bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainability in the Context of BIM-Enabled Digital Building Permits
Authors: Crișan Andrei , Fauth Judith , Deac-Kaiser Stefanie-Brigitte
Published: May 2024

The construction industry is one of the most resource-intensive industries and one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and waste production. Building information modelling (BIM) can help architects and engineers design more energy-efficient buildings with less waste, contractors build more efficiently with fewer errors, and facility managers operate buildings more sustainably while reducing maintenance costs. In addition to the well-established benefits of using BIM in construction projects, adopting an openBIM workflow can further streamline the permitting process, making it more efficient and transparent. Digital building permits (DBPs) are intended to further improve process efficiency by digitalizing and automating conformity and code compliance checking processes of obtaining building permits. Further, by integrating sustainability concepts, DBPs have the potential to revolutionize city planning and urban development by enabling more sustainable construction practices and reducing the environmental impact. This study explores the relationship between BIM and DBP in the context of sustainability presenting the current ongoing activities and implementation challenges and proposes a series of solutions.
Influence of Shear Connection and End Supports onto Self-vibrations of Cold-Formed Steel Concrete Composite Floor
Authors: Rajić Andrea , Lukačević Ivan , Ćurković Ivan , Žuvelek Vlaho
Published: May 2024

Cold-formed steel composite floors are lightweight systems whose application increased in the last few decades. According to the design guidelines, the frequency of floor systems should be more than 4 Hz while in the case of light steel floors, the natural frequency of the system should be in the high frequency range above 8 Hz. The main focus of this paper is to investigate the vibration performance of an innovative lightweight composite floor system called LWT-FLOOR. The LWT-FLOOR system is composed of spot-welded built-up cold-formed steel elements that are connected to a lightweight concrete slab. Based on laboratory tests material properties of all components of the system are obtained and the finite element model of cold-formed steel concrete composite floor is created to investigate its vibration behaviour. Numerical analyses were conducted in Abaqus/CAE, where after mesh density verification, the influence of the degree of shear connection, spot weld density, concrete type and class, steel channels cross-section thickness and the arrangement and diameter of the shear connector were analysed. The results show that the flexural rigidity of the system and vibration characteristics can be improved by changing those parameters, especially by changing steel channel cross-section characteristics and support conditions from nominally pinned to nominally rigid.
Excitations and Resonances: Misinterpreted Actions in Neon Meditations
Authors: Holopainen Risto
Published: May 2024

Neon Meditations is a collaborative performance work combining visual art and music, where colours are translated into sound in an electronic instrument controlled by two performers. The sound design follows the principle of excitation and resonance. We use exciters attached to resonating objects that colour and distort the sound. The mapping from gesture to sound, and the fact that this is a multi-agent system, tends to cause confusion about the way the performers shape the sound. Godøy's concept of sound–motion objects is well adapted to acoustic instrumental music, but using Neon Meditations as an example, we will see that it faces many challenges when one tries to extend its application to live electronic music.
Exploring the Electroacoustic Music History Through Interactive Sonic Design
Authors: Christodoulou Anna-Maria
Published: May 2024

Algorithms and related technologies are widely used for many musicology-related tasks, such as music analysis or even music composition. The use of algorithms in music analysis may be crucial for a deeper understanding of music theory and history, yet experiential knowledge is proposed here as a more interactive way to take a journey through music history and, more specifically, the evolution of electroacoustic music. From acousmatic music to serialism and from Musique Concrète and Elektronische music to Post-Schaefferian Electronica, numerous techniques have been developed for sound generation and manipulation. In this chapter, SuperCollider is used as a tool to create an interactive composition and to provide a walkthrough of electroacoustic music through live coding. The musicological aspects of the different composition techniques of this music style are explored through their integration into the algorithmic composition.
Prelude to a Theory of Gestural Time, Proto-Geometry, and Music
Authors: Stover Chris
Published: May 2024

This chapter draws on prompts from Rolf Inge Godøy, Edmund Husserl, and a range of Indigenous, queer, and decolonial phenomenological thinkers to frame a theory of gestural time for music that rethinks the relationship between experience and perception. It plays with the distinction between Husserl’s “exact” and “descriptive” sciences, putting the latter to work as a productive foil to the drive for empirical exactitude that animates much perception and cognition theory. It does so not to replace exactitude, but to enrich the experiential nexus. Gesture emerges as an at least equally (and perhaps more) plausible first principle for reunderstanding the mechanisms by which perception functions. Focusing on a debate on categorical identity between Rainer Polak and Justin London, it considers the possibility that a turn to affect—understood in Baruch Spinoza’s sense of a pre-personal flow of force relations that condition the very possibility of experience and perception in the first place—can work to elide certain kinds of experimental cleavings to a priori category distinctions and to at least provisionally displace perceptual exactitude as the primary location for understanding musical experience.
Different Attitudes of Expressive Movement Awareness in Professional Musicians
Authors: Minafra Annamaria
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores professional musicians’ awareness of expressive bodily movements, referring to Godøy’s concept of sound-action awareness in music. Three professional musicians (a pianist, a violinist, and a guitarist) performed three tasks, each corresponding to a phenomenological reduction. Data were collected using a phenomenological approach through semi-structured interviews, observations, and audiovisual recordings. The analysis revealed three different attitudes to expressive movement awareness. The pianist showed theatrically unsynchronised expressive movements, with her musical intentions remaining at a level of pre-reflective self-awareness, perhaps due to her lack of introspective competence. The violinist became aware of his body parts involved in playing but was unaware of his performed expressive movements. The guitarist gradually reduced the expressive movements to achieve optimal performance. This study may encourage expert musicians to explore new practising procedures by developing body self-awareness. Self-reflecting on movement and its kinaesthetic feedback may contribute to achieving sound-action awareness in music, positively affecting musicians’ performance and enabling them to self-correct inappropriate postures.
Studying Performances with Digital Musical Instruments: A Case Study of Ritual, a Piece for Solo Karlax
Authors: Lavastre Benjamin , Wanderley Marcelo M.
Published: May 2024

This chapter discusses ways to study sonic design from the perspective of musical performances with Digital Musical Instruments (DMIs). We first review the specificities of DMIs in terms of their unique affordances and limitations and comment on instrument availability, longevity, and stability issues, which impact the use of DMIs in musical practice. We then focus on the Karlax, a commercial device used in several musical performances for over a decade. We present an analysis of excerpts from three performances of D. Andrew Stewart’s piece Ritual for solo Karlax, discussing the variability of performers’ gestures and the musical choices made. We conclude by suggesting practice exercises to develop performance techniques with the Karlax and discussing musical composition and performance issues with DMIs.
Social Learning – Innovative Zusammenarbeit im digitalen Zeitalter gestalten mit der Methode Working Out Loud
Authors: Oelker Birgit , Meißner Anne
Published: May 2024

Der Beitrag stellt ein didaktisches Konzept für die Hochschullehre vor, bei dem selbstgesteuertes Lernen in Netzwerken und Kollaboration in besonderer Weise gefördert wird. Das Format hat sich in Evaluationen als äußerst positiv für das Lernen in Gruppen und die persönliche Entwicklung erwiesen. Es leistet einen wichtigen Beitrag zu einer neuen Lernkultur in der modernen und digitalen Hochschullehre. In diesem digitalen Lehrkonzept wurde das Format Working Out Loud (WOL) auf die Hochschullehre übertragen. Studierende arbeiten in Online-Teams, bauen Netzwerke auf und unterstützen sich als Peers. Der begleitete, kompetenzorientierte Selbstlernprozess führt zu intensiven Kommunikations-/Reflexionsprozessen und zeigt Studierenden für ihre Lern- und Arbeitsmethoden zukunftsweisende Formate auf.
Online Educational Escape Rooms – Ein Fallbeispiel
Authors: Hörsch Hella , von Korflesch Harald F. O. , Krath Jeanine , Köhler Jessica
Published: May 2024

Aufgrund der Covid-19-Pandemie haben virtuelle Lernformate an Bedeutung gewonnen. Insbesondere in der Hochschullehre werden innovative Methoden gesucht, um die Motivation und interaktive Einbindung von Student:innen zu fördern. In diesem Beitrag wird eine Fallstudie zu einem edukativen Online Escape Room an der Universität Koblenz-Landau vorgestellt. Das Masterseminar „Management und Führung“ mit N = 18 Student:innen und der Webdienst „Gather“ dienten als Basis. Mittels eines Mixed-Methods Ansatzes wurde evaluiert, ob der Lernerfolg, die intrinsische Motivation und die Kollaboration der Student:innen durch den Einsatz des Escape Rooms gesteigert werden konnte und wie die UX bewertet wurde. Neben den Ergebnissen werden Limitationen sowie Implikationen für die Hochschullehre diskutiert.
Das digitale Feedback-Portfolio
Authors: Laube Sebastian , Ohl Franziska , Harring Marius , Imhof Margarete
Published: May 2024

Das digitale Feedback-Portfolio unterstützt Studierende Verbindungslinien zwischen einzelnen Inhalten im Lehramtsstudium zu ziehen und diese nachhaltig zu verarbeiten. Um den Stand der Fähigkeiten und des Wissens sichtbar zu machen, werden Reflexionsprozesse innerhalb von Lehrveranstaltungen mithilfe von unterschiedlichen Aufgaben angestoßen, die von Studierenden im Rahmen von Portfolioeinträgen bearbeitet werden. Reflexion erfolgt dabei u. a. mittels Feedbackschleifen auf vier Ebenen: Feedback geben, Feedback nehmen, Feedback erfragen und Feedback verarbeiten.
Welche Chancen bietet der Einsatz von interaktiven Unterrichtsvideos in der Lehrer:innenbildung aus Studierendensicht?
Authors: Zmiskol Tabea , Hess Miriam
Published: May 2024

Dem Einsatz von Unterrichtsvideos wird in der Lehrer:innenbildung grundsätzlich ein hohes Lernpotenzial zugesprochen, wobei groß angelegte Studien zur Frage, welcher Einsatz wie effektiv ist, noch ausstehen. Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich daher damit, wie Studierende die Arbeit mit interaktiven Unterrichtsvideos im Vergleich zu einer offenen, einer hoch und einer niedrig inferenten Beobachtungsmethode einschätzen. Im Rahmen eines Online-Seminars wurde die begründete Einschätzung von 103 Studierenden des Grundschullehramts erhoben. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass aus Studierendensicht die interaktive Videoanalyse von den vier Beobachtungsmethoden am besten dafür geeignet ist, bei Studierenden die professionelle Wahrnehmung zu schulen. Inwiefern ein tatsächlicher Kompetenzzuwachs vorliegt, gilt es in weiteren Analysen zu überprüfen.
Systematische Optimierung der digitalen Videoanalyseplattform ViviAn für die Lehrkräftebildung – Ein Design-Based Research Ansatz
Authors: Rieger Marc Bastian , Scherb Christian Alexander , Roth Jürgen
Published: May 2024

ViviAn (Videovignetten zur Analyse von Unterrichtsprozessen) ist eine Online-Lernplattform, die an vielen Standorten im deutschsprachigen Raum in der Lehrkräftebildung an Hochschulen und darüber hinaus (etwa in Studienseminaren) eingesetzt wird. ViviAn wird im Rahmen eines Forschungsprojekts im Design-Based Research Ansatz systematisch weiterentwickelt, um die Plattform dauerhaft an Bedürfnisse der Nutzer:innen sowie an technische Entwicklungen angepasst zu halten. Ein weiteres explizites Ziel besteht darin, die Feedbackoptionen innerhalb von ViviAn weiter zu elaborieren. In diesem Beitrag werden das Gesamtprojekt sowie ausgewählte Ergebnisse erster Mikrozyklen vorgestellt. Durch die Realisierung einer prozessbegleitenden Usability-Evaluation konnte bereits eine notwendige Anpassung an mobile Endgeräte identifiziert werden.
Pädagogik lost in Code
Authors: Dobmeier Florian
Published: May 2024

Der Beitrag argumentiert, dass die Handlungspraxis der Lehre operativ als idealtypische Form pädagogischer Zeigestruktur zu fassen ist. Im präsenzlosen Digitalsolipsismus an Universitäten während der coronapolitischen Schließungen kippte Lehre in operative Fehlformen des Lehrens. Diese Fehlformen sind keinesfalls harmlos, sondern zeitigen erheblich ungleichheitswirksame Effekte für Bildungsbiographien; ungleiche Lernvoraussetzungen werden erzeugt bzw. bereits vorhandene Differenzen im Chancengefüge verstärkt statt kompensiert. Dies bedeutet letztlich eine fatale pädagogische Regression in feudal-privatistische, neoliberalisierte Lehr-Lern-Verhältnisse, die aus ungleichheits-, vulnerabilitäts- und bildungsgerechtigkeitstheoretischer Überlegung aufs Schärfste zu verurteilen ist und künftig mit aller Kraft vereitelt werden muss.
Von der Toolisierung zur Enkulturation der Digitälität
Authors: Ruge Wolfgang B. , Schwaiger Silke
Published: May 2024

Im Zuge aktueller gesellschaftlicher Veränderungen stehen Hochschulen und Universitäten vor der Aufgabe, eine neue Lernkultur zu entwickeln. Hierbei spielt die zunehmende Digitalisierung des Lehrens und Lernens eine wesentliche Rolle. Im vorliegenden Beitrag entwickeln wir die These, dass eine Reduktion mediendidaktischen Handelns auf den kompetenten Einsatz von Tools noch nicht zu der anvisierten neuen Lernkultur führt und pädagogisch problematisch ist. Daran anschließend wird am Beispiel des geförderten Projekts „Writing Lab @FHWien der WKW“ skizziert, wie wir an der eigenen Hochschule eine neue Lernkultur mitgestalten möchten.
Precise tests of the axion coupling to tops
Authors: Phan A. V. , Westhoff S.
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We present an in-depth analysis of axions and axion-like particles in top-pair production at the LHC. Our main goal is to probe the axion coupling to top quarks at high energies. To this end, we calculate the top-antitop cross section and differential distributions including ALP effects up to one-loop level. By comparing these predictions with LHC precision measurements, we constrain the top coupling of axion-like particles with masses below the top-antitop threshold. Our results apply to all UV completions of the ALP effective theory with dominant couplings to top quarks, in particular to DFSZ-like axion models.
A model of pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone dark matter with two complex scalars
Authors: Abe Tomohiro , Hamada Yu , Tsumura Koji
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone (pNG) dark matter (DM) is a promising DM candidate and able to explain the measured DM abundance by the thermal freeze-out mechanism evading the stringent bound from DM direct detection experiments. We propose a new model providing a pNG DM by introducing two Standard-Model-singlet complex scalars with the same charges of a dark U(1) gauge symmetry. They are also charged under a U(1) global symmetry corresponding to their relative phase rotations, which is explicitly broken by a soft-breaking term in the scalar potential. The both U(1) symmetries are spontaneously broken by their vacuum expectation values, giving rise to one real pNG boson. We also introduce a discrete ℤ2 symmetry exchanging the two scalars to stabilize the pNG boson as DM. It is shown that this model reproduces the DM abundance consistently with the current bound from the direct detection experiments. The model has a gauge kinetic mixing between the dark and U(1)Y gauge fields, which allows the dark gauge boson to decay even with a relatively light mass and prevents it from being an additional DM component. The Landau pole is avoided thanks to the small gauge coupling constant. In addition, a DM pair dominantly annihilates into a pair of the dark gauge bosons if the gauge boson mass is lighter than the DM mass, and thus its cross section has significantly different parameter dependence from other pNG DM models. We also calculate the DM-nucleon scattering cross section at the loop level. It turns out that it is necessary to probe region covered by the neutrino fog in order to test this model.
Non-Abelian T-dualities in two dimensional (0, 2) gauged linear sigma models
Authors: Bizet Nana Geraldine Cabo , Díaz-Correa Josué , García-Compeán Hugo
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We consider two dimensional (2D) gauged linear sigma models (GLSMs) with (0, 2) supersymmetry and U(1) gauge group which posses global symmetries. We distinguish between two cases: one obtained as a reduction from the (2, 2) supersymmetric GLSM and another not coming from a reduction. In the first case we find the Abelian T-dual, comparing with previous studies. Then, the Abelian T-dual model of the second case is found. Instanton corrections are also discussed in both situations. We explore the vacua for the scalar potential and we analyse the target space geometry of the dual model. An example with gauge symmetry U(1) × U(1) is discussed, which posses non-Abelian global symmetry. Non-Abelian T-dualization of U(1) (0, 2) 2D GLSMs is implemented for models that arise as a reduction from the (2, 2) case; we study a model with U(1) gauge symmetry and SU(2) global symmetry. It is shown that for a positive definite scalar potential, the dual vacua to $${\mathbb{P}}^{1}$$ constitutes a disk. Instanton corrections to the superpotential are obtained and are shown to be encoded in a shift of the holomorphic function E. We conclude by analyzing an example with SU(2) × SU(2) global symmetry, obtaining that the space of dual vacua to $${\mathbb{P}}^{1}$$ × $${\mathbb{P}}^{1}$$ consists of two copies of the disk, also for the case of positive definite potential. Here we are able to fully integrate the equations of motion of non-Abelian T-duality, improving the analysis with respect to the studies in (2, 2) models.
USP11 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of human spermatogonial stem cells via HOXC5-mediated canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Gao Jun , Xu Zhipeng , Song Weijie , Huang Jiwei , Liu Wei , He Zuping , He Leye
Published: May 2024

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are capable of transmitting genetic information to the next generations and they are the initial cells for spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, it remains largely unknown about key genes and signaling pathways that regulate fate determinations of human SSCs and male infertility. In this study, we explored the expression, function, and mechanism of USP11 in controlling the proliferation and apoptosis of human SSCs as well as the association between its abnormality and azoospermia. We found that USP11 was predominantly expressed in human SSCs as shown by database analysis and immunohistochemistry. USP11 silencing led to decreases in proliferation and DNA synthesis and an enhancement in apoptosis of human SSCs. RNA-sequencing identified HOXC5 as a target of USP11 in human SSCs. Double immunofluorescence, Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and molecular docking demonstrated an interaction between USP11 and HOXC5 in human SSCs. HOXC5 knockdown suppressed the growth of human SSCs and increased apoptosis via the classical WNT/β-catenin pathway. In contrast, HOXC5 overexpression reversed the effect of proliferation and apoptosis induced by USP11 silencing. Significantly, lower levels of USP11 expression were observed in the testicular tissues of patients with spermatogenic disorders. Collectively, these results implicate that USP11 regulates the fate decisions of human SSCs through the HOXC5/WNT/β-catenin pathway. This study thus provides novel insights into understanding molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis and the etiology of azoospermia and it offers new targets for gene therapy of male infertility.
Loss of PBX1 function in Leydig cells causes testicular dysgenesis and male sterility
Authors: Wang Fei-Chen , Zhang Xiao-Na , Wu Shi-Xin , He Zhen , Zhang Lu-Yao , Yang Qi-En
Published: May 2024

Leydig cells are essential components of testicular interstitial tissue and serve as a primary source of androgen in males. A functional deficiency in Leydig cells often causes severe reproductive disorders; however, the transcriptional programs underlying the fate decisions and steroidogenesis of these cells have not been fully defined. In this study, we report that the homeodomain transcription factor PBX1 is a master regulator of Leydig cell differentiation and testosterone production in mice. PBX1 was highly expressed in Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells in the adult testis. Conditional deletion of Pbx1 in Leydig cells caused spermatogenic defects and complete sterility. Histological examinations revealed that Pbx1 deletion impaired testicular structure and led to disorganization of the seminiferous tubules. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed that loss of Pbx1 function affected the fate decisions of progenitor Leydig cells and altered the transcription of genes associated with testosterone synthesis in the adult testis. Pbx1 directly regulates the transcription of genes that play important roles in steroidogenesis (Prlr, Nr2f2 and Nedd4). Further analysis demonstrated that deletion of Pbx1 leads to a significant decrease in testosterone levels, accompanied by increases in pregnenolone, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone. Collectively, our data revealed that PBX1 is indispensable for maintaining Leydig cell function. These findings provide insights into testicular dysgenesis and the regulation of hormone secretion in Leydig cells.

Graphical abstract
Multi sentence description of complex manipulation action videos
Authors: Ziaeetabar Fatemeh , Safabakhsh Reza , Momtazi Saeedeh , Tamosiunaite Minija , Wörgötter Florentin
Published: May 2024

Automatic video description necessitates generating natural language statements that encapsulate the actions, events, and objects within a video. An essential human capability in describing videos is to vary the level of detail, a feature that existing automatic video description methods, which typically generate single, fixed-level detail sentences, often overlook. This work delves into video descriptions of manipulation actions, where varying levels of detail are crucial to conveying information about the hierarchical structure of actions, also pertinent to contemporary robot learning techniques. We initially propose two frameworks: a hybrid statistical model and an end-to-end approach. The hybrid method, requiring significantly less data, statistically models uncertainties within video clips. Conversely, the end-to-end method, more data-intensive, establishes a direct link between the visual encoder and the language decoder, bypassing any statistical processing. Furthermore, we introduce an Integrated Method, aiming to amalgamate the benefits of both the hybrid statistical and end-to-end approaches, enhancing the adaptability and depth of video descriptions across different data availability scenarios. All three frameworks utilize LSTM stacks to facilitate description granularity, allowing videos to be depicted through either succinct single sentences or elaborate multi-sentence narratives. Quantitative results demonstrate that these methods produce more realistic descriptions than other competing approaches.
NT-proBNP for Predicting All-Cause Death and Heart Transplant in Children and Adults with Heart Failure
Authors: Schmitt Walter , Diedrich Christian , Hamza Taye H. , Meyer Michaela , Eissing Thomas , Breitenstein Stefanie , Rossano Joseph W. , Lipshultz Steven E.
Published: May 2024

Plasma N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration is a heart failure (HF) biomarker in adults and children. Its prognostic value for HF-related events has been established only in adults. Therefore, we aimed to test the hypothesis that plasma NT-proBNP concentrations predicted the risk of heart transplantation or death in children with HF. We studied the medical records of 109 children with HF enrolled in the IBM Watson Explorys database and from 150 children enrolled in the Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Registry (PCMR). Nonlinear regression was used to assess the relationship between plasma NT-proBNP concentrations and the risk of events in the two cohorts. All children in the PCMR cohort had dilated cardiomyopathy. The Explorys cohort also included children with congenital cardiovascular malformations. Median plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were 1250 pg/mL and 184 pg/mL in the Explorys and PCMR cohorts, respectively. The percentage of deaths/heart transplantations was 7%/22%, over 2 years in the Explorys cohort and 3%/16% over 5 years in the PCMR cohort. Mean estimates of plasma NT-proBNP concentration indicative of half-maximum relative risk for events (EC50 values) at 2 and 5 years were 3730 pg/mL and 4199 pg/mL, respectively, values both close to the mean of 3880 pg/mL established for adults with HF. The plasma NT-proBNP concentration is suitable for estimating relative risk of mortality and heart transplantation in children with HF, independent of etiology and shows similar relations to clinical outcomes as in adults, indicating its likely value as a surrogate marker both for adult and pediatric HF.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00005391 (May 26, 2000), NCT01873976 (June 10, 2013).
Pre-therapy PET-based voxel-wise dosimetry prediction by characterizing intra-organ heterogeneity in PSMA-directed radiopharmaceutical theranostics
Authors: Xue Song , Gafita Andrei , Zhao Yu , Mercolli Lorenzo , Cheng Fangxiao , Rauscher Isabel , D’Alessandria Calogero , Seifert Robert , Afshar-Oromieh Ali , Rominger Axel , Eiber Matthias , Shi Kuangyu
Published: May 2024

Background and objective

Treatment planning through the diagnostic dimension of theranostics provides insights into predicting the absorbed dose of RPT, with the potential to individualize radiation doses for enhancing treatment efficacy. However, existing studies focusing on dose prediction from diagnostic data often rely on organ-level estimations, overlooking intra-organ variations. This study aims to characterize the intra-organ theranostic heterogeneity and utilize artificial intelligence techniques to localize them, i.e. to predict voxel-wise absorbed dose map based on pre-therapy PET.

Methods

23 patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T RPT were retrospectively included. 48 treatment cycles with pre-treatment PET imaging and at least 3 post-therapeutic SPECT/CT imaging were selected. The distribution of PET tracer and RPT dose was compared for kidney, liver and spleen, characterizing intra-organ heterogeneity differences. Pharmacokinetic simulations were performed to enhance the understanding of the correlation. Two strategies were explored for pre-therapy voxel-wise dosimetry prediction: (1) organ-dose guided direct projection; (2) deep learning (DL)-based distribution prediction. Physical metrics, dose volume histogram (DVH) analysis, and identity plots were applied to investigate the predicted absorbed dose map.

Results

Inconsistent intra-organ patterns emerged between PET imaging and dose map, with moderate correlations existing in the kidney (r = 0.77), liver (r = 0.5), and spleen (r = 0.58) (P < 0.025). Simulation results indicated the intra-organ pharmacokinetic heterogeneity might explain this inconsistency. The DL-based method achieved a lower average voxel-wise normalized root mean squared error of 0.79 ± 0.27%, regarding to ground-truth dose map, outperforming the organ-dose guided projection (1.11 ± 0.57%) (P < 0.05). DVH analysis demonstrated good prediction accuracy (R2 = 0.92 for kidney). The DL model improved the mean slope of fitting lines in identity plots (199% for liver), when compared to the theoretical optimal results of the organ-dose approach.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated the intra-organ heterogeneity of pharmacokinetics may complicate pre-therapy dosimetry prediction. DL has the potential to bridge this gap for pre-therapy prediction of voxel-wise heterogeneous dose map.
The impact of PET/CT and brain MRI for metastasis detection among patients with clinical T1-category lung cancer: Findings from a large-scale cohort study
Authors: Feng Yi , Cheng Bo , Zhan Shuting , Liu Haiping , Li Jianfu , Chen Peiling , Wang Zixun , Huang Xiaoyan , Fu Xiuxia , Ye Wenjun , Wang Runchen , Wang Qixia , Xiang Yang , Wang Huiting , Zhu Feng , Zheng Xin , Fu Wenhai , Hu Guodong , Chen Zhuxing , He Jianxing , Liang Wenhua
Published: May 2024

Purpose

[18F]-FDG PET/CT and brain MRI are common approaches to detect metastasis in patients of lung cancer. Current guidelines for the use of PET/CT and MRI in clinical T1-category lung cancer lack risk-based stratification and require optimization. This study stratified patients based on metastatic risk in terms of the lesions' size and morphological characteristics.

Methods

The detection rate of metastasis was measured in different sizes and morphological characteristics (solid and sub-solid) of tumors. To confirm the cut-off value for discriminating metastasis and overall survival (OS) prediction, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed based on PET/CT metabolic parameters (SUVmax/SUVmean/SULpeak/MTV/TLG), followed by Kaplan–Meier analysis for survival in post-operation patients with and without PET/CT plus MRI.

Results

2,298 patients were included. No metastasis was observed in patients with solid nodules < 8.0 mm and sub-solid nodules < 10.0 mm. The cut-off of PET/CT metabolic parameters on discriminating metastasis were 1.09 (SUVmax), 0.26 (SUVmean), 0.31 (SULpeak), 0.55 (MTV), and 0.81 (TLG), respectively. Patients undergoing PET/CT plus MRI exhibited longer OS compared to those who did not receive it in solid nodules ≥ 8.0 mm & sub-solid nodules ≥ 10.0 mm (HR, 0.44; p < 0.001); in solid nodules ≥ 8.0 mm (HR, 0.12; p<0.001) and in sub-solid nodules ≥ 10.0 mm (HR; 0.61; p=0.075), respectively. Compared to patients with metabolic parameters lower than cut-off values, patients with higher metabolic parameters displayed shorter OS: SUVmax (HR, 12.94; p < 0.001), SUVmean (HR, 11.33; p <0.001), SULpeak (HR, 9.65; p < 0.001), MTV (HR, 9.16; p = 0.031), and TLG (HR, 12.06; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The necessity of PET/CT and MRI should be cautiously evaluated in patients with solid nodules < 8.0 mm and sub-solid nodules < 10.0 mm, however, these examinations remained essential and beneficial for patients with solid nodules ≥ 8.0 mm and sub-solid nodules ≥ 10.0 mm.
A Novel Approach for Treating Lipomas: Percutaneous Microwave Ablation Combined with Liposuction
Authors: Chen Shuxun , Qiu Yinrong , Lin Li , Lin Jianhuang , Lu Yizhuo
Published: May 2024

Lipomas, benign adipose tissue tumors, are a common occurrence but currently, the options for their treatment are limited, with surgical excision being the most frequently used management pathway. This scenario can often lead to unsatisfactory cosmetic results and significant patient discomfort. This paper introduces a novel technique, percutaneous microwave ablation with liposuction, to address these challenges. The innovative procedure aims to enhance patient satisfaction, minimize post-operative discomfort, and improve aesthetic outcomes. The technique involves two key steps: (1) the application of percutaneous microwave ablation to selectively disrupt the lipoma cells, followed by (2) a targeted liposuction procedure to remove the ablated lipoma tissue. Our approach optimizes the removal of the lipoma and preserves the surrounding healthy tissue, reducing the risk of local recurrence and improving the cosmetic result. The use of preoperative ultrasound imaging allows for precise localization and delineation of the lipoma, aiding in the planning and execution of the procedure. This novel approach to lipoma treatment is reliable, associated with minimal morbidity, and consistently yields effective results. Additionally, it provides a new perspective on lipoma management, potentially changing the paradigm of current treatment approaches.

Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Copper tantalum nitride (CuTaN2) thin films prepared by reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering
Authors: Islam Md Maidul , Ranga Abhishek Goud , Borra Vamsi , Georgiev Daniel G.
Published: May 2024

RF reactive sputtering was used to deposit copper tantalum nitride (CuTaN2) films from a Cu/Ta target in an environment containing a mixture of argon and nitrogen at two different substrate temperatures: room temperature and 200 °C. The films were studied by SEM, EDS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, spectrophotometry, and resistivity measurements. The deposition conditions significantly impacted the morphology of the films, which varied from smooth, void-free films at high nitrogen concentrations and at room temperature substrates to cauliflower-like grains with voids at low nitrogen contents and elevated substrate temperatures. Despite the target’s 1:1 Cu: Ta ratio, the stoichiometric analysis showed a lower Ta content in the deposited film. The films produced on silicon substrates were polycrystalline, whereas those deposited on glass substrates were amorphous. The band gap (0.9 eV to 1.55 eV) and film resistivity (20 kΩ-cm to 76 kΩ-cm) are strongly affected by the nitrogen fraction in the sputtering gas. Increasing the nitrogen percentage in semiconductor films results in smoother films with larger bandgaps (approximately 1.5 eV), higher resistivity, and compositions closest to those of stoichiometric CuTaN2.
Physiological aging and inflammation-induced cellular senescence may contribute to oligodendroglial dysfunction in MS
Authors: Windener Farina , Grewing Laureen , Thomas Christian , Dorion Marie-France , Otteken Marie , Kular Lara , Jagodic Maja , Antel Jack , Albrecht Stefanie , Kuhlmann Tanja
Published: May 2024

Aging affects all cell types in the CNS and plays an important role in CNS diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving these age-associated changes and their contribution to diseases are only poorly understood. The white matter in the aging brain as well as in diseases, such as Multiple sclerosis is characterized by subtle abnormalities in myelin sheaths and paranodes, suggesting that oligodendrocytes, the myelin-maintaining cells of the CNS, lose the capacity to preserve a proper myelin structure and potentially function in age and certain diseases. Here, we made use of directly converted oligodendrocytes (dchiOL) from young, adult and old human donors to study age-associated changes. dchiOL from all three age groups differentiated in an comparable manner into O4 + immature oligodendrocytes, but the proportion of MBP + mature dchiOL decreased with increasing donor age. This was associated with an increased ROS production and upregulation of cellular senescence markers such as CDKN1A, CDKN2A in old dchiOL. Comparison of the transcriptomic profiles of dchiOL from adult and old donors revealed 1324 differentially regulated genes with limited overlap with transcriptomic profiles of the donors’ fibroblasts or published data sets from directly converted human neurons or primary rodent oligodendroglial lineage cells. Methylome analyses of dchiOL and human white matter tissue samples demonstrate that chronological and epigenetic age correlate in CNS white matter as well as in dchiOL and resulted in the identification of an age-specific epigenetic signature. Furthermore, we observed an accelerated epigenetic aging of the myelinated, normal appearing white matter of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients compared to healthy individuals. Impaired differentiation and upregulation of cellular senescence markers could be induced in young dchiOL in vitro using supernatants from pro-inflammatory microglia. In summary, our data suggest that physiological aging as well as inflammation-induced cellular senescence contribute to oligodendroglial pathology in inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as MS.
NRN1 epistasis with BDNF and CACNA1C: mediation effects on symptom severity through neuroanatomical changes in schizophrenia
Authors: Almodóvar-Payá Carmen , Guardiola-Ripoll Maria , Giralt-López Maria , Oscoz-Irurozqui Maitane , Canales-Rodríguez Erick Jorge , Madre Mercè , Soler-Vidal Joan , Ramiro Núria , Callado Luis F. , Arias Bárbara , Gallego Carme , Pomarol-Clotet Edith , Fatjó-Vilas Mar
Published: May 2024

The expression of Neuritin-1 (NRN1), a neurotrophic factor crucial for neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity, is enhanced by the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Although the receptor of NRN1 remains unclear, it is suggested that NRN1’s activation of the insulin receptor (IR) pathway promotes the transcription of the calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (CACNA1C). These three genes have been independently associated with schizophrenia (SZ) risk, symptomatology, and brain differences. However, research on how they synergistically modulate these phenotypes is scarce. We aimed to study whether the genetic epistasis between these genes affects the risk and clinical presentation of the disorder via its effect on brain structure. First, we tested the epistatic effect of NRN1 and BDNF or CACNA1C on (i) the risk for SZ, (ii) clinical symptoms severity and functionality (onset, PANSS, CGI and GAF), and (iii) brain cortical structure (thickness, surface area and volume measures estimated using FreeSurfer) in a sample of 86 SZ patients and 89 healthy subjects. Second, we explored whether those brain clusters influenced by epistatic effects mediate the clinical profiles. Although we did not find a direct epistatic impact on the risk, our data unveiled significant effects on the disorder’s clinical presentation. Specifically, the NRN1-rs10484320 x BDNF-rs6265 interplay influenced PANSS general psychopathology, and the NRN1-rs4960155 x CACNA1C-rs1006737 interaction affected GAF scores. Moreover, several interactions between NRN1 SNPs and BDNF-rs6265 significantly influenced the surface area and cortical volume of the frontal, parietal, and temporal brain regions within patients. The NRN1-rs10484320 x BDNF-rs6265 epistasis in the left lateral orbitofrontal cortex fully mediated the effect on PANSS general psychopathology. Our study not only adds clinical significance to the well-described molecular relationship between NRN1 and BDNF but also underscores the utility of deconstructing SZ into biologically validated brain-imaging markers to explore their mediation role in the path from genetics to complex clinical manifestation.
RRP8, associated with immune infiltration, is a prospective therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: You Kai , Du Xingxing , Zhao Yunzheng , Wen Fukai , Lu Zhaoyang , Fan Huitao
Published: May 2024

Background

Ribosomal RNA Processing 8 (RRP8) is a nucleolar Rossman fold-like methyltransferase that exhibits increased expression in many malignant tumours. However, the role of RRP8 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still uncertain. We explored the relationships between RRP8 and prognosis and immune infiltration, as well as the putative pathological function and mechanism of RRP8 in HCC.

Methods

Analysis of RRP8 expression across cancers was performed by using multiple databases. Associations between RRP8 expression and clinicopathological factors were further examined. Gene enrichment analysis was used to identify various putative biological activities and regulatory networks of RRP8 in HCC. The relationship between RRP8 expression and immune infiltration was confirmed by single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to assess the impact of clinical variables on patient outcomes. Furthermore, a nomogram was constructed to estimate survival probability based on multivariate Cox regression analysis. Functional validation of RRP8 in HCC was performed with two different systems: doxycycline-inducible shRNA knockdown and CRISPR-Cas9 knockout.

Results

RRP8 was markedly overexpressed in HCC clinical specimens compared to adjacent normal tissues. Further analysis demonstrated that RRP8 was directly connected to multiple clinical characteristics and strongly associated with various immune markers in HCC. Moreover, elevated RRP8 expression indicated an unfavourable prognosis. Our functional studies revealed that both knockdown and knockout of RRP8 dramatically attenuated liver cancer cells to proliferate and migrate. Knockout of RRP8 decreased the phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and β-catenin-(Y654) signalling pathway components; downregulated downstream signalling effectors, including Cyclin D1 and N-cadherin; and upregulated E-cadherin.

Conclusions

RRP8 is strongly implicated in immune infiltration and could be a potential therapeutic target in HCC.
Comprehensive molecular analyses of cuproptosis-related genes with regard to prognosis, immune landscape, and response to immune checkpoint blockers in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Ruixia , Tong Run , Zhang Jasmine Lin , Zhang Zhe , Deng Mingming , Hou Gang
Published: May 2024

Background

Recent studies have emphasized the importance of the biological processes of different forms of cell death in tumor heterogeneity and anti-tumor immunity. Nonetheless, the relationship between cuproptosis and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains largely unexplored.

Methods

Data for 793 LUAD samples and 59 normal lung tissues obtained from TCGA-LUAD cohort GEO datasets were used in this study. A total of 165 LUAD tissue samples and paired normal lung tissue samples obtained from our hospital were used to verify the prognostic value of dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT) and dihydrolipoamide branched chain transacylase E2 (DBT) for LUAD. The cuproptosis-related molecular patterns of LUAD were identified using consensus molecular clustering. Recursive feature elimination with random forest and a tenfold cross-validation method was applied to construct the cuproptosis score (CPS) for LUAD.

Results

Bioinformatic and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses revealed that 13 core genes of cuproptosis were all significantly elevated in LUAD tissues, among which DBT and DLAT were associated with poor prognosis (DLAT, HR = 6.103; DBT, HR = 4.985). Based on the expression pattern of the 13 genes, two distinct cuproptosis-related patterns have been observed in LUAD: cluster 2 which has a relatively higher level of cuproptosis was characterized by immunological ignorance; conversely, cluster 1 which has a relatively lower level of cuproptosis is characterized by TILs infiltration and anti-tumor response. Finally, a scoring scheme termed the CPS was established to quantify the cuproptosis-related pattern and predict the prognosis and the response to immune checkpoint blockers of each individual patient with LUAD.

Conclusion

Cuproptosis was found to influence tumor microenvironment (TME) characteristics and heterogeneity in LUAD. Patients with a lower CPS had a relatively better prognosis, more abundant immune infiltration in the TME, and an enhanced response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Groundwater salinization risk in coastal regions triggered by earthquake-induced saltwater intrusion
Authors: Kuriqi Alban , Abd-Elaty Ismail
Published: May 2024

Anthropogenic factors such as over-pumping and natural events such as earthquakes impact coastal aquifers by reducing freshwater recharge, aquifer water budgets, and increasing saltwater intrusion (SWI). This study investigates the impact of hydrodynamic forces induced by earthquakes on SWI in one hypothetical case, namely, the Henry problem, and a real case of the Biscayne aquifer located in Florida, USA. The analysis was carried out using the analytical solution of estimating the earthquake’s induced hydrodynamic pressure and applying the SEAWAT code to investigate the SWI for the base case and three scenarios, namely for the horizontal acceleration (αh) by 0.10 g, 0.20 g, and 0.30 g. The results show that earthquakes might considerably increase the SWI in coastal aquifers. Moreover, the rise in salinity across expansive land areas significantly threatens agricultural productivity and jeopardizes food security. Namely, in the case of Biscayne aquifer, salinity was increased by 12.10%, 21.90%, and 45.70% for the horizontal seismic acceleration of 0.1 g, 0.20 g, and 0.30 g, respectively. Hence, the conclusions drawn from this study underscore the need for carefull consideration of earthquake impacts in future planning and water management strategies for coastal regions. This proactive approach is crucial to preemptively address and mitigate the groundwater salinization hazard associated with SWI fluctuations due to earthquakes.
Design and characterization of a silicon MEMS microvalve for proportional flow control based on electrostatic bending actuators
Authors: Jongmanns Marcel , Kaiser Bert , Ruffert Christine , Langa Sergiu
Published: May 2024

We designed a MEMS microvalve based on the nanoscopic electrostatic drive (NED) technology (Nat Commun 6:10078, 2015). NED actuators, electrostatically controlled bending beams, are implemented in a clamped-clamped configuration. A normally open plunger valve was designed and characterized. The device is manufactured from silicon. Gas flow rates of up to 37 SCCM can be proportionally controlled between 10% and 100%. A 10% leakage is always present at low backpressures (< 10 kPa) and increases to roughly 20% at 75 kPa backpressure. The structure has been tested up to backpressures of 300 kPa without damage to the structures, but the leakage increases to over 95%. Our unprecedented microvalve concept shows that it is possible to manufacture all-silicon MEMS microvalves with proportional control of the flow rate. The presented work is a proof of concept to test the capabilities of the NED technology for the use in microvalves. There are plans to decrease the leakage in future designs by introducing an additional sealing layer as well as manufacturing a shutter instead of a plunger design.
The stock market reaction to political and economic changes: the Spanish case
Authors: Castaño Leticia , Farinós José E. , Ibáñez Ana M.
Published: May 2024

As other European countries, Spain has experienced a turmoil in which new political parties emerged with force after the global financial crisis in 2008. In this context, we analyze whether the empirical implications of the opportunistic and partisan theories, as well as the Uncertain Information Hypothesis, are met in the Spanish stock market, considering the size and the industry of the companies. The horizon of our study takes into account the seven general elections, 24 regional elections and 4 European elections held from 2002 to 2019, period in which Spain is fully integrated in the economic and monetary union and under the macroeconomic imbalance procedure. Our results do not support the opportunistic and partisan theories, or the Uncertain Information Hypothesis. Our evidence suggests that the short-term negative market reaction to the general elections is linked to the uncertainty with a change in the political sign of the incumbent. Besides, it is not related to size or industry characteristics.