Contour Methods for View Point Tracking

Shape of objects, in particular the shape of object outlines, has for a long time been a focus in the literature and is widely regarded as carrying important information for visual and cognitive tasks, such as object recognition and object tracking. This thesis is concerned with techniques related to shape information from 2D images. The main contribution is a purely 2D shape based method for following view point changes of an observer relative to an object given an image sequence. Several techniques involved in such a task are covered in some detail. In particular, segmentation methods yielding contours, and shape representations are treated. On the shape side, classical representations and methods are included to a smaller extent, and a more recent, more sophisticated manifold of shapes including computational technicalities is treated in more detail. Variational segmentation methods based on the successful level set representation are used for segmenting and tracking curves in image sequences. While this field has grown rapidly and is still developing further, this work covers enough detail to describe the implementation used for experiments, as well as useful extensions to the basic methods. Finally, a method for tracking a view point relative to a moving object based only on 2D shape information is investigated and applied in experiments with some success. Future directions as well as limits of a purely outline based method are examined

Multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation improves the long-term functional status of geriatric hip-fracture patients

Background As the world population ages, the number of hip-related fractures in the elderly is steadily increasing. These fractures generate a major worldwide healthcare problem and frequently lead to deterioration of life quality, mobility and independence in activity of daily life of geriatric patients. At present, many studies have investigated and proved benefits of multidisciplinary orthogeriatric care for elderly hip-fracture patients. Only few studies however, have analyzed treatment concepts for those patients directly following discharge from hospital in specialized rehabilitation centers. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of a multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation on the short- and long-term functional status of geriatric patients who suffered from hip fracture. Methods A total of 161 hip-fracture patients aged 80 years and above, or additionally 70 years and above suffering from age-typical multimorbidity were included in this study. Patients who had an initial Barthel Index lower than 30 points were excluded from this study, as most of these patients were not able to attend a therapy at the rehabilitation center due to a poor functional status. The patients were separated into two subgroups dependent on the availability of treatment spots at the rehabilitation center. No other item was used to discriminate between the groups. Group A (n = 95) stayed an average of 21 days at an inpatient rehabilitation center that specialized in geriatric patients. Group B (n = 66) underwent the standard postoperative treatment and were sent home with further treatment by their general practitioner, nursing staff and physiotherapists. To evaluate the patients’ functional status over the course of time we used the Barthel Index, which was evaluated for every patient on the day of discharge, as well as during checkups after 3, 6 and 12 months. Results The average Barthel Index at the day of discharge was 57.79 ± 14.92 points for Group A and 56.82 ± 18.76 points for Group B (p = 0.431). After 3 months, the average Barthel Index was 82.43 points for Group A and 73.11 points for group B (p = 0.005). In the 6-month checkup Group A’s average Barthel Index was 83.95 points and Group B’s was 74.02 points (p = 0.002). After 12 months, patients from Group A had an average Barthel Index of 81.21 while patients from Group B had an average Barthel Index of 69.85 (p = 0.005). Conclusion The results of this study reveal a significantly better outcome concerning both, short-term and long-term functional status after 3, 6 and 12 months for geriatric hip-fracture patients, who underwent an inpatient treatment in a rehabilitation center following the initial therapy

Perfil nutricional y antioxidante post-cosecha de Beta vulgaris L. cultivada en microhuerto sin suelo de baja emisión con nutrientes orgánicos e inorgánicos

Beetroot was grown in an open soilless cultivation system with nutrition supplied by organic and inorganic sources. This low emission system was tested for microgardening high quality red beets with high water use efficiency and less pollutant emission in the environs. For this purpose, a pot experiment was planned according to completely randomized design. For inorganically grown red beets, peat moss was combined with 150, 200 and 250 ppm NH4NO3, whereas for organic red beets, peat moss was amended with compost having nitrogen equivalent to the mentioned NH4NO3 concentrations. Rosette and roots were analysed for fresh and dry biomass. Nitrate content, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ripening index, ascorbic acid, betacyanins, flavonols and antioxidant capacity were assessed as beetroot quality attributes. Combination of peat moss with NH4NO3 showed comparatively lower fresh plant biomass, fresh and dry biomasses of rosette and root, and root to rosette ratio. However, enhanced antioxidant activity and bioaccumulation of ascorbic acid, total soluble solids, betacyanins, flavonols and reduced titratable acids, resulting in higher ripening index and good quality were observed in peat moss combined NH4NO3 treated beetroots. Overall, combination of peat moss with NH4NO3 led to higher nutritional and antioxidant quality of red beet plants.La remolacha se cultivó en un sistema de cultivo abierto sin suelo con nutrición suministrada por fuentes orgánicas e inorgánicas. Este sistema de baja emisión fue probado para la microhorticultura de remolachas rojas de alta calidad con una eficiencia alta de uso de agua y menor emisión de contaminantes a los alrededores. Con esta finalidad se planificó un experimento en macetas de acuerdo con un diseño completamente al azar. Para las remolachas rojas cultivadas inorgánicamente se combinó musgo de turbera con 150, 200 y 250 ppm de NH4NO3, mientras que para las orgánicas se adecuó el musgo de turbera con compost con un contenido de nitrógeno equivalente a las concentraciones de NH4NO3 mencionadas. Se analizó el contenido de biomasa fresca y seca de la roseta y de la raíz. El contenido de nitratos, los sólidos solubles totales, la acidez titulable, el índice de maduración, el ácido ascórbico, las betacianinas, los flavonoles y la capacidad antioxidante se evaluaron como atributos de calidad de la remolacha. La combinación de musgo de turbera con NH4NO3 mostró valores comparativamente más bajos de biomasa fresca de planta, de biomasa fresca y seca de roseta y raíz, y de relación raíz‑roseta. Sin embargo, también se observaron valores más altos de actividad antioxidante y bioacumulación de ácido ascórbico, sólidos solubles totales, betacianinas, flavonoles y menos ácidos titulables, lo que resultó en un mayor índice de maduración y buena calidad. En general, la combinación de musgo de turbera con NH4NO3 condujo a una mayor calidad nutricional y antioxidante de las plantas de remolacha roja.Fil: Ejaz, Shaghef.Fil: Jezik, Karoline Maria.Fil: Anjum, Muhammad Akbar.Fil: Gosch, Christian.Fil: Halbwirth, Heidrun.Fil: Stich, Karl

Improved outcome in hip fracture patients in the aging population following co-managed care compared to conventional surgical treatment: a retrospective, dual-center cohort study

Background: Hip fracture patients in the aging population frequently present with various comorbidities, whilst preservation of independency and activities of daily living can be challenging. Thus, an interdisciplinary orthogeriatric treatment of these patients has recognized a growing acceptance in the last years. As there is still limited data on the impact of this approach, the present study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome in elderly hip fracture patients, by comparing the treatment of a hospital with integrated orthogeriatric care (OGC) with a conventional trauma care (CTC). Methods: We conducted a retrospective, two-center, cohort study. In two maximum care hospitals all patients presenting with a hip fracture at the age of ≥ 70 years were consecutively assigned within a 1 year period and underwent follow-up examination 12 months after surgery. Patients treated in hospital site A were treated with an interdisciplinary orthogeriatric approach (co-managed care), patients treated in hospital B underwent conventional trauma care. Main outcome parameters were 1 year mortality, readmission rate, requirement of care (RC) and personal activities of daily living (ADL). Results: A total of 436 patients were included (219 with OGC / 217 with CTC). The mean age was 83.55 (66-99) years for OGC and 83.50 (70-103) years for CTC (76.7 and 75.6% of the patients respectively were female). One year mortality rates were 22.8% (OGC) and 28.1% (CTC; p = 0.029), readmission rates were 25.7% for OGC compared to 39.7% for CTC (p = 0.014). Inconsistent data were found for activities of daily living. After 1 year, 7.8% (OGC) and 13.8% (CTC) of the patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusions: Interdisciplinary orthogeriatric management revealed encouraging impact on the long-term outcome of hip fracture patients in the aging population. The observed reduction of mortality, requirements of care and readmission rates to hospital clearly support the health-economic impact of an interdisciplinary orthogeriatric care on specialized wards

Great Cause—Small Effect: Undeclared Genetically Engineered Orange Petunias Harbor an Inefficient Dihydroflavonol 4-Reductase

A recall campaign for commercial, orange flowering petunia varieties in spring 2017 caused economic losses worldwide. The orange varieties were identified as undeclared genetically engineered (GE)-plants, harboring a maize dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR, A1), which was used in former scientific transgenic breeding attempts to enable formation of orange pelargonidin derivatives from the precursor dihydrokaempferol (DHK) in petunia. How and when the A1 cDNA entered the commercial breeding process is unclear. We provide an in-depth analysis of three orange petunia varieties, released by breeders from three countries, with respect to their transgenic construct, transcriptomes, anthocyanin composition, and flavonoid metabolism at the level of selected enzymes and genes. The two possible sources of the A1 cDNA in the undeclared GE-petunia can be discriminated by PCR. A special version of the A1 gene, the A1 type 2 allele, is present, which includes, at the 3′-end, an additional 144 bp segment from the non-viral transposable Cin4-1 sequence, which does not add any functional advantage with respect to DFR activity. This unequivocally points at the first scientific GE-petunia from the 1980s as the A1 source, which is further underpinned e.g., by the presence of specific restriction sites, parts of the untranslated sequences, and the same arrangement of the building blocks of the transformation plasmid used. Surprisingly, however, the GE-petunia cannot be distinguished from native red and blue varieties by their ability to convert DHK in common in vitro enzyme assays, as DHK is an inadequate substrate for both the petunia and maize DFR. Recombinant maize DFR underpins the low DHK acceptance, and, thus, the strikingly limited suitability of the A1 protein for a transgenic approach for breeding pelargonidin-based flower color. The effect of single amino acid mutations on the substrate specificity of DFRs is demonstrated. Expression of the A1 gene is generally lower than the petunia DFR expression despite being under the control of the strong, constitutive p35S promoter. We show that a rare constellation in flavonoid metabolism—absence or strongly reduced activity of both flavonol synthase and B-ring hydroxylating enzymes—allows pelargonidin formation in the presence of DFRs with poor DHK acceptance.Peer Reviewe

Transgenic apple plants overexpressing the chalcone 3-hydroxylase gene of Cosmos sulphureus show increased levels of 3-hydroxyphloridzin and reduced susceptibility to apple scab and fire blight

Main conclusionOverexpression of chalcone-3-hydroxylase provokes increased accumulation of 3-hydroxyphloridzin inMalus. Decreased flavonoid concentrations but unchanged flavonoid class composition were observed. The increased 3-hydroxyphlorizin contents correlate well with reduced susceptibility to fire blight and scab.The involvement of dihydrochalcones in the apple defence mechanism against pathogens is discussed but unknown biosynthetic steps in their formation hamper studies on their physiological relevance. The formation of 3-hydroxyphloretin is one of the gaps in the pathway. Polyphenol oxidases and cytochrome P450 dependent enzymes could be involved. Hydroxylation of phloretin in position 3 has high similarity to the B-ring hydroxylation of flavonoids catalysed by the well-known flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase (F3′H). Using recombinant F3′H and chalcone 3-hydroxylase (CH3H) from Cosmos sulphureus we show that F3′H and CH3H accept phloretin to some extent but higher conversion rates are obtained with CH3H. To test whether CH3H catalyzes the hydroxylation of dihydrochalcones in planta and if this could be of physiological relevance, we created transgenic apple trees harbouring CH3H from C. sulphureus. The three transgenic lines obtained showed lower polyphenol concentrations but no shift between the main polyphenol classes dihydrochalcones, flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavan 3-ols. Increase of 3-hydroxyphloridzin within the dihydrochalcones and of epicatechin/catechin within soluble flavan 3-ols were observed. Decreased activity of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase and chalcone synthase/chalcone isomerase could partially explain the lower polyphenol concentrations. In comparison to the parent line, the transgenic CH3H-lines showed a lower disease susceptibility to fire blight and apple scab that correlated with the increased 3-hydroxyphlorizin contents.Austrian Sci-ence Fund (FWF

Reinvestigating substrate specificity of Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase of Petunia × hybrid.

Europäische Kommissio

Orthogeriatric treatment reduces potential inappropriate medication in older trauma patients: a retrospective, dual-center study comparing conventional trauma care and co-managed treatment

Abstract Background Multimorbidity and polypharmacy are common challenges in the treatment of older trauma patients. Therefore, various integrated care models were developed over the last few years, merging the expertise of geriatricians and trauma surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate, if the number of prescriptions of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) could be reduced in these patients by an interdisciplinary co-managed concept compared to conventional trauma care. Methods We conducted a retrospective, dual-center cohort study, including all patients aged 70 years and older admitted with a fracture of the hip or the proximal humerus within the study period. Patients were treated in the universities department of trauma surgery with two different hospital sites, one with conventional trauma care (CTC) and the other one with a certified orthogeriatric trauma unit (OGC). Based on the STOPP/START criteria by O´Mahony et al., PIMs were defined, which should be avoided in (ortho)geriatric patients. Medical records of each patient were analyzed at discharge. Besides patients basic information, all prescribed drugs, changes in the medication plan and who carried out these changes were collected. For statistical analysis based on the data quality and distribution, the t test, Mann–Whitney U test and the Chi-square test were used. Results A total of 95 patients were included, 73 of them females, with an average age of 82.59 years (SD ± 6.96). Mean length of hospital stay was 12.98 at CTC and 13.36 days at OGC (p = 0.536). Among conventional care (41 patients), prescription of one or more PIMs was found in 85.4% of the patients, whereas at the orthogeriatric ward (54 patients) only in 22.2% (p < 0.001). Besides that, changes in medication were made for 48.1% of the patients during their stay on the orthogeriatric ward. Conclusions Our findings show that an integrated care concept can reduce the number of prescriptions of PIMs significantly and potentially avoids adverse drug reactions and additional burdens in older trauma patients