Uncertainty-aware data pipeline of calibrated MEMS sensors used for machine learning

Sensors are a key element of recent Industry 4.0 developments and currently further sophisticated functionality is embedded into them, leading to smart sensors. In a typical “Factory of the Future” (FoF) scenario, several smart sensors and different data acquisition units (DAQs) will be used to monitor the same process, e.g. the wear of a critical component, in this paper an electromechanical cylinder (EMC). If the use of machine learning (ML) applications is of interest, data of all sensors and DAQs need to be brought together in a consistent way. To enable quality information of the obtained ML results, decisions should also take the measurement uncertainty into account. This contribution shows an ML pipeline for time series data of calibrated Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors. Data from a lifetime test of an EMC from multiple DAQs is integrated by alignment, (different schemes of) interpolation and careful handling of data defects to feed an automated ML toolbox. In addition, uncertainty of the raw data is obtained from calibration information and is evaluated in all steps of the data processing pipeline. The results for the lifetime prognosis of the EMC are evaluated in the light of “fitness for purpose”.EMPIR Met4Fo

The geometrical shape of mesenchymal stromal cells measured by quantitative shape descriptors is determined by the stiffness of the biomaterial and by cyclic tensile forces

Controlling mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) shape is a novel method for investigating and directing MSC behaviour in vitro. it was hypothesized that specifigc MSC shapes can be generated by using stiffnessâ defined biomaterial surfaces and by applying cyclic tensile forces. Biomaterials used were thin and thick silicone sheets, fibronectin coating, and compacted collagen type I sheets. The MSC morphology was quantified by shape descriptors describing dimensions and membrane protrusions. Nanoscale stiffness was measured by atomic force microscopy and the expression of smooth muscle cell (SMC) marker genes (ACTA2, TAGLN, CNN1) by quantitative reverseâ transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cyclic stretch was applied with 2.5% or 5% amplitudes. Attachment to biomaterials with a higher stiffness yielded more elongated MSCs with fewer membrane protrusions compared with biomaterials with a lower stiffness. For cyclic stretch, compacted collagen sheets were selected, which were associated with the most elongated MSC shape across all investigated biomaterials. As expected, cyclic stretch elongated MSCs during stretch. One hour after cessation of stretch, however, MSC shape was rounder again, suggesting loss of stretchâ induced shape. Different shape descriptor values obtained by different stretch regimes correlated significantly with the expression levels of SMC marker genes. Values of approximately 0.4 for roundness and 3.4 for aspect ratio were critical for the highest expression levels of ACTA2 and CNN1. Thus, specific shape descriptor values, which can be generated using biomaterialâ associated stiffness and tensile forces, can serve as a template for the induction of specific gene expression levels in MSC. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141253/1/term2263.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141253/2/term2263_am.pd

The Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort (SKSC), a longitudinal, multi-centric, observational cohort to study course and causes of kidney stone disease in Switzerland

Kidney stone disease has a high prevalence worldwide of approximately 10 % of the population and is characterized by a high recurrence rate Kidney stone disease results from a combination of genetic, environmental, and life-style risk factors, and the dissection of these factors is complex. The Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort (SKSC) is an investigator-initiated prospective, multi-centric longitudinal, observational study in patients with kidney stones followed with regular visits over a period of 3 years after inclusion. Ongoing follow-ups by biannual telephone interviews will provide long-term outcome data up to 10 years. SKSC comprises 782 adult patients (age > 18 yrs) with either recurrent stones or a single stone event with at least one risk factor for recurrence. In addition, a control cohort of 207 individuals without kidney stone history and absence of kidney stones on a low-dose CT-scan at enrolment has also been recruited. SKSC includes extensive collections of clinical data, biochemical data in blood and 24 hr urine samples, and genetic data. Biosamples are stored at a dedicated biobank. Information on diet and dietary habits were collected through food frequency questionnaires and standardized recall interviews by trained dieticians with the Globodiet software. SKSC provides an unique opportunity and resource to further study cause and course of kidney disease in a large population with data and samples collected of a homogenous collective of patients throughout the whole Swiss population

Differences in the food consumption between kidney stone formers and non-formers in the Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort.

OBJECTIVE Diet has a major influence on the formation and management of kidney stones. However, kidney stone formers' diet is difficult to capture in a large population. Our objective was to describe the dietary intake of kidney stone formers in Switzerland and to compare it to non-stone formers. METHODS We used data from the Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort (n=261), a multicentric cohort of recurrent or incident kidney stone formers with additional risk factors, and a control group of CT-scan proven non-stone formers (n=197). Dieticians conducted two consecutive 24-h dietary recalls, using structured interviews and validated software (GloboDiet). We took the mean consumption per participant of the two 24-h dietary recalls to describe the dietary intake and used two-part models to compare the two groups. RESULTS The dietary intake was overall similar between stone and non-stone formers. However, we identified that kidney stone formers had a higher probability of consuming cakes and biscuits (odds ratio, OR[95% CI] =1.56[1.03; 2.37]) and soft drinks (OR=1.66[1.08; 2.55]). Kidney stone formers had a lower probability of consuming nuts and seeds (OR =0.53[0.35; 0.82]), fresh cheese (OR=0.54[0.30; 0.96]), teas (OR=0.50[0.3; 0.84]), and alcoholic beverages (OR=0.35[0.23; 0.54]), especially wine (OR=0.42[0.27; 0.65]). Furthermore, among consumers, stone formers reported smaller quantities of vegetables (β coeff[95% CI]= - 0.23[- 0.41; - 0.06]), coffee (β coeff= - 0.21[- 0.37; - 0.05]), teas (β coeff= - 0.52[- 0.92; - 0.11]) and alcoholic beverages (β coeff= - 0.34[- 0.63; - 0.06]). CONCLUSION Stone formers reported lower intakes of vegetables, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, more specifically wine, but reported drinking more frequently soft drinks than non-stone formers. For the other food groups, stone formers and non-formers reported similar dietary intakes. Further research is needed to better understand the links between diet and kidney stone formation and develop dietary recommendations adapted to the local settings and cultural habits

IL-22BP controls the progression of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer

BackgroundThe immune system plays a pivotal role in cancer progression. Interleukin 22 binding protein (IL-22BP), a natural antagonist of the cytokine interleukin 22 (IL-22) has been shown to control the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the role of IL-22BP in the process of metastasis formation remains unknown.MethodsWe used two different murine in vivo metastasis models using the MC38 and LLC cancer cell lines and studied lung and liver metastasis formation after intracaecal or intrasplenic injection of cancer cells. Furthermore, IL22BP expression was measured in a clinical cohort of CRC patients and correlated with metastatic tumor stages.ResultsOur data indicate that low levels of IL-22BP are associated with advanced (metastatic) tumor stages in colorectal cancer. Using two different murine in vivo models we show that IL-22BP indeed controls the progression of liver but not lung metastasis in mice.ConclusionsWe here demonstrate a crucial role of IL-22BP in controlling metastasis progression. Thus, IL-22 might represent a future therapeutic target against the progression of metastatic CRC

Antitumor activity of zoledronic acid in primary breast cancer cells determined by the ATP tumor chemosensitivity assay

Abstract Background The NeoAzure study has demonstrated that the use of the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (Zol) in the neoadjuvant setting increases the rate of complete response in primary breast cancer and therefore indicates direct antitumor activity. The purpose of this study was to compare the antitumor effect of Zol with standard chemotherapy in primary breast cancer cells using ATP-tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA). Methods Breast cancer specimens were obtained from patients with breast cancer who underwent primary breast cancer surgery at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tübingen, Germany, between 2006 through 2009. Antitumor effects of Zol, TAC (Docetaxel, Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide) and FEC (5-Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, Cyclophosphamide) were tested in 116 fresh human primary breast cancer specimens using ATP-TCA. ATP-TCA results were analyzed with different cut-off levels for the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), for IC90 and for the sensitivity index (IndexSUM). Each single agent or combination was tested at six doubling dilutions from 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200% of test drug concentrations (TDC) derived from the plasma peak concentrations determined by pharmacokinetic data. The assay was carried out in duplicate wells with positive and negative controls. Results The median IndexSUM value was lower for Zol than for the combined regimen FEC (36.8%) and TAC (12.9%), respectively, indicating increased antitumor activity of Zol in primary breast cancer cells. The difference regarding Zol and FEC was significant (p  Conclusion Zoledronic acid has a strong antitumor effect on primary breast cancer cells in vitro which is equal or superior to commonly used chemotherapeutic regimens for treating breast cancer.</p