A 3D radiative transfer framework: X. Arbitrary Velocity Fields in the Co-moving Frame

3-D astrophysical atmospheres will have random velocity fields. We seek to combine the methods we have developed for solving the 1-D problem with arbitrary flows to those that we have developed for solving the fully 3-D relativistic radiative transfer problem in the case of monotonic flows. The methods developed in the case of 3-D atmospheres with monotonic flows, solving the fully relativistic problem along curves defined by an affine parameter, are very flexible and can be extended to the case of arbitrary velocity fields in 3-D. Simultaneously, the techniques we developed for treating the 1-D problem with arbitrary velocity fields are easily adapted to the 3-D problem. The algorithm we present allows the solution of 3-D radiative transfer problems that include arbitrary wavelength couplings. We use a quasi-analytic formal solution of the radiative transfer equation that significantly improves the overall computation speed. We show that the approximate lambda operator developed in previous work gives good convergence, even neglecting wavelength coupling. Ng acceleration also gives good results. We present tests that are of similar resolution to what has been presented using Monte-Carlo techniques, thus our methods will be applicable to problems outside of our test setup. Additional domain decomposition parallelization strategies will be explored in future work.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, A&A, in press, new version matches copy edited version, definition restore

How Do Medical Professionals Perceive Artificial Intelligence: An Analysis of Reddit Data

With the advent of big data and the ever-increasing computing power, technologies that use artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming continuously widespread. In several applications, AI has already reached or surpassed human-like capabilities, paving its way in many fields, including medicine. However, when AI takes over tasks from medical professionals (MPs) in making high-stake health-determining decisions, skepticism seems to prevail on the one hand and overconfidence in AI on the other. This research-in-progress aims to investigate these mechanisms to contribute designing a successful human-AI collaboration. To do so, we will examine what MPs understand by the broad concept of AI, how opinions about AI arose, and what MPs’ emotions are. Therefore, we will analyze AI-related data of medical subreddits using natural language processing (NLP) techniques and qualitative analysis

Virtual Reality Technologies in Health Care: A Literature Review of Theoretical Foundations

The digitization of health care promises an improvement of medical care through the adoption of virtual reality (VR) related technologies. Although most undergoing mechanisms of clinical effectiveness are yet not defined theoretically, research approaches have already taken place in several empirical settings. To structure current and upcoming scientific work in this field, we conducted a literature review with regard to theoretical implications of both IS-related and healthcare-related research. We found several theoretical bases to build upon in the field of psychology, but expressed a need for enrichment of theoretical foundations in the field of IS research. We therefore plead for a theoretical foundation enriched by synergetic concepts of clinically effective VR related technologies. Finally, we conclude that VR related technologies appear as a promising approach worth further theoretical and empirical research in order to improve medical care

Headache after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect: An attempt to explain its origin in pediatric population

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) has become the treatment of choice for most patients. About 5% of them after the procedure suffer from the transient headache episodes (THE), the etiology of which is unclear. AIMS: To evaluate risk factors for THE occurrence after transcatheter closure of ASD in the pediatric population. METHODS: 840 patients, after transcatheter ASD closure, with nitinol devices, from a single center, were included in retrospective analysis. THE was defined as occurring up to 24 hours after procedure. A logistic regression model including age, weight, ASD diameter, device size, presence of nitinol coating on device, fluoroscopy time, application of balloon calibration, device oversizing and residual shunt after 24 hours was created to evaluate risk factors for THE occurrence. RESULTS: There were 40 patients (females 70%) with THE (4.8%). Median age was 13 (7.35–16) years. 40 patients (4.8%) with THE. Female 70%, male 30%. Median age 13 (7.35–16) years. Among patients with headache BC was performed more frequently (82.5% vs. 43.3%; P <0.001), the balloon waist median (interquartile range [IQR]), 19 (16–22) mm vs. 15 mm (12–18) mm; P P P  = 0.03) and a year (7.5 vs. 1.0%; P <0.001) was more frequent. ASD size and prevalence of double/multiple ASD were similar in both groups. Age, application of BC, no nickel release protection, duration of fluoroscopy and device oversizing were predictors of THE (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Balloon calibration during percutaneous ASD closure and absent nickel release protection layer on the device are risk factors of headache occurrence in the early postprocedural period

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects type 2 in children under three years of age

Background: Atrial septal defect (ASD) type 2, according to current standards, is closed percutaneously usually after the child has reached the age of four to five years. There are limited data regarding such treatment in younger infants. Aim: We sought to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of percutaneous ASD closure in children under three years of age. Methods: The research group consisted of 157 children less than three years old with haemodynamically significant ASD, who underwent effective transcatheter ASD closure in a single tertiary centre between 1999 and 2014. The mean procedural age of the treated children was 2.2 years and mean weight was 12.5 kg. In all cases nitinol wire mesh devices were applied (mostly Amplatzer Septal Occluders). ASD was closed using standard technique (except a few cases wherein the left disc of the implant was inserted initially into the right pulmonary vein to prevent oblique position of the device). Procedure-related complications were divided into major and minor ones. Results: Atrial septal defect was closed in 149 children: 97 with a single ASD and 52 with double/multiple ASD. The procedure was abandoned in eight patients (three with single and five with double/multiple ASD). No death or implant embolisation occurred during the procedure or follow-up, and there was one case of major postprocedural complications. Normalisation of the right ventricular diameter occurred in all patients during one-year follow-up. In the majority of children acceleration of physical development and resolution of accompanying morbidity were observed in follow-up. Conclusions: Percutaneous ASD closure can be performed safely in children under three years of age with low risk of peri- or postprocedural complications

Evaluation der Ökomassnahmen: Bereich Biodiversität

1993 führte der Bund ökologische Direktzahlungen ein; seit 1999 ist die Erbringung des ökologischen Leistungsnachweises (ÖLN) durch die Landwirtschaftsbetriebe die Voraussetzung zum Bezug von Direktzahlungen. Heute werden 97 % der landwirtschaftlichen Nutzfläche nach den Regeln des ÖLN bewirtschaftet. Die wichtigste Massnahme des ÖLN, welche einen Einfluss auf die Biodiversität hat, ist, dass die Betriebe 7 % ihrer landwirtschaftlichen Nutzfläche (LN) als ökologische Ausgleichsflächen (öAF) auszuweisen haben (bei Spezialkulturen 3,5 %). Weitere Anforderungen des ÖLN (ausgeglichene Nährstoffbilanz, geregelte Fruchtfolge, Bodenschutz, gezielter Einsatz von Pflanzenschutzmitteln, tiergerechte Haltung der Nutztiere) können ebenfalls einen Einfluss haben, stehen jedoch weniger im Vordergrund

Guidelines for the use of flow cytometry and cell sorting in immunological studies (third edition)

The third edition of Flow Cytometry Guidelines provides the key aspects to consider when performing flow cytometry experiments and includes comprehensive sections describing phenotypes and functional assays of all major human and murine immune cell subsets. Notably, the Guidelines contain helpful tables highlighting phenotypes and key differences between human and murine cells. Another useful feature of this edition is the flow cytometry analysis of clinical samples with examples of flow cytometry applications in the context of autoimmune diseases, cancers as well as acute and chronic infectious diseases. Furthermore, there are sections detailing tips, tricks and pitfalls to avoid. All sections are written and peer‐reviewed by leading flow cytometry experts and immunologists, making this edition an essential and state‐of‐the‐art handbook for basic and clinical researchers.DFG, 389687267, Kompartimentalisierung, Aufrechterhaltung und Reaktivierung humaner Gedächtnis-T-Lymphozyten aus Knochenmark und peripherem BlutDFG, 80750187, SFB 841: Leberentzündungen: Infektion, Immunregulation und KonsequenzenEC/H2020/800924/EU/International Cancer Research Fellowships - 2/iCARE-2DFG, 252623821, Die Rolle von follikulären T-Helferzellen in T-Helferzell-Differenzierung, Funktion und PlastizitätDFG, 390873048, EXC 2151: ImmunoSensation2 - the immune sensory syste