bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface elevation and mass changes of all Swiss glaciers 1980–2010
Authors: Fischer M. , Huss M. , Hoelzle M.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Since the mid-1980s, glaciers in the European Alps have shown widespread and accelerating mass losses. This article presents glacier-specific changes in surface elevation, volume and mass balance for all glaciers in the Swiss Alps from 1980 to 2010. Together with glacier outlines from the 1973 inventory, the DHM25 Level 1 digital elevation models (DEMs) for which the source data over glacierized areas were acquired from 1961 to 1991 are compared to the swissALTI3D DEMs from 2008 to 2011 combined with the new Swiss Glacier Inventory SGI2010. Due to the significant differences in acquisition dates of the source data used, mass changes are temporally homogenized to directly compare individual glaciers or glacierized catchments. Along with an in-depth accuracy assessment, results are validated against volume changes from independent photogrammetrically derived DEMs of single glaciers. Observed volume changes are largest between 2700 and 2800 m a.s.l. and remarkable even above 3500 m a.s.l. The mean geodetic mass balance is −0.62 ± 0.07 m w.e. yr−1 for the entire Swiss Alps over the reference period 1980–2010. For the main hydrological catchments, it ranges from −0.52 to −1.07 m w.e. yr−1. The overall volume loss calculated from the DEM differencing is −22.51 ± 1.76 km3.
Oil and Governance in Uganda
Authors: Manyak Terrell George
Published: March 2015

Many critical governance issues were created with the discovery of major oil deposits in Uganda.  Because developing countries like Uganda lack strong institutional foundations, it is widely assumed that riches flowing from oil will result in huge sums of money being diverted to politicians while the country ends up worse off in the long run. Uganda certainly faces this “natural resource curse,” but the potential for corruption is only one of many governance issues arising from the potential of oil riches. The government needs to work effectively with foreign oil companies and neighboring countries to recover and transport the oil. It must also establish institutions and procedures to manage its new oil economy.  Moreover, questions must be answered regarding ownership the oil producing lands and how the fragile environment of the country can be protected.
Van stedelijk onderzoek naar praktijken voor probleembewerking
Authors: Duiveman Robert M.
Published: March 2015

Urban research as practices for problem structuring

In his much praised book on mayors, Benjamin Barber argues it’s up to cities to address the world’s most acute problems. These include wicked problems such as climate change, terrorism, poverty and trafficking of drugs, weapons and humans. Cities are not only excellent problem solvers, they are also given a prominent role in innovation and economics, democracy and citizenship, and more recently domestic care. Complicated, wicked and thus knowledge intensive problems are stacking up at the local level. But where to get the appropriate knowledge to tackle these issues?
De netwerkende burgemeester: beweging tussen binnen en buiten
Authors: van der Steen Martijn , de Jong Ilsa
Published: March 2015

The networking mayor

Worldwide, cities are becoming increasingly important in global networks. The rise of cities and urban regions is widely described in academic literature. Cities are becoming essential players in networks on three scales: on an international scale as a hub in global networks, on a regional scale in partnerships as a consequence of the necessity of upscaling and on a local scale, in cooperation with citizens. This article addresses what this rise of the city, operating in complex networks on different scales, means for the position and tasks of the mayor, as a representative of the city. The article describes the modern challenges for the mayoral function and role in an emerging network society and addresses the growing importance of strong personal and transactional leadership while operating in networks both inside and outside the municipality.
Van Slingelandt-lezing: wie stuurt er (in) de stad?
Authors: de Jong Henk
Published: March 2015

Van Slingelandt-lezing: who manages (in) the town?

Henk de Jong, former chief clerk of the municipality of Amsterdam, spent some years as a management consultant in New York. Back home, he describes what the Netherlands can learn from the American way of managing big cities. Klaartje Peters, professor of Maastricht University, reflects on the lessons he draws.
Zijn eco-steden ook slim? En zijn slimme steden ook eco?
Authors: de Jong Martin , Joss Simon , Schraven Daan , Zhan Changjie , Weijnen Margot
Published: March 2015

Sustainable-Smart-Resilient-Low Carbon-Eco-Knowledge Cities; Making sense of a multitude of concepts promoting sustainable urbanization

Over the last couple of decades, metropolitan areas around the world have been engaged in a multitude of initiatives aimed at upgrading urban infrastructure and services, in an effort to create better environmental, social and economic conditions and to enhance cities’ attractiveness and competitiveness. Reflecting these developments, many new categories of ‘cities’ have entered the policy discourse: ‘sustainable cities’; ‘green cities’; ‘digital cities’; ‘intelligent cities’; ‘smart cities’; ‘information cities’; ‘knowledge cities’; ‘resilient cities’; ‘eco-cities’; ‘low carbon cities’; ‘liveable cities’; and even combinations, such as ‘low carbon eco-cities’ and ‘ubiquitous eco-cities’. Each of these terms apparently seeks to capture and conceptualize key aspects of ongoing urban sustainability efforts. Closer examination, however, reveals that the terms are often used interchangeably by policy makers, planners and developers alike. In this article we examine the reflection of the wider policy debate in academic discourse. By subjecting the twelve most frequently encountered categories mentioned above to bibliometric analysis, we aim to identify the distinct conceptual perspectives harbored by each of them.
Slotartikel: Het oplossend vermogen van living labs
Authors: van Bueren Ellen , Karré Philip Marcel , Vanhommerig Iris
Published: March 2015

Conclusions on the city as a lab for social change

In this closing article we summarize the results of the individual articles of this themed issue and draw common lessons. With regard to cities as living labs, we conclude that three challenges need more attention: (1) unclear or contradictory goals and expectations, (2) organizational confusion, and (3) the lack of institutional links. Based on these, we offer a number of recommendations for research and practice in public administration.
Is er een trade-off tussen wetenschappelijke impact en praktijkrelevantie?
Authors: Groeneveld Sandra , Bouwman Robin , Van de Walle Steven
Published: March 2015

Is there a trade-off between scientific impact and practical relevance?

This article examines whether there is a trade-off between publishing articles in international peer reviewed journals vis-à-vis national and professional work among scholars in the administrative and political sciences. A cluster analysis on their publications results in three publishing profiles: a professional profile, an international profile and a traditional profile. The professional profile author publishes a relatively high number of professional publications. The international profile author publishes a relatively high number of international peer-reviewed papers. The traditional author profile is characterized by a lower number of publications and a more balanced distribution of publications in both international and national categories. The profiles showcase that indeed there is a trade-off between publishing international scientific articles and publishing for practitioners, but only to some extent. Furthermore, the profiles are associated with the university where authors are employed and whether they got their Ph.D. at a Dutch university or abroad.
Incerteza Imprevisível em Projetos Inovadores: Criando Sentido com a Gestão de Projetos
Authors: Russo Rosária de Fátima Segger Macri , Sbragia Roberto
Published: March 2015

Quanto maior for o nível de inovação de um projeto, maior a probabilidade de ele conter incerteza imprevisível (unknown unknowns), que deveria ser compreendida pela gestão de riscos. Esse tipo de incerteza pode ser identificadO por sinais precoces de mudanças no ambiente e entendida por meio da criação de sentido (sensemaking). Assim, o objetivo deste artigo é entender como a gestão de projetos cria sentido para as incertezas imprevisíveis em projetos inovadores e se essas práticas são eficientes. Em temos empíricos, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo que selecionou 16 projetos, totalizando 35 eventos imprevistos representativos de incertezas imprevisíveis. Com base em entrevistas aprofundadas, a análise dos dados foi inicialmente qualitativa e posteriormente foram aplicados testes estatísticos não paramétricos. Observou-se que o método de gestão por aprendizado (experimentação e improvisação) foi mais utilizado nos eventos imprevistos. De fato, a gestão de riscos não foi eficiente para identificar as incertezas imprevisíveis, sendo mais eficientes práticas como coleta de informação e criação coletiva de sentido. Assim sugere-se incorporar um diagnóstico de incertezas, para focar a busca de informações referentes às lacunas de conhecimento em áreas mais incertas do projeto, e socializar o conhecimento de todos os integrantes da equipe e dos stakeholders.
Mobilidade na Gestão de Projetos
Authors: Comin Everton Roberto , Klein Amarolinda Zanela , Rigoni Eduardo Henrique
Published: March 2015

O desenvolvimento de projetos é fundamental para o funcionamento diário de qualquer organização. No entanto, muitos projetos nem sempre têm os resultados esperados. Entre os fatores que influenciam o desempenho dos projetos está o monitoramento e controle eficaz e eficiente. O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar a maneira pela qual o uso de tecnologias móveis nos processos de monitoramento e controle do projeto afeta o desempenho do mesmo. Os resultados obtidos indicam uma relação positiva entre o uso de tecnologias móveis no monitoramento e controle de projetos e desempenho do mesmo, particularmente em termos de cumprimento do cronograma planejado.
A Sobrecarga de Recursos de Tecnologias Móveis na Atividade de Gestão de Portfólio
Authors: Marcolin Carla Bonato , Freitas Henrique Mello Rodrigues de , Behr Ariel
Published: March 2015

O ambiente organizacional está cada vez mais embebido em tecnologias, que proporcionam novas formas de interação entre indivíduos e entre empresas. As tecnologias móveis, posicionadas nesse ambiente, são tecnologias que transformam o cenário dos gestores, trazendo facilidades e desafios ao mesmo tempo. Analisar a participação destas tecnologias na vida gerencial é relevante para poder perceber como os gestores lidam com elementos emergentes da intensa integração de suas atividades com as tecnologias móveis e todas as suas possibilidades. Neste cenário, os gestores de portfólio financeiro lidam adicionalmente com uma transformação na sua profissão. A queda da rentabilidade do mercado de capitais fez com que uma série de produtos de investimentos proliferassem, exigindo desse profissional não apenas habilidades de operador, como também de gestor e aconselhador financeiro, para conseguir atrair e guiar seus clientes dentro de tantas novas opções disponíveis.  Por meio de um estudo com 11 gestores, procurou-se aprofundar em elementos a respeito da sobrecarga dos recursos de tecnologia móvel, e de como estes profissionais encaram as questões abordadas na sua rotina.
Effects of selenium on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)
Authors: Jiang Chaoqiang , Zu Chaolong , Shen Jia , Shao Fuwen , Li Tian
Published: March 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Selenium (Se) supply (0, 3, 6, 12, 24 mg kg−1) on the growth, photosynthetic characteristics, Se accumulation and distribution of flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Results showed that low-dose Se treatments (≤6 mg kg−1) stimulated plant growth but high-dose Se treatments (≥12 mg kg−1) hindered plant growth. Optimal Se dose (6 mg kg−1) stimulated plant growth by reducing MDA content and improving photosynthetic capability. However, excess Se (24 mg kg−1) increased MDA content by 28%, decreased net photosynthetic rate and carboxylation efficiency by 34% and 39%, respectively. The Se concentration in the roots, stems, and leaves of the tobacco plants significantly increased with increasing Se application. A linear correlation (R = 0.95, P < 0.01) was observed between Se level and tobacco plant tissue Se concentration. This correlation indicated that the tobacco plant tissues were not saturated within the concentration range tested. The pattern of total Se concentration in the tobacco plant tissues followed the order root > leaf > stem. The Se concentration in the roots was 3.17 and 7.57 times higher than that in the leaves and stems, respectively, after treatment with 24 mg kg−1 Se. In conclusion, the present study suggested that optimal Se dose (6 mg kg−1) improved the plant growth mainly by enhancing photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, carboxylation efficiency and Rubisco content in the flue-cured tobacco leaves. However, the inhibition of excess Se on tobacco growth might be due to high accumulation of Se in roots and the damage of photosynthesis in leaves.
Reticular telangiectatic erythema: case report and literature review
Authors: Buetler Bryce D. , Cohen Philip R.
Published: March 2015

Background: Reticular telangiectatic erythema is a benign cutaneous reaction that may occur in patients who have received a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Reticular telangiectatic erythema is characterized by asymptomatic telangiectasias, blanchable erythematous patches, or both overlying and/or adjacent to the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Purpose: We describe a man who developed reticular telangiectatic erythema after receiving a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and review the salient features of this condition. We also summarize the conditions that can mimic reticular telangiectatic erythema.

Materials and methods: The features of a man with reticular telangiectatic erythema are presented and the literature on reticular telangiectatic erythema is reviewed.

Results: Our patient developed reticular telangiectatic erythema within one month of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator insertion. The subcutaneous manifestations were asymptomatic. The patient concurred to have periodic clinical follow up and his condition will be monitored for any changes.

Conclusion: Reticular telangiectatic erythema is a benign condition characterized by the development of erythema, telangiectasia, or both following insertion of a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Other subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator-related side effects, such as pressure dermatitis and contact dermatitis, can mimic the condition. Reticular telangiectatic erythema can also be observed following insertion of other devices or, rarely, in the absence of inserted devices. Local microcirculatory changes and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator-related obstruction of blood flow have been suggested as possible mechanisms of pathogenesis. The diagnosis can usually be established by clinical presentation. Therefore, patch testing can usually be omitted. Reticular telangiectatic erythema is typically asymptomatic and thus removal of the device is not required.
The importance of early diagnosis and treatment of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma complicated by Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon
Authors: Vivas-Colmenares Grecia V. , Ramirez-Villar Gema L. , Matute de Cardenas Jose A. , Bernabeu-Wittel Jose , Fernandez-Pineda Israel
Published: March 2015

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a locally aggressive vascular tumor that may be complicated by Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP), a profound thrombocytopenia resulting from platelet trapping within a vascular tumor, either KHE or tufted angioma (TA). Typical features also include low fibrinogen and elevated D-dimers. It is well known that KMP is not caused by infantile hemangiomas. Management of vascular tumors complicated by KMP is challenging, and it is common for referral centers to receive patients in critical medical condition after multimodality treatment failure of vascular anomalies. Our aim is to communicate the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of KHE associated with KMP. A full-term male newborn with KHE complicated by KMP is reported. Treatment with vincristine, aspirin and ticlopidine normalized the coagulation parameters within one week, requiring a total of six doses of vincristine, seven months of ticlopidine and 17 months of aspirin. Early diagnosis and treatment of KHE complicated by KMP may allow the administration of fewer doses of vincristine and avoid the use of corticosteroids.
Le corail, la dynamite et autres objets hétéroclites. Originalité et nouveauté par l’image
Authors: Coulombe Maxime
Published: March 2015

L’artiste contemporain et le chercheur en sciences humaines partagent un même objectif : offrir une meilleure compréhension du monde dans lequel nous prenons place. Tous deux veillent à proposer des perspectives capables de donner sens au chaos d’informations, à la réalité qui nous entoure. Aussi n’est-il pas étonnant qu’ils partagent des méthodes communes. L’une d’elles, objet de cet article, consiste à proposer des images étonnantes qui, par leur originalité même, offrent un éclairage singulier sur la réalité. Nous suivrons ainsi la piste de la philosophie de Gilles Deleuze et de Félix Guattari et nous analyserons leur recours à des images botaniques et animalières pour réfléchir sur la pensée occidentale et la question du désir. Nous approcherons la pensée de Giorgio Agamben et tenterons de comprendre son usage d’images fortes, souvent choquantes comme propositions d’analyses historiques et sociales. Ces deux approches philosophiques pourraient nous inciter à croire que cet usage d’images, de métaphores – à donner à ce terme un sens cognitif –, est le propre de disciplines abstraites. Il n’en est rien ; le rôle du corail comme dessin et comme motif chez Charles Darwin, dans sa compréhension de l’évolution des espèces, montre bien que ce dernier n’a pu faire émerger sa nouvelle théorie qu’en prenant un objet, une image singulière comme levier. Dans le champ de l’art, nous recourons à deux exemples. Celui d’abord de l’exposition Intrus, présentée au Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec du 24 avril 2008 au 8 février 2009, qui permit, par la rencontre entre des oeuvres d’art contemporain et des oeuvres du passé, d’éclairer celles-ci d’une lumière nouvelle. Celui ensuite de l’oeuvre Lovers (2004) de David Altmejd, qui, si elle semble visuellement commenter le titre qui l’accompagne, ouvre plus profondément à une relecture de ces amoureux qui s’enlacent, voire des effets de l’amour.
Des formes de vie à la restitution du présent. De l’artiste anthropologue à l’archéologue1
Authors: Fraser Marie
Published: March 2015

Cet article examine la volonté de certains artistes d’agir à l’intérieur d’un réel à l’état brut, non plus imaginé ou utopique. Les interventions artistiques ayant pris forme dans des contextes urbains, sociaux et politiques ou ayant misé sur des collaborations avec des communautés sont particulièrement marquantes au Québec depuis les dernières décennies. Relevant de la praxis, c’est-à-dire de la possibilité d’agir à partir de, dans et sur sa propre réalité, sa propre culture, de telles démarches artistiques adopteraient la posture de l’ethnologue. Cette analogie permettrait de mieux saisir comment l’art reformule son rapport à la réalité, mais aussi comment il interroge sa propre contemporanéité. Dans un premier temps, cet article fait un retour sur trois textes fondamentaux pour contextualiser cette posture de l’artiste ethnologue et son potentiel d’action sur la réalité : « L’auteur comme producteur » de Walter Benjamin, « The Artist as Anthropologist » de Joseph Kosuth et « Portrait de l’artiste en ethnographe » de Hal Foster. Il introduit également une nouvelle figure, celle de l’artiste archéologue qui cherche à mettre au jour des vestiges matériels non pas tant pour déterrer le passé que pour creuser le présent. Dans un deuxième temps, cette double posture est analysée en relation avec une étude de cas. Depuis ses premières collectes de poussière à la fin des années 1990, Raphaëlle de Groot mène des enquêtes de terrain, utilise les méthodes et les outils de l’ethnologue et de l’archéologue et s’intéresse aux mêmes sujets : elle choisit un lieu, pénètre sa culture et l’étudie, apprend son langage, tisse des liens avec des communautés et sollicite la participation des gens. Une fois les premières étapes de fouille et de cueillette complétées, elle conserve les traces de ses projets, procède à des classifications et présente les résultats sous forme d’archives.
Le fédéralisme canadien peut-il encore être réformé1 ?
Authors: Courtois Stéphane
Published: March 2015

J’entends analyser dans ce texte trois raisons pour lesquelles une réforme substantielle du fédéralisme canadien, réforme allant dans le sens d’une reconnaissance constitutionnelle de la nation québécoise et des demandes traditionnelles du Québec, semble improbable dans un avenir prévisible. Ces raisons ont à voir avec les coûts politiques, symboliques et constitutionnels d’une telle réforme. J’entends montrer que ces raisons ne sont pas conjoncturelles mais structurelles : même dans des circonstances optimales, l’État fédéral résisterait, pour les raisons que j’analyse, à une proposition de réforme constitutionnelle.
Dengue vascular leakage is augmented by mast cell degranulation mediated by immunoglobulin Fcγ receptors
Authors: Syenina Ayesa , Jagaraj Cyril J , Aman Siti AB , Sridharan Aishwarya , St John Ashley L
Published: March 2015

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most significant human arboviral pathogen and causes ∼400 million infections in humans each year. In previous work, we observed that mast cells (MC) mediate vascular leakage during DENV infection in mice and that levels of MC activation are correlated with disease severity in human DENV patients (St John et al., 2013b). A major risk factor for developing severe dengue is secondary infection with a heterologous serotype. The dominant theory explaining increased severity during secondary DENV infection is that cross-reactive but non-neutralizing antibodies promote uptake of virus and allow enhanced replication. Here, we define another mechanism, dependent on FcγR-mediated enhanced degranulation responses by MCs. Antibody-dependent mast cell activation constitutes a novel mechanism to explain enhanced vascular leakage during secondary DENV infection.
The Emergence of Metropolitan Governance: A coevolutionary analysis of the life-and-death cycles of metropolitan governance in the Amsterdam metropolitan region
Authors: Schipper Danny , Gerrits Lasse
Published: March 2015

This article develops an explanation for the emergence of metropolitan governance in the Amsterdam metropolitan region. A coevolutionary framework is deployed to analyze how the governance system developed between 1982 and 2009. Data was gathered from 43 policy docu- ments, over 150 newspaper articles and 14 semi-structured interviews. The analysis focuses on the workings of selection pressures and the adaptive processes. It shows that metropolitan gov- ernance evolves in a punctuated fashion when fitness with the environment is lost and when the governance system’s ability to absorb selection pressures has eroded.
Informed Governance: Complexity and the Commons
Authors: Meek Jack , Marshall Kevin
Published: March 2015

We wish to express our appreciation to all who contributed in the production of this volume, including all those who served as Reviewers whose careful and insightful re- views enhanced and improved the articles presented at the symposium and in this volume. We also want to express our appreciation to Dean Abe Helou, College of Business and Public Management, University of La Verne, for his continuing support for continuous dialogue and research regarding the potential of complexity theory and approaches for improving governance.
Efficient Generation of Out‐of‐Plane Polarized Spin Current in Polycrystalline Heavy Metal Devices with Broken Electric Symmetries
Authors: Liu Qianbiao , Lin Xin , Shaked Ariel , Nie Zhuyang , Yu Guoqiang , Zhu Lijun
Published: August 2024

Spin currents of perpendicularly polarized spins (z spins) have received blooming interest for the potential in energy‐efficient spin–orbit torque switching of perpendicular magnetization in the absence of a magnetic field. However, generation of z spins is limited mainly to magnetically or crystallographically low‐symmetry single crystals that are hardly compatible with the integration to semiconductor circuits. This work reports efficient generation of z spins in sputter‐deposited polycrystalline heavy metal devices via a new mechanism of broken electric symmetries in both the transverse and perpendicular directions. Both the damping‐like and field‐like spin–orbit torques of z spins can be tuned significantly by varying the degree of the electric asymmetries via the length, width, and thickness of devices as well as by varying the type of the heavy metals. The presence of z spins also enables deterministic, nearly‐full, external‐magnetic‐field‐free switching of a uniform perpendicularly magnetized FeCoB layer, the core structure of magnetic tunnel junctions, with high coercivity at a low current density. These results establish the first universal, energy‐efficient, integration‐friendly approach to generate z‐spin current by electric asymmetry design for dense and low‐power spin‐torque memory and computing technologies and will stimulate investigation of z‐spin currents in various polycrystalline materials.
A Single‐Pixel Event Photoactive Device for Real‐Time, In‐Sensor Spatiotemporal Optical Information Processing
Authors: Kumar Mohit , Park Hayoung , Seo Hyungtak
Published: August 2024

The increasing demand for energy‐efficient, sophisticated optical sensing technologies in various applications, from machine vision to optical communication, highlights the necessity for innovations in spatiotemporal information sensing and processing at a nearly single‐pixel scale. Traditional methods, including multi‐pixel photodetector arrays and event‐based camera systems, often fail to provide rapid, real‐time detection and processing of dynamic events within the sensor. This shortcoming is particularly notable in handling high‐dimensional spatiotemporal data, where the dependency on sequential data input and external processing tools leads to latency, reduced throughput, and heightened energy consumption, thereby impeding real‐time parallel data processing capabilities. Here, a carrier‐selective, single‐pixel, position‐sensitive planar photoactive device that integrates spatiotemporal event sensing with inherent short‐term memory capabilities is introduced. The proof‐of‐concept single‐pixel event photoactive device enables in‐sensor spatiotemporal parallel optical information processing, efficiently managing multibit (>4 bit) data simultaneously and facilitating ultrafast (≈0.4 µs) recognition of input patterns with low energy consumption (25 femtojoules). Additionally, by adjusting the operating speed from continuous to pulsed light illumination, the sensor array can detect trajectories and absolute position of events, offering in‐sensor optical flow detection. This single‐pixel event photodetector marks significant advancement toward developing compact, energy‐efficient, ultrafast sensors suitable for a wide range of in sensor‐based photonic applications.
Deformable Capsules for Object Detection
Authors: LaLonde Rodney , Khosravan Naji , Bagci Ulas
Published: August 2024

Capsule networks promise significant benefits over convolutional neural networks (CNN) by storing stronger internal representations and routing information based on the agreement between intermediate representations’ projections. Despite this, their success has been limited to small‐scale classification datasets due to their computationally expensive nature. Though memory‐efficient, convolutional capsules impose geometric constraints that fundamentally limit the ability of capsules to model the pose/deformation of objects. Further, they do not address the bigger memory concern of class capsules scaling up to bigger tasks such as detection or large‐scale classification. Herein, a new family of capsule networks, deformable capsules (DeformCaps), is introduced to address object detection problem in computer vision. Two new algorithms associated with ourDeformCaps, a novel capsule structure (SplitCaps), and a novel dynamic routing algorithm (SE‐Routing), which balance computational efficiency with the need for modeling a large number of objects and classes, are proposed. This has never been achieved with capsule networks before. The proposed methods efficiently scale up to create the first‐ever capsule network for object detection in the literature. The proposed architecture is a one‐stage detection framework and it obtains results on microsoft common objects in context which are on par with state‐of‐the‐art one‐stage CNN‐based methods, while producing fewer false‐positive detection, generalizing to unusual poses/viewpoints of objects.
Computer Vision for Substrate Detection in High‐Throughput Biomaterial Screens Using Bright‐Field Microscopy
Authors: Owen Robert , Nasir Aishah , Amer Mahetab H. , Nie Chenxue , Xue Xuan , Burroughs Laurence , Denning Chris , Wildman Ricky D. , Khan Faraz A. , Alexander Morgan R. , Rose Felicity R. A. J.
Published: August 2024

High‐throughput screening (HTS) can be used when ab initio information is unavailable for rational design of new materials, generating data on properties such as chemistry and topography that control cell behavior. Biomaterial screens are typically fabricated as microarrays or “chips,” seeded with the cell type of interest, then phenotyped using immunocytochemistry and high‐content imaging, generating vast quantities of image data. Typically, analysis is only performed on fluorescent cell images as it is relatively simple to automate through intensity thresholding of cellular features. Automated analysis of bright‐field images is rarely performed as it presents an automation challenge as segmentation thresholds that work in all images cannot be defined. This limits the biological insight as cell response cannot be correlated to specifics of the biomaterial feature (e.g., shape, size) as these features are not visible on fluorescence images. Computer Vision aims to digitize tasks humans do by sight, such as identify objects by their shape. Herein, two case studies demonstrate how open‐source approaches, (region‐based convolutional neural network and algorithmic [OpenCV]), can be integrated into cell‐biomaterial HTS analysis to automate bright‐field segmentation across thousands of images, allowing rapid, spatial definition of biomaterial features during cell analysis for the first time.
Association of polygenic risk scores with Alzheimer's disease and plasma biomarkers among Chinese older adults: A community‐based study
Authors: Hou Tingting , Liu Keke , Fa Wenxin , Liu Cuicui , Zhu Min , Liang Xiaoyan , Ren Yifei , Xu Shan , Wang Xiang , Tang Shi , Wang Yongxiang , Cong Lin , Tan Qihuan , Du Yifeng , Qiu Chengxuan
Published: August 2024

INTRODUCTION

We examined the associations of polygenic risk score (PRS) with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and plasma biomarkers in the Chinese population.

METHODS

This population‐based study used baseline data from MIND‐China (2018; n = 4873) and follow‐up data from dementia‐free individuals (2014–2018; n = 2117). We measured AD‐related plasma biomarkers in a subsample (n = 1256). Data were analyzed using logistic and Cox regression models.

RESULTS

We developed PRS with (PRSAPOE) and without (PRSnon‐APOE) apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene. In the longitudinal analysis, PRSAPOE was associated with a multivariable‐adjusted hazards ratio of 1.91 (95% CI = 1.13–3.23) for AD. PRSAPOE in combination with demographics yielded discriminative (area under the curve [AUC]) and predictive(C‐statistic) accuracy of 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77–0.84) and 0.80 (0.77–0.82), respectively. PRSnon‐APOE showed an association with AD risk similar to PRSAPOE. PRSAPOE, but not PRSnon‐APOE, was associated with reduced plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio and increased Neurofilament light chain (NfL) (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

The PRS with and without APOE gene, in combination with demographics, shows good discriminative and predictive ability for AD. The AD‐related pathologies underlie AD risk associated with PRSAPOE.

Highlights

The PRSAPOE and PRSnon‐APOE were associated with AD risk in the Chinese population.

The PRSAPOE and PRSnon‐APOE, in combination with demographics, showed good discriminative and predictive ability for AD.

The AD‐related pathologies underlie the AD risk associated with PRSAPOE but not PRSnon‐APOE.
Inhibitory effect and mechanism analysis of modified coal gangue powder on the methane–air explosion
Authors: Yang Ke , Li Xuerui , Ji Hong , Xing Zhixiang , Jiang Juncheng , Ji Xinlong
Published: August 2024

The application of industrial solid waste coal gangue (CG) in gas explosion suppression is explored, which opens up a new way for the resource utilization of CG. Two modified CG anti‐explosion agents, first‐grade modified CG (RCG) and second‐grade modified CG (MCG), were prepared by roasting activation and acid–base synergistic excitation. The explosion suppression performance of CG, RCG, and MCG was investigated through a 2.5 L semi‐closed explosion pipe. The experimental results were compared and analyzed, and their pyrolysis characteristics, phase composition, and particle size were analyzed to reveal their explosion suppression mechanism. It was proved that MCG had the best explosion suppression effect. Under the condition of 9.5% methane–air, it was found that the explosion suppression effect was most significant when the powder mass of the three powders was 300, 360, and 360 mg, respectively. The peak explosion overpressure is reduced by 10.51%, 21.96%, and 32.66%, respectively, and the peak arrival time of flame velocity is extended by .14 times, .20 times, and 1.15 times, respectively. MCG can effectively inhibit methane explosion utilizing physical and chemical synergistic heat absorption, porous structure formation barrier, heat isolation, oxygen dilution, adsorption, and capture of free radicals.
Aerial Video Surveys and Spatial Prioritization Reveal Conservation Opportunities for Endangered Dugongs in New Caledonia
Authors: Mannocci Laura , Derville Solène , Seguin Raphael , Mouillot David
Published: August 2024

The dugong population of New Caledonia was recently assessed as endangered by the IUCN due to its low genetic diversity, its limited number of mature individuals and the continuing threats from poaching, collisions, incidental capture and seagrass degradation. No‐take marine protected areas (MPAs) implemented in critical dugong habitats may efficiently safeguard the remaining population by directly or indirectly reducing these threats.

The goal of the present study was to develop scenarios of MPAs targeting dugongs in New Caledonia, focusing on the central west coast where they are known to aggregate during austral winter.

We combined 7 h of video surveys from a light airplane and habitat modelling to derive regional predictions of dugong density. We then used these predictions to (1) assess the proportion of dugong population abundance protected by existing no‐take MPAs and (2) develop spatial prioritization scenarios based on explicit dugong abundance targets.

We found that existing no‐take MPAs only protect 11% of the estimated dugong population in the study region, leaving most dugong hotspots unprotected. For the same protected area coverage, prioritization based on abundance would allow protecting nearly five times more dugong individuals.

Given the endangered status of the population, a 70% abundance prioritization scenario is warranted, requiring the expansion of existing MPAs toward reef passes and shallow nearshore areas where dugong abundance is the highest. Our study offers an opportunity for dynamic spatial management through the implementation of a seasonal closure strictly restricting human activities in areas where dugongs aggregate in winter.
Enhancing the Ecological Quality Assessment of River Floodplains Based on Benthic Invertebrates
Authors: Kokavec Igor , Navara Tomáš , Elexová Emília Mišíková , Lešťáková Margita , Mláka Miroslav , Ščerbáková Soňa , Vráblová Zuzana , Očadlík Miroslav
Published: August 2024

Floodplains are crucial components of river landscape, essential for the biodiversity and ecological integrity of large rivers. However, they are often overlooked and underestimated when assessing the ecological status of the main river channel.

The main objective of this study was to identify the most relevant scheme for assessing the ecological status of side arms in the Danube floodplain (Slovakia) based on benthic invertebrates.

The calculation of ecological status for the Danube main channel was adapted to the environmental conditions of the floodplain as a measure of the evaluation accuracy of six taxonomically different floodplain indexes. The study was based on a comprehensive survey of benthic invertebrate diversity conducted at 19 sampling sites, covering eupotamal and parapotamal side arms.

Three floodplain indexes that significantly correlated with ecological status were categorised based on predicted values in relation to status class thresholds. The floodplain index based on Polychaeta, Oligochaeta, Mysida, Isopoda and Amphipoda (FI_P) showed the best result, aligning closely with the commonly used classification of lateral habitats. Although it divides the eupotamon into two subclasses, a main channel and a side arm, the inclusion of two different eupotamal habitats in the classification supports the geomorphological variability of side arms and their degree of ecological succession.

The shortcomings of the assessment based on the lateral habitat classification scheme are discussed, emphasising the importance of applying this method for the assessment of floodplain waters and their conservation management.
Independent and interdependent group contingencies to increase on‐task work behavior among adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Daly Svetlana , Phillips Katrina J. , Mudford Oliver C. , Sharp Rebecca A.
Published: August 2024

We applied independent and interdependent group contingencies in a counterbalanced reversal experimental design to the vocational on‐task behavior for two groups of adults with intellectual disabilities. On‐task behavior increased for all participants in both groups above a criterion of 80% of time on‐task during both treatment phases. Independent and interdependent group contingencies were equally effective in increasing on‐task behavior. Responding was maintained at the criterion level for all members of one group at a 4‐week follow‐up. No increases in negative social interactions were observed when the interdependent group contingency was in effect and participants reported both contingencies to be socially valid. We suggest that group contingencies can be an effective intervention in increasing on‐task behavior of individuals with intellectual disabilities in vocational settings.
A prediction model based on deep learning and radiomics features of DWI for the assessment of microsatellite instability in endometrial cancer
Authors: Wang Jing , Song Pujiao , Zhang Meng , Liu Wei , Zeng Xi , Chen Nanshan , Li Yuxia , Wang Minghua
Published: August 2024

Background

To explore the efficacy of a prediction model based on diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) features extracted from deep learning (DL) and radiomics combined with clinical parameters and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values to identify microsatellite instability (MSI) in endometrial cancer (EC).

Methods

This study included a cohort of 116 patients with EC, who were subsequently divided into training (n = 81) and test (n = 35) sets. From DWI, conventional radiomics features and convolutional neural network‐based DL features were extracted. Random forest (RF) and logistic regression were adopted as classifiers. DL features, radiomics features, clinical variables, ADC values, and their combinations were applied to establish DL, radiomics, clinical, ADC, and combined models, respectively. The predictive performance was evaluated through the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), total integrated discrimination index (IDI), net reclassification index (NRI), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

The optimal predictive model, based on an RF classifier, comprised four DL features, three radiomics features, two clinical variables, and an ADC value. In the training and test sets, this model exhibited AUC values of 0.989 (95% CI: 0.935–1.000) and 0.885 (95% CI: 0.731–0.967), respectively, demonstrating different degrees of improvement compared with the clinical, DL, radiomics, and ADC models (AUC‐training = 0.671, 0.873, 0.833, and 0.814, AUC‐test = 0.685, 0.783, 0.708, and 0.713, respectively). The NRI and IDI analyses revealed that the combined model resulted in improved risk reclassification of the MSI status compared to the clinical, radiomics, DL, and ADC models. The calibration curves and DCA indicated good consistency and clinical utility of this model, respectively.

Conclusions

The predictive model based on DWI features extracted from DL and radiomics combined with clinical parameters and ADC values could effectively assess the MSI status in EC.
The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for mental health and quality of life among individuals diagnosed with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dils Alexander T. , O'Keefe Kathryn , Dakka Nada , Azar Michelle , Chen Meiyan , Zhang Anao
Published: August 2024

Objective

It has long been documented that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has positive impacts on improving mental health (MH) and quality of life (QoL) in the general population, but investigations on its effect on cancer survivors remain limited, especially for QoL outcomes. The purpose of this meta‐analysis is to investigate the effects of CBT as compared to control on cancer patients' MH and QoL outcomes. Control is defined in this study as standard therapy, waitlist control, and active/alternative therapy.

Methods

In total, 154 clinical trials creating a sample size of 1627 individuals were collected. Analysis focusing on MH and QoL excluded 29 clinical trials resulting in a final analysis of 132 clinical trials (and 1030 effect sizes). R Statistical Software (version 4.2.2) and the robumeta package were utilized to complete analysis, which entailed robust variance estimation (RVE) in intercept‐only meta‐regression, and univariate meta‐regression (for moderator analysis).

Results

Across 132 clinical trials and 1030 effect size estimates, we identified that CBT moderately improves MH and QoL in cancer patients d = 0.388, 95% CI 0.294–0.483, p < 0.001. Additionally, age and delivery format can influence the efficacy of CBT in this patient population.

Conclusions

CBT statistically improves the MH and QoL psychosocial parameters in cancer patients with greater efficacy in younger patients. Important clinical and intervention‐related factors, that is, age and delivery, should be considered when oncologists consider CBT as a psychotherapeutic intervention for individuals with cancer.
Predictive biomarkers for metachronous gastric cancer development after endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer
Authors: Kim Bokyung , Chun Harim , Lee Jongwon , Park Miree , Kwak Yoonjin , Kim Jung Mogg , Kim Sang Gyun , Ryu Ji Kon , Choi Jungmin , Cho Soo‐Jeong
Published: August 2024

Objectives

We aimed to identify predictive markers for metachronous gastric cancer (MGC) in early gastric cancer (EGC) patients curatively treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

Materials and Methods

From EGC patients who underwent ESD, bulk RNA sequencing was performed on non‐cancerous gastric mucosa samples at the time of initial EGC diagnosis. This included 23 patients who developed MGC, and 23 control patients without additional gastric neoplasms for over 3 years (1:1 matched by age, sex, and Helicobacter pylori infection state). Candidate differentially‐expressed genes were identified, from which biomarkers were selected using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and cell viability assays using gastric cell lines. An independent validation cohort of 55 MGC patients and 125 controls was used for marker validation. We also examined the severity of gastric intestinal metaplasia, a known premalignant condition, at initial diagnosis.

Results

From the discovery cohort, 86 candidate genes were identified of which KDF1 and CDK1 were selected as markers for MGC, which were confirmed in the validation cohort. CERB5 and AKT2 isoform were identified as markers related to intestinal metaplasia and were also highly expressed in MGC patients compared to controls (p < 0.01). Combining these markers with clinical data (age, sex, H. pylori and severity of intestinal metaplasia) yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 (95% CI, 0.85‐0.97) for MGC prediction.

Conclusion

Assessing biomarkers in non‐cancerous gastric mucosa may be a useful method for predicting MGC in EGC patients and identifying patients with a higher risk of developing MGC, who can benefit from rigorous surveillance.
Predicting tumor mutation burden and VHL mutation from renal cancer pathology slides with self‐supervised deep learning
Authors: Zheng Qingyuan , Wang Xinyu , Yang Rui , Fan Junjie , Yuan Jingping , Liu Xiuheng , Wang Lei , Xiao Zhuoni , Chen Zhiyuan
Published: August 2024

Background

Tumor mutation burden (TMB) and VHL mutation play a crucial role in the management of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), such as guiding adjuvant chemotherapy and improving clinical outcomes. However, the time‐consuming and expensive high‐throughput sequencing methods severely limit their clinical applicability. Predicting intratumoral heterogeneity poses significant challenges in biology and clinical settings. Our aimed to develop a self‐supervised attention‐based multiple instance learning (SSL‐ABMIL) model to predict TMB and VHL mutation status from hematoxylin and eosin‐stained histopathological images.

Methods

We obtained whole slide images (WSIs) and somatic mutation data of 350 ccRCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas for developing SSL‐ABMIL model. In parallel, 163 ccRCC patients from Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium cohort was used as independent external validation set. We systematically compared three different models (Wang‐ABMIL, Ciga‐ABMIL, and ImageNet‐MIL) for their ability to predict TMB and VHL alterations.

Results

We first identified two groups of populations with high‐ and low‐TMB (cut‐off point = 0.9). In two independent cohorts, the Wang‐ABMIL model achieved the highest performance with decent generalization performance (AUROC = 0.83 ± 0.02 and 0.8 ± 0.04 in predicting TMB and VHL, respectively). Attention heatmaps revealed that the Wang‐ABMIL model paid the highest attention to tumor regions in high‐TMB patients, while in VHL mutation prediction, non‐tumor regions were also assigned high attention, particularly the stromal regions infiltrated by lymphocytes.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that SSL‐ABMIL can effectively extract histological features for predicting TMB and VHL mutation, demonstrating promising results in linking tumor morphology and molecular biology.