Regularized differential evolution for a blind phase retrieval problem in ultrashort laser pulse characterization.

Obtaining the temporal shape of an ultrashort laser pulse using the method of dispersion scan entails solving a nonlinear inverse problem, a challenging prospect on its own, yet still aggravated when the pulse shape being measured is temporally varying from pulse to pulse. For this purpose, we use a Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm enhanced by three different regularization methods. The DE algorithm in its standard form is insufficient for reconstructing the pulse in the case of unstable pulse trains. By modifying it to retrieve two independent functions and with the help of regularization, we were able to show that it is possible to simultaneously infer the average length and the coherence length of the pulses. The latter is the shortest pulse the laser source can produce. We also discuss the three different approaches for regularization used in this paper, and from the numerical results we present, we can conclude that a spline-based regularization method is far superior compared to the two other methods under investigation.

Feminizing the Face: Combination of Frontal Bone Reduction and Reduction Rhinoplasty.

Gender affirmation surgeries in male-to-female patient transitioning include breast augmentation, genital construction, and facial feminization surgery (FFS). FFS improves mental health and quality of life in transgender patients. The nose and forehead are critical in facial attractiveness and gender identity; thus, frontal brow reduction and rhinoplasty are a mainstay of FFS. The open approach to reduction of the frontal brow is very successful in the feminization of the face; however, risks include alopecia and scarring. Endoscopic brow reduction, in properly selected patients, is minimally invasive with excellent outcomes avoiding these risks. Since both reduction rhinoplasty and frontal brow reduction are routinely performed in FFS, a combined approach provides superior control over the nasal radix and profile when performing surgery on the frontal bone region first followed by nose reduction. We present a case series of four transwomen undergoing frontal bone reduction in combination with a reduction rhinoplasty. All had excellent results with one DVT that resolved with treatment. Transgender patients frequently require multiple operations during their transition increasing their hospital stay and costs. This combined approach offers superior control over the nasofrontal angle and is not only safe but reduces hospitalizations and costs and is a novel indication to reduce gender dysphoria.

[Protection from BSE : Efforts, measures, success, and costs]. / Schutz vor BSE : Anstrengungen, Massnahmen, Erfolge und Kosten.

By the mid 1980s, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) emerged in the United Kingdom (UK) and reached its peak in the early 1990s with up to 37,000 cases. In the year 2000, BSE was diagnosed for the first time for a cow born in Germany. Since then, 413 cases of BSE have been detected. About 10 years after the first BSE cases were detected, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), a new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), was described in the UK. Legal measures for protection from BSE are described. The number of cases of vCJD and the development of the BSE situation in Germany and Bavaria until 2009 are presented.

[Biologic artefacts in the EEG of neurotic patients]. / Biologische Artefakte im EEG von Neurosepatienten.

Biological artefacts caused by tension of head and neck muscles, eye movements and blinking, swallowing and perspiration represent part of the patient's mimic expression and psychophysiological state. Therefore the artefact patterns in the EEG of 53 patients with different types of neuroses were analysed, quantified and statistically compared to artefact patterns in 53 EEG of an age- and sex matched control group. None of the patients and controls were receiving psychopharmacological medication. Patients with hysterical neurosis produced the highest rate of blinking and/or eye movements and displayed the most EMG-artefacts (significance level as compared to the control group 2 alpha less than or equal to 0.001 by the Wilcoxon test). The lowest artefact rate was found in patients suffering from depressive neurosis with the exception of swallowing, which occurred more frequently than in any other type of neurosis and than in the control group (2 alpha less than or equal to 0.001). The artefact pattern of patients with obsessional neurosis was instead predominated by EMG and perspiration artefacts.