230 research outputs found
Electronic clinical practice guidelines: Current status and future prospects in Hong Kong
published_or_final_versio
On-device Scalable Image-based Localization via Prioritized Cascade Search and Fast One-Many RANSAC.
We present the design of an entire on-device system for large-scale urban
localization using images. The proposed design integrates compact image
retrieval and 2D-3D correspondence search to estimate the location in extensive
city regions. Our design is GPS agnostic and does not require network
connection. In order to overcome the resource constraints of mobile devices, we
propose a system design that leverages the scalability advantage of image
retrieval and accuracy of 3D model-based localization. Furthermore, we propose
a new hashing-based cascade search for fast computation of 2D-3D
correspondences. In addition, we propose a new one-many RANSAC for accurate
pose estimation. The new one-many RANSAC addresses the challenge of repetitive
building structures (e.g. windows, balconies) in urban localization. Extensive
experiments demonstrate that our 2D-3D correspondence search achieves
state-of-the-art localization accuracy on multiple benchmark datasets.
Furthermore, our experiments on a large Google Street View (GSV) image dataset
show the potential of large-scale localization entirely on a typical mobile
device
Stroke risk perception among participants of a stroke awareness campaign
BACKGROUND: Subjective risk factor perception is an important component of the motivation to change unhealthy life styles. While prior studies assessed cardiovascular risk factor knowledge, little is known about determinants of the individual perception of stroke risk. METHODS: Survey by mailed questionnaire among 1483 participants of a prior public stroke campaign in Germany. Participants had been informed about their individual stroke risk based on the Framingham stroke risk score. Stroke risk factor knowledge, perception of lifetime stroke risk and risk factor status were included in the questionnaire, and the determinants of good risk factor knowledge and high stroke risk perception were identified using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Overall stroke risk factor knowledge was good with 67–96% of the participants recognizing established risk factors. The two exceptions were diabetes (recognized by 49%) and myocardial infarction (57%). Knowledge of a specific factor was superior among those affected by it. 13% of all participants considered themselves of having a high stroke risk, 55% indicated a moderate risk. All major risk factors contributed significantly to the perception of being at high stroke risk, but the effects of age, sex and education were non-significant. Poor self-rated health was additionally associated with high individual stroke risk perception. CONCLUSION: Stroke risk factor knowledge was high in this study. The self perception of an increased stroke risk was associated with established risk factors as well as low perception of general health
Consistent truncations of supergravity and 1/2-BPS RG flows in 4d SCFTs
With the purpose of holographically describing flows from a large family of
four dimensional and conformal field theories, we
discuss truncations of seven dimensional supergravity to five dimensions. We
write explicitly the reduced gauged supergravity and find BPS equations for
simple configurations. Lifting these flows to eleven dimensions or Massive IIA
supergravity, we present string duals to RG flows from strongly coupled
conformal theories when deformed by marginal and/or relevant operators. We
further discuss observables common to infinite families of and
QFTs in this context.Comment: 28 pages plus appendixes. JHEP versio
IMMUNOGENICITY AND IMPACT ON NASOPHARYNGEAL CARRIAGE OF A SINGLE DOSE OF PCV10 GIVEN TO VIETNAMESE CHILDREN AT 18 MONTHS OF AGE.
Background: This study investigated the immunogenicity and impact on nasopharyngeal carriage of a single dose of PCV10 given to 18-month-old Vietnamese children. This information is important for countries considering catch-up vaccination during PCV introduction and in the context of vaccination during humanitarian crises. Methods: Two groups of PCV-naïve children within the Vietnam Pneumococcal Project received PCV10 (n=197) or no PCV (unvaccinated; n=199) at 18 months of age. Blood samples were collected at 18, 19, and 24 months of age, and nasopharyngeal swabs at 18 and 24 months of age. Immunogenicity was assessed by measuring serotype-specific IgG, opsonophagocytosis (OPA) and memory B cells (Bmem). Pneumococci were detected and quantified using real-time PCR and serotyped by microarray. Findings: At 19 months of age, IgG and OPA responses were higher in the PCV10 group compared with the unvaccinated group for all PCV10 serotypes and cross-reactive serotypes 6A and 19A. This was sustained out to 24 months of age, at which point PCV10-type carriage was 60% lower in the PCV10 group than the unvaccinated group. Bmem levels increased between 18 and 24 months of age in the vaccinated group. Interpretation: We demonstrate strong protective immune responses in vaccinees following a single dose of PCV10 at 18 months of age, and a potential impact on herd protection through a substantial reduction in vaccine-type carriage. A single dose of PCV10 in the second year of life could be considered as part of catch-up campaigns or in humanitarian crises to protect children at high-risk of pneumococcal disease
Effective peer-to-peer support for young people with end-stage renal disease: a mixed methods evaluation of Camp COOL
__Abstract__
__Background__ The Camp COOL programme aims to help young Dutch people with end-stage renal disease
(ESRD) develop self-management skills. Fellow patients already treated in adult care
(hereafter referred to as ‘buddies’) organise the day-to-day program, run the camp, counsel
the attendees, and also participate in the activities. The attendees are young people who still
have to transfer to adult care. This study aimed to explore the effects of this specific form of
peer-to-peer support on the self-management of young people (16–25 years) with ESRD who
participated in Camp COOL (CC) (hereafter referred to as ‘participants’).
__Methods__ A mixed methods research design was employed. Semi-structured interviews (n = 19) with
initiators/staff, participants, and healthcare professionals were conducted. These were
combined with retrospective and pre-post surveys among participants (n = 62), and
observations during two camp weeks.
__Results__ Self-reported effects of participants were: increased self-confidence, more disease-related
knowledge, feeling capable of being more responsible and open towards others, and daring to
stand up for yourself. According to participants, being a buddy or having one positively
affected them. Self-efficacy of attendees and independence of buddies increased, while
attendees’ sense of social inclusion decreased (measured as domains of health-related quality
of life). The buddy role was a pro-active combination of being supervisor, advisor, and
leader.
__Conclusions__ Camp COOL allowed young people to support each other in adjusting to everyday life with
ESRD. Participating in the camp positively influenced self-management in this group. Peerto-
peer support through buddies was much appreciated. Support from young adults was not
only beneficial for adolescent attendees, but also for young adult buddies. Paediatric
nephrologists are encouraged to refer patients to CC and to facilitate such initiatives.
Together with nephrologists in adult care, they could take on a role in selecting buddies
Mechanisms Establishing TLR4-Responsive Activation States of Inflammatory Response Genes
Precise control of the innate immune response is required for resistance to microbial infections and maintenance of normal tissue homeostasis. Because this response involves coordinate regulation of hundreds of genes, it provides a powerful biological system to elucidate the molecular strategies that underlie signal- and time-dependent transitions of gene expression. Comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the epigenetic and transcription status of the TLR4-induced transcriptional program in macrophages suggests that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent activation of nearly all immediate/early- (I/E) and late-response genes results from a sequential process in which signal-independent factors initially establish basal levels of gene expression that are then amplified by signal-dependent transcription factors. Promoters of I/E genes are distinguished from those of late genes by encoding a distinct set of signal-dependent transcription factor elements, including TATA boxes, which lead to preferential binding of TBP and basal enrichment for RNA polymerase II immediately downstream of transcriptional start sites. Global nuclear run-on (GRO) sequencing and total RNA sequencing further indicates that TLR4 signaling markedly increases the overall rates of both transcriptional initiation and the efficiency of transcriptional elongation of nearly all I/E genes, while RNA splicing is largely unaffected. Collectively, these findings reveal broadly utilized mechanisms underlying temporally distinct patterns of TLR4-dependent gene activation required for homeostasis and effective immune responses
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