Mechanical properties and fracture behavior of TiB2+z thin films

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An Architectural Design for Measurement Uncertainty Evaluation in Cyber-Physical Systems

Several use cases from the areas of manufacturing and process industry, require highly accurate sensor data. As sensors always have some degree of uncertainty, methods are needed to increase their reliability. The common approach is to regularly calibrate the devices to enable traceability according to national standards and Syst\`eme international (SI) units - which follows costly processes. However, sensor networks can also be represented as Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) and a single sensor can have a digital representation (Digital Twin) to use its data further on. To propagate uncertainty in a reliable way in the network, we present a system architecture to communicate measurement uncertainties in sensor networks utilizing the concept of Asset Administration Shells alongside methods from the domain of Organic Computing. The presented approach contains methods for uncertainty propagation as well as concepts from the Machine Learning domain that combine the need for an accurate uncertainty estimation. The mathematical description of the metrological uncertainty of fused or propagated values can be seen as a first step towards the development of a harmonized approach for uncertainty in distributed CPSs in the context of Industrie 4.0. In this paper, we present basic use cases, conceptual ideas and an agenda of how to proceed further on.Comment: accepted at FedCSIS 202

The Loop Tenodesis Procedure—From Biomechanics to First Clinical Results

(1) Introduction: Several surgical therapy options for the treatment of pathologies of the long biceps tendon (LHB) have been established. However, tenotomy, as well as established tenodesis techniques, has disadvantages, such as cosmetic deformities, functional impairments and residual shoulder pain. This study presents the first clinical and structural results of the recently introduced loop tenodesis procedure for the LHB, developed to overcome these issues. (2) Methods: 37 patients (11 women, 26 men, mean age 52 years), who underwent loop tenodesis of the LHB were examined six months after surgery. For the clinical evaluation the Constant score, as well as the LHB score, were used, complemented by elbow flexion and supination strength measurements. The integrity of the tenodesis construct was evaluated indirectly by sonographic detection of the LHB in the bicipital groove. (3) Results: Both, the overall Constant score as well as the LHB score showed significant improvements six months postoperatively, as compared to the preoperative value. Fourteen patients (38%) presented an examiner-dependent upper arm deformity, although only five patients (13%) reported subjective cosmetic deformities. Both, flexion and supination strength were preserved compared to the preoperative level. In 35 patients (95%), the tenodesis in the bicipital groove was proofed sonographically. (4) Conclusion: The loop tenodesis of the LHB provides good-to-excellent overall clinical results after a short-term follow-up of six month. The incidence of cosmetic deformities was inferior compared to conventional therapy options (tenotomy and anchor tenodesis)

Practical Relevance of Institutional Guidelines in Translational Large Animal Studies of Cartilage Repair—A Multidisciplinary Survey

Background and Objective: Translational large animal models are inevitable to transfer cartilage repair methods into clinical practice. Guidelines for these trials have been published by guiding agencies (FDA, ASTM, EMEA) including recommendations for study descriptors and study outcomes. However, practical adherence to these recommendations is not achieved in all aspects. This study includes an assessment of the recommended aspects regarding practical relevance in large animal models for cartilage repair by professionals in the field. Materials and Methods: In an online based survey, 11 aspects regarding study design and 13 aspects regarding study outcome from previously published guidelines were evaluated (0–10 points, with 10 being most important) by study participants. Additionally, the survey contained questions related to professional experience (years), professional focus (preclinical, clinical, veterinarian, industry) and the preferred translational large animal model for cartilage repair. Results: The total number of survey participants was 37. Rated as most important for study design parameters was lesion size (9.54 pts., SD 0.80) followed by study duration (9.43 pts., SD 1.21); and method of scaffold fixation (9.08 pts., SD 1.30) as well as depth of the lesion (9.03 pts., SD 1.77). The most important aspects of study outcome were considered histology (9.41 pts., SD 0.86) and defect filling (8.97 pts., SD 1.21), while gene expression was judged as the least important (6.11 pts., SD 2.46) outcome. A total of 62.2% of all participants were researchers, 18.9% clinicians, 13.5% veterinarians and 5.4% industry employees. Conclusions: In translational research, recommendations published by guiding agencies receive broad theoretical consensus within the community, including both clinically and preclinically orientated scientists. However, implementation into practical research lacks in major aspects. Ongoing re-evaluation of the guidelines under involvement of all stakeholders and approaches to overcome financial and infrastructural limitations could support the acceptance of the guidance documents and contribute to standardization in the field

Combining targeted and systematic prostate biopsy improves prostate cancer detection and correlation with the whole mount histopathology in biopsy naïve and previous negative biopsy patients

OBJECTIVE: Guidelines for previous negative biopsy (PNB) cohorts with a suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa) after positive multiparametric (mp) magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) often favour the fusion-guided targeted prostate-biopsy (TB) only approach for Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) ≥3 lesions. However, recommendations lack direct biopsy performance comparison within biopsy naïve (BN) vs. PNB patients and its prognostication of the whole mount pathology report (WMPR), respectively. We suppose, that the combination of TB and concomitant TRUS-systematic biopsy (SB) improves the PCa detection rate of PI-RADS 2, 3, 4 or 5 lesions and the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP)-grade predictability of the WMPR in BN- and PNB patients. METHODS: Patients with suspicious mpMRI, elevated prostate-specific-antigen and/or abnormal digital rectal examination were included. All PI-RADS reports were intramurally reviewed for biopsy planning. We compared the PI-RADS score substratified TB, SB or combined approach (TB/SB) associated BN- and PNB-PCa detection rate. Furthermore, we assessed the ISUP-grade variability between biopsy cores and the WMPR. RESULTS: According to BN (n = 499) vs. PNB (n = 314) patients, clinically significant (cs) PCa was detected more frequently by the TB/SB approach (62 vs. 43%) than with the TB (54 vs. 34%) or SB (57 vs. 34%) (all p < 0.0001) alone. Furthermore, we observed that the TB/SB strategy detects a significantly higher number of csPCa within PI-RADS 3, 4 or 5 reports, both in BN and PNB men. In contrast, applied biopsy techniques were equally effective to detect csPCa within PI-RADS 2 lesions. In case of csPCa diagnosis the TB approach was more often false-negative in PNB patients (BN 11% vs. PNB 19%; p = 0.02). The TB/SB technique showed in general significantly less upgrading, whereas a higher agreement was only observed for the total and BN patient cohort. CONCLUSION: Despite csPCa is more frequently found in BN patients, the TB/SB method always detected a significantly higher number of csPCa within PI-RADS 3, 4 or 5 reports of our BN and PNB group. The TB/SB strategy predicts the ISUP-grade best in the total and BN cohort and in general shows the lowest upgrading rates, emphasizing its value not only in BN but also PNB patients