An augmented reality study for public participation in urban planning

Ongoing urbanisation processes invoke immense construction activities, for which citizens often participate in planning. Yet, imagining planned buildings based on visual representations is a highly demanding task. While traditional methods, such as construction spans, 2D, or 3D visualisation often fail to offer a complete picture, we propose Augmented Reality (AR) as a more adequate tool. We first present an evaluation of the suitability of AR compared to construction spans for a future building and assess which degree of abstraction of AR is most effective, as well as difficulty of interpreting them correctly. In a between-subjects field study we compare construction spans and a prototype AR application including three levels of detail (LOD) of the same building project. Participants solve two estimation tasks using the construction spans and six estimation tasks using the AR application, before answering a questionnaire on the different visualisation methods. We find participants are confident about the potential of AR, but no significant differences between the different LOD groups in subjective assessment. Results suggest that previous knowledge (e.g. in GIS) may have a positive impact on dimension estimation performance. Also, details, such as façade elements or windows, could facilitate estimation tasks because they allow inferences about a building’s size

PREDICTING PARTICIPATION IN AND SUCCESS OF A CONCURRENT SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM DURING INPATIENT TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE

Background: Predicting participation in and success of smoking cessation programs in alcohol dependent patients has yielded heterogeneous results. Moreover, these findings have rarely been based on prospective studies from clinical routine settings. Identifying predictors in prospective studies could help to tailor interventions that increase participation and success rates of smoking cessation therapies for these patients at a high risk for alcohol- and smoking-related morbidities and mortalities. Subjects and methods: During inpatient alcohol dependence treatment, 99 nicotine dependent patients were recruited. 73 patients chose to participate in a voluntary smoking cessation program. Interviews and questionnaires were used at baseline and at discharge to assess a large set of variables covering smoking and alcohol related factors, general psychopathology, quality of life and personality traits. Multiple logistic regression models were calculated to predict participation in the smoking cessation program and smoking abstinence at follow-up three months after discharge. Results: Participation in the smoking cessation program was predicted by higher stage of change, higher confidence in abstaining from smoking and lower perceived stress. Successful smoking cessation at follow-up was predicted by higher expectations of negative physical feelings due to smoking and lower expectations of temptations to smoke at baseline, and by lower number of daily smoked cigarettes at discharge. Conclusion: Despite the small sample size, this prospective study gives a first indication of clinically relevant predictors of participation in and success of a smoking cessation program by exploring many previously reported predictors simultaneously. The findings and their implications for treatment allocation and optimization are discussed. Key words

PREDICTING PARTICIPATION IN AND SUCCESS OF A CONCURRENT SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM DURING INPATIENT TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE

Background: Predicting participation in and success of smoking cessation programs in alcohol dependent patients has yielded heterogeneous results. Moreover, these findings have rarely been based on prospective studies from clinical routine settings. Identifying predictors in prospective studies could help to tailor interventions that increase participation and success rates of smoking cessation therapies for these patients at a high risk for alcohol- and smoking-related morbidities and mortalities. Subjects and methods: During inpatient alcohol dependence treatment, 99 nicotine dependent patients were recruited. 73 patients chose to participate in a voluntary smoking cessation program. Interviews and questionnaires were used at baseline and at discharge to assess a large set of variables covering smoking and alcohol related factors, general psychopathology, quality of life and personality traits. Multiple logistic regression models were calculated to predict participation in the smoking cessation program and smoking abstinence at follow-up three months after discharge. Results: Participation in the smoking cessation program was predicted by higher stage of change, higher confidence in abstaining from smoking and lower perceived stress. Successful smoking cessation at follow-up was predicted by higher expectations of negative physical feelings due to smoking and lower expectations of temptations to smoke at baseline, and by lower number of daily smoked cigarettes at discharge. Conclusion: Despite the small sample size, this prospective study gives a first indication of clinically relevant predictors of participation in and success of a smoking cessation program by exploring many previously reported predictors simultaneously. The findings and their implications for treatment allocation and optimization are discussed. Key words

Schriften von und über Voltaire aus dem 18. Jahrhundert in Mannheim

Der vorliegende Katalog verzeichnet alle Schriften von und über Voltaire bis zum Erscheinungsjahr 1817, die sich in der Universitätsbibliothek Mannheim und im Reiß-Museum der Stadt Mannheim befinden. Im ersten Teil sind die Titelblätter aller vorhandenen Ausgaben abgebildet. Die einzelnen Werke Voltaires sind nach dem Erscheinungsjahr der Erstausgabe in chronologischer Reihenfolge zusammengestellt worden; zur leichteren Orientierung ist hinter dem Werktitel das Erscheinungsjahr der Erstausgabe in eckigen Klammern beigefügt. Die Sammlungen, z.B. Oeuvres, Théâtre etc., sind nach dem Jahr der vorliegenden Ausgabe eingereiht. Die Schriften über Voltaire sind alphabetisch angeordnet. Der zweite Teil bietet in entsprechender Anordnung die oft abgekürzte Beschreibung der Titel, außerdem, soweit möglich, Angaben über die Herkunft des Exemplars und einen bibliographischen Nachweis der Ausgabe

p-BioSPRE-an information and communication technology framework for transnational biomaterial sharing and access

Biobanks represent key resources for clinico-genomic research and are needed to pave the way to personalised medicine. To achieve this goal, it is crucial that scientists can securely access and share high-quality biomaterial and related data. Therefore, there is a growing interest in integrating biobanks into larger biomedical information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructures. The European project p-medicine is currently building an innovative ICT infrastructure to meet this need. This platform provides tools and services for conducting research and clinical trials in personalised medicine. In this paper, we describe one of its main components, the biobank access framework p-BioSPRE (p-medicine Biospecimen Search and Project Request Engine). This generic framework enables and simplifies access to existing biobanks, but also to offer own biomaterial collections to research communities, and to manage biobank specimens and related clinical data over the ObTiMA Trial Biomaterial Manager. p-BioSPRE takes into consideration all relevant ethical and legal standards, e.g., safeguarding donors’ personal rights and enabling biobanks to keep control over the donated material and related data. The framework thus enables secure sharing of biomaterial within open and closed research communities, while flexibly integrating related clinical and omics data. Although the development of the framework is mainly driven by user scenarios from the cancer domain, in this case, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and Wilms tumour, it can be extended to further disease entities.FP7/2007-2013/27008

Functional polymorphism in the neuropeptide Y gene promoter (rs16147) is associated with serum leptin levels and waist-hip ratio in women

OBJECTIVE: The neuropeptide-Y (NP-Y) gene is a strong candidate gene in the pathophysiology of obesity-linked behavior, and several single-nucleotide polymorphisms of NP-Y have already been linked to body weight and appetite. However, the results from current studies remain inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to test whether a certain functional genetic variant (SNP rs16147) in the NP-Y promoter gene is associated with serum leptin levels and body fat distribution. METHOD: We genotyped and measured the serum leptin levels of the NP-Y rs16147 polymorphism in 1,097 Caucasian subjects in the context of a population-based, case-control multicenter study. We measured weight, height and waist circumference, from which we then calculated BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). RESULTS: We found the CT-genotype of the SNP rs16147 to be significantly associated with lower WHRs and higher serum leptin levels in women, compared to homozygote gene carriers. No association between rs16147, WHR and serum leptin levels was found in men. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that the functionally relevant SNP in the NP-Y promoter gene affects body fat distribution and serum leptin levels in women, pointing towards possible behavioral effects of NPY in obesity

Social participation of individuals with chronic stroke

This study aimed to describe and compare differences in restrictions in social participation of chronic stroke subjects, considering the impairments, mobility limitations, and personal factors. Restrictions in social participation was measured by the LIFE-H 3.1- Brasil; impairments by the Geriatric Depression Scale and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA); mobility limitations by gait speed and Timed Up & Go (TUG) test; whereas personal factors included sex, age, family status, and time after stroke onset. Significant restrictions in the recreation area were found. In general, restrictions in social participation were observed in participants with scores ≤28 at the FMA-lower extremity section, depressive symptoms, limited-community ambulation status, risk of falls, and time after stroke ≤5 years. Those with scores ≤45 FMA-upper extremity showed greater restrictions in some areas of daily activities. Women showed greater restrictions in the social roles. The results suggested that impairments and limitations related to the lower extremity, depressive symptoms, and time after stroke onset should be considered for the assessment of stroke subjects, when the rehabilitation goal is to increase social participation.O objetivo foi descrever e comparar diferenças na restrição na participação social de indivíduos após acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) na fase crônica, considerando as deficiências, limitações em mobilidade e fatores pessoais. A restrição na participação social foi mensurada pelo LIFE-H 3.1-Brasil; as deficiências pela Escala de Depressão Geriátrica e Escala de Fugl-Meyer (EFM); as limitações em mobilidade pela velocidade de marcha e Timed Up & Go (TUG) e os fatores pessoais incluíram sexo, idade, situação familiar e tempo de evolução pós-AVE. Observou-se restrição significativa na área de recreação. Em geral, restrições na participação social foram observadas em participantes com escores ≤28 na EFM-membro inferior, sintomas de depressão, marcha comunitária limitada, risco de quedas e tempo de evolução ≤5 anos. Aqueles com escores ≤45 na EFM-membro superior apresentaram maior restrição em algumas áreas das atividades diárias. As mulheres apresentaram maior restrição em papéis sociais. Os resultados sugerem que deficiências e limitações relacionadas aos membros inferiores, sintomas depressivos e tempo de evolução devem ser considerados na avaliação, quando o objetivo da reabilitação for aumentar a participação social de indivíduos pós-AVE

Adaptação transcultural da Modified Gait Efficacy Scale para indivíduos pós-acidente vascular encefálico

A Modified Gait Efficacy scale (mGES) avalia a percepção do indivíduo sobre o seu nível de confiança na marcha, em circunstâncias desafiadoras. Para sua aplicação na população brasileira, é necessário que seja realizada a sua adaptação transcultural. Este estudo objetivou realizar a adaptação transcultural do mGES para uso no Brasil. O processo de adaptação seguiu diretrizes padronizadas, sendo realizado em cinco etapas: tradução, retrotradução, síntese das traduções, avaliação pelo comitê de especialistas e teste da versão pré final. A versão pré final foi aplicada em 12 indivíduos pós-Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE), que foram indagados sobre como interpretaram cada item. O processo de adaptação seguiu todas as recomendações propostas, sendo necessárias apenas pequenas alterações em três itens, para possibilitar melhor compreensão. Resultados satisfatórios foram obtidos no teste da versão pré final, uma vez que não houve nenhum problema quanto à redação e clareza dos itens ou ao objetivo da escala. A versão final da mGES-Brasil demonstrou satisfatório grau de equivalência semântica, conceitual e cultural, em relação à versão original, e pode, ser utilizada em contextos clínicos e de pesquisa no Brasil, para avaliar o nível de confiança na marcha de indivíduos pós-AVE.The Modified Gait Efficacy Scale (mGES) assesses the walking confidence under challenging circumstances. For its application with the Brazilian population, its cross-cultural adaptation is required. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the mGES to the Brazilian-Portuguese language. The process of cross-cultural adaptation followed standardized procedures and was conducted in five stages: translation, back-translation, synthesis of the translations, expert committee consultation, and testing of the pre-final version. The pre-final version was administered to 12 individuals with stroke, who were asked to interpret all of the items. The cross-cultural adaptation process followed all of the recommended guidelines and minor modifications in three items were carried-out, to facilitate understanding. Satisfactory results were obtained during the testing of the pre-final version, since there was not found any problem regarding wording and clarity of the items or the objective of the scale. The mGES-Brazil showed satisfactory semantic, linguistic, cultural, and conceptual equivalences to the original version, and may be used within clinical and research contexts in Brazil, for the assessment of walking confidence of individuals with strok

Adjuvant therapy for children treated by enucleation at diagnosis of retinoblastoma

Introduction Advanced localized retinoblastoma can be cured by enucleation, but extraocular spread of retinoblastoma cells is associated with a high mortality. Risk-stratified adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been shown to reduce the risk for extraocular relapse in children with histopathological risk factors. Methods Data of 184 patients with retinoblastoma and primary enucleation were collected in a prospective, multicenter, observational study between 2013 and 2020. The clinical characteristics were evaluated as risk factors and progression-free and overall survival rates were compared. Results Seventy-one percent of 184 children with retinoblastoma treated with primary enucleation were diagnosed with low risk histopathological factors (pT1/pT2a) and received no adjuvant therapy. Children with intermediate risk (pT2b,pT3; 48 children, 26.0%) and high risk for metastasis (pT4; 5 children, 2.7%) received risk-stratified adjuvant treatment. None of the children with low risk or intermediate risk (pT1-pT3) relapsed, but two of five children with high-risk retinoblastoma (pT4) developed extraocular relapses and one deceased. The 2-year progression-free survival rate and 2-year overall survival rate was 100% for children with pT1-3 retinoblastoma. However, the 2-year progression-free survival rate and 2-year overall survival rate for children with pT4 was statistically notably reduced with 2 of 5 children developing progression and 1 death among the 5 children within 2 years after diagnosis. Conclusion Primary enucleation alone and with additional risk-stratified adjuvant chemotherapy treatment provides high cure rates in patients with pT1-3 retinoblastoma, but children with pT4 retinoblastoma remain at high risk to develop extraocular retinoblastoma. International prospective clinical trials are required to evaluate reduction of intensity of adjuvant chemotherapy in some risk groups (pT2, pT3) and intensification for pT4 retinoblastoma

Expression of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in keratinocytes mediates apoptotic cell death in allogenic T cells

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the aptitude of TRAIL gene expression for inducing apoptosis in co-cultivated T-cells. This should allow preparing a strategy for the development of a durable, allogenic skin substitute based on the induction of an immune-privileged transplant. In order to counteract the significant potential of rejection in transplanted allogenic keratinocytes, we created a murine keratinocyte cell line which expressed TRAIL through stable gene transfer. The exogenic protein was localized on the cellular surface and was not found in soluble condition as sTRAIL. Contact to TRAIL expressing cells in co-culture induced cell death in sensitive Jurkat-cells, which was further intensified by lymphocyte activation. This cytotoxic effect is due to the induction of apoptosis. We therefore assume that the de-novo expression of TRAIL in keratinocytes can trigger apoptosis in activated lymphocytes and thus prevent the rejection of keratinocytes in allogenic, immune-privileged transplants