only consumed blue water (CWUblue= 177 L/m2). Irrigation was found to be 1.5 times larger than the actual melon water consumption, with better irrigation efficiencies than reported for melon farms in Brazil but slightly inferior to farms in Spain. Melon WFbluewas 79 m3/t, a much lower value than global and regional estimates reported but similar to values reported for melons produced in Brazil or Spain. Upland rice WFgreen(681 m3/t) was reported for the first time and was proven to be much lower than flood irrigated‐rice WFblue‐green. Our results demonstrated lower overall water demand for upland rice‐melon double crop compared to the two other major monocultures of the region (flood‐irrigated rice and irrigated sugar cane). Agricultural intensification is occurring in seasonally dry tropical areas. At the same time, droughts are becoming more severe due to climate change in many tropical regions. Empirical measurements of water usage in agriculture and water use efficiency are scarce in the tropics but are critical to achieving sustainable water management and resilient agricultural systems. We instrumented a production farm in the seasonally dry Guanacaste province of Costa Rica to measure agricultural water use for a regionally widespread double cropping system composed of irrigated melons and rainfed rice grown sequentially during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. For rice, 681 m3of rainwater was used per ton of yield, which is much less water than the water used to produce rice in flooded fields. Seventy‐nine cubic meters of irrigated water was used per ton of melons, which is similar to values reported for melons produced in Brazil or Spain. Irrigation of melons was found to be 1.5 times larger than crop water consumption during the dry season, and irrigation efficiencies were similar to Brazilian melon farms but slightly inferior to Spanish farms. We showed that the studied system used considerably less water than did two principal monocultures in the region (irrigated rice and irrigated sugar cane). This cropping system seems a competitive option for the Central American wet‐dry tropics in terms of water use. Water footprints of upland rice and irrigated melons empirically derived from eddy covariance were provided for the first timeMelon irrigation was 1.5 times larger than actual crop water consumption, posing a potential risk for seasonal water depletionOverall upland rice‐melon double cropping system showed a considerably lower water demand than did the other major monocultures in the region

This study proposes a new mathematical model for describing the drawdown distribution due to a constant rate pumping (CRP) in an unconfined aquifer considering the lagging theory. We introduce two lag times in Darcy's law and in turn in a free surface equation to reflect the effects of the capillary fringe and the capillary suction on the water table motion. The present free surface equation can reduce to those used in previous studies. The Laplace and Weber transform methods are used to derive the semianalytical solution to the model including the effect of wellbore storage. The algorithm of numerical Laplace inversion is applied to obtain the transient solution of the model. We find that the delay index, commonly used in the literature, is equivalent to the lag time associated with the effect of the capillary suction. The sensitivity analysis is performed to assess the drawdown behavior in response to the change in each aquifer parameter. The drawdown distributions predicted by the present solution agree fairly well to the field data taken from CRP tests at Cape Cod, Massachusetts; the Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ontario; and Saint Pardon de Conques, Gironde (France). The lag times determined by both CRP tests seem to decrease linearly with increasing distance on the logarithmic scale from the pumping well. The consideration of two lag times considerably improves the accuracy in estimated specific yields. This study develops a new model for describing unconfined flow due to pumping by introducing two lag time parameters in Darcy's lawThe parameters in a linearized free surface equation are considered to reflect the effects of capillary fringe and force on drawdownField data are analyzed based on the solution of the model and least squares approach to determine aquifer parameters

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Fetal growth restriction is a major determinant of perinatal morbidity and mortality. This condition has no gold standard definition, but a widely used proxy is delivery of a small for gestational age infant (<10th percentile) combined with an adverse pregnancy outcome. Effective screening for fetal growth restriction is an area of unmet clinical need. We aimed to determine the diagnostic effectiveness of a combination of ultrasonic fetal biometry and measurement of the ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 1 (sFLT1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with delivery of a small for gestational age infant.

Die Maschinendiagnose ist ein wichtiges Werkzeug zur Abschätzung der Lebensdauer von instandhaltungsbedürftigen Bauteilen. Zukünftig werden diese Aufgaben zunehmend automatisiert und großflächig bewältigt. Auf dieser Basis wird ein Konzeptentwurf mit energieautarken Funksensoren und dessen Umsetzung am Versuchsstand vorgestellt. Anhand typischer Zustandsszenarien wird aufgezeigt, wie eine entsprechende Zustandserkennung in Echtzeit erfolgt und welche Methoden zur Messdatenauswertung verwendet wurden.

Background:Reperfusion status after intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) is a critical predictor of functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke. However, most prognostic models have not included a detailed assessment of reperfusion status after IAT. Objective:The aim of this work was to assess the association between successful reperfusion and clinical outcome. Methods:Clinical, radiological, and procedural variables of patients treated with IAT were extracted from our prospective stroke registry. The association with functional outcome using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) after 3 months was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. An extension of the modified TICI score, eTICI, was used to classify reperfusion status. The prognostic value of reperfusion status after IAT in addition to age, stroke severity, imaging characteristics, treatment with intravenous thrombolysis, and time from symptom onset to the end of IAT was assessed with logistic regression and summarized with receiver operating characteristic curves. Results:In total, 119 patients were included (mean age 66 years). In multivariable analysis, age >80 years (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.2–39.8), NIHSS at presentation >15 (OR 7.3, 95% CI 2.3–23.5), and incomplete reperfusion status (eTICI score <2C; OR 10.3, 95% CI 3.5–30.6) were the strongest predictors of a poor outcome (mRS 3–6). Adding reperfusion status to the model improved the prognostic accuracy (AUC 0.88, 95% CI 0.91–0.94). Our results indicate a large difference between using an eTICI cutoff of ≥2C versus ≥2B: a cutoff ≥2C improved the predictive value for a good clinical outcome (2C: positive predictive value, PPV, 0.78; 2B: PPV 0.32). Conclusion:Our results promote using reperfusion status for assessing prognosis in ischemic stroke patients treated with IAT. A model using eTICI ≥2C had greater PPV than eTICI ≥2B and could improve prognostic accuracy.

AbstractThin polyimide (PI) windows are used to contain gases in a variety of targets including National Ignition Facility ignition targets. Magnetized liner inertial fusion targets shot on the Sandia National Laboratory Z-facility and on the University of Rochester OMEGA laser facility typically contain deuterium gas in the pressure range from a few to as many as 15 atm, with the window diameters ranging from a few tenths of a millimeter at OMEGA to several millimeters at the Z-facility. These pressures are generally higher, with larger plastic deformations, than previously investigated. We have fabricated and assembled PI windows and measured their deflections and burst pressures for these pressure and diameter ranges at room temperature. The results are dependent on PI formulation and the details of the window assembly geometry. We analyze the scaling behavior of these higher-pressure windows similarly to but with an extension of the analysis of Bhandarkar et al. [Fusion Sci. Technol., Vol. 70, p. 332] and show that predictions of pressure-induced deflection using this analysis applies to a more complex window geometry than previously reported.

Die 3D-Druck-Technik bietet als additives Fertigungsverfahren vielfältige Vorteile gegenüber konventionellen Verfahren. Bauteile können individualisiert und mit hoher geometrischer Komplexität gefertigt werden. Die Anschaffung von 3D-Druckern in der Produktion ist jedoch mit hohen Investitionskosten verbunden, welches als Haupthinderungsgrund für den Einsatz bei KMU gesehen wird. Mittels Betreibermodellen können produzierende Unternehmen diese Hürde umgehen und 3D-Drucker für ihre Produktion nutzen. Ein Vorgehen für die wirtschaftliche Bewertung des Einsatzes von Betreibermodellen sowie die Hindernisse auf Anbieter- und Nachfragerseite werden im folgenden Beitrag erläutert.

Abomasal ulcers are frequent incidental findings in necropsies of domestic ruminants and South American Camelids (SAC) or in slaughter animals and are a frequent cause of death in the most affected group of cattle, veal calves. Their true prevalence and significance is unknown owing to limitations in diagnosing the condition in live animals. This article discusses types of ulcers, possible causes of ulceration, and the clinical consequences, symptoms, and differential diagnoses, as well as further diagnostics in cattle, small ruminants and SAC. The limited treatment options and possibilities for prevention are reviewed.

AbstractFour different variations of doped, planar targets were fabricated using multilayer glow discharge polymerization for the foil thickness campaign at the Extended Performance Facility at the University of Rochester. The planar film targets consisted of from one to four layers of CH, CHGe, and CHSi. The composition of Ge and Si was controlled by the flow of dopant gas (either tetramethyl germane or tetramethyl silane) and measured with X-ray florescence. After laser cutting the 200 × 900 × 80-µm film targets out of the larger film, the targets were released from the substrate.Coating nonuniformity when using an inductively coupled discharge device can be a challenge. We improved the uniformity by rotating the substrate. Film thickness was measured with a chromatic confocal sensor system. Thickness measurements were fit to a Gaussian function, which smoothed the thickness data set and allowed accurate interpolation of thickness measurements.A challenge for freestanding, planar glow discharge polymer films is intrinsic stress in the coating. Prior to coating the final targets, the coating stress for various deposition parameters was measured. A series of runs with CH, CHGe, and CHSi were coated on thin silicon wafers. The wafers were characterized for bending before and after coating with a stylus profilometer to determine the coating stress using the Stony equation. In general, higher chamber operating pressures resulted in lower stress coatings.

AbstractThe goal of the National Direct-Drive Program is to demonstrate and understand the physics of laser direct drive (LDD). Efforts are underway on OMEGA for the 100-Gbar Campaign to demonstrate and understand the physics for hot-spot conditions and formation relevant for ignition at the 1-MJ scale, and on the National Ignition Facility to develop an understanding of the direct-drive physics at long scale lengths for the MJ Direct-Drive Campaign. The strategy of the National Direct-Drive Program is described; the requirements for the deuterium-tritium cryogenic fill-tube target being developed for OMEGA are presented; and preliminary LDD implosion measurements of hydrodynamic mixing seeded by laser imprint, the target-mounting stalk, and microscopic surface debris are reported.

The availability of high-throughput molecular diagnostics builds the foundation for Molecular Tumor Boards (MTBs). Although more fine-grained data is expected to support decision making of oncologists, assessment of data is complex and time-consuming slowing down the implementation of MTBs, e.g., due to retrieval of the latest medical publications, assessment of clinical evidence, or linkage to the latest clinical guidelines. We share our findings from analysis of existing tumor board processes and defininion of clinical processes for the adoption of MTBs. Building on our findings, we have developed a real-world software prototype together with oncologists and medical professionals, which supports the preparation and conduct of MTBs and enables collaboration between medical experts by sharing medical knowledge even across the hospital locations. We worked in interdisciplinary teams of clinicians, oncologists, medical experts, medical informaticians, and software engineers using design thinking methodology. With their input, we identified challenges and limitations of the current MTB approaches, derived clinical process models using Business Process and Modeling Notation (BMPN), and defined personas, functional and non-functional requirements for software tool support. Based on it, we developed software prototypes and evaluated them with clinical experts from major university hospitals across Germany. We extended the Kanban methodology enabling holistic tracking of patient cases from “backlog” to “follow-up” in our app. The feedback from interviewed medical professionals showed that our clinical process models and software prototype provide suitable process support for the preparation and conduction of molecular tumor boards. The combination of oncology knowledge across hospitals and the documentation of treatment decision can be used to form a unique medical knowledge base by oncologists for oncologists. Due to the high heterogeneity of tumor diseases and the spread of the latest medical knowledge, a cooperative decision-making process including insights from similar patient cases was considered as a very valuable feature. The ability to transform prepared case data into a screen presentation was recognized as an essential feature speeding up the preparation process. Oncologists require special software tool support to incorporate and assess molecular data for the decision-making process. In particular, the need for linkage to the latest medical knowledge, clinical evidence, and collaborative tools to discuss individual cases were named to be of importance. With the experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic, the acceptance of online tools and collaborative working is expected to grow. Our virtual multi-site approach proved to allow a collaborative decision-making process for the first time, which we consider to have a positive impact on the overall treatment quality.