Architectures of Cloud-enabled Cyber Physical Systems — a Systematic Mapping Study

Cloud-enabled Cyber Physical Systems (CCPS) combine embedded systems with highly scalable cloud services. Such systems provide opportunities to offload computing or data analytics tasks which require more resources than an embedded device can offer. The development of a CCPS involves multiple stakeholders as well as engineers and developers from different disciplines, which makes the description and communication of the system architecture a challenging task. Additionally, the architecture design of CCPS has the inherent challenge to determine which functionality should be placed on the device, in the cloud, or on a possible fog/edge device within or close to the system. This systematic mapping study evaluates how CCPS architectures are discussed in the current literature and which topics are associated with cloud computing in CCPS architectures. The results show a significant increase in CCPS publications over the last years, a focus on a specific architectural viewpoint and application areas, and a potential misalignment with the common understanding of cloud computing as a paradigm

Weeding Digital Image Libraries

Die vorliegende Bachelorarbeit befasst sich mit Möglichkeiten zur automatischen Kassation in elektronischen Bildarchiven. Die Grundbedingungen der elektronischen Bildarchivierung werden dargestellt. Gründe und Kriterien für die Kassation werden erläutert. Es werden verschiedene technische Parameter vorgestellt, welche bereits zur Kassation genutzt werden. Ein Ausblick auf zukünftige Entwicklungen im Bezug zur automatischen Kassation in Bilddatenbanken wird gegeben. Zusätzlich werden weitere technische Parameter angeführt welche zur Kassation genutzt werden können.This bachelor thesis concentrates on how the weeding of digital image libraries can be performed automatically. The basics of digital image archiving will be shown. Reasons why to weed image libraries and criteria for the rejection of Images will be described. The technical parameters which are already used for weeding image databases and those which will be usable in future will be presented. Additional parameters which can be used for weeding digital image libraries will be shown

An extensible application topology definition and annotation framework

This thesis introduces a framework for decision support during the design of applications for the cloud, or migration of existing applications to a cloud environment. For this purpose, a GENeralized Topology Language (GENTL) is introduced and mappings from existing languages to GENTL are provided. An annotation scheme for GENTL, which can capture annotations to topologies and topology elements is designed and instantiations for different annotation types are given. A framework implementing import functionalities for the topology languages Blueprint and TOSCA is presented. The framework enables the annotation of topologies with documentation annotations, references to external resources and incorporates a series of annotations which can be used to retrieve cost calculations from the external decision support system Nefolog

Error-related activity of the sensorimotor network contributes to the prediction of response to cognitive-behavioral therapy in obsessive–compulsive disorder

Background Although cognitive behavioral therapy is a highly effective treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), yielding large symptom reductions on the group level, individual treatment response varies considerably. Identification of treatment response predictors may provide important information for maximizing individual treatment response and thus achieving efficient treatment resource allocation. Here, we investigated the predictive value of previously identified biomarkers of OCD, namely the error-related activity of the supplementary motor area (SMA) and the sensorimotor network (SMN, postcentral gyrus/precuneus). Methods Seventy-two participants with a primary diagnosis of OCD underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning while performing a flanker task prior to receiving routine-care CBT. Results Error-related BOLD response of the SMN significantly contributed to the prediction of treatment response beyond the variance accounted for by clinical and sociodemographic variables. Stronger error-related SMN activity at baseline was associated with a higher likelihood of treatment response. Conclusions The present results illustrate that the inclusion of error-related SMN activity can significantly increase treatment response prediction quality in OCD. Stronger error-related activity of the SMN may reflect the ability to activate symptom-relevant processing networks and may thus facilitate response to exposure-based CBT interventions

Implementing a Substance-Use Screening and Intervention Program for People Living with Rifampicin-Resistant Tuberculosis: Pragmatic Experience from Khayelitsha, South Africa

Substance use (SU) is associated with poor rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) treatment outcomes. In 2017, a SBIRT (SU screening-brief intervention-referral to treatment) was integrated into routine RR-TB care in Khayelitsha, South Africa. This was a retrospective study of persons with RR-TB who were screened for SU between 1 July 2018 and 30 September 2020 using the ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test). Here we describe outcomes from this program. Persons scoring moderate/high risk received a brief intervention and referral to treatment. Overall, 333 persons were initiated on RR-TB treatment; 38% (n = 128) were screened for SU. Of those, 88% (n = 113/128) reported SU; 65% (n = 83/128) had moderate/high risk SU. Eighty percent (n = 103/128) reported alcohol use, of whom 52% (n = 54/103) reported moderate/high risk alcohol use. Seventy-seven persons were screened for SU within ≤2 months of RR-TB treatment initiation, of whom 69%, 12%, and 12% had outcomes of treatment success, loss to follow-up and death, respectively. Outcomes did not differ between persons with no/low risk and moderate/high risk SU or based on the receipt of naltrexone (p > 0.05). SU was common among persons with RR-TB; there is a need for interventions to address this co-morbidity as part of “person-centered care”. Integrated, holistic care is needed at the community level to address unique challenges of persons with RR-TB and SU

Prevalence of mental disorders, psychosocial distress, and perceived need for psychosocial support in cancer patients and their relatives stratified by biopsychosocial factors: rationale, study design, and methods of a prospective multi-center observational cohort study (LUPE study)

BackgroundDespite remarkable progress, cancer remains a life-threatening disease for millions of people worldwide, also resulting in significant psychosocial limitations. High-quality, comprehensive cancer care requires patient and family involvement and the provision of needs-based, targeted psychosocial services. Although progress has been made in understanding the occurrence of mental comorbidity and psychosocial distress in cancer patients, comparatively little is known about the course of psychological comorbidity and psychosocial distress in early survivorship among patients and their families. We therefore aim to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders according to the DSM-5, psychosocial distress, perceived needs for psychosocial support and utilization of psychosocial support offers in newly diagnosed cancer patients and their relatives, taking into account potential contributing biopsychosocial factors for the occurrence of psychological comorbidity.Methods/designThis study follows a prospective multi-center observational cohort design across four measurement time points: within 2 months after cancer diagnosis (t1), and in the follow-up period at 6 months (t2), at 12 months (t3), and at 18 months (t4) after t1. Patients older than 18 years who have a confirmed initial diagnosis of a malignant solid tumor and are scheduled for cancer treatment at one of the participating cancer centers are eligible for study participation. Relatives of eligible patients are also eligible for study participation if they are older than 18 years. Patients are interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5-CV). In addition, patients and relatives receive a set of validated questionnaires at each measurement time point, covering comorbid conditions and functional performance, perceived psychological distress and quality of life, partnership aspects and social relationships, supportive care needs and use of psychosocial support services, health literacy, and health behavior and meaning in life.DiscussionThis prospective multi-center observational cohort study has a major focus on increasing quality of care and quality of life in cancer survivors through providing rigorous longitudinal data for the development and implementation of target group-specific psychosocial support services.Trial registrationNCT04620564, date of registration 9/11/2020; DKG OnkoZert: Registrier-No.: ST-U134, date of registration 5/11/2021

SARS-CoV-2 particles promote airway epithelial differentiation and ciliation

Introduction: The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, enters the human body via the epithelial cells of the airway tract. To trap and eject pathogens, the airway epithelium is composed of ciliated and secretory cells that produce mucus which is expelled through a process called mucociliary clearance.Methods: This study examines the early stages of contact between SARS-CoV-2 particles and the respiratory epithelium, utilizing 3D airway tri-culture models exposed to ultraviolet light-irradiated virus particles. These cultures are composed of human endothelial cells and human tracheal mesenchymal cells in a fibrin hydrogel matrix covered by mucociliated human tracheal epithelial cells.Results: We found that SARS-CoV-2 particles trigger a significant increase in ciliation on the epithelial surface instructed through a differentiation of club cells and basal stem cells. The contact with SARS-CoV-2 particles also provoked a loss of cell-cell tight junctions and impaired the barrier integrity. Further immunofluorescence analyses revealed an increase in FOXJ1 expression and PAK1/2 phosphorylation associated with particle-induced ciliation.Discussion: An understanding of epithelial responses to virus particles may be instrumental to prevent or treat respiratory infectious diseases such as COVID-19

Treatment outcomes 24 months after initiating short, all-oral bedaquiline-containing or injectable-containing rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis treatment regimens in South Africa : a retrospective cohort study

DATA SHARING : The data used for this analysis in the form of deidentified participant data and a data dictionary will be made available after publication. Investigators wishing to access these data will need to have an approved research proposal and complete a data access agreement. All inquiries should be sent to the corresponding author ([email protected] or [email protected]).SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 1 : French translation of the abstract. SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 2 : Appendices.BACKGROUND : There is a need for short and safe all-oral treatment of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis. We compared outcomes up to 24 months after treatment initiation for patients with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa treated with a short, all-oral bedaquiline-containing regimen (bedaquiline group), or a short, injectable-containing regimen (injectable group). METHODS : Patients with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis, aged 18 years or older, eligible for a short regimen starting treatment between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2017, with a bedaquiline-containing or WHO recommended injectable-containing treatment regimen of 9–12 months, registered in the drug-resistant tuberculosis database (EDRWeb), and with known age, sex, HIV status, and national identification number were eligible for study inclusion; patients receiving linezolid, carbapenems, terizidone or cycloserine, delamanid, or para-aminosalicylic acid were excluded. Bedaquiline was given at a dose of 400 mg once daily for two weeks followed by 200 mg three times a week for 22 weeks. To compare regimens, patients were exactly matched on HIV and ART status, previous tuberculosis treatment history, and baseline acid-fast bacilli smear and culture result, while propensity score matched on age, sex, province of treatment, and isoniazid-susceptibility status. We did binomial linear regression to estimate adjusted risk differences (aRD) and 95% CIs for 24-month outcomes, which included: treatment success (ie, cure or treatment completion without evidence of recurrence) versus all other outcomes, survival versus death, disease free survival versus survival with treatment failure or recurrence, and loss to follow-up versus all other outcomes. FINDINGS : Overall, 1387 (14%) of 10152 patients with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis treated during 2017 met inclusion criteria; 688 in the bedaquiline group and 699 in the injectable group. Four patients (1%) had treatment failure or recurrence, 44 (6%) were lost to follow-up, and 162 (24%) died in the bedaquiline group, compared with 17 (2%), 87 (12%), and 199 (28%), respectively, in the injectable group. In adjusted analyses, treatment success was 14% (95% CI 8–20) higher in the bedaquiline group than in the injectable group (70% vs 57%); loss to follow-up was 4% (1–8) lower in the bedaquiline group (6% vs 12%); and disease-free survival was 2% (0–5) higher in the bedaquiline group (99% vs 97%). The bedaquiline group had 8% (4–11) lower risk of mortality during treatment (17·0% vs 22·4%), but there was no difference in mortality post-treatment. INTERPRETATION : Patients in the bedaquiline group experienced significantly higher rates of treatment success at 24 months. This finding supports the use of short bedaquiline-containing regimens in eligible patients.WHO Global TB Programme.http://www.thelancet.com/infectionhj2023Medical Microbiolog

Iqbal Haroon Master, 5 December 1962-15 January 2021

No abstract available.http://www.samj.org.zadm2022Medical Microbiolog

Parallel independent evolution of pathogenicity within the genus Yersinia

Peer reviewe