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Aim: The aim of the present study was (i) to evaluate the clinical performance of reduced‐diameter implants placed in the molar area and (ii) to test whether monolithic zirconia implant‐supported crowns lead to similar clinical outcomes compared to porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal crowns. Materials and Methods: A total of 76 patients needing a single implant crown in the posterior region were recruited. All patients received a titanium–zirconium reduced‐diameter implant (Straumann Roxolid, Tissue Level, Standard Plus, diameter 3.3 mm, regular neck) randomly allocated to receive either a (1) monolithic zirconia crown (test) or (2) porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal crown (control). Implant survival, prosthetic outcomes, and patient‐reported outcomes were assessed at crown delivery and after 3 years of follow‐up. Marginal bone levels (MBL) as well as clinical parameters including probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque levels (PCR) were also recorded. Results: A total of 59 patients were available at the 3‐year follow‐up; 32 patients with a monolithic zirconia crown (TEST) and 27 patients with a porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal crown (CONTROL). 14 implants (11 implant fractures/3 aseptic losses) were lost leading to an estimated implant survival rate of 80% ± 5.1% (95% CI 70.8%–90.8%). Prosthetic complications were limited to the control group and involved minor chippings. Conclusions: This type of reduced‐diameter implant to support single implant molar crowns in the molar area cannot be recommended. Monolithic zirconia crowns appear to be a viable option in the posterior region showing similar prosthetic outcomes to porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal crowns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) versus guided bone regeneration (GBR) for the treatment of small peri‐implant dehiscence defects in terms of profilometric (primary outcome), clinical, and patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). Methods: Sixteen patients who presented with small buccal bone dehiscences (≤3 mm) following single implant placement were recruited. Following implant placement, buccal bone defect sites were randomly treated either with a SCTG or GBR. Six patients who lacked bone dehiscences after implant placement were assigned to a negative control. Transmucosal healing was applied in all patients. Patients were examined prior (T1) and after (T2) implant placement, at suture removal (T3), at implant impression (T5), at crown delivery (T6), and 12 (T7) months after crown delivery. Measurements included profilometric outcomes, marginal bone levels, buccal bone and soft tissue thickness, PROMs, and clinical parameters. All data were analyzed descriptively. Results: The median changes in buccal contour as assessed by profilometric measures between T1 and T5 showed a decrease of 1.84 mm for the SCTG group and 1.06 mm for the GBR group. Between T2 and T7, the median change in the buccal contour amounted to 0.45 mm for SCTG and −0.94 mm (=loss) for GBR. Patients' pain perception tended to be higher in SCTG than in GBR. All peri‐implant soft tissue parameters showed healthy oral tissues and no clinically relevant differences between groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this pilot study, treating small peri‐implant dehiscence defects with a SCTG might be a viable alternative to GBR. The use of a SCTG tended to result in more stable profilometric outcomes and comparable clinical outcomes to GBR. However, patient‐reported outcome measures tended to favor GBR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity has been shown to trigger adaptive increases in pancreas parenchymal and fat volume. Consecutively, pancreatic steatosis may lead to beta-cell dysfunction. However, it is not known whether the pancreatic tissue components decrease with weight loss and pancreatic steatosis is reversible following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate the effects of RYGB-induced weight loss on pancreatic volume and glucose homeostasis.Methods: Eleven patients were recruited in the Obesity Centre of the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf. Before and 6 months after RYGB, total GLP-1 levels were measured during oral glucose tolerance test. To assess changes in visceral adipose tissue and pancreatic volume, MRI was performed. Measures of glucose homeostasis and insulin indices were assessed. Fractional beta-cell area was estimated by correlation with the C-peptide-to-glucose ratio; beta-cell mass was calculated by the product of beta-cell area and pancreas parenchymal weight.Results: Pancreas volume decreased from 83.8 (75.7-92.0) to 70.5 (58.8-82.3) cm3 (mean [95% CI], P = .001). The decrease in total volume was associated with a significant decrease in fat volume. Fasting insulin and C-peptide were lower post RYGB. HOMA-IR levels decreased, whereas insulin sensitivity increased (P = .03). This was consistent with a reduction in the estimated beta-cell area and mass.Conclusions: Following RYGB, pancreatic volume and steatosis adaptively decreased to "normal" levels with accompanying improvement in glucose homeostasis. Moreover, obesity-driven beta-cell expansion seems to be reversible; however, future studies must define a method to more accurately estimate functional beta-cell mass to increase our understanding of glucose homeostasis after RYGB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To test whether or not one of two emergence profile designs (concave or convex) is superior to the other in terms of remaining cement following cementation of reconstructions on individualized abutments and careful cement removal. Materials and methods A central incisor with a single implant-supported reconstruction was selected as a model. Six types of abutments (n = 10) with two different emergence profile designs (concave ( CC) and convex ( CV)) and three crown-abutment margin depths (epimucosal, 1.5 mm submucosal, 3 mm submucosal) were fabricated through a CAD/ CAM procedure. Lithium disilicate reinforced ceramic crowns were cemented with chemically polymerized resin cement. A blinded investigator attempted to remove all cement excess. Thereafter, the entire reconstruction was unscrewed and analyzed for the overall amount and the depth of cement excess. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to investigate differences between groups. When more than two groups were compared between each other, a Bonferroni correction of the P value was performed. Results Concave abutments presented significantly more cement remnants than CV abutments when the entire abutment area of the epimucosal margin groups was evaluated ( CC0 mm: mean 2.31 mm2 ( SD 0.99) vs. CV0 mm: mean 1.57 mm2 ( SD 0.55); P = 0.043). A statistically significant increase in remnants was detected when the crown-abutment margin was located more submucosally for every abutment studied (0 mm vs. 1.5 mm: P < 0.000, 0 mm vs 3 mm: P < 0.000, 1.5 mm vs. 3 mm: P < 0.000). The buccal quadrant demonstrated the least, whereas the oral and interdental quadrants showed the greatest amount of cement excess. Conclusions Concave emergence profile abutments and deep crown-abutment margin positions increased the risk of cement excess. Oral and interdental areas are more prone to cement remnants than other surface areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major concern in aquaculture is the use of chemical therapeutics, such as antibiotics, because of their impact on the environment as well as on the fish product. As a potential tool for reducing antibiotic use, we tested the application of low-frequency ultrasound as a method for enhancing antibiotic uptake. Rainbow trout juveniles ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) were exposed to two different concentrations of oxytetracycline ( OTC), flumequine ( FLU) and florfenicol ( FLO), administered by bath after the application of ultrasound. After exposure, concentrations of these substances were measured in the liver and blood of treated fish. Results showed that the ultrasound treatment can significantly increase the uptake for all three antibiotics. The uptake of OTC for example, in fish exposed to an OTC concentration of 20 mg L−1 after prior treatment with ultrasound, was similar to the OTC concentrations in their liver and blood to fish exposed to 100 mg L−1 without sonication. For FLU and FLO, the use of ultrasound caused significant differences of uptake in the liver at high antibiotic concentrations. This suggests that the use of ultrasound as a technique to deliver antibiotics to fish can ultimately reduce the amount of antibiotics discharged into the aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare short implants in the posterior maxilla to longer implants placed after or simultaneously with sinus floor elevation procedures. The focused question was as follows: Are short implants superior to longer implants in the augmented sinus in terms of survival and complication rates of implants and reconstructions, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and costs? Methods A MEDLINE search (1990-2014) was performed for randomized controlled clinical studies comparing short implants (≤8 mm) to longer implants (>8 mm) in augmented sinus. The search was complimented by an additional hand search of the selected papers and reviews published between 2011 and 2014. Eligible studies were selected based on the inclusion criteria, and quality assessments were conducted. Descriptive statistics were applied for a number of outcome measures. Survival rates of dental implants were pooled simply in case of comparable studies. Results Eight randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) comparing short implants versus longer implants in the augmented sinus derived from an initial search count of 851 titles were selected and data extracted. In general, all studies were well conducted with a low risk of bias for the majority of the analyzed parameters. Based on the pooled analyses of longer follow-ups (5 studies, 16-18 months), the survival rate of longer implants amounted to 99.5% (95% CI: 97.6-99.98%) and for shorter implants to 99.0% (95% CI: 96.4-99.8%). For shorter follow-ups (3 studies, 8-9 months), the survival rates of longer implants are 100% (95% CI: 97.1-100%) and for shorter implants 98.2% (95% CI: 93.9-99.7%). Complications were predominantly of biological origin, mainly occurred intraoperatively as membrane perforations, and were almost three times as higher for longer implant in the augmented sinus compared to shorter implants. PROMs, morbidity, surgical time and costs were generally in favor of shorter dental implants. All studies were performed by surgeons in specialized clinical settings. Conclusions The outcomes of the survey analyses demonstrated predictably high implant survival rates for short implants and longer implants placed in augmented sinus and their respective reconstructions. Given the higher number of biological complications, increased morbidity, costs and surgical time of longer dental implants in the augmented sinus, shorter dental implants may represent the preferred treatment alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To test whether or not bone regeneration using deproteinized bovine bone mineral ( DBBM) is comparable to hydroxyapatite/silica oxide ( HA/SiO) and to test the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rh BMP-2) as an adjunct to DBBM for localized bone regeneration. Materials and methods In each of the 10 rabbits, 4 titanium cylinders were placed on the external cortical plates of their calvaria. Four treatment modalities were randomly allocated: (i) empty, (ii) HA/SiO, (iii) DBBM, and (iv) DBBM plus rh BMP-2 ( DBBM/ BMP). The animals were sacrificed at week 8. Descriptive histology and histomorphometric assessment using a superimposed test grid of points and cycloids were performed. Results The mean number of points of the test grid coinciding with bone within the cylinder reached 124 ± 35 bone points for empty controls, 92 ± 40 bone points for DBBM, 98 ± 44 bone points for synthetic HA/SiO, and 146 ± 34 bone points DBBM/ BMP. The P-value for DBBM with and without BMP reached a borderline statistical significance of 0.051. However, the area of bone regeneration within the cylinders peaked for DBBM/ BMP and was statistically significantly higher compared with empty cylinders ( P < 0.05). The bone-to-bone substitute contact ranged between 32.9% ± 21.7 for DBBM, 39.6 ± 18.4% for HA/SiO, and 57.8% ± 10.2 for DBBM/ BMP. The differences between DBBM/ BMP and controls ( DBBM, HA/SiO) were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions DBBM and HA/SiO rendered comparable amounts of bone regeneration. The addition of rh BMP-2 to DBBM resulted in more favorable outcomes with respect to the area of bone regeneration and to bone-to-implant contact, thereby indicating the potential of this growth factor to enhance bone regeneration within this animal model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose To investigate the prevalence of postictal psychosis ( PP) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy ( TLE) and to estimate the predictive value of various variables for the development of PP. Methods By retrospectively reviewing the charts of all patients evaluated with video-electroencephalogram ( EEG)-monitoring at our unit between January 1995 and February 2012, we identified 684 patients with TLE, of which 48 patients had a history of PP. Patients with TLE and PP were compared with 200 controls (patients with TLE without a psychotic history) on demographic, clinical, EEG and magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) variables. Results The prevalence of PP in our TLE sample was 7.0%. Aggressive behaviour during PP was present in 22.9% of the sample. Univariate analysis revealed that PP was significantly associated with early age at epilepsy onset ( P = 0.007), longer duration of epilepsy ( P = 0.002), presence of ictal fear ( P = 0.005), impaired intellectual function ( P = 0.045), and bilateral ictal and interictal epileptiform activity (both P < 0.0001). Using logistic regression analysis, ictal fear [odds ratio ( OR) 2.88; P = 0.015] and bilateral interictal EEG activity ( OR 6.40; P < 0.0001) were predictive of PP development. No association of PP with MRI pathology or epilepsy-relevant aetiological factors was found. Conclusions PP is a frequent and potentially dangerous complication within the course of TLE. Bilateral or widespread functional central nervous system disturbances rather than distinct structural brain alterations or certain predisposing aetiologies of epilepsy appear to be a risk factor for the development of PP. Ictal fear may be a predictive clinical variable of PP in TLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Several small retrospective studies have observed that patients with a purely ocular manifestation of myasthenia gravis (MG) are significantly less likely to convert to a generalized disease when treated early on with corticosteroids. However, given the limited number of reported patients in the literature these findings still remain controversial. Methods In order to increase the number of published cases, we performed a retrospective analysis on 44 patients with newly diagnosed ocular MG who were subsequently either treated with corticosteroids or received no immunosuppressive therapy at all. The generalization rate was assessed at the end of a 2-year follow-up period. Results Whereas none of 17 treated patients generalized, 11 of 27 (41%) untreated patients developed generalized symptoms. The difference between the groups was significant ( P = 0.003). Conclusions Our results agree well with previous studies on this issue. Taken together, published data indicate risk ratios for generalization of below 0.32 under corticosteroid treatment in comparison to untreated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: (i) To evaluate biodegradation, hard and soft tissue integration using various polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels; (ii) to evaluate the influence of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) on two types of PEG hydrogels. Material and methods: In seven rabbits, six treatment modalities were randomly applied subperiosteally on the skull: (1) a dense network PEG hydrogel (PEG1), (2) PEG1 modified with RGD (PEG1-RGD), (3) a looser network PEG hydrogel (PEG2), (4) PEG2 modified with RGD (PEG2-RGD), (5) a collagen membrane, and (6) a polylactide/polyglycolide/trimethylene carbonate membrane. The animals were sacrificed at 14 days. Histomorphometric analyses were performed on undecalcified Epon sections using a standardized region of interest. For statistical analysis, paired t-test and signed rank test were applied. Results: PEG1 and PEG1-RGD remained intact and maintained the shape. PEG2 and PEG2-RGD completely degraded and were replaced by connective tissue and bone. The largest amount of mineralized tissue was found for PEG2-RGD (21.4%), followed by PEG 2 (9.5%). The highest percentage of residual hydrogel/membrane was observed for PEG1-RGD (55.6%), followed by PEG1 (26.7%). Conclusions: Modifications of the physico-chemical properties of PEG hydrogels and the addition of RGD influenced soft and hard tissue integration and biodegradation. PEG1 showed an increased degradation time and maintained the shape. The soft tissue integration was enhanced by adding an RGD sequence. A high turn-over rate and extensive bone regeneration was observed using PEG2. The addition of RGD further improved bone formation and soft tissue integration. To cite this article: Thoma DS, Subramani K, Weber FE, Luder HU, Hämmerle CHF, Jung RE. Biodegradation, soft and hard tissue integration of various polyethylene glycol hydrogels: a histomorphometric study in rabbits. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22, 2011; 1247-1254. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2010.02075.x [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparison of synthetic hydroxyapatite/silica oxide, xenogenic hydroxyapatite-based bone substitute materials with empty control sites in terms of bone regeneration enhancement in a rabbit calvarial four non-critical-sized defect model. In each of six rabbits, four bicortical calvarial bone defects were generated. The following four treatment modalities were randomly allocated: (1) empty control site, (2) synthetic hydroxyapatite/silica oxide-based (HA/SiO) test granules, (3) xenogenic hydroxyapatite -based granules, (4) synthetic hydroxyapatite/silica oxide -based (HA/SiO) test two granules. The results of the latter granules have not been reported due to their size being three times bigger than the other two granule types. After 4 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and un-decalcified sections were obtained for histological analyses. For statistical analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test was applied ( P<0.05). Histomorphometric analysis showed an average area fraction of newly formed bone of 12.32±10.36% for the empty control, 17.47±6.42% for the xenogenic hydroxyapatite -based granules group, and 21.2±5.32% for the group treated with synthetic hydroxyapatite/silica oxide -based granules. Based on the middle section, newly formed bone bridged the defect to 38.33±37.55% in the empty control group, 54.33±22.12% in the xenogenic hydroxyapatite -based granules group, and to 79±13.31% in the synthetic hydroxyapatite/silica oxide -based granules group. The bone-to-bone substitute contact was 46.38±18.98% for the xenogenic and 59.86±14.92% for the synthetic hydroxyapatite/silica oxide-based granules group. No significant difference in terms of bone formation and defect bridging could be detected between the two bone substitute materials or the empty defect. There is evidence that the synthetic hydroxyapatite/silica oxide granules provide comparable results with a standard xenogenic bovine mineral in terms of bone formation and defect bridging in non-critical size defects. Kruse A, Jung RE, Nicholls F, Zwahlen RA, Hämmerle CHF, Weber FE. Bone regeneration in the presence of a synthetic hydroxyapatite/silica oxide -based and a xenogenic hydroxyapatite -based bone substitute material. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. , 2011; 506-511 doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2010.02039.x [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We aimed to describe the changing incidence of thyroid disease in a population-based study in Tayside, Scotland (population 390 000) between 1994 and 2001. Design A retrospective, data-linkage, population-based study measuring the incidence and prevalence of thyroid disease. Patients All patients with newly diagnosed, treated and stable thyroid disease in Tayside were identified by electronic linkage of six datasets, including all regional biochemistry data, hospital admissions, deaths and a thyroid follow-up register. Results The overall prevalence of thyroid dysfunction has increased from 2·3% to 3·8% (1994–2001). The prevalence of ever having had hyperthyroidism increased from 0·86% to 1·26% in females and 0·17% to 0·24% in males ( P < 0·0001 for both). The standardized incidence of hyperthyroidism increased from 0·68 to 0·87 per 1000 females/year, representing a 6·3% annual increase ( P < 0·0001). The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism increased from 3·12% to 5·14% in females and 0·51% to 0·88% in males ( P < 0·0001 for both). The standardized incidence of primary hypothyroidism did not change and varied between 3·90 and 4·89 per 1000 females/year over the 8 years. Incidence of hypothyroidism in males increased from 0·65 to 1·01 per 1000 males/year ( P = 0·0017). Mean age at diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism declined in females from 1994 to 2001. Conclusions The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism and previous hyperthyroidism has increased in Tayside, Scotland. This is partly due to an increasing incidence of disease, increased ascertainment and earlier diagnosis of disease. This will result in an increased workload for endocrinologists and general practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review assesses the long-term effectiveness of weight loss on all cause mortality in overweight/obese people. Medline, Embase and Cinahl were searched (1966–2005). Cohort studies and trials on participants with body mass index ≥25 kg m−2, with weight change and mortality with ≥2-year follow-up, were included finally identifying 11 papers based on eight studies. There may be gender differences in the benefits for all cause mortality. The impact of weight loss in men on mortality was not clear with some studies indicating weight loss to be detrimental, while a recent cohort study showed benefits, if it were a personal decision. Other studies with no gender separation had similarly mixed results. However, one study indicated that overweight/obese women with obesity-related illness, who lost weight intentionally within 1 year, had significantly reduced mortality rates of 19–25%. In contrast, studies of overweight/obese diabetics irrespective of gender showed significant benefit of intentional weight loss on mortality in a meta-analysis, hazard ratios = 0.75 (0.67–0.83). There is some evidence that intentional weight loss has long-term benefits on all cause mortality for women and more so for diabetics. Long-term effects especially for men are not clear and need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the impact of a new national retinal screening programme on screening attendance, technical quality of images, and referrals to the ophthalmology clinic. Results from the previous ad hoc retinal screening service were compared with data from the first year of the new Scottish Diabetes Retinal Screening Programme in Dundee, which was administered according to criteria recommended by the Health Technology Board Scotland. Of 5150 patients invited for screening, 10.3% of patients did not attend. Overall, 4574 patients underwent single-field digital retinal photography and 25.4% required mydriasis for an adequate image. After screening, 1.9 and 90.5% were recalled for repeat photography at 6 months and 1 year, respectively, whilst 4.6% were ungradable and 3.0% were referred to the ophthalmology clinic. Compared with the last 18 months of the previous scheme, with the new programme a smaller proportion of patients were referred to ophthalmology (3.0 vs. 5.9%; P < 0.001, difference 2.9%: 95% confidence interval 2.1–3.7%). Moreover, the attendance was higher (89 vs. 82%; P < 0.01) and there were fewer ungradable images (4.6 vs. 7.1%; P < 0.001). Introduction of a systematic retinal screening programme can reduce the proportion of patients referred to the ophthalmology clinic, and use ophthalmology services more efficiently. Diabet. Med. 22, 1112–1115 (2005) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to review the evidence for the long-term effects of weight loss on diabetes outcomes in obese people or for those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Current evidence is mostly based on short-term studies. This is a systematic review of long-term outcomes of weight loss in studies published between 1966 and 2001. Eleven long-term studies with a follow up of more than 2 years were included. Results show that those with diabetes who lost weight intentionally significantly reduced their mortality risks by 25%. Additionally, weight loss of 9–13 kg was most protective. Patients with the risk of developing diabetes due to either family history of diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, saw a reduction in this risk. Those with large weight losses achievable with surgical interventions reduced their risk by at least 63%. Metabolic handling of glucose improved in 80% of those already with type 2 diabetes who lost weight. Based on one large study, intentional weight loss in obese patients appears to have a beneficial effect on mortality risk for those with type 2 diabetes. Clearly, further studies are needed to endorse this. The risk of developing diabetes being reduced by weight loss was shown in seven studies. However, the results were from studies with different analytical adjustments and outcome indices, making it difficult to make direct comparisons and should be viewed with caution. More long-term prospective studies need to be conducted with commitment to improving the methodological quality and standardization, in order to accurately assess the long-term effects of weight loss for obese diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to review the evidence for long-term effectiveness of weight loss on cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides in overweight/obese people. Current evidence is mostly based on short-term studies. A systematic review of long-term lipid outcomes of weight loss in studies published between 1966 and 2001, was conducted. Inclusion criteria included all cohort studies and trials carried out on participants with body mass index of greater than or equal to 28 kg m−2. Studies had at least two weight change measurements and follow-up of more than 2 years. Thirteen long-term studies with a follow-up of more than 2 years were included. Cholesterol has a significant positive linear relationship with weight change ( r = 0.89) where change in weight explains about 80% of the cholesterol difference variation (Adj R2 = 0.80). For every 10 kg weight loss a drop of 0.23 mmol L−1 in cholesterol may be expected for a person suffering from obesity or are grossly overweight. Weight loss has long-term beneficial effects especially on LDL and cholesterol. Weight loss in obese patients should be encouraged and sustained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two independent multirate flow experiments were conducted in 1994 in the open hole depth interval of a well bore at the hot dry rock (HDR) test site Soultz. The steady state and transient downhole pressure records gave clear indications of non-Darcian flow. A numerical model has been set up to evaluate these two measurements. An excellent fit of the transient pressure responses of the two flow tests could be achieved by assuming one model of simple geometry. The model predicts fluid transport along a conduit with substantial surface area in which fully turbulent flow is occurring. All the parameters required by our best-fit simulation fall into a physically reasonable range. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates a non-Darcian flow regime along highly conductive features. The existence of high capacity far-field faults as postulated in our model confirms earlier characterizations of the Soultz test site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]