62 research outputs found

    A 3D solution for a web-based building information system

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    This paper presents an information system for the documentation of research results in building archaeology as applied to the example of “Domus Severiana” palace on the Palatine Hill in Rome. In connection with the development of CISAR – a modular open-source web-based information system for archaeological field work and building archaeology – a special solution with the focus on 3D building documentation was created. There are many commercial and non-commercial software products for 2D web-based information systems, whereas few solutions for 3D GIS are available. Therefore, an independent product was developed based mainly on open source components. The use of open source technology allows for the optimal adaptation to user requirements and a standardised data exchange. The information system is an effective working tool that facilitates the documentation of building characteristics and related data analysis; users do not need to have special knowledge of computer science or graphics

    Distinct Functional Connectivity Signatures of Impaired Social Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis

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    Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by impairments in basic cognitive functions such as information processing speed as well as in more complex, higher-order domains such as social cognition. However, as these deficits often co-occur, it has remained challenging to determine whether they have a specific pathological basis or are driven by shared biology. Methods: To identify neural signatures of social cognition deficits in MS, data were analyzed from n = 29 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and n = 29 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and education. We used neuropsychological assessments of information processing speed, attention, learning, working memory, and relevant aspects of social cognition (theory of mind, emotion recognition (ER), empathy) and employed neuroimaging of CNS networks using resting-state functional connectivity. Results: MS patients showed significant deficits in verbal learning and memory, as well as implicit ER. Performance in these domains was uncorrelated. Functional connectivity analysis identified a distinct network characterized by significant associations between poorer ER and lower connectivity of the fusiform gyrus (FFG) with the right lateral occipital cortex, which also showed lower connectivity in patients compared to controls. Moreover, while ER was correlated with MS symptoms such as fatigue and motor/sensory functioning on a behavioral level, FFG connectivity signatures of social cognition deficits showed no overlap with these symptoms. Conclusions: Our analyses identify distinct functional connectivity signatures of social cognition deficits in MS, indicating that these alterations may occur independently from those in other neuropsychological functions

    The German National Registry of Primary Immunodeficiencies (2012-2017)

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    Introduction: The German PID-NET registry was founded in 2009, serving as the first national registry of patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID) in Germany. It is part of the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) registry. The primary purpose of the registry is to gather data on the epidemiology, diagnostic delay, diagnosis, and treatment of PIDs. Methods: Clinical and laboratory data was collected from 2,453 patients from 36 German PID centres in an online registry. Data was analysed with the software Stata® and Excel. Results: The minimum prevalence of PID in Germany is 2.72 per 100,000 inhabitants. Among patients aged 1–25, there was a clear predominance of males. The median age of living patients ranged between 7 and 40 years, depending on the respective PID. Predominantly antibody disorders were the most prevalent group with 57% of all 2,453 PID patients (including 728 CVID patients). A gene defect was identified in 36% of patients. Familial cases were observed in 21% of patients. The age of onset for presenting symptoms ranged from birth to late adulthood (range 0–88 years). Presenting symptoms comprised infections (74%) and immune dysregulation (22%). Ninety-three patients were diagnosed without prior clinical symptoms. Regarding the general and clinical diagnostic delay, no PID had undergone a slight decrease within the last decade. However, both, SCID and hyper IgE- syndrome showed a substantial improvement in shortening the time between onset of symptoms and genetic diagnosis. Regarding treatment, 49% of all patients received immunoglobulin G (IgG) substitution (70%—subcutaneous; 29%—intravenous; 1%—unknown). Three-hundred patients underwent at least one hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Five patients had gene therapy. Conclusion: The German PID-NET registry is a precious tool for physicians, researchers, the pharmaceutical industry, politicians, and ultimately the patients, for whom the outcomes will eventually lead to a more timely diagnosis and better treatment

    Measurement of the prompt J/psi and psi(2S) polarizations in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

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    The polarizations of prompt J/psi and psi(2S) mesons are measured in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, using a dimuon data sample collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 inverse femtobarns. The prompt J/psi and psi(2S) polarization parameters lambda[theta], lambda[phi], and lambda[theta, phi], as well as the frame-invariant quantity lambda(tilde), are measured from the dimuon decay angular distributions in three different polarization frames. The J/psi results are obtained in the transverse momentum range 14 < pt < 70 GeV, in the rapidity intervals abs(y) < 0.6 and 0.6 < abs(y) < 1.2. The corresponding psi(2S) results cover 14 < pt < 50 GeV and include a third rapidity bin, 1.2 < abs(y) < 1.5. No evidence of large transverse or longitudinal polarizations is seen in these kinematic regions, which extend much beyond those previously explored

    Schadevergoeding bij overlijden: een stoel die een soort tafeltje is

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    In het aansprakelijkheidsrecht heeft een benadeelde in beginsel recht op volledige vergoeding van zijn schade. De gevolgen van de schadetoebrengende gebeurtenis dienen zoveel als mogelijk te worden weggenomen of te worden gecompenseerd. Daarbij wordt gekeken naar de situatie waarin de benadeelde zou hebben verkeerd indien de schadetoebrengende gebeurtenis niet zou hebben plaatsgevonden. Dat is bij overlijden per definitie problematisch. Er is iemand weggevallen, wat vele gevolgen heeft. De schade als gevolg van het overlijden komt maar beperkt voor vergoeding in aanmerking. In artikel 6:108 BW is een drietal beperkingen te vinden. Het gaat hier om beperkingen ten aanzien van de aard van de schade, de kring van gerechtigden en de omvang van de schade. Daarbij hinkt het recht op schadevergoeding bij overlijden op twee gedachten. Aan de ene kant is er het aansprakelijkheidsrecht, maar de geleden schade komt niet volledig voor vergoeding in aanmerking. Aan de andere kant is er het recht op alimentatie uit het familierecht, maar dat wordt bij overlijden niet consequent toegepast. De motieven voor de beperkingen van het recht op schadevergoeding zijn achterhaald en niet (langer) overtuigend. Het recht is niet bij de tijd, het sluit niet aan bij de maatschappelijke ontwikkelingen. De beperkingen die het recht op schadevergoeding bij overlijden in de huidige samenleving met zich meebrengt zorgen voor complexe methoden om de nabestaanden tegemoet te komen en oogsten daardoor veel kritiek. In deze bijdrage wordt die kritiek besproken. De bijdrage wordt afgesloten met enkele denkrichtingen voor nader onderzoek

    Severe early onset preeclampsia: short and long term clinical, psychosocial and biochemical aspects

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    Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder commonly defined as de novo hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks gestational age. It occurs in approximately 3-5% of pregnancies and it is still a major cause of both foetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide1. As extensive research has not yet elucidated the aetiology of preeclampsia, there are no rational preventive or therapeutic interventions available. The only rational treatment is delivery, which benefits the mother but is not in the interest of the foetus, if remote from term. Early onset preeclampsia (<32 weeks’ gestational age) occurs in less than 1% of pregnancies. It is, however often associated with maternal morbidity as the risk of progression to severe maternal disease is inversely related with gestational age at onset2. Resulting prematurity is therefore the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in patients with severe preeclampsia3. Although the discussion is ongoing, perinatal survival is suggested to be increased in patients with preterm preeclampsia by expectant, non-interventional management. This temporising treatment option to lengthen pregnancy includes the use of antihypertensive medication to control hypertension, magnesium sulphate to prevent eclampsia and corticosteroids to enhance foetal lung maturity4. With optimal maternal haemodynamic status and reassuring foetal condition this results on average in an extension of 2 weeks. Prolongation of these pregnancies is a great challenge for clinicians to balance between potential maternal risks on one the eve hand and possible foetal benefits on the other. Clinical controversies regarding prolongation of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies still exist – also taking into account that preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the Netherlands5 - a debate which is even more pronounced in very preterm pregnancies with questionable foetal viability6-9. Do maternal risks of prolongation of these very early pregnancies outweigh the chances of neonatal survival? Counselling of women with very early onset preeclampsia not only comprises of knowledge of the outcome of those particular pregnancies, but also knowledge of outcomes of future pregnancies of these women is of major clinical importance. This thesis opens with a review of the literature on identifiable risk factors of preeclampsia

    Measurement of associated W plus charm production in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

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    Peer reviewe

    Guidelines for the use of flow cytometry and cell sorting in immunological studies (third edition)

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    The third edition of Flow Cytometry Guidelines provides the key aspects to consider when performing flow cytometry experiments and includes comprehensive sections describing phenotypes and functional assays of all major human and murine immune cell subsets. Notably, the Guidelines contain helpful tables highlighting phenotypes and key differences between human and murine cells. Another useful feature of this edition is the flow cytometry analysis of clinical samples with examples of flow cytometry applications in the context of autoimmune diseases, cancers as well as acute and chronic infectious diseases. Furthermore, there are sections detailing tips, tricks and pitfalls to avoid. All sections are written and peer‐reviewed by leading flow cytometry experts and immunologists, making this edition an essential and state‐of‐the‐art handbook for basic and clinical researchers.DFG, 389687267, Kompartimentalisierung, Aufrechterhaltung und Reaktivierung humaner Gedächtnis-T-Lymphozyten aus Knochenmark und peripherem BlutDFG, 80750187, SFB 841: Leberentzündungen: Infektion, Immunregulation und KonsequenzenEC/H2020/800924/EU/International Cancer Research Fellowships - 2/iCARE-2DFG, 252623821, Die Rolle von follikulären T-Helferzellen in T-Helferzell-Differenzierung, Funktion und PlastizitätDFG, 390873048, EXC 2151: ImmunoSensation2 - the immune sensory syste

    Study of exclusive two-photon production of W+W- in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV and constraints on anomalous quartic gauge couplings

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    A search for exclusive or quasi-exclusive W+W- production by photon-photon interactions, pp -> p(*)W(+)W(-)p(*), at \/s = 7 TeV is reported using data collected by the CMS detector with an integrated luminosity of 5.05 fb(-1). Events are selected by requiring a mu(+/-)mu(-/+) vertex with no additional associated charged tracks and dilepton transverse momentum p(T)(mu(+/-)mu(-/+)) > 30 GeV. Two events passing all selection requirements are observed in the data, compared to a standard model expectation of 2.2 +/- 0.4 signal events with 0.84 +/- 0.15 background. The tail of the dilepton p(T) distribution is studied for deviations from the standard model. No events are observed with p(T) > 100 GeV. Model-independent upper limits are computed and compared to predictions involving anomalous quartic gauge couplings. The limits on the parameters a(0,c)(W)/A(2) with a dipole form factor and an energy cutoff A(cutoff) = 500 GeV are of the order of 10(-4)
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