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We present a study of a novel variant of the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) called the Associative Self-Organizing Map (A-SOM). The A-SOM is similar to the SOM and thus develops a representation of its input space, but in addition it also learns to associate its activity with the activity of one or several external SOMs. The A-SOM has relevance in e.g. the modelling of expectations in one modality due
Juggling balls’ is a multi-player game that was developed in the form of a Java Applet. The game was developed as part of a software-engineering project. The software itself was designed for the needs of an ongoing research project. The foundation ideas and further development was drawing on a research project which focuses on visualisation in relation to individual emergence in a context of doubl
Among the science challenges of the Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs),four object types are studied for performance with a 50 m ELT withadaptive optics (AO), Euro50. Emphasis is on planetary systems and verydistant objects. For planetary systems and their evolution, we examinehigh resolution imaging of the nuclei of comets and high-resolutionimaging, photometry and low and intermediate resolution
Human postural dynamics was investigated in twelve normal subjects by means of a force platform recording body sway induced by bipolar transmastoid galvanic stimulation of the vestibular nerve and labyrinth. We modeled the stabilizing forces actuated by the feet as resulting from complex muscular activity subject to feedback of body velocity and position. Time series analysis demonstrated that a t
Infestation of skin by the parasitic itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei afflicts 300 million people worldwide and there is a need for novel and efficient therapies. We have previously identified a multigene family of serine proteases comprising multiple catalytically inactive members (scabies mite-inactivated protease paralogs (SMIPPs)), which are secreted into the gut of S. scabiei. SMIPPs are located i
Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin H (SEH) belongs to the staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) family of superantigens (SAgs). SEH has structural similarities to other SE; however, its biological properties are less well characterized. SEH binds with high affinity to human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and exhibits strong mitogenic activity in human T cells, although it was found to be
Identification of antigens that elicit protective immunity is essential for effective vaccine development. We investigated the related surface proteins of group B Streptococcus, Rib and alpha, as potential vaccine candidates. Paradoxically, nonimmunodominant regions proved to be of particular interest as vaccine components. Mouse antibodies elicited by Rib and alpha were directed almost exclusivel
The neuronal soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex is essential for synaptic vesicle exocytosis, but its study has been limited by the neonatal lethality of murine SNARE knockouts. Here, we describe a viable mouse line carrying a mutation in the b-isoform of neuronal SNARE synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) The causative I67T missens
Nucleobase and nucleoside analogs (NNA) are widely used as anti-viral and anti-cancer agents, and NNA phosphorylation is essential for the activity of this class of drugs. Recently, diphosphatase NUDT15 was linked to thiopurine metabolism with NUDT15 polymorphism associated with drug toxicity in patients. Profiling NNA drugs, we identify acyclovir (ACV) and ganciclovir (GCV) as two new NNAs metabo
Preceding studies on morbidities and mortalities associated with TB in a cohort of HIV care indicate high incidence of TB development and premature death among patients on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). This study aims to measure the rate of TB, TB mortality, and associated risk factors following commencement of HAART in a cohort of patients attending HIV care in Ethiopia. Patient
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have found that particulate matter (PM) attached radioactivity was associated with certain adverse health effects including increased blood pressure and lung dysfunction. However, there has been no investigation on the direct effect of PM radioactivity on mortality.METHODS: Exposures to ambient PM gamma activities were determined using U.S. EPA RadNet data. Data on daily
The use of daratumumab in combination with established regimens for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma has recently been authorized by the European Medicines Agency based on results from three separate phase III randomized, active controlled, open-label studies that have confirmed enhanced efficacy and tolerability in both transplant-ineligible (MMY3008 and MMY3007) and transplant-e
Whilst life cycle assessment (LCA) boundaries are expanded to account for negative indirect consequences of bioenergy such as indirect land use change (ILUC), ecosystem services such as water purification sometimes delivered by perennial bioenergy crops are typically neglected in LCA studies. Consequential LCA was applied to evaluate the significance of nutrient interception and retention on the e
Background Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are generally quantified using a 24h ECG recording, but the diagnostic accuracy is unknown. We aimed to determine the day-to-day variability and optimal monitoring duration for PVC measurements among patients with frequent PVCs. Methods We included all patients who underwent a clinical ambulatory ECG recording lasting 25-30 days, using the PocketEC
A search for an antigen-driven expansion of T lymphocytes in the inflamed joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have been going on for decades. We here analyzed the human germinal centre T-cell receptor (TCR) Vbeta gene usage with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with sequence analysis, to address the question of clonality in tonsils and synovial tissue from RA patients. Our data sh
The stability of established memory T helper (Th)1/Th2 cells in chronic inflammatory diseases is not clear, and a shift of the cytokine balance could control chronic inflammation. In order to study the regulation of the Th phenotype of memory T cells, polyclonal T-cell lines and clones with a Th1, Th0 or Th2 phenotype were developed from rheumatoid synovial tissue. Th1 [interleukin (IL)-12 + anti-
Observations of low-mass stars have frequently shown a disagreement between observed stellar radii and radii predicted by theoretical stellar structure models. This ‘radius inflation’ problem could have an impact on both stellar and exoplanetary science. We present the final results of our observation programme with the CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS) to obtain high-precision light cur
Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4), the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), is vital for understanding cellular processes involved in AD pathogenesis. Evidence implicates endosomes as a central player in AD, where endosomal enlargement in neurons is among the earliest changes in AD. This enlargement was reported to be enhanced in APOE4 carriers. Cells internalize ApoE into endosomes for
Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMV) have gained attention as a promising new cancer vaccine platform for efficiently provoking immune responses. However, OMV induce severe toxicity by activating the innate immune system. In this study, we applied a simple isolation approach to produce artificial OMV that we have named Synthetic Bacterial Vesicles (SyBV) that do not induce a severe toxic respon
