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Harmful effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on cognitive and behavioural features of humans and rodents have been controversially discussed and raised persistent concern about adverse effects of EMF on general brain functions. In the present study we applied radio-frequency (RF) signals of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) to full brain exposed male Wistar rats in order to elaborate putative influences on stress hormone release (corticosteron; CORT and adrenocorticotropic hormone; ACTH) and on hippocampal derived synaptic long-term plasticity (LTP) and depression (LTD) as electrophysiological hallmarks for memory storage and memory consolidation. Exposure was computer controlled providing blind conditions. Nominal brain-averaged specific absorption rates (SAR) as a measure of applied mass-related dissipated RF power were 0, 2, and 10 W/kg over a period of 120 min. Comparison of cage exposed animals revealed, regardless of EMF exposure, significantly increased CORT and ACTH levels which corresponded with generally decreased field potential slopes and amplitudes in hippocampal LTP and LTD. Animals following SAR exposure of 2 W/kg (averaged over the whole brain of 2.3 g tissue mass) did not differ from the sham-exposed group in LTP and LTD experiments. In contrast, a significant reduction in LTP and LTD was observed at the high power rate of SAR (10 W/kg). The results demonstrate that a rate of 2 W/kg displays no adverse impact on LTP and LTD, while 10 W/kg leads to significant effects on the electrophysiological parameters, which can be clearly distinguished from the stress derived background. Our findings suggest that UMTS exposure with SAR in the range of 2 W/kg is not harmful to critical markers for memory storage and memory consolidation, however, an influence of UMTS at high energy absorption rates (10 W/kg) cannot be excluded.
As the field strength and, therefore, the operational frequency in MRI is increased, the wavelength approaches the size of the human head/body, resulting in wave effects, which cause signal decreases and dropouts. Several multichannel approaches have been proposed to try to tackle these problems, including RF shimming, where each element in an array is driven by its own amplifier and modulated with a certain (constant) amplitude and phase relative to the other elements, and Transmit SENSE, where spatially tailored RF pulses are used. In this article, a relatively inexpensive and easy to use imaging scheme for 7 Tesla imaging is proposed to mitigate signal voids due to B1 field inhomogeneity. Two time-interleaved images are acquired using a different excitation mode for each. By forming virtual receive elements, both images are reconstructed together using GRAPPA to achieve a more homogeneous image, with only small SNR and SAR penalty in head and body imaging at 7 Tesla.
Purpose
To calculate local specific absorption rate (SAR) correctly, both the amplitude and phase of the signal in each transmit channel have to be known. In this work, we propose a method to derive a conservative upper bound for the local SAR, with a reasonable safety margin without knowledge of the transmit phases of the channels.
Methods
The proposed method uses virtual observation points (VOPs). Correction factors are calculated for each set of VOPs that prevent underestimation of local SAR when the VOPs are applied with the correct amplitudes but fixed phases.
Results
The proposed method proved to be superior to the worst-case calculation based on the maximum eigenvalue of the VOPs. The mean overestimation for six coil setups could be reduced, whereas no underestimation of the maximum local SAR occurred. In the best investigated case, the overestimation could be reduced from a factor of 3.3 to a factor of 1.7.
Conclusion
The upper bound for the local SAR calculated with the proposed method allows a fast estimation of the local SAR based on power measurements in the transmit channels and facilitates SAR monitoring in systems that do not have the capability to monitor transmit phases
Objective
In local SAR compression algorithms, the overestimation is generally not linearly dependent on actual local SAR. This can lead to large relative overestimation at low actual SAR values, unnecessarily constraining transmit array performance.
Method
Two strategies are proposed to reduce maximum relative overestimation for a given number of VOPs. The first strategy uses an overestimation matrix that roughly approximates actual local SAR; the second strategy uses a small set of pre-calculated VOPs as the overestimation term for the compression.
Result
Comparison with a previous method shows that for a given maximum relative overestimation the number of VOPs can be reduced by around 20% at the cost of a higher absolute overestimation at high actual local SAR values.
Conclusion
The proposed strategies outperform a previously published strategy and can improve the SAR compression where maximum relative overestimation constrains the performance of parallel transmission.
Purpose:
At 1.5 T, real-time MRI of joint movement has been shown to be feasible. However, 7 T, provides higher SNR and thus an improved potential for parallel imaging acceleration. The purpose of this work was to build an open, U-shaped eight-channel transmit/receive microstrip coil for 7 T MRI to enable high-resolution and real-time imaging of the moving ankle joint.
Methods:
A U-shaped eight-channel transmit/receive array for the human ankle was built.urn:x-wiley:00942405:mp3399:equation:mp3399-math-0001-parameters and urn:x-wiley:00942405:mp3399:equation:mp3399-math-0002-factor were measured. SAR calculations of different ankle postures were performed to ensure patient safety. Inhomogeneities in the transmit field consequent to the open design were compensated for by the use of static RF shimming. High-resolution and real-time imaging was performed in human volunteers.
Results:
The presented array showed good performance with regard to patient comfort and image quality. High acceleration factors of up to 4 are feasible without visible acceleration artifacts. Reasonable image homogeneity was achieved with RF shimming.
Conclusions:
Open, noncylindrical designs for transmit/receive coils are practical at 7 T and real-time imaging of the moving joint is feasible with the presented coil design.
s the magnetic field strength and therefore the operational frequency in MRI are increased, the radiofrequency wavelength approaches the size of the human head/body, resulting in wave effects which cause signal decreases and dropouts. Especially, whole-body imaging at 7 T and higher is therefore challenging. Recently, an acquisition scheme called time-interleaved acquisition of modes has been proposed to tackle the inhomogeneity problems in high-field MRI. The basic premise is to excite two (or more) different Burn:x-wiley:07403194:media:MRM23081:tex2gif-stack-1 modes using static radiofrequency shimming in an interleaved acquisition, where the complementary radiofrequency patterns of the two modes can be exploited to improve overall signal homogeneity. In this work, the impact of time-interleaved acquisition of mode on image contrast as well as on time-averaged specific absorption rate is addressed in detail. Time-interleaved acquisition of mode is superior in Burn:x-wiley:07403194:media:MRM23081:tex2gif-stack-2 homogeneity compared with conventional radiofrequency shimming while being highly specific absorption rate efficient. Time-interleaved acquisition of modes can enable almost homogeneous high-field imaging throughout the entire field of view in PD, T2, and T2*-weighted imaging and, if a specified homogeneity criterion is met, in T1-weighted imaging as well.
In this field study we present an approach for the comprehensive and room-specific assessment of
parameters with the overall aim to realize energy-efficient provision of hygienically harmless and
thermally comfortable indoor environmental quality in naturally ventilated non-residential
buildings. The approach is based on (i) conformity assessment of room design parameters, (ii)
empirical determination of theoretically expected occupant-specific supply air flow rates and
corresponding air exchange rates, (iii) experimental determination of real occupant-specific
supply air flow rates and corresponding air exchange rates, (iv) measurement of indoor environmental
exposure conditions of T, RH, cCO2 , cPM2.5 and cTVOC, and (v) determination of real
energy demands for the prevailing ventilation scheme. Underlying assessment criteria comprise
the indoor environmental parameters of category II of EN 16798-1: Temperature T = 20 ◦C–24 ◦C,
and relative humidity RH = 25 %–60 % as well as the guide values of the German Federal
Environment Agency for cCO2 cPM2.5 and cTVOC of 1000 ppm, 15 μg m⁻³, and 1 mg m ⁻³,
respectively.
Investigation objects are six naturally ventilated classrooms of a German secondary school.
Major factors influencing indoor environmental quality in these classrooms are the specific room
volume per occupant and the window opening area. It is concluded that the rigorous implementation
of ventilation recommendations laid down by the German Federal Environment
Agency is ineffective with respect to anticipated indoor environmental parameters and inefficient
with respect to ventilation energy losses on the order of about 10 kWh m⁻² a ⁻¹ to 30 kWh m⁻²
a ⁻¹.
The application of mathematical optimization methods for water supply system design and operation provides the capacity to increase the energy efficiency and to lower the investment costs considerably. We present a system approach for the optimal design and operation of pumping systems in real-world high-rise buildings that is based on the usage of mixed-integer nonlinear and mixed-integer linear modeling approaches. In addition, we consider different booster station topologies, i.e. parallel and series-parallel central booster stations as well as decentral booster stations. To confirm the validity of the underlying optimization models with real-world system behavior, we additionally present validation results based on experiments conducted on a modularly constructed pumping test rig. Within the models we consider layout and control decisions for different load scenarios, leading to a Deterministic Equivalent of a two-stage stochastic optimization program. We use a piecewise linearization as well as a piecewise relaxation of the pumps’ characteristics to derive mixed-integer linear models. Besides the solution with off-the-shelf solvers, we present a problem specific exact solving algorithm to improve the computation time. Focusing on the efficient exploration of the solution space, we divide the problem into smaller subproblems, which partly can be cut off in the solution process. Furthermore, we discuss the performance and applicability of the solution approaches for real buildings and analyze the technical aspects of the solutions from an engineer’s point of view, keeping in mind the economically important trade-off between investment and operation costs.
Germanistik [Lexikoneintrag]
(1998)
Wie national ist die Germanistik? Die Scheu der Literaturwissenschaft vor der eigenen Vergangenheit
(1993)
Frauen und Revolution: Der weibliche Anteil an der Geschichte. Christa Wolf und das Ende der DDR
(1991)
Das Ich ist eine Illusion
(1990)
Meine besten Rezepte
(2008)
Objective
The purpose of this study is to (i) design a small and mobile Magnetic field ALert SEnsor (MALSE), (ii) to carefully evaluate its sensors to their consistency of activation/deactivation and sensitivity to magnetic fields, and (iii) to demonstrate the applicability of MALSE in 1.5 T, 3.0 T and 7.0 T MR fringe field environments.
Methods
MALSE comprises a set of reed sensors, which activate in response to their exposure to a magnetic field. The activation/deactivation of reed sensors was examined by moving them in/out of the fringe field generated by 7TMR.
Results
The consistency with which individual reed sensors would activate at the same field strength was found to be 100% for the setup used. All of the reed switches investigated required a substantial drop in ambient magnetic field strength before they deactivated.
Conclusions
MALSE is a simple concept for alerting MRI staff to a ferromagnetic object being brought into fringe magnetic fields which exceeds MALSEs activation magnetic field. MALSE can easily be attached to ferromagnetic objects within the vicinity of a scanner, thus creating a barrier for hazardous situations induced by ferromagnetic parts which should not enter the vicinity of an MR-system to occur.
Purpose
To demonstrate that high quality T₂-weighted (T2w) turbo spin-echo (TSE) imaging of the complete prostate can be achieved routinely and within safety limits at 7 T, using an external transceive body array coil only.
Methods
Nine healthy volunteers and 12 prostate cancer patients were scanned on a 7 T whole-body system. Preparation consisted of B₀ and radiofrequency shimming and localized flip angle calibration. T₁ and T₂ relaxation times were measured and used to define the T2w-TSE protocol. T2w imaging was performed using a TSE sequence (pulse repetition time/echo time 3000–3640/71 ms) with prolonged excitation and refocusing pulses to reduce specific absorption rate.
Results
High quality T2w TSE imaging was performed in less than 2 min in all subjects. Tumors of patients with gold-standard tumor localization (MR-guided biopsy or prostatectomy) were well visualized on 7 T imaging (n = 3). The number of consecutive slices achievable within a 10-g averaged specific absorption rate limit of 10 W/kg was ≥28 in all subjects, sufficient for full prostate coverage with 3-mm slices in at least one direction.
Conclusion
High quality T2w TSE prostate imaging can be performed routinely and within specific absorption rate limits at 7 T with an external transceive body array.
Jürgen Lohr, Jahrgang 1962, beschäftigt mit Softwareentwicklung im Projekt "Interaktive Multimedia" bei Telekom AG, Entwicklungszentrum Berlin. Zuerst erschienen in: Telekom-Praxis Ausgabe 1996. Inhaltsverzeichnis: 1. Einleitung 1.1 Einführung 1.2 Neue Dienste und Anwendungen 2 Modell zur Verteilung und Architektur 3 Technologien 3.1 Netzwerk 3.2 Computertechniken 3.3. Aufgaben der Server 4 Geplanter Einsatz der Pilotprojekte 4.1 Pilote der Telekom 4.2 Show-Case Berlin 5 Verwendete Server-Architektur 5.1 Berlin - SEL/Alcatel 5.2 Hanburg - Philips 5.3. Köln/Bonn - Digital, FUBA und Nokia 5.4 Nürnberg - Oracle, nCube und Sequent 5.5 Stuttgart - SEL/Alcatel, Hewlett Packard und Bosch 6 Zukünftige Aspekte 6.1 DVB 6.2 DAVIC 6.3 weitere Aspekte 7 Zusammenfassung 8 Schrifttum 9 verwendete Abkürzungen
zuerst erschienen in Telekom-Praxis Ausgabe 1997. Von Jürgen Lohr, Jahrgang 1962, beschäftigt mit Softwareentwicklung im Projekt "Interaktive Multimedia" bei der Deutschen Telekom AG, Entwicklungszentrum Berlin. 26 S. Der Beitrag befaßt sich mit dem Thema der universellen Kommunikationsplattform für neue, interaktive, multimediale Dienste und Anwendungen. Ausgehend von den Diensten wird ein Referenzmodell für offene Kommunikation und die Kommunikationsplattform kurz vorgestellt. Desweiteren wird die XAPI mit den Grundbegriffen, den Phasen der Kommunikation und dem Status Modell dargelegt. Ebenfalls werden die realisierten Service Provider erläutert. Abschließend werden zukünftige Vorhaben aus den Standardisierungsprojekten ITU und DAVIC sowie weitere Realisierungen aufgezeigt.
Zuerst erschienen in Telekom-Praxis Ausgabe 2000. 24 S. Innovative multimediale Dienste werden durch die Globalisierung und Konvergenz der Märkte, als auch durch Provider-Strategien ausgerichtet. Grundlegende Innovationsfelder sind: Globaler Zugang, Navigation und Intelligenter Inhalt. Die MPEG-Standards - im besonderen MPEG-4 und MPEG-7 - helfen, die oben genannten Forderungen zu erfüllen. Weiterhin ermöglichen sie auch für die Provider und den Kunden eine Zukunftssicherheit zu geben und einen zeitlichen Bestand für innovative Produkte zu sichern. Die Aufwärtkompabilität der MPEG-Standards ermöglicht die Vermeidung von Überschneidung und die Erschließung neuer Dimensionen.
In: Unterrichtsblätter / Deutsche Telekom AG. 53. 2000. 7. S. 326-340. (15 S. ) Die Multimedia-Dienste erhalten durch die Datenreduktion bei der Kompressionstechnologie eine Wirtschaftlichkeit, die den breiteren Einsatz von breitbandigen Diensten erlaubt. Die Dienste benötigen für die verschiedenen Medien nicht mehr so große Übertragungs- und Speicherleistungen. Bei den entwickelten Verfahren, den so genannten MPEG-(Motion Picture Experts Group-)Standards, werden die Video- und Tonsignale in die digitale Ebene überführt und anschließend unrelevante Signalanteile entfernt. Der daraus resultierende Datenstrom benötigt weniger Bandbreite bei der Übertragung zum Endkunden. Die MPEG-Organisation wurde bereits im Jahre 1988 ins Leben gerufen und ist ein gemeinsames Gremium der beiden Organisationen ISO (International Standard Organization) und IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), welches sich mit der Standardisierung von Kodier- und Kompressionsverfahren für die digitalen Bild-, Video und Audioformate befasst. Mittlerweile sind vier wichtige Standards mit MPEG-1, MPEG-2 und MPEG-4 verabschiedet worden sowie mit MPEG-7 in Vorbereitung. Da die Grundlagen zu MPEG-1, -2 und -Audio bereits in anderen Beiträgen behandelt wurden, werden hier ausschließlich die neuen bzw. aktuellen MPEG-Standards vorgestellt.
In: Unterrichtsblätter / Deutsche Telekom AG. 54. 2001. 7. S. 410-420 (11 S. ) Angesichts der zunehmenden Globalisierung von Informationen und Informationsdiensten können Inhalte (Contents) für mehrere unterschiedliche Dienste genutzt und auf verschiedenen Endgeräten ausgegeben werden. Hier setzt ein Content-Management-System (CMS) an, welches sowohl für die Kunden als auch für die Anbieter der unterschiedlich distribuierten Dienste Synergien und somit Einsparpotenziale bietet. Darüber hinaus werden für die Anbieter dieser Dienste durch die allgemeine Definition von Leistungstools und die Definition von Wertschöpfungsketten künftige Produktentwicklungen vereinheitlicht und optimiert werden. Mit der Entwicklung und Vertriebsfreigabe immer weiterer Informationsdienste, die von verschiedenen Dienste-Providern betrieben werden, ist der Bedarf an einer Koordinierung der Entwicklungen und Investitionen im Bereich der Content-Akquisition und des Content-Management (CM) bedeutend angestiegen. Neben Akquisition, lizenzrechtlichen Fragen und Verwaltung des im Rahmen von Diensten angebotenen Content rücken vor allem auch Fragen der Gestaltung von Content-Management-Plattformen (CMP) immer stärker in den Blickpunkt. Der Beitrag stellt die globalen Ergebnisse dar, die in einem Forschungs- und Entwicklungsauftrag des Zentralbereichs Innovationsmanagement der Deutschen Telekom zu diesem Thema ermittelt wurden. Es werden die Kernmodule für eine Content- Management-Plattform beschrieben, die die Anforderungen an die Bereitstellung vielfältiger Content-Angebote erfüllt. Die folgenden Themen werden behandelt: + Begriffsbestimmung, + Content- und Dienste-Portfolio, + Standard Content-Prozess, + synergetische Content-Plattform (sCP), + Modelle der sCP, + Aspekte beim Betrieb und + Nutzen eines Content-Management.
In: Unterrichtsblätter / Deutsche Telekom AG. 53. 2000. 11. S. 618-634 (17 S.) Wo man hinblickt: Turbulenzen, Unvorhersagbarkeiten, Unregelmäßigkeiten – kurz Chaos. Ist unsere wissenschaftliche Sichtweise falsch, alle Vorgänge des Kosmos auf die Basis der Ordnung abzubilden? – Nein. Mit Chaos ist nicht Fehlen jeglicher Ordnung und völlig regelloses Durcheinander gemeint, sondern – auf Grund der Vernetztheit der vielen Elemente, die miteinander eine Wechselwirkung haben – die Unberechenbarkeit der Naturprozesse. Die Chaostheorie erlaubt durch die Modellierung weit auseinander liegende Problemfelder miteinander zu verknüpfen, um dann in einem Modell die Zusammenhänge erkennbar zu machen. Mit Hilfe der Chaostheorie werden gesellschaftliche Prozesse abgebildet und dann mit einer Simulation neue, globale Strategien erstellt, um kritische Systempunkte (Systemelemente) zu erkennen. Der nachfolgende Beitrag beschreibt die Modellierung am Beispiel der Multimedia-Dienste und gibt mit einem umfassenden Glossar eine Einführung in die Begrifflichkeiten der Chaostheorie. Die Chaostheorie ist die mathematisch-physikalische Theorie zur Beschreibung von Systemen, die zwar durch Gesetzmäßigkeiten determiniert sind, bei denen aber kleine Änderungen der Anfangsbedingungen ein exponentielles Anwachsen von Störungen bewirken. Das Verhalten derartiger Systeme führt zur Ausbildung chaotischer Strukturen und ist langfristig nicht vorhersagbar. Die Chaostheorie ist beispielsweise in der nichtlinearen Optik, bei chemischen Reaktionen und der Wettervorhersage anwendbar.
Es wird von Gleichungen ausgegangen, mit denen die Modellkoeffizienten von Regelstrecken mit Ausgleich aus der gemessenen Sprungantwort ermittelt werden können. Die Übertragungsfunktion der Regelstrecke hat einen konstanten Zähler und ein Nennerpolynom. Unter der Annahme, daß die ideale und exakte Sprungantwort des Systems durch ein stochastisches Signal gestört wird, wird untersucht, wie die Fehler der ermittelten Modellkoeffizienten von Kennwerten des Störsignals und von der Meßzeit für die Sprungantwort abhängen. Durch eine Simulation auf dem Digitalrechner wurden die Ergebnisse kontrolliert. Es zeigt sich, daß durch eine Filterung der gestörten Sprungantwort über einen Tiefpaß keine Verbesserung der Analyseergebnisse erreicht werden kann, da das Identifizierungsverfahren eine glättende Eigenschaft hat.
Für viele Zwecke ist es nützlich, von einem technischen System ein mathematisches Modell zu haben. Für Systeme, die sich durch eine Verzögerung höherer Ordnung mit oder ohne Ausgleich beschreiben lassen, wird ein Identifizierungsverfahren vorgestellt, das aus gemessenen Zeitfunktionen die Bestimmung einer Übertragungsfunktion ermöglicht. Die Systeme werden dabei durch Testsignale erregt. Die Modellkoeffizienten werden dann mit Hilfe eines Integrationsverfahrens aus dem Testsignal und der Antwort des Systems auf dieses Testsignal bestimmt. Ein praktisches Beispiel zeigt die Leistungsfähigkeit des Verfahrens.
The transition within transportation towards battery electric vehicles can lead to a more sustainable future. To account for the development goal ‘climate action’ stated by the United Nations, it is mandatory, within the conceptual design phase, to derive energy-efficient system designs. One barrier is the uncertainty of the driving behaviour within the usage phase. This uncertainty is often addressed by using a stochastic synthesis process to derive representative driving cycles and by using cycle-based optimization. To deal with this uncertainty, a new approach based on a stochastic optimization program is presented. This leads to an optimization model that is solved with an exact solver. It is compared to a system design approach based on driving cycles and a genetic algorithm solver. Both approaches are applied to find efficient electric powertrains with fixed-speed and multi-speed transmissions. Hence, the similarities, differences and respective advantages of each optimization procedure are discussed.
Ground or aerial robots equipped with advanced sensing technologies, such as three-dimensional laser scanners and advanced mapping algorithms, are deemed useful as a supporting technology for first responders. A great deal of excellent research in the field exists, but practical applications at real disaster sites are scarce. Many projects concentrate on equipping robots with advanced capabilities, such as autonomous exploration or object manipulation. In spite of this, realistic application areas for such robots are limited to teleoperated reconnaissance or search. In this paper, we investigate how well state-of-the-art and off-the-shelf components and algorithms are suited for reconnaissance in current disaster-relief scenarios. The basic idea is to make use of some of the most common sensors and deploy some widely used algorithms in a disaster situation, and to evaluate how well the components work for these scenarios. We acquired the sensor data from two field experiments, one from a disaster-relief operation in a motorway tunnel, and one from a mapping experiment in a partly closed down motorway tunnel. Based on these data, which we make publicly available, we evaluate state-of-the-art and off-the-shelf mapping approaches. In our analysis, we integrate opinions and replies from first responders as well as from some algorithm developers on the usefulness of the data and the limitations of the deployed approaches, respectively. We discuss the lessons we learned during the two missions. These lessons are interesting for the community working in similar areas of urban search and rescue, particularly reconnaissance and search.
Die Verbindung der Welten dressierter Elektronen und grenzenloser Kreativität bietet ein großes Potential; zum Beispiel bei modernen Skulpturen, deren Form sich durch Motoren verändern kann. An der FH Aachen wurde ein solches Projekt verwirklicht: Eine Matrix aus Holzkugeln kann Piktogramme anzeigen, aber auch mathematische Funktionen visualisieren. In diesem Artikel beschreiben wir die clevere Ansteuerung der Motoren.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of phosphorus (³¹P) spectra of the human prostate and to investigate changes of individual phospholipid metabolites in prostate cancer through in vivo ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) at 7 T.
Materials and Methods
In this institutional review board–approved study, 15 patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer underwent T₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and 3-dimensional ³¹P MRSI at 7 T. Voxels were selected at the tumor location, in normal-appearing peripheral zone tissue, normal-appearing transition zone tissue, and in the base of the prostate close to the seminal vesicles. Phosphorus metabolite ratios were determined and compared between tissue types.
Results
Signals of phosphoethanolamine (PE) and phosphocholine (PC) were present and well resolved in most ³¹P spectra in the prostate. Glycerophosphocholine signals were observable in 43% of the voxels in malignant tissue, but in only 10% of the voxels in normal-appearing tissue away from the seminal vesicles. In many spectra, independent of tissue type, 2 peaks resonated in the chemical shift range of inorganic phosphate, possibly representing 2 separate pH compartments. The PC/PE ratio in the seminal vesicles was highly elevated compared with the prostate in 5 patients. A considerable overlap of ³¹P metabolite ratios was found between prostate cancer and normal-appearing prostate tissue, preventing direct discrimination of these tissues. The only 2 patients with high Gleason scores tumors (≥4+5) presented with high PC and glycerophosphocholine levels in their cancer lesions.
Conclusions
Phosphorus MRSI at 7 T shows distinct features of phospholipid metabolites in the prostate gland and its surrounding structures. In this exploratory study, no differences in ³¹P metabolite ratios were observed between prostate cancer and normal-appearing prostate tissue possibly because of the partial volume effects of small tumor foci in large MRSI voxels.
Purpose
To assess the feasibility of prostate ¹H MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) using low-power spectral-spatial (SPSP) pulses at 7T, exploiting accurate spectral selection and spatial selectivity simultaneously.
Methods
A double spin-echo sequence was equipped with SPSP refocusing pulses with a spectral selectivity of 1 ppm. Three-dimensional prostate ¹H-MRSI at 7T was performed with the SPSP-MRSI sequence using an 8-channel transmit array coil and an endorectal receive coil in three patients with prostate cancer and in one healthy subject. No additional water or lipid suppression pulses were used.
Results
Prostate ¹H-MRSI could be obtained well within specific absorption rate (SAR) limits in a clinically feasible time (10 min). Next to the common citrate signals, the prostate spectra exhibited high spermine signals concealing creatine and sometimes also choline. Residual lipid signals were observed at the edges of the prostate because of limitations in spectral and spatial selectivity.
Conclusion
It is possible to perform prostate ¹H-MRSI at 7T with a SPSP-MRSI sequence while using separate transmit and receive coils. This low-SAR MRSI concept provides the opportunity to increase spatial resolution of MRSI within reasonable scan times.
To train end users how to interact with digital systems is indispensable to ensure a strong computer security. 'Competence Developing Game'-based approaches are particularly suitable for this purpose because of their motivation-and simulation-aspects. In this paper the Competence Developing Game 'GHOST' for cybersecurity awareness trainings and its underlying patterns are described. Accordingly, requirements for an 'Competence Developing Game' based training are discussed. Based on these requirements it is shown how a game can fulfill these requirements. A supplementary game interaction design and a corresponding evaluation study is shown. The combination of training requirements and interaction design is used to create a 'Competence Developing Game'-based training concept. A part of these concept is implemented into a playable prototype that serves around one hour of play respectively training time. This prototype is used to perform an evaluation of the game and training aspects of the awareness training. Thereby, the quality of the game aspect and the effectiveness of the training aspect are shown.
Die NATO definiert den Cyberspace als die "Umgebung, die durch physische und nicht-physische Bestandteile zum Speichern, Ändern, und Austauschen von Daten mit Hilfe von Computer-Netzwerken" [NATO CCDCOE]. Darüber hinaus ist es ein Medium menschlicher Interaktion. IT Angriffe sind feindselige, nichtkooperative Interaktionen, die mittels Konflikttheorie beschrieben werden können. Durch die Anwendung dieses Gedankengebäudes auf IT Sicherheit von Organisationen können eine Reihe von Verbesserungen in Unternehmen identifiziert werden.
Through a mirror darkly – On the obscurity of teaching goals in game-based learning in IT security
(2021)
Teachers and instructors use very specific language communicating teaching goals. The most widely used frameworks of common reference are the Bloom’s Taxonomy and the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. The latter provides distinction of 209 different teaching goals which are connected to methods. In Competence Developing Games (CDGs - serious games to convey knowledge) and in IT security education, a two- or three level typology exists, reducing possible learning outcomes to awareness, training, and education. This study explores whether this much simpler framework succeeds in achieving the same range of learning outcomes. Method wise a keyword analysis was conducted. The results were threefold: 1. The words used to describe teaching goals in CDGs on IT security education do not reflect the whole range of learning outcomes. 2. The word choice is nevertheless different from common language, indicating an intentional use of language. 3. IT security CDGs use different sets of terms to describe learning outcomes, depending on whether they are awareness, training, or education games. The interpretation of the findings is that the reduction to just three types of CDGs reduces the capacity to communicate and think about learning outcomes and consequently reduces the outcomes that are intentionally achieved.
Cyberspace is "the environment formed by physical and non-physical components to store, modify, and exchange data using computer networks" (NATO CCDCOE). Beyond that, it is an environment where people interact. IT attacks are hostile, non-cooperative interactions that can be described with conflict theory. Applying conflict theory to IT security leads to different objectives for end-user education, requiring different formats like agency-based competence developing games.