Computed Ultrasound Tomography in Echo Mode for Imaging Speed of Sound Using Pulse-Echo Sonography: Proof of Principle

The limitations of diagnostic echo ultrasound have motivated research into novel modalities that complement ultrasound in a multimodal device. One promising candidate is speed of sound imaging, which has been found to reveal structural changes in diseased tissue. Transmission ultrasound tomography shows speed of sound spatially resolved, but is limited to the acoustically transparent breast. We present a novel method by which speed-of-sound imaging is possible using classic pulse-echo equipment, facilitating new clinical applications and the combination with state-of-the art diagnostic ultrasound. Pulse-echo images are reconstructed while scanning the tissue under various angles using transmit beam steering. Differences in average sound speed along different transmit directions are reflected in the local echo phase, which allows a 2-D reconstruction of the sound speed. In the present proof-of-principle study, we describe a contrast resolution of 0.6% of average sound speed and a spatial resolution of 1 mm (laterally) × 3 mm (axially), suitable for diagnostic applications.

Towards clinical computed ultrasound tomography in echo-mode: Dynamic range artefact reduction

Computed ultrasound tomography in echo-mode (CUTE) allows imaging the speed of sound inside tissue using hand-held pulse-echo ultrasound. This technique is based on measuring the changing local phase of beamformed echoes when changing the transmit beam steering angle. Phantom results have shown a spatial resolution and contrast that could qualify CUTE as a promising novel diagnostic modality in combination with B-mode ultrasound. Unfortunately, the large intensity range of several tens of dB that is encountered in clinical images poses difficulties to echo phase tracking and results in severe artefacts. In this paper we propose a modification to the original technique by which more robust echo tracking can be achieved, and we demonstrate in phantom experiments that dynamic range artefacts are largely eliminated. Dynamic range artefact reduction also allowed for the first time a clinical implementation of CUTE with sufficient contrast to reproducibly distinguish the different speed of sound in different tissue layers of the abdominal wall and the neck.

Full correction for spatially distributed speed-of-sound in echo ultrasound based on measuring aberration delays via transmit beam steering

Aberrations of the acoustic wave front, caused by spatial variations of the speed-of-sound, are a main limiting factor to the diagnostic power of medical ultrasound imaging. If not accounted for, aberrations result in low resolution and increased side lobe level, over all reducing contrast in deep tissue imaging. Various techniques have been proposed for quantifying aberrations by analysing the arrival time of coherent echoes from so-called guide stars or beacons. In situations where a guide star is missing, aperture-based techniques may give ambiguous results. Moreover, they are conceptually focused on aberrators that can be approximated as a phase screen in front of the probe. We propose a novel technique, where the effect of aberration is detected in the reconstructed image as opposed to the aperture data. The varying local echo phase when changing the transmit beam steering angle directly reflects the varying arrival time of the transmit wave front. This allows sensing the angle-dependent aberration delay in a spatially resolved way, and thus aberration correction for a spatially distributed volume aberrator. In phantoms containing a cylindrical aberrator, we achieved location-independent diffraction-limited resolution as well as accurate display of echo location based on reconstructing the speed-of-sound spatially resolved. First successful volunteer results confirm the clinical potential of the proposed technique.

Discursive Practices Of Organizational Identity Negotiations

How do organizations discursively negotiate organizational identity? In a longitudinal interpretive case study, we investigate the discursive practices of identity negotiations in a non-profit organization. Drawing on semi-structured interviews, documents and participant observations, and in applying a discourse analytical framework, we first identify three distinct discourses that provide the discursive resources for three different identity propositions. Then and in order to understand how these discursive resources are activated and utilized, we reconstruct four distinct discursive practices of organizational identity negotiations: (1) external comparison and differentiation (2) denial of trade-offs and harmonization (3) historization, and (4) moralization. We discuss how this structure relates to other similarly pluralistic organizational contexts.

Incremental value of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein in suspected acute myocardial infarction early after symptom onset.

BACKGROUND The early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) very soon after symptom onset remains a major clinical challenge, even when using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnT). METHODS AND RESULTS We investigated the incremental value of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (hFABP) in a pre-specified subgroup analysis of patients presenting with suspected AMI within 1 h of symptom onset to the emergency department (ED) in a multicentre study. HFABP was measured in a blinded fashion. Two independent cardiologists using all available clinical information, including hs-cTnT, adjudicated the final diagnosis. Overall, 1411 patients were enrolled, of whom 105 patients presented within 1 h of symptom onset. Of these, 34 patients (32.4%) had AMI. The diagnostic accuracy as quantified by the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC) of hFABP was high (0.84 (95% CI 0.74-0.94)). However, the additional use of hFABP only marginally increased the diagnostic accuracy of hs-cTnT (AUC 0.88 (95% CI 0.81-0.94) for hs-cTnT alone to 0.90 (95% CI 0.83-0.98) for the combination; p=ns). After the exclusion of 18 AMI patients with ST-segment elevation, similar results were obtained. Among the 16 AMI patients without ST-segment elevation, six had normal hs-cTnT at presentation. Of these, hFABP was elevated in two (33.3%) patients. CONCLUSIONS hFABP does not seem to significantly improve the early diagnostic accuracy of hs-cTnT in the important subgroup of patients with suspected AMI presenting to the ED very early after symptom onset.

Incidence and predictors of cutaneous manifestations during the early course of systemic sclerosis: a 10-year longitudinal study from the EUSTAR database.

OBJECTIVES To longitudinally map the onset and identify risk factors for skin sclerosis and digital ulcers (DUs) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) from an early time point after the onset of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in the European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) cohort. METHODS 695 patients with SSc with a baseline visit within 1 year after RP onset were followed in the prospective multinational EUSTAR database. During the 10-year observation period, cumulative probabilities of cutaneous lesions were assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors. RESULTS The median modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) peaked 1 year after RP onset, and was 15 points. The 1-year probability to develop an mRSS ≥2 in at least one area of the arms and legs was 69% and 25%, respectively. Twenty-five per cent of patients developed diffuse cutaneous involvement in the first year after RP onset. This probability increased to 36% during the subsequent 2 years. Only 6% of patients developed diffuse cutaneous SSc thereafter. The probability to develop DUs increased to a maximum of 70% at the end of the 10-year observation. The main factors associated with diffuse cutaneous SSc were the presence of anti-RNA polymerase III autoantibodies, followed by antitopoisomerase autoantibodies and male sex. The main factor associated with incident DUs was the presence of antitopoisomerase autoantibodies. CONCLUSION Early after RP onset, cutaneous manifestations exhibit rapid kinetics in SSc. This should be accounted for in clinical trials aiming to prevent skin worsening.

A Proof-Theoretic Analysis of Theories for Stratified Inductive Definitions

In this article we study subsystems SIDᵥ of the theory ID₁ in which fixed point induction is restricted to properly stratified formulas.

Schweinfurt

Jaeger

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 24 - Korrespondenzen u.a. mit Stefan Jacobwicz (p. I 12, 176-330)

1 Brief an Ernst Jacob von Max Horkheimer; 31 Briefe zwischen Stefan Jacobwicz und Max Horkheimer, 1936-1945; 1 Brief an die American Consul Lisabon von Max Horkheimer; 23 Briefe zwischen Heinz Jacoby, Lilli Jacoby und Max Horkheimer, 1936-1943; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an John B. Norman, 29.06.1942; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an George L. Warren; 1 Brief vom Service Social d'Aide aux Emigrants Paris an Heinz Jacobi, 18.01.1940; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Jaeger , 29.09.1937; 5 Brief zwischen Philip C. Jessup und Max Horkheimer, 15.10.1940-1941; 3 Briefe an die Jewish National and University Library Jerusalem von Max Horkheimer, 1943, 1949; 5 Briefe zwischen der Jewish Telegraphic Agency New York und Max Horkheimer, 1940; 2 Briefe zwischen Ernest Jones und Max Horkheimer, 29.04.1938, 11.05.1938; 14 Briefe zwischen der Journal of Criminal Psychopathology, Woodbourne und Max Horkheimer,1940-1941; 1 Brief vom Journal of Philosophy and Phenomenological Research Bufallo N.Y. an Max Horkheimer, 19.11.1940; 1 Brief an das Jüdisches Schwesternheim Stuttgart an Max Horkheimer, 29.12.1937; 1 Brief von Jean Juget an Max Horkheimer, 25.11.1935; 2 Briefe zwischen der Juilliard School of Music New York und Theodor W. Adorno, 17.07.1940, 18.07.1940; 2 Briefe zwischen Gustave S. Juliber und Max Horkheimer, 09.10.1938, 01.11.1938;

Aus Volkes Mund : sprichwörtliche Redensarten; Citate aus classischen Dichtungen, aus der Oper, aus der Bibel, Jüdisch-Deutsch

ges. von C.Fr. Mylius

Ausst. 188 - Psalmi poenitentiales et confessionales

Vorbesitzer: [Louise] Oehler-Jaeger

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 670 - "Treatise on Antisemitism" und zugehörige Dokumente (p. IX 124-IX 134)

"Treatise on Antisemitism", Unterlagen zur Buchveröffentlichung, 1945-1946; "Tentative Outline of Contens", a) Typoskript, 6 Blatt; b) Typoskript, 2 Blatt; c) Typoskript, 2 Blatt; "Section 2: Modern European Antisemitism". Typoskript, 5 Blatt; "Section 4: Political Antisemitism in America". Typoskript, 5 Blatt; "Section 5: Religious and Social Ideologies". Typoskript, 7 Blatt; "The Nature of Anti-Semitism. Psychologocal Topics to be Surveyed", a) Typoskript, 2 Blatt; b) Typoskript, 2 Blatt; "Proposed Project for a Treatise on Antisemitism" und "Tentative Outline of Contents". Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Ergänzungen, 8 Blatt; "Notes on the Content for Sections on American Antisemitism for the proposed book". Typoskript, 9 Blatt; Über den Aufbau des Buchs, eigenhändige Notiz von Max Horkheimer, 1 Blatt; Löwenthal, Leo: "Memorandum to Max Horkheimer, re: books", 25.11.1946. Typoskript, 6 Blatt; Memoranden über Besprechungen betreffend "Traetise", 28.05-10.10.1945, Typoskript, 6 Blatt; Jaeger, Werner: 1 Brief mit Unterschrift an Gordon W. Allport, Cambridge, Mass., 21.06.1945, 1 Blatt; Statements for AJC on account 'Treatise', Juli 1945 - Mai 1947, 19 Blatt; Unterlagen zur deutschen Ausgabe der "Studies in Prejudice", 1950-1952; "German Version of the Series 'Studies in Prejudice'". Typoskript, 3 Blatt; "Bericht über den Plan zur Herstellung einer deutschen Fassung der Studies in Prejudice". Typoskript, 4 Blatt; Memoranden zur Arbeit an der deutschen Ausgabe, 15.01.1951- 05.12.1952, Typoskript, 7 Blatt; Record of Meeting Commentary and Institute of Social Research", 29.05.1946; Diskussionsteilnehmer: Cohen, Elliot; Glazer, Nathan; Greenberg, Clement; Warshow, Robert; Löwenthal, Leo; Massing, Paul; Pollock, Friedrich; Weil, Felix; Gurland, A.R.L.; Jahoda, Marie; Löwe, Adolf; Typoskript, 19 Blatt; "Some Notes to the 'tentative draft discussed with R.'", Datierung unklar, um 1943? Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 4 Blatt; "Re: Antisemitism in occupied Europe", Datierung unklar, etwa 1945-1948?; Typsokript, 3 Blatt; "Studies Undertaken in the Project on Political Antisemitism", Tabellarische Aufzählung, Datierung unklar, Typoskript, 1 Blatt; Institut of Social Research: "Instructions", Anweisungen für Interviewer, Fragebogen, Datierung unklar, Entwurf, Typoskript, 4 Blatt; Über Forschungsunternehmungen zu ethischen Vorurteilesstrukturen in den USA zwischen 1928 und 1939, Datierung unklar, Typoskript, 2 Blatt; Institut of Social Research: "Section I: Protestantism and Antisemitism. Section II: Report on the General Body of Protestant Antisemitic Feeling", Datierung unklar, Typoskript, 29 Blatt; Horkheimer, Max: "Re: Anti-Semitism- Spearhead of Nazism", Datierung unklar, Typoskript, 6 Blatt; Adorno, Theodor W.: "Re: Questionaire on Anti-Semitism", Datierung unklar. Typoskript, 5 Blatt; Adorno, Theodor W.: "Outline of a socio-psychological study", Datierung unklar. Typoskript mit eigenhändigen Korrekturen, 4 Blatt; "Sample: Responsiveness of Types of Anti-Semites to Anti-Semitic Propaganda", 2 handschriftliche Tabellen-Schemata, Datierung unklar, 2 Blatt;