Small- and half-scale experimental studies of rockfall impacts on sandy slopes

In the framework of rockfall trajectory modelling, the bouncing phenomenon occurring when a rock block impacts with the slope surface is the most difficult to predict, owing to its complexity and its very limited understanding. Up to now, the rebound is commonly quantified by means of (one or) two coefficients of restitution expressing the amount of energy dissipated during impact. These restitution coefficients generally are evaluated from a rough description of the ground material, whereas other parameters likely to influence the rebound phenomenon as the characteristics of the block itself and the kinematics are often neglected. In the framework of this thesis, two experimental campaigns have been performed in laboratory to acquire a better knowledge of the impact mechanisms governing the rebound phenomenon of rock blocks on granular (sandy) slopes and to quantify the discovered dependencies. About 200 impact tests on a small scale have helped to identify first the most significant impact parameters and to qualify their influence. Further, a half-scale testing campaign has been performed to quantify these influences. The impact of a rock block on a granular material is modelled for varying impact parameters, concerning: the ground material (internal friction angle, compaction) the block (weight, radius, shape) and the kinematics (slope angle, impact direction (vertical or inclined), impact velocity). The impact process has been filmed by a high-speed camera. The analysis of the block movement before, during and after the shock allowed to gather information concerning the impact process itself (velocity and acceleration of the block, penetration into the ground material, duration of impact etc.) and to determine a criterion for which the impact process is completed. By means of this criterion, the normal (Rn), tangential (Rt) and energetic (RTE) coefficients of restitution have been evaluated for the mass centre of the block according to the most common formulations (ratio of the normal or tangential velocities respectively the total energies before and after impact). The qualitative analysis of the small and half-scale tests proves that the rebound of rock blocks as well as the coefficients of restitution commonly used to characterise the rebound depend not only on the ground characteristics (material, slope inclination), but also on parameters related to the block (weight, geometry) and the kinematics (impact velocity and angle). A thorough observation of the impacts has shown that the block motion during impact is governed by three mechanisms (penetration, sliding, rotation), acting partly antagonistically. For different impact conditions, one or another of these mechanisms is privileged, governing on his part the block motion after impact. The quantitative interpretation of the half-scale tests leads first to a proposition of formulations expressing the maximal penetration of the block into the ground material, the maximal contact force and the rotation of the block acquired during impact. Parting from these formulations and inspired by the principle of the conservation of linear momentum, expressions for the normal and tangential component of the coefficients of restitution are developed. The implementation of coefficients of restitution defined by similar formulations as the proposed ones in rockfall trajectory codes should lead to a better prediction capacity of the latter and finally to a better delineation of areas at risk by hazard maps

TERT promoter mutations and telomere length in adult malignant gliomas and recurrences.

In this report on 303 gliomas we show the highest frequency of TERT promoter mutations in gliobastomas (80%) followed by oligodendrogliomas (70%) and astrocytomas (39%). We observed positive association between TERT promoter and IDH mutations in oligodendroglial tumors (OR = 26.3; 95% CI 2.5-250.2) and inverse association in primary glioblastomas (OR = 0.13; 95% CI 0.03-0.58). Tumors with TERT promoter mutations compared to those without showed increased TERT transcription; we also showed difference in the transcription levels due to the two main mutations. Tumors with TERT promoter mutations had shorter telomeres than those without. The patients with only TERT promoter mutations showed worst survival (median survival 14.6 months) and patients with both IDH and TERT promoter mutations showed best survival (246.5 months). In patients with astrocytoma, the TERT promoter mutations only associated with poor survival (P < 0.0001); IDH mutations and 1p/19q deletions associated with increased survival (P = 0.0004). TERT promoter mutations in low grade gliomas associated with reduced progression free survival (HR 10.2; 95% CI 1.9 - 55.9). While our data affirm the role of TERT promoter mutations in glial tumors, effects on transcription and telomere length emphasise the importance of telomere biology in disease genesis and outcome

Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Have Heterogeneous Treatment Preferences That Are Largely Determined by the Avoidance of Abdominal Pain and Side Effects [P-POWER IBD Study].

peer reviewedBACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patient-centric management of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is important, with consensus considering patient-reported outcomes alongside clinical and endoscopic assessment by healthcare providers. However, evidence about patients' treatment priorities is still limited. This study aimed to elicit benefit-risk trade-offs that patients with IBD are willing to make, to help inform discussions about patient-centric treatment targets. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional online survey of adults with self-confirmed Crohn's disease [CD] or ulcerative colitis [UC] receiving IBD treatment. The impact of efficacy, administration, and safety on treatment preferences was elicited using a discrete choice experiment. Relative attribute importance [RAI] and maximum acceptable risk of mild-to-moderate side effects [SEs] were estimated from a mixed logit model. RESULTS: 400 patients [CD: 54%; UC: 46%; female: 38.0%; age range: 18-78] were recruited. Efficacy, administration, and safety affected treatment preferences to varying degrees, with abdominal pain being most important [RAI 33%] followed by risks of mild-to-moderate SEs [RAI 27%], and serious infections [RAI 16%]. To reduce abdominal pain from severe to moderate/mild, patients accepted an additional 18.8% or 30.6% risk of mild-to-moderate SEs, respectively. While average preferences between patients with CD and UC were similar, patients with CD placed greater importance on abdominal pain [p < 0.05], and patients with UC on bowel urgency [p < 0.05]. However, preferences varied notably. CONCLUSIONS: While avoiding abdominal pain, SEs, and serious infections had on average the highest treatment priority, preferences varied between patients. Treatment strategies should consider the trade-offs individuals are willing to make

Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity in cystic fibrosis patients-results from an observational prospective multicenter study concerning virulence genes, phylogeny, and gene plasticity

Staphylococcus aureus and cystic fibrosis (CF) are closely interlinked. To date, however, the impact of S. aureus culture in CF airways on lung function and disease progression has only been elucidated to a limited degree. This analysis aims to identify bacterial factors associated to clinical deterioration. Data were collected during an observational prospective multi-center study following 195 patients from 17 centers. The average follow-up time was 80 weeks. S. aureus isolates (n = 3180) were scanned for the presence of 25 virulence genes and agr-types using single and multiplex PCR. The presence of specific virulence genes was not associated to clinical deterioration. For the agr-types 1 and 4, however, a link to the subjects' clinical status became evident. Furthermore, a significant longitudinal decrease in the virulence gene quantity was observed. Analyses of the plasticity of the virulence genes revealed significantly increased plasticity rates in the presence of environmental stress. The results suggest that the phylogenetic background defines S. aureus pathogenicity rather than specific virulence genes. The longitudinal loss of virulence genes most likely reflects the adaptation process directed towards a persistent and colonizing rather than infecting lifestyle

Tympanic Versus Rectal Thermometry in Pregnant Women

To assess the accuracy of the tympanic membrane thermometer for use with pregnant women. Design : Cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting : A major medical center in the midwestern United States. Participants : Thirty-three hospitalized, afebrile pregnant women. Main outcome measures : Tympanic membrane thermometers and glass mercury thermometers were used to measure body temperature at the ear and rectum, respectively. The results were compared using two statistical methods: the Pearson correlation coefficient and a new technique suggested by Bland and Altman (1986). Results : Auditory canal temperature measured by a tympanic membrane thermometer correlated with rectal temperature as measured by a glass mercury thermometer ( r = 0.38, p = 0.01). Thus, the tympanic membrane thermometer is acceptable for monitoring the body temperature of pregnant women. However, the device's estimation of rectal temperature is not clinically reliable. Conclusions : Tympanic membrane thermometers, when applied with direct measures, are acceptable for use with pregnant women. It is not recommended that the rectal estimate mode be used with pregnant women.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72991/1/j.1552-6909.1995.tb02556.x.pd

Service User Involvement - SUI Newsletter - Ausgabe Mai 20221

Der jährlich erscheinende Newsletter berichtet über Aktivitäten rund um Service User Involvement an Hochschulen im deutschsprachigen Raum. Sie finden in dieser Ausgabe folgende Beiträge: Zu Beginn berichten Bärbel Haag, Thomas Heidenreich und Bettina Müller von der Hochschule Esslingen über die neue Zusammenarbeit mit Bildungsfachkräften, die z. B. Input zu Inklusions- und Exklusionserfahrungen von Menschen mit Behinderungen teilgeben. Daran anschließen kann David Dörrer, der uns über das Annelie-Wellensiek-Zentrum für Inklusive Bildung an der Pädagogischen Hochschule Heidelberginformiert, an der Menschen mit und ohne Behinderungserfahrungen gemein-sam zu Querschnittsaufgaben der Inklusion forschen und lehren. Es folgt ein Bericht und Plädoyer aus Berlin von Reinhard Burtscher und Anne Schöbel über Lerner-Expert:innen, die durch ihre Erfahrungsberichte dem Thema „Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung“ ein Gesicht geben. Katharina Lutz und Benjamin Benz machen uns auf den Sozial-Wissenschaftsladen aufmerksam, der das gemeinsame Forschen für zivilgesellschaftliche Vertreter_innen, Praktiker_innen und Hochschulangehörige in Lehrforschungsprojekten und im Rahmen von Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten ermöglicht. Forschend geht es auch weiter mit Katharina Scholz, die sich mit Lehr-Evaluation für Seminare mit Beteiligung von Adressat*innen befasst und von neuen Vorhaben aus der HAW Hamburg berichtet. Kornelia Birkemeyer stellt das Projekt EX-IN vor, berichtet als Genesungsbegleiterin über die Kooperation mit der Hochschule Esslingen und liefert Antworten auf die Frage: „Warum brauchen Studierende von sozialer Arbeit die Hilfe von Service Usern?“. Um Gesungsbegleiter*innen als Teil eines trialogischen Konzeptes geht es auch bei der interaktiven Online-Plattform TriNetz, die von Christel Baatz-Kolbe und Christoph Walther vorgestellt wird. Die Plattform hat eine Lotsenfunktion und vermittelt zwischen Interessierten, Ausbildungsstätten und potentiellen Arbeitgebern. Bei Birgit Mayrhofer und Laura Ressler geht es gleichermaßen um die Peer-Arbeit von Genesungsbegleiter*innen. Sie stellen ihr Masterforschungsprojekt vor, das sich mit der Rollenkonstruktion der Peer-Arbeit befasst. Die Peer-Begleiterin Barbara Kohlmann vom Projekt „Upsides“ verabschiedet uns mit ihren Gedanken zu Peer-Arbeit in Zeiten der Covid-19-Pandemie. Am Ende des Newsletters finden Sie noch Hinweise über aktuelle Publikationen und anstehende Termine zum Thema Service User Involvement.Unknow

Genome-wide linkage screen for testicular germ cell tumour susceptibility loci

A family history of disease is a strong risk factor for testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT). In order to identify the location of putative TGCT susceptibility gene(s) we conducted a linkage search in 237 pedigrees with two or more cases of TGCT. One hundred and seventy-nine pedigrees were evaluated genome-wide with an average inter-marker distance of 10 cM. An additional 58 pedigrees were used to more intensively investigate several genomic regions of interest. Genetic linkage analysis was performed with the ALLEGRO software using two model-based parametric analyses and a non-parametric analysis. Six genomic regions on chromosomes 2p23, 3p12, 3q26, 12p13-q21, 18q21-q23 and Xq27 showed heterogeneity LOD (HLOD) scores of greater than 1, with a maximum HLOD of 1.94 at 3q26. Genome-wide simulation studies indicate that the observed number of HLOD peaks greater than one does not differ significantly from that expected by chance. A TGCT locus at Xq27 has been previously reported. Of the 237 pedigrees examined in this study, 66 were previously unstudied at Xq27, no evidence for linkage to this region was observed in this new pedigree set. Overall, the results indicate that no single major locus can account for the majority of the familial aggregation of TGCT, and suggests that multiple susceptibility loci with weak effects contribute to the diseas

Associations between depressive symptoms and disease progression in older patients with chronic kidney disease: results of the EQUAL study

Background Depressive symptoms are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with end-stage kidney disease; however, few small studies have examined this association in patients with earlier phases of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We studied associations between baseline depressive symptoms and clinical outcomes in older patients with advanced CKD and examined whether these associations differed depending on sex. Methods CKD patients (&gt;= 65 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate &lt;= 20 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) were included from a European multicentre prospective cohort between 2012 and 2019. Depressive symptoms were measured by the five-item Mental Health Inventory (cut-off &lt;= 70; 0-100 scale). Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to study associations between depressive symptoms and time to dialysis initiation, all-cause mortality and these outcomes combined. A joint model was used to study the association between depressive symptoms and kidney function over time. Analyses were adjusted for potential baseline confounders. Results Overall kidney function decline in 1326 patients was -0.12 mL/min/1.73 m(2)/month. A total of 515 patients showed depressive symptoms. No significant association was found between depressive symptoms and kidney function over time (P = 0.08). Unlike women, men with depressive symptoms had an increased mortality rate compared with those without symptoms [adjusted hazard ratio 1.41 (95% confidence interval 1.03-1.93)]. Depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with a higher hazard of dialysis initiation, or with the combined outcome (i.e. dialysis initiation and all-cause mortality). Conclusions There was no significant association between depressive symptoms at baseline and decline in kidney function over time in older patients with advanced CKD. Depressive symptoms at baseline were associated with a higher mortality rate in men

The Current Status of Kidney Cancer Urine Markers - A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma is the 9th most common malignant disease in the Western World. Typically, patients develop symptoms in a late stage of the disease and most of them are diagnosed by chance. Up to 30% of the patients at the time of diagnosis had metastatic disease. Therefore, highly specific and sensitive biomarkers for the detection and progression of kidney cancer are of great importance. Here, urine markers can be a major advantage and can have a huge clinical impact on the diagnosis, differentiation and prognosis of kidney cancer. At the moment there are several approaches to improve these conditions. METHODS: Asystematic literature research was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines to identify studies reporting urine markers for kidney cancer between 2012 and 2021. A two-step process for the selection of the studies was initiated. In total 287 studies were considering for the final analysis. In total, 6 studies, which presented potential urinary biomarker were analyzed in depth. RESULTS: The major focus was on urinary markers for the detection, progression and differentiation of renal cell carcinoma. In total, a study population of 1099 patients were investigated in the different studies that were analyzed in depth. The median patient sample size of the different studies was 157 patients. The focus was based on the investigation of different microRNAs and proteins as urinary marker for kidney cancer detection. CONCLUSION: Overall, there are different approaches present for the detection, prognosis and differentiation of kidney cancer in urine but most of the studies are based on a small sample size and need to be validated in a greater collective. Furthermore, the standard should be improved to bring these biomarkers into routine clinical practice