Temporal Tracking With Implicit Templates

Projet AIRThis work is devoted to the segmentation and tracking of structures undergoing large deformations in an image sequence. The overall goal is the modelling of complex moving and deforming structures that simultaneously brings compression of the data, segmentation and tracking of the structures on temporal sequences of images. Deforming structures are approximated by implicit templates, defined as level sets of some particular implicit functions. Implicit functions offer an interesting tool for the modelling of visco-elastic structures. Structures are approximated using an energy minimization process ; the energy functional carries information about position, tangent and curvature. The implicit functions used in this work are defined by some control points, their radius of influence, and an iso-value. Once the structures are segmented, tracking is modelled using the displacements of the control points and the variation of the radii of influence. The method is first applied on echocardiographic images, providing promising results for segmentation. We also apply the method on a sequence of images displaying a vortex formation, and we show that such a vortex structure can also be segmented and tracked with implicit functions

High greenhouse gas emissions after grassland renewal on bog peat soil

Drained agriculturally used peatlands are hotspots for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O). To reduce GHG emissions and simultaneously maintain intensive grassland use, raising water levels by subsurface irrigation (SI) is controversially discussed. Both, intensive grassland use and installations of SI may require grassland renewal. We investigated an experimental intervention site (INT) (SI target water levels: -0.30 m) and a deeply drained reference site (REF), both intensive grassland on deep bog peat. After installation of the SI system, a mechanical grassland renewal took place at INT. At both sites, CO2 (eddy covariance), N2O and methane (manual closed chamber technique) were measured. Additionally, soil water was analyzed for nitrogen species. Here, we report on the initial year of GHG measurements including grassland renewal and rising water levels. Overall, GHG emissions were strongly influenced by grassland renewal at INT. Despite progressively rising water levels, soil moisture in the upper centimeters was low and thus grass growth was slow, resulting in an almost complete loss of harvest. This resulted in a net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) of 4.64 ± 1.03 t C ha−1 containing only 0.57 ± 0.09 t C ha−1 harvest at INT, while NECB at REF was 6.08 ± 1.74 t C ha−1 including harvest from five grass cuts. Methane fluxes were negligible at both sites. Nitrous oxide emissions dominated the GHG balance at INT. With 144.5 ± 45.5 kg N2O–N ha–1 a–1, they were much higher than at REF (3.9 ± 3.1 kg N2O–N ha–1 a–1) and any other values published so far. Peak fluxes occurred when nitrate concentrations in soil water were extremely high, soil moisture was increased, and vegetation development was struggling. This study highlights the risk of grassland renewals on peat soils regarding yield losses as well as high GHG emissions

Novel Medication Supply Model Guarantees Adequate Management and High Adherence to Polypharmacy in Older Opioid Users – Preliminary Results with Outpatients

Background: Life expectancy of older drug users has increased, primarily thanks to opioid agonist treatment (OAT). Nursing homes are often not adapted to accommodate patients with substance use disorders. Although care and adherence to polypharmacy in older opioid users need considerable resources e.g., daily visits to an outpatient clinic, outpatient treatment and surveillance are provided as long as possible. We developed a novel medication supply model with an electronic dispenser of pre-packed medications located at patient home, after allowing for law requirements concerning the dispensing of opioids, and present preliminary results from three illustrative outpatients. Methods: The community pharmacy provided unit-of-dose pouches with all solid oral medications directly to patient home. Opioids for substitution were obtained at the addiction clinic in at least weekly intervals, otherwise in the pouches. The pouches were loaded into a lockable, remote-controlled medication management aid that was programmed according to the patient’s medication schedule. The dispenser reminds patients with acoustic alerts to take their medication and records dates and times of medication retrievals. It automatically sends an alert if a patient misses to retrieve a dose. Results: Our three outpatients used the electronic dispenser during 659, 118 and 61 days, with a total of 5, 9, and 18 pills to take daily at 1, 3 and 5 intake times, respectively. The majority of the doses were taken on the preset time (94%, 68.2% and 73.7%) or deliberately in advance (pocket dose). Clinical benefits were initiation and maintenance of a therapy for dementia over 18 months and suppression of HIV viral load over 1.8 years (patient 1), prevention of further dose escalation of pain medication (patient 2) and release of prompts to initiate the existential task of cooking (patient 3). Conclusion: Our novel supply model allows adequate implementation and persistence of complex treatments with outpatients. Clinical outcomes improved, patients and caregivers were satisfied, and resources were saved

Histoire des savoirs

Morgane Labbe, maître de conférencesChristine Lebeau, professeure à l’Université Paris-I/Panthéon-SorbonneLars Behrisch, assistant-professeur à l’Université d’UtrechtIsabelle Laboulais, maitre de conférences à l’Université Strasbourg-II/Marc-BlochLothar Schilling, professeur à l’Université d’AugsbourgJakob Vogel, professeur à l’Université de Cologne Les savoirs d’État en Europe, 1750-1850 Sous la dénomination de « savoirs d’État », les organisateurs de ce séminaire franco-allemand désignent u..

AVALIAÇÃO DA DESADAPTAÇÃO MARGINAL EM COROAS OBTIDAS POR SISTEMA CAD-CAM: UMA REVISÃO

O advento de novas tecnologias tem proporcionado uma revolução nos procedimentos odontológicos modernos, reverberando em uma melhora nodesempenho dos atendimentos (Tariq, et al, 2018)

Solvent contribution to the stability of a physical gel characterized by quasi-elastic neutron scattering

The dynamics of a physical gel, namely the Low Molecular Mass Organic Gelator {\textit Methyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-$\alpha$ -D-mannopyranoside ($\alpha$-manno)} in water and toluene are probed by neutron scattering. Using high gelator concentrations, we were able to determine, on a timescale from a few ps to 1 ns, the number of solvent molecules that are immobilised by the rigid network formed by the gelators. We found that only few toluene molecules per gelator participate to the network which is formed by hydrogen bonding between the gelators' sugar moieties. In water, however, the interactions leading to the gel formations are weaker, involving dipolar, hydrophobic or $\pi-\pi$ interactions and hydrogen bonds are formed between the gelators and the surrounding water. Therefore, around 10 to 14 water molecules per gelator are immobilised by the presence of the network. This study shows that neutron scattering can give valuable information about the behaviour of solvent confined in a molecular gel.Comment: Langmuir (2015

A DENTÍSTICA ULTRACONSERVADORA EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA ULTRACONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC

Ao longo dos anos, os cirurgiões-dentistas vêm utilizando instrumentos rotatórios por apresentarem cortes mais precisos, controle tátil e visual. No entanto, a realização de procedimentos odontológicos com rotatórios envolve risco de transmissão de doenças, sendo a aerolização uma via de transmissão importante para diversos microrganismos, como o SARSCOV-2 (COVID-19). Este estudo tem como objetivo revisar a literatura a respeito das técnicas, dos materiais e dos equipamentos utilizados na odontologia ultraconservadora que possam ser adotados de forma segura e com eficiência na prática clínica em tempos de pandemia. Foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados Scielo, Pubmed, Google Acadêmico e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS). Foram incluídos 36 artigos, na língua inglesa e portuguesa, publicados entre 2004 e 2020, com texto disponível na íntegra e conteúdo relevante para o estudo, sendo excluídos artigos que não atendiam a esses critérios. Os achados demonstram que a odontologia contemporânea vem oferecendo novas opções, ao aperfeiçoar as técnicas e remodelar alguns conceitos preexistentes através da instrumentação ultrassônica, microabrasão a ar, laser de alta potência e soluções químicas, visando dispensar ou reduzir a utilização dos instrumentos rotatórios e consequentemente, minimizar a geração de aerossóis. Diante do cenário da pandemia da COVID-19, a adaptação da rotina clínica do cirurgião-dentista às normas de biossegurança é imprescindível como também deve estar associada com as boas práticas da dentística ultraconservadora.Over the years, dentists have been using rotating instruments because they have more precise cuts, tactile and visual control. However, the performance of dental procedures with rotatories involves risk of disease transmission, aerolization being an important transmission route for several microorganisms, such as SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19). This study aims to review the literature regarding the techniques, materials and equipment used in ultraconservative dentistry that can be adopted safely and efficiently in clinical practice in times of pandemic. A bibliographic survey was carried out in the Scielo, Pubmed, Google Academic and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases. 36 articles were included, in English and Portuguese, published between 2004 and 2020, with text available in full and relevant content for the study, being excluded articles that did not meet these criteria. The findings show that contemporary dentistry has been offering new options by improving techniques and remodeling some pre-existing concepts through ultrasonic instrumentation, air microabrasion, high-power laser and chemical solutions, aiming at dispensing or reducing the use of rotating instruments and consequently, minimizing the generation of aerosols. Facing the pandemic scenario of COVID-19, the adaptation of the clinical routine of the dentist to the biosafety standards is essential as well as should be associated with the good practices of ultraconservative dentistry

How effective is tetracaine 4% gel, before a peripherally inserted central catheter, in reducing procedural pain in infants: a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial [ISRCTN75884221]

BACKGROUND: Procedural pain relief is sub-optimal in infants, especially small and vulnerable ones. Tetracaine gel 4% (Ametop(®), Smith-Nephew) provides pain relief in children and larger infants, but its efficacy in smaller infants and for peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) remains uncertain. The objective of this trial was to assess the safety and efficacy of tetracaine gel on the pain response of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants during insertion of a PICC. METHODS: Medically stable infants greater than or equal to 24 weeks gestation, requiring a non-urgent PICC, were included. Following randomization and double blinding, 1.1 g of tetracaine or placebo was applied to the skin for 30 minutes. The PICC was inserted according to a standard protocol. Pain was assessed using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP). A 3-point change in the pain score was considered clinically significant, leading to a sample size of 54 infants, with 90% statistical power. Local skin reactions and immediate adverse cardiorespiratory events were noted. The primary outcome, PIPP score at 1 minute, was analysed using an independent Student's t-test. RESULTS: Fifty-four infants were included, 27 +/- 2 weeks gestation, 916 +/- 292 grams and 6.5 +/- 3.2 days of age. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The mean PIPP score in the first minute was 10.88 in the treatment group as compared to 11.74 in the placebo group (difference 0.86, 95% CI -1.86, 3.58). Median duration of crying in non-intubated infants was 181 seconds in the tetracaine group compared to 68 seconds in the placebo group (difference -78, 95% CI -539, 117). Local skin erythema was observed transiently in 4 infants (3 in the treatment and 1 in the placebo group). No serious harms were observed. CONCLUSION: Tetracaine 4% when applied for 30 minutes was not beneficial in decreasing procedural pain associated with a PICC in very small infants

How effective is tetracaine 4% gel, before a venipuncture, in reducing procedural pain in infants: a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Procedural pain relief is sub-optimal in neonates. Topical tetracaine provides pain relief in children. Evidence of its efficacy and safety in neonates is limited. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of topical tetracaine on the pain response of neonates during a venipuncture. METHODS: Medically stable infants greater than or equal to 24 weeks gestation, requiring a venipuncture, were included. Following randomization and double blinding, 1.1 g of tetracaine or placebo was applied to the skin for 30 minutes. Participants received oral sucrose if they met local eligibility criteria. The venipuncture was performed according to a standard protocol. A medium effect size in the pain score (corresponding to about 2 point difference in the PIPP score) was considered clinically significant, leading to a sample size of 142 infants, with 80% statistical power. Local skin reactions and immediate adverse cardiorespiratory events were noted. The primary outcome, PIPP score at 1 minute, was analysed using an independent Student's t-test. RESULTS: One hundred and forty two infants were included, 33 +/- 4 weeks gestation, 2100 +/- 900 grams and 6 +/- 3 days of age. There was almost no difference in PIPP scores at 1 minute between groups (mean difference -0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.68 to 1.50; P = . 91). Similarly, there were no differences in PIPP scores during the 2(nd), 3(rd )and 4th minute. Duration of cry did not differ between the groups (median difference, 0; 95% CI, -3 to 0; P = . 84). The majority of infants in both groups received sucrose 24%. Sucrose had a significant effect on the PIPP score, as assessed by an ANOVA model (p = 0.0026). Local skin erythema was observed transiently in 11 infants (7 in the tetracaine and 4 in the placebo group). No serious side effect was observed. CONCLUSION: Tetracaine did not significantly decrease procedural pain in infants undergoing a venipuncture, when used in combination with routine sucrose administration