Lactobacilli have a niche in the human nose

Although an increasing number of beneficial microbiome members are characterized for the human gut and vagina, beneficial microbes are underexplored for the human upper respiratory tract (URT). In this study, we demonstrate that taxa from the beneficial Lactobacillus genus complex are more prevalent in the healthy URT than in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Several URT-specific isolates are cultured, characterized, and further explored for their genetic and functional properties related to adaptation to the URT. Catalase genes are found in the identified lactobacilli, which is a unique feature within this mostly facultative anaerobic genus. Moreover, one of our isolated strains, Lactobacillus casei AMBR2, contains fimbriae that enable strong adherence to URT epithelium, inhibit the growth and virulence of several URT pathogens, and successfully colonize nasal epithelium of healthy volunteers. This study thus demonstrates that specific lactobacilli are adapted to the URT and could have a beneficial keystone function in this habitat

On the computation of the shadow wage rate in an autarkic agricultural environment

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Material Dependent Thresholding for Dimensional X-ray Computed Tomography

Recently, the use of Computed Tomography for dimensional metrology has been emerging as a new application field. This new application domain calls for micron-level accuracy and traceability to the unit of length. Unfortunately, CT images inherently bear many artifacts, such as beam hardening and scattering noise. Moreover, the partial volume effect hinders accurate thresholding, which limits the achievable accuracy of CT dimensional metrology. Until now, the edge detection of single material workpieces in CT imaging commonly relies on the 50% iso-surface global thresholding method. In addition, advanced „local thresholding‟ methods have been developed to reduce some artifacts and to improve CT model surface quality. Yet often, neither method can define the „exact‟ edge, hence resulting in dimensional errors. This paper reports on material dependent thresholding. The position of the edge is shifted along the gray value histogram between the background (air) and material peaks, in order to check which value yields the most accurate dimensions, hence the most correct edge. The influences of material type on the exact edge location in the gray value histogram are presented. Application of this method on different materials has yielded consistent results.status: publishe

A European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine Academic Debate: Describing Experienced Health on the Basis of the WHO's Model of Functioning (ICF) or on the Theory of Social Productivity

The first Academic Debate was held within the European Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (EARM) in Budapest in 2016. The question debated was: is it possible to provide a theory neutral framework to describe the lived experience of health or is there an appropriate theory to understand what constitute the most relevant factors in health (and well-being). First the link between the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and rehabilitation as a key health strategy was explained. It was then argued that supplementing the ICF by theory-based approaches (e.g. a theory of social productivity) may advance explanations with regard to participation and links with health and well-being. Thirdly, it was recalled that one of the strengths of the ICF is exactly being “theory neutral”. There was no doubt that there is a need for scientific theories to describe functioning and health. The theory of social productivity seems to be an important contribution towards this goal. However, the definition of well-being in relation to the operationalization of functioning and health needs to be further developed. The conclusion cannot be an “either-or” (classification vs theory). Projects should be set up both to further develop the ICF and to refine (or develop new) theories

ACCURACY STUDY OF A 450 KV CT SYSTEM WITH A CALIBRATED TEST OBJECT

Computed tomography is already a well established technology in medical and material analysis. Also for dimensional metrology applications, CT is a promising technique for measuring internal and external geometries. Nowadays, most industrial CT scanners, use 120 to 225 kV sources. To scan thicker and more absorbing materials, more power is needed. The Nikon Metrology XT H450 has a range up to 450 kV. However the accuracy of these new, more powerful machines has to be investigated. This accuracy study uses a calibrated reference object and simulations, to get a better understanding of the existing errors. This reference object is developed and produced by fixing CMM probing styli on a socket. It has been produced in several materials and used together with simulations to analyze the accuracy of single and multi-material CT measurements. For single material, accuracies up to 10-15 μm are achieved. In the case of multi material this accuracy deteriorates to 70-80 μm. Besides some mechanical errors which cause these deviations, the main factor is the edge detection.status: publishe