bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomarker data with measurement error in medical research: A literature review
Authors: Wang Ching‐Yun , Hwang Wen‐Han , Song Xiao
Published: January 2024

A biomarker is a measurable indicator of the severity or presence of a disease or medical condition in biomedical or epidemiological research. Biomarkers may help in early diagnosis and prevention of diseases. Several biomarkers have been identified for many diseases such as carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 for pancreatic cancer. However, biomarkers may be measured with errors due to many reasons such as specimen collection or day‐to‐day within‐subject variability of the biomarker, among others. Measurement error in the biomarker leads to bias in the regression parameter estimation for the association of the biomarker with disease in epidemiological studies. In addition, measurement error in the biomarkers may affect standard diagnostic measures to evaluate the performance of biomarkers such as the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, and specificity. Measurement error may also have an effect on how to combine multiple cancer biomarkers as a composite predictor for disease diagnosis. In follow‐up studies, biomarkers are often collected intermittently at examination times, which may be sparse and typically biomarkers are not observed at the event times. Joint modeling of longitudinal and time‐to‐event data is a valid approach to account for measurement error in the analysis of repeatedly measured biomarkers and time‐to‐event outcomes. In this article, we provide a literature review on existing methods to correct for estimation in regression analysis, diagnostic measures, and joint modeling of longitudinal biomarkers and survival outcomes when the biomarkers are measured with errors.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Robust Methods

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > EM Algorithm

Statistical Models > Survival Models
Can We Look at Refused Knowledge Differently?
Authors: Neresini Federico
Published: January 2024

Recalling a number of epistemological debates deeply rooted within the STS tradition—such as those concerning the relationship between the researcher and who/what is analysed (positionality), the process through which every element in a network is continuously constituted (relationality), and the fact that when something is defined, its counterpart is also constituted (reciprocity)—this chapter supplies a general framework upon which all of the subsequent chapters are based. Thus, it discusses the substantive reasons behind the Refused Knowledge Communities (RKCs) notion in full. The chapter then elucidates the theoretical approach we deem best suited to studying the RKCs, i.e. an integration between the Social World Framework and some concepts developed by Actor-Network Theory, including discussing how and whether their cross-fertilisation is possible and useful in exploring the current challenges to science
Long-lived neutral fermions at the DUNE near detector
Authors: Günther Julian Y. , de Vries Jordy , Dreiner Herbi K. , Wang Zeren Simon , Zhou Guanghui
Published: January 2024

Abstract

At the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), a proton beam hits a fixed target leading to large production rates of mesons. These mesons can decay and potentially provide a source of long-lived neutral fermions. Examples of such long-lived fermions are heavy neutral leptons which can mix with the standard-model active neutrinos, and the bino-like lightest neutralino in R-parity-violating supersymmetry. We show that the Standard Model Effective Field Theory extended with right-handed singlet neutrinos can simultaneously describe heavy neutral leptons and bino-like neutralinos in a unified manner. We use the effective-field-theory framework to determine the sensitivity reach of the DUNE near detector in probing various scenarios of long-lived neutral fermions.
Selenium-SelK-GPX4 axis protects nucleus pulposus cells against mechanical overloading-induced ferroptosis and attenuates senescence of intervertebral disc
Authors: Jia Chunwang , Xiang Ziqian , Zhang Pengfei , Liu Long , Zhu Xuetao , Yu Ruixuan , Liu Zhicheng , Wang Shaoyi , Liu Kaiwen , Wang Zihao , Vasilev Krasimir , Zhou Shuanhu , Geng Ziwen , Liu Xinyu , Zhao Yunpeng , Gao Yuan , Cheng Lei , Li Yuhua
Published: January 2024

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is one of the most prevalent spinal degenerative disorders and imposes places heavy medical and economic burdens on individuals and society. Mechanical overloading applied to the intervertebral disc (IVD) has been widely recognized as an important cause of IVDD. Mechanical overloading-induced chondrocyte ferroptosis was reported, but the potential association between ferroptosis and mechanical overloading remains to be illustrated in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. In this study, we discovered that excessive mechanical loading induced ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which were detected by mitochondria and associated markers, by increasing the intracellular free Ca2+ level through the Piezo1 ion channel localized on the plasma membrane and ER membrane in NP cells. Besides, we proposed that intracellular free Ca2+ level elevation and the activation of ER stress are positive feedback processes that promote each other, consistent with the results that the level of ER stress in coccygeal discs of aged Piezo1-CKO mice were significantly lower than that of aged WT mice. Then, we confirmed that selenium supplementation decreased intracellular free Ca2+ level by mitigating ER stress through upregulating Selenoprotein K (SelK) expression. Besides, ferroptosis caused by the impaired production and function of Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) due to mechanical overloading-induced calcium overload could be improved by selenium supplementation through Se-GPX4 axis and Se-SelK axis in vivo and in vitro, eventually presenting the stabilization of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Our findings reveal the important role of ferroptosis in mechanical overloading-induced IVDD, and selenium supplementation promotes significance to attenuate ferroptosis and thus alleviates IVDD, which might provide insights into potential therapeutic interventions for IVDD.
Optimized Sigmoid Functions for Speech Presence Probability and Gain Function in Speech Enhancement
Authors: Dam Hai Huyen , Nordholm Sven , Yong Pei Chee , Low Siow Yong
Published: January 2024

Speech presence probability (SPP) and gain functions such as Wiener filter or MMSE estimators require an estimate of the a-priori signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). However, the estimation of the a-priori SNR is computationally involved and sensitive to noise variations. This paper proposes to approximate the SPP and the overall gain function of a speech enhancement system by using sigmoid functions to reduce the need of estimating the a-prior SNR. By applying an approximation via the sigmoid functions it is shown that only the a-posteriori estimate of SNR is needed, resulting in a low complexity system. The sigmoid function is designed with an optimization algorithm to optimize its parameters with respect to speech quality measures. The optimization algorithm is based on the idea that the solution obtained for a given problem should move towards the best solution and avoid the worst solution. The proposed algorithm requires minimal control parameters and does not require any algorithm specific parameters. Simulation results show that the proposed sigmoid functions achieve good results in terms of speech quality measures when compared with existing methods while providing significantly lower complexity for implementation.
Dose selection for aztreonam-avibactam, including adjustments for renal impairment, for Phase IIa and Phase III evaluation
Authors: Das Shampa , Riccobene Todd , Carrothers Timothy J. , Wright James G. , MacPherson Merran , Cristinacce Andrew , McFadyen Lynn , Xie Rujia , Luckey Alison , Raber Susan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

A series of iterative population pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling and probability of target attainment (PTA) analyses based on emerging data supported dose selection for aztreonam-avibactam, an investigational combination antibiotic for serious Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Methods

Two iterations of PK models built from avibactam data in infected patients and aztreonam data in healthy subjects with “patient-like” assumptions were used in joint PTA analyses (primary target: aztreonam 60% fT > 8 mg/L, avibactam 50% fT > 2.5 mg/L) exploring patient variability, infusion durations, and adjustments for moderate (estimated creatinine clearance [CrCL] > 30 to ≤ 50 mL/min) and severe renal impairment (> 15 to ≤ 30 mL/min). Achievement of > 90% joint PTA and the impact of differential renal clearance were considerations in dose selection.

Results

Iteration 1 simulations for Phase I/IIa dose selection/modification demonstrated that 3-h and continuous infusions provide comparable PTA; avibactam dose drives joint PTA within clinically relevant exposure targets; and loading doses support more rapid joint target attainment. An aztreonam/avibactam 500/137 mg 30-min loading dose and 1500/410 mg 3-h maintenance infusions q6h were selected for further evaluation. Iteration 2 simulations using expanded PK models supported an alteration to the regimen (500/167 mg loading; 1500/500 mg q6h maintenance 3-h infusions for CrCL > 50 mL/min) and selection of doses for renal impairment for Phase IIa/III clinical studies.

Conclusion

A loading dose plus 3-h maintenance infusions of aztreonam-avibactam in a 3:1 fixed ratio q6h optimizes joint PTA. These analyses supported dose selection for the aztreonam-avibactam Phase III clinical program. Clinical trial registration: NCT01689207; NCT02655419; NCT03329092; NCT03580044.
Multifactorial analysis of terminator performance on heterologous gene expression in Physcomitrella
Authors: Niederau Paul Alexander , Eglé Pauline , Willig Sandro , Parsons Juliana , Hoernstein Sebastian N. W. , Decker Eva L. , Reski Ralf
Published: January 2024

Key message

Characterization of Physcomitrella 3′UTRs across different promoters yields endogenous single and double terminators for usage in molecular pharming.

The production of recombinant proteins for health applications accounts for a large share of the biopharmaceutical market. While many drugs are produced in microbial and mammalian systems, plants gain more attention as expression hosts to produce eukaryotic proteins. In particular, the good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant moss Physcomitrella (Physcomitrium patens) has outstanding features, such as excellent genetic amenability, reproducible bioreactor cultivation, and humanized protein glycosylation patterns. In this study, we selected and characterized novel terminators for their effects on heterologous gene expression. The Physcomitrella genome contains 53,346 unique 3′UTRs (untranslated regions) of which 7964 transcripts contain at least one intron. Over 91% of 3′UTRs exhibit more than one polyadenylation site, indicating the prevalence of alternative polyadenylation in Physcomitrella. Out of all 3′UTRs, 14 terminator candidates were selected and characterized via transient Dual-Luciferase assays, yielding a collection of endogenous terminators performing equally high as established heterologous terminators CaMV35S, AtHSP90, and NOS. High performing candidates were selected for testing as double terminators which impact reporter levels, dependent on terminator identity and positioning. Testing of 3′UTRs among the different promoters NOS, CaMV35S, and PpActin5 showed an increase of more than 1000-fold between promoters PpActin5 and NOS, whereas terminators increased reporter levels by less than tenfold, demonstrating the stronger effect promoters play as compared to terminators. Among selected terminator attributes, the number of polyadenylation sites as well as polyadenylation signals were found to influence terminator performance the most. Our results improve the biotechnology platform Physcomitrella and further our understanding of how terminators influence gene expression in plants in general.
Endogene Candida-Endophthalmitis: Diagnostik und Therapieoptionen anhand von Fallbeispielen
Authors: Huth A. , Viestenz A. , Viestenz A. , Heichel J. , Gabel-Pfisterer A.
Published: January 2024

Hintergrund

Die endogene Candida-Endophthalmitis ist ein Notfall, welcher Visus und Auge als gesamtes Organ, durch die systemische Ursache aber auch das Leben des Patienten bedrohen kann.

Material und Methode

Retrospektive Auswertung der Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde Halle (Saale) und der Augenklinik des Klinikums Ernst von Bergmann, Potsdam von 2017 bis 2022. (Alter, Geschlecht, Seitenbeteiligung, Grunderkrankungen, Symptomatik, Visus prä- und postoperativ, Diagnostik, Therapie und Komplikationen). Es werden die standardisierten Vorgehensweisen bei endogener Candida-Endophthalmitis erläutert, die Daten mit der Literatur verglichen und Therapievorschläge vorgestellt.

Ergebnisse

Es wurden 8 Patienten mit 14 Augen aufgrund einer endogenen Candida-Endophthalmitis behandelt. 2 Patienten waren Frauen, 6 Patienten waren Männer. Das Durchschnittsalter lag bei 70,25 Jahren (53 bis 82 Jahre). 6 Patienten wiesen eine beidseitige Augenbeteiligung auf, 2 Patienten waren einseitig betroffen. Bei allen Patienten lagen mehrere schwerwiegende immunkompromittierende Grunderkrankungen vor, die ursächlich für eine Candidämie waren. Alle Patienten erhielten an den betroffenen Augen eine Pars-plana-Vitrektomie (ppV) bis auf einen Patienten, der keine Freigabe zur Narkose erhielt. Neben der systemischen Therapie mit Antimykotika wurde während der ppV routinemäßig Voriconazol intravitreal appliziert. Im Anschluss erhielten die Patienten befundadaptiert weitere intravitreale Gaben von Voriconazol. Von allen Patienten wurden im Rahmen der ppV Glaskörperproben genommen, der Nachweis von Candida albicans war in allen Fällen möglich. Im Rahmen der lokalen perioperativen Therapie erhielt 1 Patient an beiden Augen eine parabulbäre Eingabe eines Triamcinolon-Depots (20 mg), 7 Patienten an 11 Augen erhielten ein Dexamethason-Depot (4 mg) und alle 8 Patienten eine befundorientierte Lokaltherapie mit Prednisolonacetat-Augentropfen. Der Visus stieg im Durchschnitt von präoperativ 1,2 logMAR auf 1,0 logMAR an. Eine postoperative Ablatio trat in keinem Fall auf, es gab keine schwerwiegenden perioperativen Komplikationen. Zwei der Patienten verstarben nach 3 bzw. 25 Monaten an einer ihrer Grunderkrankungen.

Schlussfolgerung

Trotz einer zunehmenden Zahl an Fallserien fehlt bislang eine einheitliche Leitlinie für Augenärzte in Deutschland. Einigkeit besteht bezüglich der systemischen Therapie und der intravitrealen Eingabe von antimykotischen Wirkstoffen Die Rolle der ppV ist noch nicht eindeutig definiert, und auch die Frage der adjuvanten Anwendung von Steroiden (systemisch und/oder lokal) ist nicht abschließend geklärt.
Prognostic value of preoperative circulating tumor DNA in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lu Jiamin , Feng Yuqian , Guo Kaibo , Sun Leitao , Ruan Shanming , Zhang Kai
Published: January 2024

Background

Several recent studies have reported the increasing application of preoperative circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker of tumor burden for guiding potential postoperative treatment strategies.

Methods

A meta-analysis of prospective/retrospective cohort studies was conducted to compare the prognosis of preoperatively genetically positive and genetically negative NSCLC patients. The endpoints used in the included studies were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). The objective of the meta-analysis was to comprehensively explore the prognostic value of preoperative ctDNA for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its significance in guiding postoperative adjuvant therapy (AT) in patients with NSCLC.

Results

The preliminary analysis identified 1565 studies, among which only 11 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were finally included in the present systematic review and meta-analysis. The statistical results revealed that the expression of preoperative ctDNA was associated with worse RFS (HR = 3.00; 95% CI 2.26–3.98; I2 = 0%) and OS (HR = 2.77; 95% CI 1.67–4.58; I2 = 0%), particularly in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients (RFS: HR = 3.46; 95% CI 2.37–5.05; I2 = 0%; OS: HR = 3.52; 95% CI 1.91–6.49; I2 = 0%) and patients with I–II stage of NSCLC (RFS: HR = 2.84; 95% CI 1.88–4.29; I2 = 0%; OS: HR = 2.60; 95% CI 1.43–4.74; I2 = 0%). Moreover, compared to patients with negative preoperative ctDNA, patients with positive preoperative ctDNA presented greater survival benefits (HR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.22–0.67; I2 = 2%) from postoperative AT.

Conclusion

The evaluation of the prognostic value of preoperative ctDNA revealed that preoperative ctDNA might be used as a prognostic biomarker for patients with LUAD or those with stage I–II NSCLC. In addition, postoperative AT is recommended for NSCLC patients with positive preoperative ctDNA, regardless of the disease stage and subtype.
The comparison of functional status and health-related parameters in ovarian cancer survivors with healthy controls
Authors: Gultekin Sukriye Cansu , Cakir Ahmet Burak , Guc Zeynep Gulsum , Ozalp Faruk Recep , Keskinkilic Merve , Yavuzsen Tugba , Yavuzsen Husnu Tore , Karadibak Didem
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate functional status and health-related parameters in ovarian cancer (OC) survivors and to compare these parameters with healthy controls. The secondary purpose of this study was to compare these parameters in early and advanced OC survivors.

Methods

Thirty-two OC survivors (n = 15 early stage; n = 17 advanced stage) with no evidence/suspicion of cancer recurrence after completing adjuvant local and systemic treatments for at least 12 months and 32 healthy controls were recruited for functional- and health-related assessments. Participants were assessed using the following methods of measuring the following: 6-min walk test (6MWT) for functional exercise capacity, 30-s chair stand test (30 s-CST) for functional fitness and muscle endurance, a handheld dynamometer for peripheral muscle strength, and a handheld dynamometer for lower extremity strength, Medical Micro RPM for respiratory muscle strength, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) for physical activity level, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Scale (ECOG-PS) for performance status, Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) for fatigue, Treatment/Gynecological Oncology-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-NTX) for neuropathy, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety and depression level, and the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) for generic quality of life.

Results

All OC survivors underwent surgery and chemotherapy, and only 9.4% received radiotherapy in addition to chemotherapy. The median recurrence-free period post-completion of adjuvant treatments was 24.00 (12.00–75.00) months. OC survivors had lower 6MWT (m) (p < 0.001, r = 1.50), peripheral muscle strength (p = 0.005, r = 0.72), knee extension (p < 0.001, r = 1.54), and respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure) (p < 0.001, r = 1.90) (maximal expiratory pressure) (p < 0.001, r = 1.68) compared to healthy controls. HADS-A (p = 0.005, r = 0.75) and CIS scores (p = 0.025, r = 0.59) were also higher in the OC survivors. Early-stage OC survivors had better 6MWT (m) than advanced-stage OC survivors (p = 0.005, r = 1.83). Peripheral muscle strength was lower in advanced-stage OC survivors (p = 0.013, r = 0.92). FACT/GOG-NTX scores were higher in early-stage OC survivors (p < 0.001, r = 1.42). No significant differences were observed between early- and advanced-stage OC survivors in other measures (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings suggest functional status, and health-related parameters are negatively affected in OC survivors. Additionally, higher levels of fatigue, neuropathy anxiety, and depression were reported in advanced OC survivors.
Accuracy of FAST in detecting intraabdominal bleeding in major trauma with pelvic and/or acetabular fractures: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jensen Lasse Rehné , Possfelt-Møller Emma , Nielsen Allan Evald , Singh Upender Martin , Svendsen Lars Bo , Penninga Luit
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) is a tool to rapidly detect intraabdominal and intrapericardial fluid with point-of-care ultrasound. Previous studies have questioned the role of FAST in patients with pelvic fractures. The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy of FAST to detect clinically significant intraabdominal hemorrhage in patients with pelvic fractures.

Methods

We included all consecutive patients with pelvic and/or acetabular fractures treated our Level 1 trauma center from 2009–2020. We registered patient and fracture characteristics, FAST investigations and CT descriptions, explorative laparotomy findings, and transfusion needs. We compared FAST to CT and laparotomy findings, and calculated true positive and negative findings, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV).

Results

We included 389 patients. FAST had a sensitivity of 75%, a specificity of 98%, a PPV of 84%, and a NPV of 96% for clinically significant intraabdominal bleeding. Patients with retroperitoneal hematomas were at increased risk for laparotomy both because of True-negative FAST and False-positive FAST.

Conclusion

FAST is accurate to identify clinically significant intraabdominal blood in patients with severe pelvic fractures and should be a standard asset in these patients. Retroperitoneal hematomas challenge the FAST interpretation and thus the decision making when applying FAST in patients with pelvic fractures.
Propagating Uncertainty in Predicting Individuals and Means Illustrated with Foliar Chemistry and Forest Biomass
Authors: Yanai Ruth D. , Drake John E. , Buckley Hannah L. , Case Bradley S. , Lilly Paul J. , Woollons Richard C. , Gamarra Javier G. P.
Published: January 2024

Quantifying uncertainty is important to establishing the significance of comparisons, to making predictions with known confidence, and to identifying priorities for investment. However, uncertainty can be difficult to quantify correctly. While sampling error is commonly reported based on replicate measurements, the uncertainty in regression models used to estimate forest biomass from tree dimensions is commonly ignored and has sometimes been reported incorrectly, due either to lack of clarity in recommended procedures or to incentives to underestimate uncertainties. Even more rarely are the uncertainty in predicting individuals and the uncertainty in the mean both recognized for their contributions to overall uncertainty. In this paper, we demonstrate the effect of propagating these two sources of uncertainty using a simple example of calcium concentration of sugar maple foliage, which does not require regression, then the mass of foliage and calcium content of foliage, and finally an entire forest with multiple species and tissue types. The uncertainty due to predicting individuals is greater than the uncertainty in the mean for studies with few trees—up to 30 trees for foliar calcium concentration and 50 trees for foliar mass and calcium content in the data set we analyzed from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. The most correct analysis will take both sources of uncertainty into account, but for practical purposes, country-level reports of uncertainty in carbon stocks can safely ignore the uncertainty in individuals, which becomes negligible with large enough numbers of trees. Ignoring the uncertainty in the mean will result in exaggerated confidence in estimates of forest biomass and carbon and nutrient contents.
Grundlagen des notfallmedizinischen „Bridgings“ von kritisch kranken Patienten in der Notaufnahme bis zur Intensivstationsverlegung
Authors: Kemper Johann J. , Michael Mark , Kümpers Philipp , Reindl Michael , Kumle Bernhard , Pin Martin , Bernhard Michael
Published: January 2024

Der Beschluss des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses (G-BA) zu einem gestuften System von Notfallstrukturen in Krankenhäusern aus dem Jahr 2018 sieht vor, dass in Krankenhäusern der erweiterten und umfassenden Versorgungsstufe beatmungspflichtige Patienten innerhalb von 60 min nach Krankenhausaufnahme aus der Klinik für Notfallmedizin/Notaufnahme auf die Intensivstation übernommen werden. In Abhängigkeit von der Krankenhausstruktur, den Auslastungen der Intensivstation, dem Pflegemangel, der Jahreszeit und der Art des Notfalls kann es in der Praxis jedoch vorkommen, dass überwachungs- und intensivpflichtige Patienten auch über einen längeren Zeitraum in der Klinik für Notfallmedizin/Notaufnahme verbleiben müssen. Durch Notfallmediziner:innen werden daher immer häufiger bereits in der Klinik für Notfallmedizin/Notaufnahme erweiterte notfallmedizinische Therapiemaßnahmen als Überbrückung („Bridging“) durchgeführt, bis innerhalb des Krankenhauses oder durch die Verlegung in ein externes Krankenhaus ein entsprechender Überwachungs- oder Intensivbehandlungsplatz geschaffen werden kann. Darüber hinaus kann bei einem ausgewählten Patientenkollektiv durch kurzfristige notfallmedizinische Maßnahmen der Zustand der Patienten so weit stabilisiert werden, dass eine Behandlung auf der Intensivstation nicht mehr erforderlich ist, mit entsprechender Entlastung der knappen intensivmedizinischen Ressourcen. Das hier erstmals vorgestellte Akronym „OSKARinED“ fasst dabei die notfallmedizinischen Schwerpunkte zu Oxygenierung und Beatmung, Sedierung und Analgesie, Katecholamin- und Volumentherapie sowie Kathetermanagement, antiinfektiver Therapie, Lagerungs‑, Ulkus- und Thromboseprophylaxe, Ernährung und Blutzuckereinstellung, Delirprophylaxe und -management zusammen.
Local geometric edge features based registration for textureless object in augmented reality assisted assembly
Authors: Li Wang , Wang Junfeng , Wei Ming
Published: January 2024

Image-based methods have been widely used in augmented reality (AR) assistant assembly systems. However, due to the lack of sufficient texture information on the surface of assembly part, traditional image feature matching methods still face challenges. This paper proposes a coarse-to-fine AR registration method for textureless assembly part. In the first stage, a new feature matching method which is called line neighborhood edge descriptor (LNED) is presented to find the coarse camera pose from textureless image. The LNED take the contour line of assembly part as the description object, and use local geometric edge of assembly part to describe the contour line. During the image matching, the binary encoding is used to reduce the computational consumption for LNED. In the second stage, spatial points in the CAD model of assembly part are reverse projected to the textureless image based on the coarse camera pose. And the bundle adjustment method based on the edge distance of the textureless image is adopted to iteratively calculate the precise camera pose. In the experimental evaluation, the proposed registration method shows high accuracy and fast speed in comparison with conventional registration methods, which demonstrates that our method can effectively solve the problem of AR registration for textureless assembly part.
Auditory Cortical Plasticity in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness Before and After Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Peter Nicole , Treyer Valerie , Probst Rudolf , Kleinjung Tobias
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study investigated neuroplastic changes induced by postlingual single-sided deafness (SSD) and the effects of a cochlear implantation for the deaf ear. Neural processing of acoustic signals from the normal hearing ear to the brain was studied before and after implantation using a positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scanner.

Methods

Eight patients with postlingual SSD received a cochlear implant (CI) in a prospective clinical trial. Dynamic imaging was performed in a PET/CT scanner using radioactively labeled water ([15O]H2O) to localize changes in the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with and without an auditory task of logatomes containing speech-like elements without meaningful context. The normal hearing ear was stimulated before implantation and after the use of the cochlear implant for at least 8 months (mean 13.5, range 8.1–26.6). Eight age- and gender-matched subjects with normal hearing on both sides served as healthy control subjects (HCS).

Results

When the normal hearing ear of SSD patients was stimulated before CI implantation, the [15O]H2O-PET showed a more symmetrical rCBF in the auditory regions of both hemispheres in comparison to the HCS. The use of CI increased the asymmetry index (AI) in six of eight patients indicating an increase of activity of the contralateral hemisphere. Non-parametric statistics revealed a significant difference in the AI between patients before CI implantation and HCS (p < .01), which disappeared after CI implantation (p = .195).

Conclusion

The functional neuroimaging data showed a tendency towards normalization of neuronal activity after CI implantation, which supports the effectiveness of CI in SSD patients.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01749592, December 13, 2012.
Diverse migration patterns of anadromous white-spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis revealed from otolith microchemistry
Authors: Goto Akihiko , Kuroki Mari , Shirai Kotaro , Morita Kentaro
Published: January 2024

Anadromous migration of salmonid fish has been extensively studied, primarily focusing on the dichotomous framework of anadromy and residency. However, there remains a limited understanding of intermediate migratory behaviors within the anadromous framework. Our study aimed to classify the lifetime migration patterns of the anadromous white-spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis within and among populations using otolith annuli and Sr:Ca ratios. Initially, the migratory histories of anadromous charr were divided into two stages: “virgin sea-run stage” and “veteran sea-run stage”. The former was further categorized into three types: ocean entry at age ≥1+ years old, early descending, and brackish use. The latter was grouped into four types: annual migrants, frequent migrants, retired migrants, and ocean residents. We found that the proportion of migration patterns varied among rivers, with multiple patterns coexisting within the same river. Migration patterns typically involving 1–5 years spent in freshwater rivers followed by annual oceanic migrations were the most abundant, although diverse patterns were also observed. In the virgin sea-run stage, some individuals experienced the ocean at age 0+ years or brackish environments before their first sea entry. In the veteran sea-run stage, we found individuals who had resided in either the ocean or rivers for over a year. Retired migrants, characterized by stopping oceanic migration at a certain age and subsequently spending time in rivers, were exclusive to southern rivers. Conversely, ocean residents who spend one or more years in the ocean were more frequent in northern regions. Consequently, the lifetime migration patterns of anadromous white-spotted charr may exhibit stronger ocean dependency at higher latitudes. The implications of this study highlight the complexity and flexibility of migratory behaviors within and among white-spotted charr populations.
Allometric equations for estimating aboveground biomass carbon in five tree species grown in an intercropping agroforestry system in southern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Bazrgar Amir Behzad , Thevathasan Naresh , Gordon Andrew , Simpson Jamie
Published: January 2024

Allometric equations were developed for estimating aboveground biomass carbon (AGBC) in five tree species grown in a tree-based intercropping system at the University of Guelph Agroforestry Research Station, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. A total of 66 representative trees from five species: red oak (Quercus rubra) [n = 12], black walnut (Juglans nigra) [n = 16], black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) [n = 10], white ash (Fraxinus americana) [n = 15], Norway spruce (Picea abies) [n = 13] were selected, harvested and their aboveground biomass and carbon content were quantified. Three commonly used allometric models were used to develop predictive equations. Regression models were developed and parameterized for each tree species and the best are presented based on information criteria (AIC, AICc, and BIC), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), over/under estimation (MOUE), root mean square error (RMSE), R2, and regression coefficients (a, b) of the observed/predicted (OP) linear regression analysis. All equations with diameter at breast height (D) only and D and tree height (H) as the predictor variables fitted the AGBC data well, with R2 > 97% and RMSE < 40. However, a power model using D as the only predictor is recommended as the best model for black walnut, black locust, white ash, and Norway spruce. The models presented are the best fitted allometric equations for the indicated species and are recommended for these species, growing on similar soils under the same temperate conditions at densities of < 125 tree per hectare.
“IPCC-envy”? Shaping global soil and land governance through science-policy activism
Authors: De Donà Matteo
Published: January 2024

Understanding the relationship between science and policy, including the role of actors engaged in facilitating science-policy interplay, is crucial in the study of global environmental governance. In spite of this, theorization of agency in science-policy relations has been limited in the IR field. Concomitantly, limited knowledge exists about the role played in this respect by international bureaucracies. This paper addresses these issues by introducing the concept of science-policy activism. The paper is based on the study of two UN institutions, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which operate in the issue—area of soil and land degradation. Informed by a combination of elite interviews and participant observation, the study investigates the ways in which the UNCCD and GSP secretariats steer the interplay between scientific advice and policymaking. The qualitative analysis reveals that, although both secretariats engage in normative narratives of cooperation, they actively and competitively pursue self-interested agendas. Unearthing the key role of secretariats in comparison with other relevant actors, such as member states and epistemic communities, the study shows that science-policy activism is conducive to “regime conflict,” limiting opportunities for interplay management and ultimately benefiting the interests of international bureaucracies themselves.
Digital Addiction in Organizations: Challenges and Policy Implications
Authors: Lam Helen , Harcourt Mark
Published: January 2024

Digital addiction (DA) is an emerging problem with significant implications for organizations and individuals. However, studies of DA have been largely confined to individual situations, such as the impact on adolescent schoolwork, mental health and social interactions. Organizational studies of DA are rare. This study is intended to fill the gap by defining DA, examining current trends, challenges and impacts for organizations and employees, and by looking at how DA can be measured, and negative repercussions ameliorated. A typology is developed to explain differing organizational responses to employee DA, and steps are outlined to describe how it might be combatted.
Transport Property Measurement of Liquid Metals and Alloys Using Electromagnetic and Electrostatic Levitation
Authors: Brillo Jürgen , Yang Fan , Holland-Moritz Dirk
Published: January 2024

Containerless measurements of the thermophysical properties density, viscosity, and self-diffusion by electromagnetic- (EML) and electrostatic levitation (ESL) are compared. The development history of the two techniques is briefly traced. The levitation principles and the measurement techniques for the properties considered are discussed. In the case of the density, data measured by both techniques are available for a liquid NiTi alloy. The results agree within a systematic error of ± 1 %. The data measured in EML exhibit a significant larger scatter. Viscosity data cannot be measured in ground-based electromagnetic levitation, so the comparison is carried out for a NiB alloy investigated in ESL and a classical viscometer. Good agreement was found as well. No significant difference is observed in self-diffusion data of various systems between different levitation techniques.
Can perioperative pCO2 gaps predict complications in patients undergoing major elective abdominal surgery randomized to goal-directed therapy or standard care? A secondary analysis
Authors: de Keijzer Ilonka N. , Kaufmann Thomas , de Waal Eric E.C. , Frank Michael , de Korte-de Boer Dianne , Montenij Leonard M. , Buhre Wolfgang , Scheeren Thomas W.L.
Published: January 2024

The difference between venous and arterial carbon dioxide pressure (pCO2 gap), has been used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool. We aimed to assess whether perioperative pCO2 gaps can predict postoperative complications. This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter RCT comparing goal-directed therapy (GDT) to standard care in which 464 patients undergoing high-risk elective abdominal surgery were included. Arterial and central venous blood samples were simultaneously obtained at four time points: after induction, at the end of surgery, at PACU/ICU admission, and PACU/ICU discharge. Complications within the first 30 days after surgery were recorded. Similar pCO2 gaps were found in patients with and without complications, except for the pCO2 gap at the end of surgery, which was higher in patients with complications (6.0 mmHg [5.0–8.0] vs. 6.0 mmHg [4.1–7.5], p = 0.005). The area under receiver operating characteristics curves for predicting complications from pCO2 gaps at all time points were between 0.5 and 0.6. A weak correlation between ScvO2 and pCO2 gaps was found for all timepoints (ρ was between − 0.40 and − 0.29 for all timepoints, p < 0.001). The pCO2 gap did not differ between GDT and standard care at any of the selected time points. In our study, pCO2 gap was a poor predictor of major postoperative complications at all selected time points. Our research does not support the use of pCO2 gap as a prognostic tool after high-risk abdominal surgery. pCO2 gaps were comparable between GDT and standard care. Clinical trial registration Netherlands Trial Registry NTR3380.
Multiple Classification of Brain MRI Autism Spectrum Disorder by Age and Gender Using Deep Learning
Authors: Nogay Hidir Selcuk , Adeli Hojjat
Published: January 2024

The fact that the rapid and definitive diagnosis of autism cannot be made today and that autism cannot be treated provides an impetus to look into novel technological solutions. To contribute to the resolution of this problem through multiple classifications by considering age and gender factors, in this study, two quadruple and one octal classifications were performed using a deep learning (DL) approach. Gender in one of the four classifications and age groups in the other were considered. In the octal classification, classes were created considering gender and age groups. In addition to the diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders), another goal of this study is to find out the contribution of gender and age factors to the diagnosis of ASD by making multiple classifications based on age and gender for the first time. Brain structural MRI (sMRI) scans of participators with ASD and TD (Typical Development) were pre-processed in the system originally designed for this purpose. Using the Canny Edge Detection (CED) algorithm, the sMRI image data was cropped in the data pre-processing stage, and the data set was enlarged five times with the data augmentation (DA) techniques. The most optimal convolutional neural network (CNN) models were developed using the grid search optimization (GSO) algorism. The proposed DL prediction system was tested with the five-fold cross-validation technique. Three CNN models were designed to be used in the system. The first of these models is the quadruple classification model created by taking gender into account (model 1), the second is the quadruple classification model created by taking into account age (model 2), and the third is the eightfold classification model created by taking into account both gender and age (model 3). ). The accuracy rates obtained for all three designed models are 80.94, 85.42 and 67.94, respectively. These obtained accuracy rates were compared with pre-trained models by using the transfer learning approach. As a result, it was revealed that age and gender factors were effective in the diagnosis of ASD with the system developed for ASD multiple classifications, and higher accuracy rates were achieved compared to pre-trained models.
Adhesion, metastasis, and inhibition of cancer cells: a comprehensive review
Authors: Yayan Josef , Franke Karl-Josef , Berger Melanie , Windisch Wolfram , Rasche Kurt
Published: January 2024

This comprehensive review delves into cancer’s complexity, focusing on adhesion, metastasis, and inhibition. It explores the pivotal role of these factors in disease progression and therapeutic strategies. This review covers cancer cell migration, invasion, and colonization of distant organs, emphasizing the significance of cell adhesion and the intricate metastasis process. Inhibition approaches targeting adhesion molecules, such as integrins and cadherins, are discussed. Overall, this review contributes significantly to advancing cancer research and developing targeted therapies, holding promise for improving patient outcomes worldwide. Exploring different inhibition strategies revealed promising therapeutic targets to alleviate adhesion and metastasis of cancer cells. The effectiveness of integrin-blocking antibodies, small molecule inhibitors targeting Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) pathway, and combination therapies underscores their potential to disrupt focal adhesions and control epithelial-mesenchymal transition processes. The identification of as FAK, Src, β-catenin and SMAD4 offers valuable starting points for further research and the development of targeted therapies. The complex interrelationships between adhesion and metastatic signaling networks will be relevant to the development of new treatment approaches.
Pineal anlage tumor: clinical and diagnostic features, and rationales for treatment
Authors: Obrecht-Sturm Denise , Pfaff Elke , Mynarek Martin , Bison Brigitte , Rodehüser Martina , Becker Martina , Kietz Silke , Pfister Stefan M. , Jones David T. , Sturm Dominik , von Deimling Andreas , Sahm Felix , Kortmann Rolf-Dieter , Schwarz Rudolf , Pietsch Torsten , Fleischhack Gudrun , Rutkowski Stefan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To provide a treatment-focused review and develop basic treatment guidelines for patients diagnosed with pineal anlage tumor (PAT).

Methods

Prospectively collected data of three patients with pineal anlage tumor from Germany was combined with clinical details and treatment information from 17 published cases.

Results

Overall, 20 cases of PAT were identified (3 not previously reported German cases, 17 cases from published reports). Age at diagnosis ranged from 0.3 to 35.0 (median: 3.2 ± 7.8) years. All but three cases were diagnosed before the age of three years. For three cases, metastatic disease at initial staging was described. All patients underwent tumor surgery (gross-total resection: 9, subtotal resection/biopsy: 9, extent of resection unknown: 2). 15/20 patients were alive at last follow-up. Median follow-up for 10/15 surviving patients with available follow-up and treatment data was 2.4 years (0.3–6.5). Relapse was reported for 3 patients within 0.8 years after diagnosis. Five patients died, 3 after relapse and 2 from early postoperative complications. Two-year-progression-free- and -overall survival were 65.2 ± 12.7% and 49.2 ± 18.2%, respectively. All 4 patients who received intensive chemotherapy including high-dose chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy (2 focal, 2 craniospinal [CSI]) had no recurrence. Focal radiotherapy- and CSI-free survival rates in 13 evaluable patients were 46.2% (6/13) and 61.5% (8/13), respectively.

Conclusion

PAT is an aggressive disease mostly affecting young children. Therefore, adjuvant therapy using intensive chemotherapy and considering radiotherapy appears to comprise an appropriate treatment strategy. Reporting further cases is crucial to evaluate distinct treatment strategies.
Collective procedural memory
Authors: Donahue Sean
Published: January 2024

Collective procedural memory is a group’s memory of how to do things, as opposed to a group’s memory of facts. It enables groups to mount effective responses to periodic events (e.g., natural hazards) and to sustain collective projects (e.g., combatting climate change). This article presents an account of collective procedural memory called the Ability Conception. The Ability Conception has various advantages over other accounts of collective procedural memory, such as those appealing to collective know-how and collective identity. It also demonstrates new applications for collective procedural memory. I develop three in this article: to social epistemology, to the ethics of memorialization, and to a pattern of group vulnerability to recurring hazardous events that I call the saeculum effect.
Drawing a Portrayal of Science Teachers’ Epistemic Cognitions Around Different Concepts Characterizing Science Education
Authors: Soysal Yilmaz
Published: January 2024

The objective of this descriptive study is to provide a detailed examination of science teachers’ perspectives regarding scientific knowledge, science learning, science concepts, and science teaching. A total of 304 science teachers created metaphors to express their cognitions about the epistemological aspects of their work. A specifically designed metaphor construction task was used to capture the participants’ epistemic cognitions. The participants’ metaphorical reasoning was captured since the metaphors might deliver experience-based conceptions, perceptions, beliefs, or comprehensions about four concepts regarding epistemic cognition. In-depth, descriptive analysis was undertaken through open, axial, and selective coding procedures with higher validity and reliability. The participants’ epistemic cognitions were gathered around five-order themes: function (accepting science knowledge and science concepts and their teaching/learning as vital entities by adopting an instrumentalist or tool-based perspective), personal epistemological stance (seeing science knowledge and science learning as an endless and immortal accumulation of factual knowledge), motivational construct (scientific knowledge attaches importance so it should be taught in the school systems in the science lessons), sociological construct (science knowledge provides power), and pedagogical construct (not the science knowledge but the science concepts should be taught in the schools in the science lesson). This study concluded that the participant science teachers mostly held conventional orientations in externalizing their epistemic cognitions. Theory-based explanations are presented in terms of the participants’ traditional epistemic orientations in the sense of future directions of further research.