Himalayan glacier tongues are commonly debris covered and they are an important source of melt water. However, they remain relatively unstudied because of the inaccessibility of the terrain and the ...difficulties in field work caused by the thick debris mantles. Observations of debris-covered glaciers are therefore scarce and airborne remote sensing may bridge the gap between scarce field observations and coarse resolution space-borne remote sensing. In this study we deploy an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) before and after the melt and monsoon season (May and October 2013) over the debris-covered tongue of the Lirung Glacier in Nepal. Based on stereo-imaging and the structure for motion algorithm we derive highly detailed ortho-mosaics and digital elevation models (DEMs), which we geometrically correct using differential GPS observations collected in the field. Based on DEM differencing and manual feature tracking we derive the mass loss and the surface velocity of the glacier at a high spatial accuracy. On average, mass loss is limited and the surface velocity is very small. However, the spatial variability of melt rates is very high, and ice cliffs and supra-glacial ponds show mass losses that can be an order of magnitude higher than the average. We suggest that future research should focus on the interaction between supra-glacial ponds, ice cliffs and englacial hydrology to further understand the dynamics of debris-covered glaciers. Finally, we conclude that UAV deployment has large potential in glaciology and it may revolutionize methods currently applied in studying glacier surface features.
•An UAV is applied over a high-altitude, debris-covered glacier in the Himalayas.•Glacier elevation and surface changes are derived at very high resolution.•Overall melt rates are low, but very heterogeneous with high melt near ice cliffs.•Surface velocity is low except near the ice cliffs and supra-glacial ponds.•UAVs may revolutionize current glacier monitoring methods.
Combining the precise parallaxes and optical photometry delivered by Gaia’s second data release with the photometric catalogues of Pan-STARRS1, 2MASS, and AllWISE, we derived Bayesian stellar ...parameters, distances, and extinctions for 265 million of the 285 million objects brighter than G = 18. Because of the wide wavelength range used, our results substantially improve the accuracy and precision of previous extinction and effective temperature estimates. After cleaning our results for both unreliable input and output data, we retain 137 million stars, for which we achieve a median precision of 5% in distance, 0.20 mag in V-band extinction, and 245 K in effective temperature for G ≤ 14, degrading towards fainter magnitudes (12%, 0.20 mag, and 245 K at G = 16; 16%, 0.23 mag, and 260 K at G = 17, respectively). We find a very good agreement with the asteroseismic surface gravities and distances of 7000 stars in the Kepler, K2-C3, and K2-C6 fields, with stellar parameters from the APOGEE survey, and with distances to star clusters. Our results are available through the ADQL query interface of the Gaia mirror at the Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam (gaia.aip.de) and as binary tables at data.aip.de. As a first application, we provide distance- and extinction-corrected colour-magnitude diagrams, extinction maps as a function of distance, and extensive density maps. These demonstrate the potential of our value-added dataset for mapping the three-dimensional structure of our Galaxy. In particular, we see a clear manifestation of the Galactic bar in the stellar density distributions, an observation that can almost be considered direct imaging of the Galactic bar.
Background:
Early detection and monitoring of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be enabled with smartphone-adapted tests that allow frequent measurements in the everyday ...environment.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to determine the reliability, construct and concurrent validity of a smartphone-adapted Symbol Digit Modalities Test (sSDMT).
Methods:
During a 28-day follow-up, 102 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls (HC) used the MS sherpa® app to perform the sSDMT every 3 days on their own smartphone. Patients performed the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS at baseline. Test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients, ICC), construct validity (group analyses between cognitively impaired (CI), cognitively preserved (CP) and HC for differences) and concurrent validity (correlation coefficients) were assessed.
Results:
Patients with MS and HC completed an average of 23.2 (SD = 10.0) and 18.3 (SD = 10.2) sSDMT, respectively. sSDMT demonstrated high test–retest reliability (ICCs > 0.8) with a smallest detectable change of 7 points. sSDMT scores were different between CI patients, CP patients and HC (all ps < 0.05). sSDMT correlated modestly with the clinical SDMT (highest r = 0.690), verbal (highest r = 0.516) and visuospatial memory (highest r = 0.599).
Conclusion:
Self-administered smartphone-adapted SDMT scores were reliable and different between patients who were CI, CP and HC and demonstrated concurrent validity in assessing information processing speed.
Abstract
Welfare problems are commonly found in both conventional and organic production of broiler chickens. In order to reduce the extent of welfare problems, it has been suggested to provide ...stimulating, enriched environments. The aim of the present paper is to provide a review of the effect on behavior and welfare of the different kinds of environmental enrichments in the production of broilers that have been described in the scientific literature. Environmental enrichment is defined as an improvement of the environment of captive animals, which increases the behavioral opportunities of the animal and leads to improvements of the biological function. This definition has been broadened to include practical and economic aspects, as any enrichment strategy that adversely affects the health of animals or that has too many economic or practical constraints will never be implemented on commercial farms and thus never benefit animals. Environmental enrichment for broilers often has the purpose of satisfying behavioral needs and/or stimulating the broilers to an increased level of activity, which among others will reduce the occurrence of leg problems. Potentially successful environmental enrichments for broiler chickens are elevated resting-places, panels, barriers, and bales of straw ("point-source enrichment"), as well as covered verandas and outdoor ranges ("complex enriched environments"). Many of the ideas for environmental enrichment for broilers need to be further developed and studied, preferably in commercial trials, with respect to the use, the effect on behavior and on other welfare aspects such as leg health, and the interaction with genotype, production system, stocking density, light, and flock size. In addition, information on the practical application and the economics of the production system is often lacking, although it is important for application in practice.
Adaptive features of innate immunity, recently described as “trained immunity,” have been documented in plants, invertebrate animals, and mice, but not yet in humans. Here we show that bacille ...Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination in healthy volunteers led not only to a four- to sevenfold increase in the production of IFN-γ, but also to a twofold enhanced release of monocyte-derived cytokines, such as TNF and IL-1β, in response to unrelated bacterial and fungal pathogens. The enhanced function of circulating monocytes persisted for at least 3 mo after vaccination and was accompanied by increased expression of activation markers such as CD11b and Toll-like receptor 4. These training effects were induced through the NOD2 receptor and mediated by increased histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation. In experimental studies, BCG vaccination induced T- and B-lymphocyte–independent protection of severe combined immunodeficiency SCID mice from disseminated candidiasis (100% survival in BCG-vaccinated mice vs. 30% in control mice). In conclusion, BCG induces trained immunity and nonspecific protection from infections through epigenetic reprogramming of innate immune cells.
Optical image-guided cancer surgery is a promising technique to adequately determine tumor margins by tumor-specific targeting, potentially resulting in complete resection of tumor tissue with ...improved survival. However, identification of the photons coming from the fluorescent contrast agent is complicated by autofluorescence, optical tissue properties, and accurate fluorescent targeting agents and imaging systems. All these factors have an important influence on the image that is presented to the surgeon. Considering the clinical consequences at stake, it is a prerequisite to answer the questions that are essential for the surgeon. What is optical image-guided surgery and how can it improve patient care? What should the oncologic surgeon know about the fundamental principles of optical imaging to understand which conclusions can be drawn from the images? And how do the limitations influence clinical decision making? This article discusses these questions and provides a clear overview of the basic principles and practical applications. Although there are limitations to the intrinsic capacity of the technique, when practical and technical surgical possibilities are considered, optical imaging can be a very powerful intraoperative tool in guiding the future oncologic surgeon toward radical resection and optimal clinical results.
Genetic P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) variation affects restenosis-risk in patients. PCAF has lysine acetyltransferase activity and promotes nuclear factor kappa-beta (NFκB)-mediated ...inflammation, which drives post-interventional intimal hyperplasia development. We studied the contributing role of PCAF in post-interventional intimal hyperplasia.
PCAF contribution to inflammation and intimal hyperplasia was assessed in leukocytes, macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) in vitro and in a mouse model for intimal hyperplasia, in which a cuff is placed around the femoral artery. PCAF deficiency downregulate CCL2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha expression, as demonstrated on cultured vSMCs, leukocytes and macrophages. PCAF KO mice showed a 71.8% reduction of vSMC-rich intimal hyperplasia, a 73.4% reduction of intima/media ratio and a 63.7% reduction of luminal stenosis after femoral artery cuff placement compared to wild type (WT) mice. The association of PCAF and vascular inflammation was further investigated using the potent natural PCAF inhibitor garcinol. Garcinol treatment reduced CCL2 and TNF-alpha expression, as demonstrated on cultured vSMCs and leukocytes. To assess the effect of garcinol treatment on vascular inflammation we used hypercholesterolemic ApoE*3-Leiden mice. After cuff placement, garcinol treatment resulted in reduced arterial leukocyte and macrophage adherence and infiltration after three days compared to untreated animals.
These results identify a vital role for the lysine acetyltransferase PCAF in the regulation of local inflammation after arterial injury and likely the subsequent vSMC proliferation, responsible for intimal hyperplasia.
Background:
Suboptimal performance during neuropsychological assessment renders cognitive test results invalid. However, suboptimal performance has rarely been investigated in multiple sclerosis ...(MS).
Objectives:
To investigate potential underlying mechanisms of suboptimal performance in MS.
Methods:
Performance validity testing, neuropsychological assessments, neuroimaging, and questionnaires were analyzed in 99 MS outpatients with cognitive complaints. Based on performance validity testing patients were classified as valid or invalid performers, and based on neuropsychological test results as cognitively impaired or preserved. Group comparisons and correlational analyses were performed on demographics, patient-reported, and disease-related outcomes.
Results:
Twenty percent displayed invalid performance. Invalid and valid performers did not differ regarding demographic, patient-reported, and disease-related outcomes. Disease severity of invalid and valid performers with cognitive impairment was comparable, but worse than cognitively preserved valid performers. Lower performance validity scores related to lower cognitive functioning, lower education, being male, and higher disability levels (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Suboptimal performance frequently occurs in patients with MS and cognitive complaints. In both clinical practice and in cognitive research, suboptimal performance should be considered in the interpretation of cognitive outcomes. Identification of factors that differentiate between suboptimal and optimal performers with cognitive impairment needs further exploration.
Abstract Objective T-cells are central to the immune response responsible for native atherosclerosis. The objective of this study is to investigate T-cell contribution to post-interventional ...accelerated atherosclerosis development, as well as the role of the CD28–CD80/86 co-stimulatory and Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen (CTLA)-4 co-inhibitory pathways controlling T-cell activation status in this process. Methods and results The role of T-cells and the CD28–CD80/86 co-stimulatory and CTLA-4 co-inhibitory pathways were investigated in a femoral artery cuff mouse model for post-interventional remodeling, with notable intravascular CTLA-4 + T-cell infiltration. Reduced intimal lesions developed in CD4−/− and CD80−/− CD86−/− mice compared to normal C57Bl/6J controls. Systemic abatacept-treatment, a soluble CTLA-4Ig fusion protein that prevents CD28–CD80/86 co-stimulatory T-cell activation, prevented intimal thickening by 58.5% (p = 0.029). Next, hypercholesterolemic ApoE3*Leiden mice received abatacept-treatment which reduced accelerated atherosclerosis development by 78.1% (p = 0.040) and prevented CD4 T-cell activation, indicated by reduced splenic fractions of activated KLRG1 +, PD1 +, CD69 + and CTLA-4 + T-cells. This correlated with reduced plasma interferon-γ and elevated interleukin-10 levels. The role of CTLA-4 was confirmed using CTLA-4 blocking antibodies, which strongly increased vascular lesion size by 66.7% (p = 0.008), compared to isotype-treated controls. Conclusions T-cell CD28–CD80/86 co-stimulation is vital for post-interventional accelerated atherosclerosis development and is regulated by CTLA-4 co-inhibition, indicating promising clinical potential for prevention of post-interventional remodeling by abatacept.
PDF
