Towards a Fast, Open-Path Laser Hygrometer for Airborne Eddy Covariance Measurements

Water vapor fluxes play a key role in the energy budget of the atmosphere, and better flux measurements are needed to improve our understanding of the formation of clouds and storms. Large-scale measurements of these fluxes are possible by employing the eddy correlation (EC) method from an aircraft. A hygrometer used for such measurements needs to deliver a temporal resolution of at least 10 Hz while reliably operating in the harsh conditions on the exterior of an aircraft. Here, we present a design concept for a calibration-free, first-principles, open-path dTDLAS hygrometer with a planar, circular and rotationally symmetric multipass cell with new, angled coupling optics. From our measurements, the uncertainty of the instrument is estimated to be below 4.5% (coverage factor k = 1). A static intercomparison between a dTDLAS prototype of the new optics setup and a traceable dew point mirror hygrometer was conducted and showed a systematic relative deviation of 2.6% with a maximal relative error of 2.2%. Combined with a precision of around 1 ppm H₂O at tropospheric conditions, the newly designed setup fulfills the static precision and accuracy requirements of the proposed airborne EC hygrometer

Interleukin 22 serum levels are associated with radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis

To study the role of interleukin 22 (IL-22) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Laser powder bed fusion of Cu-Ti-Zr-Ni bulk metallic glasses in the Vit101 alloy system

Laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) has experienced growing scientific and industrial interest in the last years, with a special focus on application relevant systems based on zirconium. The high cooling rates and the layer-wise build-up process allow overcoming size and geometry limitations typical for conventional casting routes. Yet, the novel production approach requires different alloy characteristics than casting processes. The present work reports for the first time on the PBF-LB/M-processing of three CuTi-based bulk metallic glass formers in the Vit101 system, allowing to exceed the mechanical performance of most additively formed Zr-based BMGs. Furthermore, the influence of alloy properties like thermal stability and toughness on the PBF-LB/M applicability are systematically studied. Thermal stability plays a minor role to produce amorphous specimen, while notch toughness is found to be a more crucial aspect to achieve parts with low defect density and resulting high mechanical performance. The results suggest fundamentally different alloy development strategies adapted to the needs of the PBF-LB/M-process, leaving classical casting-based optimization of glass forming ability behind and evolving towards a rather toughness-oriented optimization

Chinese medicine treatment for menopausal symptoms in the UK health service: Is a clinical trial warranted?

Objectives The aims of this pilot study were to evaluate treatment effects, ascertain safety and formulate best practice Chinese medicine protocols relevant for London women suffering from menopausal symptoms. Study design This clinical pilot study employed a case series design within a wider action-based research project. 117 perimenopausal women between 45 and 55 years of age recruited from the general population were treated for menopausal symptoms by six experienced practitioners of Chinese medicine at the Polyclinic of the University of Westminster. Practitioners were instructed to treat as near to their usual practice style as possible. This involved using Chinese herbal medicine and/or acupuncture along with dietary and lifestyle advice. A maximum of 12 treatments over 6 months was allowed per patient. Outcome measures The menopause specific quality of life questionnaire (MenQoL), the Greene climacteric scale, and flushing diaries were used to evaluate treatment outcomes. Liver and kidney function tests were carried out at intake and after 1, 6 and 12 treatments to evaluate the safety particularly in relation to the use of herbal medicines. Results Patients showed significant improvement across all domains measured by the MenQoL and Greene climacteric scales. Reduction on the MenQoL scale between first and last visit was from 4.31 to 3.27 (p < 0.001) and on the Green climacteric scale from 21.01 to 13.00 (p < 0.001). Study participants did not reliably complete their flushing diaries. No adverse events or abnormal liver or kidney function values were observed during the course of the study. Conclusions Further research that seeks to investigate the effects observed in more detail and to evaluate them against other forms of treatment and/or no-treatment controls is warranted. This could be achieved by way of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial that evaluated Chinese medicine against orthodox medical care

Stellungnahme zum EEG 2017

Mit dem EEG 2017 wurde die zukünftige Förderung von Biomasseanlagen, zusammen mit Photovoltaikund Windkraftanlagen, auf ein Ausschreibungsverfahren umgestellt. Im Gegensatz zu Wind- und Photovoltaik-Anlagen, können sich bei der Förderung der Stromerzeugung aus Biomasse jedoch auch Bestandsanlagen für einen zweiten Förderzeitraum bewerben. Um einen Förderanspruch für weitere 10 Jahre zu erwerben, müssen die Anlagen verschiedenste Voraussetzungen erfüllen. Dazu gehören unter anderem Vorgaben zur Flexibilisierung und zum Substrateinsatz in Biogasanlagen (sinkender Maisdeckel). Im September 2017 wurde die erste Ausschreibungsrunde für Bioenergieanlagen durchgeführt. Unter anderem aufgrund der langen durchschnittlichen Vergütungs-Restlaufzeit der meisten Bioenergieanlagen war das Interesse noch verhalten. Das Ausschreibungsvolumen betrug ca. 122 MWel installierte Leistung. Von 33 Geboten mit einem Volumen von rund 41 MWel erhielten 24 Gebote mit einem Volumen von rund 28 MWel einen Zuschlag. Obwohl das Volumen in der ersten Ausschreibungsrunde nicht ausgeschöpft wurde, lassen sich aus den ersten Erfahrungen bereits Änderungsvorschläge zur Verbesserung des Ausschreibungsdesigns ableiten. Ziel sollte sein, den Wettbewerb innerhalb der Ausschreibungen für Biomasseanlagen zu erhöhen und Perspektiven für die Entwicklung des Anlagenbestandes aufzuzeigen. Die Änderungsvorschläge werden nachfolgend kurz dargestellt

A Common Variant of PNPLA3 (p.I148M) Is Not Associated with Alcoholic Chronic Pancreatitis

Contains fulltext : 110441.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease that in some patients leads to exocrine and endocrine dysfunction. In industrialized countries the most common aetiology is chronic alcohol abuse. Descriptions of associated genetic alterations in alcoholic CP are rare. However, a common PNPLA3 variant (p.I148M) is associated with the development of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). Since, alcoholic CP and ALC share the same aetiology PNPLA3 variant (p.I148M) possibly influences the development of alcoholic CP. METHODS: Using melting curve analysis we genotyped the variant in 1510 patients with pancreatitis or liver disease (961 German and Dutch alcoholic CP patients, 414 German patients with idiopathic or hereditary CP, and 135 patients with ALC). In addition, we included in total 2781 healthy controls in the study. RESULTS: The previously published overrepresentation of GG-genotype was replicated in our cohort of ALC (p-value <0.0001, OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3.3). Distributions of genotype and allele frequencies of the p.I148M variant were comparable in patients with alcoholic CP, idiopathic and hereditary CP and in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of an association of PNPLA3 p.I148M with alcoholic CP seems not to point to a common pathway in the development of alcoholic CP and alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Distinct Mutational Profile of Lynch Syndrome Colorectal Cancers Diagnosed under Regular Colonoscopy Surveillance

Regular colonoscopy even with short intervals does not prevent all colorectal cancers (CRC) in Lynch syndrome (LS). In the present study, we asked whether cancers detected under regular colonoscopy surveillance (incident cancers) are phenotypically different from cancers detected at first colonoscopy (prevalent cancers). We analyzed clinical, histological, immunological and mutational characteristics, including panel sequencing and high-throughput coding microsatellite (cMS) analysis, in 28 incident and 67 prevalent LS CRCs (n total = 95). Incident cancers presented with lower UICC and T stage compared to prevalent cancers (p < 0.0005). The majority of incident cancers (21/28) were detected after previous colonoscopy without any pathological findings. On the molecular level, incident cancers presented with a significantly lower KRAS codon 12/13 (1/23, 4.3% vs. 11/21, 52%; p = 0.0005) and pathogenic TP53 mutation frequency (0/17, 0% vs. 7/21, 33.3%; p = 0.0108,) compared to prevalent cancers; 10/17 (58.8%) incident cancers harbored one or more truncating APC mutations, all showing mutational signatures of mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency. The proportion of MMR deficiency-related mutational events was significantly higher in incident compared to prevalent CRC (p = 0.018). In conclusion, our study identifies a set of features indicative of biological differences between incident and prevalent cancers in LS, which should further be monitored in prospective LS screening studies to guide towards optimized prevention protocols.Peer reviewe

Organizational characteristics of European pediatric onco-critical care: An international cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND Intensified treatment protocols have improved survival of pediatric oncology patients. However, these treatment protocols are associated with increased treatment-related morbidity requiring admission to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). We aimed to describe the organizational characteristics and processes of care for this patient group across PICUs in Europe. METHODS A web-based survey was sent to PICU directors or representative physicians between February and June 2021. RESULTS Responses were obtained from 77 PICUs of 12 European countries. Organizational characteristics were similar across the different countries of Europe. The median number of PICU beds was 12 (IQR 8-16). The majority of the PICUs was staffed by pediatric intensivists and had a 24/7 intensivist coverage. Most PICUs had a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:1 or 1:2. The median numbers of yearly planned and unplanned PICU admissions of pediatric cancer patients were 20 (IQR 10-45) and 10 (IQR 10-30, respectively. Oncology specific practices within PICU were less common in participating centres. This included implementation of oncology protocols in PICU (30%), daily rounds of PICU physicians on the wards (13%), joint mortality and morbidity meetings or complex patients' discussions (30% and 40%, respectively) and participation of parents during clinical rounds (40%). CONCLUSION Our survey provides an overview on the delivery of critical care for oncology patients in PICU across European countries. Multidisciplinary care for these vulnerable and challenging patients remains complex and challenging. Future studies need to determine the effects of differences in PICU organization and processes of care on patients' outcome

Genetic Analyses of Heme Oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) in Different Forms of Pancreatitis

Contains fulltext : 107993.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) is the rate limiting enzyme in heme degradation and a key regulator of inflammatory processes. In animal models the course of pancreatitis was ameliorated by up-regulation of HMOX1 expression. Additionally, carbon monoxide released during heme breakdown inhibited proliferation of pancreatic stellate cells and might thereby prevent the development of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Transcription of HMOX1 in humans is influenced by a GT-repeat located in the promoter. As such, HMOX1 variants might be of importance in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis. METHODS: The GT-repeat and SNP rs2071746 were investigated with fluorescence labelled primers and by melting curve analysis in 285 patients with acute pancreatitis, 208 patients with alcoholic CP, 207 patients with idiopathic/hereditary CP, 147 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, and in 289 controls, respectively. GT-repeat analysis was extended to a total of 446 alcoholic CP patients. In addition, we performed DNA sequencing in 145 patients with alcoholic CP, 138 patients with idiopathic/hereditary CP, 147 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, and 151 controls. Exon 3 screening was extended to additional patients and controls. RESULTS: S- and L-alleles of the GT-repeat, genotypes and alleles of SNP rs2071746 and non-synonymous variants detected by sequencing were found with similar frequencies in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although functional data implicate a potential influence of HMOX1 variants on the pathogenesis of pancreatitis, we did not find any association. As rare non-synonymous HMOX1 variants were found in patients and controls, it is rather unlikely that they will have functional consequences essential for pancreatitis development

DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours.

Accurate pathological diagnosis is crucial for optimal management of patients with cancer. For the approximately 100 known tumour types of the central nervous system, standardization of the diagnostic process has been shown to be particularly challenging-with substantial inter-observer variability in the histopathological diagnosis of many tumour types. Here we present a comprehensive approach for the DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours across all entities and age groups, and demonstrate its application in a routine diagnostic setting. We show that the availability of this method may have a substantial impact on diagnostic precision compared to standard methods, resulting in a change of diagnosis in up to 12% of prospective cases. For broader accessibility, we have designed a free online classifier tool, the use of which does not require any additional onsite data processing. Our results provide a blueprint for the generation of machine-learning-based tumour classifiers across other cancer entities, with the potential to fundamentally transform tumour pathology