Origin of the magnetic-field dependence of the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in iron

The magnetic-field dependence of the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation at Ir impurities in Fe was measured for fields between 0 and 2 T parallel to the [100] direction. The reliability of the applied technique of nuclear magnetic resonance on oriented nuclei was demonstrated by measurements at different radio-frequency (rf) field strengths. The interpretation of the relaxation curves, which used transition rates to describe the excitation of the nuclear spins by a frequency-modulated rf field, was confirmed by model calculations. The magnetic-field dependence of the so-called enhancement factor for rf fields, which is closely related to the magnetic-field dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation, was also measured. For several magnetic-field-dependent relaxation mechanisms, the form and the magnitude of the field dependence were derived. Only the relaxation via eddy-current damping and Gilbert damping could explain the observed field dependence. Using reasonable values of the damping parameters, the field dependence could perfectly be described. This relaxation mechanism is, therefore, identified as the origin of the magnetic-field dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation in Fe. The detailed theory, as well as an approximate expression, is derived, and the dependences on the wave vector, the resonance frequency, the conductivity, the temperature, and the surface conditions are discussed. The theory is related to previous attempts to understand the field dependence of the relaxation, and it is used to reinterpret previous relaxation experiments in Fe. Moreover, it is predicted that the field dependences of the relaxation in Fe and Co, on one side, and in Ni, on the other side, differ substantially, and it is suggested that the literature values of the high-field limits of the relaxation constants in Fe are slightly too large

Recognition of Clostridium difficile PCR-ribotypes 001, 027 and 126/078 using an extended MALDI-TOF MS system

During the last decade, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) increased markedly inside as well as outside of hospitals. In association with the occurrence of new hypervirulent C. difficile strains, CDI became more important. Until now typing of C. difficile strains has been enabled by PCR-ribotyping. However, this method is restricted to specialized laboratories combined with high maintenance cost. Therefore, we tested MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for typing of C. difficile to provide a fast method for surveillance of CDI. Using a standard set of 25 different C. difficile PCR ribotypes a database was made by different mass spectra recorded in the SARAMIS™ software (AnagnosTec, Zossen, Germany). The database was validated with 355 C. difficile strains belonging to 29 different PCR ribotypes collected prospectively from all submitted feces samples in 2009. The most frequent PCR ribotypes were type 001 (70%), 027 (4.8%) and 078/126 (4.7%). All three types were recognized by MALDI-TOF MS. We conclude that an extended MALDI-TOF system was capable to recognize specific markers for ribotypes 001, 027 and 078/126 allowing an effective identification of these strains

Authenticity and the 'Authentic City'

In this paper, I argue that the benefits that smart cities purport to provide cohere poorly with a number of our shared phenomenological intuitions about the relationships(s) between authentic experience and technologised society. While many of these intuitions are, strictly speaking, pseudo-problems, they deserve our attention. These issues will only grow more pressing as our ‘dumb cities’, already so opaque to experience, give way to hyper-technologised ‘smart cities’. However, it is possible to design our way out of these pseudo-problems. Assuming we accept my argument that the distinction between authenticity and the device paradigm is premised upon a certain kind of category error, there is no categorical or definitional reason why it is not possible for urbanised, technologised spaces to feel authentic, whether by virtue of their aesthetic properties, or because they facilitate ‘authentic’ behaviour. Indeed, I argue that ‘inauthenticity’ is an aesthetic rather than an ontological category (much like ‘ugliness’, or ‘boring-ness’), with feelings of inauthenticity serving as evidence of a basic failure of design. Redressing these failures of design requires that we adopt a novel approach to the design and use of technical objects. Consequently, in the concluding analysis of the chapter I outline how the feeling of authenticity can be invoked in the smart city and, consequently, how these failures of design can be avoided.<br/

A Psychometric Study of a Trait and State Assessment of Sexual Pleasure - The Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Inventory.

We studied the Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Inventory's (1.0) psychometric properties. The ASPI, a revised self-report battery designed to measure domains of state and trait sexual pleasure in diverse gender, sex, and relationship populations, is based on a recently proposed conceptual framework of sexual pleasure. We collected quantitative (n = 1371) and qualitative data (n = 637) using a cross-sectional multi-method design targeting the general (German-speaking) population. After pre-processing, we conducted analyses on a sample of n = 706 participants. The theory-based 5-factor exploratory structural equation model and the principal component analyses of the two general exploratory index-scales showed good and acceptable structural validity evidence respectively. Measurement invariance was confirmed separately for male and female participants and for those with sexually functional-scoring and dysfunctional-scoring levels. Coefficient omega indicated that all scales, except those of one facet, showed acceptable to very good internal consistency. The ASPI's convergent and discriminant associations with sexological and psychological constructs demonstrated good overall construct validity. Participants understood the items as intended and felt that the ASPI covered relevant facets of sexual pleasure. The ASPI might help understand how individuals differ in experiencing sexual pleasure and how different contexts enable some people to experience pleasure while disadvantaging others

Junior doctors' experiences with interprofessional collaboration:Wandering the landscape

Context The transition from medical student to junior doctor is challenging. Junior doctors need to become part of the physician community of practice (CoP), while dealing with new responsibilities, tasks and expectations. At the same time, they need to learn how to navigate the frontiers and intersections with the other communities of practice that form the Landscape of Practice (LoP). This study aims to understand how junior doctors experience interprofessional collaboration (IPC) and what elements shape these experiences considering their transition to clinical practice. Methods In this multicentre qualitative study, 13 junior doctors individually drew two rich pictures of IPC experiences, one positive and one negative. A rich picture is a visual representation, a drawing of a particular situation intended to capture the complex and non-verbal elements of an experience. We used semi-structured interviews to deepen the understanding of junior doctors' depicted IPC experiences. We analysed both visual materials and interview transcripts iteratively, for which we adopted an inductive constructivist thematic analysis. Results While transitioning into a doctor, junior doctors become foremost members of the physician CoP and shape their professional identity based on perceived values in their physician community. Interprofessional learning occurs implicitly, without input from the interprofessional team. As a result, junior doctors struggle to bridge the gap between themselves and the interprofessional team, preventing IPC learning from developing into an integrative process. This professional isolation leaves junior doctors wandering the landscape of practice without understanding roles, attitudes and expectations of others. Conclusions Learning IPC needs to become a collective endeavour and an explicit learning goal, based on multisource feedback to take advantage of the expertise already present in the LoP. Furthermore, junior doctors need a safe environment to embrace and reflect on the emotions aroused by interprofessional interactions, under the guidance of experienced facilitators

Assessment of a novel smartglass-based point-of-care fusion approach for mixed reality-assisted targeted prostate biopsy: A pilot proof-of-concept study

PurposeWhile several biopsy techniques and platforms for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided targeted biopsy of the prostate have been established, none of them has proven definite superiority. Augmented and virtual reality (mixed reality) smartglasses have emerged as an innovative technology to support image-guidance and optimize accuracy during medical interventions. We aimed to investigate the benefits of smartglasses for MRI-guided mixed reality-assisted cognitive targeted biopsy of the prostate.MethodsFor prospectively collected patients with suspect prostate PIRADS lesions, multiparametric MRI was uploaded to a smartglass (Microsoft® Hololens I), and smartglass-assisted targeted biopsy (SMART TB) of the prostate was executed by generation of a cognitive fusion technology at the point-of-care. Detection rates of prostate cancer (PCA) were compared between SMART TB and 12-core systematic biopsy. Assessment of SMART-TB was executed by the two performing surgeons based on 10 domains on a 10-point scale ranging from bad (1) to excellent (10).ResultsSMART TB and systematic biopsy of the prostate were performed for 10 patients with a total of 17 suspect PIRADS lesions (PIRADS 3, n = 6; PIRADS 4, n = 6; PIRADS 5, n = 5). PCA detection rate per core was significant (p &lt; 0.05) higher for SMART TB (47%) than for systematic biopsy (19%). Likelihood for PCA according to each core of a PIRADS lesion (17%, PIRADS 3; 58%, PIRADS 4; 67%, PIRADS 5) demonstrated convenient accuracy. Feasibility scores for SMART TB were high for practicality (10), multitasking (10), execution speed (9), comfort (8), improvement of surgery (8) and image quality (8), medium for physical stress (6) and device handling (6) and low for device weight (5) and battery autonomy (4).ConclusionSMART TB has the potential to increase accuracy for PCA detection and might enhance cognitive MRI-guided targeted prostate biopsy in the future