The BMW Group Research and Technology has been testing automated vehicles on Germany's highways since Spring 2011. Since then, thousands of kilometers have been driven on the highways around Munich, Germany. Throughout this project, fundamental technologies, such as environment perception, localization, driving strategy and vehicle control, were developed in order to safely operate prototype automated vehicles in real traffic with speeds up to 130 km/h. The goal of this project was to learn what technologies are necessary for automated driving. This paper presents the architecture and algorithms developed during this project, results from real driving scenarios, the lessons learned throughout the project and a quick introduction into the latest developments for improving the system.

Acute leukemias (both myeloid and lymphoblastic) are a group of diseases for which each year more successful therapies are implemented. However, in a subset of cases the overall survival (OS) is still exceptionally low due to the infiltration of leukemic cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and the subsequent formation of brain tumors. The CNS involvement is more common in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), than in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML), although the rates for the second case might be underestimated. The main reasons for CNS invasion are related to the expression of specific adhesion molecules (VLA-4, ICAM-1, VCAM, L-selectin, PECAM-1, CD18, LFA-1, CD58, CD44, CXCL12) by a subpopulation of leukemic cells, called "sticky cells" which have the ability to interact and adhere to endothelial cells. Moreover, the microenvironment becomes hypoxic and together with secretion of VEGF-A by ALL or AML cells the permeability of vasculature in the bone marrow increases, coupled with the disruption of blood brain barrier. There is a single subpopulation of leukemia cells, called leukemia stem cells (LSCs) that is able to resist in the new microenvironment due to its high adaptability. The LCSs enter into the arachnoid, migrate, and intensively proliferate in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and consequently infiltrate perivascular spaces and brain parenchyma. Moreover, the CNS is an immune privileged site that also protects leukemic cells from chemotherapy. CD56/NCAM is the most important surface molecule often overexpressed by leukemic stem cells that offers them the ability to infiltrate in the CNS. Although

Zusammenfassung Der methodisch orientierte Beitrag stellt ein Verfahren zur Modellierung von Versorgungsbereichen und Erreichbarkeiten von sogenannten Schlaganfallversorgungszentren (Stroke Units) in Deutschland mithilfe von Geographischen Informationssystemen (GIS) vor. Auf der Grundlage von OpenStreetMap-Vektordaten werden routingbasierte Einzugsgebiete der Schlaganfallversorgungszentren ermittelt und mit vektorbasierten Daten zur Demographie auf räumlich disaggregierter Ebene verschnitten. Eine Modellierung zeitlicher Erreichbarkeiten mit Rettungsfahrzeugen resultiert in Isochronen-Kartendarstellungen, welche in der Verschneidung mit hoch aufgelösten demographischen Sachdaten verschiedene Analysemöglichkeiten bieten. Diese werden an einem Fallbeispiel aus Unterfranken aufgezeigt, welches die Potenziale des Verfahrens für die raumbezogene Planung von Schlaganfallversorgungszentren skizzieren soll. Eine Anwendung des Verfahrens auf andere medizinische Einrichtungen oder die Verschneidung mit weiteren themenbezogenen Sachdaten ist möglich.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC), which is most common in elderly women, requires a multidisciplinary and continuous approach to care. With demographic changes, the number of patients with chronic diseases such as BC will increase. This trend will especially hit rural areas, where the majority of the elderly live, in terms of comprehensive health care. METHODS: Accessibility to several cancer facilities in Bavaria, Germany, was analyzed with a geographic information system. Facilities were identified from the national BC guideline and from 31 participants in a proof-of-concept study from the Breast Cancer Care for Patients With Metastatic Disease registry. The timeframe for accessibility was defined as 30 or 60 minutes for all population points. The collection of address information was performed with different sources (eg, a physician registry). Routine data from the German Census 2011 and the population-based Cancer Registry of Bavaria were linked at the district level. RESULTS: Females from urban areas (n = 2,938,991 [ie, total of females living in urban areas]) had a higher chance for predefined accessibility to the majority of analyzed facilities in comparison with females from rural areas (n = 3,385,813 [ie, total number of females living in rural areas]) with an odds ratio (OR) of 9.0 for cancer information counselling, an OR of 17.2 for a university hospital, and an OR of 7.2 for a psycho-oncologist. For (inpatient) rehabilitation centers (OR, 0.2) and genetic counselling (OR, 0.3), women from urban areas had lower odds of accessibility within 30 or 60 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in accessibility between rural and urban areas exist in Bavaria. The identification of underserved areas can help to inform policymakers about disparities in comprehensive health care. Future strategies are needed to deliver high-quality health care to all inhabitants, regardless of residence.