Modern methods in Structural Geology and Tectonics: a series of articles in honour of Martin Burkhard (1957-2006)

We briefly report on the conference held in May 2007 in honour of Martin Burkhard in Neuchâtel. We also present a short account of the achievements of this prominent scientist and teacher by selectively citing some of his work and briefly introduce the series of articles presented here, which represent a tribute to Martin Burkhard. We also add a complete list of publications by Martin Burkhard and co-worker

Between-satellite ambiguity resolution based on preliminary GNSS orbit and clock information using a globally applied ambiguity clustering strategy.

The use of undifferenced (UD) processing schemes of GNSS measurements is becoming more and more popular for the generation of global network solutions (GNSS orbits and clock products) within the GNSS community. As opposed to classical processing schemes, which are based on a two-step approach where the orbits (generally, the contributions to the observation geometry) are estimated in a double-difference (DD) scheme while leaving the estimation of the corresponding clock information (and other linear terms) to a second, independent UD procedure where the orbits are introduced as known, the newer designs combine both parts into a single, compact processing scheme. Although this offers a higher flexibility, some challenges arise from the handling of the many parameters, as well as from the implementation of robust ambiguity resolution (AR) strategies. The latter could lead to a prohibitive computational time for a growing size of the network due to the large amount of ambiguity parameters. To overcome that issue, we propose a new UD-AR strategy that adapts the DD-AR approach. This is accomplished by carefully inspecting the real-valued ambiguities in a stand-alone step, where the DD-AR information is explicitly considered through the use of ambiguity clusters. As a result, the preliminary satellite orbits and clock corrections are modified to become consistent with the integer-cycle property of the carrier phase ambiguities, allowing to resolve them as integer numbers in a computationally inexpensive station-wise parallelization. This strategy is introduced and explained in detail. Moreover, it is shown that the GPS and Galileo solutions generated by this procedure are at a competitive level compared to classical DD-based solutions

Phrenic nerve palsy during ablation of atrial fibrillation using a 28-mm cryoballoon catheter: predictors and prevention

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine whether predictors of phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) exist and to test whether a standardized ablation protocol may prevent PNP during cryoballoon (CB) ablation using the 28mm CB. Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the pulmonary veins (PV) and their relationship to the superior vena cava (SVC) was analyzed. Phrenic nerve (PN) stimulation was performed during ablation of the right-sided PVs with a 28-mm CB. The freezing cycle was immediately terminated in case of loss of PN capture. Results: Sixty-five patients (age, 58 ± 11years; ejection fraction, 0.59 ± 0.06; left atrial size, 40 ± 5mm) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were included. No persistent PNP was observed. Transient PNP occurred in 4 of 65 patients (6%). PN function normalized within 24h in all four patients. A short distance between the right superior PV and the SVC was significantly associated with PNP, but left atrial and 3D PV anatomy were not. Low temperature early during the freezing cycle (<−41°C at 30s) predicted PNP with a sensitivity and a specificity of 100 and 98%, respectively. Conclusion: The anatomical relationship between the right superior PV and the SVC is a preprocedural predictor for the development of transient PNP, and low temperature early during ablation at the right superior PV is a sensitive warning sign of impending PNP. Despite the use of the 28mm CB, transient PNP occurred in 6% of patients undergoing CB ablatio

Taking Into Account Wet Avalanche Load for the Design of Pylon-like Structures.

Wet snow avalanches interact with infrastructures around the world but their significance on the structure design is frequently neglected due to the low velocity, which characterize the flow and thus the expected low impact pressures. Recent pressure measurements performed at the Swiss Vallée de la Sionne full-scale test site show that wet avalanche pressures, measured on a 20 m high tower, are considerably higher than those predicted by conventional avalanche engineering guidelines, thus potentially becoming relevant for the design of tower-like structures. In order to understand under which circumstances wet avalanches can become more relevant than their dry counter part and in order to establish simple rules to evaluate the pressure the avalanche exerts on a tower-like object, we analyse pressure and velocity data collected at the Vallée the la Sionne on obstacles of different shape and dimension

High-sensitivity cardiac Troponin T delta concentration after repeat pulmonary vein isolation

Introduction: Difference between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T concentrations (hs-cTnT) before and after ablation procedure (delta concentration) reflects the amount of myocardial injury. The aim of the study was to investigate hs-cTnT prognostic power for predicting atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after repeat pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure. Materials and methods: Consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing repeat PVI using a focal radiofrequency catheter were included in the study. Hs-cTnT was measured before and 18-24 hours after the procedure. Standardized 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up was performed. Cox-regression analysis was used to identify predictors of AF recurrence. Results: A total of 105 patients undergoing repeat PVI were analysed (24% female, median age 61 years). Median (interquartile range) hs-cTnT delta after repeat PVI was 283 (127 - 489) ng/L. After a median follow-up of 12 months, AF recurred in 24 (23%) patients. A weak linear relationship between the total radiofrequency energy delivery time and delta hs-cTnT was observed (Pearson R2 = 0.31, P = 0.030). Delta Hs-cTnT was not identified as a significant long-term predictor of AF recurrence after repeated PVI (P = 0.920). Conclusion: This was the first study evaluating the prognostic power of delta hs-cTnT in predicting AF recurrence after repeat PVI. Delta hs-cTnT does not predict AF recurrence after repeat PVI procedures. Systematic measurement of hs-cTnT after repeat PVI does not add information relevant to outcome

Effective reduction of fluoroscopy duration by using an advanced electroanatomic-mapping system and a standardized procedural protocol for ablation of atrial fibrillation: ‘the unleaded study'

Aims It is recommended to keep exposure to ionizing radiation as low as reasonably achievable. The aim of this study was to determine whether fluoroscopy-free mapping and ablation using a standardized procedural protocol is feasible in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Methods and results Sixty consecutive patients were analysed: Thirty consecutive patients undergoing PVI using Carto3 were treated using a standardized procedural fluoroscopy protocol with X-ray being disabled after transseptal puncture (Group 1) and compared with a set of previous 30 consecutive patients undergoing PVI without a specific recommendation regarding the use of fluoroscopy (Group 2). The main outcome measures were the feasibility of fluoroscopy-free mapping and ablation, total fluoroscopy time, total dose area product (DAP), and procedure time. Sixty patients (age 60 ± 10 years, 73% male, ejection fraction 0.55 ± 0.09, left atrium 42 ± 8 mm) were included. In Group 1, total fluoroscopy time was 4.2 (2.6-5.6) min and mapping and ablation during PVI without using fluoroscopy was feasible in 29 of 30 patients (97%). In Group 2, total fluoroscopy time was 9.3 (6.4-13.9) min (P < 0.001). Total DAP was 13.2 (6.2-22.2) Gy*cm2 in Group 1 compared with 17.5 (11.7-29.7) Gy*cm2 in Group 2 (P = 0.036). Total procedure time did not differ between Groups 1 (133 ± 37 min) and 2 (134 ± 37 min, P = 0.884). Conclusion Performing mapping and ablation guided by an electroanatomic-mapping system during PVI without using fluoroscopy after transseptal puncture using a standardized procedural protocol is feasible in almost all patients and is associated with markedly decreased total fluoroscopy duration and DA