Cryocautery and Aqueous Humor Dynamics

A method of cyclocryocautery, using the Kelman Cryostylet, is described. On rabbit eyes this brings about a statistically significant lowering of intraocular pressure and reduction of aqueous flow over an observation period of three months. The effects upon the facility of outflow are variable. Side effects are minimal. The intraocular temperature was measured at various points during and after cryocautery. An applicator temperature of about -40° C was found sufficient for the desired result with minimal side effects. Angiocryocautery of one or both long posterior ciliary vessels resulted only in a temporary reduction of intraocular pressure, as permanent obliteration of these vessels was not possible by this method. In a small series of eight patients with primary and secondary glaucomas, the procedure described was effective in six cases. Possible indications in other forms of glaucoma are discussed

Unilateral Aphakia and Contact Lenses

The binocular functions of a group of 60 patients with unilateral aphakia were tested after fitting with a contact lens. Results showed a high degree of extramacular fusion in the group. However, only 50% of these patients obtained satisfactory stereoacuity levels. There was no relation between the time elapsed from cataract extraction to contact lens fitting and the amount of ultimate stereoacuity obtained. Some factors presenting common obstacles to successful fitting of aphakic contact lenses are discussed

The Effect of Electrical Curren on the Crystalline Lens

In summary, the cataractogenic properties of electric current were studies. Previous observations dealing with this subject utilized a multiple shock technique--something which is unlikely to occur in any accidental exposure. This study focused on the production of lens changes in rabbit eyes following single exposures of measured electric current

Erträge von Winterweizen in einem Agroforstsystem zur Energieholzgewinnung im ökologischen Landbau

The study is part of the research project "Development and testing of an agroforestry system combining organic agriculture and short rotation coppice". Cooperation partners are the Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture (LfL) and the Bavarian State Institute of Forestry (LWF). The two experimental sites are located in the northern Munich gravel plain near Freising and in the southern part of the Franconian Jurassic near Kaisheim. Aim of the study was to compare the yield of agricultural crops in an alley cropping system for woody biomass production with a standard cultivation without trees on the field. A positive effect of periodically harvested tree stripes on the yield of the agricultural crops is expected. First results show that there were no significant differences in the overall marketable yield of winter wheat in the agroforestry system compared to the reference site without trees. The spatial distribution of the yield, however, differed significantly. In close proximity to the tree stripes a significant reduction of the marketable yield could be measured. These lower yields were equalized by higher yields in bigger distances of the tree stripes

Schnellwachsende Gehölze zur Energiegewinnung im ökologischen Landbau - Etablierung und Wuchsleistung verschiedener Baumarten

So far there is only little experience with the cultivation of coppicing fast-growing tree species in German organic agriculture. The research project investigated the establishment and the performance of different tree species - black alder (Alnus glutinosa), grey alder (Alnus incana) and two hybrid poplar clones ('Max 1', 'Max 3') under organic conditions. Various strategies to reduce weed competition were examined. Different undersown crops (Medicago lupulina, Trifolium repens, Camelina sativa, Secale cereale) and a self-degradable mulch membrane were compared with an untreated control. The two experimental sites are located in Southern Bavaria (Germany). All tree species could be successfully established on both experimental sites. The results show that during the first three years the trees on self-degradable mulch membrane growd best, and reached the lowest heigth on black medic. A recommendation regarding choice of tree species and strategies of establishment can be given after tree harvest and after an economic evaluation

Entwicklung und Erprobung eines Agroforstsystems im ökologischen Landbau zur Energieholzgewinnung

Das Projekt „Entwicklung und Erprobung eines Agroforstsystems im ökologischen Landbau zur Energieholzgewinnung“ ist eine Kooperation der beiden bayerischen Landesanstalten für Landwirtschaft (LfL) und für Wald und Forstwirtschaft (LWF). Die Versuchsstandorte liegen in der nördlichen Münchener Ebene bei Freising und im südlichen Frankenjura in der Nähe von Kaisheim. Die zentrale Frage des Projektes ist, welche Erträge und Qualitäten die landwirtschaftlichen Feldfrüchte in einem Agroforstsystem im Vergleich zur herkömmlichen Bewirtschaftung ohne Bäume auf dem Acker liefern. Es wird eine positive Wirkung von Baumstreifen im Kurzumtrieb auf den Ertrag der dazwischen liegenden landwirtschaftlichen Kulturen erwartet. Außerdem wird untersucht, ob in einem Agroforstsystem die gesamte Biomasseerzeugung im Vergleich zur reinen landwirtschaftlichen Nutzung nachhaltig höher ist. Die möglichst effiziente Etablierung von schnellwachsenden Baumarten auf Flächen des Ökolandbaus ist eine weitere Fragestellung des Projekts. Erste Beobachtungen unterschiedlicher Begründungsverfahren und zum Leistungsvergleich verschiedener Hybrid-Pappelklone mit heimischen Baumarten werden vorgestellt

Identification of human pathogens isolated from blood using microarray hybridisation and signal pattern recognition

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pathogen identification in clinical routine is based on the cultivation of microbes with subsequent morphological and physiological characterisation lasting at least 24 hours. However, early and accurate identification is a crucial requisite for fast and optimally targeted antimicrobial treatment. Molecular biology based techniques allow fast identification, however discrimination of very closely related species remains still difficult.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A molecular approach is presented for the rapid identification of pathogens combining PCR amplification with microarray detection. The DNA chip comprises oligonucleotide capture probes for 25 different pathogens including Gram positive cocci, the most frequently encountered genera of <it>Enterobacteriaceae</it>, non-fermenter and clinical relevant <it>Candida </it>species. The observed detection limits varied from 10 cells (e.g. <it>E. coli</it>) to 10⁵cells (<it>S. aureus</it>) per mL artificially spiked blood. Thus the current low sensitivity for some species still represents a barrier for clinical application. Successful discrimination of closely related species was achieved by a signal pattern recognition approach based on the k-nearest-neighbour method. A prototype software providing this statistical evaluation was developed, allowing correct identification in 100 % of the cases at the genus and in 96.7 % at the species level (n = 241).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The newly developed molecular assay can be carried out within 6 hours in a research laboratory from pathogen isolation to species identification. From our results we conclude that DNA microarrays can be a useful tool for rapid identification of closely related pathogens particularly when the protocols are adapted to the special clinical scenarios.</p

Variability and associated uncertainty in image analysis for soiling characterization in solar energy systems

The accumulation of soiling on photovoltaic modules and on the mirrors of concentrating solar power systems causes non-negligible energy losses with economic consequences. These challenges can be mitigated, or even prevented, through appropriate actions if the magnitude of soiling is known. Particle counting analysis is a common procedure to characterize soiling, as it can be easily performed on micrographs of glass coupons or solar devices that have been exposed to the environment. Particle counting does not, however, yield invariant results across institutions. The particle size distribution analysis is affected by the operator of the image analysis software and the methodology utilized. The results of a round-robin study are presented in this work to explore and elucidate the uncertainty related to particle counting and its effect on the characterization of the soiling of glass surfaces used in solar energy conversion systems. An international group of soiling experts analysed the same 8 micrographs using the same open-source ImageJ software package. The variation in the particle analyses results were investigated to identify specimen characteristics with the lowest coefficient of variation (CV) and the least uncertainty among the various operators. The mean particle diameter showed the lowest CV among the investigated characteristics, whereas the number of particles exhibited the largest CV. Additional parameters, such as the fractional area coverage by particles and parameters related to the distribution's shape yielded intermediate CV values. These results can provide insights on the magnitude inter-lab variability and uncertainty for optical and microscope-based soiling monitoring and characterization