julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Ethical brain stimulation – neuroethics of deep brain stimulation in research and clinical practice
2010-10-01

Abstract Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a clinically established procedure for treating severe motor symptoms in patients suffering from end‐stage Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and essential tremor. Currently, it is tested for further indications including psychiatric disorders like major depression and a variety of other diseases. However, ethical issues of DBS demand continuing discussion. Analysing neuroethical and clinical literature, five major topics concerning the ethics of DBS in clinical practice were identified: thorough examination and weighing of risks and benefits; selecting patients fairly; protecting the health of children in paediatric DBS; special issues concerning patients’ autonomy; and the normative impact of quality of life measurements. In exploring DBS for further applications, additionally, issues of research ethics have to be considered. Of special importance in this context are questions such as what additional value is generated by the research, how to realise scientific validity, which patients should be included, and how to achieve an acceptable risk–benefit ratio. Patients’ benefit is central for ethical evaluation. This criterion can outweigh very serious side‐effects, and can make DBS appropriate even in paediatrics. Because standard test procedures evade central aspects of patients’ benefits, measuring quality of life should be supplemented by open in‐depth interviews to provide a more adequate picture of patients’ post‐surgical situation. To examine its entire therapeutic potential, further research in DBS is needed. Studies should be based on solid scientific hypotheses and proceed cautiously to benefit severely suffering patients without putting them to undue risks.
Evaluation of the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation capacities of equine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells
2010-10-01

Abstract Objective —To evaluate the proliferative behavior, telomere length, immunophenotype, and differentiation capacity of equine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs). Animals —6 adult racing horses treated for articular Injury but otherwise healthy Procedures —AT-MSCs were Isolated from horses and expanded In Dulbecco modified Eagle medium enriched with fetal bovine serum and antimicrobials. Expression of cell surface antigens and telomere length were Investigated via flow cytometry Differentiation of MSCs Into chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and adipocytes was Induced In vitro by specific stimuli and was evaluated by analyzing marker genes with quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR assays and immunocytochemical and cytologie evaluations. Results —Equine MSCs could be cultured up to the fifth passage before signs of senescence, apoptosis, and detachment Indicated cellular exhaustion. However, the AT-MSCs from 2 of 6 horses survived to later passages with Increased doubling rates and telomere lengths. The cells had a typical phenotype, with expression of CD14, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD140b, and CD164 antigens and a lack of CD34 and CD45 antigens. The cells also had a strong potential to differentiate Into osteoblasts, as characterized by Intense von Kossa and alizarin red staining as well as high Induction of osteopontin. Chondrogenic differentiation was detected via Alelan blue staining and expression of aggrecan and type II collagen Adipogenesis was Induced in AT-MSCs by supplementation of differentiation media with rabbit serum. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance —Equine AT-MSCs representa suitable cellular source for regenerative treatment of bone or cartilage defects, particularly when expanded In vitro for only a few passages. ( Am J Vet Res 2010;71:1228-1236)
Inferring latent task structure for Multitask Learning by Multiple Kernel Learning
2010-10-01

We present a novel approach to Multitask Learning that is capable of learning task similarity along with the classifiers. The framework is very general as it allows to incorporate prior knowledge about tasks relationships if available, but is also able to identify task similarities in absence of such prior information. Both variants show promising results in applications from Computational Biology.
Discriminating features of echolocation clicks of melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Gray’s spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris longirostris)
2010-10-01

Spectral parameters were used to discriminate between echolocation clicks produced by three dolphin species at Palmyra Atoll: melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Gray’s spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris longirostris). Single species acoustic behavior during daytime observations was recorded with a towed hydrophone array sampling at 192 and 480 kHz. Additionally, an autonomous, bottom moored High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) collected acoustic data with a sampling rate of 200 kHz. Melon-headed whale echolocation clicks had the lowest peak and center frequencies, spinner dolphins had the highest frequencies and bottlenose dolphins were nested in between these two species. Frequency differences were significant. Temporal parameters were not well suited for classification. Feature differences were enhanced by reducing variability within a set of single clicks by calculating mean spectra for groups of clicks. Median peak frequencies of averaged clicks (group size 50) of melon-headed whales ranged between 24.4 and 29.7 kHz, of bottlenose dolphins between 26.7 and 36.7 kHz, and of spinner dolphins between 33.8 and 36.0 kHz. Discriminant function analysis showed the ability to correctly discriminate between 93% of melon-headed whales, 75% of spinner dolphins and 54% of bottlenose dolphins.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with pectus excavatum compared with normal controls
2010-10-01

Depression of the sternum in pectus excavatum patients distorts RV geometry. Resting RVEF was reduced by 6% of the control value, suggesting that these geometrical changes may influence myocardial performance. Resting LV function, pulmonary circulation times and pulmonary vascular anatomy and perfusion indices were no different to controls.
The illustrated life cycle ofMicrobotryumon the host plantSilene latifolia
2010-10-01

The plant-parasitic genus Microbotryum (Pucciniomycotina) has been used as a model for various biological studies, but fundamental aspects of its life history have not been documented in detail. The smut fungus is characterized by a dimorphic life cycle with a haploid saprophytic yeast-like stage and a dikaryotic plant-parasitic stage, which bears the teliospores as dispersal agents. In this study, seedlings and flowers of Silene latifolia Poir. (Caryophyllaceae) were inoculated with teliospores or sporidial cells of Microbotryum lychnidis-dioicae (DC. ex Liro) G. Deml &amp; Oberw. and the germination of teliospores, the infection process, and the proliferation in the host tissue were documented in vivo using light and electron microscopy. Although germination of the teliospore is crucial for the establishment of Microbotryum, basidium development is variable under natural conditions. In flowers, where the amount of nutrients is thought to be high, the fungus propagates as sporidia, and mating of compatible cells takes place only when flowers are withering and nutrients are decreasing. On cotyledons (i.e., nutrient-depleted conditions), conjugation occurs shortly after teliospore germination, often via intrapromycelial mating. After formation of an infectious hypha with an appressorium, the invasion of the host occurs by direct penetration of the epidermis. While the growth in the plant is typically intercellular, long distance proliferation seems mediated through xylem tracheary elements. At the beginning of the vegetation period, fungal cells were found between meristematic shoot host cells, indicating a dormant phase inside the plant. By using different microscopy techniques, many life stages of Microbotryum are illustrated for the first time, thereby allowing new interpretations of laboratory data.
Radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder for invasive bladder cancer: a critical analysis of long term oncological, functional and quality of life results
2010-10-01

Radical cystectomy in carefully selected patients has stood the test of time by providing adequate long-term survival and low local recurrence rates. Orthotopic bladder substitution does not compromise oncological outcome, yields excellent functional results, is cost effective compared to other types of urinary diversion, may improve quality of life and should therefore be the diversion of choice both in men and women. Chronological age is generally not a contraindication for cystectomy, but for orthotopic urinary diversion, tumor extent, functional pelvic floor deficits and general life expectancy are limiting factors.
Archazolid A Binds to the Equatorial Region of the c-Ring of the Vacuolar H+-ATPase
2010-10-01

The macrolactone archazolid is a novel, highly specific V-ATPase inhibitor with an IC(50) value in the low nanomolar range. The binding site of archazolid is presumed to overlap with the binding site of the established plecomacrolide V-ATPase inhibitors bafilomycin and concanamycin in subunit c of the membrane-integral V(O) complex. Using a semi-synthetic derivative of archazolid for photoaffinity labeling of the V(1)V(O) holoenzyme we confirmed binding of archazolid to the V(O) subunit c. For the plecomacrolide binding site a model has been published based on mutagenesis studies of the c subunit of Neurospora crassa, revealing 11 amino acids that are part of the binding pocket at the interface of two adjacent c subunits (Bowman, B. J., McCall, M. E., Baertsch, R., and Bowman, E. J. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 31885-31893). To investigate the contribution of these amino acids to the binding of archazolid, we established in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutations that in N. crassa had changed the IC(50) value for bafilomycin 10-fold or more and showed that out of the amino acids forming the plecomacrolide binding pocket only one amino acid (tyrosine 142) contributes to the binding of archazolid. Using a fluorescent derivative of N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, we found that the binding site for archazolid comprises the essential glutamate within helix 4 of subunit c. In conclusion the archazolid binding site resides within the equatorial region of the V(O) rotor subunit c. This hypothesis was supported by an additional subset of mutations within helix 4 that revealed that leucine 144 plays a role in archazolid binding.
Representations of visual proportions in the primate posterior parietal and prefrontal cortices
2010-10-01

Abstract The primate prefrontal (PFC) and posterior parietal cortices (PPC) have been shown to be cardinal structures in processing abstract absolute magnitudes, such as numerosity or length. The neuronal representation of quantity relations, however, remained largely elusive. Recent functional imaging studies in humans showed that blood flow changes systematically both in the PFC and the PPC as a function of relational distance between proportions. We investigated the response properties of single neurons in the lateral PFC and the inferior parietal lobule (IPL, area 7) in rhesus monkeys performing a lengths‐proportion‐discrimination task. Neurons in both areas shared many characteristics and showed peaked tuning functions with preferred proportions. However, a significantly higher percentage of neurons coding proportions was found in the PFC compared with the IPL. In agreement with human studies, our study shows that proportions are represented in the fronto‐parietal network that has already been implicated for absolute magnitude processing.
Craniometric changes in patients with acromegaly from a surgical perspective
2010-10-01

Object The objective of this study was to evaluate and analyze morphometric and volumetric changes of the skull due to acromegaly in areas relevant for neurosurgical practice, focusing on the surgical implications. Methods On preoperatively acquired CT scans, cephalometric and volumetric measurements were performed on 45 patients with acromegaly (Group A) and 45 control patients (Group B). The authors determined thickness of the cranial vault, inner and outer diameters of the skull, and the diameter of sphenoidal and maxillary sinus, as well as frontal and maxillary sinus volumetry. The morphometric and volumetric CT data of the patients with acromegaly were compared with the data of a control group and correlated with clinical parameters. Results Cranial vault thickness differed significantly (p &lt; 0.0001) between the 2 groups. A correlation of the vault thickness with preoperative human growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor–I levels, and duration of clinical history in acromegaly could not be established. The outer anterior-posterior skull diameter of Group A (18.47 ± 0.94 cm) differed significantly (p = 0.0146) from Group B (17.98 ± 0.93 cm) and correlated significantly with preoperative human growth hormone (r = 0.3277; p = 0.0299) and insulin-like growth factor-–I serum levels (r = 0.3756; p = 0.0120). Measurements of the anterior-posterior diameter of the sphenoidal sinus differed significantly (p = 0.0074) between patients with acromegaly and controls. Volumetric analysis of the frontal sinus resulted in a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0382) between patients with acromegaly (14.89 ± 10.85 cm 3 ) and controls (10.06 ± 6.93 cm 3 ). Conclusions Significant craniometric changes and volumetric remodelling of the paranasal sinus occur in acromegaly. The bone alterations are of surgical importance for using the transsphenoidal approach. Detailed preoperative diagnostic examination and planning as well as selection of appropriate instruments are mandatory for safe and successful pituitary adenoma removal in patients with acromegaly.
Balancing the Shortcomings of Microscope and Endoscope: Endoscope-Assisted Technique in Microsurgical Removal of Recurrent Epidermoid Cysts in the Posterior Fossa
2010-10-01

In a modern operative setting and with the necessary surgical experience recurrent epidermoid cysts may be removed with excellent clinical results. The combined use of microscope and endoscope offers relevant advantages in demanding anatomic situations.
Closing the sensorimotor loop: Haptic feedback facilitates decoding of arm movement imagery
2010-10-01

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) in combination with robot-assisted physical therapy may become a valuable tool for neurorehabilitation of patients with severe hemiparetic syndromes due to cerebrovascular brain damage (stroke) and other neurological conditions. A key aspect of this approach is reestablishing the disrupted sensorimotor feedback loop, i.e., determining the intended movement using a BCI and helping a human with impaired motor function to move the arm using a robot. It has not been studied yet, however, how artificially closing the sensorimotor feedback loop affects the BCI decoding performance. In this article, we investigate this issue in six healthy subjects, and present evidence that haptic feedback facilitates the decoding of arm movement intention. The results provide evidence of the feasibility of future rehabilitative efforts combining robot-assisted physical therapy with BCIs. Moreover, the results suggest that shared-control strategies in Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) may benefit from haptic feedback.
Simple analytical solutions for oxygen transfer into anaerobic groundwater
2010-10-01

The oxygen flux from the atmosphere into aquifers plays a key role for the biodegradation of organic solutes in groundwater and changing the water chemistry in general. In this paper, simple analytical solutions for the reactive transport of oxygen into groundwater are derived and compared to numerical models. The oxygen transfer is described analogous to diffusion into a semi‐infinite domain with instantaneous reaction. We assume the capillary fringe does not exist and the concentration of oxygen is constant at the water table. Steady state analytical solutions are derived for the oxygen flux and for the concentration profiles of the reactants and products that could be volatile and nonvolatile. The simple approach is validated with numerical simulations. We can show that the analytical solutions agree very well with the numerical model. On the basis of this finding, simple analytical solutions can be used to calculate the depth of oxidation fronts in groundwater and the reactive transport of oxygen into groundwater.
Functional target volume delineation for radiation therapy on the basis of positron emission tomography and the correlation with histopathology.
2010-10-01

Accurate target volume delineation becomes more and more important for modern high-precision radiotherapy. During the last years, molecular imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown to be of high clinical impact on diagnosis, staging and/or restaging of many malignancies. Therefore, the integration of PET-data into the radiotherapy planning process is of high interest in radio-oncology. During the last years a number of automatic and semi-automatic PET-based volume delineation methods have been developed which will be presented in this review. We will not only describe those algorithms currently used in clinical settings, but also present some of the latest developments in this highly dynamic field of research. Furthermore, validation of different segmentation approaches against histopathology is discussed.
“Macrobaenidae” (Testudines: Eucryptodira) from the Late Paleocene (Clarkforkian) of Montana and the Taxonomic Treatment of “Clemmys”backmani
2010-10-01

Two partial "macrobaenid" shells are described from a single Late Paleocene (Clarkforkian 1) quarry at Burns Mine near Washoe, Carbon County, Montana, USA, and are referred to "Clemmys" backmani, a taxon typified in the Paleocene Ravenscrag Formation of Saskatchewan, Canada. Though tentative, morphological, temporal and spatial arguments highlight similarities between "Clemmys" backmani and the Campanian taxon Judithemys sukhanovi, and we therefore suggest the new combination Judithemys backmani. Judithemys sukhanovi and Judithemys backmani both originate from the eastern margins of the western landmass Laramidia and exhibit a pronounced ridge along the visceral side of the first costal and C-shaped bridge peripherals into which the flat thoracic ribs insert superficially, characters that must be interpreted as symplesiomorphies. By contrast, the coeval taxon Osteopygis emarginatus originates from the eastern shores of the eastern landmass Appalachia, lacks the visceral ridge of the first costal, and possesses massive, triangular peripherals into which the peglike thoracic ribs insert deeply.
Learning to localize with Gaussian process regression on omnidirectional image data
2010-10-01

We present a probabilistic localization and orientation estimation method for mobile agents equipped with omnidirectional vision. In our appearance-based framework, a scene is learned in an offline step by modeling the variation of the image energy in the frequency domain via Gaussian process regression. The metric localization of novel views is then solved by maximizing the joint predictive probability of the Gaussian processes using a particle filter which allows to incorporate a motion model in the prediction step. Based on the position estimate, a synthetic view is generated and used as a reference for the orientation estimation which is also performed in the Fourier space. Using real as well as virtual data, we show that this framework allows for robust localization in 2D and 3D scenes based on very low resolution images and with competitive computational load.
Optimally using the Bluetooth subband codec
2010-10-01

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has standardized the subband coding (SBC) audio codec to connect headphones via wireless Bluetooth links with the A2DP profile. SBC compresses audio at high fidelity while having an ultra-low algorithm delay and very low complexity. SBC is configurable to a very large extend. Six parameters can be changed including sampling frequency, bit rate and algorithmic delay. In total, more than 60000 different configuration can be selected. In this publication, we objectively measure the audio and speech quality, if SBC runs under those configurations to find the most suitable parameter under given rate and delay constrains. Finally, we present objective tests comparing the audio codecs SBC, CELT, APT-X and ULD.
Non-convergence of the critical cooling timescale for fragmentation of self-gravitating discs
2010-10-01

Abstract We carry out a resolution study on the fragmentation boundary of self-gravitating discs. We perform three-dimensional Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations of discs to determine whether the critical value of the cooling timescale in units of the orbital timescale, β crit , converges with increasing resolution. Using particle numbers ranging from 31,250 to 16 million (the highest resolution simulations to date) we do not find convergence. Instead, fragmentation occurs for longer cooling timescales as the resolution is increased. These results certainly suggest that β crit is larger than previously thought. However, the absence of convergence also questions whether or not a critical value exists. In light of these results, we caution against using cooling timescale or gravitational stress arguments to deduce whether gravitational instability may or may not have been the formation mechanism for observed planetary systems.
Detection of moving objects by statistical motion analysis
2010-10-01

In this work we present a new approach for the detection of moving objects observed by a mobile camera, which is a critical issue related to autonomous robot navigation as well as driver/pilot assistance systems. In order to separate individual object motions from the self-motion of the observing camera, we implement a linear method to recover the full set of 3D motion parameters undergone by the camera. Based on the recovered camera motion and reconstructed depth information of the detected scene points, a criterion has been derived to determine how well individual scene points agree with the estimated camera motion. The classification of scene points is achieved by statistical analysis of the probability distribution function of the points' motion characteristics. After the initial classification, the identified dynamic scene points are further clustered into different objects by taking into account the underlying geometric distribution in the image. The approach is unique in that it can detect moving objects using a single pair of images and is completely automated. Several experiments have been carried out in challenging environments using two different hardware setups. A comparative study shows that the proposed classification method generates fewer false alarms compared to a standard one.