31 research outputs found
X-ray dark-field imaging of the human lung-A feasibility study on a deceased body
Disorders of the lungs such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality and the third leading cause of death in the world. The absence of sensitive diagnostic tests for early disease stages of COPD results in under-diagnosis of this treatable disease in an estimated 60-85% of the patients. In recent years a grating-based approach to X-ray dark-field contrast imaging has shown to be very sensitive for the detection and quantification of pulmonary emphysema in small animal models. However, translation of this technique to imaging systems suitable for humans remains challenging and has not yet been reported. In this manuscript, we present the first X-ray dark-field images of in-situ human lungs in a deceased body, demonstrating the feasibility of X-ray dark-field chest radiography on a human scale. Results were correlated with findings of computed tomography imaging and autopsy. The performance of the experimental radiography setup allows acquisition of multi-contrast chest X-ray images within clinical boundary conditions, including radiation dose. Upcoming clinical studies will have to demonstrate that this technology has the potential to improve early diagnosis of COPD and pulmonary diseases in general
The effects of colour and valence on news evaluation
Research across different fields of psychology has reported effects of colour cues on a variety of cognitive processes. Especially, the colour red has been shown to have striking influences. In the context of media reception, however, colour effects have been widely neglected so far. This study made a first step in this direction by investigating the effects of the colour red (compared with blue and grey) on the way news articles are evaluated. Two types of news were framed by a coloured border while the valence of the news content additionally varied. Based on 369 participants who read and evaluated the news articles online, we observed effects for colour cues and news valence in the absence of an interaction effect, indicating that the colour red induced approach motivation. However, only the contrast between red and grey reached statistical significance, indicating that chromatic and achromatic colours may differ in their perceived visual saliency. Overall, these results provide an important complement to previous studies and have practical implications for media researchers and producers
Are flood damage models converging to ârealityâ? Lessons learnt from a blind test
Effective flood risk management requires a realistic estimation of flood losses. However, available flood damage estimates are still characterized by significant levels of uncertainty, questioning the capacity of flood damage models to depict real damages. With a joint effort of eight international research groups, the objective of this study was to compare, in a blind-validation test, the performances of different models for the assessment of the direct flood damage to the residential sector at the building level (i.e. microscale). The test consisted of a common flood case study characterized by high availability of hazard and building data but with undisclosed information on observed losses in the implementation stage of the models. The nine selected models were chosen in order to guarantee a good mastery of the models by the research teams, variety of the modelling approaches, and heterogeneity of the original calibration context in relation to both hazard and vulnerability features. By avoiding possible biases in model implementation, this blind comparison provided more objective insights on the transferability of the models and on the reliability of their estimations, especially regarding the potentials of local and multivariable models. From another perspective, the exercise allowed us to increase awareness of strengths and limits of flood damage modelling, which are summarized in the paper in the form of take-home messages from a modeller's perspective
A comparative analysis of flood damage models: lessons learnt and future challenges
The estimation of flood losses implies the use of
vulnerability/exposure models for flood damage and risk
assessment (Meyer et al. 2013; Zischg et al. 2018;
Wagenaar et al. 2018; Molinari et al. 2019). According to
Gerl et al. (2016), in central Europe there are 28 models
with 652 functions to assess flood losses, whereas almost
half of the functions refer to residential buildings. The
main differences among damage models are: (i) spatial
scale, (ii) metric (i.e. absolute or relative loss), (iii)
exposure assessment (i.e. whole building or affected
floors, market values or reconstruction-replacement costs),
(iv) number of input variables, (v) calibration/validation
with observed losses. These differences pose the issue of
model transferability to other urban or environmental
contexts.
With a joint effort of eight research groups, the objective
of this study is to test and compare damage models for
residential buildings used or developed by each group, by
applying them in a âblind exerciseâ, i.e. a common flood
case study characterised by high availability of hazard and
building data, with unknown information on observed
losses in the implementation stage of the models.
As the research groups use approaches representing many
different types and characteristics of models (e.g.
univariable â multivariable; absolute â relative; graduated
â regression â machine learning), being calibrated based on empirical data stemming from different countries
(Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands),
with different landscapes, the blind exercise provides an
extensive comparison of models and their transferability.
The analysis of the differences in the ensemble of model
outcomes aims at pointing out common patterns or
divergent behaviours between model outcomes and with
respect to observed losses
Hypersalivation: update of the German S2k guideline (AWMF) in short form
Hypersalivation describes a relatively excessive salivary flow, which wets the patient himself and his surroundings. It may result because of insufficient oro-motor function, dysphagia, decreased central control and coordination. This update presents recent changes and innovation in the treatment of hypersalivation. Multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment evaluation is recommended already at early stage and focus on dysphagia, saliva aspiration, and oro-motor deficiencies. Clinical screening tools and diagnostics such as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing generate important data on therapy selection and control. Many cases profit from swallowing therapy programmes to activate compensation mechanisms as long compliances are given. In children with hypotonic oral muscles, oral stimulation plates can induce a relevant symptom release because of the improved lip closure. The pharmacologic treatment improved for pediatric cases as glycopyrrolate fluid solution (Sialanar((R))) is now indicated for hypersalivation within the EU. The injection of botulinum toxin into the salivary glands has shown safe and effective results with long-lasting saliva reduction. Here, a phase III trial is completed for incobotulinum toxin A and, in the US, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hypersalivation. Surgical treatment should be reserved for isolated cases. External radiation is judged as a safe and effective therapy when using modern 3D techniques to minimize tissue damage. Therapy effects and symptom severity have to be followed, especially in cases with underlying neurodegenerative disease
Hypersalivation - Update of the S2k guideline (AWMF) in short form
Hypersalivation describes a relatively excessive salivary flow, which wets the patient himself and his surroundings. It may result because of insufficient oro-motor function, dysphagia, decreased central control and coordination. This update presents recent changes and innovation in the treatment of hypersalivation. Multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment evaluation is recommended already at early stage and focus on dysphagia, saliva aspiration, and oro-motor deficiencies. Clinical screening tools and diagnostics such as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing generate important data on therapy selection and control. Many cases profit from swallowing therapy programmes in order to activate compensation mechanisms as long compliances is given. In children with hypotonic oral muscles, oral stimulation plates can induce a relevant symptom release because of the improved lip closure. The pharmacologic treatment improved for pediatric cases as glycopyrrolate fluid solution (Sialanar (R)) is now indicated for hypersalivation within the E.U. The injection of botulinum toxin into the salivary glands has shown safe and effective results with long lasting saliva reduction. Here, a phase III trial is completed for Incobotulinum toxin A and, in the U.S., is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hypersalivation. Surgical treatment should be reserved for isolated cases. External radiation is judged as a safe and effective therapy when using modern 3D techniques to minimize tissue damage. Therapy effects and symptom severity has to be followed, especially in cases with underlying neurodegenerative disease