Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individualisierung von Benutzerschnittstellen mit Hilfe von Datenchips f?r Personalisierungsinforma

Unser Alltag wird immer mehr durch den Umgang mit Computern und Terminals bestimmt. Dabei handelt es nicht nur um die vertrauten, privat oder beruflich genutzten Geräte, sondern in zunehmendem Maße um öffentlich zugängliche Terminals in Flughäfen, Bahnhöfen und Banken, sowie um PCs auf Messen, Kongressen, in Cafés oder bei Geschäftspartnern. Die Verschiedenartigkeit der anzutreffenden Benutzungsoberflächen stellt dabei selbst erfahrene Benutzer zuweilen vor Probleme. Weniger versierte Benutzer, ältere und behinderte Menschen sehen sich nur allzuoft mit kaum lösbaren Problemen konfrontiert. Die Meidung von Terminals und Computern durch diese Benutzergruppen führt jedoch zu Informationsdefiziten und beeinträchtigt die Fähigkeit zu einer selbstbestimmten Teilnahme am gesellschaftlichen Leben.
Quelques contributions des invariants projectifs à la vision par ordinateur

L'un des objectifs de la vision par ordinateur est la restitution des caracteristiques tridimensionnelles d'objets a partir d'une ou plusieurs images de ces objets, soit pour determiner leur forme et leur position, soit pour les identifier. Les methodes classiques de positionnement s'appuient sur l'etalonnage prealable des cameras, technique delicate et parfois inutilisable, comme dans le cas de cameras mobiles. Nous montrons comment l'utilisation des proprietes de la geometrie projective permet d'eviter un etalonnage explicite et aboutit a un positionnement relatif des objets observes. Des experimentations sur des scenes reelles contenant des objets polyedriques simples permettent de valider la methode et d'evaluer la precision du positionnement obtenu. La multiplication des techniques utilisant les invariants projectifs, tant pour le positionnement que pour la reconnaissance, nous a ensuite conduit a etudier la stabilite de ces derniers en presence de bruit dans les images. Une etude theorique nous permet de proposer une mesure de similarite entre invariants projectifs, ainsi que des moyens pour identifier et filtrer les valeurs instables. Nous considerons ensuite differentes caracterisations des ensembles de cinq points coplanaires par des invariants projectifs et nous comparons leurs performances dans le cadre d'un processus de reconnaissance sur des donnees simulees et bruitees.
Recent developments in the systemic therapy of advanced gastroesophageal malignancies

Cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract are a common cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. The prognosis for patients with these cancers remains poor and only a minority of patients are cured. Systemic therapy has been used to treat patients with advanced disease but outcomes have not improved dramatically in the past few decades. Newer, more effective agents are desperately needed, and agents such as the taxanes (docetaxel and paclitaxel), irinotecan, oxaliplatin and capecitabine have recently shown some promise. In addition, molecularly targeted, non-cytotoxic therapies are being evaluated with the hope of improving the available therapeutic options. This article reviews the current clinical data regarding systemic therapy for patients with advanced upper gastrointestinal malignancies.
Rejection of bone marrow cell allografts by natural killer cell subsets: 5E6+ cell specificity for Hh‐1 determinant 2 shared by H‐2d and H‐2f

The 5E6 antigen, defined by anti‐5E6 mAb, is expressed on one‐half of murine natural killer (NK) cells, and we have previously demonstrated (C. L. Sentman et al., J. Exp. Med. 1989. 170: 1991) that 5E6+ NK cells are necessary for the rejection of BALB/c (Hh‐1d) but not C567BL/6 (Hh‐1b) bone marrow cells (BMC). In experiments described here, we have characterized the specificity of 5E6+ and 5E6− NK cell subsets for hemopoietic histocompatibility‐1 (Hh‐1) antigens. Prospective recipient mice were treated with anti‐5E6 mAb and challenged with BMC from a variety of donors. In addition, H‐2d/Hh‐1d C.B‐17 scid 5E6+ or 5E6− NK cells were adoptively transferred into irradiated, NK cell‐depleted hosts and challenged with H‐2b/Hh‐1b BMC. The data indicate that the 5E6+ NK cells are necessary for the rejection of only those BMC that express the Hh‐1 determinant 2 shared by H‐2d and H‐2f haplotypes of strains BALB/c (d), A.Ca (f), and B10.M (f). No reactivity to other Hh‐1 antigens resides in the 5E6+ population. In contrast, the ability of NK cells to lyse H‐2d or H‐2b tumor cells was independent of 5E6 expression. These results suggest that the 5E6 molecule is likely to be important in the specific recognition and rejection of BMC that express Hh‐1 determinant 2, and is probably not involved in recognition of „tumor target cell structures”︁.
Use of Authorities Open Data in the ARROW Rights Infrastructure

The ARROW rights infrastructure provides the means to support mass digitisation projects by finding automated ways to clear the rights situation of books to be digitised. ARROW provides seamless interoperability across a distributed network of national data sources, which contain essential information for determining the rights status of works, including national bibliographies from national libraries, books-in-print databases, and rights-holders databases. This paper presents how open data about authors, from the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) is being used in ARROW to support the data interoperability across ARROW data sources, and how it is being used for the outputs of the rights clearance process.
Information and Statistical Structure in Spike Trains

One of the most challenging and fascinating problems in science is deciphering how neural systems encode information. Mathematical models are critical in any effort to determine how neural systems represent and transmit information. Such mathematical approaches span a wide range, which may be divided approximately into two kinds of research activities. The first kind of activity uses detailed biophysical models (e.g., Hodgkin–Huxley and its variants) of individual neurons, detailed biophysical models of networks of neurons, or artificial neural network models to study emergent behaviors of neural systems. The second kind of activity develops signal-processing algorithms to analyze the ever-growing volumes of data collected in neuroscience experiments. In an ideal scientific investigation there is a direct link between experiments and theoretical modeling. The theoretical models make predictions that can be used to guide experiments; the experiments provide data that allow for refinement (or rejection) of theoretical models. The growing complexity of neuroscience experiments makes use of appropriate data analysis methods crucial for establishing how reliably specific system properties can be identified from experimental measurements. Thus, careful data analysis is an essential complement to theoretical modeling. It allows validation of theoretical model predictions and provides biologically relevant constraints and parameter values for further analytic and simulation studies (see figure 1).
Age-associated Decrease of Type IIA/B Human Skeletal Muscle Fibers

Elderly individuals often fall because of poor muscle strength and reduced balancing ability related to muscle aging. However, it is unclear whether changes in muscle fiber types contribute to poor strength or imbalance. We studied age- associated changes in human skeletal muscle fibers using muscle biopsy specimens taken from 65 male and female Chinese patients aged 17-96 years. The muscle specimens were cryosectioned with alkaline triphosphatase staining at pH 4.4, followed by image analysis. We analyzed morphologic observations and performed quantitative analyses of the number, size, and area percentage of different types of skeletal muscle fibers and connective tissues. Types IIA and IIB muscle fibers decreased with age in the area percentage, fiber number percentage, and mean fiber area, whereas Type I fibers increased in area and number but not in size. Morphologically, Type II fibers appeared smaller and flatter. Our findings suggest deterioration in muscle quality and balancing coordination in elderly patients. We provide data to help determine treatments for reversing muscle fiber changes and reducing the number of falls and related fractures in patients.
Early Growth Response 1 Acts as a Tumor Suppressor In vivo and In vitro via Regulation of p 53

The early growth response 1 (Egr1) gene is a transcription factor that acts as both a tumor suppressor and a tumor promoter. Egr1-null mouse embryo fibroblasts bypass replicative senescence and exhibit a loss of DNA damage response and an apparent immortal growth, suggesting loss of p53 functions. Stringent expression analysis revealed 266 transcripts with >2-fold differential expression in Egr1-null mouse embryo fibroblasts, including 143 known genes. Of the 143 genes, program-assisted searching revealed 66 informative genes linked to Egr1. All 66 genes could be placed on a single regulatory network consisting of three branch points of known Egr1 target genes: TGFb1, IL6 , and IGFI . Moreover, 19 additional genes that are known targets of p53 were identified, indicating that p53 is a fourth branch point. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay as well as chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed that p53 is a direct target of Egr1. Because deficient p53 expression causes tumors in mice, we tested the role of Egr1 in a two-step skin carcinogenesis study (144 mice) that revealed a uniformly accelerated development of skin tumors in Egr1-null mice (P < 0.005). These studies reveal a new role for Egr1 as an in vivo tumor suppressor. (Cancer Res 2005; 65(12): 5133-43)
The Transparent Representation of Medical Decision Structures Based on the Example of Breast Cancer Treatment

Choosing the appropriate treatment for patients have a direct influence on each patient`s future. A doctor´s expertise, the patient´s preferences, and the current medical research have a highly influence on the choice of the treatment. Doctors shall be aware of their own decision patterns, the most influenced factors and the relevant literature by choosing the optimal patients treatments. By considering quality management and certifications, transparent representations of internal processes with simple decision-making notes are required. In support of the hypothesis, a decision analysis was conducted based on the S3 guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow up care of breast cancer. A notation is required, which combines the process modeling and the representation of (medical) decisions.
Coupled resonator induced transparency leading to plasmonic nanosensing with high detection efficiency

We have proposed a plasmonic nanosensor comprising of metal-dielectric-metal subwavelength waveguide coupled to nanocavities. The nanosensor provides excellent sensitivity and higher Figure of Merit compared to other recently reported cavity based plasmonic waveguide systems. The high sensitivity results from direct coupling between the nanocavities leading to coupled resonator induced transparency which is similar to the electromagnetically induced transparency commonly seen in quantum plasmonic systems.
Relative inactivation of faecal indicator bacteria and sewage markers in freshwater and seawater microcosms

In this study, the relative inactivation of faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) namely Escherichia coli, enterococci and sewage markers [Bacteroides HF183 and human adenoviruses (HAVs)] was assessed in sewage‐spiked freshwater and seawater microcosms under ambient subtropical climatic conditions. The numbers of declining FIB were measured with culture‐based methods, whereas the numbers of sewage markers were measured with qPCR assays. The T90 inactivation times of E. coli, enterococci and the HF183 markers in both freshwater and seawater microcosms were <3·5 days, suggesting the suitability of the HF183 marker to identify recent sewage pollution events. The T90 value of HAVs (9·4–13 days), however, was significantly higher than FIB and the HF183 marker in both freshwater (P < 0·001) and seawater (P < 0·05) microcosms. Therefore, we recommend that HAVs should be used as an additional marker to adequately assess the potential health risks associated with longer‐term sewage‐polluted environmental waters.
Strategic asset management framework for the improvement of large scale PV power plants in Australia

The stringent environmental regulations and higher energy demands due to increasing population are main concerns for the energy industries. In order to comply with the environmental regulations and also to improve the energy supply of large scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants are developing rapidly as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels. Management of large scale PV power plants has become a challenging issue mainly due to the absence of less structured strategic asset management framework. This paper has addressed to this gap and proposed a well-structured strategic asset management framework for large scale PV power plants. The study have also pointed out that due to lack of clear policies and without having a specific framework for PV or solar assets, Australia is lagging behind in the production of solar energy than Europe and Asian countries despite having highest solar radiation per kilometer square. The proposed framework will provide a basis for understanding the current status of individual solar farms and the way forward to improve the asset management capabilities.
Increasing Coverage of Information Diffusion Processes by Reducing the Number of Initial Seeds

Initialization of information spreading processes within complex networks is usually based on selection of initial nodes as a seed set. While most methods are choosing seeds in a single stage, another possible option is a partial budget usage in the first stage and spending the remaining budget while the process develops. In this paper we analyze how the ratio of seeds used in the primary and supporting stages affects the performance in terms of number of activated nodes and its duration. We have used real networks and agent based simulations with various parameters including different propagation probabilities, nodes selection strategies and number of seeds. Results show that coverage can be improved by minimizing the number of seeds used in primary seeding and increasing it in supporting seeding. Delaying the use of supporting seeds better supports natural diffusion processes and avoids selection of seeds with high potential to be activated anyway.
Technological problems in forming Si waveguide lamellar diffraction gratings and 2D photonic crystals by plasma and wet etching of Si

A fabrication process (plasma and wet etching of Si, lift off technology) is developed for polycrystalline Si strip-like waveguides (220 nm thick), waveguide lamellar diffraction grating and 2D photonic crystal structures tuned to an electromagnetic wave with the wavelength 1.5 μm. The photonic crystals are composed of either Si pillars or pores in a Si waveguide which is situated on the surface of a SiO2 (1 μm thick)/Si-wafer substrate. The measured attenuation coefficient of the polycrystalline Si waveguide is estimated to be 0.17 dB/mm at a wavelength of 1.5 μm.
Biliary glycoprotein, a potential human cell adhesion molecule, is down-regulated in colorectal carcinomas.

Biliary glycoprotein (BGP) is the human homologue of a cell adhesion molecule (CAM) of the rat designated Cell-CAM. The BGP gene is a member of the carcinoembryonic antigen gene family, which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. BGP is expressed in cells of epithelial and myeloid origin. In granulocytes, BGP is a main antigen of the CD66 cluster of differentiation antigens that mediate the binding to endothelial E-selectin. Since BGP is a major human CAM, the expression of BGP was studied in 21 colorectal carcinoma tissue specimens and in the respective adjacent normal mucosae. As an internal control for epithelial mRNA, the expression of cytokeratin 18 was evaluated in parallel. In addition, the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen and nonspecific crossreacting antigen, which are highly homologous to BGP, was investigated. Two BGP mRNAs of 3.9 and 1.5 kilobases were detected in the normal colonic mucosa samples. The median of the tumor-to-normal ratios of mRNA expression was 0.2 for both BGP mRNAs. In contrast, the median was 1.2 for cytokeratin, 1.0 for carcinoembryonic antigen, and 1.4 for nonspecific crossreacting antigen. Relative to cytokeratin 18 expression, the expression of BGP was reduced to < or = 0.1 in half of the tumors and to < or = 0.4 in > 80% of the tumors. These findings indicate that the loss or reduced expression of the adhesion molecule BGP is a major event in colorectal carcinogenesis.
Serum matrix metalloproteinase-8 is associated with ulceration and vascular invasion of malignant melanoma

Serological markers of malignant melanoma have failed to provide prognostic significance in patients who are tumour-free after surgery. Immune response regulation is important regarding progression and therapeutic interventions of malignant melanoma. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 is one of the collagenases involved in the regulation of tissue remodelling and immune response, being incompletely studied in melanoma as yet. We assessed whether serum MMP-8 is of prognostic value in malignant melanoma. We studied serum samples of 117 patients, of which 63 were stage I, 13 stage II, 12 stage III and 29 stage IV. The mean serum MMP-8 levels (47.5 ng/ml) did not significantly correlate with patient or tumour characteristics, that is, patient sex, age, tumour Clark's or Breslow's classification, sentinel lymph node status or to survival. Importantly, high serum MMP-8 levels were significantly related to presence of vascular invasion (P=0.001) in primary tumour, tumour ulceration (P=0.003) and tumour bleeding (P=0.033). Tendency to increased serum MMP-8 levels in patients with coronary heart disease or type II diabetes mellitus was detected. These data imply that high serum MMP-8 level is associated with earlier recognized histopathology markers of melanoma progression. Results also suggest that elevated serum MMP-8 might be related to haematogenous spreading of melanoma through vascular invasion.
Urinary Intestinal Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Can Distinguish Necrotizing Enterocolitis from Sepsis in Early Stage of the Disease

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is severe disease of gastrointestinal tract, yet its early symptoms are nonspecific, easily interchangeable with sepsis. Therefore, reliable biomarkers for early diagnostics are needed in clinical practice. Here, we analyzed if markers of gut mucosa damage, caspase cleaved cytokeratin 18 (ccCK18) and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), could be used for differential diagnostics of NEC at early stage of disease. We collected paired serum (at enrollment and week later) and urine (collected for two days in 6 h intervals) samples from 42 patients with suspected NEC. These patients were later divided into NEC (n = 24), including 13 after gastrointestinal surgery, and sepsis (n = 18) groups using standard criteria. Healthy infants (n = 12), without any previous gut surgery, served as controls. Both biomarkers were measured by a commercial ELISA assay. There were no statistically significant differences in serum ccCK18 between NEC and sepsis but NEC patients had significantly higher levels of serum and urinary I-FABP than either sepsis patients or healthy infants. Urinary I-FABP has high sensitivity (81%) and specificity (100%) and can even distinguish NEC from sepsis in patients after surgery. Urinary I-FABP can be used to distinguish NEC from neonatal sepsis, including postoperative one, better than abdominal X-ray.
Improvements on Seeding Based Protein Sequence Similarity Search

The primary goal of bioinformatics is to increase an understanding in the biology of organisms. Computational, statistical, and mathematical theories and techniques have been developed on formal and practical problems that assist to achieve this primary goal. For the past three decades, the primary application of bioinformatics has been biological data analysis. The DNA or protein sequence similarity search is perhaps the most common, yet vitally important task for analyzing biological data. The sequence similarity search is a process of finding optimal sequence alignments. On the theoretical level, the problem of sequence similarity search is complex. On the applicational level, the sequences similarity search onto a biological database has been one of the most basic tasks today. Using traditional quadratic time complexity solutions becomes a challenge due to the size of the database. Seeding (or filtration) based approaches, which trade sensitivity for speed, are a popular choice among those available. Two main phases usually exist in a seeding based approach. The first phase is referred to as the hit generation, and the second phase is referred to as the hit extension. In this thesis, two improvements on the seeding based protein sequence similarity search are presented. First, for the hit generation, a new seeding idea, namely spaced k-mer neighbors, is presented. We present our effective algorithms to find a good set of spaced k-mer neighbors. Secondly, for the hit generation, a new method, namely HexFilter, is proposed to reduce the number of hit extensions while achieving better selectivity. We show our HexFilters with optimized configurations.
Beneficial changes in energy expenditure and lipid profile after eccentric exercise in overweight and lean women

The aim was to compare lean and overweight females in regard to the effects of eccentric exercise on muscle damage indices, resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) as well as blood lipid and lipoprotein profile. Lean and overweight females (deviated by their body mass index) performed an eccentric exercise session. Muscle damage, energy cost and lipid profile were assessed pre‐exercise and up to 72 h post‐exercise. After eccentric exercise (i) muscle damage indices were affected more in the overweight subjects compared with the lean subjects; (ii) the elevation of absolute and relative REE was larger and more prolonged in the overweight group compared with the lean group; (iii) after 24 h, RQ had significantly declined, with the overweight subjects exhibiting a larger reduction compared with the lean group; and (iv) the blood lipid profile was favorably modified, with the overweight group exhibiting more favorable responses compared with the lean group. The differences between the lean and the overweight subjects may be partly due to the fact that overweight individuals experienced greater muscle damage than lean individuals. Eccentric exercise may be a promising lifestyle factor to combat obesity and dyslipidemias.