Individual recognition of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) by their tail patterns using a computer-assisted pattern-identification algorithm.

Individual recognition of animals is an important aspect of ecological sciences. Photograph-based individual recognition options are of particular importance since these represent a non-invasive method to distinguish and identify individual animals. Recent developments and improvements in computer-based approaches make possible a faster semi-automated evaluation of large image databases than was previously possible. We tested the Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) algorithm, which extracts distinctive invariant features of images robust to illumination, rotation or scaling of images. We applied this algorithm to a dataset of 800 tail pattern images from 100 individual Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) collected as part of the Norwegian Beaver Project (NBP). Images were taken using a single-lens reflex camera and the pattern of scales on the tail, similar to a human fingerprint, was extracted using freely accessible image processing programs. The focus for individual recognition was not on the shape or the scarring of the tail, but purely on the individual scale pattern on the upper (dorsal) surface of the tail. The images were taken from two different heights above ground, and the largest possible area of the tail was extracted. The available data set was split in a ratio of 80% for training and 20% for testing. Overall, our study achieved an accuracy of 95.7%. We show that it is possible to distinguish individual beavers from their tail scale pattern images using the SIFT algorithm.

Welfare assessment in rabbits raised for meat and laboratory purposes in enclosures with two floor types: Perforated plastic with holes versus slats.

Due to welfare concerns and legal restrictions in certain countries, alternatives to wire net floors must be developed in rabbit husbandries. Also, there is a difference in regulations in Europe for laboratory rabbits vs. rabbits bred and kept for meat production. While there are regulations concerning floor design of enclosures for rabbits bred for meat production in many European countries, the European Directive 2010/63 lacks regulations for rabbits used for scientific purposes. This study compares two floors, which meet the Austrian legal requirements for growing rabbits intended for consumption as well as the requirements for laboratory rabbits. The dual use of rabbits bred for meat production and applicable for scientific purposes would avoid the problem of surplus animals of specialized producers for laboratory rabbits. A noryl floor with 12 mm circular holes was compared to a 10 mm slatted plastic floor. Parameters were soiling of cages and animals, parasitic burden, clinical health, and losses using objective scoring. Soiling of cages and animals and coccidial oocytes were significantly higher on the floors with circular holes. Obvious signs of disease showed a non-significant trend to be more frequent in the group with circular holes. This was linked with significantly higher losses. In conclusion, our study clearly shows that the floor with circular hole design cannot be endorsed, although it meets legal requirements. The slatted floor type can be cautiously recommended; however, to assure animal welfare in laboratory rabbits, legal authorities in Europe should take on the responsibility of regulating floor design in this sector.

In situ fabrication of ultrathin porous alumina and its application for nanopatterning Au nanocrystals on the surface of ion-sensitive field-effect transistors.

In situ fabrication in a single step of thin films of alumina exhibiting a thickness of less than 100 nm and nanopores with a highly regular diameter distribution in order to pattern nanostructures over field-effect devices is a critical issue and has not previously been demonstrated. Here we report the fabrication in situ of 50 nm thick ultrathin nanoporous alumina membranes with a regular pore size directly over metal-free gate ion-sensitive field-effect transistors. Depositing thin films of aluminum by an electron beam at a relatively low rate of deposition on top of chips containing the transistors and using a conventional single-step anodization process permits the production of a well-adhering nanoporous ultrathin layer of alumina on the surface of the devices. The anodization process does not substantially affect the electrical properties of the transistors. The small thickness and pore size of ultrathin alumina membranes allow them to be sequentially employed as masks for patterning Au nanocrystals grown by an electroless approach directly on the top of the transistors. The patterning process using a wet chemical approach enables the size of the patterned crystals to be controlled not only by the dimensions of the pores of alumina, but also by the concentration of the reactants employed. Surface modification of these nanocrystals with alkanethiol molecules demonstrates that the electrostatic charge of the functional groups of the molecules can modulate the electrical characteristics of the transistors. These results represent substantial progress towards the development of novel nanostructured arrays on top of field-effect devices that can be applied for chemical sensing or non-volatile memories.

Quantitative atom column position analysis at the incommensurate interfaces of a (PbS)(1.14)NbS(2) misfit layered compound with aberration-corrected HRTEM.

Aberration-corrected HRTEM is applied to explore the potential of NCSI contrast imaging to quantitatively analyse the complex atomic structure of misfit layered compounds and their incommensurate interfaces. Using the (PbS)(1.14)NbS(2) misfit layered compound as a model system it is shown that atom column position analyses at the incommensurate interfaces can be performed with precisions reaching a statistical accuracy of ±6pm. The procedure adopted for these studies compares experimental images taken from compound regions free of defects and interface modulations with a structure model derived from XRD experiments and with multi-slice image simulations for the corresponding NCSI contrast conditions used. The high precision achievable in such experiments is confirmed by a detailed quantitative analysis of the atom column positions at the incommensurate interfaces, proving a tetragonal distortion of the monochalcogenide sublattice.

Advantages of aberration correction for HRTEM investigation of complex layer compounds.

Aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) has been applied to resolve the atomic structure of a complex layered crystal, (PbS)(1.14)NbS(2), which comprises a high density of incommensurate interfaces. The strong suppression of image delocalization and the favourable contrast transfer under negative C(s) imaging (NCSI) conditions have been exploited for obtaining HRTEM images which directly reveal the projected crystal structure and allow to study lattice imperfections, like stacking disorder and layer undulations, with atomic scale resolution. The advantages of aberration-corrected HRTEM over conventional HRTEM are demonstrated by direct comparison of experimental images and computer simulations.

Spherical aberration correction in tandem with exit-plane wave function reconstruction: interlocking tools for the atomic scale imaging of lattice defects in GaAs.

With the availability of resolution boosting and delocalization minimizing techniques, for example, spherical aberration correction and exit-plane wave function reconstruction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy is drawing to a breakthrough with respect to the atomic-scale imaging of common semiconductor materials. In the present study, we apply a combination of these two state-of-the-art techniques to investigate lattice defects in GaAs-based heterostructures at atomic resolution. Focusing on the direct imaging of stacking faults as well as the core structure of edge and partial dislocations, the practical capabilities of both techniques are illustrated. For the first time, we apply the technique of bright-atom contrast imaging at negative spherical aberration together with an appropriate overfocus setting for the investigation of lattice defects in a semiconductor material. For these purposes, the elastic displacements associated with lattice defects in GaAs viewed along the 110 zone axis are measured from experimental images using reciprocal space strain map algorithms. Moreover, we demonstrate the benefits of the retrieval of the exit-plane wave function not only for the elimination of residual imaging artefacts but also for the proper on-line alignment of specimens during operation of the electron microscope--a basic prerequisite to obtain a fair agreement between simulated images and experimental micrographs.

Quantitative transmission electron microscopy analysis of the pressure of helium-filled cracks in implanted silicon.

The pressure of crack-shaped cavities formed in silicon upon implantation with helium and subsequent annealing is quantitatively determined from the measurement of diffraction contrast features visible in transmission electron micrographs taken under well-defined dynamical two-beam conditions. For this purpose, simulated images, based on the elastic displacements associated with a Griffith crack, are matched to experimental micrographs, thus yielding unambiguous quantitative data on the ratio p of the cavity pressure to the silicon matrix shear modulus. Experimental results demonstrate cavity radii of some 10 nm and p values up to 0.22, which may be regarded as sufficiently high for the emission of dislocation loops from the cracks.

Direct compositional analysis of AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures by the reciprocal space segmentation of high-resolution micrographs.

A detailed description of a combined reciprocal and real space technique for the mapping of layer compositions across interior interfaces from high-resolution electron micrographs is presented. The analysis is based on the reciprocal space extraction of chemically sensitive image information encoded in lattice images of AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures taken under optimized imaging conditions. Analysis procedures include centering a set of apertures around chemically sensitive reflections in the Fourier transform of lattice images and performing an inverse transformation, thus extracting composition related information from experimental micrographs. It is demonstrated that this approach is characterized by the same spatial resolution as real space techniques but by improved capabilities with respect to analysing images characterized by a minor signal-to-noise ratio. For illustration purposes the stability of AlAs/GaAs multiple quantum wells grown under low-temperature conditions against thermal treatment as expressed by interfacial roughness parameters is investigated.

High-resolution imaging with an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope.

Recently an electromagnetic hexapole system for the correction of the spherical aberration of the objective lens of a 200 kV transmission electron microscope has been constructed by Haider and coworkers. By appropriately exciting the hexapole elements it is possible to adjust specific values of the spherical aberration coefficient ranging from the value of the original uncorrected instrument over zero even to negative values. In the first part of the paper the consequences of the tunable spherical aberration are investigated. New imaging modes are available: By adjustment of an optimum value for the spherical-aberration coefficient, the point resolution of phase-contrast imaging can be extended to the information limit. Phase-contrast imaging can be improved by a reduced level of contrast delocalisation. For zero aberration contrast delocalisation does not occur. In this case high-resolution investigations are carried out under amplitude-contrast conditions, where the local image intensity of crystalline objects is controlled by electron diffraction channelling. The defocus and spherical aberration values related to the new imaging modes are given. In the second part novel applications of the instrument to semiconductor heterostructures and ceramic grain boundaries are examined.

[Iliopsoas impingement after cementless total hip arthroplasty. Case reports]. / Iliopsoaskontaktphänomen nach zementfreier Hüfttotalendoprothese. Eine Fallbeschreibung.

Postoperative pain after total hip arthroplasty can be caused by several conditions. We describe two cases of postoperative persistent iliopsoas impingement after cementless implantation of the acetabular component. The groin pain was relieved after revision with a more anteverted acetabular component. We describe the diagnostic methods as well as the principles of the revision.

Resection interposition arthroplasty of the shoulder affected by inflammatory arthritis.

To determine the therapeutic value of resection-interposition arthroplasty (RIAP) of shoulders in rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthritis, 53 patients were reviewed clinically and radiographically after a mean follow-up period of 8.2 +/- 4.3 years (3.5 to 17.5 years). The Constant Score averaged 42.33 +/- 16.2 (12 to 76). Patients with a follow-up period of more than 10 years performed significantly worse than those with shorter follow-up periods. In most cases, radiographs showed a progressive medial displacement and loss of size of the humeral head as well as a decrease of the joint space with time. Abduction proved to be highly dependent on the degree of medial displacement of the humeral head, whereas the Constant Scores correlated with the width of the joint space. Despite initially acceptable postoperative results, outcome at longer follow-up periods worsened as the result of wear of the glenoidal cartilage and osseous resorption of the humeral head, resulting in a progressive medialization of the center of rotation.

Recurring synovitis as a possible reason for aseptic loosening of knee endoprostheses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

We evaluated histologically samples of synovial tissue from the knees of 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The samples were taken during revision for aseptic loosening. The findings were compared with those in 64 knees with osteoarthritis (OA) and aseptic loosening and in 18 knees with RA without loosening. The last group had been revised because of failure of the inlay or the coupling system of a constrained prosthesis. All the patients had had a total ventral synovectomy before implantation of the primary prosthesis. In all three groups a foreign-body reaction and lymphocellular infiltration were seen in more than 80% of the tissue samples. Deposits of fibrin were observed in about one-third to one-half of the knees in all groups. Typical signs of the reactivation of RA such as rheumatoid necrosis and/or proliferation of synovial stromal cells were found in 26% of knees with RA and loosening, but not in those with OA and loosening and in those with RA without loosening. Our findings show that reactivation of rheumatoid synovitis occurs after total knee replacement and may be a cofactor in aseptic loosening in patients with RA.

Quantitative HRTEM analysis of semiconductor quantum dots

Elastic strains and layer compositions of semiconductor quantum dots are quantified by the measurement of lattice fringe spacings from high-resolution micrographs. Analyses of simulated images, taking thin-specimen relaxation into account by application of finite element simulations, demonstrate that the local slopes of these strain profiles may contain severe artefacts mainly caused by local crystal tilts. Nevertheless, average strain values may be measured with sufficient accuracy and can be used to obtain an estimate on average layer compositions by application of the continuum theory of elasticity when analysing experimental micrographs. Focusing on In(x)Ga1-xAs/GaAs and Ge(x)Si1-x/Si heterostructures, it is demonstrated that elastic strains of nanoscale coherent islands are severely decreased due to an elastic relaxation mechanism compared to fully strained two-dimensional layers. The analysis of self-assembled quantum dots and two-dimensional wetting layers buried by capping layers gives clear evidence for a substantial reduction of the lattice strains compared to the values expected for the nominal layer stoichiometries. This observation originates most presumably from a compositional intermixing during epitaxial growth.

Impact of column bending in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy on the strain evaluation of GaAs/InAs/GaAs heterostructures

The accuracy of strain profiles obtained by a quantitative analysis of lattice fringe spacings from high-resolution micrographs is discussed. Focusing on highly lattice mismatched GaAs/InAs/GaAs heterostructures the local strain distribution of the layers is calculated by finite element simulations to determine the atom positions in elastically relaxed transmission electron microscopy specimens. By analysing simulated images a significant decoupling between the layer structure and the contrast pattern motifs is found for relevant imaging conditions, which may result in an incorrect determination of strain profiles and layer compositions when examining experimental micrographs.

[Violence in the school--imported or self-produced?]. / Gewalt in der Schule--importiert oder selbstproduziert?

The empirical results of the Bielefeld Research Project "Violence in Schools" provide information about the kind and frequency of violent behaviors of pupils, about a possible increase in the level of violence in German schools since the 1970s and about relevant risk factors inside and outside of the school which influence the number of violent acts committed by pupils. The identification of specific conditions in different areas of socialization makes it possible to determine to what degree violence is imported into the school from outside or is produced from within. On the basis of these findings, recommendations are made for the prevention of violence in schools.

[The femoropatellar endoprosthesis--still of value today?]. / Die Femoropatellarendoprothese--in der heutigen Zeit sinnvoll?

PURPOSE: Aim of this study was the examination of clinical middle- and long-term results of total femoropatellar endoprostheses type Lubinus (Link, Germany). METHOD: From 1983 to 1996 12 patients (15 joints) underwent total femoropatellar joint replacement (type Lubinus, Link, Hamburg). All of them have been controlled 7.2 +/- 2.6 years (2 to 12 years) after surgery. The indication was primary osteoarthritis in 6, chondrocalcinosis in 2 and rheumatoid arthritis in 7 cases. In addition to the femoropatellar implants femorotibial endoprostheses have been used in 10 knees: 2 unicondylar medial, 1 unicondylar lateral and 7 bicondylar unicompartimental ones. RESULTS: According to a modified Hungerford knee rating scale 8 knees resulted excellent, 2 fair and 4 poor. One knee was excluded after revision surgery due to a loosened tibial component of a medial unicompartimental knee arthroplasty. The 4 poor outcomes resulted from femoropatellar replacements in chondrocalcinosis (2 cases), rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, (one case each), affecting the femorotibial joint as well. CONCLUSIONS: In those cases of simultaneous femorotibial joint affection--even if this is merely slight and beginning and if the femoropatellar complaints are actually clearly dominating--the sole femoropatellar surface replacement seems to be contraindicated according to our experiences. Providing correct and strict indications this endoprosthesis can be recommended for sole femoropatellar osteoarthritis especially since loosening of endoprosthetic components was not been found in this study.

Surgery of the rheumatoid forefoot with special reference to the plantar approach.

The key to the understanding of rheumatoid forefoot deformities is the predominant joint involvement of the tibial side of the hindfoot, of the fibular tarsometatarsal joints, and the destruction especially of the metatarsal heads. Independent of these patterns, the predominant sources of pain and impaired function, and thus of surgical remedies, remains the metatarsophalangeal joints. The authors prefer forefoot arthroplasty consisting of a judicious resection of the metatarsal heads, plantar capsulorraphy, tenolysis and rerouting of the tendons, through a dorsomedial approach to the great toe basal joint, and through a transverse plantar approach with dermodesis (plastic resection of a plantar wedge of skin and subcutaneous tissue) for the lesser toes. This method yields excellent pain relief that does not deteriorate for at least 15 years. However, 1/2 of the nearly complete postoperative correction was lost again within 10 years, and barefoot walking again became more difficult. Reviewing the literature, one cannot detect a clearcut superiority of plantar versus dorsal approaches, nor of one surgical routine versus another.