Seismic moment tensors from synthetic rotational and translational ground motion: Green's functions in 1-D versus 3-D

Seismic moment tensors are an important tool and input variable for many studies in the geosciences. The theory behind the determination of moment tensors is well established. They are routinely and (semi-) automatically calculated on a global scale. However, on regional and local scales, there are still several difficulties hampering the reliable retrieval of the full seismic moment tensor. In an earlier study, we showed that the waveform inversion for seismic moment tensors can benefit significantly when incorporating rotational ground motion in addition to the commonly used translational ground motion. In this study, we test, what is the best processing strategy with respect to the resolvability of the seismic moment tensor components: inverting three-component data with Green’s functions (GFs) based on a 3-D structural model, six-component data with GFs based on a 1-D model, or unleashing the full force of six-component data and GFs based on a 3-D model? As a reference case, we use the inversion based on three-component data and 1-D structure, which has been the most common practice in waveform inversion for moment tensors so far. Building on the same Bayesian approach as in our previous study, we invert synthetic waveforms for two test cases from the Korean Peninsula: one is the 2013 nuclear test of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the other is an Mw  5.4 tectonic event of 2016 in the Republic of Korea using waveform data recorded on stations in Korea, China and Japan. For the Korean Peninsula, a very detailed 3-D velocity model is available. We show that for the tectonic event both, the 3-D structural model and the rotational ground motion, contribute strongly to the improved resolution of the seismic moment tensor. The higher the frequencies used for inversion, the higher is the influence of rotational ground motions. This is an important effect to consider when inverting waveforms from smaller magnitude events. The explosive source benefits more from the 3-D structural model than from the rotational ground motion. Nevertheless, the rotational ground motion can help to better constraint the isotropic part of the source in the higher frequency range.SD thanks Bayrische Forschungsallianz (BayFOR) for funding her internship at the Australian National University (ANU, grant: BayIntAn-LMU-2017-66). Further funding comes from the European Research Council (advanced grant to HI: ROMY, number: 339991)

The upper airway volume effects produced by Hyrax, Hybrid-Hyrax, and Keles keyless expanders: a single-centre randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE To assess upper airway volume changes after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) with three different expanders. TRIAL DESIGN Three-arm parallel randomized clinical trial. METHODS Sixty-six patients, 10-16 years old, in permanent dentition, with maxillary transverse deficiency were recruited and assigned with block randomization (1:1:1 ratio) and allocation concealment to three groups of 22 patients each (Hyrax, Hybrid-Hyrax, and Keles keyless expander). The primary outcome (overall upper airway volume change) and secondary outcomes (volume changes in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx) were blindly assessed on the initial (T0) and final (T1, 6 months at appliance removal) cone beam computed tomography. Differences across groups were assessed with crude or adjusted for confounders (gender, age, growth stage, skeletal pattern, baseline airway volume, and amount of expansion) linear regression models. RESULTS Fifty-one patients were analysed (19, 19, and 13 in the Hyrax, Hybrid-Hyrax, and Keles groups). Maxillary expansion resulted in considerable increases in total airway volume in the Hybrid-Hyrax group (+5902.1 mm3) and less in the Hyrax group (+2537.9 mm3) or the Keles group (+3001.4 mm3). However, treatment-induced changes for the primary and all secondary outcomes were of small magnitude and no significant difference was seen among the three expanderes in the total airway volume in either crude or adjusted analyses (P > 0.05 in all instances). Finally, among pre-peak patients (CVM 1-3), the Hybrid-Hyrax expander was associated with significantly greater increases in total airway volume compared to the Hyrax expander (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS RME resulted in relatively small increases in total upper airway volume and its separate compartments, with mostly no statistically significant differences across the Hyrax, Hybrid-Hyrax, and Keles groups. LIMITATIONS Significantly greater attrition was found in the Keles group due to appliance failure. The current trial might possibly be under-powered to detect differences between groups, if such exist. HARMS Keles expanders blocked during activations and required substitution for completion of treatment. PROTOCOL The protocol was not published before trial commencement. REGISTRATION Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12617001136392)

“V”-Technique as a Method of Breast Conserving Surgery in Multifocal and T2 Invasive Breast Cancers Situated in the Upper Outer Quadrant

Objective: To assess the oncologic and cosmetic outcomes in women with multifocal breast cancers or T2 tumours with diameters larger than 3 cm situated in the upper outer quadrant who were treated with “V”-technique. Methods: From July 1999 till June 2003, 44 conserving surgeries with “V”-technique using a local rotational flap were performed. Localization of tumours was in the upper outer quadrant. All solid tumours were larger than 3 cm in diameter. In all patients, axillary lymph node dissection was performed. All the patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Mean follow-up was 58 months. Results: Out of 44 conserving surgeries with “V”-technique, an adequate distance of tumour from the margins was obtained in 84.1% (37/44). Out of 37 patients who underwent conserving surgery with this technique, the cosmetic result was favourable in 83.78% (31/37). None of these patients had a corrective surgery such as reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy. Mean weight of excised tissue was 215 g. The 5-year local recurrence rate was 10.8%. The 5-year metastasis-free survival rate was 81,1%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 86.5 %. Conclusions: Surgical treatment of multifocal and T2 breast cancers larger than 3 cm in diameter situated in the upper outer quadrant and performed with “V”-technique gives a good aesthetic result and enables a wide resection of breast tissue around the tumour. Keywords: Breast cancer, breast-conserving surgery, upper outer quadrant "La Técnica “V” Como Método Quirúrgico para Conservar las Mamas en Cánceres de Mama Invasivos T2 y Multifocales Situados en el Cuadrante Superior Externo" F Lovasic, E Mustac, I Belac-Lovasic, M Uravic, M Petkovic, E Radetic RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados oncológicos y cosméticos en las mujeres con cánceres multifocales de mama o tumores T2 de diámetro mayor de 3 cm, situados en el cuadrante superior externo, en pacientes tratadas con la técnica “V”. Métodos: De julio 1999 hasta junio de 2003, se realizaron 44 cirugías conservadoras usando la técnica “V” con colgajo local de rotación. Los tumores se hallaban localizados en el cuadrante superior. Todos los tumores sólidos tenían más de 3 centímetros de diámetro. A todas las pacientes se les practicó la disección del ganglio linfático axilar. Todas las pacientes recibieron radioterapia postoperatoria. El seguimiento promedio fue de 58 meses. Resultados: De las 44 cirugías conservadoras con la técnica “V”, se obtuvo una distancia adecuada del tumor en 84.1% (37/44) desde los márgenes. De 37 pacientes que tuvieron cirugía conservadora con esta técnica, el resultado cosmético fue favorable en 83.78% (31/37). A ninguna de estas pacientes se les realizó cirugías correctivas tales como mamoplastia de reducción, o mastopexia. El peso promedio del tejido extirpado fue 215 g. La tasa de recurrencia local quinquenal fue de 10.8%. La tasa de supervivencia quinquenal libre de metástasis fue 81, 1%. La tasa general de supervivencia fue de 86.5%. Conclusiones: El tratamiento quirúrgico de los cánceres de mama T2 y multifocales mayores de 3 cm. de diámetro situados en el cuadrante superior externo y realizado con la técnica “V” produce un buen resultado estético y permite una resección amplia del tejido mamario alrededor del tumor. Palabras claves: Cáncer de mama, cirugía de conservación de la mama, cuadrante superior extern

Tumor-associated macrophages in invasive breast cancer.

ANTICANCER RESEARCH (ATHENS

Comparison of microvessel density with tumor associated macrophages in invasive breast carcinoma.

ANTICANCER RESEARCH (ATHENS