University of Düsseldorf

About: University of Düsseldorf is a education organization based out in Düsseldorf, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Diabetes mellitus. The organization has 25225 authors who have published 49155 publications receiving 1946434 citations.

Non-Linear Gaussian Filters Performing Edge Preserving Diffusion

Abstract: This paper presents a new diffusion method for edge preserving smoothing of images. In contrast to other methods it is not based on an anisotropic modification of the heat conductance equation, rather on a modification of the way the solution of the heat conductance equation is obtained by convolving the initial data with a Gaussian kernel. Hence the method uses simple non-linear modifications of Gaussian filters, thus avoiding iteration steps and convergence problems. A chain of three to five filters with suitable parameters provides excellent smoothing of fine image details without destroying the coarser structures. The size and contrast of the eliminated details can be selected. The choice of the parameters is not critical and the edges are not displaced when changing the scale. The filter stages can be implemented efficiently on almost any parallel hardware architecture.

MIL-100(Al, Fe) as water adsorbents for heat transformation purposes—a promising application

Abstract: The adsorption/desorption of up to 0.75 g of water vapour per g of the porous MOFs 3D-{M3O(X)(H2O)2[btc]2·nH2O}, MIL-100 (M = Al, Fe; X = OH, F, btc = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate, trimesate), occurs at small relative pressures of p/p0 < 0.4 and a comparatively small hysteresis. Together with very good cycle stability, these properties render both MIL-100(Al and Fe) very suitable candidates for thermally driven heat pumps or adsorption chillers.

European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for monitoring patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in clinical practice and in observational studies

Abstract: Objectives: To develop recommendations for monitoring patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in clinical practice and observational studies and to develop a standardised core set of variables to monitor SLE. Methods: We followed the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) standardised procedures for guideline development. The following techniques were applied: nominal groups, Delphi surveys for prioritisation, small group discussion, systematic literature review and two Delphi rounds to obtain agreement. The panel included rheumatologists, internists, dermatologists, a nephrologist and an expert related to national research agencies. The level of evidence and grading of recommendations were determined according to the Levels of Evidence and Grades of Recommendations of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Results: A total of 10 recommendations have been developed, covering the following aspects: patient assessment, cardiovascular risk factors, other risk factors (osteoporosis, cancer), infection risk (screening, vaccination, monitoring), frequency of assessments, laboratory tests, mucocutaneous involvement, kidney monitoring, neuropsychological manifestations and ophthalmology assessment. A ‘core set’ of minimal variables for the assessment and monitoring of patients with SLE in clinical practice was developed that included some of the recommendations. In addition to the recommendations, indications for specifi c organ assessments that were viewed as part of good clinical practice were discussed and included in the fl ow chart. Conclusions: A set of recommendations for monitoring patients with SLE in routine clinical practice has been developed. The use of a standardised core set to monitor patients with SLE should facilitate clinical practice, as well as the quality control of care for patients with SLE, and the collection and comparison of data in observational studies.