Microdeflectometry - a novel tool to acquire 3D microtopography with nanometer height resolution

We introduce "microdeflectometry", a novel technique for measuring the microtopography of specular surfaces. The primary data is the local slope of the surface under test. Measuring the slope instead of the height implies high information efficiency and extreme sensitivity to local shape irregularities. The lateral resolution can be better than one micron whereas the resulting height resolution is in the range of one nanometer. Microdeflectometry can be supplemented by methods to expand the depth of field, with the potential to provide quantitative 3D imaging with SEM-like features.Comment: 3 pages, 11 figures, latex, zip-file, accepted for publication at Optics Letter

Агроэкологическая оценка продуктивности кукурузы в Беларуси

Etwa jeder fünfte ischämische Schlaganfall wird durch eine kardiale Embolie aufgrund eines oft nicht dauerhaft bestehenden und daher häufig nicht detektierten Vorhofflimmerns (VHF) bedingt. Das Ziel der MonDAFIS-Studie ist es, auf deutschen Stroke Units die Relevanz einer verlängerten stationären EKG-Überwachung für die Detektion eines bis dato nicht bekannten Vorhofflimmerns und die konsekutive medikamentöse Sekundärprävention zu untersuchen

A Mechanistic Link to Peripheral Endothelial Dysfunction

Background: Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) after acute ischemic stroke is frequent and may be linked to stroke‐induced autonomic imbalance. In the present study, the interaction between SDB and peripheral endothelial dysfunction (ED) was investigated in patients with acute ischemic stroke and at 1‐year follow‐up. Methods and Results: SDB was assessed by transthoracic impedance records in 101 patients with acute ischemic stroke (mean age, 69 years; 61% men; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, 4) while being on the stroke unit. SDB was defined by apnea‐hypopnea index ≥5 episodes per hour. Peripheral endothelial function was assessed using peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT‐2000). ED was defined by reactive hyperemia index ≤1.8. Forty‐one stroke patients underwent 1‐year follow‐up (390±24 days) after stroke. SDB was observed in 57% patients with acute ischemic stroke. Compared with patients without SDB, ED was more prevalent in patients with SDB (32% versus 64%; P<0.01). After adjustment for multiple confounders, presence of SDB remained independently associated with ED (odds ratio, 3.1; [95% confidence interval, 1.2–7.9]; P<0.05). After 1 year, the prevalence of SDB decreased from 59% to 15% (P<0.001). Interestingly, peripheral endothelial function improved in stroke patients with normalized SDB, compared with patients with persisting SDB (P<0.05). Conclusions: SDB was present in more than half of all patients with acute ischemic stroke and was independently associated with peripheral ED. Normalized ED in patients with normalized breathing pattern 1 year after stroke suggests a mechanistic link between SDB and ED

REPORTAJE CARMELO ARTILES BOLAÑOS. OBRAS EN TAFIRA U.L.P.G.C. [Material gráfico]

Copia digital. Madrid : Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, 201

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Interdisciplinary research on management and prevention of acute ischemic stroke

Interdisziplinäre Kooperationen stellen eine unabdingbare Vorraussetzung für die weitere Optimierung der Akuttherapie, diagnostischen Abklärung und Prävention des ischämischen Schlaganfalls dar. Diese kumulative Habilitationsschrift fasst ausgewählte Publikationen des Autors zu diesem Thema zusammen.Interdisciplinary research is an essential tool to optimize acute management and prevention of ischemic stroke. This professorial habilitation summarizes selected publications by the author in this regard