LORAN-C receiver position estimation from noisy time-difference data

In order to analyze the accuracy of the navigation system LORAN-C, we have collected time - difference (TD) data from the U.S. west coast chain (9940) at a fixed receiver location (Corvallis, Oregon). The analysis of the TD data shows an unexpected high correlation between the TDs as well as a repetitive error pattern with a period of 119.1 seconds which is traced to cross-rate interference (CRI) from the Cana- dian west-coast chain (5990). For each TD, we extract the periodic error pattern, and then subtract it from the corresponding TD. For a receiver in Corvallis, the observed errors due to CRI ranged over 40 nanoseconds (TDW), 60 nanoseconds (TDX), and 120 nanoseconds (TDY). The constant and time-varying TD errors and the resulting constant and time-varying position errors for the location Corvallis are computed both before and after subtraction of the CRI component. As a result, we find that in addition to CRI another non -white TD error (yet unknown) must be considered

Generalized modal analysis of electromagnetic- and quantum-waveguide structures and discontinuities

Generalized modal analysis techniques for the characterization and modeling of dissipationless planar waveguide structures and discontinuities encountered in microwave and optical integrated circuits, as well as of quantum waveguide structures and devices, are presented. The frequency-dependent transmission properties of the curved microstrip bend are derived by utilizing a second-order perturbation analysis of the equivalent modified curved waveguide model and a mode-matching method which includes the higher order modes. An extension of the mode-matching method for characterization of microstrip right-angle bends and T junctions having a rectangular notch is formulated. The modal solutions for an arbitrary graded-index dielectric slab waveguide are derived by applying the generalized telegraphist's equations to the equivalent inhomogeneous parallel-plate waveguide model with electric or magnetic walls. These modal solutions are employed in a mode-matching procedure to calculate the transmission properties of a step discontinuity in typical diffused optical dielectric slab waveguides. Power loss calculations for an abrupt offset in a diffused optical waveguide show a smooth increase in radiation loss whereas a sharp transition from almost zero to nearly total radiation loss is found for an abrupt change in diffusion depth. In the analysis of quantum waveguide structures, the modal expansions of the wave function together with a mode-matching technique are utilized. The computed generalized scattering matrices (GSMs) of junctions and uniform waveguide sections are combined via an extended GSM technique to obtain the scattering parameters of composite quantum waveguide structures. Results for cascaded right-angle bends and periodic multi-waveguide structures in a split-gate configuration are presented assuming hard wall confinement. For the multisection structures, strong resonant behavior similar to that in resonant tunneling diodes is found. Calculated current-voltage characteristics for a double constriction in GaAs are shown, exhibiting a region of negative differential resistance for temperatures up to approximately 60K with a maximum peak-to-valley ratio of over 80:1. Finally, a uniform narrow constriction with an assumed parabolic - like lateral potential confinement is analyzed by utilizing the modal expansion techniques developed for dielectric waveguides

Bericht über die Tätigkeit der Kommission für Archäologie Außereuropäischer Kulturen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts in den Jahren 2005–2006

Die Berichte über die Tätigkeit der Kommission für Archäologie Außereuropäischer Kulturen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts in den Jahren 2005–2006 umfassen die Proyecto Arqueológico Bajo Río Grande, Peru (Andentransekt 2), 5000 Jahre Siedlungsgeschichte in Palpa, die Ausgrabungen in der Loma Salvatierra (Bolivien), die Ausgrabungen und Surveys in Marokko, die Ausgrabungen in Sri Lanka und die Ausgrabungen des DAI und der Mongolischen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Karakorum

S2k guideline: Diagnosis and treatment of chronic pruritus

Pruritus is a cross-disciplinary leading symptom of numerous diseases and represents an interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In contrast to acute pruritus, chronic pruritus (CP) is a symptom of various diseases that is usually difficult to treat. Scratching and the development of scratch-associated skin lesions can alter the original skin status. In the presence of an itch-scratch-cycle, even secondary diseases such as chronic prurigo can develop. Chronic pruritus leads to considerable subjective suffering of those affected, which can result in restrictions on the health-related quality of life such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, depressiveness, experience of stigmatization and/or social withdrawal up to clinically relevant psychic comorbidities. Medical care of patients should therefore include (a) interdisciplinary diagnosis and therapy of the triggering underlying disease, (b) therapy of the secondary symptoms of pruritus (dermatological therapy, sleep promotion, in the case of an accompanying or underlying psychological or psychosomatic disease an appropriate psychological-psychotherapeutic treatment) and (c) symptomatic antipruritic therapy. The aim of this interdisciplinary guideline is to define and standardize the therapeutic procedure as well as the interdisciplinary diagnosis of CP. This is the short version of the updated S2k-guideline for chronic pruritus. The long version can be found at www.awmf.org

Bericht über die Tätigkeit der Kommission für Archäologie Außereuropäischer Kulturen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts im Jahr 2004

Die Berichte über die Tätigkeit der Kommission für Archäologie Außereuropäischer Kulturen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts im Jahr 2004 umfassen die vorspanische Bewässerungslandwirtschaft in der Küstenwüste Südperus, Ausgrabungen in Pernil Alto, Grabungen in der Loma Salvatierra, Bolivien, Archäologische Forschungen im marokkanischen Rif, die Zitadelle von Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka, die deutsch-vietnamesische Ausgrabung auf dem Gräberfeld der Sa-Huynh-Kultur von Lai Nghiin der Provinz Quang Nam in Mittelvietnam und Ausgrabungen im Palastbezirk von Karakorum, Mongolei.

Dupilumab but not cyclosporine treatment shifts the microbiome toward a healthy skin flora in patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) patients display an altered skin microbiome which may not only be an indicator but also a driver of inflammation. We aimed to investigate associations among AD patients' skin microbiome, clinical data, and response to systemic therapy in patients of the TREATgermany registry. Methods: Skin swabs of 157 patients were profiled with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing before and after 3 months of treatment with dupilumab or cyclosporine. For comparison, 16s microbiome data from 258 population-based healthy controls were used. Disease severity was assessed using established instruments such as the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Results: We confirmed the previously shown correlation of Staphylococcus aureus abundance and bacterial alpha diversity with AD severity as measured by EASI. Therapy with Dupilumab shifted the bacterial community toward the pattern seen in healthy controls. The relative abundance of Staphylococci and in particular S. aureus significantly decreased on both lesional and non-lesional skin, whereas the abundance of Staphylococcus hominis increased. These changes were largely independent from the degree of clinical improvement and were not observed for cyclosporine. Conclusions: Systemic treatment with dupilumab but not cyclosporine tends to restore a healthy skin microbiome largely independent of the clinical response indicating potential effects of IL-4RA blockade on the microbiome

European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA): Characteristics of patients patch tested and diagnosed with irritant contact dermatitis

Background Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is caused by the acute locally toxic effect of a strong irritant, or the cumulative exposure to various weaker physical and/or chemical irritants. Objectives To describe the characteristics of patients with ICD in the population patch tested in the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA; ) database. Methods Data collected by the ESSCA in consecutively patch-tested patients from January 2009 to December 2018 were analyzed. Results Of the 68 072 patients, 8702 were diagnosed with ICD (without concomitant allergic contact dermatitis [ACD]). Hand and face were the most reported anatomical sites, and 45.7% of the ICD was occupational ICD (OICD). The highest proportions of OICD were found in metal turners, bakers, pastry cooks, and confectionery makers. Among patients diagnosed with ICD, 45% were found sensitized with no relevance for the current disease. Conclusions The hands were mainly involved in OICD also in the subgroup of patients with contact dermatitis, in whom relevant contact sensitization had been ruled out, emphasizing the need for limiting irritant exposures. However, in difficult-to-treat contact dermatitis, unrecognized contact allergy, or unrecognized clinical relevance of identified allergies owing to incomplete or wrong product ingredient information must always be considered

Broadband modeling of high-frequency microwave devices

Circuit modeling of high-frequency devices described by tabulated multiport parameters has generated immense interest during recent years. In most cases, equivalent circuit models (ECMs) are available to the designers, which correlate well with the measured parameters at lower frequencies, however, deviate at higher frequencies. Traditional efforts to improve ECMs are device specific, laborious, and ad-hoc in nature. In order to address these difficulties, this paper presents an efficient and automated algorithm to identify appropriate frequency-dependent elements for adding to the ECM at arbitrary locations so as to correct for high-frequency errors. The new method enables the designers to retain their existing physical models while providing a means to capture the high-frequency effects accurately

Broadband modeling of high-frequency microwave devices

Circuit modeling of high-frequency devices described by tabulated multiport parameters has generated immense interest during recent years. In most cases, equivalent circuit models (ECMs) are available to the designers, which correlate well with the measured parameters at lower frequencies, however, deviate at higher frequencies. Traditional efforts to improve ECMs are device specific, laborious, and ad-hoc in nature. In order to address these difficulties, this paper presents an efficient and automated algorithm to identify appropriate frequency-dependent elements for adding to the ECM at arbitrary locations so as to correct for high-frequency errors. The new method enables the designers to retain their existing physical models while providing a means to capture the high-frequency effects accurately