Mobile Laser Scanning (MLS) is a versatile remote sensing technology based on Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) technology that has been utilized for a wide range of applications. Several previous ...reviews focused on applications or characteristics of these systems exist in the literature, however, reviews of the many innovative data processing strategies described in the literature have not been conducted in sufficient depth. To this end, we review and summarize the state of the art for MLS data processing approaches, including feature extraction, segmentation, object recognition, and classification. In this review, we first discuss the impact of the scene type to the development of an MLS data processing method. Then, where appropriate, we describe relevant generalized algorithms for feature extraction and segmentation that are applicable to and implemented in many processing approaches. The methods for object recognition and point cloud classification are further reviewed including both the general concepts as well as technical details. In addition, available benchmark datasets for object recognition and classification are summarized. Further, the current limitations and challenges that a significant portion of point cloud processing techniques face are discussed. This review concludes with our future outlook of the trends and opportunities of MLS data processing algorithms and applications.
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) remain major drug targets, despite our incomplete understanding of how they signal through 16 non-visual G-protein signal transducers (collectively named the ...transducerome) to exert their actions. To address this gap, we have developed an open-source suite of 14 optimized bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) Gαβγ biosensors (named TRUPATH) to interrogate the transducerome with single pathway resolution in cells. Generated through exhaustive protein engineering and empirical testing, the TRUPATH suite of Gαβγ biosensors includes the first Gα15 and GαGustducin probes. In head-to-head studies, TRUPATH biosensors outperformed first-generation sensors at multiple GPCRs and in different cell lines. Benchmarking studies with TRUPATH biosensors recapitulated previously documented signaling bias and revealed new coupling preferences for prototypic and understudied GPCRs with potential in vivo relevance. To enable a greater understanding of GPCR molecular pharmacology by the scientific community, we have made TRUPATH biosensors easily accessible as a kit through Addgene.
The seasonal incidence of influenza is often approximated as 5%-20%.
We used 2 methods to estimate the seasonal incidence of symptomatic influenza in the United States. First, we made a statistical ...estimate extrapolated from influenza-associated hospitalization rates for 2010-2011 to 2015-2016, collected as part of national surveillance, covering approximately 9% of the United States, and including the existing mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated persons. Second, we performed a literature search and meta-analysis of published manuscripts that followed cohorts of subjects during 1996-2016 to detect laboratory-confirmed symptomatic influenza among unvaccinated persons; we adjusted this result to the US median vaccination coverage and effectiveness during 2010-2016.
The statistical estimate of influenza incidence among all ages ranged from 3.0%-11.3% among seasons, with median values of 8.3% (95% confidence interval CI, 7.3%-9.7%) for all ages, 9.3% (95% CI, 8.2%-11.1%) for children <18 years, and 8.9% (95% CI, 8.2%-9.9%) for adults 18-64 years. Corresponding values for the meta-analysis were 7.1% (95% CI, 6.1%-8.1%) for all ages, 8.7% (95% CI, 6.6%-10.5%) for children, and 5.1% (95% CI, 3.6%-6.6%) for adults.
The 2 approaches produced comparable results for children and persons of all ages. The statistical estimates are more versatile and permit estimation of season-to-season variation. During 2010-2016, the incidence of symptomatic influenza among vaccinated and unvaccinated US residents, including both medically attended and nonattended infections, was approximately 8% and varied from 3% to 11% among seasons.
Background: There is little evidence supporting current safety recommendations for adolescent pitchers.
Hypothesis: Pitching practices of adolescent pitchers without history of arm injury will be ...significantly different from those of adolescent
pitchers who required shoulder or elbow surgery.
Study Design: Case control study; Level of evidence, 3.
Methods: Ninety-five adolescent pitchers who had shoulder or elbow surgery and 45 adolescent pitchers who never had a significant
pitching-related injury completed a survey. Responses were compared between the 2 groups using t tests and Ï 2 analyses. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to identify the risk factors.
Results: The injured group pitched significantly more months per year, games per year, innings per game, pitches per game, pitches
per year, and warm-up pitches before a game. These pitchers were more frequently starting pitchers, pitched in more showcases,
pitched with higher velocity, and pitched more often with arm pain and fatigue. They also used anti-inflammatory drugs and
ice more frequently to prevent an injury. Although the groups were age matched, the injured group was taller and heavier.
There were no significant differences regarding private pitching instruction, coachâs chief concern, pitcherâs self-rating,
exercise programs, stretching practices, relieving frequency, pitch type frequency, or age at which pitch types were first
thrown.
Conclusion: Pitching practices were significantly different between the groups. The factors with the strongest associations with injury
were overuse and fatigue. High pitch velocity and participation in showcases were also associated with increased risk for
injury.
Clinical Relevance: New recommendations were made based on these results. Adherence to the recommendations may reduce the incidence of significant
injury to adolescent pitchers.
Keywords:
pitch count
curveball
velocity
showcase
surgery
prevention
. Eugen‐Olsen J, Andersen O, Linneberg A, Ladelund S, Hansen TW, Langkilde A, Petersen J, Pielak T, Møller LN, Jeppesen J, Lyngbæk S, Fenger M, Olsen MH, Hildebrandt PR, Borch‐Johnsen K, Jørgensen ...T, Haugaard SB (Copenhagen University, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre; Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup; Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen; Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup; Copenhagen University, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre; Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte; University of Aarhus, Aarhus; University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen; Copenhagen University, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark). Circulating soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor predicts cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mortality in the general population. J Intern Med 2010; 268: 296–308.
Background. Low‐grade inflammation is thought to contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type‐2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), cancer and mortality. Biomarkers of inflammation may aid in risk prediction and enable early intervention and prevention of disease.
Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma levels of the inflammatory biomarker soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) are predictive of disease and mortality in the general population.
Design. This was an observational prospective cohort study. Cohort participants were included from June 1993 to December 1994 and followed until the end of 2006.
Setting. General adult Caucasian population.
Participants. The MONICA10 study, a population‐based cohort recruited from Copenhagen, Denmark, included 2602 individuals aged 41, 51, 61 or 71 years.
Measurements. Blood samples were analysed for suPAR levels using a commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Risk of cancer (n = 308), CVD (n = 301), T2D (n = 59) and mortality (n = 411) was assessed with a multivariate proportional hazards model using Cox regression.
Results. Elevated baseline suPAR level was associated with an increased risk of cancer, CVD, T2D and mortality during follow‐up. suPAR was more strongly associated with cancer, CVD and mortality in men than in women, and in younger compared with older individuals. suPAR remained significantly associated with the risk of negative outcome after adjustment for a number of relevant risk factors including C‐reactive protein levels.
Limitation. Further validation in ethnic populations other than Caucasians is needed.
Conclusion. The stable plasma protein suPAR may be a promising biomarker because of its independent association with incident cancer, CVD, T2D and mortality in the general population.
Summary Background The global burden of disease attributable to seasonal influenza virus in children is unknown. We aimed to estimate the global incidence of and mortality from lower respiratory ...infections associated with influenza in children younger than 5 years. Methods We estimated the incidence of influenza episodes, influenza-associated acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI), and influenza-associated severe ALRI in children younger than 5 years, stratified by age, with data from a systematic review of studies published between Jan 1, 1995, and Oct 31, 2010, and 16 unpublished population-based studies. We applied these incidence estimates to global population estimates for 2008 to calculate estimates for that year. We estimated possible bounds for influenza-associated ALRI mortality by combining incidence estimates with case fatality ratios from hospital-based reports and identifying studies with population-based data for influenza seasonality and monthly ALRI mortality. Findings We identified 43 suitable studies, with data for around 8 million children. We estimated that, in 2008, 90 million (95% CI 49–162 million) new cases of influenza (data from nine studies), 20 million (13–32 million) cases of influenza-associated ALRI (13% of all cases of paediatric ALRI; data from six studies), and 1 million (1–2 million) cases of influenza-associated severe ALRI (7% of cases of all severe paediatric ALRI; data from 39 studies) occurred worldwide in children younger than 5 years. We estimated there were 28 000–111 500 deaths in children younger than 5 years attributable to influenza-associated ALRI in 2008, with 99% of these deaths occurring in developing countries. Incidence and mortality varied substantially from year to year in any one setting. Interpretation Influenza is a common pathogen identified in children with ALRI and results in a substantial burden on health services worldwide. Sufficient data to precisely estimate the role of influenza in childhood mortality from ALRI are not available. Funding WHO; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Transplant recipients are among the groups for whom the updated recommendations for 2020–2021 influenza vaccination should generally be considered essential, notably in the face of the COVID‐19 ...pandemic.
In addition to precise 3D coordinates, most light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems also record "intensity", loosely defined as the strength of the backscattered echo for each measured point. To ...date, LIDAR intensity data have proven beneficial in a wide range of applications because they are related to surface parameters, such as reflectance. While numerous procedures have been introduced in the scientific literature, and even commercial software, to enhance the utility of intensity data through a variety of "normalization", "correction", or "calibration" techniques, the current situation is complicated by a lack of standardization, as well as confusing, inconsistent use of terminology. In this paper, we first provide an overview of basic principles of LIDAR intensity measurements and applications utilizing intensity information from terrestrial, airborne topographic, and airborne bathymetric LIDAR. Next, we review effective parameters on intensity measurements, basic theory, and current intensity processing methods. We define terminology adopted from the most commonly-used conventions based on a review of current literature. Finally, we identify topics in need of further research. Ultimately, the presented information helps lay the foundation for future standards and specifications for LIDAR radiometric calibration.
In 2004, the SEED (http://pubseed.theseed.org/) was created to provide consistent and accurate genome annotations across thousands of genomes and as a platform for discovering and developing de novo ...annotations. The SEED is a constantly updated integration of genomic data with a genome database, web front end, API and server scripts. It is used by many scientists for predicting gene functions and discovering new pathways. In addition to being a powerful database for bioinformatics research, the SEED also houses subsystems (collections of functionally related protein families) and their derived FIGfams (protein families), which represent the core of the RAST annotation engine (http://rast.nmpdr.org/). When a new genome is submitted to RAST, genes are called and their annotations are made by comparison to the FIGfam collection. If the genome is made public, it is then housed within the SEED and its proteins populate the FIGfam collection. This annotation cycle has proven to be a robust and scalable solution to the problem of annotating the exponentially increasing number of genomes. To date, >12 000 users worldwide have annotated >60 000 distinct genomes using RAST. Here we describe the interconnectedness of the SEED database and RAST, the RAST annotation pipeline and updates to both resources.
Abstract
Prokaryotic genomes are usually densely packed with intact and functional genes. However, in certain contexts, such as after recent ecological shifts or extreme population bottlenecks, ...broken and nonfunctional gene fragments can quickly accumulate and form a substantial fraction of the genome. Identification of these broken genes, called pseudogenes, is a critical step for understanding the evolutionary forces acting upon, and the functional potential encoded within, prokaryotic genomes. Here, we present Pseudofinder, an open-source software dedicated to pseudogene identification and analysis in bacterial and archaeal genomes. We demonstrate that Pseudofinder’s multi-pronged, reference-based approach can detect a wide variety of pseudogenes, including those that are highly degraded and typically missed by gene-calling pipelines, as well newly formed pseudogenes containing only one or a few inactivating mutations. Additionally, Pseudofinder can detect genes that lack inactivating substitutions but experiencing relaxed selection. Implementation of Pseudofinder in annotation pipelines will allow more precise estimations of the functional potential of sequenced microbes, while also generating new hypotheses related to the evolutionary dynamics of bacterial and archaeal genomes.
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