Eddy Current Position Measurement in Harsh Environments: A Temperature Compensation and Calibration Approach.

Eddy current displacement sensors (ECDSs) are widely used for the noncontact position measurement of small displacements (lift-offs). Challenges arise with larger displacements as the sensitivity of the ECDSs decreases. This leads to a more pronounced impact of temperature variations on the inductance and, consequently, an increased position error. Design solutions often rely on multiple coils, suitable coil carrier materials, and compensation measures to address the challenges. This study presents a single-coil ECDS for large displacement ranges in environments with high temperatures and temperature variations. The analysis is based on a sensor model derived from an equivalent circuit model (ECM). We propose design measures for both the sensing coil and the target, focusing on material selection to handle the impact of temperature variations. A key part of improving performance under varying temperatures includes model-based temperature compensation for the inductance of the sensing coil. We introduce a method to calibrate the sensor for large displacements, using a modified coupling coefficient based on field simulation data. Our analysis shows that this single-coil ECDS design maintains a position error of less than 0.2% full-scale for a temperature variation of 100 K for the sensing coil and 110 K for the target.

Workflow assessment of an augmented reality application for planning of perforator flaps in plastic reconstructive surgery: Game or game changer?

Objective: In contrast to the rising amount of financial investments for research and development in medical technology worldwide is the lack of usability and clinical readiness of the produced systems. We evaluated an augmented reality (AR) setup under development for preoperative perforator vessel mapping for elective autologous breast reconstruction. Methods: In this grant-supported research pilot, we used magnetic resonance angiography data (MR-A) of the trunk to superimpose the scans on the corresponding patients with hands-free AR goggles to identify regions-of-interest for surgical planning. Perforator location was assessed using MR-A imaging (MR-A projection) and Doppler ultrasound data (3D distance) and confirmed intraoperatively in all cases. We evaluated usability (System Usability Scale, SUS), data transfer load and documented personnel hours for software development, correlation of image data, as well as processing duration to clinical readiness (time from MR-A to AR projections per scan). Results: All perforator locations were confirmed intraoperatively, and we found a strong correlation between MR-A projection and 3D distance measurements (Spearman r = 0.894). The overall usability (SUS) was 67 ± 10 (=moderate to good). The presented setup for AR projections took 173 min to clinical readiness (=availability on AR device per patient). Conclusion: In this pilot, we calculated development investments based on project-approved grant-funded personnel hours with a moderate to good usability outcome resulting from some limitations: assessment was based on one-time testing with no previous training, a time lag of AR visualizations on the body and difficulties in spatial AR orientation. The use of AR systems can provide new opportunities for future surgical planning, but has more potential for educational (e.g., patient information) or training purposes of medical under- and postgraduates (spatial recognition of imaging data associated with anatomical structures and operative planning). We expect future usability improvements with refined user interfaces, faster AR hardware and artificial intelligence-enhanced visualization techniques.

Demographic overview of pilonidal sinus carcinoma: updated insights into the incidence.

PURPOSE: There are only rough estimates of the worldwide incidence of pilonidal sinus carcinoma. The purpose of the study is to explore the demographic characteristics of this disease and to provide more precise information about its incidence. METHODS: The study included questioning the surgeons and pathologists in Germany in addition to a literature research. The literature investigation included all published articles about pilonidal carcinoma in all languages. The questionnaire included 1050 pathologists and all 834 hospitals with a surgical division in Germany. The outcome measures included the total number of cases, the language of publication, gender, age, country of origin, interval until the diagnosis of carcinoma, and reported incidence based on local studies. RESULTS: From 1900 to 2022, we found 140 cases of pilonidal sinus carcinoma in 103 articles. The investigation revealed two additional unpublished cases from Germany. The male-to-female ratio was 7.75:1. The countries with the most cases were the USA (35 cases, 25.0%), Spain (13 cases, 9.3%), and Turkey (11 cases, 7.6%). The average age was 54.0 ± 11.8 years and the interval between the diagnosis of the disease and the development of carcinoma was 20.1 ± 14.1 years. There was a parallel increase in reported cases of pilonidal sinus disease and pilonidal carcinoma over the last century. The reported incidence varied from 0.03% to 5.56%. The worldwide calculated incidence equaled 0.17%. CONCLUSION: Due to underreporting and other causes, the incidence of carcinoma emerging on the background of pilonidal sinus disease is higher than reported.

The Visible Stomach: Elusive Diffuse-Type Adenocarcinoma Presents With Gastric Outlet Obstruction.

The diagnosis of diffuse-type gastric cancers may be challenging due to their submucosal infiltration. A male in his early 60s was diagnosed with signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma of the diffuse type based on a biopsy from a perforated gastric ulcer. Postoperative workup was negative, including repeated esophagogastroduodenoscopy, gastric biopsies, tumor markers, computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET). Six months after the operation, the patient presented to our center with abdominal discomfort and nausea. The clinical examination showed an enlarged visible stomach due to gastric outlet obstruction. The patient underwent total gastrectomy after confirmation of malignancy using an intraoperative frozen section. However, the tumor was already advanced locally and regionally. Confirmed malignancy in biopsies from perforated gastric ulcers should be never considered false positivity. To avoid missing a diffuse gastric cancer, endoscopic biopsies should be obtained using advanced techniques such as submucosal dissection under endosonographic guidance.

Perianal abscess as a manifestation of vaginocutaneous fistula after pelvic floor reconstruction.

We present a case of vaginocutaneous fistula 10 years after pelvic floor reconstruction using transvaginal mesh implantation. The female patient in her mid-60s presented with typical symptoms of perianal abscess. After undergoing three surgical operations, the perianal infection was shown to be due to the implanted mesh as a late complication of the reconstruction. The patient was successfully managed with limited removal of the mesh tails. The case highlights one of the late complications of pelvic floor reconstruction using synthetic meshes.

Analysis of the Fire Behavior of Polymers (PP, PA 6 and PE-LD) and Their Improvement Using Various Flame Retardants.

The fire behavior of polymers is examined primarily with the time-dependent heat release rate (HRR) measured with a cone calorimeter. The HRR is used to examine the fire behavior of materials with and without flame retardants, especially Polypropylene (PP-Copo) and Polyethylene (PE-LD). Polypropylene is stored for up to 99 days under normal conditions and the heat release rate shows especially changes about 100 s after irradiation with cone calorimeter, which may be caused by aging effects. The effect of crosslinking to the burning behavior of PP was examined too. Polyamides (PA 6) are irradiated with a radiation intensity of 25 kW/m2 to 95 kW/m2 and fire-related principles between radiation intensity and time to ignition can be derived from the measurement results. In order to comprehensively investigate the fire behavior of PP (also with flame retardant additives), the samples were also exposed to a flame, according to UL 94 with small power (50 W) and is inflamed with the power of a few 100 W. The irradiation causes different trigger mechanisms for the flame retardant additives in a plastic than the flame exposure. It is shown that the compound, which is favorable for irradiation, is not necessarily good for flame exposure. It can be seen that expandable graphite alone or with the addition of other additives is a very effective flame retardant for PP.

Multiplex mutagenesis of four clustered CrRLK1L with CRISPR/Cas9 exposes their growth regulatory roles in response to metal ions.

Resolving functions of closely linked genes is challenging or nearly impossible with classical genetic tools. Four members of the Catharanthus roseus receptor-like kinase 1-like (CrRLK1L) family are clustered on Arabidopsis chromosome five. To resolve the potentially redundant functions of this subclass of CrRLK1Ls named MEDOS1 to 4 (MDS1 to 4), we generated a single CRISPR/Cas9 transformation vector using a Golden Gate based cloning system to target all four genes simultaneously. We introduce single mutations within and deletions between MDS genes as well as knock-outs of the whole 11 kb gene cluster. The large MDS cluster deletion was inherited in up to 25% of plants lacking the CRISPR/Cas9 construct in the T2 generation. In contrast to described phenotypes of already characterized CrRLK1L mutants, quadruple mds knock-outs were fully fertile, developed normal root hairs and trichomes and responded to pharmacological inhibition of cellulose biosynthesis similar to wildtype. Recently, we demonstrated the role of four CrRLK1L in growth adaptation to metal ion stress. Here we show the involvement of MDS genes in response to Ni2+ during hypocotyl elongation and to Cd2+ and Zn2+ during root growth. Our finding supports the model of an organ specific network of positively and negatively acting CrRLK1Ls.

Crystal structure of 1,3-bis-(2,6-diiso-propyl-phen-yl)-4,5-dimethyl-1H-imid-azol-3-ium bromide di-chloro-methane disolvate.

The title solvated salt, C29H41N2 (+)·Br(-)·2CH2Cl2 was obtained from the reaction of the Arduengo-type carbene 1,3-bis-(2,6-diiso-propyl-phen-yl)-1,3-dihydro-4,5-dimethyl-2H-imidazol-2-ylidene with Si2Br6 in di-chloro-methane. The complete cation is generated by a crystallographic mirror plane and the dihedral angle between the five-membered ring and the benzene ring is 89.8 (6)°; the dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 40.7 (2)°. The anion also lies on the mirror plane and both di-chloro-methane mol-ecules are disordered across the mirror plane over two equally occupied orientations. In the crystal, the cations are linked to the anions via C-H⋯Br hydrogen bonds.

Hexabromo- and hexaiododisilane: small and simple molecules showing completely different crystal structures.

The title compounds were prepared through dephenylation of hexaphenyldisilane with acetyl bromide or acetyl iodide in the presence of the corresponding aluminium halide. Both substances were purified via sublimation and, for the first time, single crystals of hexabromodisilane, Si2Br6, and a new polymorph of hexaiododisilane, Si2I6, could be isolated. Molecules of Si2Br6 are located on a special position of site symmetry 2/m with a quarter of a molecule in the asymmetric unit. Molecules of Si2I6 are located on a special position of site symmetry 3̄ with a sixth of a molecule in the asymmetric unit. The bond lengths of Si2Br6 and Si2I6 are in the usual ranges and both molecules adopt a staggered conformation. It is interesting to note that Si2Br6 and Si2I6 do not form isomorphous structures. Moreover, an orthorhombic polymorph of the present structure of Si2I6 is already known [Jansen & Friede (1996). Acta Cryst. C52, 1333-1334]. Although the title compounds feature such small and simple molecules they show completely different crystal structures.

Microwave-assisted carbohydrohalogenation of first-row transition-metal oxides (M = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) with the formation of element halides.

The anhydrous forms of first-row transition-metal chlorides and bromides ranging from vanadium to copper were synthesized in a one-step reaction using the relatively inexpensive element oxides, carbon sources, and halogen halides as starting materials. The reactions were carried out in a microwave oven to give quantitative yields within short reaction times.

1,3-Bis(2,6-diisopropyl-phen-yl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride dichloro-methane disolvate.

In the title compound, C(27)H(37)N(2) (+)·Cl(-)·2CH(2)Cl(2), the cation and the anion are each located on a crystallographic mirror plane. Both of the dichloro-methane solvent mol-ecules show a disorder across a mirror plane over two equally occupied positions. Additionally, one isopropyl group is also disordered. In the crystal, the cations are connected to the chloride ions via C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds.

1,3-Bis(2,6-diisopropyl-phen-yl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium bromide dichloro-methane disolvate.

In the title compound, C(27)H(37)N(2) (+)·Br(-)·2CH(2)Cl(2), both the cation and the anion are located on a crystallographic mirror plane. Both of the dichloro-methane solvent mol-ecules show a disorder across a mirror plane over two equally occupied positions. In the crystal, the cations are connnected to the bromide ions via C-H⋯Br hydrogen bonds.

N-(2,6-Diisopropyl-phen-yl)formamide toluene 0.33-solvate.

The crystal packing of the title compound, C(13)H(19)NO·0.33C(7)H(8), shows a channel at [001], which contains grossly disordered toluene solvent mol-ecules. The angle between the benzene ring and the mean plane of the formamide group is 71.1 (1)°. The amide groups of neighbouring mol-ecules are connected by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming 2(1) helical chains propagating along [001]. Mol-ecules are also connected by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming 6(1) helices.

Occurrence of type A, B and D trichothecenes in barley and barley products from the Bavarian market.

Fifty-nine samples of barley and barley products were analysed for 18 trichothecene mycotoxins by a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method (detection limits 0.062-0.70 µg/kg) after sample extract clean-up on MycoSep®-226 columns. The samples were collected in 2009 from barley processing facilities (mills and malt houses) and at wholesale and retail stage from the Bavarian market. The predominant toxins were T-2 toxin (T-2), HT-2 toxin (HT-2) and deoxynivalenol (DON). For all samples, the mean levels of T-2 and HT-2 were 3.0 µg/kg and 6.8 µg/kg with rates of contamination of 63% and 71%, respectively. The maximum values were 40 µg/kg for T-2 and 47 µg/kg for HT-2. The rate of contamination with DON was high (95%) with a low mean level of 23 µg/kg. The DON levels ranged between 3.4 to 420 µg/kg. For T-2 tetraol, a mean level of 9.2 µg/kg and a maximum level of 51 µg/kg with a rate of contamination of 71% were determined. NIV was detected in 69% of the samples with a mean level of 11 µg/kg and a maximum level of 72 µg/kg. Other type A and B trichothecenes were detected only in traces. Type D trichothecenes, fusarenon-X, verrucarol and 4,15-diacetylverrucarol were not detected in any sample. Winter barley and malting barley were the most contaminated groups of all samples in this study. In malting barley, the highest levels of contamination with type A trichothecenes were found. In contrast, winter barley showed the highest contamination with type B trichothecenes. The lowest mycotoxin concentrations were found in de-hulled and naked barley and in pearl barley.

Cognitive therapy vs interpersonal psychotherapy in social anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Cognitive therapy (CT) focuses on the modification of biased information processing and dysfunctional beliefs of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) aims to change problematic interpersonal behavior patterns that may have an important role in the maintenance of SAD. No direct comparisons of the treatments for SAD in an outpatient setting exist. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of CT, IPT, and a waiting-list control (WLC) condition. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Two academic outpatient treatment sites. Patients  Of 254 potential participants screened, 117 had a primary diagnosis of SAD and were eligible for randomization; 106 participants completed the treatment or waiting phase. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment comprised 16 individual sessions of either CT or IPT and 1 booster session. Twenty weeks after randomization, posttreatment assessment was conducted and participants in the WLC received 1 of the treatments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was treatment response on the Clinical Global Impression Improvement Scale as assessed by independent masked evaluators. The secondary outcome measures were independent assessor ratings using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and patient self-ratings of SAD symptoms. RESULTS: At the posttreatment assessment, response rates were 65.8% for CT, 42.1% for IPT, and 7.3% for WLC. Regarding response rates and Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale scores, CT performed significantly better than did IPT, and both treatments were superior to WLC. At 1-year follow-up, the differences between CT and IPT were largely maintained, with significantly higher response rates in the CT vs the IPT group (68.4% vs 31.6%) and better outcomes on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. No significant treatment × site interactions were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive therapy and IPT led to considerable improvements that were maintained 1 year after treatment; CT was more efficacious than was IPT in reducing social phobia symptoms.