Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaktionstechniken zur Korrektur medizinischer 3D-Segmentierungen

Kurzfassung. In dieser Arbeit werden vier neuartige Ansätze zur interaktiven Korrektur medizinischer 3D-Segmentierungen vorgestellt. Das Hauptziel besteht dabei darin, einen intuitiven sowie zeitsparenden Korrekturvorgang zu ermöglichen. Anstatt die segmentierten Objektkonturen in jeder einzelnen Schicht der tomographischen Datensätze voneinander getrennt zu bearbeiten, wird die Korrektur von uns als direkte Manipulation dreidimensionaler polygonaler Oberflächenmodelle interpretiert. Die vorgestellten Verfahren sind inspiriert von aktuellen Arbeiten zur benutzerfreundlichen Polygonmodellierung.
A molecular marker for chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria.

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, a protozoan parasite of the blood, is responsible for up to 2.7 million deaths yearly, mainly in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Worldwide there are over 300 million new cases of malaria per year. Given the lack of a suitable vaccine, the main ways to reduce morbidity and mortality are the use of insecticide-impregnated netting around the bed and chemoprophylaxis for specific groups at increased risk, such as nonimmune travelers to an area where malaria is endemic, pregnant women,1 and children with sickle cell anemia. However, in many areas the effectiveness of treatment and of efforts .
Fall Risk Factors in Parkinson's Disease

&NA; Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, gait disturbance, and postural instability. Patients with PD suffer frequent falls, yet little research has been done to identify risks specific to PD patients. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with falls for PD patients through the collection of demographic, environmental, and medical information as well as fall diaries completed during a 3‐month period. Patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic PD, with and without falls, were included in the study provided they could stand and walk and had no other condition that could predispose them to falls. Of the 118 participants, 59% reported one or more falls. A total of 237 falls were reported. Duration and severity of PD symptoms, particularly freezing, involuntary movements, and walking and postural difficulties, were significantly associated with an increased risk of falls. Other factors associated with falls were postural hypotension and daily intake of alcohol. Forty percent of falls resulted in injury, but serious injury was rare. The findings have implications for reducing the risk of falls through patient education.
Zur Motivation beim naturwissenschaftlichen computerunterstützten Experimentieren

Kurzfassung Fur Schulerinnen und Schuler scheint die wissenschaftliche Fragestellung, die durch ein Experiment beantwortet werden soll, von untergeordneter Bedeutung zu sein. Die Motivation [1] zum Experimentieren resultiert vermutlich eher aus der Herausforderung, das Experiment erfolgreich durchzufuhren damit ist das Experiment hauptsachlich ein „Selbsttest” und weniger eine „Frage an die Natur“ [2]. Im Rahmen der hier vorgestellten Studie wollen wir diese Vermutung, die sich im Rahmen einer vorangehenden Untersuchung ergeben hat, uberprufen. Auch Computerspiele stellen eine beliebte Art des „sich selbst Testens” dar. Deshalb wollen wir erganzend untersuchen, wie es sich auf die Motivation der Probandinnen und Probanden auswirkt, wenn Anleitungen zu naturwissenschaftlichen Experimenten ahnlichen Prinzipien gehorchen wie Anleitungen zu Computerspielen. In diesem Artikel werden die Ergebnisse der im Februar 2011 durchgefuhrten Pilotstudie vorgestellt.
Immunotherapeutic approaches in triple-negative breast cancer: latest research and clinical prospects

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), as defined by the absence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression, is a challenging disease with the poorest prognosis of all breast cancer subtypes. Importantly, there are currently no known molecular targets for this subgroup of patients. Recent advances in genomics and gene expression profiling have shed new light on the molecule heterogeneity of TNBC. We present an overview of the scientific evidence suggesting that clinical outcome in TNBC is affected by tumor-infiltrating immune cells. We also describe tumor-associated antigens recently identified in TNBC. Finally, we review the current literature on promising immunotherapies for TNBC, including tumor vaccine approaches, immune-checkpoint inhibitors, antagonists of immunosuppressive molecules and adoptive cell therapies. It is our contention that selected patients with TNBC with lymphocytic tumor infiltrates at diagnosis may benefit from immune-based therapies and that these immunotherapies will be most beneficial in combination with cytotoxic drugs that potentiate adaptive anti-tumor immunity.
Studies on mutual coupling between radiating elements

Dipole antennas and their arrays are widely used in most of the communication applications. The analysis and synthesis of the arrays becomes simple, if the coupling is neglected as in the case of classical array theory. However, in the case of arrays of wire antennas there exists mutual coupling between the adjacent elements of the array. Moreover, the radiation properties of the array with such widely spaced elements are not suitable. This is because the radiation patterns are found to contain multiple beams.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the multidrug resistance gene 1 (ABCB1): effects on its expression and clinicopathological characteristics in breast cancer patients

Objectives Resistance of tumor cells to multiple cytostatic agents is one of the major impediments of successful cancer chemotherapy. A large part of resistance of tumors to chemotherapy is caused by the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein encoded by the ABCB1 gene. The main aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of ABCB1 genotype and phenotype in breast cancer. Methods Six ABCB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined in 90 Czech breast cancer patients by a novel method that allows simultaneous assessment of multiple polymorphisms on a single electronic microarray. Expression levels of ABCB1 were quantified in tumor and nontumor samples of breast cancer patients by real-time PCR. T-test, analysis of variance and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the effect of ABCB1 polymorphisms on ABCB1 expression levels and for the analysis of associations between ABCB1 expression, genotype and clinical and pathological characteristics. Results ABCB1 was expressed in 98.9% of the tumor and in 97.5% of the nontumor samples. ABCB1 was downregulated in 79.5% of tumors compared with the nontumor samples. No significant correlation was observed between ABCB1 mRNA expression levels and clinical and pathological characteristics. High frequencies of the variant alleles in ABCB1 exon 12 (1236C>T, 38.3%) and exon 26 (3435C>T, 54.0%) were observed. Individuals with variant alleles in exons 12 and 26 had significantly lower ABCB1 expression levels in their tumors. SNPs in exons 12 and 26 also correlated with estrogen receptor status of patients. Conclusion ABCB1 SNPs may affect function of P-glycoprotein by influencing the expression level and modify breast cancer prognosis.
Predict the trend of stock prices using machine learning techniques

According to growing importance of the stock market in economic conditions of each country and since, stock prices are the most important factors influencing investment decisions for selecting stock, predicting the stock price movement is an integral part of the investment. This paper presented to forecast the movement of stock prices Tejarat bank of Iran with considerable precision. Accordingly, to predict the trend of stock prices using machine learning techniques and economic indicators have been considered. About 18,000 different indicators are presented, both simple moving average (SMA), weighted moving average (WMA), relative strength indicator (RSI) and moving average convergence divergence (MACD) indicator those are widely used in the stock market of Iran, have been chosen. The output of those is input three classifier, support vector machines, random forests and k-nearest neighbour. The outputs of the three classifier will be compared with each other. The results in this paper show that, respectively, random forest classifier, support vector machine and the knearest neighbours have the best accuracy in categories.
Automatic segmentation of medical images using image registration: diagnostic and simulation applications

Automatic identification of the boundaries of significant structures (segmentation) within a medical image is an area of ongoing research. Various approaches have been proposed but only two methods have achieved widespread use: manual delineation of boundaries and segmentation using intensity values. In this paper we describe an approach based on image registration. A reference image is prepared and segmented, by hand or otherwise. A patient image is registered to the reference image and the mapping then applied to the reference segmentation to map it back to the patient image. In general a high-resolution nonlinear mapping is required to achieve accurate segmentation. This paper describes an algorithm that can efficiently generate such mappings, and outlines the uses of this tool in two relevant applications. An important feature of the approach described in this paper is that the algorithm is independent of the segmentation problem being addressed. All knowledge about the problem at hand is contained in files of reference data. A secondary benefit is that the continuous three-dimensional mapping generated is well suited to the generation of patient-specific numerical models (e.g. finite element meshes) from library models. Smoothness constraints in the morphing algorithm tend to maintain the geometric quality of the reference mesh.
The modeling of turbulent reactive flows based on multiple mapping conditioning

A new modeling approach—multiple mapping conditioning (MMC)—is introduced to treat mixing and reaction in turbulent flows. The model combines the advantages of the probability density function and the conditional moment closure methods and is based on a certain generalization of the mapping closure concept. An equivalent stochastic formulation of the MMC model is given. The validity of the closuring hypothesis of the model is demonstrated by a comparison with direct numerical simulation results for the three-stream mixing problem.
Acute Phase Proteins: Journey of Pivotal Marker in Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a chronic and concealed infection. It has become progressively clearer in recent years that periodontal disease can cause remarkable increase as well as decrease in the levels of markers of systemic inflammation. These markers include chiefly plasma proteins such as acute phase proteins. The acute phase proteins are an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins produced mainly in the liver in response to infection and inflammation. Acute phase proteins are generated in the host by a process called as acute phase reaction which is mediated by cytokines like Interleukin-1, 6, 8 and tumor necrosis factorα. The rise in the plasma concentration of acute phase proteins can assist host defense by aiding recognition of invading microbes, mobilization of leukocytes into the circulation, and increasing blood flow to injured or infected sites. This review reiterates on the structure, synthesis, classification, functions of acute phase proteins and their interrelationship with periodontal disease.
The use of fenofibrate in the management of patients with diabetic retinopathy: an evidence-based review.

BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy is a significant cause of vision impairment, especially affecting those of working age. There are two large, randomised controlled trials examining the effect of fenofibrate on diabetic retinopathy. OBJECTIVE We summarise their findings, and report on the available safety data. DISCUSSION The FIELD study reported that patients treated with fenofibrate had a statistically significant relative risk reduction in the need for laser treatment for maculopathy and proliferative retinopathy. The ACCORD-Eye study reported a statistically significant reduction in diabetic retinopathy progression in patients treated with fenofibrate and statin combination therapy compared to statin therapy alone. There is firm evidence that fenofibrate slows the progression of diabetic retinopathy and the need for more invasive treatment modalities in patients with type 2 diabetes, especially those with pre-existing retinopathy. In October 2013, Australia became the first country in the world to approve the use of this medication for this specific indication.
The type III secretion system of biocontrol Pseudomonas fluorescens KD targets the phytopathogenic Chromista Pythium ultimum and promotes cucumber protection.

The type III secretion system (TTSS) is used by Proteobacteria for pathogenic or symbiotic interaction with plant and animal hosts. Recently, TTSS genes thought to originate from the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae were evidenced in Pseudomonas fluorescens KD, which protects cucumber from the oomycete Pythium ultimum (kingdom Chromista/Stramenopila). However, it is not known whether the TTSS contributes to plant protection by the bacterium and, if so, whether it targets the plant or the phytopathogen. Inactivation of TTSS gene hrcV following the insertion of an omega cassette strongly reduced the biocontrol activity of the pseudomonad against P. ultimum on cucumber when compared with the wild type, but had no effect on its root-colonization ability. Analysis of a plasmid-based transcriptional hrpJ'-inaZ reporter fusion revealed that expression in strain KD of the operon containing hrcV was strongly stimulated in vitro and in situ by the oomycete and not by the plant. In vitro, both strain KD and its hrcV mutant reduced the activity level of the pectinase polygalacturonase (a key pathogenicity factor) from P. ultimum, but the reduction was much stronger with the wild type. Together, these results show that the target range of bacterial TTSS is not restricted to plants and animals but also can include members of Chromista/Stramenopila, and suggest that virulence genes acquired horizontally from phytopathogenic bacteria were functionally recycled in biocontrol saprophytic Pseudomonas spp. , resulting in enhanced plant protection by the latter.
Neuromagnetic responses in silence after musical chord sequences

Neuromagnetic responses in silence after chord sequences ending in three kinds of musical cadences were investigated. The magnetoencephalographic signals of musically trained participants showed clear peaks around the bilateral temporal areas during the period of silence when the cadences were musically premature. Maximum global moment during the silent period was estimated in the auditory cortices. The time course of the source activities revealed two components, first around 80 ms and second around 150 or 200 ms, the latency of which differed depending on the cadence. These auditory cortical activities, particularly the second components, are suggested to reflect the participants' internal generation of a sound image associated with temporal or temporal–spectral expectations induced as a function of musical cadence.
THE CALLUGENIC EFFECTS OF 2 , 4-DICHLOROPHENOXY ACETIC ACID ( 2 , 4-D ) ON LEAF EXPLANTS OF SABAH SNAKE GRASS ( CLINACANTHUS NUTANS )

Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau is a medicinal plant that is widely used in traditional treatments for skin inflammation, skin lesions, viral infection and snake bites. This study investigates the effects of different concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the induction of callus from Clinacanthus nutans leaves. Young and mature leaves of Clinacanthus nutans were placed on MS media supplemented with ten concentrations of 2,4-D (0 to 10mg/L). The percentage of callus formation, callus fresh weight and callus morphology were recorded followed by histological analysis on callus from young leaves and mature leaves. The highest mean of fresh weight of callus was obtained from young leaf explants in MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D whereas the highest mean of callus fresh weight from mature leaf explants was achieved in MS media supplemented with 0.25 mg/L 2,4-D. Histological analysis indicated potential formation of somatic embryos from callus of young leaf explants. This study reports the potential of callus from young leaf explants of Clinacanthus nutans forming somatic embryos and mature leaf explants producing friable callus for the establishment of cell suspension cultures in future bioactive compounds studies.
High isolation RF MEMS SPDT switch for 60 GHz ISM band antenna routing applications

This work presents a two element antenna array using radio frequency microelectromechanical system (RF MEMS) based high isolation single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) switch at 60 GHz ISM band. The device is fabricated on 635 µm alumina substrate using surface micromachining process. SPDT switch features a measured return loss of > 15 dB, insertion loss of < 2.8 dB and isolation of > 24.6 dB over the frequency band of 55–65 GHz. Total area of the SPDT switch is 2.12 mm2. To accomplish beam switching for routing applications, two patch antenna elements are monolithically integrated with the MEMS SPDT switch. Fabricated switched beam antenna exhibits a measured return loss of > 25 dB, and 10 dB impedance bandwidth of 4.2 % at 60 GHz with 66 V of bias voltage. Total area of the device is ∼ 25 mm2.
Telomerase activity and human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression are correlated with clinical aggressiveness in soft tissue tumors

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that extends telomere specific repeats on the ends of chromosomes. Telomerase activity has been detected frequently in various types of human tumors and has been associated with cell immortality and oncogenesis. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), a telomerase catalytic subunit, reportedly regulates telomerase activity. Little is known about telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression in soft tissue tumors. The objective of this study was to clarify the correlation between these two parameters and clinical aggressiveness in soft tissue tumors.
Competencies and Learning for Management Information Systems

Previous research has established that users need competence in both computing and the context of the software. Information systems often fail due to low competence amongst users, and no study is known to provide a systematic account of the user competence needed. This research concerns competence needs amongst prospective users of a computerised management information system where there is no operational computer based IS from which to obtain data. The study shows that three subject matter areas of user competence are needed for people who will use computerised IS -- knowledge on how the domain is represented, work competence, and computer literacy. Work competence is mainly practice based, while the domain related knowledge and computer literacy are based on explicit concepts, grounded in science or technology. User training should therefore start with practice in the case of work competence, while presentation of principles, concepts, and structures would constitute a better starting point when teaching computer literacy and how the domain is represented.
Essential Role for Mitochondrial Thioredoxin Reductase in Hematopoiesis, Heart Development, and Heart Function

ABSTRACT Oxygen radicals regulate many physiological processes, such as signaling, proliferation, and apoptosis, and thus play a pivotal role in pathophysiology and disease development. There are at least two thioredoxin reductase/thioredoxin/peroxiredoxin systems participating in the cellular defense against oxygen radicals. At present, relatively little is known about the contribution of individual enzymes to the redox metabolism in different cell types. To begin to address this question, we generated and characterized mice lacking functional mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase (TrxR2). Ubiquitous Cre-mediated inactivation of TrxR2 is associated with embryonic death at embryonic day 13. TrxR2 TrxR2−/− minus;/TrxR2−/− minus; embryos are smaller and severely anemic and show increased apoptosis in the liver. The size of hematopoietic colonies cultured ex vivo is dramatically reduced. TrxR2-deficient embryonic fibroblasts are highly sensitive to endogenous oxygen radicals when glutathione synthesis is inhibited. Besides the defect in hematopoiesis, the ventricular heart wall of TrxR2 TrxR2−/− minus;/TrxR2−/− minus; embryos is thinned and proliferation of cardiomyocytes is decreased. Cardiac tissue-restricted ablation of TrxR2 results in fatal dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition reminiscent of that in Keshan disease and Friedreich's ataxia. We conclude that TrxR2 plays a pivotal role in both hematopoiesis and heart function.
Measurement of tissue viability using intravital microscopy and fluorescent nuclear dyes.

Intravital microscopy used with fluorescent vital stains provides the opportunity to measure the temporal and spatial extent of tissue injury following disease processes. However, this assumes that prolonged exposure to such dyes does not alter microvascular perfusion or cellular viability. To test this hypothesis, the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle in 24 male Wistar rats, anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (Somnotal, 65 mg/kg, ip), were prepared for microscopy. The EDL was either bathed continuously (n = 6) in Krebs solution containing bisbenzimide (5 micrograms/ml; labels nuclei of all cells) and ethidium bromide (5 micrograms/ml; labels nuclei of injured cells) or had dyes topically applied 1 hr (n = 4) and 4 hr (n = 4) following dissection of the muscle. Noxious stimuli (i.e., hypoxia:FiO2 of 8-10% (n = 3), 95% ethanol (n = 3), and 2 hr ischemia followed by 90 min reperfusion (n = 4) were used to test the ability of ethidium bromide, when used in conjunction with intravital microscopy, to differentiate injured tissue. Video recordings at the surface of the EDL muscle were made every 30 min for 5 hr from which the number of perfused capillaries was counted (NCper). The numbers of bisbenzimide- and ethidium bromide-labeled nuclei were counted at the surface of the muscle and at two to three additional locations within the muscle (to a maximum depth of approximately 120-160 microns). The average NCper (19.05 +/- 1.7) remained constant over 5 hr, while the number of nuclei stained by bisbenzimide increased linearly with time from an initial value of 1218 +/- 125. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)