Δευτέρα 14 Νοεμβρίου 2016

Self-reflection on privacy research in social networking sites

The increasing popularity of social networking sites has been a source of many privacy concerns. To mitigate these concerns and empower users, different forms of educational and technological solutions have been developed. Developing and evaluating such solutions, however, cannot be considered a neutral process. Instead, it is socially bound and interwoven with norms and values of the researchers. In this contribution, we aim to make the research process and development of privacy solutions more transparent by highlighting questions that should be considered. (1) Which actors are involved in formulating the privacy problem? (2) Is privacy perceived as a human right or as a property right on one's data? (3) Is informing users of privacy dangers always a good thing? (4) Do we want to influence users' attitudes and behaviours? (5) Who is the target audience? We argue that these questions can help researchers to better comprehend their own perspective on privacy, that of others, and the influence of the solutions they are developing. In the discussion, we propose a procedure called 'tool clinics' for further practical implementations.

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Evaluation of service life design assessment according to different chloride diffusion and carbonatation models applied on Belgian concrete mixtures

This contribution presents the preliminary research outcomes of a pilot program for the validation of models and test methods for assessment of the durability related to Belgian concrete mixtures. The chloride diffusion and carbonation model of fib bulletin 34 [1] and the recent outcomes reported in fib bulletin 76 [2] are applied and evaluated. A sensitivity analysis is performed for both damage mechanisms. In addition there are certain parameters in the models which can be recalibrated to the Belgian concrete compositions or exposure conditions. Such a calibration will be performed for the common used types of cement in Belgium (CEM I, CEM III/A and CEM III/B). Preliminary research shows that for chloride ingress, the ageing exponent α, the diffusion- and migration coefficient Da(t) and DRCM,0(t0) can be recalibrated according to the Belgian situation. In case of carbonation the relationship between the natural RNAC-1 and accelerated RACC-1 inverse carbonation resistance can be determined.

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The art of law: three centuries of justice depicted

During the late-medieval period, law courts frequently commissioned paintings to grace their Aldermen chambers. Among the favourite themes were the so-called exempla iustitiae, examples of 'good' and 'bad' justice, derived from Biblical, historical and legendary tales. It was not until the Renaissance that the well-known image of Lady Justice took shape, recognised by her scales, sword and blindfold. In this book, depictions of the Last Judgement and other justice scenes, as well as allegories and visualisations of (sometimes gruesome) torture and execution practices are placed within an art-historical and legal-historical context. The authors' approaches to the highly popular theme of law and justice will appeal to both experts and novices with the subjects. For the exhibition, more than 120 works from Belgian and international collections, including private collections, are brought together, with masterpieces from Bruges forming the core of the exhibition.

http://ift.tt/2fMjWE2

Storytelling, depression & psychotherapy

This chapter examines storytelling practices of depressed clients within the context of Emotion-focused psychotherapeutic treatments. Using the methods of conversation analysis, a fine-grained qualitative approach to studying social interaction, Muntigl shows how stories convey helplessness and low personal agency and how therapists are able to negotiate the import and significance of the client's story through different types of response. The relevance for clinical practice is highlighted in this chapter. First, it is shown how different therapist responses convey different degrees of affiliation with the client's distress. Second, therapist response types tend to mobilize affiliation and empathy from clients in different ways. Third, the more empathy or affiliation therapists invest in their response, the more empathy/affiliation they get back.

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Combined Acute Haemolytic and Secondary Angle Closure Glaucoma following Spontaneous Intraocular Haemorrhages in a Patient on Warfarin

Background: To report the first described case of combined haemolytic and acute angle closure glaucoma secondary to spontaneous intraocular haemorrhages in a patient on excessive anticoagulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature presenting with raised intraocular pressure due to both mechanisms. Case Description: A 90-year-old woman presented with acute pain and reduction in vision in the left eye. Her intraocular pressure (IOP) was 55 mm Hg. There were red tinted blood cells in the anterior chamber giving it a reddish hue. The patient was known to have advanced wet macular degeneration. She was taking oral warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Her international normalised ratio (INR) was 7.7. B-scan ultrasound of posterior segment showed vitreous and suprachoroidal haemorrhages. An ultrabiomicroscopic examination confirmed open angles. A diagnosis of haemolytic glaucoma secondary to intraocular haemorrhages was made. The IOP was controlled medically. Warfarin was withdrawn and oral vitamin K therapy was initiated leading to a rapid INR reduction. Three days later, her anterior chamber became progressively shallower causing a secondary acute angle closure which was managed medically. After 2 months, the left IOP was well-controlled without any medications and the eye was not inflamed. Her vision in that eye remained perception of light. Conclusion: Patients with suprachoroidal haemorrhages should be closely monitored as they might subsequently develop acute angle closure despite an initially open angle and well-controlled INR and IOP. Excessive anticoagulation needs to be prevented to minimise the risk of sight-threatening complications.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2016;7:233–238

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Combined Acute Haemolytic and Secondary Angle Closure Glaucoma following Spontaneous Intraocular Haemorrhages in a Patient on Warfarin

Background: To report the first described case of combined haemolytic and acute angle closure glaucoma secondary to spontaneous intraocular haemorrhages in a patient on excessive anticoagulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature presenting with raised intraocular pressure due to both mechanisms. Case Description: A 90-year-old woman presented with acute pain and reduction in vision in the left eye. Her intraocular pressure (IOP) was 55 mm Hg. There were red tinted blood cells in the anterior chamber giving it a reddish hue. The patient was known to have advanced wet macular degeneration. She was taking oral warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Her international normalised ratio (INR) was 7.7. B-scan ultrasound of posterior segment showed vitreous and suprachoroidal haemorrhages. An ultrabiomicroscopic examination confirmed open angles. A diagnosis of haemolytic glaucoma secondary to intraocular haemorrhages was made. The IOP was controlled medically. Warfarin was withdrawn and oral vitamin K therapy was initiated leading to a rapid INR reduction. Three days later, her anterior chamber became progressively shallower causing a secondary acute angle closure which was managed medically. After 2 months, the left IOP was well-controlled without any medications and the eye was not inflamed. Her vision in that eye remained perception of light. Conclusion: Patients with suprachoroidal haemorrhages should be closely monitored as they might subsequently develop acute angle closure despite an initially open angle and well-controlled INR and IOP. Excessive anticoagulation needs to be prevented to minimise the risk of sight-threatening complications.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2016;7:233–238

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Blood fats equals risk of pancreatitis

University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences News

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Zorgt vermarkting voor betere hulpverlening? Drie voorwaarden: contract, contract, contract

De tendering van sociale voorzieningen in Antwerpen zet de relatie tussen stad en middenveld op scherp. Ondanks het levendige debat blijft iedereen bij zijn standpunt en dreigt de discussie te verzanden. Kunnen we dit wij-zij-discours achter ons laten?

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Pour que l’écologie supplante le nationalisme: l'esthétique de Pierre Gascar

Pierre Gascar, pen name of Pierre Fournier, is an author who has been forgotten. He does, however, pose a number of still pertinent questions concerning the preservation of nature, the detrimental impact of industrialization, and the future of the planet in his works. In this article, I will examine the ecological trajectory of the author, from the perspective of ethics as well as aesthetics. I will focus on the extent to which Gascar strives to warn his reader of the dangers that haunt the natural world, while analyzing the stylistic choices that result from this stance.

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Ratiometric and photoconvertible fluorescent protein-based voltage indicator prototypes

Chem. Commun., 2016, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC06810C, Communication
Ahmed S Abdelfattah, Vladimir Rancic, Bijal Rawal, Klaus Ballanyi, Robert E. Campbell
To expand the toolbox of fluorescent protein-based voltage indicators, we explored two distinct protein design strategies. Using these design strategies, we created three new voltage indicators: a red intensiometric voltage...
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Oxygen vacancies induced Bi2WO6 for realization of full solar spectrum photocatalytic CO2 reduction: From UV to NIR region

Chem. Commun., 2016, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC07750A, Communication
Xin Ying Kong, Yen Yee Choo, Siang-Piao Chai, Ai Kah Soh , Abdul Rahman Mohamed
Photocatalytic CO2 reduction over UV-Vis-NIR broad spectrum was realized for the first time. The presence of surface oxygen vacancy defects on Bi2WO6 resulted in significant photocatalytic enhancement over the pristine...
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Genetics meets Pathology – an increasingly important relationship

Abstract

The analytical power of modern methods for DNA analysis has outstripped our capability to interpret and understand the data generated. To make good use of this genomic data in a biomedical setting (whether for research or diagnosis), it is vital that we understand the mechanisms through which mutations affect biochemical pathways and physiological systems. This lies at the centre of what genetics is all about, and it is the reason why genetics and genomics should go hand in hand whenever possible. In this Annual Review Issue of the Journal of Pathology, we have assembled a collection of 16 expert reviews covering a wide range of topics. Through these, we illustrate the power of genetic analysis to improve our understanding of normal physiology and disease pathology, and thereby to think in rational ways about clinical management.



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The molecular basis of breast cancer pathological phenotypes

Abstract

The histopathological evaluation of morphological features in breast tumours provides prognostic information to guide therapy. Adjunct molecular analyses provide further diagnostic, prognostic and predictive information. However, there is limited knowledge of the molecular basis of morphological phenotypes in invasive breast cancer. This study integrated genomic, transcriptomic and protein data to provide a comprehensive molecular profiling of morphological features in breast cancer. Fifteen pathologists assessed 850 invasive breast cancer cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Morphological features were significantly associated with genomic alteration, DNA methylation subtype, PAM50 and microRNA subtypes, proliferation scores, gene expression and/or RPPA subtype. Marked nuclear pleomorphism, necrosis, inflammation and high mitotic count were associated with Basal-like subtype and have similar molecular basis. Omics-based signatures were constructed to predict morphological features. The association of morphology transcriptome signatures with overall survival in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative breast cancer was first assessed using the METABRIC dataset; signatures that remained prognostic in the METABRIC multivariate analysis were further evaluated in five additional datasets. The transcriptomic signature of epithelial tubule formation was prognostic in ER-positive breast cancer. No signature was prognostic in ER-negative. This study provided new insights into the molecular basis of breast cancer morphological phenotypes. The integration of morphological with molecular data has potential to refine breast cancer classification, predict response to therapy, enhance our understanding of breast cancer biology and improve clinical management. This work is publicly accessible at http://ift.tt/2g9pThp.



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Proinflammatory effect of HMGB1 on keratinocytes: an autocrine mechanism underlying psoriasis development

Abstract

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease, in which keratinocytes play a crucial pathogenic role. High-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) is an inflammatory factor that can be released from keratinocyte nuclei in psoriatic lesions. We aimed to investigate the proinflammatory effect of HMGB1 on keratinocytes and the contribution of HMGB1 to psoriasis development. Normal human keratinocytes were treated with recombinant human HMGB1, and the production of inflammatory factors and the intermediary signaling pathways were examined. Furthermore, the imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model was used to investigate the role of HMGB1 in psoriasis development in vivo. A total of eleven inflammatory factors were identified to be up-regulated by HMGB1 in keratinocytes, among which interleukin-18 (IL-18) showed the greatest change. We then found that the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammasomes accounted for HMGB1-induced IL-18 expression and secretion. Moreover, HMGB1 and downstream IL-18 contributed to the formation of psoriasiform dermatitis in the imiquimod-treated mice. In addition, T helper 17 immune response in the psoriasis-like mouse model could be inhibited by both HMGB1 and IL-18 blockade. Our findings indicate that secreted HMGB1 from keratinocytes can facilitate the production and secretion of inflammatory factors like IL-18 in keratinocytes in an autocrine way, thus promoting the development of psoriasis. Blocking the proinflammatory function of the HMGB1/IL-18 axis may be useful for psoriasis treatment in the future.



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MagPy: A Python toolbox for controlling Magstim transcranial magnetic stimulators

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Publication date: Available online 13 November 2016
Source:Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Author(s): Nicolas A. McNair
BackgroundTo date, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies manipulating stimulation parameters have largely used blocked paradigms. However, altering these parameters on a trial‐by‐trial basis in Magstim stimulators is complicated by the need to send regular (1Hz) commands to the stimulator. Additionally, effecting such control interferes with the ability to send TMS pulses or simultaneously present stimuli with high‐temporal precision.New methodThis manuscript presents the MagPy toolbox, a Python software package that provides full control over Magstim stimulators via the serial port. It is able to maintain this control with no impact on concurrent processing, such as stimulus delivery. In addition, a specially‐designed "QuickFire" serial cable is specified that allows MagPy to trigger TMS pulses with very low‐latency.ResultsIn a series of experimental simulations, MagPy was able to maintain uninterrupted remote control over the connected Magstim stimulator across all testing sessions. In addition, having MagPy enabled had no effect on stimulus timing − all stimuli were presented for precisely the duration specified. Finally, using the QuickFire cable, MagPy was able to elicit TMS pulses with sub‐millisecond latencies.Comparison with Existing methodsThe MagPy toolbox allows for experiments that require manipulating stimulation parameters from trial to trial. Furthermore, it can achieve this in contexts that require tight control over timing, such as those seeking to combine TMS with fMRI or EEG.ConclusionsTogether, the MagPy toolbox and QuickFire serial cable provide an effective means for controlling Magstim stimulators during experiments while ensuring high‐precision timing.



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