julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
An integrated domain specific language for post-processing and visualizing electrophysiological signals in Java
2010-08-01

Electrophysiology of vision - especially the electroretinogram (ERG) - is used as a non-invasive way for functional testing of the visual system. The ERG is a combined electrical response generated by neural and non-neuronal cells in the retina in response to light stimulation. This response can be recorded and used for diagnosis of numerous disorders. For both clinical practice and clinical trials it is important to process those signals in an accurate and fast way and to provide the results as structured, consistent reports. Therefore, we developed a freely available and open-source framework in Java (http://www.eye.uni-tuebingen.de/project/idsI4sigproc). The framework is focused on an easy integration with existing applications. By leveraging well-established software patterns like pipes-and-filters and fluent interfaces as well as by designing the application programming interfaces (API) as an integrated domain specific language (DSL) the overall framework provides a smooth learning curve. Additionally, it already contains several processing methods and visualization features and can be extended easily by implementing the provided interfaces. In this way, not only can new processing methods be added but the framework can also be adopted for other areas of signal processing. This article describes in detail the structure and implementation of the framework and demonstrate its application through the software package used in clinical practice and clinical trials at the University Eye Hospital Tuebingen one of the largest departments in the field of visual electrophysiology in Europe.
Decrement of uterine myometrial burst duration as a correlate to active labor: A Hilbert phase approach
2010-08-01

We propose a novel approach based on Hilbert phase to identify the burst in the uterine myometrial activity. We apply this approach to 24 serial magnetomyographic signals recorded from four pregnant women using a 151 SQUID array system. The bursts identified with this approach are evaluated for duration and are correlated with the gestational age. In all four subjects, we find a decrease in the duration of burst as the subject approaches active labor. As was shown in animal studies, this result indicates a faster conduction time between the muscle cells which activate a larger number of muscle units in a synchronous manner.
A domain model of a clinical reading center - Design and implementation
2010-08-01

In clinical trials huge amounts of raw data are generated. Often these data are submitted to reading centers for being analyzed by experts of that particular type of examination. Although the installment of a reading center can raise the overall quality, they also introduce additional complexity to the management and conduction of a clinical trial. Software can help to handle this complexity. Domain-driven-design is one concept to tackle software development in such complex domains. Here we present our domain model for a clinical reading center, as well as its actual implementation utilizing the Nuxeo enterprise content management system.
Decoding Inter-individual Relations from Spatial Similarity of Brain Activity
2010-08-01

Classification-based data analysis is receiving increasing attention in neuroimaging. Here we decode the real-life relation between senders and perceivers of facial signals of affect by measuring the similarity of their brain activity during affective communication. Our results show that the brain activity of romantic partners is more similar during ongoing affective communication than the brain activity of strangers, and that this difference can be used to successfully classify romantic partners and strangers.
Localization of spontaneous magnetoencephalographic activity of neonates and fetuses using independent component and Hilbert phase analysis
2010-08-01

The fetal magnetoencephalogram (fMEG) is measured in the presence of large interference from maternal and fetal magnetocardiograms (mMCG and fMCG). These cardiac interferences can be attenuated by orthogonal projection (OP) technique of the corresponding spatial vectors. However, the OP technique redistributes the fMEG signal among the channels and also leaves some cardiac residuals (partially attenuated mMCG and fMCG) due to loss of stationarity in the signal. In this paper, we propose a novel way to extract and localize the neonatal and fetal spontaneous brain activity by using independent component analysis (ICA) technique. In this approach, we perform ICA on a small subset of sensors for 1-min duration. The independent components obtained are further investigated for the presence of discontinuous patterns as identified by the Hilbert phase analysis and are used as decision criteria for localizing the spontaneous brain activity. In order to locate the region of highest spontaneous brain activity content, this analysis is performed on the sensor subsets, which are traversed across the entire sensor space. The region of the spontaneous brain activity as identified by the proposed approach correlated well with the neonatal and fetal head location. In addition, the burst duration and the inter-burst interval computed for the identified discontinuous brain patterns are in agreement with the reported values.
Is Mood Affected by Interactions With People at Risk for Affective Disorders?
2010-08-01

The interpersonal behavior of individuals who have affective disorders can increase the likelihood of interpersonal conflicts. A related issue is whether vulnerability for developing affective disorder expresses itself in social interactions that affect the mood of interaction partners as well. Adolescents (n = 119) have been divided into subgroups: "mania risk" (scoring high on "Hypomanic Personality"); "unipolar risk" (scoring high on "Rigidity"); and a control group (scoring low on both scales). Interviews were conducted by raters blind to risk status. Interviewers provided ratings of their own mood before and after the interview. Negative mood of the interviewers did not change. Interviewers' positive mood decreased when interacting with individuals at risk for unipolar disorder as well as when interacting with the control subjects, but not when interacting with people at risk for mania. It seems that individuals high in hypomanic traits keep the interaction partner longer engaged and interested.
Multimodal multidimensional imaging for visual system status assessment
2010-08-01

Non-invasive optical methods that enable in vivo or in situ visualization of tissue components are of particular relevance in ophthalmology, as they can provide key information about the relationship between the structure and function of the visual system. In this paper we present a semiautomated multimodal imaging tool for co-registration of images of retinal structure and its function, based on point correspondence. Decision support analysis was applied to define significant features for the multimodal mapping system, using a set of 1500 subjects who were affected by blindness associated hereditary retinal dystrophies. Additionally, the developed software was tested by two experienced observers using data from 25 subjects. Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability was determined. We conclude that semi-automated multimodal mapping could be a promising new tool for an individualized visual system status assessment that can be applied for the early diagnosis of blindness associated diseases. Moreover, this mapping approach should prove particularly appropriate for studying pathophysiology in inherited blindness associated diseases.
First clinical data of resminostat, a novel oral histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) – the SHELTER Study
2010-08-01

Aims: Resminostat (4SC-201) is a novel specific pan-HDAC inhibitor under clinical evaluation as mono or combination therapy for solid and hematological malignancies. Here, we describe the first results of a phase II study being started in 2009 to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of resminostat in patients with HCC exhibiting progressive disease under sorafenib first-line therapy.
Placebo- und Noceboeffekte: Die große Herausforderung für die Verhaltenswissenschaften in der Medizin
2010-08-01

The latest scientific evidence has demonstrated, that the placebo and the nocebo effect stem from highly active processes in the brain that are mediated by psychological mechanisms such as expectation and conditioning. These processes have been described in some detail for many diseases and treatments, and we now know that they can represent both strength and vulnerability in the course of a disease as well as in the response to a therapy. A better understanding of the neurobiology of the placebo and nocebo responses will form the basis for designing behavioral protocols that can be employed as supportive therapy together with standard pharmacological regimen, the aim being to maximize the therapeutic outcome for the patient's benefit. The further development of these research activities are not only a great challenge but also a great chance for the behavioral sciences in medicine.
The Indispensability of Theological Adscription in Biomedicine: An Answer to Peter Dabrock from a Lutheran Perspective
2010-08-01

This essay pursues two goals: First, the appropriateness of Dabrock's point of departure is highlighted; his emphasis on God's address of man appropriately defines the axiological core of any societal or bioethical judgment. Secondly, this essay argues that Dabrock has not sufficiently exploited the potential offered by this point of departure and that he disregards its social policy and bioethical potential. The further criterion introduced by Dabrock (incarnate reason) is shown to be not sufficiently helpful because of its vagueness and problematic implications. The essay concludes that Dabrock's goals could be better realized by focusing more thoroughly on his language- and communication-theology approach, namely God's address to man. Here, after all, bioethical conclusions can be derived that would allow Dabrock's account to offer the needed societal and bioethical orientation.
Language abilities after early left-hemispheric lesions – neural and cognitive compensation
2010-08-01

Introduction: In adults, left-hemispheric brain lesions lead, depending on their localization, to aphasic syndromes. Children, however, with pre- or perinatally acquired lesions of the left hemisphere do usually not present with clinically significant language problems. Language function can in these cases be saved by a shift from the left into the right hemisphere. The more the right hemisphere is, however, involved in language function, the less proficiency is demonstrated in genuinely right-hemispheric, visuospatial skills, as verbal and nonverbal functions are processed within a common network. Sophisticated neurolinguistic studies have collected evidence for a slightly delayed language acquisition in children with congenital left-hemispheric brain lesions, and for problems in the processing of complex linguistic structures even in older children.
LP42: COMPARATIVE GENE EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF REPAIRED AND UNREPAIRED PERIPHERAL NERVES DURING THE EARLY PHASE AFTER NERVE LESION
2010-08-01

1Clinic of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive Surgery and Burn Unit, BG Trauma Center Tuebingen, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tuebingen, Germany 2Center for Medical Research (ZMF), University of Heidelberg, Germany 3Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
Language abilities after early left-hemispheric lesions – Production and comprehension of complex linguistic structures
2010-08-01

Introduction: Normally language functions in the brain are organized in the left cerebral hemisphere. After pre- or perinatally acquired left hemisphere brain damage, language function can be saved by reorganization into the right hemisphere.
Intensive immunmodulatory therapy in a 3 year old child with anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis
2010-08-01

Introduction: An anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis is a severe, more and more diagnosed form of encephalitis with characteristic clinical features. Anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis had initially been described in young women with ovarian teratoma, but is also common in children and without neoplasm.
Radiative properties of highly magnetized isolated neutron star surfaces and approximate treatment of absorption features in their spectra
2010-08-02

In the X-ray spectra of most X-ray dim isolated neutron stars (XDINSs)\\nabsorption features with equivalent widths (EWs) of 50 -- 200 eV are observed.\\nWe theoretically investigate different models to explain absorption features\\nand compare their properties with the observations. We consider various\\ntheoretical models for the magnetized neutron star surface: naked condensed\\niron surfaces and partially ionized hydrogen model atmospheres, including\\nsemi-infinite and thin atmospheres above a condensed surface. The properties of\\nthe absorption features (especially equivalent widths) and the angular\\ndistributions of the emergent radiation are described for all models. A code\\nfor computing light curves and integral emergent spectra of magnetized neutron\\nstars is developed. We assume a dipole surface magnetic field distribution with\\na possible toroidal component and corresponding temperature distribution. A\\nmodel with two uniform hot spots at the magnetic poles can also be employed.\\nLight curves and spectra of highly magnetized neutron stars with parameters\\ntypical for XDINSs are computed using different surface temperature\\ndistributions and various local surface models. Spectra of magnetized model\\natmospheres are approximated by diluted blackbody spectra with one or two\\nGaussian lines having parameters, which allow us to describe the model\\nabsorption features. To explain the prominent absorption features in the soft\\nX-ray spectra of XDINSs a thin atmosphere above the condensed surface can be\\ninvoked, whereas a strong toroidal magnetic field component on the XDINS\\nsurfaces can be excluded.\\n
MYRIAD: a newN-body code for simulations of star clusters
2010-08-02

We present a new C++ code for collisional N-body simulations of star clusters. The code uses the Hermite fourth-order scheme with block time steps, for advancing the particles in time, while the forces and neighboring particles are computed using the GRAPE-6 board. Special treatment is used for close encounters, binary and multiple sub-systems that either form dynamically or exist in the initial configuration. The structure of the code is modular and allows the appropriate treatment of more physical phenomena, such as stellar and binary evolution, stellar collisions and evolution of close black-hole binaries. Moreover, it can be easily modified so that the part of the code that uses GRAPE-6, could be replaced by another module that uses other accelerating-hardware like the Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). Appropriate choice of the free parameters give a good accuracy and speed for simulations of star clusters up to and beyond core collapse. Simulations of Plummer models consisting of equal-mass stars reached core collapse at t~17 half-mass relaxation times, which compares very well with existing results, while the cumulative relative error in the energy remained below 0.001. Also, comparisons with published results of other codes for the time of core collapse for different initial conditions, show excellent agreement. Simulations of King models with an initial mass-function, similar to those found in the literature, reached core collapse at t~0.17, which is slightly smaller than the expected result from previous works. Finally, the code accuracy becomes comparable and even better than the accuracy of existing codes, when a number of close binary systems is dynamically created in a simulation. This is due to the high accuracy of the method that is used for close binary and multiple sub-systems.
Alpha Oscillations Correlate with the Successful Inhibition of Unattended Stimuli
2010-08-03

Abstract Because the human visual system is continually being bombarded with inputs, it is necessary to have effective mechanisms for filtering out irrelevant information. This is partly achieved by the allocation of attention, allowing the visual system to process relevant input while blocking out irrelevant input. What is the physiological substrate of attentional allocation? It has been proposed that alpha activity reflects functional inhibition. Here we asked if inhibition by alpha oscillations has behavioral consequences for suppressing the perception of unattended input. To this end, we investigated the influence of alpha activity on motion processing in two attentional conditions using magneto-encephalography. The visual stimuli used consisted of two random-dot kinematograms presented simultaneously to the left and right visual hemifields. Subjects were cued to covertly attend the left or right kinematogram. After 1.5 sec, a second cue tested whether subjects could report the direction of coherent motion in the attended (80%) or unattended hemifield (20%). Occipital alpha power was higher contralateral to the unattended side than to the attended side, thus suggesting inhibition of the unattended hemifield. Our key finding is that this alpha lateralization in the 20% invalidly cued trials did correlate with the perception of motion direction: Subjects with pronounced alpha lateralization were worse at detecting motion direction in the unattended hemifield. In contrast, lateralization did not correlate with visual discrimination in the attended visual hemifield. Our findings emphasize the suppressive nature of alpha oscillations and suggest that processing of inputs outside the field of attention is weakened by means of increased alpha activity.
Balance is the challenge – The impact of mitochondrial dynamics in Parkinson’s disease
2010-08-03

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (11): 1048–1060 Abstract Impaired mitochondrial function has been implicated in neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease (PD) based on biochemical and pathoanatomical studies in brains of PD patients. This observation was further substantiated by the identification of exogenic toxins, i.e. complex I inhibitors that directly affect mitochondrial energy metabolism and cause Parkinsonism in humans and various animal models. Recently, insights into the underlying molecular signalling pathways leading to alterations in mitochondrial homeostasis were gained based on the functional characterization of mitoprotective genes identified in rare forms of inherited PD. Using in vitro and in vivo loss of function models of the Parkin, PINK1, DJ‐1 and Omi/HtrA2 gene, the emerging field of mitochondrial dynamics in PD was established as being critical for the maintenance of mitochondrial function in neurons. This underscored the concept that mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles, which are tightly regulated to continuously adapt shape to functional and anatomical requirements during axonal transport, synaptic signalling, organelle degradation and cellular energy supply. The dissection of pathways involved in mitochondrial quality control clearly established the PINK1/Parkin‐pathway in the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria by autophagy and hints to a complex interplay between PD‐associated proteins acting at the mitochondrial interface. The elucidation of this mitoprotective signalling network may help to define novel therapeutic targets for PD via molecular modelling of mitochondria and/or pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial dynamics.
The Staphylococcus aureus Lipoprotein SitC Colocalizes with Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2) in Murine Keratinocytes and Elicits Intracellular TLR2 Accumulation
2010-08-03

ABSTRACT SitC is one of the predominant lipoproteins in Staphylococcus aureus . Recently, SitC was shown to be capable of stimulating Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), but the mechanism of TLR2 activation by SitC has not been analyzed in detail so far. In this study, we purified C-terminally His-tagged SitC (SitC-His) from Staphylococcus aureus . SitC-His induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) release in human monocytes and also NF-κB activation in TLR2-transfected HEK293 cells, indicating TLR2-specific activation. SitC not only induced a TLR2-dependent release of IL-6 in primary murine keratinocytes (MKs) but also induced intracellular accumulation of TLR2, which was time and concentration dependent. Cy2-labeled SitC-His colocalized specifically with TLR2 in MKs and was also internalized in TLR2 knockout MKs, suggesting a TLR2-independent uptake. Neither activation nor colocalization of SitC-His was observed with TLR4 or Nod2. The results show that the native lipoprotein SitC-His specifically colocalizes with TLR2, is internalized by host cells, induces proinflammatory cytokines, and triggers intracellular accumulation of TLR2.
Paleomagnetic evidence for clockwise rotation and tilting in the eastern Tethyan Himalaya (SE Tibet): Implications for the Miocene tectonic evolution of the NE Himalaya
2010-08-03

Crustal movement around and away from the Namche Barwa syntaxis is indicated in the Asian velocity field inferred from GPS data and Quaternary fault slip rates. Nevertheless, there is a limited field-based control on the rotational history of the north-eastern Himalayan arc. Exploring the poly-phase nature of deformation, within the Cretaceous diorite dykes and their host-rock (Triassic flysch), in the eastern Tethyan Himalaya (90°-92°E), combined with new remote sensing data and existing thermo-geochronological data, allow us to unravel the kinematic relationship between paleomagnetic remanence vectors and the deformation phases. Decay at 325°C in high temperature susceptibility curves and in the thermal demagnetization of the SIRM indicate that the characteristic remanent magnetization in the Cretaceous diorite dykes is carried by pyrrhotite. The pyrrhotite component unblocks at 280-350°C, revealing normal and reverse polarities. It is of post-folding origin with a mean remanence direction of 019°/28° and 001°/20° in the eastern (Qonggyai valley) and western (Nagarze) part of the sampling area, respectively. The ~. 22. Ma K-Ar age of the last metamorphic event support that the remanence is post-Eohimalayan folding and likely of thermoremanent or thermo-chemical origin. Comparison of the declination with respect to the Early-Miocene reference direction, yields a trend from no apparent rotation in the west to 20° clockwise rotation in the east with respect to the stable Indian plate. This result can be kinematically related to the Middle to Late-Miocene strain partitioning between far-field southeast extrusion of SE Tibet and near-field strike-slip faulting and E-W extension. Furthermore the observed pattern of tilting around horizontal axis may reflect concealed North Himalayan doming