Comparison of 1.0 M gadobutrol and 0.5 M gadopentate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI in 471 patients with known or suspected renal lesions: Results of a multicenter, single-blind, interindividual, randomized clinical phase III trial

The purpose of this phase III clinical trial was to compare two different extracellular contrast agents, 1.0 M gadobutrol and 0.5 M gadopentate dimeglumine, for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with known or suspected focal renal lesions. Using a multicenter, single-blind, interindividual, randomized study design, both contrast agents were compared in a total of 471 patients regarding their diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity to correctly classify focal lesions of the kidney. To test for noninferiority the diagnostic accuracy rates for both contrast agents were compared with CT results based on a blinded reading. The average diagnostic accuracy across the three blinded readers ('average reader') was 83.7% for gadobutrol and 87.3% for gadopentate dimeglumine. The increase in accuracy from precontrast to combined precontrast and postcontrast MRI was 8.0% for gadobutrol and 6.9% for gadopentate dimeglumine. Sensitivity of the average reader was 85.2% for gadobutrol and 88.7% for gadopentate dimeglumine. Specificity of the average reader was 82.1% for gadobutrol and 86.1% for gadopentate dimeglumine. In conclusion, this study documents evidence for the noninferiority of a single i.v. bolus injection of 1.0 M gadobutrol compared with 0.5 M gadopentate dimeglumine in the diagnostic assessment of renal lesions with CE-MRI

Cortical swallowing processing in early subacute stroke

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dysphagia is a major complication in hemispheric as well as brainstem stroke patients causing aspiration pneumonia and increased mortality. Little is known about the recovery from dysphagia after stroke. The aim of the present study was to determine the different patterns of cortical swallowing processing in patients with hemispheric and brainstem stroke with and without dysphagia in the early subacute phase.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We measured brain activity by mean of whole-head MEG in 37 patients with different stroke localisation 8.2 +/- 4.8 days after stroke to study changes in cortical activation during self-paced swallowing. An age matched group of healthy subjects served as controls. Data were analyzed by means of synthetic aperture magnetometry and group analyses were performed using a permutation test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results demonstrate strong bilateral reduction of cortical swallowing activation in dysphagic patients with hemispheric stroke. In hemispheric stroke without dysphagia, bilateral activation was found. In the small group of patients with brainstem stroke we observed a reduction of cortical activation and a right hemispheric lateralization.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Bulbar central pattern generators coordinate the pharyngeal swallowing phase. The observed right hemispheric lateralization in brainstem stroke can therefore be interpreted as acute cortical compensation of subcortically caused dysphagia. The reduction of activation in brainstem stroke patients and dysphagic patients with cortical stroke could be explained in terms of diaschisis.</p

Cutting investment costs by using a new solution of speed controlled belt conveyer with available medium voltage 6kV-slipring-motors

Tyt. z nagłówka.Dostępny również w formie drukowanej.STRESZCZENIE: Tradycyjne przenośniki taśmowe w kopalniach węgla brunatnego o mocach powyżej 400 kW są wyposażane w silniki pierścieniowe 6 kV z opornikami lub rozrusznikami cieczowymi. Zalety przenośników taśmowych z regulowaną prędkością to: - oszczędność kosztów energii dzięki możliwości regulacji prędkości taśmy w zależności od jej stopnia załadunku; - zmniejszenie zużycia mechanicznego bębnów, przekładni i taśm; - oszczędność nakładów inwestycyjnych dzięki zmniejszeniu zainstalowanej mocy w związku z większym wykorzystaniem mocy załadunkowej; - zmniejszenie ilości przestojów i kosztów napraw - nie występują w przypadku przenośników taśmowych w tradycyjnej technologii. Napędy 6 kV zainstalowane przez BEA Technische Dienste Lausitz Gmbh i Rockwell Automation w zakładach Vattenfall Europe Miting AG z wykorzystaniem istniejących silników pierścieniowych 6 kV pozwoliły na znaczne zmniejszenie nakładów inwestycyjnych. Po zamontowaniu dodatkowych czujników i mierników i przetestowaniu ich w ok. 20-letnich silnikach pierścieniowych DSRCJ 5621-6 prod. VEM Sachsenwerk, silniki te od lutego 2007 r. są zasilane przez falownik PF7000 prod. Rockwell Automation o napięciu 6 kV i pracują w trybie ciągłym na stacji napędowej 2,5 m w kopalni odkrywkowej Welzow Sud. SŁOWA KLUCZOWE: Taśmociąg, silnik pierścieniowy 6 KV, przemiennik częstotliwości, technologia &quot;Twin Drive&quot;. ABSTRACT: Traditional belt conveyors with power over 400 kW in open pit coal mines are usually equipped with 6 kV slipring motors with resistors or liquid starters. The following benefits of speed-controlled belt conveyors: - saving of energy costs thanks to adjustable belt speed control, depending on the belt loading level, - reduction of mechanical wear of cable drums, gears and conveyor belts, - saving of investment costs thanks to decreasing of installed power in connection with extended loading power, - decreasing the amount of stoppages and reduction of repair costs, do not exist in case of traditional belt conveyors. The 6 kV drives, installed by BEA Technische Dienste Lausitz GmbH and Rockwell Automation in Vattenfall Europe Mining AG with existing 6 kV slipring motors, have enabled to cut investment costs significantly. After additional sensors and measure instruments were mounted and tested with 20-year-old DSRCJ 5621-6 slipring motors (produced by VEM Sachsenwerk), these motors have been feeding by PF7000 6 kV Rockwell Automation frequency converter and working (permanent operation) on the 2,5 m belt conveyor station in open pit coal mine Welzow Sud. KEYWORDS: Belt conveyor, 6 KV slipring motor, frequency converter, Twin Drive technology

25 Years of Polarstern Meteorology

The most important tool in Germany's polar research program is the research and supply vessel Polarstern. The ship was commissioned in 1982, the maiden voyage started at the end of 1982. The owner of the ship is the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, Germany. Within the last 25 years Polarstern performed a total of 44 expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. The ship is well equipped for meteorological research as well as for routine meteorological services. The meteorological office is permanently manned with a weather technician/- observer from the German Weather Service (DWD) who performs the routine 3-hourly synoptic observations and the daily upper air soundings. Additionally, a weather forecaster is responsible to advice the ships captain as well as the helicopter pilots and all scientists in any weather related question. The forecaster gets assistance from the weather technician who performs the satellite picture reception and manages the near real time data flow