An efficient model-based estimation algorithm is introduced to quantify the atomic column positions and intensities from atomic resolution (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) images. ...This algorithm uses the least squares estimator on image segments containing individual columns fully accounting for overlap between neighbouring columns, enabling the analysis of a large field of view. For this algorithm, the accuracy and precision with which measurements for the atomic column positions and scattering cross-sections from annular dark field (ADF) STEM images can be estimated, has been investigated. The highest attainable precision is reached even for low dose images. Furthermore, the advantages of the model-based approach taking into account overlap between neighbouring columns are highlighted. This is done for the estimation of the distance between two neighbouring columns as a function of their distance and for the estimation of the scattering cross-section which is compared to the integrated intensity from a Voronoi cell. To provide end-users this well-established quantification method, a user friendly program, StatSTEM, is developed which is freely available under a GNU public license.
•An efficient model-based method for quantitative electron microscopy is introduced.•Images are modelled as a superposition of 2D Gaussian peaks.•Overlap between neighbouring columns is taken into account.•Structure parameters can be obtained with the highest precision and accuracy.•StatSTEM, auser friendly program (GNU public license) is developed.
ABSTRACT
We have developed a tool for detecting single exon copy‐number variations (CNVs) in targeted next‐generation sequencing data: CoNVaDING (Copy Number Variation Detection In Next‐generation ...sequencing Gene panels). CoNVaDING includes a stringent quality control (QC) metric, that excludes or flags low‐quality exons. Since this QC shows exactly which exons can be reliably analyzed and which exons are in need of an alternative analysis method, CoNVaDING is not only useful for CNV detection in a research setting, but also in clinical diagnostics. During the validation phase, CoNVaDING detected all known CNVs in high‐quality targets in 320 samples analyzed, giving 100% sensitivity and 99.998% specificity for 308,574 exons. CoNVaDING outperforms existing tools by exhibiting a higher sensitivity and specificity and by precisely identifying low‐quality samples and regions.
We have developed a tool for detecting single exon copy number variations (CNVs) in targeted next‐generation sequencing data: CoNVaDING (Copy Number Variation Detection In Next‐generation sequencing Gene panels). CoNVaDING includes a stringent quality control metric, that excludes or flags low quality exons. Since this quality control shows exactly which exons can be reliably analysed and which exons are in need of an alternative analysis method, CoNVaDING is also useful for CNV detection in clinical diagnostics.
Predicting which patients with hip osteoarthritis are more likely to show disease progression is important for healthcare professionals. Therefore, the aim of this review was to assess which factors ...are predictive of progression in patients with hip osteoarthritis.
A literature search was made up until 14 March 2019. Included were cohort and case-control studies evaluating the association between factors and progression (either clinical, radiological, or THR). Excluded were studies with a follow-up < 1 year or specific underlying pathologies of osteoarthritis. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUIPS tool. A best-evidence synthesis was conducted.
We included 57 articles describing 154 different factors. Of these, a best-evidence synthesis was possible for 103 factors, separately for clinical and radiological progression, and progression to total hip replacement. We found strong evidence for more clinical progression in patients with comorbidity and more progression to total hip replacement for a higher Kellgren and Lawrence grade, superior or (supero) lateral femoral head migration, and subchondral sclerosis. Strong evidence for no association was found regarding clinical progression for gender, social support, pain medication, quality of life, and limited range of motion of internal rotation or external rotation. Also, strong evidence for no association was found regarding radiological progression for the markers CTX-I, COMP, NTX-I, PINP, and PIIINP and regarding progression to total hip replacement for body mass index.
Strong evidence suggested that 4 factors were predictive of progression of hip osteoarthritis, whereas 12 factors were not predictive of progression. Evidence for most of the reported factors was either limited or conflicting.
PROSPERO, CRD42015010757.
•We report a quantitative comparison between TEM techniques.•Statistical parameter estimation theory is used to measure column positions.•Light and heavy columns are located with picometer precision ...for all techniques.•Precision improves by post-processing techniques. (scan distortion and sample drift)•Ultimate precision determined in counting noise limited scenario.
Nowadays, aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a popular method to characterise nanomaterials at the atomic scale. Here, atomically resolved images of nanomaterials are acquired, where the contrast depends on the illumination, imaging and detector conditions of the microscope. Visualization of light elements is possible when using low angle annular dark field (LAADF) STEM, annular bright field (ABF) STEM, integrated differential phase contrast (iDPC) STEM, negative spherical aberration imaging (NCSI) and imaging STEM (ISTEM). In this work, images of a NdGaO3-La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (NGO-LSMO) interface are quantitatively evaluated by using statistical parameter estimation theory. For imaging light elements, all techniques are providing reliable results, while the techniques based on interference contrast, NCSI and ISTEM, are less robust in terms of accuracy for extracting heavy column locations. In term of precision, sample drift and scan distortions mainly limits the STEM based techniques as compared to NCSI. Post processing techniques can, however, partially compensate for this. In order to provide an outlook to the future, simulated images of NGO, in which the unavoidable presence of Poisson noise is taken into account, are used to determine the ultimate precision. In this future counting noise limited scenario, NCSI and ISTEM imaging will provide more precise values as compared to the other techniques, which can be related to the mechanisms behind the image recording.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising biological therapeutic option as an osteoarthritis (OA)-modifying treatment. MSCs secrete factors that can counteract inflammatory and catabolic ...processes and attract endogenous repair cells. The effects of intra-articular injection of MSC secretome on OA-related pain, cartilage damage, subchondral bone alterations and synovial inflammation were studied in a mouse collagenase-induced OA model. The MSC secretome was generated by stimulating human bone-marrow-derived MSCs with interferon gamma (IFNγ) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). 54 mice were randomly assigned to injections with i) MSC secretome from 20,000 MSCs, ii) 20,000 MSCs or iii) medium (control). Pain was assessed by hind limb weight distribution. Cartilage damage, subchondral bone volume and synovial inflammation were evaluated by histology. MSC-secretome- and MSC-injected mice showed pain reduction at day 7 when compared to control mice. Cartilage damage was more abundant in the control group as compared to healthy knees, a difference which was not found in knees treated with MSC secretome or MSCs. No effects were observed regarding synovial inflammation, subchondral bone volume or the presence of different macrophage subtypes. Injection of MSC secretome, similarly to injection of MSCs, resulted in early pain reduction and had a protective effect on the development of cartilage damage in a murine OA model. By using the regenerative capacities of the MSC-secreted factors, it will be possible to greatly enhance the standardisation, affordability and clinical translatability of the approach. This way, this biological therapy could evolve towards a true disease-modifying anti-osteoarthritic drug.
Uncertainty Management van den Bos, Kees
Journal of personality and social psychology,
06/2001, Letnik:
80, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
On the basis of fairness heuristic theory, it is argued in this article that people especially need fairness when they are reminded about aspects of their lives that make them uncertain. It is ...therefore proposed that thinking about uncertainty should make fairness a more important issue to people. The findings of 3 experiments support this line of reasoning: Asking (vs. not asking) participants 2 questions that solicited their thoughts and feelings of being uncertain led to stronger effects of perceived procedural fairness on participants' affective reactions toward the way they were treated. It is argued that these findings suggest that fairness matters to people especially when they are trying to deal with things that make them uncertain. An implication of the current findings therefore may be that fairness is important to people because it gives them an opportunity to manage uncertain aspects of their lives.
methylation was proposed as mechanism for endocrine resistance in metastatic breast cancer patients. To evaluate its potential as a minimally invasive biomarker, we investigated the feasibility of ...measuring
methylation in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and its association with endocrine resistance. First, we provided evidence that demethylation in vitro restores ER expression. Subsequently, we found that
methylation in cfDNA was not enriched in endocrine-resistant versus endocrine-sensitive patients. Interestingly, we found a correlation between
methylation and age. Publicly available data confirm an age-related increase in
methylation in leukocytes, confounding the determination of the
methylation status of tumors using cfDNA.
•We validate the atomic lensing model for quantitatively characterising heterogeneous nanomaterials.•The model predicts accurately scattering cross-sections of mixed columns having dozens of ...atoms.•Results are reliable in the annular dark field regime.•We demonstrate that 3D atomic information can be extracted from a single STEM image.
The atomic lensing model has been proposed as a promising method facilitating atom-counting in heterogeneous nanocrystals 1. Here, image simulations will validate the model, which describes dynamical diffraction as a superposition of individual atoms focussing the incident electrons. It will be demonstrated that the model is reliable in the annular dark field regime for crystals having columns containing dozens of atoms. By using the principles of statistical detection theory, it will be shown that this model gives new opportunities for detecting compositional differences.
Purpose
Varus medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) can be treated with a closing-wedge (CW) or opening-wedge (OW) high tibial osteotomy (HTO). Little is known about the adverse event (AE) rate of these ...techniques. The purpose of this study was to examine the AE rate and survival rate of a consecutive series of 412 patients undergoing CW- or OW-HTO.
Methods
Medical records were retrospectively screened, and all patients who underwent HTO from 1993 to 2012 at the Erasmus University Medical Centre were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire. Patients filled in the intermittent and constant osteoarthritis pain score, knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score, and a general questionnaire focusing on AE.
Results
Medical records of 412 patients (354 CW- and 112 OW-HTOs) were screened. Of the 358 eligible patients, 291 (81 %) returned their questionnaire. A total of 80 AE (17 %) were found in 466 osteotomies. In the CW-group, 47 (13 %) serious adverse events (SAE) and 2 (0.6 %) AE were found. In the OW-group, 17 (15 %) SAE and 14 (13 %) AE were found. The most common AE was in 14 (4 %) patients of the CW-group sensory palsy of the common peroneal nerve. The most common AE in the OW-group was persistent pain at the iliac crest 11 (9.8 %) patients. Hardware was removed in 48 % of the CW-osteotomies and 71 % of the OW-osteotomies (
p
< 0.05). The probability of survival was 75 % after 10 years in the CW-group versus 90 % in the OW-group (
p
< 0.05). In both groups, an equal number of patients were “in need for prosthesis” according to OARSI criteria.
Conclusion
OW-HTO was associated with more AE than CW-HTO. OW-HTO resulted in better survival than CW-HTO. However, in both groups an equal number of patients were in need for prosthesis.
Level of evidence
Retrospective comparative study, Level III.
Three-dimensional strontium ruthenate (SrRuO_{3}) is an itinerant ferromagnet that features Weyl points acting as sources of emergent magnetic fields, anomalous Hall conductivity, and unconventional ...spin dynamics. Integrating SrRuO_{3} in oxide heterostructures is potentially a novel route to engineer emergent electrodynamics, but its electronic band topology in the two-dimensional limit remains unknown. Here we show that ultrathin SrRuO_{3} exhibits spin-polarized topologically nontrivial bands at the Fermi energy. Their band anticrossings show an enhanced Berry curvature and act as competing sources of emergent magnetic fields. We control their balance by designing heterostructures with symmetric (SrTiO_{3}/SrRuO_{3}/SrTiO_{3} and SrIrO_{3}/SrRuO_{3}/SrIrO_{3}) and asymmetric interfaces (SrTiO_{3}/SrRuO_{3}/SrIrO_{3}). Symmetric structures exhibit an interface-tunable single-channel anomalous Hall effect, while ultrathin SrRuO_{3} embedded in asymmetric structures shows humplike features consistent with multiple Hall contributions. The band topology of two-dimensional SrRuO_{3} proposed here naturally accounts for these observations and harmonizes a large body of experimental results.
PDF
