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Plattformen für Social Communities im Internet, wie Facebook, StudiVZ und XING, haben in den vergangenen Jahren rasant an Popularität gewonnen. Auf ihnen versammeln sich bereits heute Millionen von Nutzern weltweit. Sie verbinden sich über virtuelle Freundeslisten und tauschen sich über gemeinsame Interessen und Aktivitäten aus. Immer häufger werden dazu auch mobile Endgeräte wie Handys verwendet, erlauben diese doch ständig in Kontakt mit der Community zu bleiben. Allerdings wollen viele Nutzer längst nicht jedem Mitglied einer Community alles preisgeben. Doch wie lässt sich die Privatsphäre in solchen Communities besser schützen? Dieser Frage geht das Forschungsprojekt PICOS nach.
Mit Kuppel und Minarett? Häufig wird die Frage nach der Form einer Moschee als Stellvertreterfrage nach der Akzeptanz des Islam wahrgenommen. Doch könnten offene Diskussionen über die Gestaltung neuer Moscheen auch einen Weg zur funktionierenden Zivilgesellschaft darstellen, ohne dass Muslime und Nichtmuslime ihr eigenes Profil aufgeben müssen.
Schlangengifte enthalten einen ganzen Arzneischrank voller hochwirksamer Stoffe, die binnen kurzer Zeit zu Schock, Lähmung oder unstillbaren Blutungen führen können. Forscher interessieren sich vor allem für Verbindungen, welche die Blutgerinnung hemmen, denn sie könnten pharmakologisch interessante Leitstrukturen für neue Wirkstoffe sein, die das Risiko eines Herzinfarkts, Gehirnschlags und anderer Thrombosen mindern.
Introduction: Purpura fulminans (PF) is a devastating complication of uncontrolled systemic inflammation, associated with high incidence of amputations, skin grafts and death. In this study, we aimed to clarify the clinical profile of pediatric patients with PF who improved with protein C (PC) treatment, explore treatment effects and safety, and to refine the prognostic significance of protein C plasma levels. Methods: In Germany, patients receiving protein C concentrate (Ceprotin(R), Baxter AG, Vienna, Austria) are registered. The database was used to locate all pediatric patients with PF treated with PC from 2002 to 2005 for this National, retrospective, multi-centered study. Results: Complete datasets were acquired in 94 patients, treated in 46 centers with human, non-activated protein C concentrate for purpura fulminans. PC was given for 2 days (median, range 1-24 days) with a median daily dose of 100 IU/kg. Plasma protein C levels increased from a median of 27% to a median of 71% under treatment. 22.3% of patients died, 77.7% survived to discharge. Skin grafts were required in 9.6%, amputations in 5.3%. PF recovered or improved in 79.8%, remained unchanged in 13.8% and deteriorated in 6.4%. Four adverse events occurred in 3 patients, none classified as severe. Non-survivors had lower protein C plasma levels (P < 0.05) and higher prevalence of coagulopathy at admission (P < 0.01). Time between admission and start of PC substitution was longer in patients who died compared to survivors (P = 0.03). Conclusions: This retrospective dataset shows that, compared to historic controls, only few pediatric patients with PF under PC substitution needed dermatoplasty and/or amputations. Apart from epistaxis, no bleeding was observed. Although the data comes from a retrospective study, the evidence we present suggests that PC had a beneficial impact on the need for dermatoplasty and amputations, pointing to the potential value of carrying out a prospective randomised controlled trial.
Nep1 (Emg1) is a highly conserved nucleolar protein with an essential function in ribosome biogenesis. A mutation in the human Nep1 homolog causes Bowen–Conradi syndrome—a severe developmental disorder. Structures of Nep1 revealed a dimer with a fold similar to the SPOUT-class of RNA-methyltransferases suggesting that Nep1 acts as a methyltransferase in ribosome biogenesis. The target for this putative methyltransferase activity has not been identified yet. We characterized the RNA-binding specificity of Methanocaldococcus jannaschii Nep1 by fluorescence- and NMR-spectroscopy as well as by yeast three-hybrid screening. Nep1 binds with high affinity to short RNA oligonucleotides corresponding to nt 910–921 of M. jannaschii 16S rRNA through a highly conserved basic surface cleft along the dimer interface. Nep1 only methylates RNAs containing a pseudouridine at a position corresponding to a previously identified hypermodified N1-methyl-N3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl) pseudouridine (m1acp3-Psi) in eukaryotic 18S rRNAs. Analysis of the methylated nucleoside by MALDI-mass spectrometry, HPLC and NMR shows that the methyl group is transferred to the N1 of the pseudouridine. Thus, Nep1 is the first identified example of an N1-specific pseudouridine methyltransferase. This enzymatic activity is also conserved in human Nep1 suggesting that Nep1 is the methyltransferase in the biosynthesis of m1acp3-Psi in eukaryotic 18S rRNAs.
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are now established as the preferred tool to inhibit gene function in mammalian cells yet trigger unintended gene silencing due to their inherent miRNA-like behavior. Such off-target effects are primarily mediated by the sequence-specific interaction between the siRNA seed regions (position 2–8 of either siRNA strand counting from the 5'-end) and complementary sequences in the 3'UTR of (off-) targets. It was previously shown that chemical modification of siRNAs can reduce off-targeting but only very few modifications have been tested leaving more to be identified. Here we developed a luciferase reporter-based assay suitable to monitor siRNA off-targeting in a high throughput manner using stable cell lines. We investigated the impact of chemically modifying single nucleotide positions within the siRNA seed on siRNA function and off-targeting using 10 different types of chemical modifications, three different target sequences and three siRNA concentrations. We found several differently modified siRNAs to exercise reduced off-targeting yet incorporation of the strongly destabilizing unlocked nucleic acid (UNA) modification into position 7 of the siRNA most potently reduced off-targeting for all tested sequences. Notably, such position-specific destabilization of siRNA–target interactions did not significantly reduce siRNA potency and is therefore well suited for future siRNA designs especially for applications in vivo where siRNA concentrations, expectedly, will be low.
The thermodynamics of base pairing is of fundamental importance. Fluorinated base analogs are valuable tools for investigating pairing interactions. To understand the influence of direct base–base interactions in relation to the role of water, pairing free energies between natural nucleobases and fluorinated analogs are estimated by potential of mean force calculations. Compared to pairing of AU and GC, pairing involving fluorinated analogs is unfavorable by 0.5–1.0 kcal mol -1. Decomposing the pairing free energies into enthalpic and entropic contributions reveals fundamental differences for Watson–Crick pairs compared to pairs involving fluorinated analogs. These differences originate from direct base–base interactions and contributions of water. Pairing free energies of fluorinated base analogs with natural bases are less unfavorable by 0.5–1.0 kcal mol -1 compared to non-fluorinated analogs. This is attributed to stabilizing C–F…H–N dipolar interactions and stronger N…H–C hydrogen bonds, demonstrating direct and indirect influences of fluorine. 7-methyl-7H-purine and its 9-deaza analog (Z) have been suggested as members of a new class of non-fluorinated base analogs. Z is found to be the least destabilizing universal base in the context of RNA known to date. This is the first experimental evidence for nitrogen-containing heterocylces as bioisosteres of aromatic rings bearing fluorine atoms.
Responding to inadequate awareness of the outstanding importance of biodiversity, the BioFrankfurt network was founded in 2004 in the State of Hesse, Germany. It is presented here as a case study and may serve as a model for other parts of the world, such as the Middle East. In 2007, only about 26% of the German population were familiar with the term “Biodiversity”, and most of them only had a vague idea about its meaning. The BioFrankfurt network of institutions addressed this problem, raising public awareness and supporting research, education and conservation. A regional biodiversity education program has been developed and delivered to more than 500 schools. Since 2007, an innovative public relations campaign combines raising awareness on regional biodiversity issues with activities to improve the public image of the Frankfurt area. Because of its geographical focus, the network’s activities gained the attention of local and regional politicians and other decision makers, culminating in the joint establishment of a new Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre by BioFrankfurt member institutions. The success of current activities attracts interesting partners, resulting in challenging cooperation initiatives. The authors are convinced that the network’s concepts and activities have a great potential to profoundly enhance the notion and acceptance of biodiversity issues elsewhere. Keywords: BioFrankfurt, biodiversity network, education, public awareness, scientifi c communication
The huntsman spider genera Sparianthina Banks, 1929 and Anaptomecus Simon, 1903 are reviewed. The type species of Sparianthina, Sparianthina selenopoides Banks, 1929, is redescribed, illustrated, and recorded from Costa Rica for the first time; a lectotype and paralectotype are designated. Three species are transferred to the genus: Sparianthina pumilla (Keyserling, 1880) comb. n. from Heteropoda Latreille, 1804 (lectotype and paralectotype are designated), Sparianthina rufescens (Mello-Leitão, 1940) comb. n. from Anaptomecus and Sparianthina milleri (Caporiacco, 1955) comb. n. from Macrinus Simon, 1887. The ♂ of S. rufescens (Mello-Leitão, 1940) comb. n. and the ♀ of S. milleri comb. n. are described for the first time. Three new species are described: Sparianthina adisi sp. n., S. deltshevi sp. n., and S. saaristoi sp. n. The male and female of Anaptomecus longiventris Simon, 1903 are described for the first time and the species is recorded from Panama for the first time. Two new species are described: Anaptomecus temii sp. n. and A. levyi sp. n. Keywords: Taxonomy, re-description, transfer, review
A new species of the basal araneomorph spider genus Ectatosticta (Araneae, Hypochilidae) from China
(2009)
The hypochilid spider Ectatosticta davidi (Simon) is redescribed on the basis of adults from Mt. Taibaishan in Shaanxi Province, China; the specimens from Qinghai Province previously identified as E. davidi by most modern authors belong to a new species described as E. deltshevi. Keywords: Araneae, Araneomorphae, Hypochilidae, Ectatosticta, China
Despite prevailing arid conditions, the diversity of terrestrial and freshwater biota in the Middle East is amazingly high and marine biodiversity is among the highest on Earth. Th roughout the Region, threats to the environment are moderate to severe. Despite the outstanding economic and ecological importance of biological diversity, the capacity in biodiversity-related research and academic education is inadequate. The "Middle Eastern Biodiversity Network" (MEBN), founded in 2006 by six universities and research institutes in Iran, Jordan, Germany, Lebanon and Yemen was designed to fi ll this gap. An integrated approach is taken to upgrade biodiversity research and education in order to improve regional ecosystem conservation and management capacities. A wide range of activities are carried out in the framework of the Network, including capacity building in biological collection management and professional natural history curatorship, developing university curricula in biodiversity, conducting scientifi c research, organising workshops and conferences on Middle Eastern biodiversity, and translating the results of biodiversity research into conservation and sustainable development. Keywords: Middle Eastern biodiversity, nature museums, biodiversity research, biodiversity education, biodiversity conservation, biodiversity networks
Although autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have a substantial genetic basis, most of the known genetic risk has been traced to rare variants, principally copy number variants (CNVs). To identify common risk variation, the Autism Genome Project (AGP) Consortium genotyped 1558 rigorously defined ASD families for 1 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and analyzed these SNP genotypes for association with ASD. In one of four primary association analyses, the association signal for marker rs4141463, located within MACROD2, crossed the genome-wide association significance threshold of P < 5 × 10−8. When a smaller replication sample was analyzed, the risk allele at rs4141463 was again over-transmitted; yet, consistent with the winner's curse, its effect size in the replication sample was much smaller; and, for the combined samples, the association signal barely fell below the P < 5 × 10−8 threshold. Exploratory analyses of phenotypic subtypes yielded no significant associations after correction for multiple testing. They did, however, yield strong signals within several genes, KIAA0564, PLD5, POU6F2, ST8SIA2 and TAF1C.
Short-term memory requires the coordination of sub-processes like encoding, retention, retrieval and comparison of stored material to subsequent input. Neuronal oscillations have an inherent time structure, can effectively coordinate synaptic integration of large neuron populations and could therefore organize and integrate distributed sub-processes in time and space. We observed field potential oscillations (14–95 Hz) in ventral prefrontal cortex of monkeys performing a visual memory task. Stimulus-selective and performance-dependent oscillations occurred simultaneously at 65–95 Hz and 14–50 Hz, the latter being phase-locked throughout memory maintenance. We propose that prefrontal oscillatory activity may be instrumental for the dynamical integration of local and global neuronal processes underlying short-term memory.
Experience-driven formation of parts-based representations in a model of layered visual memory
(2009)
Growing neuropsychological and neurophysiological evidence suggests that the visual cortex uses parts-based representations to encode, store and retrieve relevant objects. In such a scheme, objects are represented as a set of spatially distributed local features, or parts, arranged in stereotypical fashion. To encode the local appearance and to represent the relations between the constituent parts, there has to be an appropriate memory structure formed by previous experience with visual objects. Here, we propose a model how a hierarchical memory structure supporting efficient storage and rapid recall of parts-based representations can be established by an experience-driven process of self-organization. The process is based on the collaboration of slow bidirectional synaptic plasticity and homeostatic unit activity regulation, both running at the top of fast activity dynamics with winner-take-all character modulated by an oscillatory rhythm. These neural mechanisms lay down the basis for cooperation and competition between the distributed units and their synaptic connections. Choosing human face recognition as a test task, we show that, under the condition of open-ended, unsupervised incremental learning, the system is able to form memory traces for individual faces in a parts-based fashion. On a lower memory layer the synaptic structure is developed to represent local facial features and their interrelations, while the identities of different persons are captured explicitly on a higher layer. An additional property of the resulting representations is the sparseness of both the activity during the recall and the synaptic patterns comprising the memory traces. Keywords: visual memory, self-organization, unsupervised learning, competitive learning, bidirectional plasticity, activity homeostasis, parts-based representation, cortical column
Echocardiography is increasingly used in the management of the critically ill patient as a non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring tool. Whilst in few countries specialized national training schemes for intensive care unit (ICU) echocardiography have been developed, specific guidelines for ICU physicians wishing to incorporate echocardiography into their clinical practice are lacking. Further, existing echocardiography accreditation does not reflect the requirements of the ICU practitioner. The WINFOCUS (World Interactive Network Focused On Critical UltraSound) ECHO-ICU Group drew up a document aimed at providing guidance to individual physicians, trainers and the relevant societies of the requirements for the development of skills in echocardiography in the ICU setting. The document is based on recommendations published by the Royal College of Radiologists, British Society of Echocardiography, European Association of Echocardiography and American Society of Echocardiography, together with international input from established practitioners of ICU echocardiography. The recommendations contained in this document are concerned with theoretical basis of ultrasonography, the practical aspects of building an ICU-based echocardiography service as well as the key components of standard adult TTE and TEE studies to be performed on the ICU. Specific issues regarding echocardiography in different ICU clinical scenarios are then described. Obtaining competence in ICU echocardiography may be achieved in different ways – either through completion of an appropriate fellowship/training scheme, or, where not available, via a staged approach designed to train the practitioner to a level at which they can achieve accreditation. Here, peri-resuscitation focused echocardiography represents the entry level – obtainable through established courses followed by mentored practice. Next, a competence-based modular training programme is proposed: theoretical elements delivered through blended-learning and practical elements acquired in parallel through proctored practice. These all linked with existing national/international echocardiography courses. When completed, it is anticipated that the practitioner will have performed the prerequisite number of studies, and achieved the competency to undertake accreditation (leading to Level 2 competence) via a recognized National or European examination and provide the appropriate required evidence of competency (logbook). Thus, even where appropriate fellowships are not available, with support from the relevant echocardiography bodies, training and subsequently accreditation in ICU echocardiography becomes achievable within the existing framework of current critical care and cardiological practice, and is adaptable to each countrie's needs.
Background: Local adaptation to divergent environmental conditions can promote population genetic differentiation even in the absence of geographic barriers and hence, lead to speciation. Perturbations by catastrophic events, however, can distort such parapatric ecological speciation processes. Here, we asked whether an exceptionally strong flood led to homogenization of gene pools among locally adapted populations of the Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana, Poeciliidae) in the Cueva del Azufre system in southern Mexico, where two strong environmental selection factors (darkness within caves and/or presence of toxic H2S in sulfidic springs) drive the diversification of P. mexicana. Nine nuclear microsatellites as well as heritable female life history traits (both as a proxy for quantitative genetics and for trait divergence) were used as markers to compare genetic differentiation, genetic diversity, and especially population mixing (immigration and emigration) before and after the flood. Results: Habitat type (i.e., non-sulfidic surface, sulfidic surface, or sulfidic cave), but not geographic distance was the major predictor of genetic differentiation. Before and after the flood, each habitat type harbored a genetically distinct population. Only a weak signal of individual dislocation among ecologically divergent habitat types was uncovered (with the exception of slightly increased dislocation from the Cueva del Azufre into the sulfidic creek, El Azufre). By contrast, several lines of evidence are indicative of increased flood-induced dislocation within the same habitat type, e.g., between different cave chambers of the Cueva del Azufre. Conclusions: The virtual absence of individual dislocation among ecologically different habitat types indicates strong natural selection against migrants. Thus, our current study exemplifies that ecological speciation in this and other systems, in which extreme environmental factors drive speciation, may be little affected by temporary perturbations, as adaptations to physico-chemical stressors may directly affect the survival probability in divergent habitat types.
Background: Thymostimulin is a thymic peptide fraction with immune-mediated cytotoxicity against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in vitro and palliative efficacy in advanced HCC in two independent phase II trials. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of thymostimulin in a phase III trial. Methods: The study was designed as a prospective randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter clinical phase III trial. Between 10/2002 and 03/2005, 135 patients with locally advanced or metastasised HCC (Karnofsky [greater than or equal to]60% / Child-Pugh [less than or equal to]12) were randomised to receive thymostimulin 75 mg s.c. 5x/week or placebo stratified according to liver function. Primary endpoint was twelve-month survival, secondary endpoints overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), tumor response, safety and quality of life. A subgroup analysis according to liver function, KPS and tumor stage (Okuda, CLIP and BCLC) formed part of the protocol. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN64487365. Results: Twelve-month survival was 28% [95%CI 17-41; treatment] and 32% [95%CI 19-44; control] with no significant differences in median OS (5.0 [95% CI 3.7-6.3] vs. 5.2 [95% CI 3.5-6.9] months; p=0.87, HR=1.04 [95% CI 0.7-1.6]) or TTP (5.3 [95%CI 2.0-8.6] vs. 2.9 [95%CI 2.6-3.1] months; p=0.60, HR=1.13 [95% CI 0.7-1.8]). Adjustment for liver function, Karnofsky status or tumor stage did not affect results. While quality of life was similar in both groups, fewer patients on thymostimulin suffered from accumulating ascites and renal failure. Conclusions: In our phase III trial, we found no evidence of any benefit to thymostimulin in the treatment of advanced HCC and there is therefore no justification for its use as single-agent treatment. The effect of thymostimulin on hepato-renal function requires further confirmation. trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN64487365
Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are produced during hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (H/R), which may contribute to multiple organ failure. The AIM of this study was to test the hypothesis that green tea (Camellia sinenesis) extract containing 85% polyphenols decreases injury after H/R in rats by scavenging ROS and RNS. Method: S: Female Sprague Dawley rats were given 100 mg polyphenol extract/kg body weight or vehicle 2 h prior to hemorrhagic shock. H/R was induced by two protocols: 1) withdrawal of blood to a mean arterial pressure of 40 mm Hg followed by further withdrawals to decrease blood pressure progressively to 28 mm Hg over 1 h (severe), and 2) withdrawal of blood to a sustained hypotension of 40 mm Hg for 1 h (moderate). Rats were then resuscitated over 1 h with 60% of the shed blood volume plus twice the shed blood volume of lactated Ringer's solution. Serum samples were collected at 10 min and 2 h after resuscitation. At 2 or 18 h, livers were harvested for cytokine and 3-nitrotyrosine quantification, immunohistochemical detection of 4-hydroxynonenol (4-HNE) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression. Results: After severe H/R, 18-h survival increased from 20% after vehicle to 70% after polyphenols (p<0.05). After moderate H/R, survival was greater (80%) and not different between vehicle and polyphenols. In moderate H/R, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased at 10 min and 2 h postresuscitation to 345 and 545 IU/L, respectively. Polyphenol treatment blunted this increase to 153 and 252 IU/L at 10 min and 2 h (p<0.01). Polyphenols also blunted increases in liver homogenates of TNFalpha (7.0 pg/mg with vehicle vs. 4.9 pg/mg with polyphenols, p<0.05), IL-1beta (0.80 vs. 0.37 pg/mg, p<0.05), IL-6 (6.9 vs. 5.1 pg/mg, p<0.05) and nitrotyrosine (1.9 pg/mg vs. 0.6 pg/mg, p<0.05) measured 18 h after H/R. Hepatic 4-HNE immunostaining indicative of lipid peroxidation also decreased from 4.8% after vehicle to 1.5% after polyphenols (p<0.05). By contrast, polyphenols did not block increased iNOS expression at 2 h after H/R. CONCLUSION: Polyphenols decrease ROS/RNS formation and are beneficial after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation.
Background: Because Endomyocardial Biopsy has low sensitivity of about 20%, it can be performed near to myocardium that presented as Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). However the important issue of comparing topography of CMR and histological findings has not yet been investigated. Thus the current study was performed using an animal model of myocarditis. Results: In 10 male Lewis rats Experimental Autoimmune myocarditis was induced, 10 rats served as control. On day 21 animals were examined by CMR to compare topographic distribution of LGE to histological inflammation. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for LGE in diagnosing myocarditis were determined for each segment of myocardium. Latter diagnostic values varied widely depending on topographic distribution of LGE and inflammation as well as on the used CMR sequence. Sensitivity of LGE was up to 76% (left lateral myocardium) and positive predictive values were up to 85% (left lateral myocardium), whereas sensitivity and positive predictive value dropped to 0 - 33% (left inferior myocardium). Conclusions: Topographic distribution of LGE and histological inflammation seem to influence sensitivity, specifity, positive and negative predictive values. Nevertheless, positive predictive value for LGE of up to 85% indicates that Endomyocardial Biopsy should be performed "MR-guided". LGE seems to have greater sensitivity than Endomyocardial Biopsy for the diagnosis of myocarditis.
In diesem Beitrag zur Frage nach dem Ausmaß von Einkommensarmut von Familien stehen zwei Aspekte im Mittelpunkt. – Zum einen ist im Vorfeld von Verteilungsanalysen die Art der Einkommensgewichtung in Mehrpersonenhaushalten zu klären. Nach Abwägung verschiedener Ansätze zur Ableitung einer Äquivalenzskala wurde eine Präferenz für ein institutionell orientiertes Gewichtungsschema, approximiert durch die alte OECD-Skala, begründet. – Zum anderen wurde der Einfluss der Frauenerwerbsbeteiligung auf die Einkommenssituation von Familien mit Kindern empirisch untersucht. Von prekären Einkommensverhältnissen und Einkommensarmut sind vor allem Familien mit geringfügig beschäftigter oder nichterwerbstätiger Partnerin sowie Alleinerziehende – Letztere wiederum bei fehlender Erwerbstätigkeit besonders stark – betroffen, wobei in den neuen Ländern die Situation wesentlich brisanter ist als in den alten Ländern. Bei politischen Maßnahmen sollten Erwerbswünsche der Frauen und Bedürfnisse der Familien berücksichtigt werden. Von daher sind Transfers im Rahmen des Familienleistungsausgleichs und die öffentliche Förderung von Kinderbetreuungseinrichtungen nicht als konkurrierende, sondern eher als komplementäre Konzepte zu diskutieren.
Since the description of sepsis by Schottmüller in 1914, the amount on knowledge available on sepsis and its underlying pathophysiology has substantially increased. Epidemiologic examinations of abdominal septic shock patients show the potential for high risk posed by and the extensive therapy situation in the intensive care unit (ICU) (5). Unfortunately, until now it has not been possible to significantly reduce the mortality rate of septic shock, which is as high as 50-60% worldwide, although PROWESS' results (1) are encouraging. This paper summarizes the main results of the MEDAN project and their medical impacts. Several aspects are already published, see the references. The heterogeneity of patient groups and the variations in therapy strategies is seen as one of the main problems for sepsis trials. In the MEDAN multi-center study of 71 intensive care units in Germany, a group of 382 patients made up exclusively of abdominal septic shock patients who met the consensus criteria for septic shock (3) was analysed. For use within scores or stand-alone experiments variables are often studied as isolated variables, not as a multidimensional whole, e.g. a recent study takes a look at the role thrombocytes play (15). To avoid this limitation, our study compares several established scores (SOFA, APACHE II, SAPS II, MODS) by a multi-dimensional neuronal network analysis. For outcome prediction the data of 382 patients was analysed by using most of the commonly documented vital parameters and doses of medicine (metric variables). Data was collected in German hospitals from 1998 to 2001. The 382 handwritten patient records were transferred to an electronic database giving the amount of 2.5 million data entries. The metric data contained in the database is composed of daily measurements and doses of medicine. We used range and plausibility checks to allow no faulty data in the electronic database. 187 of the 382 patients are deceased (49 %).
Attraction and commercial success of web sites depend heavily on the additional values visitors may find. Here, individual, automatically obtained and maintained user profiles are the key for user satisfaction. This contribution shows for the example of a cooking information site how user profiles might be obtained using category information provided by cooking recipes. It is shown that metrical distance functions and standard clustering procedures lead to erroneous results. Instead, we propose a new mutual information based clustering approach and outline its implications for the example of user profiling.
Data driven automatic model selection and parameter adaptation – a case study for septic shock
(2004)
In bioinformatics, biochemical pathways can be modeled by many differential equations. It is still an open problem how to fit the huge amount of parameters of the equations to the available data. Here, the approach of systematically learning the parameters is necessary. This paper propose as model selection criterion the least complex description of the observed data by the model, the minimum description length. For the small, but important example of inflammation modeling the performance of the approach is evaluated.
In bioinformatics, biochemical signal pathways can be modeled by many differential equations. It is still an open problem how to fit the huge amount of parameters of the equations to the available data. Here, the approach of systematically obtaining the most appropriate model and learning its parameters is extremely interesting. One of the most often used approaches for model selection is to choose the least complex model which “fits the needs”. For noisy measurements, the model which has the smallest mean squared error of the observed data results in a model which fits too accurately to the data – it is overfitting. Such a model will perform good on the training data, but worse on unknown data. This paper propose as model selection criterion the least complex description of the observed data by the model, the minimum description length. For the small, but important example of inflammation modeling the performance of the approach is evaluated. Keywords: biochemical pathways, differential equations, septic shock, parameter estimation, overfitting, minimum description length.
In bioinformatics, biochemical pathways can be modeled by many differential equations. It is still an open problem how to fit the huge amount of parameters of the equations to the available data. Here, the approach of systematically learning the parameters is necessary. In this paper, for the small, important example of inflammation modeling a network is constructed and different learning algorithms are proposed. It turned out that due to the nonlinear dynamics evolutionary approaches are necessary to fit the parameters for sparse, given data. Proceedings of the 15th IEEE International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligence - ICTAI 2003
In bioinformatics, biochemical pathways can be modeled by many differential equations. It is still an open problem how to fit the huge amount of parameters of the equations to the available data. Here, the approach of systematically learning the parameters is necessary. In this paper, for the small, important example of inflammation modeling a network is constructed and different learning algorithms are proposed. It turned out that due to the nonlinear dynamics evolutionary approaches are necessary to fit the parameters for sparse, given data. Keywords: model parameter adaption, septic shock. coupled differential equations, genetic algorithm.
In contrast to the symbolic approach, neural networks seldom are designed to explain what they have learned. This is a major obstacle for its use in everyday life. With the appearance of neuro-fuzzy systems which use vague, human-like categories the situation has changed. Based on the well-known mechanisms of learning for RBF networks, a special neuro-fuzzy interface is proposed in this paper. It is especially useful in medical applications, using the notation and habits of physicians and other medically trained people. As an example, a liver disease diagnosis system is presented.
The prevention of credit card fraud is an important application for prediction techniques. One major obstacle for using neural network training techniques is the high necessary diagnostic quality: Since only one financial transaction of a thousand is invalid no prediction success less than 99.9% is acceptable. Due to these credit card transaction proportions complete new concepts had to be developed and tested on real credit card data. This paper shows how advanced data mining techniques and neural network algorithm can be combined successfully to obtain a high fraud coverage combined with a low false alarm rate.
This paper describes the use of a Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network in the approximation of process parameters for the extrusion of a rubber profile in tyre production. After introducing the rubber industry problem, the RBF network model and the RBF net learning algorithm are developed, which uses a growing number of RBF units to compensate the approximation error up to the desired error limit. Its performance is shown for simple analytic examples. Then the paper describes the modelling of the industrial problem. Simulations show good results, even when using only a few training samples. The paper is concluded by a discussion of possible systematic error influences, improvements and potential generalisation benefits. Keywords: Adaptive process control; Parameter estimation; RBF-nets; Rubber extrusion
Diese Arbeit plädiert für eine rationale Behandlung von Patientendaten und untersucht dazu die Analyse der Daten mit Hilfe neuronale Netze etwas näher. Erfolgreiche Beispielanwendungen zeigen, daß die menschlichen Diagnosefähigkeiten deutlich schlechter sind als neuronale Diagnosesysteme. Für das Beispiel der neueren Architektur mit RBF-Netzen wird die Funktionalität näher erläutert und gezeigt, wie menschliche und neuronale Expertise miteinander gekoppelt werden kann. Der Ausblick deutet Anwendungen und Praxisproblematik derartiger Systeme an.
In this paper we regard first the situation where parallel channels are disturbed by noise. With the goal of maximal information conservation we deduce the conditions for a transform which "immunizes" the channels against noise influence before the signals are used in later operations. It shows up that the signals have to be decorrelated and normalized by the filter which corresponds for the case of one channel to the classical result of Shannon. Additional simulations for image encoding and decoding show that this constitutes an efficient approach for noise suppression. Furthermore, by a corresponding objective function we deduce the stochastic and deterministic learning rules for a neural network that implements the data orthonormalization. In comparison with other already existing normalization networks our network shows approximately the same in the stochastic case but, by its generic deduction ensures the convergence and enables the use as independent building block in other contexts, e.g. whitening for independent component analysis. Keywords: information conservation, whitening filter, data orthonormalization network, image encoding, noise suppression.
Im Zeitraum 1. 11. 1993 bis 30. 3. 1997 wurden 1149 allgemeinchirurgische Intensivpatienten prospektiv erfaßt, von denen 114 die Kriterien des septischen Schocks erfüllten. Die Letalität der Patienten mit einem septischen Schock betrug 47,3%. Nach Training eines neuronalen Netzes mit 91 (von insgesamt n = 114) Patienten ergab die Testung bei den verbleibenden 23 Patienten bei der Berücksichtigung von Parameterveränderungen vom 1. auf den 2. Tag des septischen Schocks folgendes Ergebnis: Alle 10 verstorbenen Patienten wurden korrekt als nicht überlebend vorhergesagt, von den 13 Überlebenden wurden 12 korrekt als überlebend vorhergesagt (Sensitivität 100%; Spezifität 92,3%).
This paper describes the use of a radial basis function (RBF) neural network. It approximates the process parameters for the extrusion of a rubber profile used in tyre production. After introducing the problem, we describe the RBF net algorithm and the modeling of the industrial problem. The algorithm shows good results even using only a few training samples. It turns out that the „curse of dimensions“ plays an important role in the model. The paper concludes by a discussion of possible systematic error influences and improvements.
The paper focuses on the division of the sensor field into subsets of sensor events and proposes the linear transformation with the smallest achievable error for reproduction: the transform coding approach using the principal component analysis (PCA). For the implementation of the PCA, this paper introduces a new symmetrical, lateral inhibited neural network model, proposes an objective function for it and deduces the corresponding learning rules. The necessary conditions for the learning rate and the inhibition parameter for balancing the crosscorrelations vs. the autocorrelations are computed. The simulation reveals that an increasing inhibition can speed up the convergence process in the beginning slightly. In the remaining paper, the application of the network in picture encoding is discussed. Here, the use of non-completely connected networks for the self-organized formation of templates in cellular neural networks is shown. It turns out that the self-organizing Kohonen map is just the non-linear, first order approximation of a general self-organizing scheme. Hereby, the classical transform picture coding is changed to a parallel, local model of linear transformation by locally changing sets of self-organized eigenvector projections with overlapping input receptive fields. This approach favors an effective, cheap implementation of sensor encoding directly on the sensor chip. Keywords: Transform coding, Principal component analysis, Lateral inhibited network, Cellular neural network, Kohonen map, Self-organized eigenvector jets.
After a short introduction into traditional image transform coding, multirate systems and multiscale signal coding the paper focuses on the subject of image encoding by a neural network. Taking also noise into account a network model is proposed which not only learns the optimal localized basis functions for the transform but also learns to implement a whitening filter by multi-resolution encoding. A simulation showing the multi-resolution capabilitys concludes the contribution.
We present a framework for the self-organized formation of high level learning by a statistical preprocessing of features. The paper focuses first on the formation of the features in the context of layers of feature processing units as a kind of resource-restricted associative multiresolution learning We clame that such an architecture must reach maturity by basic statistical proportions, optimizing the information processing capabilities of each layer. The final symbolic output is learned by pure association of features of different levels and kind of sensorial input. Finally, we also show that common error-correction learning for motor skills can be accomplished also by non-specific associative learning. Keywords: feedforward network layers, maximal information gain, restricted Hebbian learning, cellular neural nets, evolutionary associative learning
It is well known that artificial neural nets can be used as approximators of any continuous functions to any desired degree and therefore be used e.g. in high - speed, real-time process control. Nevertheless, for a given application and a given network architecture the non-trivial task remains to determine the necessary number of neurons and the necessary accuracy (number of bits) per weight for a satisfactory operation which are critical issues in VLSI and computer implementations of nontrivial tasks. In this paper the accuracy of the weights and the number of neurons are seen as general system parameters which determine the maximal approximation error by the absolute amount and the relative distribution of information contained in the network. We define as the error-bounded network descriptional complexity the minimal number of bits for a class of approximation networks which show a certain approximation error and achieve the conditions for this goal by the new principle of optimal information distribution. For two examples, a simple linear approximation of a non-linear, quadratic function and a non-linear approximation of the inverse kinematic transformation used in robot manipulator control, the principle of optimal information distribution gives the the optimal number of neurons and the resolutions of the variables, i.e. the minimal amount of storage for the neural net. Keywords: Kolmogorov complexity, e-Entropy, rate-distortion theory, approximation networks, information distribution, weight resolutions, Kohonen mapping, robot control.
Clathrates are candidate materials for thermoelectric applications because of a number of unique properties. The clathrate I phases in the Ba-Ni-Ge ternary system allow controlled variation of the charge carrier concentration by adjusting the Ni content. Depending on the Ni content, the physical properties vary from metal-like to insulator-like and show a transition from p-type to n-type conduction. Here we present first results on the characterization of millimeter-sized single crystals grown by the Bridgman technique. Single crystals with a composition of Ba8Ni3.5Ge42.1h0.4 show metallic behavior (dp/dT > 0) albeit with high resistivity at room temperature [p (300 K) = 1 mOhm cm]. The charge carrier concentration at 300 K, as determined from Hall-effect measurements, is 2.3 e-/unit cell. The dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit estimated at 680 K is ZT ~ 0.2. Keywords Clathrates - thermoelectric material - intermetallic compound - nickel
We suggest a new method to compute the spectrum and wave functions of excited states. We construct a stochastic basis of Bargmann link states, drawn from a physical probability density distribution and compute transition amplitudes between stochastic basis states. From such transition matrix we extract wave functions and the energy spectrum. We apply this method toU(1)2+1 lattice gauge theory. As a test we compute the energy spectrum, wave functions and thermodynamical functions of the electric Hamiltonian and compare it with analytical results. We find excellent agreement. We observe scaling of energies and wave functions in the variable of time. We also present first results on a small lattice for the full Hamiltonian including the magnetic term.
Central elements of the Bologna declaration have been implemented in a huge variety of curricula in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering sciences at German universities. Overall the results have been nothing less than disastrous. Surprisingly, this seems to be the perfect time for German universities to talk about introducing a curriculum that is fully compatible with the Bologna declaration for medical education as well. However, German medical education does not have problems the Bologna declaration is intended to solve, such as quality, mobility, internationalization and employability. It is already in the Post-Bologna age.
Die Virtuelle Fachbibliothek Biologie (www.vifabio.de) bündelt die Recherche nach wissenschaftlich hochwertigen Quellen aus Bibliotheken, Aufsatzbanken und Internet. Zentrales Element von vifabio ist dabei der Virtuelle Katalog: Mit einer Suchanfrage werden mehrere Kataloge zoologisch bzw. ornithologisch relevanter Bibliotheken, Zeitschriftendatenbanken wie Zoological Record (Nationallizenz 1864 bis 2007 für Nutzer in akademischen Einrichtungen), BioLIS und der Aufsatzkatalog OLC, sowie Landesbibliographien und der Internetquellen-Führer von vifabio durchsucht. Verlinkungen zur Elektronischen Zeitschriftenbibliothek Regensburg (EZB), zum Lieferdienst subito sowie zum Karlsruher Virtuellen Katalog (KVK) erleichtern den Zugang zum Volltext oder zum gedruckten Exemplar. Weitere Module von vifabio wie der Internetquellen-Führer bzw. der Datenbank-Führer eröffnen zusätzliche Rechercheoptionen.
Meeting Abstract : Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie. 125. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie. Berlin, 22.-25.04.2008 Einleitung: Über 4 Millionen Menschen leben in Deutschland schätzungsweise mit chronischen Wunden. Aufgrund der demographischen Entwicklung unserer Gesellschaft ist mit einem weiteren Anstieg der zu nicht, oder nur zögerlich heilenden Wunden führenden Erkrankungen diabetisches Fußsyndrom, chronisch venöse Insuffizienz und pAVK auszugehen. Dennoch ist die moderne hydroaktive Wundbehandlung in Deutschland nicht flächendeckend etabliert. Gründe hierfür liegen unter anderem in dem unüberschaubaren Produktsortiment, der unzureichenden Vergütung vor allem im ambulanten Versorgungssektor und in der mangelhaften ärztlichen Ausbildung in Bezug auf Wundtherapie. Ein standardisiertes Wundbehandlungsschema erleichtert die stadiengerechte Anwendung moderner Wundauflagen und dient als nachvollziehbare Entscheidungsgrundlage in der Auswahl der erforderlichen Wundprodukte. Material und Methoden: Anhand eines Bogens werden vier Kriterien (Wundstadium, Wundexsudation, Wundtiefe und Wundinfektion) zur Beurteilung einer Wunde erfasst. Die fotographische Abbildung der verschiedenen Wundstadien erlaubt eine sichere visuelle Zuordnung durch den Therapeuten. Nach Analyse dieser S.E.T.I. Kriterien ergibt sich eine eindeutige stadiengerechte Produktzuordnung, die auch dem weniger geübten eine sichere Anwendung der verschiedenen Produktgruppen ermöglicht. Ergebnisse: Dieser Behandlungsstandard wurde zwischenzeitlich an 3 Kliniken der Maximalversorgung und in einem integrierten Versorgungsmodell zum diabetischen Fußsyndrom etabliert und stellt einen Bestandteil für ein weiteres IV Modell zur pAVK dar. Neben ökonomischen Vorteilen (reduzierte Lagerhaltungskosten, Straffung des Produktsortiments, günstigere Bezugskonditionen) lässt sich eine Verbesserung in der Behandlungsqualität, eine verkürzte stationäre Behandlungsdauer sowie eine vereinfachte Umsetzung einer sektorenübergreifenden Wundversorgung erzielen. Schlussfolgerung: Die Anwendung eines Therapiestandards für die stadiengerechte Behandlung chronischer Wunden ermöglicht eine Anwenderunabhängige gleich bleibend hohe Qualität sowie eine wesentlich vereinfachte Orientierung in dem Produktsortiment. Hierdurch wird weiterhin ein Beitrag zur Schnittstellenoptimierung zwischen dem stationären und ambulanten Versorgungssektor bei chronischen Wunden geleistet. Ein verbindlicher interdisziplinärer und interprofessioneller Wundbehandlungsstandard stellt eine unverzichtbare Qualitätssicherungsmaßnahme in der Wundbehandlung dar.
Einleitung: Am 16.12.06 wurde im Eurotransplant-Gebiet der MELD-Score (MELD) als Allokationsbasis zur Lebertransplantation (OLT) eingeführt. Ziel ist eine Reduktion der Sterblichkeit auf der Warteliste. Material und Methoden: 100 Patienten wurden in die prospektive Analyse der MELD-Allokation vom 16.12.06 bis 15.09.07 einbezogen. Ergebnisse: Aktuell warten 68 Pat., 28 Pat. wurden transplantiert, 4 Pat. sind auf der Warteliste (WL) verstorben (4%). Der mittlere MELD auf der WL beträgt 17,2 +/- 5,2 (7-28). Bei 12 Pat. liegt eine Standard-exception (SE) (n=10 HCC, n=2 metabolische Erkrankung) mit einem Match-MELD von 25,6 +/-2,06 vor (24-28). Die Todesursachen der vier auf der WL verstorbenen Pat. waren eine akute Varizenblutung (MELD 9), zwei kardiale Versagen (MELD 13, 18) und eine MRSA-Sepsis (MELD 29, NT-Status). Die 28 transplantierten Pat. hatte zum Zeitpunkt der Transplantation einen mittleren MELD von 27,66 +/- 5,1 Punkten (21 bis 40). 20 Pat. wurden aufgrund des Labor-MELD (28,4 +/- 5,3, 24-40) transplantiert, wobei 7 Pat. einen MELD über 30 aufwiesen. Die Wartezeit lag bei 11,55 +/- 5,3 Tagen. 8 Pat. erhielten bei SE bei HCC (MELD 24 +/- 0, 24) ein Organ nach einer Wartezeit von 320 +/- 9,7 Tagen. Aktuell leben 23 der 28 transplantierten Pat. Bei zwei verstorbenen Pat. war die Todesursache ein kardiales Versagen, bei zwei Patienten eine primäre Non-Funktion sowie ein septisches Multiorganversagen. Schlussfolgerung: Während der ersten Monate der MELD Allokation lag die Letalität auf der WL in unserem Zentrum bei 4%. Patienten mit einem mittleren MELD über 27 erhielten Organangebote und konnten nach kurzer Wartezeit transplantiert werden.
Meeting Abstract : Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie. 125. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie. Berlin, 22.-25.04.2008 Einleitung: Konventionelle Ösophagusresektionen gehen auch heute noch mit einer hohe Morbidität und Mortalität einher. Die Ergebnisse einiger Serien minimal-invasiver Ösophagusresektionen sind vielversprechend, aber kontrovers diskutiert. Material und Methoden: Im Rahmen einer Beobachtungsstudie werden seit Mai 2005 minimal-invasive thorakoabdominelle Ösophagektomien mit cervikalem Magenhochzug durchgeführt. Die operativen Parameter und der postoperative Verlauf werden prospektiv erfasst und jetzt retrospektiv ausgewertet. Ergebnisse: Seit Mai 2005 wurden 28 Patienten minimal-invasive ösophagektomiert, 3 transhiatal und 25 thorakoabdominell. Indikation waren Plattenepithelkarzinome bei 14 und distale Adenokarzinome bei 13 Patienten, bei einem Patienten eine langstreckige benigne Stenose. Die Tumorstadien waren UICC-IIa in 7, UICC-2b in 2 und UICC-III in 18 Patienten. 11 Patienten (41%) wurden neoadjuvant vorbehandelt. Die OP-Zeit betrug im Mittel 296 Min. +/- 46 Min., der intraoperative Blutverlust 110 ml +/- 131 ml. Ein abdomineller Operationsabschnitt wurde konvertiert (4%), thorakal war bisher keine Konversion notwendig. R-0 Resektionen wurde in 26/27 Patienten (96%) erzielt, die mittlere Anzahl entfernter Lymphknoten betrug 19. Die 30-Tage –Letalität war 0, die Krankenhausletalität 11%. Die Morbidität betrug 54% und beinhaltet 7 Anastomoseninsuffizienzen, 2 „Ösophago“-tracheale Fisteln, 1 Hiatushernie, 2 Recurrensparesen, 2 Pneumonien und 1 beatmungspflichtiges Delir. Drei Patienten (11%) wurden operativ revidiert (eine Fistel, eine Anastomoseninsuffizienz bei Magenschlauchnekrose, eine Hiatushernie). Schlussfolgerung: Nach Einführung der minimal-invasiven thorakoabdominellen Ösophagektomie werden die exzellenten Ergebnisse anderer minimal-invasiver Serien bisher nicht erreicht, entsprechen aber im Wesentlichen den Ergebnissen der konventionellen Technik. Abzuwarten bleibt, ob die Ergebnisse nach weiterer Abflachung der Lernkurve Verbesserungen aufweisen werden.