New spectral functions of the near-ground albedo derived from aircraft diffraction spectrometer observations

The airborne spectral observations of the upward and downward irradiances are revisited to investigate the dependence of the near-ground albedo as a function of wavelength in the entire solar spectrum for different surfaces (sand, water, snow) and under different conditions (clear or cloudy sky). The radiative upward and downward fluxes were determined by a diffraction spectrometer flown on a research aircraft that was performing multiple flight paths near the ground. The results obtained show that the near-ground albedo does not generally increase with increasing wavelengths for all kinds of surfaces as is widely believed today. Particularly, in the case of water surfaces it was found that the albedo in the ultraviolet region is more or less independent of the wavelength on a long-term basis. Interestingly, in the visible and near-infrared spectra the water albedo obeys an almost constant power-law relationship with wavelength. In the case of sand surfaces it was found that the sand albedo is a quadratic function of wavelength, which becomes more accurate if the ultraviolet wavelengths are neglected. Finally, it was found that the spectral dependence of snow albedo behaves similarly to that of water, i.e. both decrease from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared wavelengths by 20–50%, despite the fact that their values differ by one order of magnitude (water albedo being lower). In addition, the snow albedo vs. ultraviolet wavelength is almost constant, while in the visible near-infrared spectrum the best simulation is achieved by a second-order polynomial, as in the case of sand, but with opposite slopes

COMPILATION OF A UNIFIED AND HOMOGENEOUS AEROMAGNETIC MAP OF THE GREEK MAINLAND

We present a unified and homogeneous digital aeromagnetic map of the Hellenic mainland, based on the 1:50,000 map series of IGME. These maps cover the areas A1, A2, B, C1, C2, C3, D1 compiled by Hunting Geology and Geophysics Ltd. and measured at nominal ground clearances (flight altitudes) 150m AGL, 150m AGL, 300m AGL, and 2300m AMSL respectively (part of C2 with 3000m AMSL). We also include the entire area of Northern Greece, measured by ABEM AB with nominal ground clearance 275±75m AGL. The original map sheets were digitally imaged, georeferenced, digitized along contour lines and interpolated onto regular 250´250m grids. The unified aeromagnetic map was constructed by collating the mosaic of the resulting gridded data. Using upward/ downward continuation techniques various homogeneous versions of the map, were compiled by referencing of the observed mosaic total magnetic field to a unique constant ground clearance or to a unique constant elevation above mean sea level. This is the first time there is a complete and unified image of the magnetic signature of the isopic zones and rock formations comprising the Hellenic mainland, with particular reference to the ophiolite suites, which provides additional insight into the Alpine and post-alpine tectonics of the area

Chirurgie hépatique mineure par laparoscopie en ambulatoire : étude rétrospective observationnelle

RésuméAu cours de la dernière décennie, la chirurgie hépatique laparoscopique (CHL) a connu un essor dans le monde entier. Parallèlement, la chirurgie ambulatoire a été développée afin d’améliorer le confort des patients et de réduire les dépenses de santé. L’objectif de cette étude est de rapporter notre expérience préliminaire de la CHL en ambulatoire. Entre 1999 et 2014, 172 patients ont été opérés dans notre institution d’une CHL, incluant 151 résections hépatiques et 21 fenestrations de kystes hépatiques. Tous les patients consécutifs, hautement sélectionnés, opérés d’une CHL en ambulatoire ont été inclus. Vingt patients ont été opérés d’une CHL en ambulatoire. Les indications étaient des kystes hépatiques dans 10 cas, un angiome hépatique dans 3 cas, une hyperplasie nodulaire focale dans 3 cas, et une métastase hépatique de cancer colorectal dans 4 cas. La durée opératoire médiane était de 92minutes (dispersion : 50–240minutes). La perte sanguine médiane était de 35mL (dispersion : 20–150mL). Il n’a pas été observé de complication ni de réhospitalisation. Tous les patients étaient hospitalisés en postopératoire dans notre unité de chirurgie ambulatoire, et ont pu quitter l’établissement 5 à 7heures après la fin de la chirurgie. Le score médian de douleur postopératoire à la sortie était de 3 (échelle visuelle analogique à 10 niveaux ; dispersion : 0–4). Le score médian de qualité de vie à la première consultation postopératoire était de 8 (dispersion : 6–10), et le score médian de satisfaction esthétique était de 8 (dispersion : 7–10). Cette série montre que la CHL ambulatoire est faisable et sûre et chez des patients sélectionnés pour des interventions mineures.SummaryOver the last decade, laparoscopic hepatic surgery (LHS) has been increasingly performed throughout the world. Meanwhile, ambulatory surgery has been developed and implemented with the aims of improving patient satisfaction and reducing health care costs. The objective of this study was to report our preliminary experience with ambulatory minimally-invasive LHS. Between 1999 and 2014, 172 patients underwent LHS at our institution, including 151 liver resections and 21 fenestrations of hepatic cysts. The consecutive series of highly selected patients who underwent ambulatory LHS were included in this study. Twenty patients underwent ambulatory LHS. The indications were liver cysts in 10 cases, liver angioma in 3 cases, focal nodular hyperplasia in 3 cases, and colorectal hepatic metastasis in 4 cases. The median operative time was 92minutes (range: 50–240minutes). The median blood loss was 35mL (range: 20–150mL). There were no postoperative complications or re-hospitalizations. All patients were hospitalized after surgery in our ambulatory surgery unit, and were discharged 5–7hours after surgery. The median postoperative pain score at the time of discharge was 3 (visual analogue scale 0–10; range: 0–4). The median quality-of-life score at the first postoperative visit was 8 (range: 6–10) and the median cosmetic satisfaction score was 8 (range: 7–10). This series shows that, in selected patients, ambulatory LHS is feasible and safe for minor hepatic procedures

Effect of subcutaneous methylnaltrexone on patient-reported constipation symptoms

AbstractBackgroundMethylnaltrexone, a selective peripheral acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist, alleviates the constipating effects of opioids without affecting centrally mediated analgesia.ObjectivesTo assess the effect of subcutaneous (SC) methylnaltrexone injection on patient-reported constipation symptoms and pain scores.MethodsA total of 469 subjects on opioids for chronic non-malignant pain with opioid-induced constipation were randomized to methylnaltrexone SC with once daily (QD) or every other day (QOD) dosing or placebo for 4 weeks. Constipation symptoms and pain were assessed using the patient assessment of constipation–symptoms (PAC-SYM) questionnaire and a 11-point scale, respectively, at baseline, Day 14 and Day 28. Change from baseline in PAC-SYM and pain scores were compared between methylnaltrexone and placebo arms at Day 28 using analysis of covariance, with treatment group as factor and baseline score as covariate.ResultsA majority of patients were women (60%), average age was 49 years old, and back pain (60%) was the primary pain condition. At Day 28, the methylnaltrexone SC QD group showed a significant improvement over placebo for rectal symptoms (−0.56 vs. –0.30; P < 0.05), stool symptoms (−0.76 vs. –0.43; P < 0.001) and global scores (−0.62 vs. –0.37; P < 0.001). Improvement in stool symptoms (−0.69 vs.−0.43; P < 0.05) and the global scores (−0.52 vs. –0.37; P < 0.05) were significantly greater than placebo in the methylnaltrexone QOD group. Differences in change from baseline in abdominal symptoms and pain scores between the methylnaltrexone SC QD or QOD dosing arms and placebo were not significant.ConclusionThe results of our study indicate significant improvement in constipation symptoms with methylnaltrexone QD or QOD dosing compared to placebo without a significant effect on pain scores

Investigation of genetically regulated gene expression and response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis highlights an association between IL18RAP expression and treatment response.

This article has been accepted for publication in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2020 following peer review, and the Version of Record can be accessed online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-217204OBJECTIVES: In this study, we sought to investigate whether there was any association between genetically regulated gene expression (as predicted using various reference panels) and anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment response (change in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)) using 3158 European ancestry patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: The genetically regulated portion of gene expression was estimated in the full cohort of 3158 subjects (as well as within a subcohort consisting of 1575 UK patients) using the PrediXcan software package with three different reference panels. Estimated expression was tested for association with anti-TNF treatment response. As a replication/validation experiment, we also investigated the correlation between change in ESR with measured gene expression at the Interleukin 18 Receptor Accessory Protein (IL18RAP) gene in whole blood and synovial tissue, using an independent replication data set of patients receiving conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, with directly measured (via RNA sequencing) gene expression. RESULTS: We found that predicted expression of IL18RAP showed a consistent signal of association with treatment response across the reference panels. In our independent replication data set, IL18RAP expression in whole blood showed correlation with the change in ESR between baseline and follow-up (r=-0.35, p=0.0091). Change in ESR was also correlated with the expression of IL18RAP in synovial tissue (r=-0.28, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that IL18RAP expression is worthy of further investigation as a potential predictor of treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis that is not specific to a particular drug type

Comparison and complementary use of in situ and remote sensing aerosol measurements in the Athens Metropolitan Area

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.In the summer of 2014 in situ and remote sensing instruments were deployed in Athens, in order to study the concentration, physical properties, and chemical composition of aerosols. In this manuscript we aim to combine the measurements of collocated in situ and remote sensing instruments by comparison and complementary use, in order to increase the accuracy of predictions concerning climate change and human health. We also develop a new method in order to select days when a direct comparison on in situ and remote sensing instruments is possible. On selected days that displayed significant turbulence up to approximately 1000 m above ground level (agl), we acquired the aerosol extinction or scattering coefficient by in situ instruments using three approaches. In the first approach the aerosol extinction coefficient was acquired by adding a Nephelometer scattering coefficient in ambient conditions and an Aethalometer absorption coefficient. The correlation between the in situ and remote sensing instruments was good (coefficient of determination R2 equal to 0.69). In the second approach we acquired the aerosol refractive index by fitting dry Nephelometer and Aethalometer measurements with Mie algorithm calculations of the scattering and absorption coefficients for the size distribution up to a maximum diameter of 1000 nm obtained by in situ instruments. The correlation in this case was relatively good (R2 equal to 0.56). Our next step was to compare the extinction coefficient acquired by remote sensing instruments to the scattering coefficient calculated by Mie algorithm using the size distribution up to a maximum diameter of 1000 nm and the equivalent refractive index (ERICOR), which is acquired by the comparison of the size distributions obtained by a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and an Optical Particle Counter (OPC). The agreement between the in situ and remote sensing instruments in this case was not satisfactory (R2 equal to 0.35). The last comparison for the selected days was between the aerosol extinction Ångström exponent acquired by in situ and remote sensing instruments. The correlation was not satisfactory (R2 equal to 0.4), probably due to differences in the number size distributions present in the air volumes measured by in situ and remote sensing instruments. We also present a day that a Saharan dust event occurred in Athens in order to demonstrate the information we obtain through the synergy of in situ and remote sensing instruments on how regional aerosol is added to local aerosol, especially during pollution events due to long range transport.Peer reviewe

Non-destructive Techniques Methodologies for the Detection of Ancient Structures under Heritage Buildings

[EN] Structures and elements buried beneath heritage buildings are frequent but are often unknown and inaccessible. Therefore, they are difficult to locate in general if an archaeological excavation is not carried out, with the economic cost and time involved. It is important to discover them in order to increase our knowledge of cultural heritage, as well as to know, recover and improve the state of conservation of the materials that make up these structures. This paper presents methodologies for locating old structures using a low-cost NDT approach, with a qualitative and quantitative analysis of GPR profiles in heritage buildings. Small perforations are performed at critical points and introducing an endoscope for verification. Various crypts have been located using the proposed methodologies in a real study case: The Church of the Asución of Llíria in Spain.Gil Benso, E.; Mas Tomas, MDLA.; Lerma Elvira, C.; Torner, ME.; Vercher Sanchis, J. (2021). Non-destructive Techniques Methodologies for the Detection of Ancient Structures under Heritage Buildings. International journal of architectural heritage (electronic). 15(10):1457-1473. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2019.1700320S14571473151

Quality of treatment and surgical approach for rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) in a large European cohort

Background: Rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are rare tumours. Variability in the managementmay influence outcome, but there is a lack of understanding regarding contemporary variancein care. A multicenter, international, retrospective cohort study was performed to elucidate characteristicsand outcomes of rectal GIST in European practice, with particular reference to surgical approach.Methods: All rectal GIST patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2018 were identified from five Europeandatabases. Recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meiermethod. Possible confounders were identified using Cox regression analyses.Results: From 210 patients, 155 patients had surgery. The three main types of surgery were local tumourresection (LTR, n ¼ 46), low anterior resection (LAR, n ¼ 31) and abdomino-perineal resection (APR,n ¼ 32). Most patients received neoadjuvant (65%) and/or adjuvant imatinib therapy (66%). Localrecurrence rate after surgery was 15% and overall recurrence rate 28%. No significant differences werefound in terms of RFS nor OS between LTR, LAR and APR. However, locally resected tumours weresmaller, while LAR and APR patients more often received perioperative imatinib. General hospitalstreated smaller GISTs, offered imatinib less frequently, and had a higher tumour rupture rate. In the multivariate analysis in the group having LTR, APR or LAR, the only significant prognostic factor for localrecurrence was higher age (HR 1.06, CI 1.00e1.12, p ¼ 0.048).Conclusions: In European clinical practice for rectal GIST, LTR, LAR and APR have comparable localcontrol. Multimodal approach is higher and tumour rupture less frequent in specialist centres comparedto general hospitals.Experimentele farmacotherapi