julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Improved tracking and behavior anticipation by combining street map information with Bayesian-filtering
2013-10-01

Estimating and tracking the positions of other vehicles in the environment is important for advanced driver assistant systems (ADAS) and even more so for autonomous driving vehicles. For example, evasive strategies or warnings need accurate and reliable information about the positions and movement directions of the observed traffic participants. Although sensor systems are constantly improving, their data will never be noise-free nor fully reliable, especially in harder weather conditions. Thus, the noisy sensory data should be maximally utilized by pre-processing and information fusion techniques. For this we use a augmented version of our spatial object tracking technique that improves Bayesian-based tracking of other vehicles by incorporating environment information about the street ahead. The algorithm applies attractor-based adjustments of the probabilistic forward predictions in a Bayesian grid filter. In this paper we show that context information - such as lane positions gained from online databases similar to open street map (OSM) - can be effectively be used to flexibly activate the attractors in a real-world setting. Besides the improvements in tracking other vehicles, the resulting algorithm can detect medium-time-scale driving behavior like turning, straight driving and overtaking. The behavior is detected by using a new plausibility estimate: Different behavior alternatives of the tracked vehicle are compared probabilistically with the sensor measurement, considering all possible vehicle positions. Thus, risk levels can be inferred considering alternative behaviors. We evaluate the algorithm in a simulated crossing scenario and with real-world intersection data. The results show that the attractor approach can significantly improve the overall performance of the tracking system and can also be used for better inference of the behavior of the observed vehicle.
Flexible Ureterorenoscopy for Lower Pole Stones: Influence of the Collecting System's Anatomy
2013-10-02

Background: The impact of renal anatomy on the success rate of flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) for lower pole stones is less clear than it is on shock wave lithotripsy, for which it is a recognized influence factor. We analyzed safety and efficiency of fURS using modern endoscopes for lower pole stones dependent on the collecting system's configuration. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive sample of 111 fURS for lower pole stones at our tertiary care center between January 2010 and September 2012 from our prospectively kept database. All procedures were performed with modern flexible ureterorenoscopes, nitinol baskets, holmium laser lithotripsy, and ureteral access sheaths whenever needed. The infundibular length (IL) and width (IW) and infundibulopelvic angle (IPA) were measured and the data were stratified for stone-free status and complications classified by the Clavien–Dindo scale. Univariate and multifactorial statistical analyses were performed. Correlation of operation time (OR-time) with anatomical parameters was conducted. Results: Ninety-eight (88.3%) of the 111 patients were stone free after a single fURS. On multifactorial analysis, the stone size and IL had significant influence on the stone-free rate (SFR) (p<0.01), whereas IW did not. An acute IPA (<30°) also had significant influence (p=0.01). The incidence of complications and OR-time were not influenced by the pelvicaliceal anatomy. Conclusions: fURS is a safe and efficient treatment option for lower pole kidney stones. A long infundibulum and a very acute IPA (<30°) negatively affect the SFR. However, with second look procedures, a complete stone clearance is achievable even in case of unfavorable anatomic conditions. A narrow infundibulum has no negative effect while using modern endoscopes. The complication rate is not affected by the collecting system's anatomy.
Global and regional sea surface temperature trends during Marine Isotope Stage 11
2013-10-02

Abstract. The Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 (424–374 ka) was characterized by a protracted deglaciation and an unusually long climatic optimum. It remains unclear to what degree the climate development during this interglacial reflects the unusually weak orbital forcing or greenhouse gas trends. Previously, arguments about the duration and timing of the MIS11 climatic optimum and about the pace of the deglacial warming were based on a small number of key records, which appear to show regional differences. In order to obtain a global signal of climate evolution during MIS11, we compiled a database of 78 sea surface temperature (SST) records from 57 sites spanning MIS11, aligned these individually on the basis of benthic (N = 28) or planktonic (N = 31) stable oxygen isotope curves to a common time frame and subjected 48 of them to an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The analysis revealed a high commonality among all records, with the principal SST trend explaining almost 49% of the variability. This trend indicates that on the global scale, the surface ocean underwent rapid deglacial warming during Termination V, in pace with carbon dioxide rise, followed by a broad SST optimum centered at ~410 kyr. The second EOF, which explained ~18% of the variability, revealed the existence of a different SST trend, characterized by a delayed onset of the temperature optimum during MIS11 at ~398 kyr, followed by a prolonged warm period lasting beyond 380 kyr. This trend is most consistently manifested in the mid-latitude North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea and is here attributed to the strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. A sensitivity analysis indicates that these results are robust to record selection and to age-model uncertainties of up to 3–6 kyr, but more sensitive to SST seasonal attribution and SST uncertainties &gt;1 °C. In order to validate the CCSM3 (Community Climate System Model, version 3) predictive potential, the annual and seasonal SST anomalies recorded in a total of 74 proxy records were compared with runs for three time slices representing orbital configuration extremes during the peak interglacial of MIS11. The modeled SST anomalies are characterized by a significantly lower variance compared to the reconstructions. Nevertheless, significant correlations between proxy and model data are found in comparisons on the seasonal basis, indicating that the model captures part of the long-term variability induced by astronomical forcing, which appears to have left a detectable signature in SST trends.
Development of an MRI phantom for diffusion‐weighted imaging with independent adjustment of apparent diffusion coefficient values and T2 relaxation times
2013-10-02

Purpose To design a phantom for diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) with defined apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) and T2 relaxation times. Methods Varying concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used for the adjustment of diffusivity. T2 relaxation times were tuned by adding of the MR contrast agent gadobutrol. Relaxation times and apparent diffusion coefficients were quantified using a multiecho spin echo sequence and an echo planar imaging (EPI) DWI sequence, respectively, on a 3T clinical scanner. Results Increasing concentrations of PEG led to a marked impairment of diffusivity accompanied by only moderate changes of T2 relaxation times. Adding gadobutrol to the PEG solutions allowed for adjustment of transverse relaxation times to predefined values. Thus, a broad range of defined ADC values and T2 relaxation times could be accurately achieved in the final phantom. Conclusion The proposed phantom allows for standardized in vitro studies of DWI methods and protocols. The obtained MR image contrasts are similar to a variety of biological tissues, which can contribute to optimization of imaging techniques with respect to specific clinical questions. Due to the simplicity of design and the accessibility of the contained compounds, this phantom may also serve as a tool for standardization and calibration. Magn Reson Med 72:459–463, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Groups whose Chermak–Delgado lattice is a chain
2013-10-02

Abstract. For a finite group G with subgroup H , the Chermak–Delgado measure of H in G refers to <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mrow> <m:mrow> <m:mo>|</m:mo> <m:mi>H</m:mi> <m:mo>|</m:mo> <m:mspace /> <m:mo>|</m:mo> </m:mrow> <m:msub> <m:mi>C</m:mi> <m:mi>G</m:mi> </m:msub> <m:mrow> <m:mrow> <m:mo>(</m:mo> <m:mi>H</m:mi> <m:mo>)</m:mo> </m:mrow> <m:mo>|</m:mo> </m:mrow> </m:mrow> </m:math> . The set of all subgroups with maximal Chermak–Delgado measure form a sublattice, <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mrow> <m:mi>CD</m:mi> <m:mo>(</m:mo> <m:mi>G</m:mi> <m:mo>)</m:mo> </m:mrow> </m:math> , within the subgroup lattice of G . This paper examines conditions under which the Chermak–Delgado lattice is a chain of subgroups <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mrow> <m:msub> <m:mi>H</m:mi> <m:mn>0</m:mn> </m:msub> <m:mo>&lt;</m:mo> <m:msub> <m:mi>H</m:mi> <m:mn>1</m:mn> </m:msub> <m:mo>&lt;</m:mo> <m:mo>⋯</m:mo> <m:mo>&lt;</m:mo> <m:msub> <m:mi>H</m:mi> <m:mi>n</m:mi> </m:msub> </m:mrow> </m:math> . On the basis of a general result about extending certain Chermak–Delgado lattices, we construct, for any prime p and any non-negative integer n , a p -group whose Chermak–Delgado lattice is a chain of length n .
Photoactivation of a Psoralen‐Blocked Luciferase Gene by Blue Light
2013-10-02

A single psoralen cross-link completely blocks expression of a gene. An aminopyrene derivative has been found that allows the efficient light-triggered activation of cross-linked genes by UV or blue light. This paves the way to apply such psoralen cross-links for the photocleavable protection of nucleic acids.
Identification of Mureidomycin Analogues and Functional Analysis of an N‐Acetyltransferase in Napsamycin Biosynthesis
2013-10-02

Antibiotic abundance: Several new uridyl peptide antibiotics were identified from a heterologous producer strain containing the mureidomycin/napsamycin biosynthetic gene cluster by using HRMS and LC-ESI-MS/MS. Analysis of the new compounds and the corresponding gene cluster revealed NpsB, an N-acetyltransferase, to be responsible for acetylation of the uridyl peptide antibiotic.
Energy-diminishing integration of gradient systems
2013-10-03

For gradient systems in Euclidean space or on a Riemannian manifold the energy decreases monotonically along solutions.Algebraically stable Runge-Kutta methods are shown to also reduce the energy in each step under a mild step-size restriction.In particular, Radau IIA methods can combine energy monotonicity and damping in stiff gradient systems.Discrete-gradient methods and averaged vector field collocation methods are unconditionally energy-diminishing, but cannot achieve damping for very stiff gradient systems.The methods are discussed when they are applied to gradient systems in local coordinates as well as for manifolds given by constraints.
Cav1.4 IT mouse as model for vision impairment in human congenital stationary night blindness type 2
2013-10-03

Mutations in the CACNA1F gene encoding the Cav1.4 Ca (2+) channel are associated with X-linked congenital stationary night blindness type 2 (CSNB2). Despite the increasing knowledge about the functional behavior of mutated channels in heterologous systems, the pathophysiological mechanisms that result in vision impairment remain to be elucidated. This work provides a thorough functional characterization of the novel IT mouse line that harbors the gain-of-function mutation I745T reported in a New Zealand CSNB2 family. (1) Electroretinographic recordings in IT mice permitted a direct comparison with human data. Our data supported the hypothesis that a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage-dependence of channel activation-as seen in the IT gain-of-function mutant (2)-may reduce the dynamic range of photoreceptor activity. Morphologically, the retinal outer nuclear layer in adult IT mutants was reduced in size and cone outer segments appeared shorter. The organization of the outer plexiform layer was disrupted, and synaptic structures of photoreceptors had a variable, partly immature, appearance. The associated visual deficiency was substantiated in behavioral paradigms. The IT mouse line serves as a specific model for the functional phenotype of human CSNB2 patients with gain-of-function mutations and may help to further understand the dysfunction in CSNB.
Muscle area estimation from cortical bone
2013-10-03

ABSTRACT This article investigates the relationship between the cortical bone of the radius and the muscle area of the forearm. The aim of this study was to develop a method for muscle area estimation from cortical bone area at 65% of radius length where the muscle area at the forearm is largest. Muscle area and cortical area were measured directly in vivo by peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT). We found significant correlations between muscle area and cortical area (r = 0.881) in the forearm that are in line with previous studies. We have set up a regression model by testing relevant parameters such as age, sex, forearm length, and stature that were all highly correlated to muscle area. The influence of age and sex on the proportion of muscle area to cortical area is strong and potentially related to the effects of testosterone and estrogen on the muscle‐bone‐unit. Muscle area estimation from cortical bone is possible with a Percent Standard Error of Estimate (%SEE) ranging from 12.03% to 14.83%, depending on the parameters available and the age and sex of the individual. Muscle area estimation from cortical bone can provide new information for the study of skeletal and/or fossil human remains. Anat Rec, 296:1695–1707, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel approaches in antimalarial drug discovery
2013-10-03

The increased efforts in the discovery and development of new antimalarial compounds have led to the recognition of new promising hits. However, there is still major roadblock of selecting the most promising compounds and then further testing them in early clinical trials, especially in the current restricted economy. Controlled human malaria infection has much potential for speeding-up the early development process of many drug candidates including those which target the pre-erythrocytic stages.
Short Report: Premastication in Rural Gabon--A Cross-Sectional Survey
2013-10-03

Premastication-defined as pre-chewing of food for infants by their caregiver-is a common feeding practice in various societies. To date the impact of premastication on children's health including the potential for transmission of infectious diseases is not well understood. Since there are no epidemiologic data on premastication from resource poor regions in Central Africa, we investigated the epidemiology and demographic variables associated with premastication in Central Africa. Between 2011 and 2012, mothers were interviewed about child feeding behaviors in three rural communities in Gabon. A quarter (n = 20, 24%) of 82 participants stated to perform premastication regularly. Despite the small sample size, our study provides first baseline data for the epidemiology of premastication in Central Africa, indicating that this feeding practice is common in rural communities.
Age-Dependent Astroglial Vulnerability to Hypoxia and Glutamate: The Role for Erythropoietin
2013-10-04

Extracellular accumulation of toxic concentrations of glutamate (Glu) is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, often accompanied by hypoxia and impaired metabolism of this neuromediator. To address the question whether the multifunctional neuroprotective action of erythropoietin (EPO) extends to the regulation of extracellular Glu-level and is age-related, young and culture-aged rat astroglial primary cells (APC) were simultaneously treated with 1mM Glu and/or human recombinant EPO under normoxic and hypoxic conditions (NC and HC). EPO increased the Glu uptake by astrocytes under both NC and especially upon HC in culture-aged APC (by 60%). Moreover, treatment with EPO up-regulated the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS), the expression of glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) and the level of EPO mRNA. EPO alleviated the Glu- and hypoxia-induced LDH release from astrocytes. These protective EPO effects were concentration-dependent and they were strongly intensified with age in culture. More than a 4-fold increase in apoptosis and a 2-fold decrease in GS enzyme activity was observed in APC transfected with EPO receptor (EPOR)-siRNA. Our in vivo data show decreased expression of EPO and a strong increase of EPOR in brain homogenates of APP/PS1 mice and their wild type controls during aging. Comparison of APP/PS1 and age-matched WT control mice revealed a stronger expression of EPOR but a weaker one of EPO in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) model mice. Here we show for the first time the direct correlation between the extent of differentiation (age) of astrocytes and the efficacy of EPO in balancing extracellular glutamate clearance and metabolism in an in-vitro model of hypoxia and Glu-induced astroglial injury. The clinical relevance of EPO and EPOR as markers of brain cells vulnerability during aging and neurodegeneration is evidenced by remarkable changes in their expression levels in a transgenic model of AD and their WT controls.
Clinical spectrum in three families with familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 including a novel mutation in the ATP1A2 gene
2013-10-04

Introduction Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a rare subtype of migraine with transient hemiplegic aura. Patients and methods We describe three unrelated families with familial hemiplegic migraine type II (FHM2). Retrospectively, information on 47 family members could be obtained, 15 by personal examination and 32 by indirect anamnesis from relatives. Genetic analyses were performed in 13 patients. Results One family had a novel missense mutation in the ATP1A2 gene (c.659C&gt;T, p.Ser220Leu) that segregated with the phenotype in three generations. Two further unrelated families with different ethnic backgrounds (one from Germany and one from Russia) had a missense mutation that has not been described as yet in FHM, but occurred in only a single patient with sporadic hemiplegic migraine (c.2723G&gt;A, p.Arg908Gln). Clinically the patients had severe attacks lasting up to several weeks as well as epileptic seizures. Three patients with a proven mutation in the ATP1A2 gene clinically presented without hemiparesis. Furthermore, there was a possible relation of FHM2 to mental retardation in another two patients. Conclusion Clinical symptoms may last for several weeks in some patients. Patients with FHM2 may also present without hemiplegia. Therefore, the full family history has to be taken into account to establish the diagnosis of FHM.
Applying psychophysical reverse correlation to high dimensional natural stimuli
2013-10-04

Psychophysics with high dimensional stimuli (e.g. video fragments) can be challenging. Typically, a stimulus is presented with a noise mask but for high res stimulus displays, the number of free parameters increases exponentially inducing the curse of dimensionality. Another question is how such noise embeddings and stimulus manipulations affect the observers’ strategy [Macke &Wichmann 2010]. This research aims to investigate the errors we make in every day life in detecting emotional expressions. Opposed to noise based experiments, in every day life, faces are often fully visible and errors emerge rather from the misinterpretation of ambiguous but visible components of the face. Macke and Wichmann (2010) investigated a similar problem in gender classification. They presented static face images in a parameterized morph-space [Blanz & Vetter 1999]. We applied the same idea to classification of dynamic emotional expressions but we used Active Appearance Models [Cootes et al. 1998] to parameterize shape variations by low dimensional vectors of facial components. Via staircase procedures, we varied the amount of information in the different components. Participants detected dynamic emotional expressions ranging from no ambiguity at all, towards a static image with neutral expression. We determined separate thresholds for different facial components and found that participants were equally accurate in detecting emotional expressions as long as the eyes were informative.
Phagocytosis executes delayed neuronal death after focal brain ischemia
2013-10-07

Significance Brain ischemia is a major cause of death and disability worldwide, but the cellular mechanisms of delayed neuronal loss and brain atrophy after cerebral ischemia are poorly understood and thus currently untreatable. Surprisingly, we find that after cerebral ischemia, brain macrophages phagocytose viable and functional neurons, causing brain atrophy and motor dysfunction. Our data show that delayed neuronal death and functional impairment after cerebral ischemia can be prevented by blocking specific phagocytic pathways, and therefore highlight new therapeutic targets for stroke and dementia.
Cellular organization of cortical barrel columns is whisker-specific
2013-10-07

Significance Cortical columns are thought to be the elementary functional building blocks of sensory cortices. Here we show that the cellular architecture of cortical “barrel” columns in rodent somatosensory cortex is not stereotypic, but specific for each whisker on the animals’ snout. Our findings challenge the concepts underlying contemporary simulation efforts that build up large-scale network models of repeatedly occurring identical cortical circuits.
THE EFFECTS OF TV AND FILM EXPOSURE ON KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AND ATTITUDES TOWARD MENTAL DISORDERS
2013-10-07

Two empirical studies examined whether the portrayal of mental disorders on television and in films has an effect on people's knowledge about and attitudes toward the mentally ill. Study 1 found that the more often people watched television, the poorer their knowledge was about schizophrenia and obsessive‐compulsive disorder. This finding did not apply to major depression. Study 2 demonstrated that people who watched a documentary film acquired more knowledge about schizophrenia than people who watched a fictional film, despite identical information in both films. Moreover, people who watched a fictional film had more negative emotional reactions (rejecting and unpleasant feelings) toward schizophrenia patients.