Formalization of the neuro-biological models for spike neurons.

When modelizing cortical neuronal maps (here spiking neuronal networks) within the scope of the FACETS project, researchers in neuro-science and computer-science use NeuroML, a XML language, to specify biological neuronal networks. These networks could be simulated either using analogue or event-based techniques. Specifications include : - parametric model specification - model equation symbolic definition - formalization of related semantic aspects (paradigms, ..) and they are used by "non-computer-scientists". In this context XML is used to specify data structures, not documents. The first version of NeuroML uses Java to map XML biological data which can be later simulated within GENESIS, NEURON, etc. The second version uses tools for handling XML data, as XSL, to transform an XML file. To allow NeuroML to be used intensively within the scope of the FACETS project, we will entirely analyse the software. First we are going to evaluate this software deeply in the Technical Report section. Then we will propose a prototype to write down NeuroML code easily

Chloe@University: An indoor, HMD-based mobile mixed reality guide

This paper describes an indoors, mobile mixed reality guide system: Chloe@University. With a see-through head-mounted display (HMD) connected to a hidden small computing device, Chloe@University provides users with an efficient way of guiding in a building. Augmented 3D virtual character in front of a user guides him/her to destination so that he/she can just follow the virtual guide after the user gives a voice command with desired destination to it. The most suitable virtual character is selected depending on a user’s preference for personalized service. For adapting to different indoor environments, the proposed system integrates various localization approaches. In addition, it supports different access right to a building map based on user profiles and security level

Experimental and modelling study of fatigue crack initiation in an aluminium beam with a hole under 4-point bending

Slip band formation and crack initiation during cyclic fatigue were investigated by in-situ experiments and non-local CPFEM simulations systematically. Experimental techniques including EBSD, digital image correlation (DIC) and SEM have been used to obtain consistent grain orientations, local strains, as well as the locations where slip bands and micro-cracks form on the sample surface. The realistic microstructure based on the EBSD map has been generated and used for finite element modelling. An advanced non-local crystal plasticity model, which considers the isotropic and kinematic hardening of the plastic strain gradient, has been adopted. The simulation results match well the corresponding experimental results. It was found that total strain and averaged slip on all slip systems, combined with accumulated slip on specific slip planes help predict the location and orientation of slip bands and micro-crack initiation correctly. Furthermore, a fatigue indicating parameter based on competition between maximum slip and the total slip has been proposed to reproduce the experimental observations

The EORTC Cancer in the Elderly Task Force, a Protostar for EORTC's future

AbstractThe EORTC Cancer in the ElderlyTask Force (ETF) aims to develop, conduct, coordinate and stimulate research on elderly patients with cancer. Towards this goal, the ETF has established close interactions with disease-oriented EORTC groups by having representatives from most of these groups attend the ETF meetings. In addition, the ETF reviews every new protocol for elderly-specific questions within the protocol review process of the EORTC aiming to reduce ageism within study protocols. Since 2006, the ETF decided to focus on three aspects: open a discussion on specific methodology for clinical trials in the older population; create a common language for describing heterogeneity between older individuals, the EORTC minimal dataset for geriatric assessment in older cancer patients; and develop specific clinical trials in the older population. This article reports the achievements of the ETF in these three domains and discusses its future strategies

EORTC Cancer in the Elderly Task Force guidelines for the use of colony-stimulating factors in elderly patients with cancer

Increasing age is not, in itself, a contraindication to cancer chemotherapy. Myelosuppression, however, a common adverse consequence of the administration of many standard-dose chemotherapy regimens to both young and elderly patients with cancer, increases with age. The risk of development of febrile neutropenia may contribute to a reluctance to administer chemotherapy in the elderly patient population. We conducted a detailed literature search (1992-2002) to derive evidence-based conclusions on the value of prophylactic colony-stimulating factor (CSF) administration in elderly patients receiving chemotherapy. Sufficient evidence allows us to affirm that prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduces the incidence of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and infections in elderly patients receiving myelotoxic chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) or urothelial tumours. Lack of available trial data does not allow similar conclusions to be drawn for other cancers studied, but it is likely that similar benefits would accrue from the use of prophylactic G-CSF. There is insufficient evidence to extend this recommendation to include the use of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). There are insufficient data available to allow the evaluation of the impact of prophylactic CSF on the incidence of toxic deaths in elderly patients with cancer and this is a crucial question for geriatric oncology practice. There is no evidence in elderly patients that the delivery of standard-dose chemotherapy on schedule improves efficacy measures. The data show that febrile neutropenic events are more likely to occur during the first and second cycles of chemotherapy, thus prophylactic measures should be considered early in the course of treatment. Furthermore, since systematic dose reduction can impact on outcome, primary prophylactic use of G-CSF for all elderly patients receiving curative myelotoxic chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (CHOP) or CHOP-like) is indicated and we suggest a risk-adapted strategy with primary prophylactic G-CSF administration in high-risk patients. Dose intensification, through dose interval reduction, facilitated by prophylactic G-CSF, improved survival in elderly patients with some specific diseases. There is a need for further well-designed studies to identify the elderly patients who will benefit most from prophylactic G-CSF. To achieve this, we strongly urge the design of and participation in further trials. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Targeted Cancer Therapy with a Novel Anti-CD37 Beta-Particle Emitting Radioimmunoconjugate for Treatment of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

177Lu-DOTA-HH1 (177Lu-HH1) is a novel anti-CD37 radioimmunoconjugate developed to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Mice with subcutaneous Ramos xenografts were treated with different activities of 177Lu-HH1, 177Lu-DOTA-rituximab (177Lu-rituximab) and non-specific 177Lu-DOTA-IgG1 (177Lu-IgG1) and therapeutic effect and toxicity of the treatment were monitored. Significant tumor growth delay and increased survival of mice were observed in mice treated with 530 MBq/kg 177Lu-HH1 as compared with mice treated with similar activities of 177Lu-rituximab or non-specific 177Lu-IgG1, 0.9% NaCl or unlabeled HH1. All mice injected with 530 MBq/kg of 177Lu-HH1 tolerated the treatment well. In contrast, 6 out of 10 mice treated with 530 MBq/kg 177Lu-rituximab experienced severe radiation toxicity. The retention of 177Lu-rituximab in organs of the mononuclear phagocyte system was longer than for 177Lu-HH1, which explains the higher toxicity observed in mice treated with 177Lu-rituximab. In vitro internalization studies showed that 177Lu-HH1 internalizes faster and to a higher extent than 177Lu-rituximab which might be the reason for the better therapeutic effect of 177Lu-HH1

Internalization.

<p>Representative images of internalization of HH1 and Rituximab in Ramos cells after incubation with 10 μg/ml of HH1 or 20 μg/ml rituximab at 4°C or 37°C for 1 hour or 19 hours, respectively. HH1-DOTA bound to Alexa Fluor 488 is shown in green, Rituximab bound to Alexa Fluor 647 is shown in magenta and Hoechst 33342 bound to DNA in the cell nucleus is shown in blue. 20 to 40 cells were scanned for each treatment.</p

Incidence of main histological findings in nude mice with Ramos xenografts treated with 530 MBq/kg ¹⁷⁷Lu-HH1, ¹⁷⁷Lu-rituxmab and ¹⁷⁷Lu-IgG₁ non-specific isotype control or 0.9% NaCl.

<p>Incidence of main histological findings in nude mice with Ramos xenografts treated with 530 MBq/kg ¹⁷⁷Lu-HH1, ¹⁷⁷Lu-rituxmab and ¹⁷⁷Lu-IgG₁ non-specific isotype control or 0.9% NaCl.</p