Suitability of Transport Techniques for Video Transmission in IP Networks

The paper discusses the problem of video transmission in an IP network. The authors consider the ability of using the most popular video codecs that use both the MPEG2 Transport Stream and Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (DASH). The main emphasis was given to ensuring the quality of service and quality assessment methods, taking into account not only the service- or network provider’s point of view but also the end user’s perspective. Two quality assessment approaches were presented, i.e. objective and subjective methods. The authors presented the results of the quality evaluation for H.264/MPEG-4, H.265/HEVC and VP9 codecs. The objective measurements, proved by statistical analysis of user opinion scores, confirmed the ability of using H.265 and VP9 codecs in both real time and streaming transmissions, while the quality of video streaming over HTTP with the H.264 codec proved inadequate. The authors also presented a connection between the dynamics of network bandwidth changing and MPEG-DASH mechanism operation and their influence on thequality experienced by users

Bilaterale Hämangiosarkome und multiple fibroepitheliale Mischtumore in der weiblichen Mamma nach Immunsuppression

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird über einen ganz außergewöhnlichen Fall eines bilateralen Hämangiosarkoms berichtet, welches mit multiplen Fibroadenomen vergesellschaftet war und sich zum Teil unter dem Bilde eines Cystosarcoma phylloides manifestierte. Eine bemerkenswerte weitere Besonderheit im vorliegenden Fall ist insofern gegeben, als die Hämangiosarkome im Rahmen einer Multimorbidität einer jungen Patientin vorgelegen haben. Wegen einer fokal sklerosierenden Glomerulonephritis in frühen Lebensjahren wurde nach Nierenversagen eine beidseitige Nephrektomie mit Nierentransplantation und konsekutiver Immunsuppression durchgeführt. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, mit der vorgelegten Kasuistik einen ungewöhnlichen Verlauf dieser Erkrankung und ihrer Folgen mit einem seltenen malignen Tumor aufzuzeigen und in der Diskussion Überlegungen und Literaturhinweise anzuführen, die möglicherweise neben Anhaltspunkten für die Histogenese auch den rasch progredienten Verlauf dieser Erkrankung im Zusammenhang mit der Immunsuppression nach beidseitiger Nierentransplantation erklären könnten

Rewilding with large herbivores:Positive direct and delayed effects of carrion on plant and arthropod communities

Carrion of large animals is an extremely nutrient rich, ephemeral resource that is essential for many species, but is scarce in the anthropogenic Western-European landscape due to legislative restrictions. Rewilding, a novel conservation strategy that aims at restoring natural processes with minimal human intervention, is increasing in popularity and could lead to increased carrion availability in the landscape. It is therefore important to understand the effects of carrion on biodiversity. We investigated the direct and delayed (five months) effects of red deer (Cervus elaphus) carcasses on plants and arthropods in the Oostvaardersplassen, the Netherlands, one of the oldest rewilding sites in Europe. Specifically, we tested whether carrion has a positive direct effect on the abundances and diversity of various arthropod functional groups, as well as a delayed effect on the vegetation and arthropods through the increased nutrient availability. During the active decomposition stage in spring, we, not surprisingly, observed higher abundances of carrion associated species (scavengers and their specialized predators) at the carrion sites than at control sites without carrion, but no higher abundances of predators or detritivores. In late summer, after near-complete decomposition, plant biomass was five times higher, and nutritional plant quality (C:N ratio) was higher at the carrion sites than at the control sites. Arthropod abundance and diversity were also manifold higher, owing to higher numbers of herbivorous and predatory species. Regression analysis showed that abundances of herbivores and detritivores were positively related to plant biomass, and predator abundances were positively related to abundances of herbivores and detritivores, suggesting bottom-up effects propagating through the food chain. Our results show that even in a naturally nutrient-rich ecosystem like the Oostvaardersplassen, carrion can have strong positive effects on local plant biomass and nutritional quality and arthropod abundances, lasting the whole growing season. We found evidence that these effects were first directly caused by the presence of carrion, and later by the enhanced nutrient availability in the soil. This highlights the importance of the indirect pathways by which carrion can structure arthropod communities

Extended Distal Pancreatectomy with En Bloc Resection of the Celiac Axis for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Due to a lack of early symptoms, pancreatic cancers of the body and tail are discovered mostly at advanced stages. These locally advanced cancers often involve the celiac axis or the common hepatic artery and are therefore declared unresectable. The extended distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the celiac artery may offer a chance of complete resection. We present the case of a 48-year-old female with pancreatic body cancer invading the celiac axis. The patient underwent laparoscopy to exclude hepatic and peritoneal metastasis. Subsequently, a selective embolization of the common hepatic artery was performed to enlarge arterial flow to the hepatobiliary system and the stomach via the pancreatoduodenal arcades from the superior mesenteric artery. Fifteen days after embolization, the extended distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and en bloc resection of the celiac axis was carried out. The postoperative course was uneventful, and complete tumor resection was achieved. This case report and a review of the literature show the feasibility and safety of the extended distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the celiac axis. A preoperative embolization of the celiac axis may avoid ischemia-related complications of the stomach or the liver

Can Decision Support Systems Help Improve the Sustainable Use of Fungicides in Wheat?

Wheat is one of the most economically important field crops worldwide. Foliar diseases are a major threat to wheat productivity and are primarily managed by implementing less susceptible cultivars and using fungicides. With the “Farm to Fork” strategy under consideration by the European Union to reduce pesticide usage by 50% by 2030, this elucidates the importance of utilizing decision support systems (DSS) to optimize fungicide applications. Therefore, three DSSs of different origins, namely the IPM-Wheat Model Schleswig-Holstein (scientific), the ISIP system (federal), and the xarvio© FIELD MANAGER (commercial), were analysed under maritime climate conditions at three locations in a high input area of wheat cultivation in northern Germany from 2019 to 2021. Fungicide efficacy was evaluated for yield as well as for the management of prevalent pathogens (Septoria tritici blotch, glume blotch, tan spot, powdery mildew, stripe rust, and leaf rust) on two different commercially available cultivars (highly and moderately susceptible). Compared to a stage-oriented standard system, no significant decrease in yield was observed in both cultivars, despite up to a 50% reduction in fungicide use through the use of DSSs. This was attributed to an optimized timing of fungicide applications, which resulted in slightly lower but still tolerable disease suppression efficacy compared to the stage-oriented system. In conclusion, minor disease severities are often overestimated, and DSSs can help improve the sustainability of fungicide use in wheat and pesticides in general

The Snail genes as inducers of cell movement and survival: implications in development and cancer

11 pages, 5 figures.-- PMID: 15983400 [PubMed].-- Printed version published Jul 2005.Full-text version available Open Access at the journal site.The functions of the Snail family of zinc-finger transcription factors are essential during embryonic development. One of their best-known functions is to induce epithelial to mesenchymal transitions (EMTs), which convert epithelial cells into migratory mesenchymal cells. In recent years, many orthologues of the Snail family have been identified throughout the animal kingdom, and their study is providing new clues about the EMT-dependent and -independent functions of Snail proteins. Here, we discuss these functions and how they influence cell behaviour during development and during diseases such as metastatic cancer. From these findings, we propose that Snail genes act primarily as survival factors and inducers of cell movement, rather than as inducers of EMT or cell fate.We are grateful to all members of M. A. Nieto’s laboratory for encouraging discussions. Work in the laboratory is mainly supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. A.B.-G. is a researcher of the Ramón y Cajal Programme (MEC).Peer reviewe

Verjonging van bomen en struiken en de diversiteit van planten en ongewervelden in de Oostvaardersplassen

Het minimale-interventiebeleid in de Oostvaardersplassen heeft geleid tot indrukwekkende kuddes grazers. Dit beheer wordt echter in verband gebracht met gebrek aan verjonging van bomen en struiken en een daling van de biodiversiteit. Onder welke omstandigheden is verjonging van bomen en struiken mogelijk en welke gevolgen heeft dit voor de biodiversiteit van planten en ongewervelden