<scp>ReSurveyEurope</scp>: A database of resurveyed vegetation plots in Europe

AbstractAimsWe introduce ReSurveyEurope — a new data source of resurveyed vegetation plots in Europe, compiled by a collaborative network of vegetation scientists. We describe the scope of this initiative, provide an overview of currently available data, governance, data contribution rules, and accessibility. In addition, we outline further steps, including potential research questions.ResultsReSurveyEurope includes resurveyed vegetation plots from all habitats. Version 1.0 of ReSurveyEurope contains 283,135 observations (i.e., individual surveys of each plot) from 79,190 plots sampled in 449 independent resurvey projects. Of these, 62,139 (78%) are permanent plots, that is, marked in situ, or located with GPS, which allow for high spatial accuracy in resurvey. The remaining 17,051 (22%) plots are from studies in which plots from the initial survey could not be exactly relocated. Four data sets, which together account for 28,470 (36%) plots, provide only presence/absence information on plant species, while the remaining 50,720 (64%) plots contain abundance information (e.g., percentage cover or cover–abundance classes such as variants of the Braun‐Blanquet scale). The oldest plots were sampled in 1911 in the Swiss Alps, while most plots were sampled between 1950 and 2020.ConclusionsReSurveyEurope is a new resource to address a wide range of research questions on fine‐scale changes in European vegetation. The initiative is devoted to an inclusive and transparent governance and data usage approach, based on slightly adapted rules of the well‐established European Vegetation Archive (EVA). ReSurveyEurope data are ready for use, and proposals for analyses of the data set can be submitted at any time to the coordinators. Still, further data contributions are highly welcome.</jats:sec

Discrepancies between radiological and histological findings in preoperative core needle (CNB) and vacuum-assisted (VAB) breast biopsies

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US)-guided breast biopsy is a routine diagnostic method used to correlate imaging finding to a histological diagnosis which is still the gold standard in preoperative diagnostics. The accuracy of US-guided breast biopsies relies on a precise radiologic-histopathologic correlation, which is discussed amongst an interdisciplinary team of gynecologists, radiologists and pathologists. However, false-negative or non-diagnostic biopsy results occur. Hence, a thorough and honest discussion to clarify the reason for discrepancies and to decide the next diagnostic step between specialists of the different disciplines is warranted. In this retrospective study, we analyzed discrepant findings between imaging and pathology results on preoperative breast biopsies. METHODS: Core and vacuum-assisted breast biopsies from 232 patients were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were (1) non-diagnostic (B1) category on histology independent from imaging category and (2) histological benign (B2) category with a BIRADS 5 (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) rating on imaging. Histological diagnoses were retrieved from all cases. Follow-up data were available in most cases. RESULTS: 138 biopsies were classified as B1, 94 biopsies as B2 category. 51 of 138 B1 cases (37%) underwent re-biopsy. Re-biopsy found malignancy (B5) in 19 of 51 cases, and B3/4 (premalignant) lesions in 3 of 51 cases. All B2 cases underwent second-look imaging-diagnosis, in 57 of 94 cases (66%) consecutive direct surgery or re-biopsy. Of these, malignancy was diagnosed histologically in 26 of 57 cases (45.6%). CONCLUSION: Determining imaging-pathology concordance after US-guided breast biopsy is essential. Discrepant cases and further diagnostic steps need to be discussed with an interdisciplinary approach

A new Name-Based Sampling Method for Migrants using n-grams

The set of best methods for sampling migrant populations includes name-based sampling. So far this is done using either ad hoc lists or onomastic dictionaries for the classification of names. This paper proposes a new name-based procedure which uses a Bayes-classifier for the n-grams of the name. The new procedure is fault-tolerant of alternate spellings, and also allows the classification of names that are not found in dictionaries. It was tested using the names of about 1.600 foreigners in the PASS panel. Finally, a CATI survey based on the new method in Hesse (Germany) is described

A New Name-Based Sampling Method for Migrants

Zu den besten Verfahren für die Konstruktion von Migrantenstichproben gehören namensbasierte Stichproben. Hierfür werden bislang entweder ad-hoc-Listen oder namenskundliche Lexika für die Klassifikation von Namen verwendet. In diesem Beitrag wird ein neues Verfahren vorgeschlagen, das auf der automatischen Klassifikation eines Namens anhand der n-Gramme des Namens und der Anwendung des Bayes-Theorems basiert. Das neue Verfahren ist fehlertolerant gegenüber alternativen Schreibweisen und erlaubt auch die Klassifikation von Namen, die sich nicht in den Lexika finden. Das Verfahren wurde anhand der Namen der ca. 1.600 Ausländer im PASS-Panel und einer CATI-Studie in Hessen untersucht

Feasibility and efficacy of salvage allogeneic stem cell transplantation in AML patients relapsing after autologous stem cell transplantation.

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is suitable for consolidation of favorable-/intermediate-risk AML patients in CR1. However, ~50% of AML patients relapse after autologous HCT, and efficacy of subsequent salvage strategies including allogeneic HCT remains unclear. We studied 123 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed AML undergoing high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT)/autologous HCT in CR1. In relapsing patients afterwards, we analyzed salvage treatments and outcomes focusing particularly on salvage allogeneic HCT. Of 123 patients, 64 (52%) relapsed after autologous HCT. Subsequently, 13 (21%) received palliative therapy, whereas 51 (79%) proceeded to salvage therapy with a curative intent. Of the 47 patients with a curative intent and who did not proceed directly to allogeneic HCT, 23 (49%) achieved CR2 or had ongoing hematologic CR1 despite molecular relapse. Finally, 30 patients (47%) received allogeneic HCT with estimated 3-year leukemia-free and overall survival rates of 33% and 43%. Hematologic remission at allogeneic HCT and lack of acute GvHD had a positive impact on OS and LFS (p < 0.05). Our study suggests that almost 80% of AML patients can undergo salvage therapy following relapse after front-line HDCT/autologous HCT. Allogeneic HCT can provide cure in one third of patients relapsing after front-line HDCT/autologous HCT

Elucidating the medium-resolution structure of ribosomal particles: an interplay between electron cryo-microscopy and X-ray crystallography

AbstractBackground: Ribosomes are the universal cellular organelles that accomplish the translation of the genetic code into proteins. Electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) has yielded fairly detailed three-dimensional reconstructions of ribosomes. These were used to assist in the determination of higher resolution structures by X-ray crystallography.Results: Molecular replacement studies using cryo-EM reconstructions provided feasible packing schemes for crystals of ribosomes and their two subunits from Thermus thermophilus, and of the large subunits from Haloarcula marismortui. For the large subunits, these studies also confirmed the major heavy-atom sites obtained by single isomorphous replacement combined with anomalous diffraction (SIRAS) and by multiple isomorphous replacement combined with anomalous diffraction (MIRAS) at ∼10 Å. Although adequate starting phases could not be obtained for the small subunits, the crystals of which diffract to 3.0 Å, cryo-EM reconstructions were indispensable for analyzing their 7.2 Å multiple isomorphous replacement (MIR) map. This work indicated that the conformation of the crystallized small subunits resembles that seen within the 70S ribosomes. Subsequently, crystals of particles trapped in their functionally active state were grown.Conclusions: Single-particle cryo-EM can contribute to the progress of crystallography of non-symmetrical, large and flexible macromolecular assemblies. Besides confirming heavy-atom sites, obtained from flat or overcrowded difference Patterson maps, the cryo-EM reconstructions assisted in elucidating packing arrangements. They also provided tools for the identification of the conformation within the crystals and for the estimation of the level of inherent non-isomorphism

Thünen-Baseline 2020 – 2030: Agrarökonomische Projektionen für Deutschland

This report presents selected results of the Thünen-Baseline 2020-2030 as well as the assumptions underlying the projections. The Thünen-Baseline describes the expected developments of agricultural markets under given macro-economic conditions assuming no change in the current policy framework. Projections are based on the data and information available in February 2020. The report includes projection results on agricultural trade, prices, demand, production, income and environmental effects. The presentation of the results focuses mainly on the developments of the German agricultural sector up to the year 2030 compared to the average of the base period 2017-2019. With regard to the crops sector results show that oilseed cultivation is likely to be expanded by 2030. This is because the oilseed sector becomes more competitive relative to grains driven by a stronger increase in yields as well as prices. For the meat sector, higher environmental and animal welfare standards suggest that the growth in production observed over the past decades is likely to slow down, especially in the pigmeat sector, while poultry meat production is expected to still grow slightly over the projection period. Furthermore, stable milk prices and dairy herd populations combined with a further increase in milk yield are likely to result in a moderate increase in milk deliveries over the projection period. The average real income of agricultural farms is expected to decline slightly over the projection period. However, in 2030 agricultural farms still achieve an income equal to the average level observed over the last ten years