Hadronic gas models in particle production and phase transitions

In this work the methods of exact quantum number conservation in statistical mechanics are discussed and applied to the field of high energy nucleus-nucleus collisions. Various types of hadronic gas models are discussed as well as their merits and restrictions. Attempts to construct a phenomenological equation of state for nuclear matter are discussed in the context of the phase transition from hadronic matter to the quark-gluon plasma (QGP)

Input Data Adaptive Learning (IDAL) for Sub-acute Ischemic Stroke Lesion Segmentation

In machine learning larger databases are usually associated with higher classification accuracy due to better generalization. This generalization may lead to non-optimal classifiers in some medical applications with highly variable expressions of pathologies. This paper presents a method for learning from a large training base by adaptively selecting optimal training samples for given input data. In this way heterogeneous databases are supported two-fold. First, by being able to deal with sparsely annotated data allows a quick inclusion of new data set and second, by training an input-dependent classifier. The proposed approach is evaluated using the SISS challenge. The proposed algorithm leads to a significant improvement of the classification accuracy

Photoassociation and coherent transient dynamics in the interaction of ultracold rubidium atoms with shaped femtosecond pulses - I. Experiment

We experimentally investigate various processes present in the photoassociative interaction of an ultracold atomic sample with shaped femtosecond laser pulses. We demonstrate the photoassociation of pairs of rubidium atoms into electronically excited, bound molecular states using spectrally cut femtosecond laser pulses tuned below the rubidium D1 or D2 asymptote. Time-resolved pump-probe spectra reveal coherent oscillations of the molecular formation rate, which are due to coherent transient dynamics in the electronic excitation. The oscillation frequency corresponds to the detun-ing of the spectral cut position to the asymptotic transition frequency of the rubidium D1 or D2 lines, respectively. Measurements of the molecular photoassociation signal as a function of the pulse energy reveal a non-linear dependence and indicate a non-perturbative excitation process. Chirping the association laser pulse allowed us to change the phase of the coherent transients. Furthermore, a signature for molecules in the electronic ground state is found, which is attributed to molecule formation by femtosecond photoassociation followed by spontaneous decay. In a subsequent article [A. Merli et al., submitted] quantum mechanical calculations are presented, which compare well with the experimental data and reveal further details about the observed coherent transient dynamics

Metabolomic Abnormalities in Serum from Untreated and Treated Dogs with Hyper- and Hypoadrenocorticism

The adrenal glands play a major role in metabolic processes, and both excess and insufficient serum cortisol concentrations can lead to serious metabolic consequences. Hyper- and hypoadrenocorticism represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Serum samples from dogs with untreated hyperadrenocorticism (n = 27), hyperadrenocorticism undergoing treatment (n = 28), as well as with untreated (n = 35) and treated hypoadrenocorticism (n = 23) were analyzed and compared to apparently healthy dogs (n = 40). A validated targeted proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) platform was used to quantify 123 parameters. Principal component analysis separated the untreated endocrinopathies. The serum samples of dogs with untreated endocrinopathies showed various metabolic abnormalities with often contrasting results particularly in serum concentrations of fatty acids, and high- and low-density lipoproteins and their constituents, which were predominantly increased in hyperadrenocorticism and decreased in hypoadrenocorticism, while amino acid concentrations changed in various directions. Many observed serum metabolic abnormalities tended to normalize with medical treatment, but normalization was incomplete when compared to levels in apparently healthy dogs. Application of machine learning models based on the metabolomics data showed good classification, with misclassifications primarily observed in treated groups. Characterization of metabolic changes enhances our understanding of these endocrinopathies. Further assessment of the recognized incomplete reversal of metabolic alterations during medical treatment may improve disease management.Peer reviewe

"Sind wir so unwichtig?": Fußballfans zwischen Tradition und Kommerz

Die Verfasser geben einen breit angelegten Überblick über die Entwicklung des Fußballsports und vor allem über seine Kommerzialisierung seit Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts. Die Voraussetzungen für die beschleunigte Kommerzialisierung wurden in den 1960er Jahren gelegt. Eine kurzfristige Delle im Zuschauerinteressen in den 1980er Jahren wurde zu Beginn der 1990er durch den "Verkauf des Fußballs an das Fernsehen" überwunden, mit dem dem Fußball neue, "erlebnisorientierte" Zuschauerschichten erschlossen wurden. Für die heutigen Zuschauer ist die Differenzierung in "traditionelle" und "neue" Fans typisch. Im Sinne der "Eventisierung" des Fußballs werden die traditionellen Fans mit ihrer Farbenpracht und ihren Gesängen gebraucht, um den "Event" für die "neuen" Fans perfekt zu machen. Einstellungen "traditioneller" Fans werden anhand von Aussagen aus qualitativen Interviews illustriert. (ICE

DALSA: Domain Adaptation for Supervised Learning From Sparsely Annotated MR Images

We propose a new method that employs transfer learning techniques to effectively correct sampling selection errors introduced by sparse annotations during supervised learning for automated tumor segmentation. The practicality of current learning-based automated tissue classification approaches is severely impeded by their dependency on manually segmented training databases that need to be recreated for each scenario of application, site, or acquisition setup. The comprehensive annotation of reference datasets can be highly labor-intensive, complex, and error-prone. The proposed method derives high-quality classifiers for the different tissue classes from sparse and unambiguous annotations and employs domain adaptation techniques for effectively correcting sampling selection errors introduced by the sparse sampling. The new approach is validated on labeled, multi-modal MR images of 19 patients with malignant gliomas and by comparative analysis on the BraTS 2013 challenge data sets. Compared to training on fully labeled data, we reduced the time for labeling and training by a factor greater than 70 and 180 respectively without sacrificing accuracy. This dramatically eases the establishment and constant extension of large annotated databases in various scenarios and imaging setups and thus represents an important step towards practical applicability of learning-based approaches in tissue classification

Comparison of Functional and Clinical Outcomes between Minimally-Invasive and Conventional Approaches after Total Hip Replacement

Background: Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most commonly performed and successful orthopaedic surgeries. At the same time, the issue about the best surgical approach for THA remains controversial. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current evidence for the use of Minimally-Invasive Surgery (MIS) in THA. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Medline and Embase was conducted. Randomised controlled trials, comparative studies, and cohort studies were included in this systematic review. Main outcome measurements included incision length, blood loss, operating time, length of stay, complications, postoperative pain on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Short Form 36/12 Health Survey (SF 36/12), Harris Hip Score (HHS) and cup inclination. Results: A total of 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference between MIS and conventional approaches for THA with regards to complication rates and implant inclination angle. The average operating time in 10/24 (41%) studies was significantly (p<0.05) longer in the MIS group. MIS THA lead to an improvement, patient-centered results with reduced blood loss in 9/16 (56%), reduced use of analgesics in 4/4 (100%) and reduced myoglobin correlated muscle trauma in 3/4 (75%) of the analysed studies. Additionally, 10/10 (100%) studies reported less postoperative pain after MIS THA, 16/19 (84%) studies detected an improved postoperative Harris Hip score and 7/7 (100%) studies an improved SF36/12 score respectively. This resulted a reduced length of stay in 10/10 (100%) of the studies when compared to THA utilizing a conventional approach. Conclusion: MIS in THA is nowadays no longer seen as just cosmetically attractive but rather as a real improvement for the clinical outcome. There is evidence for improved patient related outcome following MIS THA

Treatment of spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension with cafedrine/theodrenaline versus ephedrine during caesarean section: results from HYPOTENS, a national, multicentre, prospective, noninterventional study

BACKGROUND: In Germany, hypotension induced by spinal anaesthesia is commonly treated with a combination of cafedrine hydrochloride (C, 200 mg) and theodrenaline hydrochloride (T, 10 mg) in 2 ml. We compared the effectiveness of C/T with ephedrine. OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives were to assess the speed of onset and the ability to restore blood pressure without an increase in heart rate. Secondary objectives were to evaluate maternal/foetal outcomes and the number of required additional boluses or other additional measures. DESIGN: HYPOTENS was a national, multicentre, prospective, open-label, two-armed, noninterventional study comparing C/T with ephedrine in two prospectively defined cohorts. This study relates to the cohort of patients receiving spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. SETTING: German hospitals using either C/T or ephedrine in their routine clinical practice. PATIENTS: Women aged at least 18 years receiving spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. INTERVENTIONS: Bolus administration of C/T or ephedrine at the discretion of the attending anaesthesiologist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Endpoints within 15 min after initial administration of C/T or ephedrine were area under the curve between the observed SBP and the minimum target SBP; and incidence of newly occurring heart rate of at least 100 beats min(−1). RESULTS: Although effective blood pressure stabilisation was achieved with both treatments, this effect was faster and more pronounced with C/T (P < 0.0001). The incidence of tachycardia and changes in heart rate were higher with ephedrine (P < 0.01). Fewer additional boluses (P < 0.01) were required with C/T. Although favourable neonatal outcomes were reported in both groups, base deficit and lactate values were greater with ephedrine (P < 0.01). Physician satisfaction was higher with C/T. CONCLUSIONS: After C/T, tachycardia was not a problem, providing an advantage over ephedrine. Fewer additional boluses were required with C/T, suggesting greater effectiveness. An increased base deficit with ephedrine suggests reduced oxygen supply or increased demands in foetal circulation. TRIALS REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02893241, German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00010740

Differential Inhibition of Human Atherosclerotic Plaque-Induced Platelet Activation by Dimeric GPVI-Fc and Anti-GPVI Antibodies: Functional and Imaging Studies.

BACKGROUND: Glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is the essential platelet collagen receptor in atherothrombosis, but its inhibition causes only a mild bleeding tendency. Thus, targeting this receptor has selective antithrombotic potential. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare compounds interfering with platelet GPVI-atherosclerotic plaque interaction to improve current antiatherothrombotic therapy. METHODS: Human atherosclerotic plaque-induced platelet aggregation was measured in anticoagulated blood under static and arterial flow conditions (550/s, 1,100/s, and 1,500/s). Inhibition by dimeric GPVI fragment crystallizable region of IgG (Fc) masking GPVI binding sites on collagen was compared with that of 3 anti-GPVI antibodies: BLO8-1, a human domain antibody; 5C4, a fragment antigen-binding (Fab fragment) of monoclonal rat immunoglobulin G; and m-Fab-F, a human recombinant sFab against GPVI dimers. RESULTS: GPVI-Fc reduced plaque-triggered platelet aggregation in static blood by 51%, BLO8-1 by 88%, and 5C4 by 93%. Under arterial flow conditions, BLO8-1 and 5C4 almost completely inhibited platelet aggregation while preserving platelet adhesion on plaque. Inhibition by GPVI-Fc, even at high concentrations, was less marked but increased with shear rate. Advanced optical imaging revealed rapid persistent GPVI-Fc binding to collagen under low and high shear flow, upstream and downstream of plaque fragments. At low shear particularly, platelets adhered in plaque flow niches to GPVI-Fc-free segments of collagen fibers and recruited other platelets onto aggregates via ADP and TxA2 release. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-GPVI antibodies inhibit atherosclerotic plaque-induced platelet aggregation under static and flow conditions more effectively than GPVI-Fc. However, potent platelet inhibition by GPVI-Fc at a higher shear rate (1,500/s) suggests localized antithrombotic efficacy at denuded or fissured stenotic high-risk lesions without systemic bleeding. The compound-specific differences have relevance for clinical trials targeting GPVI-collagen interaction combined with established antiplatelet therapies in patients with spontaneous plaque rupture or intervention-associated plaque injury.The study was supported by grants from advanceCOR GmbH (JJ), the August-Lenz foundation, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SFB1123/Z01 (MB), and the British Heart Foundation (SMJ and RWF; grants RG/09/003/27122 and PG/10/011/28199). Two-photon laser scanning microscopy experiments have been supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (INST 409/97-1) and the LMU.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2015.03.57