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BACKGROUND In accordance with worldwide data, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has reported a constant increase of syphilis cases in Germany over the past decade. METHODS We analysed the data of all patients, referred to a Department of Ophthalmology in a tertiary referral centre in Dusseldorf, Germany between 2008 and 2019, who were tested for syphilis. The epidemiologic, demographic, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic data were retrieved from the records and evaluated in a retrospective, descriptive, non-comparative study. RESULTS Syphilis serology was positive in 32/1840 (1.7%) patients, and was evenly distributed over this period. 26 (81.3%) were male, 19 (59.4%) belonged to a risk group. Ocular syphilis was the primary diagnosis for 29 patients (90.6%). The most frequent manifestation was uveitis (n = 20, 62.5%). By the end of therapy, 19 patients (59.4%) had an improved visual acuity. CONCLUSION The incidence of ocular syphilis cases has remained stable over the last decade.

AIM To identify dominant microorganisms in root filled teeth with apical periodontitis by Pan-PCRs in comparison with a culture-dependent approach, focusing on fungal species profiling. METHODOLOGY The root filling material (gutta-percha) removed from 42 teeth with periapical radiolucencies undergoing root canal retreatments was analysed by molecular genetics techniques. Real-Time Pan-PCRs were conducted for the diagnosis of predominant bacteria (targeting 16S rDNA) and fungi (targeting ITS1-2 region). Identification of microorganisms was performed by Sanger sequencing of the PCR products and BLAST analysis. Additionally, subgingival plaque samples were collected and cultured to review the composition of the microbial flora. The McNemar test and the repeated measures anova were used for statistical analyses (significance level was set at P

In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows morphological analysis as a diagnostic approach of the cornea in real time, thus providing a suspected diagnosis of fungal or amoebic keratitis immediately, whereas culture or PCR require several days or even weeks. Since these infections are rare, it is difficult for ophthalmologists to gain the experience necessary to differentiate infection from normal findings or artefacts. The purpose of this project was to establish a simulator, on which physicians could practice as well as acquiring a database of IVCM images of fungal or amoebic keratitis and respective analyses.An IVCM simulator was set up with cadaver human corneas, infected with either acanthamoeba, candida or aspergillus. Twenty-one ophthalmologists were trained in IVC microscopy first in a Dry Lab, then practically on the simulator. For evaluation, the participants were asked to fill out a standardized questionnaire, with a pre- and post-course self-assessment.The self-assessed theoretical and practical skills in differentiating infectious from non-infectious keratitis in IVCM significantly increased (A very simple protocol based on a model of ex vivo corneal mycotic and amoebic infections can be used to train novices in the structured approach and diagnostic use of IVCM for corneal infections.

Hintergrund: Während die Zahl der gemeldeten Syphilisfälle in Deutschland besonders seit Ende der 1970er Jahre stark rückläufig war, wird seit 2010 ein starker Anstieg der gemeldeten Syphilis-Fälle durch das Robert-Koch Institut (RKI) deutschlandweit erfasst. Bisher[zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL], 182. Versammlung des Vereins Rheinisch-Westfälischer Augenärzte

Manipulation of nanoparticle using dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an emerging technique to separate particles solely according to their dielectric properties and size, used in different forms to control the position, their orientation and velocity, to filtrate chemical compounds contained in the gas resulting from combustion processes, etc. This contribution presents the results of a simulation study which aims to characterize the functionality of a 3D DEP-based microsystem for the selective manipulation of nanometric particles. The use of 3D geometry of the device represents an important improvement in the description of the behavior of a nanoparticle suspension subjected to dielectrophoretic forces. The numerical solutions of the electric potential, electric field, DEP force and particle concentration distribution for a typical interdigitated electrodes array are calculated using the COMSOL Multiphysics finite element solver. The presented results demonstrate that dielectrophoresis can be successfully used for the manipulation of nanometric particles and give important information for the optimization of the experimental setup.

This paper presents some results of the first experiences with the operation of the Dynamic Security Assessment (DSA) system. The DSA is a part of a comprehensive network security solution and is based on fast time domain contingency simulations, considering main stability issues in transmission networks, voltage stability, transient stability and small signal stability. The DSA system uses the actual and near future operating points as starting points for the dynamic contingency simulations. The results of the dynamic security analyzes are reduced to one index, represented by a color scheme similar to a traffic light. In case of security problems, the user is led through different layers of visualization to be able to find out the reasons for the problem and identify the events leading to instability.

The measures foreseen to ensure the stability improvement of the Romanian Electric Power System (EPS) are in a permanent evaluation process in order to include, develop and harmonize new actions to the existing ones with the aim to respond to the challenges brought by the changes of the network structure. The future measures are studied in relation with the nature and intensity of the disturbance and their action is aimed that in conjunction with the existing measures to re-establish the EPS normal operation.

The IEEE/PSRC Substation Protection Subcommittee Working Group (WG) K5 on Ancillary Protective and Control Functions Common to Multiple Protective Relays have produced a document that addresses the considerations in applying the ancillary protection, control and monitoring functions that are commonly available in multiple relays and the integration of these functions into the overall protection system. Modern protection schemes are designed with fully integrated protection, control and monitoring functions to accommodate the implementation of many different design requirements. These functions can be used to achieve reliable protection and control solutions. Implementing these designs can be an exhilarating and very satisfying challenge to the engineer's imagination. This summary paper addresses subjects related to specific protection and control topics with application examples which were covered in the special PSRC publication.

The Defence Plan comprising the automatic measures foreseen to prevent the occurrence of major disturbances or to limit their consequences in the Romanian Electric Power System (EPS) is in a permanent evaluation process in order to include and develop new actions adapted to the changes of the network structure. These new measures are chosen in relation with the nature and intensity of the disturbance and their action, in conjunction with the existing measures, is to re-establish the EPS normal operation. The aspects related with the stability reserve of a power system before a blackout might occur are treated in this paper. Both online and offline simulations are presented like measures for future improvements in the Romanian EPS Defence Plan.

In order to prevent the occurrence of major disturbances or to limit their consequences in the Romanian Electric Power System (EPS) was implemented a Defense Plan that comprises a succession of hierarchical measures. These measures are chosen in relation with the nature and intensity of the disturbance and their action is to re-establish the normal operation.

In order to prevent the occurrence of major disturbances or to limit their consequAences in the Romanian Electric Power System (EPS) was implemented a Defense Plan that comprises a succession of hierarchical measures. These measures are chosen in relation with the nature and intensity of the disturbance and their action is to re-establish the normal operation.

This paper describes typical developments of blackouts from simple cause to cascading outages. The involvement of the protection system at the beginning and during the enlargement of the incident to the blackout will be shown. Measures to avoid cascading protection tripping will be presented. A new method will be proposed to assess the quality and security of protection systems which can be applied online and offline for systems with up to some ten thousand relays.

The protective devices use at ST Sibiu against overvoltages are: gapped silicon carbide (SiC) arresters and metal oxide surge arresters (MOSA). This paper discusses the standards and rules used by CONEL Romania for choosing and testing surge arresters. The construction, operating principle and modelling of MOSA are then discussed. The field experience and some outage examples of MOSA in Romania are also discussed.

The paper presents the methods of modal identification and off-line diagnosis for circuit breakers. The modal identification refers to lower frequency domain and point out the material wear, weakening of joining and porcelain cracks. Modal shapes mark out places where a fault yields. The off-line diagnosis methods refer to the circuit breaker current carrying ability, making or breaking of high currents quality, contacts degradation and mobile contact travel quality. The vibration analysis, included in these methods, refers to higher frequency domain. These methods must be applied after every serious short-circuit event with a view to assure a good operation of a power system. Tests carried out on a high voltage SF/sub 6/ circuit breaker of 420 kV/2500 A are presented.

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal solution to the dilemma of "wait-and-see" or "evacuation of uterine contents" and to identify objective criteria in support of one or other of these management choices, in particular in 26-34 week pregnancies with PRM, which is the most difficult situation. On the basis of a clinical study of 54 cases, week pregnancies with PRM did not enable temporization for any considerable time because of the onset of amniotic infection, and a large number of premature newborn with a gestational age of 31-32 weeks, below 1500-1700 g respectively, died a short time after birth.In 26-34 week pregnancies with PRM, a "wait-and-see" attitude with its sometimes very considerable septic risks is justified by a high chance of fetal survival score (CFSS)--a concept suggested by the authors--, i.e. with a gestational age between 30-34 weeks and respective fetal weights (determined by ultrasonography) between 1400-2100 g, absence of intrauterine fetal pathology, favorable fetal vitality parameters, good prognosis foe vaginal delivery, low C-reactive protein levels, low-grade pathogenicity of cervicovaginal flora, etc. In their preliminary study, the authors suggest determination of a chance of fetal survival score (CFSS) which is of prognostic value and can be useful in determining optimal management in the dilemma raised by PRM in 26-34 week pregnancies.