A Note on Non-Degenerate Integer Programs with Small Sub-Determinants

The intention of this note is two-fold. First, we study integer optimization problems in standard form defined by $A \in\mathbb{Z}^{m\times{}n}$ and present an algorithm to solve such problems in polynomial-time provided that both the largest absolute value of an entry in $A$ and $m$ are constant. Then, this is applied to solve integer programs in inequality form in polynomial-time, where the absolute values of all maximal sub-determinants of $A$ lie between $1$ and a constant

Synthesis of trace element bearing single crystals of Chlor-Apatite (Ca5(PO4)3Cl) using the flux growth method

We present a new strategy on how to synthesize trace-element bearing (REE, Sr) chlorapatites Ca5(PO4)3Cl using the flux growth method. Synthetic apatites were up to several mm long, light blue in colour. The apatites were characterized using XRD, electron microprobe and laser ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICPMS) techniques and contained several hundred μg/g La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Gd and Lu and about 1700 μg/g Sr. The analyses indicate that apatites were homogenous (within the uncertainties) for major and trace elements

Development and validation of explainable machine learning models for risk of mortality in transcatheter aortic valve implantation: TAVI risk machine scores.

AIMS Identification of high-risk patients and individualized decision support based on objective criteria for rapid discharge after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are key requirements in the context of contemporary TAVI treatment. This study aimed to predict 30-day mortality following TAVI based on machine learning (ML) using data from the German Aortic Valve Registry. METHODS AND RESULTS Mortality risk was determined using a random forest ML model that was condensed in the newly developed TAVI Risk Machine (TRIM) scores, designed to represent clinically meaningful risk modelling before (TRIMpre) and in particular after (TRIMpost) TAVI. Algorithm was trained and cross-validated on data of 22 283 patients (729 died within 30 days post-TAVI) and generalisation was examined on data of 5864 patients (146 died). TRIMpost demonstrated significantly better performance than traditional scores [C-statistics value, 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI)] [0.74; 0.83] compared to Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) with C-statistics value 0.69; 95%-CI [0.65; 0.74]). An abridged (aTRIMpost) score comprising 25 features (calculated using a web interface) exhibited significantly higher performance than traditional scores (C-statistics value, 0.74; 95%-CI [0.70; 0.78]). Validation on external data of 6693 patients (205 died within 30 days post-TAVI) of the Swiss TAVI Registry confirmed significantly better performance for the TRIMpost (C-statistics value 0.75, 95%-CI [0.72; 0.79]) compared to STS (C-statistics value 0.67, CI [0.63; 0.70]). CONCLUSION TRIM scores demonstrate good performance for risk estimation before and after TAVI. Together with clinical judgement, they may support standardised and objective decision-making before and after TAVI

Tetramodal therapy with transurethral resection followed by chemoradiation in combination with hyperthermia for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: early results of a multicenter phase IIB study.

BACKGROUND Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) followed by chemoradiation (CRT) is a valid treatment option for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a tetramodal approach with additional regional hyperthermia (RHT). METHODS Patients with stages T2-4 MIBC were recruited at two institutions. Treatment consisted of TUR-BT followed by radiotherapy at doses of 57-58.2 Gy with concurrent weekly platinum-based chemotherapy and weekly deep RHT (41-43 °C, 60 min) within two hours of radiotherapy. The primary endpoint was a complete response six weeks after the end of treatment. Further endpoints were cystectomy-free rate, progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed at follow-up using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BM30 questionnaires. Due to slow accrual, an interim analysis was performed after the first stage of the two-stage design. RESULTS Altogether 27 patients were included in the first stage, of these 21 patients with a median age of 73 years were assessable. The complete response rate of evaluable patients six weeks after therapy was 93%. The 2-year cystectomy-free rate, PFS, LRFS and OS rates were 95%, 76%, 81% and 86%, respectively. Tetramodal treatment was well tolerated with acute and late G3-4 toxicities of 10% and 13%, respectively, and a tendency to improve symptom-related quality of life (QoL) one year after therapy. CONCLUSION Tetramodal therapy of T2-T4 MIBC is promising with excellent local response, moderate toxicity and good QoL. This study deserves continuation into the second stage

Enzymes for consumer products to achieve climate neutrality

29 pags., 4 figs., 3 tabs., 1 graf.Accumulated greenhouse gas emissions are expected to increase from 36.2 Giga-tons (Gt) to 60 Gt over the next three decades. The global surface temperature has increased by¿+¿1.09¿°C since 2001, and might increase by¿+¿2.2¿°C in 2100, +3.6¿°C in 2200 and +4.6¿°C in 2500. These emissions and temperature rises cannot be reduced in their entirety, but they can be lowered by using enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions that make life possible since 3.8 billion years ago. Scientists have been able to "domesticate" them in such a way that enzymes, and their engineered variants, are now key players of the circular economy. With a world production of 117 Kilo-tons and a trade of 14.5 Billion-dollars, they have the potential to annually decrease CO2 emissions by 1 to 2.5 Billion-tons (Bt), the carbon demand to synthesise chemicals by 200 Million tons (Mt), the amount of chemicals by 90¿Mt, and the economic losses derived from global warming by 0.5%, while promoting biodiversity and our planet¿s health. Our success to increase these benefits will depend on better integration of enzymatic solutions in different sectors.This study was conducted under the auspices of the FuturEnzyme Project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101000327. MF also acknowledges Grants PID2020-112758RB-I00, PDC2021-121534-I00, and TED2021-130544B-I00 from the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the European Union (“NextGenerationEU/PRTR”)

Goettingen Minipigs (GMP): Comparison of Two Different Models for Inducing Diabetes

Purpose: Preclinical experiments on large animals are indispensable for evaluating the effectiveness of diabetes therapies. Miniature swine are well suited for such studies due to their physiological and pathophysiological responses. Methods: We compare two methods for inducing diabetes in Goettingen minipigs (GMP), in five with the beta cell toxin streptozotocin (STZ) and in five other GMP by total pancreatectomy (PE). Glucose homeostasis was assessed with the intravenous glucose-tolerance test (IVGTT) and continual monitoring of interstitial glucose levels. At conclusion of the observation period, the pancreata were examined histologically. Three non-diabetic GMP served as control group. Results: The IVGTT revealed markedly diabetic profiles in both GMP groups. STZ-GMP were found to harbor residual C-peptides and scattered insulin-positive cells in the pancreas. PE-GMP survived the total pancreatectomy only with intensive postoperative care. Conclusions: Although both methods reliably induced diabetes in GMP, the PE-GMP clearly had more health problems and required a greater expenditure of time and resources. The PE-GMP model, however, was better at eliminating endogenous insulin and C-peptide than the STZ-GMP model

First Observation of Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission in a Free-Electron Laser at 109 nm Wavelength

We present the first observation of Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission (SASE) in a free-electron laser (FEL) in the Vacuum Ultraviolet regime at 109 nm wavelength (11 eV). The observed free-electron laser gain (approx. 3000) and the radiation characteristics, such as dependency on bunch charge, angular distribution, spectral width and intensity fluctuations all corroborate the existing models for SASE FELs.Comment: 6 pages including 6 figures; e-mail: [email protected]

Predictors of gallstone composition in 1025 symptomatic gallstones from Northern Germany

BACKGROUND: Gallstones represent a prevalent and costly health problem. The changing epidemiology and the emerging non-surgical interventions for gallstone disease necessitate the definition of target populations for future therapies. This study aimed to define patterns of gallstone composition and identify demographic predictors of gallstone composition in a large sample of symptomatic gallstones from Northern Germany. METHODS: One thousand and seventy-four post-cholecystectomy gallstone specimens were obtained. Demographic and clinical information was provided by questionnaire (N = 1025 independent individuals with complete information). Two samples from each gallstone were analyzed using Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry. RESULTS: The most prevalent substance was cholesterol, which was detected in 95.0% of gallstone specimens. Bilirubin and bilirubinate were present in 30.0% and calcium was detected in 10.0% of the spectra. Ninety-two percent of measurements from the same stone yielded the same "main" substances, indicating a homogenous stone composition in most cases. Female sex and higher body mass index (BMI) were associated with the presence of cholesterol as a main substance in the gallstones (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The changing epidemiology of gallstone disease is reflected by a marked shift in stone composition: Only two percent of stones in this study were pigment stones as compared to 91% percent of stones containing cholesterol as a main substance. Obese individuals from Germany with a BMI > 30 kg/m(2 )have in 95% cholesterol-dominant gallstones and represent a potential target population for non-surgical interventions for the prevention or treatment of cholesterol stones