![]() ; ; Lenzini, Gabriele ![]() in Computer and Security (2017), 67 Historically, exam security has mainly focused on threats ascribed to candidate cheating. Such threats have been normally mitigated by invigilation and anti-plagiarism methods. However, as recent exam ... [more ▼] Historically, exam security has mainly focused on threats ascribed to candidate cheating. Such threats have been normally mitigated by invigilation and anti-plagiarism methods. However, as recent exam scandals confirm, also invigilators and authorities may pose security threats. The introduction of computers into the different phases of an exam, such as candidate registration, brings new security issues that should be addressed with the care normally devoted to security protocols. This paper proposes a protocol that meets a wide set of security requirements and resists threats that may originate from candidates as well as from exam administrators. By relying on a combination of oblivious transfer and visual cryptography schemes, the protocol does not need to rely on any trusted third party. We analyse the protocol formally in ProVerif and prove that it verifies all the stated security requirements. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 349 (8 UL)![]() ![]() Greiff, Samuel ![]() Scientific Conference (2009, August) Detailed reference viewed: 60 (2 UL)![]() Janz, Nina ![]() in CLIO-online (2021) Detailed reference viewed: 49 (7 UL)![]() Pavlik, Jennifer ![]() Report (2017) Detailed reference viewed: 527 (3 UL)![]() Karadeniz, Ahmet Serdar ![]() ![]() ![]() in Karadeniz, Ahmet Serdar; Ali, Sk Aziz; Kacem, Anis (Eds.) et al TSCom-Net: Coarse-to-Fine 3D Textured Shape Completion Network (2022) Reconstructing 3D human body shapes from 3D partial textured scans remains a fundamental task for many computer vision and graphics applications – e.g., body animation, and virtual dressing. We propose a ... [more ▼] Reconstructing 3D human body shapes from 3D partial textured scans remains a fundamental task for many computer vision and graphics applications – e.g., body animation, and virtual dressing. We propose a new neural network architecture for 3D body shape and highresolution texture completion – TSCom-Net – that can reconstruct the full geometry from mid-level to high-level partial input scans. We decompose the overall reconstruction task into two stages – first, a joint implicit learning network (SCom-Net and TCom-Net) that takes a voxelized scan and its occupancy grid as input to reconstruct the full body shape and predict vertex textures. Second, a high-resolution texture completion network, that utilizes the predicted coarse vertex textures to inpaint the missing parts of the partial ‘texture atlas’. A Thorough experimental evaluation on 3DBodyTex.V2 dataset shows that our method achieves competitive results with respect to the state-of-the-art while generalizing to different types and levels of partial shapes. The proposed method has also ranked second in the track1 of SHApe Recovery from Partial textured 3D scans (SHARP [37 , 2]) 2022 1 challenge1. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 83 (19 UL)![]() Navet, Nicolas ![]() Scientific Conference (2023, September 21) It has been more than 10 years since the inception of the Time-Sensitive Networking Task Group (TG) in IEEE802.1. Since then, TSN has become a rich toolbox of mechanisms and protocols to address Quality ... [more ▼] It has been more than 10 years since the inception of the Time-Sensitive Networking Task Group (TG) in IEEE802.1. Since then, TSN has become a rich toolbox of mechanisms and protocols to address Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements pertaining to timing and reliability. While IEEE 802.1CB, AS and Qci are natural choices for dependability, the designer has much more possibilities when it comes to timing QoS. The selection and configuration of a suitable TSN scheduling solution is not straightforward, as many mechanisms are available (priorities, preemption, CBS, TAS, CQF, ATS), most of them being complex to configure, and they can be used in a combined manner to meet the needs of applications comprising mixed types of traffic. In this talk, based on the academic literature and the observation of industrial practices, we review the well-understood and the emerging use-cases of the different timing QoS mechanisms and what we have learned in terms of their configuration. Ultimately, this talk aims at shedding new light on what to expect from TSN QoS mechanisms and how to introduce the least complexity needed to meet the application's timing requirements. [less ▲] ![]() Albrecht, Marco ![]() in BMC Bioinformatics (2017), 18(1), 33 Background: The analysis of microarray time series promises a deeper insight into the dynamics of the cellular response following stimulation. A common observation in this type of data is that some genes ... [more ▼] Background: The analysis of microarray time series promises a deeper insight into the dynamics of the cellular response following stimulation. A common observation in this type of data is that some genes respond with quick, transient dynamics, while other genes change their expression slowly over time. The existing methods for detecting significant expression dynamics often fail when the expression dynamics show a large heterogeneity. Moreover, these methods often cannot cope with irregular and sparse measurements. Results: The method proposed here is specifically designed for the analysis of perturbation responses. It combines different scores to capture fast and transient dynamics as well as slow expression changes, and performs well in the presence of low replicate numbers and irregular sampling times. The results are given in the form of tables including links to figures showing the expression dynamics of the respective transcript. These allow to quickly recognise the relevance of detection, to identify possible false positives and to discriminate early and late changes in gene expression. An extension of the method allows the analysis of the expression dynamics of functional groups of genes, providing a quick overview of the cellular response. The performance of this package was tested on microarray data derived from lung cancer cells stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF). Conclusion: Here we describe a new, efficient method for the analysis of sparse and heterogeneous time course data with high detection sensitivity and transparency. It is implemented as R package TTCA (transcript time course analysis) and can be installed from the Comprehensive R Archive Network, CRAN. The source code is provided with the Additional file 1. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 184 (22 UL)![]() Hesse, Markus ![]() in Gruehn, Dietwald; Reicher, Christa; Wiechmann, Thorsten (Eds.) 50 Jahre Dortmunder Raumplanung (2019) Detailed reference viewed: 80 (2 UL)![]() Rehm, Moritz ![]() in Politics and Governance (2021), 9(2), 173184 Detailed reference viewed: 50 (0 UL)![]() Grevisse, Christian ![]() ![]() in Libro de Actas del XXI Congreso Argentino de Ciencias de la Computación (CACIC 2015) (2015) In-Vehicle Infotainment systems nowadays are largely limited to one-to-one relationships with the drivers' mobile phone. In this paper, we propose Tumaco, a SOA-based IVI system, which enables the ... [more ▼] In-Vehicle Infotainment systems nowadays are largely limited to one-to-one relationships with the drivers' mobile phone. In this paper, we propose Tumaco, a SOA-based IVI system, which enables the seamless integration of all devices of all passengers. Collaborative services can be executed within a cross-platform ecosystem through the use of semantic hypermedia. In addition, passengers may customize their own user experience in order to reduce mental workload. Our prototypical implementation showed the benefits of opening the user experience to all passengers on a car. Finally, we present a framework that enables developers to provide their own services within our ecosystem. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 155 (28 UL)![]() ; ; et al in Biochemical Pharmacology (2009), 77(3), 397-411 Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) cleaves the gamma-glutamyl moiety of glutathione (GSH), an endogenous antioxidant, and is involved in mercapturic acid metabolism and in cancer drug resistance when ... [more ▼] Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) cleaves the gamma-glutamyl moiety of glutathione (GSH), an endogenous antioxidant, and is involved in mercapturic acid metabolism and in cancer drug resistance when overexpressed. Moreover, GGT converts leukotriene (LT) C4 into LTD4 implicated in various inflammatory pathologies. So far the effect of inflammatory stimuli on regulation of GGT expression and activity remained to be addressed. We found that the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) induced GGT promoter transactivation, mRNA and protein synthesis, as well as enzymatic activity. Remicade, a clinically used anti-TNFalpha antibody, small interfering RNA (siRNA) against p50 and p65 nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) isoforms, curcumin, a well characterized natural NF-kappaB inhibitor, as well as a dominant negative inhibitor of kappaB alpha (IkappaBalpha), prevented GGT activation at various levels, illustrating the involvement of this signaling pathway in TNFalpha-induced stimulation. Over-expression of receptor of TNFalpha-1 (TNFR1), TNFR-associated factor-2 (TRAF2), TNFR-1 associated death domain (TRADD), dominant negative (DN) IkappaBalpha or NF-kappaB p65 further confirmed GGT promoter activation via NF-kappaB. Linker insertion mutagenesis of 536 bp of the proximal GGT promoter revealed NF-kappaB and Sp1 binding sites at -110 and -78 relative to the transcription start site, responsible for basal GGT transcription. Mutation of the NF-kappaB site located at -110 additionally inhibited TNFalpha-induced promoter induction. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays confirmed mutagenesis results and further demonstrated that TNFalpha treatment induced in vivo binding of both NF-kappaB and Sp1, explaining increased GGT expression, and led to RNA polymerase II recruitment under inflammatory conditions. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 76 (1 UL)![]() Ullmann, Pit ![]() ![]() ![]() in Cancer Letters (2019), 450 Cancer stem cells, also known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs), are a population of aggressive and self-renewing cells that are responsible for the initiation and progression of many cancers, including ... [more ▼] Cancer stem cells, also known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs), are a population of aggressive and self-renewing cells that are responsible for the initiation and progression of many cancers, including colorectal carcinoma. Intratumoral hypoxia, i.e. reduced oxygen supply following uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells, is thought to support TIC activity by inducing specific hypoxia-responsive mechanisms that are not yet entirely understood. Using previously established and fully characterized patient-derived TIC cultures, we could observe increased sphere and colony formation under hypoxic conditions. Mechanistically, microRNA (miRNA)-profiling experiments allowed us to identify miR-215 as one of the main hypoxia-induced miRNAs in primary colon TICs. Through stable overexpression of miR-215, followed by a set of functional in vitro and in vivo investigations, miR-215 was pinpointed as a negative feedback regulator, working against the TIC-promoting effects of hypoxia. Furthermore, we could single out LGR5, a bona fide marker of non-neoplastic intestinal stem cells, as a downstream target of hypoxia/miR-215 signaling. The strong tumor- and TIC-suppressor potential of miR-215 and the regulatory role of the hypoxia/miR-215/LGR5 axis may thus represent interesting points of attack for the development of innovative anti-CSC therapy approaches. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 173 (13 UL)![]() ; ; et al in Circulation (2009), 120(7), 607-16 BACKGROUND: Ras signaling regulates a number of important processes in the heart, including cell growth and hypertrophy. Although it is known that defective Ras signaling is associated with Noonan ... [more ▼] BACKGROUND: Ras signaling regulates a number of important processes in the heart, including cell growth and hypertrophy. Although it is known that defective Ras signaling is associated with Noonan, Costello, and other syndromes that are characterized by tumor formation and cardiac hypertrophy, little is known about factors that may control it. Here we investigate the role of Ras effector Ras-association domain family 1 isoform A (RASSF1A) in regulating myocardial hypertrophy. METHODS AND RESULTS: A significant downregulation of RASSF1A expression was observed in hypertrophic mouse hearts, as well as in failing human hearts. To further investigate the role of RASSF1A in cardiac (patho)physiology, we used RASSF1A knock-out (RASSF1A(-)(/)(-)) mice and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with adenoviral overexpression of RASSF1A. Ablation of RASSF1A in mice significantly enhanced the hypertrophic response to transverse aortic constriction (64.2% increase in heart weight/body weight ratio in RASSF1A(-)(/)(-) mice compared with 32.4% in wild type). Consistent with the in vivo data, overexpression of RASSF1A in cardiomyocytes markedly reduced the cellular hypertrophic response to phenylephrine stimulation. Analysis of molecular signaling events in isolated cardiomyocytes indicated that RASSF1A inhibited extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 activation, likely by blocking the binding of Raf1 to active Ras. CONCLUSIONS: Our data establish RASSF1A as a novel inhibitor of cardiac hypertrophy by modulating the extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 pathway. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 139 (1 UL)![]() Baig, Komal ![]() ![]() ![]() in Molecular Cancer (2017) Most cancers contain a subpopulation of highly tumorigenic cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Targeting TICs may be essential to achieve cure, because of their self ... [more ▼] Most cancers contain a subpopulation of highly tumorigenic cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Targeting TICs may be essential to achieve cure, because of their self-renewal and tumorigenic properties as well as their resistance to conventional therapies. Despite significant advances in TIC biology, their isolation and identification remain largely disputed and incompletely established. In this review, we discuss the latest developments in isolation and culturing approaches of TICs, with focus on colorectal cancer (CRC). We feature recent findings on TIC-relevant signaling pathways and the metabolic identity of TICs, as well as their current clinical implications. Lastly, we highlight the influence of inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity on TIC function and targeting approaches. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 187 (21 UL)![]() ![]() ; ; Balling, Rudi ![]() in Oncogene (1990), 5(2), 225-32 Transgenic mice which expressed SV40 large T-antigen under the control of the MSV enhancer and the SV40 promoter were generated. In animals containing an intact MSV enhancer, total lens cataracts and ... [more ▼] Transgenic mice which expressed SV40 large T-antigen under the control of the MSV enhancer and the SV40 promoter were generated. In animals containing an intact MSV enhancer, total lens cataracts and neuroectodermal brain tumors, originating in the pineal organ were observed. In contrast, 5' deletion of the MSV enhancer to a residual 53 bp resulted in a different spectrum of pathologies. Whilst lens cataracts still occurred, no brain tumors could be detected. Instead, fibrosarcomas and adenocarcinomas of the kidneys were induced. In addition, tumors of the endocrine pancreas were observed with both transgene constructs. We conclude that the MSV enhancer element is sufficient to direct the expression of the viral reporter gene to the lens and the pineal organ in transgenic mice. Deletion of the MSV enhancer correlates with the loss of DNA elements responsible for the pineal cell specific expression of SV40 large T-antigen. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 75 (0 UL)![]() Wurzer, Hannah Gertrud Andrea ![]() Doctoral thesis (2021) Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells that are the first line of defence against infection and malignant transformation. They have the ability to recognize and destroy virally infected or ... [more ▼] Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells that are the first line of defence against infection and malignant transformation. They have the ability to recognize and destroy virally infected or cancerous cells without the need for priming or activation and therefore represent a promising target for new immunotherapeutic approaches against cancer. For their anti-tumour function, NK cells rely on actin cytoskeleton remodelling, in particular during the formation of the lytic immunological synapse (IS) with prospective target cells. The IS is characterized by an extensive assembly of filamentous actin (F-actin) and polarization of the NK cell for directed delivery of lytic granules. However, the IS allows bi-directional exchange of information, and anti-tumour effector functions of NK cells are often impaired through inhibitory signals that are transmitted through killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) or the CD94/NK group 2 member A (NKG2A) heterodimeric receptor. Moreover, resistant tumour cells can polarize their own actin cytoskeleton to the IS in a process called actin response, enforcing the formation of an evasion IS or actin response-IS (AR-IS). This PhD thesis focuses on the evaluation of associated resistance mechanisms that occur at the AR-IS, the conservation of these processes and their translation to in vivo models of cancer. For this purpose, individual cancer-NK cell conjugates were analysed by high-throughput imaging flow cytometry (IFC) to investigate the accumulation of F-actin at the IS and the distribution of inhibitory and activating ligands in relation to the IS. The AR was associated with a wider synaptic cleft, prominent recruitment of predominantly inhibitory ligands and inhibition of NK cell-induced target cell death. Further, the AR could also be applied to cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) attack during antigen specific IS formation. To explore the in vivo relevance of the AR, modified murine cancer cell lines were established that allowed for the evaluation of impact of the AR on tumour progression, the tumour immune landscape, immune cell activation and exhaustion. Reduction of the actin response was associated with a reduction of tumour volume, enhanced infiltration of CTLs and NK cells and higher numbers of effector T cells. In summary, this study reports a novel, highly conserved immune-escape mechanism that exploits fast remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton of cancer cells to induce clustering of inhibitory ligands at the AR-IS and prevent NK cell activation. This AR is characterized by fine synaptic filopodia-like protrusions (SFPs) that are decorated with inhibitory ligands and probe the surface of the NK cell in addition to providing a steric hindrance for NK cell attachment to target cells. In our pre-clinical mouse model, we could demonstrate that a reduction of the AR results in the restoration of anti-tumour immunity. Understanding the mechanism that enables or initiates the AR and finding new ways to target this mechanism has the potential to improve cancer immunotherapy, especially for NK cell-based approaches. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 215 (28 UL)![]() ; ; et al in Cardiovascular research (2014), 103(1), 47-59 AIMS: Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a key role in the regulation of cardiac contractility. Although cardiomyocytes are known to express the TNF-alpha receptors (TNFRs), the mechanism of ... [more ▼] AIMS: Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a key role in the regulation of cardiac contractility. Although cardiomyocytes are known to express the TNF-alpha receptors (TNFRs), the mechanism of TNF-alpha signal transmission is incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the tumour suppressor Ras-association domain family protein 1 isoform A (RASSF1A) modulates TNF-alpha signalling in cardiomyocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used RASSF1A knockout (RASSF1A(-/-)) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates in this study. Acute stimulation with a low dose of TNF-alpha (10 microg/kg iv) increased cardiac contractility and intracellular calcium transients' amplitude in WT mice. In contrast, RASSF1A(-/-) mice showed a blunted contractile response. Mechanistically, RASSF1A was essential in the formation of the TNFR complex (TNFRC), where it functions as an adaptor molecule to facilitate the recruitment of TNFR type 1-associated death domain protein and TNFR-associated factor 2 to form the TNF-alpha receptor complex. In the absence of RASSF1A, signal transmission from the TNF-alpha receptor complex to the downstream effectors, such as cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 and protein kinase A, was attenuated leading to the reduction in the activation of calcium handling molecules, such as L-type Ca(2+) channel and ryanodine receptors. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate an essential role of RASSF1A in regulating TNF-alpha signalling in cardiomyocytes, with RASSF1A being key in the formation of the TNFRC and in signal transmission to the downstream targets. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 91 (1 UL)![]() Pires Afonso, Yolanda Sofia ![]() Doctoral thesis (2021) Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumour in adults, characterized by high degrees of both inter- and intra-tumour heterogeneity. GBM cells secrete numerous factors ... [more ▼] Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumour in adults, characterized by high degrees of both inter- and intra-tumour heterogeneity. GBM cells secrete numerous factors promoting the recruitment and infiltration of cellular players to the local tumour microenvironment. Tumour-associated microglia/macrophages (TAMs) represent the major cell type of the stromal compartment in GBM playing important roles along tumour development. Along GBM progression, these cells are supposed to be geared towards a tumour-supportive phenotype, therefore TAMs are pursued as key targets for the development of novel strategies aimed at re-educating them towards anti-tumour phenotypes. However, it is yet unclear how these immune suppressive properties are acquired and whether TAM subsets may phenotypically and functionally differently contribute to tumour development. Hence, the main goal of the present PhD project was to elucidate TAM diversity under defined temporal and spatial settings in GBM. Taking advantage of the GBM GL261 syngeneic and patient-derived orthotopic xenograft mouse models, we comprehensively studied the cellular and transcriptional heterogeneity of TAMs by combining single-cell RNA-sequencing, multicolour flow cytometry, immunohistological and functional analyses. We demonstrated that, as observed in patients, the myeloid compartment is the most affected and heterogeneous stromal compartment, with microglia and macrophage-like cells acquiring key transcriptional differences and rapidly adapting along GBM progression. Specifically, we uncovered that TAM transcriptional programmes converge over time, suggesting a context-dependent symbiosis mechanism characterized by decreased antigen-presenting cell signatures at late tumour stages. In the absence of Acod1/Irg1, a key gene involved in the metabolic reprogramming of macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype, we detected higher TAM diversity in the TME displaying increased immunogenicity and correlating with increased lymphocytic recruitment to the tumour site. Additionally, we uncovered that TAMs exhibit niche-specific functional adaptations in the tumour microenvironment, with microglia in the invasive landscapes displaying higher immune reactive profiles when compared to the corresponding cells in the angiogenic tumour phenotypes. Taken together, our data provide insights into the spatial and molecular heterogeneity of TAMs dynamically adapting along tumour progression or across specific tumour sites and revealing potential reactive anti-tumorigenic cell subsets that may be harnessed for therapeutic intervention in GBM. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 134 (21 UL)![]() Richter, Daniel ![]() ![]() ![]() Computer development (2022) In der Nacht vom 26. auf den 27. November 1918, kurz nach dem Ende des Ersten Weltkrieges, gab es in Esch einen Aufstand noch nie gesehenen Ausmaßes. Tausende Bürger und Bürgerinnen zogen plündernd durch ... [more ▼] In der Nacht vom 26. auf den 27. November 1918, kurz nach dem Ende des Ersten Weltkrieges, gab es in Esch einen Aufstand noch nie gesehenen Ausmaßes. Tausende Bürger und Bürgerinnen zogen plündernd durch die Stadt und griffen mehr als sechzig Geschäfte an. In diesem Hörspiel tauchen Sie in die Ereignisse der besagten Nacht ein und können die Ermittlungen der Escher Polizei hautnah miterleben. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 21 (2 UL)![]() Jimenez, Matthieu ![]() ![]() ![]() in 34th IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance and Evolution, Madrid, Spain, 26-28 September 2018 (2018, September 26) Natural language processing techniques, in particular n-gram models, have been applied successfully to facilitate a number of software engineering tasks. However, in our related ICSME ’18 paper, we have ... [more ▼] Natural language processing techniques, in particular n-gram models, have been applied successfully to facilitate a number of software engineering tasks. However, in our related ICSME ’18 paper, we have shown that the conclusions of a study can drastically change with respect to how the code is tokenized and how the used n-gram model is parameterized. These choices are thus of utmost importance, and one must carefully make them. To show this and allow the community to benefit from our work, we have developed TUNA (TUning Naturalness-based Analysis), a Java software artifact to perform naturalness-based analyses of source code. To the best of our knowledge, TUNA is the first open- source, end-to-end toolchain to carry out source code analyses based on naturalness. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 214 (12 UL) |
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