Der Fluss Sarno: Schnittstelle in der Entwicklung der Küstenregion Pompejis zwischen Umweltbedingungen und Siedlungsdynamiken

Ziel der Studie ist die Untersuchung von Mensch-Umwelt-Beziehungen am Beispiel des Flusses Sarno, der das Becken südlich des Somma-Vesuvs entwässert. Ausgehend von einem Überblick über den ökologischen und geomorphologischen Wandel seines Mündungsgebietes von der prähistorischen Zeit bis zur Verschüttung der Landschaft durch den Ausbruch im Jahr 79 n. Chr. ermöglicht die diachrone Sichtweise, die nachhaltige Auswirkung der sich verändernden Topographie wie z. B. die Progradation der Küstenlinie und Flussmündung auf menschliche Aktivitäten zu beleuchten. Es wird gezeigt, wie der schiffbare Fluss Sarno als Schnittstelle und Verkehrsader die sozio-ökonomische Entwicklung der Region in allen Epochen beeinflusst hat, insbesondere in den letzten Jahrhunderten, als Pompeji den Hafen an seiner Mündung kontrollierte.The study aims at analysing human–environment interrelations using the example of the river Sarno, which drains the basin south of Mt. Somma-Vesuvius. It starts with an overview of the environmental and geomorphological transformation of its estuary from prehistoric times to the burial of the landscape by the eruption in A.D. 79. The diachronic point of view casts light on the lasting effects of the changing topography such as the progradation of both the coastline and the estuary on human activities. It is shown how far the navigable river Sarno, as an interface and artery, influenced the socio-economic development of the region in all periods, especially in the last centuries as Pompeii controlled the harbour at its mouth

Pestizidrückstände auf Bio-Produkten - Beurteilung der Kontaminationswege am Beispiel Bio-Wein

Im Zentrum der Diskussion um Pestizidkontaminationen von biologisch erzeugten Lebensmitteln steht die Frage: „Wie viel Bio bekommt der Konsument, die Konsumentin beim Kauf von Bio - Lebensmitteln?". In dieser Arbeit wird ein Überblick über die in der Literatur verfügbaren Daten zur Rückstandsbelastung von Gemüse und Früchten gegeben und es werden Vergleiche zwischen biologisch und nicht biologisch produzierten Produkten angestellt. Die Literaturdaten werden ergänzt mit Messwerten zu Trauben und Wein, die das Amt für Lebensmittelkontrolle der Kantone AR, AI, GL und SH im Laufe der letzten Jahre in Kooperation mit dem Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL) generiert hat. Im speziellen werden detaillierte Messwerte aus verschiedenen Rebbergen zur Abdrift von Pestiziden wiedergegeben und kommentiert. All diese Messdaten bilden eine fundierte Basis für die Beantwortung der Frage nach möglichen Kontaminationswegen und nach der oftmals zitierten „natürlichen Hintergrundbelastung“. Pestizidrückstände in Biowein sind zu minimieren. Darin sind sich alle einig. Dabei stehen nicht humantoxikologische Interessen im Vordergrund, sondern der berechtigte Wunsch der Konsumentenschaft und auch der Bioproduzenten nach möglichst viel „Bio“. Rückstände in Biowein sind ein Indiz dafür, dass Pestizide an Orte gelangen, wo sie nicht hingehören. Wenn Wirkstoffe in Form von Abdrift über den Feldrand hinausgelangen, sind Flora und Fauna als Nichtzielorganismen betroffen. Das Thema „Verbraucherschutz“ steht also in einem direktem Zusammenhang mit Aspekten des Umweltschutzes. Am Schluss der Arbeit werden Empfehlungen für die verschiedenen Interessengruppen aufgeführt, um einen zielgerichteten Pestizideinsatz, eine Minimierung der Rückstandsbelastung von Bioprodukten und auch eine bessere Rechtssicherheit zu erreichen

Electrically and Magnetically Charged States and Particles in the 2+1-Dimensional Z_N-Higgs Gauge Model

Electrically as well as magnetically charged states are constructed in the 2+1-dimensional Euclidean Z_N-Higgs lattice gauge model, the former following ideas of Fredenhagen and Marcu and the latter using duality transformations on the algebra of observables. The existence of electrically and of magnetically charged particles is also established. With this work we prepare the ground for the constructive study of anyonic statistics of multiparticle scattering states of electrically and magnetically charged particles in this model (work in progress).Comment: 57 pages, Sfb 288 Preprint No. 109. To appear in Commun. Math. Phys. About the file: This is a uuencoded, "gzip-ed" postscript file. It is about 300kB large. The original ps file is about 700kB large. All figures are included. The LaTeX sources ou even hard copies can be required to the authors at [email protected] or Freie Universitaet Berlin. Institut fuer Theoretische Physik. Arnimallee 14. Berlin 14195 German

Open reduction and internal fixation versus casting for highly comminuted and intra-articular fractures of the distal radius (ORCHID): protocol for a randomized clinical multi-center trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fractures of the distal radius represent the most common fracture in elderly patients, and often indicate the onset of symptomatic osteoporosis. A variety of treatment options is available, including closed reduction and plaster casting, K-wire-stabilization, external fixation and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with volar locked plating. The latter is widely promoted by clinicians and hardware manufacturers. Closed reduction and cast stabilization for six weeks is a simple, convenient, and ubiquitously available intervention. In contrast, ORIF requires hospitalization, but allows for functional rehabilitation.</p> <p>Given the lack of randomized controlled trials, it remains unclear whether ORIF leads to better functional outcomes one year after injury than closed reduction and casting.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>ORCHID (Open reduction and internal fixation versus casting for highly comminuted intra-articular fractures of the distal radius) is a pragmatic, randomized, multi-center, clinical trial with two parallel treatment arms. It is planned to include 504 patients in 15 participating centers throughout Germany over a three-year period. Patients are allocated by a central web-based randomization tool.</p> <p>The primary objective is to determine differences in the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Physical Component Score (PCS) between volar locked plating and closed reduction and casting of intraarticular, comminuted distal radius fractures in patients > 65 years of age one year after the fracture. Secondary outcomes include differences in other SF-36 dimensions, the EuroQol-5D questionnaire, the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) instrument. Also, the range of motion in the affected wrist, activities of daily living, complications (including secondary ORIF and revision surgery), as well as serious adverse events will be assessed. Data obtained during the trial will be used for later health-economic evaluations. The trial architecture involves a central statistical unit, an independent monitoring institute, and a data safety monitoring board. Following approval by the institutional review boards of all participating centers, conduct and reporting will strictly adhere to national and international rules, regulations, and recommendations (e.g., Good Clinical Practice, data safety laws, and EQUATOR/CONSORT proposals)</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>To our knowledge, ORCHID is the first multicenter RCT designed to assess quality of life and functional outcomes following operative treatment compared to conservative treatment of complex, intra-articular fractures of the distal radius in elderly patients. The results are expected to influence future treatment recommendations and policies on an international level.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN: <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN76120052">ISRCTN76120052</a></p> <p>Registration date: 31.07.2008; Randomization of first patient: 15.09.2008</p

Effect of laser soldering irradiation on covalent bonds of pure collagen

Laser tissue welding and soldering is being increasingly used in the clinical setting for defined surgical procedures. The exact induced changes responsible for tensile strength are not yet fully investigated. To further improve the strength of the bonding, a better understanding of the laser impact at the subcellular level is necessary. The goal of this study was to analyze whether the effect of laser irradiation on covalent bonding in pure collagen using irradiances typically applied for tissue soldering. Pure rabbit and equine type I collagen were subjected to laser irradiation. In the first part of the study, rabbit and equine collagen were compared using identical laser and irradiation settings. In the second part of the study, equine collagen was irradiated at increasing laser powers. Changes in covalent bonding were studied indirectly using the sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) technique. Tensile strengths of soldered membranes were measured with a calibrated tensile force gauge. In the first experiment, no differences between the species-specific collagen bands were noted, and no changes in banding were found on SDS-PAGE after laser irradiation. In the second experiment, increasing laser irradiation power showed no effect on collagen banding in SDS-PAGE. Finally, the laser tissue soldering of pure collagen membranes showed virtually no determinable tensile strength. Laser irradiation of pure collagen at typical power settings and exposure times generally used in laser tissue soldering does not induce covalent bonding between collagen molecules. This is true for both rabbit and equine collagen proveniences. Furthermore, soldering of pure collagen membranes without additional cellular components does not achieve the typical tensile strength reported in native, cell-rich tissues. This study is a first step in a better understanding of laser impact at the molecular level and might prove useful in engineering of combined collagen-soldering matrix membranes for special laser soldering application

Intrinsic energy flow in laser-excited 3d ferromagnets

Ultrafast magnetization dynamics are governed by energy flow between electronic, magnetic, and lattice degrees of freedom. A quantitative understanding of these dynamics must be based on a model that agrees with experimental results for all three subsystems. However, ultrafast dynamics of the lattice remain largely unexplored experimentally. Here we combine femtosecond electron diffraction experiments of the lattice dynamics with energy-conserving atomistic spin dynamics (ASD) simulations and ab initio calculations to study the intrinsic energy flow in the 3d ferromagnets cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe). The simulations yield a good description of experimental data, in particular an excellent description of our experimental results for the lattice dynamics. We find that the lattice dynamics are influenced significantly by the magnetization dynamics due to the energy cost of demagnetization. Our results highlight the role of the spin system as the dominant heat sink in the first hundreds of femtoseconds. Together with previous findings for nickel [Zahn et al., Phys. Rev. Research 3, 023032 (2021)], our work demonstrates that energy-conserving ASD simulations provide a general and consistent description of the laser-induced dynamics in all three elemental 3d ferromagnets

Lattice dynamics and ultrafast energy flow between electrons, spins, and phonons in a 3d ferromagnet

The ultrafast dynamics of magnetic order in a ferromagnet are governed by the interplay between electronic, magnetic, and lattice degrees of freedom. In order to obtain a microscopic understanding of ultrafast demagnetization, information on the response of all three subsystems is required. A consistent description of demagnetization and microscopic energy flow, however, is still missing. Here, we combine a femtosecond electron diffraction study of the ultrafast lattice response of nickel to laser excitation with ab initio calculations of the electron-phonon interaction and energy-conserving atomistic spin dynamics simulations. Our model is in agreement with the observed lattice dynamics and previously reported electron and magnetization dynamics. Our approach reveals that the spin system is the dominating heat sink in the initial few hundred femtoseconds and implies a transient nonthermal state of the spins. Our results provide a clear picture of the microscopic energy flow between electronic, magnetic, and lattice degrees of freedom on ultrafast timescales and constitute a foundation for theoretical descriptions of demagnetization that are consistent with the dynamics of all three subsystems

Validation of a clinical model for predicting left versus right ventricular outflow tract origin of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND Prediction of the chamber of origin in patients with outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (OTVA) remains challenging. A clinical risk score based on age, sex and presence of hypertension was associated with a left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) origin. We aimed to validate this clinical score to predict an LVOT origin in patients with OTVA. METHODS In a two-center observational cohort study, unselected patients undergoing catheter ablation (CA) for OTVA were enrolled. All procedures were performed using an electroanatomical mapping system. Successful ablation was defined as a ≥80% reduction of the initial overall PVC burden after 3 months of follow-up. Patients with unsuccessful ablation were excluded from this analysis. RESULTS We included 187 consecutive patients with successful CA of idiopathic OTVA. Mean age was 52 ± 15 years, 102 patients (55%) were female, and 74 (40%) suffered from hypertension. A LVOT origin was found in 64 patients (34%). A score incorporating age, sex and presence of hypertension reached 73% sensitivity and 67% specificity for a low (0-1) and high (2-3) score, to predict an LVOT origin. The combination of one ECG algorithm (V2 S/V3 R-index) with the clinical score resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 70% for PVCs with R/S transition at V3 . CONCLUSION The published clinical score yielded a lower sensitivity and specificity in our cohort. However, for PVCs with R/S transition at V3, the combination with an existing ECG algorithm can improve the predictability of LVOT origin

Applying the Optimized CO Rebreathing Method for Measuring Blood Volumes and Hemoglobin Mass in Heart Failure Patients

Introduction: Determination of blood volume, red cell volume, and plasma volume contributes to the understanding of the pathophysiology in heart failure, especially concerning anemia and volume load. The optimized carbon monoxide (CO)-rebreathing method (oCORM) is used to determine these parameters and hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) in exercise physiology. The applicability of oCORM to determine the intravascular volumes and Hbmass in heart failure patients is currently undetermined because assumptions concerning CO kinetics with oCORM rely on healthy subjects with a normal ejection fraction. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine the applicability and the systematic error of oCORM arising from a reduced EF when oCORM is used for measurement of intravascular volumes and Hbmass in heart failure patients.Methods: oCORM was performed in 21 patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction (EF) of &lt; 30% (EFsev) and 25 controls (CONT). CO kinetics in capillary blood was studied 3–15 min after commencement of CO rebreathing. Differences in CO kinetics between the groups were assessed using a generalized linear model. The systematic error for determination of Hbmass with oCORM arising from differences in CO kinetics was assessed using the Monte Carlo method.Results: The CO kinetics was significantly different between EFsev and CONT. In both groups, exposure to CO led to a COHb increase to 6.0 ± 1.0% 3 min after CO rebreathing. There were no CO related side effects or any clinical symptoms. Monte Carlo simulation quantifies the systematic error for determination of Hbmass arising from an impaired ejection fraction to be −0.88%.Conclusion: Our results indicate an impaired vascular mixing of CO when EF is severely reduced. When Hbmass is determined using the original oCORM protocol in heart failure patients with a reduced EF, the systematic underestimation of about 1% should be considered. However, the error arising from this impaired vascular mixing appears small and clinically negligible. Furthermore, application of oCORM was safe and not related to any side effects resulting from CO exposure. In conclusion, oCORM can be used for assessing intravascular volumes and Hbmass in patients with a reduced EF