Überlegungen zum Krankheitsbegriff aus strahlentherapeutischer Sicht

Definition of the problem: The concept of disease should be presented under the view of clinical medicine using radiooncology as an example. The interactive dualism, as described by Switankowsky, is introduced as theoretical framework for understanding the nature of disease. According to this theory, the interaction between mind and body plays a central role to treat the patient with dignity and compassion. This is true for radiotherapy, where a holistic understanding of the patient is necessary. Actual analysis of the current clinical literature is made and nevertheless shows a reductionistic concept of disease, which is based mainly on objective criteria from the physician's view. Arguments and conclusions: Considering and applying the interactive dualism physicians can overcome the reductionistic view. The discussion between doctor and patient will get a leading role. Both physician and patient can develop a common concept while discussing the disease, so that according the interactive dualism objective and subjective criteria are considered. Limitations of this new definition need special attention and should be finally described.     

Computing motion using analog VLSI vision chips: An experimental comparison among different approaches

We have designed, built and tested a number of analog CMOS VLSI circuits for computing 1-D motion from the time-varying intensity values provided by an array of on-chip phototransistors. We present experimental data for two such circuits and discuss their relative performance. One circuit approximates the correlation model while a second chip uses resistive grids to compute zero-crossings to be tracked over time by a separate digital processor. Both circuits integrate image acquisition with image processing functions and compute velocity in real time. For comparison, we also describe the performance of a simple motion algorithm using off-the-shelf digital components. We conclude that analog circuits implementing various correlation-like motion algorithms are more robust than our previous analog circuits implementing gradient-like motion algorithms.     

Indexing systematic rater agreement with a latent-class model.

A latent-class model of rater agreement is presented for which 1 of the model parameters can be interpreted as the proportion of systematic agreement. The latent classes of the model emerge from the factorial combination of the "true" category in which a target belongs and the ease with which raters are able to classify targets into the true category. Several constrained cases of the model are described, and the relations to other well-known agreement models and kappa-type summary coefficients are explained. The differential quality of the rating categories can be assessed on the basis of the model fit. The model is illustrated using data from diagnoses of psychiatric disorders and classifications of individuals in a persuasive communication study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Floating-Gate Circuits for Adaptation of Saccadic Eye Movement Accuracy

In this paper we describe an analog VLSI circuit, fabricatedusing a standard 2 µm, n-well, BiCMOS process,which utilizes floating-gate structures for non-volatile, on-chip,analog parameter storage. This circuit is designed to operatein the context of a hardware model of the primate oculomotorsystem and performs visually-guided, saccadic adaptation. Thechip contains a one-dimensional array of photoreceptors and floating-gatecircuits which are used to map retinal positions to motor outputcommands. The system's functionality is demonstrated by trainingthe chip with several different mapping functions using a supervised-learningtechnique.     

Quantitative temperature measurements in high-pressure flames with multiline NO-LIF thermometry

An accurate temperature measurement technique for steady, high-pressure flames is investigated using excitation wavelength-scanned laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) within the nitric oxide (NO) A-X(0, 0) band, and demonstration experiments are performed in premixed methane/air flames at pressures between 1 and 60 bars with a fuel/air ratio of 0.9. Excitation spectra are simulated with a computational spectral simulation program (LIFSim) and fit to the experimental data to extract gas temperature. The LIF scan range was chosen to provide sensitivity over a wide temperature range and to minimize LIF interference from oxygen. The fitting method is robust against elastic scattering and broadband LIF interference from other species, and yields absolute, calibration-free temperature measurements. Because of loss of structure in the excitation spectra at high pressures, background signal intensities were determined using a NO addition method that simultaneously yields nascent NO concentrations in the postflame gases. In addition, fluorescence emission spectra were also analyzed to quantify the contribution of background signal and to investigate interference in the detection band-width. The NO-LIF temperatures are in good agreement with intrusive single-color pyrometry. The proposed thermometry method could provide a useful tool for studing high-pressure flame chemistry as well as provide a standard to evaluate and validate fast-imaging thermometry techniques for practical diagnostics of high-pressure combustion systems.     

Screening for Cytochrome P450 Reactivity by Harnessing Catalase as Reporter Enzyme

The big screen : We have devised a high‐throughput screening method for organic peroxide‐dependent P450 reactivity by taking advantage of a previously undescribed activity of catalase, which was used as reporter enzyme. This two‐step assay, followed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses, allowed the facile identification of several new substrates for bacterial P450 enzymes.

     

Purification and characterisation of relevant natural and recombinant apple allergens

Apple (Malus domestica) is the most widely cultivated fruit crop in Europe and frequently causes allergic reactions with a variable degree of severity. So far, four apple allergens Mal d 1, Mal d 2, Mal d 3 and Mal d 4 have been identified. Mal d 1, a Bet v 1 related allergen, and Mal d 4, apple profilin, are sensitive to proteolytic degradation, whereas Mal d 2, a thaumatin-like protein and Mal d 3, a nonspecific lipid transfer protein, are rather stable to proteolytic processes. Mal d 1 and Mal d 4 were purified after expression in Escherichia coli expression system, while Mal d 2 and Mal d 3 were purified from apple fruit tissue. All purified proteins were subjected to detailed physicochemical characterisation to confirm their structural integrity and maintained IgE binding capacity. Detailed investigations of carbohydrate moieties of Mal d 2 demonstrated their involvement in the overall IgE binding capacity of this allergen. It was concluded that the folded structure and IgE binding capacity of all four allergens were preserved during purification.