This research investigates the use of scale-space theory to detect individual trees in orchards from very-high resolution (VHR) satellite images. Trees are characterized by blobs, for example, bell-shaped surfaces. Their modeling requires the identification of local maxima in Gaussian scale space, whereas location of the maxima in the scale direction provides information about the tree size. A two-step procedure relates the detected blobs to tree objects in the field. First, a Gaussian blob model identifies tree crowns in Gaussian scale space. Second, an improved tree crown model modifies this model in the scale direction. The procedures are tested on the following three representative cases an area with vitellaria trees in Mali, an orchard with walnut trees in Iran, and one case with oil palm trees in Indonesia. The results show that the refined Gaussian blob model improves upon the traditional Gaussian blob model by effectively discriminating between false and correct detections and accurately identifying size and position of trees. A comparison with existing methods shows an improvement of 10-20% in true positive detections. We conclude that the presented two-step modeling procedure of tree crowns using Gaussian scale space is useful to automatically detect individual trees from VHR satellite images for at least three representative cases.This publication presents an assessment of the influence of a surface treatment such as shot-peening on the fatigue life of a compressor blade exposed to resonant vibrations. As part of the work, a geometric model of the blade was developed, and a numerical modal and fatigue analysis were performed. The fatigue analysis was based on the Manson-Coffin-Basquin and Ramberg-Osgood models. Additionally, the location of the highest equivalent stresses was established. Based on the results of the strength analysis, two points were identified where a fatigue crack may potentially occur. selleck chemical As part of the work, the influence of different values of residual stresses on the results of the fatigue life was determined. The obtained results were compared to the literature values of fatigue life for this blade. A secondary objective of the study was to determine the size of the grains at various points of the blade, as well as the thickness of the layer plasticized as a result of peening. The relationship between the location of the highest values of the equivalent stresses and the thickness of the plasticized layer was determined. An explanation of the effect of shot-peening on the increase in the fatigue life of the blade was proposed.Ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) and aztreonam-avibactam (AZT-AVI) are novel antibiotic combinations active against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate their in vitro activities and inoculum effects in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), including carbapenemase-producing (CP)-CRE and non-CP-CRE. A total of 81 independent clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were collected. CAZ-AVI and AZT-AVI minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were evaluated by broth microdilution using standard and high inocula. The inoculum effect was defined as an ≥8-fold increase in MIC with high inoculum. Phenotypic determination of β-lactam resistance mechanism and PCR for carbapenemase genes were performed. Of the 81 CRE isolates, 35 (43%) were CP-CRE. Overall, 73% of the isolates were susceptible to CAZ-AVI, and 95% had low AZT-AVI MICs (≤8 µg/mL). The MIC50/MIC90s of CAZ-AVI and AZT-AVI were 4/≥512 µg/mL and 0.5/4 µg/mL, respectively. CAZ-AVI was more active against non-CP-CRE than against CP-CRE (susceptibility 80% vs. 63%, p = 0.08; MIC50/MIC90, 2/16 μg/mL vs. 4/≥512 μg/mL), whereas AZT-AVI was more active against CP-CRE (MIC50/MIC90, 0.25/1 μg/mL vs. 0.5/8 μg/mL). All four isolates with high AZT-AVI MIC (≥16 μg/mL) were resistant to CAZ-AVI, but only 18% (4/22) of CAZ-AVI-resistant isolates had high AZT-AVI MIC. The rates of the inoculum effect for CAZ-AVI and AZT-AVI were 18% and 47%, respectively (p less then 0.001). Interestingly, the frequency of the AZT-AVI inoculum effect was higher in K. pneumoniae than E. coli (64% vs. 8%, p less then 0.001). AZT-AVI is more active against CRE than CAZ-AVI, even in CP-CRE and CAZ-AVI-resistant isolates. The presence of a substantial inoculum effect may contribute to clinical failure in high-inoculum infections treated with AZT-AVI.Bioactive glass (BG) represents a promising biomaterial for bone healing; here injectable BG pastes biological properties were improved by the addition of gelatin or chitosan, as well as mechanical resistance was enhanced by adding 10 or 20 wt% 3-Glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) cross-linker. Composite pastes exhibited bioactivity as apatite formation was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) after 14 days immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF); moreover, polymers did not enhance degradability as weight loss was >10% after 30 days in physiological conditions. BG-gelatin-20 wt% GPTMS composites demonstrated the highest compressive strength (4.8 ± 0.5 MPa) in comparison with the bulk control paste made of 100% BG in water (1.9 ± 0.1 MPa). Cytocompatibility was demonstrated towards human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), osteoblasts progenitors, and endothelial cells. The presence of 20 wt% GPTMS conferred antibacterial properties thus inhibiting the joint pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis infection. Finally, hMSC osteogenesis was successfully supported in a 3D model as demonstrated by alkaline phosphatase release and osteogenic genes expression. Spinal infections represent a therapeutic challenge. The often protracted course of the disease is accompanied by pain, which can lead to a chronic pain experience even after the infectious disease has been treated successfully. The aim of this study was to investigate possible risk factors of pain chronification. In a prospective study, 14 patients with spinal infections were examined at admission (T1), at discharge from inpatient therapy (T2), and three to eight months postoperatively (T3) byquestionnaires on risk factors for pain chronification and by quantitative sensory testing (QST). In-patient treatment lasted on average 45.3 days (±33.13). The patients complained of pain for 3.43 months (±2.77) prior to inpatient treatment. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain (0-10) and the Oswestry Disability Index detected significant improvement in the course of the study. However, patients also reported catastrophic thinking, as well as fear of movement and (re)-injury. In summary, our results demonstrate that patients with spinal infections did not suffer from pain chronification, but might benefit from an interdisciplinary therapeutic approach, which emphasizes promoting active pain-coping strategies, as well as addressing fear of movement and catastrophic thinking.