bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early exposure to phosphorus starvation induces genetically determined responses in Sorghum bicolor roots
Authors: Mikwa Erick O. , Wittkop Benjamin , Windpassinger Steffen M. , Weber Sven E. , Ehrhardt Dorit , Snowdon Rod J.
Published: September 2024

Key message

We identified novel physiological and genetic responses to phosphorus starvation in sorghum diversity lines that augment current knowledge of breeding for climate-smart crops in Europe.

Phosphorus (P) deficiency and finite P reserves for fertilizer production pose a threat to future global crop production. Understanding root system architecture (RSA) plasticity is central to breeding for P-efficient crops. Sorghum is regarded as a P-efficient and climate-smart crop with strong adaptability to different climatic regions of the world. Here we investigated early genetic responses of sorghum RSA to P deficiency in order to identified genotypes with interesting root phenotypes and responses under low P. A diverse set of sorghum lines (n = 285) was genotyped using DarTSeq generating 12,472 quality genome wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Root phenotyping was conducted in a paper-based hydroponic rhizotron system under controlled greenhouse conditions with low and optimal P nutrition, using 16 RSA traits to describe genetic and phenotypic variability at two time points. Genotypic and phenotypic P-response variations were observed for multiple root traits at 21 and 42 days after germination with high broad sense heritability (0.38–0.76). The classification of traits revealed four distinct sorghum RSA types, with genotypes clustering separately under both low and optimal P conditions, suggesting genetic control of root responses to P availability. Association studies identified quantitative trait loci in chromosomes Sb02, Sb03, Sb04, Sb06 and Sb09 linked with genes potentially involved in P transport and stress responses. The genetic dissection of key factors underlying RSA responses to P deficiency could enable early identification of P-efficient sorghum genotypes. Genotypes with interesting RSA traits for low P environments will be incorporated into current sorghum breeding programs for later growth stages and field-based evaluations.
Impact of different parametric Patlak imaging approaches and comparison with a 2-tissue compartment pharmacokinetic model with a long axial field-of-view (LAFOV) PET/CT in oncological patients
Authors: Pan Leyun , Sachpekidis Christos , Hassel Jessica , Christopoulos Petros , Dimitrakopoulou-Strauss Antonia
Published: September 2024

Aim

The recently introduced Long-Axial-Field-of-View (LAFOV) PET-CT scanners allow for the first-time whole-body dynamic- and parametric imaging. Primary aim of this study was the comparison of direct and indirect Patlak imaging as well as the comparison of different time frames for Patlak calculation with the LAFOV PET-CT in oncological patients. Secondary aims of the study were lesion detectability and comparison of Patlak analysis with a two-tissue-compartment model (2TCM).

Methodology

50 oncological patients with 346 tumor lesions were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent [18F]FDG PET/CT (skull to upper thigh). Here, the Image-Derived-Input-Function) (IDIF) from the descending aorta was used as the exclusive input function. Four sets of images have been reviewed visually and evaluated quantitatively using the target-to-background (TBR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR): short-time (30 min)-direct (STD) Patlak Ki, short-time (30 min)-indirect (STI) Patlak Ki, long-time (59.25 min)-indirect (LTI) Patlak Ki, and 50–60 min SUV (sumSUV). VOI-based 2TCM was used for the evaluation of tumor lesions and normal tissues and compared with the results of Patlak model.

Results

No significant differences were observed between the four approaches regarding the number of tumor lesions. However, we found three discordant results: a true positive liver lesion in all Patlak Ki images, a false positive liver lesion delineated only in LTI Ki which was a hemangioma according to MRI and a true negative example in a patient with an atelectasis next to a lung tumor. STD, STI and LTI Ki images had superior TBR in comparison with sumSUV images (2.9-, 3.3- and 4.3-fold higher respectively). TBR of LTI Ki were significantly higher than STD Ki. VOI-based k3 showed a 21-fold higher TBR than sumSUV. Parameters of different models vary in their differential capability between tumor lesions and normal tissue like Patlak Ki which was better in normal lung and 2TCM k3 which was better in normal liver. 2TCM Ki revealed the highest correlation (r = 0.95) with the LTI Patlak Ki in tumor lesions group and demonstrated the highest correlation with the STD Patlak Ki in all tissues group and normal tissues group (r = 0.93 and r = 0.74 respectively).

Conclusions

Dynamic [18F]-FDG with the new LAFOV PET/CT scanner produces Patlak Ki images with better lesion contrast than SUV images, but does not increase the lesion detection rate. The time window used for Patlak imaging plays a more important role than the direct or indirect method. A combination of different models, like Patlak and 2TCM may be helpful in parametric imaging to obtain the best TBR in the whole body in future.
EANM position paper on challenges and opportunities of full-ring 360° CZT bone imaging: it’s time to let go of planar whole-body bone imaging
Authors: Graham Richard , Morland David , Cade Sarah , Imbert Laetitia , Panagiotidis Emmanouil , Kurth Jens , Paycha Frédéric , Van den Wyngaert Tim
Published: September 2024

The introduction of smaller footprint, more sensitive Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT)-based detectors with improved spatial and energy resolution has enabled the design of innovative full-ring 360° CZT SPECT/CT systems (e.g., VERITON® and StarGuide™). With this transformative technology now aiming to become mainstream in clinical practice, several critical questions need to be addressed. This EANM position paper provides practical recommendations on how to use these devices for routine bone SPECT/CT studies, facilitating the transition from traditional planar whole-body imaging and conventional SPECT/CT to these novel systems. In particular, initial guidance is provided on imaging acquisition and reporting workflows, image reconstruction, and CT acquisition parameters. Given the emerging nature of this technology, the available evidence base is still limited, and the proposed adaptations in workflows and scan protocols will likely evolve before being integrated into definitive guidelines. In the meantime, this EANM position paper serves as a comprehensive guide for integrating these advanced hybrid SPECT/CT imaging systems into clinical practice and outlining areas for further study.
Analysis of Wilms’ tumor protein 1 specific TCR repertoire in AML patients uncovers higher diversity in patients in remission than in relapsed
Authors: Gielis Sofie , Flumens Donovan , van der Heijden Sanne , Versteven Maarten , De Reu Hans , Bartholomeus Esther , Schippers Jolien , Campillo-Davo Diana , Berneman Zwi N. , Anguille Sébastien , Smits Evelien , Ogunjimi Benson , Lion Eva , Laukens Kris , Meysman Pieter
Published: September 2024

The Wilms’ tumor protein 1 (WT1) is a well-known and prioritized tumor-associated antigen expressed in numerous solid and blood tumors. Its abundance and immunogenicity have led to the development of different WT1-specific immune therapies. The driving player in these therapies, the WT1-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, has received much less attention. Importantly, T cells with high affinity against the WT1 self-antigen are normally eliminated after negative selection in the thymus and are thus rare in peripheral blood. Here, we developed computational models for the robust and fast identification of WT1-specific TCRs from TCR repertoire data. To this end, WT137-45 (WT1-37) and WT1126-134 (WT1-126)-specific T cells were isolated from WT1 peptide-stimulated blood of healthy individuals. The TCR repertoire from these WT1-specific T cells was sequenced and used to train a pattern recognition model for the identification of WT1-specific TCR patterns for the WT1-37 or WT1-126 epitopes. The resulting computational models were applied on an independent published dataset from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, to track WT1-specific TCRs in silico. Several WT1-specific TCRs were found in AML patients. Subsequent clustering analysis of all repertoires indicated the presence of more diverse TCR patterns within the WT1-specific TCR repertoires of AML patients in complete remission in contrast to relapsing patients. We demonstrate the possibility of tracking WT1-37 and WT1-126-specific TCRs directly from TCR repertoire data using computational methods, eliminating the need for additional blood samples and experiments for the two studied WT1 epitopes.
Solitary-Wave Solutions of the Fractional Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation: I—Existence and Numerical Generation
Authors: Durán Angel , Reguera Nuria
Published: September 2024

The present paper is the first part of a project devoted to the fractional nonlinear Schrödinger (fNLS) equation. It is concerned with the existence and numerical generation of the solitary-wave solutions. For the first point, some conserved quantities of the problem are used to search for solitary-wave solutions from a constrained critical point problem and the application of the concentration-compactness theory. Several properties of the waves, such as the regularity and the asymptotic decay in some cases, are derived from the existence result. Some other properties, such as the monotone behavior and the speed-amplitude relation, will be explored computationally. To this end, a numerical procedure for the generation of the profiles is proposed. The method is based on a Fourier pseudospectral approximation of the differential system for the profiles and the use of Petviashvili’s iteration with extrapolation.
KF-PEV: a causal Kalman filter-based particle event velocimetry
Authors: AlSattam Osama , Mongin Michael , Grose Mitchell , Gunasekaran Sidaard , Hirakawa Keigo
Published: September 2024

Event-based pixel sensors asynchronously report changes in log-intensity in microsecond-order resolution. Its exceptional speed, cost effectiveness, and sparse event stream make it an attractive imaging modality for particle tracking velocimetry. In this work, we propose a causal Kalman filter-based particle event velocimetry (KF-PEV). Using the Kalman filter model to track the events generated by the particles seeded in the flow medium, KF-PEV yields the linear least squares estimate of the particle track velocities corresponding to the flow vector field. KF-PEV processes events in a computationally efficient and streaming manner (i.e., causal and iteratively updating). Our simulation-based benchmarking study with synthetic particle event data confirms that the proposed KF-PEV outperforms the conventional frame-based particle image/tracking velocimetry as well as the state-of-the-art event-based particle velocimetry methods. In a real-world water tunnel event-based sensor data experiment performed on what we believe to be the widest field view ever reported, KF-PEV accurately predicted the expected flow field of the SD7003 wing, including details such as the lower velocity in the wake and the flow separation around the underside of an angled wing.
Hormonal and inflammatory responses in prepubertal vs. pubertal male children following an acute free-weight resistance training session
Authors: Jansson Daniel , Lundberg Elena , Rullander Anna-Clara , Domellöf Magnus , Lindberg Ann-Sofie , Andersson Helena , Theos Apostolos
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Examine the acute hormonal and cytokine responses to free-weight resistance training in trained prepubertal and pubertal male children.

Methods

Prepubertal (n = 21; age 11.4 ± 1.1 years; Tanner I–II) and pubertal male children (n = 20; age 15.8 ± 0.7 years; Tanner III–V) conducted a moderate-intensity free-weight resistance training program to failure with venous blood sampling before (pre), immediately after (post) and during the recovery phase of the program (post-15,-30 min). Growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), cortisol, testosterone, IL-6, and TNF-α were analyzed in serum samples. Biological maturation was assessed according to the stages of the Tanner scale.

Results

There was a significant time-by-group interaction in IGF-I response (p = 0.044; η2 = 0.209) and testosterone (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.508), indicating a greater change in the pubertal group compared to the prepubertal group. Both groups significantly increased post-exercise GH levels (p < 0.05). Only the prepuberal group significantly increased levels of IL-6 at all post-exercise time points (p < 0.05). Both groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in TNF-α levels compared to resting levels.

Conclusion

These data suggest that acute testosterone and IGF-I response following resistance training differ between trained prepubertal and pubertal male children. Moderate-intensity resistance training performed to failure may thus have different effects in trained prepubertal and pubertal male children, which should be considered when giving training advice.

Trial registration

Clinical trials number: NCT05022992.
Changes in hormonal profiles during competition preparation in physique athletes
Authors: Isola Ville , Hulmi Juha J. , Mbay Theo , Kyröläinen Heikki , Häkkinen Keijo , Ahola Vilho , Helms Eric R. , Ahtiainen Juha P.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Physique athletes engage in rigorous competition preparation involving intense energy restriction and physical training to enhance muscle definition. This study investigates hormonal changes and their physiological and performance impacts during such preparation.

Methods

Participants included female (10 competing (COMP) and 10 non-dieting controls (CTRL)) and male (13 COMP and 10 CTRL) physique athletes. COMP participants were tested 23 weeks before (PRE), one week before (MID), and 23 weeks after the competition (POST). Non-dieting CTRL participants were tested at similar intervals. Measurements included body composition (DXA), muscle cross-sectional area (ultrasound), energy availability (EA) derived by subtracting exercise energy expenditure (EEE) from energy intake (EI) and dividing by fat-free mass (FFM), muscle strength, and various serum hormone concentrations (ACTH, cortisol, estradiol, FSH, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, insulin, and free and total testosterone and SHBG).

Results

During the diet, EA (p < 0.001), IGF-1 (p < 0.001), IGFBP-3 (p < 0.01), and absolute muscle strength (p < 0.01–0.001) decreased significantly in both sexes in COMP. Decreases in IGF-1 were also associated with higher loss in FFM. In males, testosterone (p < 0.01) and free testosterone (p < 0.05) decreased, while SHBG (p < 0.001) and cortisol (p < 0.05) increased. Insulin decreased significantly only in males (p < 0.001). Mood disturbances, particularly increased fatigue in males (p < 0.05), highlighted the psychological strain of competition preparation. All these changes were restored by increased EA during the post-competition recovery period.

Conclusion

Significant reductions in IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 during competition preparation may serve as biomarkers for monitoring physiological stress. This study offers valuable insights into hormonal changes, muscle strength, and mood state during energy-restricted intense training.
Immune mediators in heart–lung communication
Authors: Gillan Jonathan L. , Jaeschke Lara , Kuebler Wolfgang M. , Grune Jana
Published: September 2024

It is often the case that serious, end-stage manifestations of disease result from secondary complications in organs distinct from the initial site of injury or infection. This is particularly true of diseases of the heart–lung axis, given the tight anatomical connections of the two organs within a common cavity in which they collectively orchestrate the two major, intertwined circulatory pathways. Immune cells and the soluble mediators they secrete serve as effective, and targetable, messengers of signals between different regions of the body but can also contribute to the spread of pathology. In this review, we discuss the immunological basis of interorgan communication between the heart and lung in various common diseases, and in the context of organ crosstalk more generally. Gaining a greater understanding of how the heart and lung communicate in health and disease, and viewing disease progression generally from a more holistic, whole-body viewpoint have the potential to inform new diagnostic approaches and strategies for better prevention and treatment of comorbidities.
The risk of endocrine interventions in carriers of a genetic predisposition for breast and gynecologic cancers: recommendations of the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Ortmann O. , Schüler-Toprak S. , Kast K. ,   For The working group “Hormones”, The German Consortium for Hereditary Breast, Ovarian Cancer (GC-HBOC), Fehm T. , Hahne A. , Huber D. , Kühnle E. , Mohr K. , Rhiem K. , Seitz S. , Speiser D.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To support doctors in counselling women with genetic predisposition for breast or gynecologic cancers on endocrine interventions.

Methods

Evidence on the safety of endocrine interventions for fertility treatment, contraception, hormone replacement therapy after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) or treatment of symptoms during peri- and postmenopause was analysed for carriers of probably pathogenic and pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2-pV), in other breast and ovarian cancer genes and the Lynch Syndrome. Cancer risks were compared with data on risks for the general population.

Results

Data on risk modulation of endocrine interventions in women with genetic predisposition is limited. Ovarian hyperstimulation for fertility treatment may be performed. Oral contraceptives should not be used to reduce ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1/2-pV carriers. Premenopausal BRCA1/2-pV carriers and carriers of pV in Lynch Syndrome genes should be offered hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after RRSO, to prevent diseases caused by estrogen deficiency.

Conclusion

Effect direction and strength of risk modulation by endocrine interventions is similar to the general population. Participation of individuals at risk in prospective registries is recommended.
Needs, preferences, and patient participation for a randomized controlled trial on postneoadjuvant complete tumor response: A qualitative study of patients with esophageal cancer
Authors: Czornik Manuel , Weis Joachim , Kiemen Andrea , Schmoor Claudia , Hipp Julian , Hoeppner Jens
Published: September 2024

Purpose

For patients with clinical complete response of non-metastatic esophageal cancer (EC) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT), the two treatment options obligate postneoadjuvant surgery as the current standard treatment (surgery on principle) versus active surveillance with surgery as needed only in recurring loco-regional tumor as a possible future alternative or standard exist. Since these treatments are presumably equivalent in terms of overall survival, patient-centered information can encourage the discussion with the treating physician and can make it easier for patients to make trade-offs between the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment alternatives in a highly distressed situation.

Methods

A qualitative prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to create patient-centered information material that is based on patients’ preferences, needs, and concerns regarding the two treatment options, and to investigate the potential participation in a consecutive randomized controlled trial (RCT). Therefore, EC patients (N = 11) were asked about their attitudes.

Results

Concerns about the surgery and possible postoperative impairments in quality of life were identified as most mentioned negative aspects of surgery on principle, and recurrence and progression fear and the concern that surgery cannot be avoided anyways as most named negative aspects of surgery as needed. In regard to the participation in an RCT, making a contribution to science and the hope that the novel therapy would be superior to the established one were relevant arguments to participate. On the other hand, the lack of a proactive selection of treatment was named an important barrier to participation in an RCT.

Conclusion

The importance of adapting medical conversations to the patients’ lack of expertise and their exceptional cognitive and emotional situation is stressed. Results of this study can be used to improve patient-centered information and the recruitment of patients in RCTs in cancer.
ASA-score is associated with 90-day mortality after complicated mild traumatic brain injury – a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kiwanuka Olivia , Lassarén Philipp , Hånell Anders , Boström Lennart , Thelin Eric P.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study explores the association of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score with 90-day mortality in complicated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients, and in trauma patients without a TBI.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted using a cohort of trauma patients treated at a level III trauma center in Stockholm, Sweden from January to December 2019. The primary endpoint was 90-day mortality. The population was identified using the Swedish Trauma registry. The Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) was used to estimate the likelihood of survival. Trauma patients without TBI (NTBI) were used for comparison. Data analysis was conducted using R software, and statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

A total of 244 TBI patients and 579 NTBI patients were included, with a 90-day mortality of 8.2% (n = 20) and 5.4% (n = 21), respectively. Deceased patients in both cohorts were generally older, with greater comorbidities and higher injury severity. Complicated mTBI constituted 97.5% of the TBI group. Age and an ASA score of 3 or higher were independently associated with increased mortality risk in the TBI group, with odds ratios of 1.04 (95% 1.00–1.09) and 3.44 (95% CI 1.10–13.41), respectively. Among NTBI patients, only age remained a significant mortality predictor. TRISS demonstrated limited predictive utility across both cohorts, yet a significant discrepancy was observed between the outcome groups within the NTBI cohort.

Conclusion

This retrospective cohort study highlights a significant association between ASA score and 90-day mortality in elderly patients with complicated mTBI, something that could not be observed in comparative NTBI cohort. These findings suggest the benefit of incorporating ASA score into prognostic models to enhance the accuracy of outcome prediction models in these populations, though further research is warranted.
Assessing the impact of energy R&D on green growth in OECD countries: a CS-ARDL analysis
Authors: Eid Ashraf Galal , Mrabet Zouhair , Alsamara Mouyad
Published: September 2024

Since the introduction of the OECD innovation and green growth strategies in 2007 and 2011, respectively, the OECD countries have been actively engaged in supporting green energy R&D to accelerate the development of clean energy technologies. Specifically, the OECD recognizes that both renewable energy R&D and energy efficiency R&D are key components of a low-carbon and sustainable energy system. This study aims to assess the impact of disaggregated energy R&D on green growth in 21 high-income OECD countries, from 1990 to 2021. Two key green growth indicators, namely energy productivity and CO2 productivity, are used as response variables. The long-run CS-ARDL model results show that renewable energy R&D and fossil fuel R&D have a positive and significant impact on energy productivity in all model specifications, with renewable energy R&D exhibiting a relatively stronger impact compared to fossil fuel R&D. The long-run effects of the disaggregated energy R&D variables on CO2 productivity align with the results of the energy productivity model. Based on the study's findings, policymakers should consider reallocating the energy R&D budget towards renewable energy R&D, fostering international collaboration between OECD countries in renewable energy R&D, and implementing technology-specific policies to encourage investment in renewable energy technologies.
Travel distance estimation of landslide-induced debris flows by machine learning method in Nepal Himalaya after the Gorkha earthquake
Authors: Qiu Chenchen , Geng Xueyu
Published: September 2024

Debris flows are more likely to be triggered in the earthquake-strike areas with a widespread presence of unstable slopes, causing severe casualties and changing the surrounding natural topography. In such scenario, estimating the travel distance of debris flows becomes crucial to understand the hazardous areas. Therefore, a hybrid machine learning model (GA-XGBoost) was employed to achieve a reliable estimation of debris-flow travel distance. This model was applied to the Nepal Himalayas, the site of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. We selected four geomorphological factors for travel distance estimation. They are the volume of failure mass (VL), the height difference between the material source center and end point of movement mass (H), the mean gradient of the travel path (J), and the mean curvature of the travel path (C). Furthermore, to eliminate the noise information and enhance stability of input data, a principal component analysis (PCA) was used to generate three principal components (PC1, PC2, and PC3) from the selected factors to serve as input variables of model development. The performance of this model was evaluated using the assessment indexes, resulting in a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 8.71%, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 144.3 m, and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 86.1 m. Four empirical approaches were also introduced for comparison analysis. Our proposed model has proven to be superior and effective, as the estimated results closely match the actual values. All the results affirm the suitability of our developed model for estimating the travel distance of landslide-induced debris flows following a strong earthquake.
Comparison of the urinary microbiome in men who have sex with men with and without Chlamydia trachomatis infection
Authors: Mofolorunsho Kehinde C. , Mabaso Nonkululeko G. , Nundlall Nikita , Ojo Abidemi O. , Cason Errol D. , Abbai Nathlee S.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The urinary tract is colonized by microbial communities that impact urinary health. Previous studies have suggested that the bacterial composition of the male urinary microbiota is related to STIs. This study assessed the bacterial composition of the urinary microbiome in South African MSM with and without C. trachomatis.

Methods

This study used urine samples from MSM attending care at the King Edward VIII hospital and the Aurum Institute in Durban, South Africa. A total of 200 samples were tested for C. trachomatis infection using the Applied Biosystems™ TaqMan® Assays. Urinary microbiomes of 23 samples were characterized using 16 S rRNA (V3 and V4) gene sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform.

Results

Bacterial taxonomic analysis showed a high abundance of Streptococcus, Corynebacterium, and Staphylococcus in all the sequenced samples. Moreover, Prevotella and Lactobacillus were detected in urine samples of MSM. Alpha diversity metrics showed a slight increase in microbial diversity in C. trachomatis positive samples; however, this was not significant (ANOVA, P > 0.05). Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) showed that the microbiome of C. trachomatis infected MSM was not clearly different from those uninfected. Distinct bacterial communities were not detected between positive and negative samples (PERMANOVA F1,22= 1.0284, R2 = 0.047%, P = 0.385).

Conclusion

Most microbiome studies on MSM to date have focused on the gut microenvironment. Few studies, however, have provided data regarding the normal composition of the male urethral microbiomes or if these microbiomes are associated with male STIs. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge highlighting the urinary microbiome in MSM.
Iterative Deep Learning Approach to Active Portfolio Management with Sentiment Factors
Authors: Pantoja Robayo Javier Orlando , Alemán Muñoz Julián Alberto , Tellez-Falla Diego F.
Published: September 2024

We suggest using deep learning networks to create expert opinions as part of an iterative active portfolio management process. These opinions would be based on posts from the X platform and the fundamentals of stocks listed in the S&P 500 index. Expert views are integral to active portfolio management, as proposed by Black–Litterman. The method we propose addresses the original subjectivity of the opinions by incorporating innovation and accuracy to generate views using analytical techniques. We utilize daily data from 2010 to 2022 for stocks from the S&P 500 and daily posts from Twitter API v2, collected under a research account license spanning the same period. We found that incorporating sentiment factors with machine learning techniques into the view generation process of the Black–Litterman model improves optimal portfolio allocation. Empirically, our results notably outperform the S&P 500 market when considering the annualized alpha.
The impacts of stockout cost on a stochastic production-inventory system in minimizing total cost conditional value-at-risk
Authors: Bai Bingfeng , Li Bo , Jia Xingzhi
Published: September 2024

Conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) is a metric for downside risks and increasingly used in supply chain management. Under this metric, we build a single-item production-inventory model with stochastic demand. The production capacity, too, is stochastic due to random unit processing time. The total cost includes stockout, inventory holding, and backordering costs and accumulates. After presenting convexity properties of the total cost CVaR within a finite time horizon, we propose a two-moment closed-form normal approximation of it using Markov reward chain theory. The approximated total cost CVaR is exact with respect to the length of the horizon asymptotically. The desirable base-stock levels obtained perform satisfactorily for industry settings. In an extension, we have also benchmarked the proposed approximation with alternative formulations and show that the proposed approximation works satisfactorily. With a numerical simulation experiment, we outline observations and findings that characterize how relevant economic factors could impact the approximately optimal base-stock levels.
Transforming traditions into academic resources: a study of Chinese scholars in the humanities and social sciences
Authors: Zhu Yanzhen , Shen Yuting , Yang Rui
Published: September 2024

The asymmetrical global higher education and knowledge systems ordered by Euro–American hegemony have been increasingly interrogated, especially by scholars in the humanities and social sciences (HSS). With gathering awareness, growing HSS scholars from non-Western backgrounds have called for global intellectual pluriversality. Responding to such a trend, this article sheds new light on the status quo of East Asian and other non-Euro–American intellectual traditions by taking Chinese intellectual traditions as a case. Since the nineteenth century, generations of Chinese intellectuals have strived to transform their intellectual traditions into modern resources. This historical mission has been carried on by contemporary scholars and become even more complex in the current global era. By unpacking the real perceptions and recent experiences of Chinese HSS scholars, this study demonstrates that Chinese intellectual traditions deeply influence today’s knowledge production and have been transformed into three kinds of academic resources: approaches, methodologies/paradigms, and theories. However, the transformation process has never been smooth. Domestically, the great endeavours of Chinese HSS scholars are often impeded by the dominant intellectual extraversion and coercive audit culture; internationally, they feel constrained by epistemic injustice. This article proposes an empirical approach to examining and presenting intellectual traditions in the individual experiences of scholars. It reveals the high complexities of navigating through asymmetrical globalisation to achieve intellectual pluriversality.
Three Injustices of Adaptation Finance - A Relational Egalitarian Analysis
Authors: Schulan Alexander , Heilinger Jan-Christoph
Published: September 2024

This primarily diagnostic paper offers, from the perspective of relational egalitarianism, a normative analysis of three major injustices in the context of adaptation finance. Adaptation finance includes payments provided by the affluent countries of the Global North to low-income countries in the Global South, countries particularly exposed to the harms of climate change. Relational egalitarianism is the normative view that interactions between people and between institutions have to respect the equal moral status of every human being. The first injustice, from this perspective, consists in the sheer fact that adaptation measures are required at all to deflect harm from people who did not significantly contribute to the causes of climate change. The second injustice consists in the persisting, even increasing adaptation finance gap, as countries of the Global North do neither provide adequate financial means to reduce climate risks, nor even fulfil their commitments to adaptation finance pledged in the Copenhagen Accord in 2009. The third injustice emerges from current procedures to determine criteria for distributing scarce financial resources that consolidate structural injustice. The paper concludes by providing the contours of a practical response to these injustices that respects the demands of relational egalitarianism.
Under pressure: inhibited sporophyte growth of the sugar kelp Saccharina latissima (Phaeophyceae)
Authors: Cunningham Eoghan Mánus , Wright Luka Seamus , Crowe Molly , Healey Emma , Robinson Laura F. , Ng Hong Chin , Kregting Louise
Published: September 2024

Seaweed aquaculture, which takes place mostly in Asia, is a lucrative industry that is valued > US $9 billion. However, technological modifications are needed to ensure economic viability and growth of the seaweed aquaculture industry throughout Europe. While current research is investigating the use of certain mechanised processes in seaweed aquaculture, the impact of pressurised spraying of macroalgal cultures on subsequent growth remains unknown. Here, we aimed to determine the efficacy of a future mechanised seeding procedure by investigating how differing pressure treatments impact upon the growth and percentage cover of zoospores seeded onto twine in the hatchery, using the kelp Saccharina latissima as a model species. Zoospore solutions were subjected to pressures of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 bar, before being seeded on hatchery twine and left to grow for 7 weeks. We demonstrate that both percentage cover and sporophyte lengths for S. latissima are significantly reduced by ~ 22% and ~ 61%, respectively, when juvenile zoospores are subjected to increasing pressure from 1 to 5 bar. This indicates that minimal pressure in the use of mechanised hatchery techniques is optimal for growth of seaweed.
Predictive value of perilesional edema volume in melanoma brain metastasis response to stereotactic radiosurgery
Authors: Yavorska Mariya , Tomaciello Miriam , Sciurti Antonio , Cinelli Elisa , Rubino Giovanni , Perrella Armando , Cerase Alfonso , Pastina Pierpaolo , Gravina Giovanni Luca , Arcieri Silvia , Mazzei Maria Antonietta , Migliara Giuseppe , Baccolini Valentina , Marampon Francesco , Minniti Giuseppe , Di Giacomo Anna Maria , Tini Paolo
Published: September 2024

Background and aim

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is an established treatment for melanoma brain metastases (MBM). Recent evidence suggests that perilesional edema volume (PEV) might compromise the delivery and efficacy of radiotherapy to treat BM. This study investigated the association between SRT efficacy and PEV extent in MBM.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study reviewed medical records from January 2020 to September 2023. Patients with up to 5 measurable MBMs, intracranial disease per RANO/iRANO criteria, and on low-dose corticosteroids were included. MRI scans assessed baseline neuroimaging, with PEV analyzed using 3D Slicer. SRT plans were based on MRI-CT fusion, delivering 18–32.5 Gy in 1–5 fractions. Outcomes included intracranial objective response rate (iORR) and survival measures (L-iPFS and OS). Statistical analysis involved decision tree analysis and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for clinical and treatment variables.

Results

Seventy-two patients with 101 MBM were analyzed, with a mean age of 68.83 years. The iORR was 61.4%, with Complete Response (CR) in 21.8% and Partial Response (PR) in 39.6% of the treated lesions. PEV correlated with KPS, BRAF status, and treatment response. Decision tree analysis identified a PEV cutoff at 0.5 cc, with lower PEVs predicting better responses (AUC = 0.82 sensitivity: 86.7%, specificity:74.4%,). Patients with PEV ≥ 0.5 cc had lower response rates (iORR 44.7% vs. 63.8%, p < 0.001). Median OS was 9.4 months, with L-iPFS of 27 months. PEV significantly impacted survival outcomes.

Conclusions

A more extensive PEV was associated with a less favorable outcome to SRT in MBM.
The deregulation of quarterly reporting and its effects on information asymmetry and firm value
Authors: Behrmann Vanessa , Hornuf Lars , Vrankar Daniel , Zimmermann Jochen
Published: September 2024

In this article, we investigate accounting deregulation and analyze whether a reduction in the minimum content requirements for quarterly reporting negatively impacts information asymmetry and reduces firm value. Taking advantage of one of the rare deregulating measures, namely the transposition of the EU’s Transparency Directive into German law, and using a novel dataset of firms listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, we manually examine firms’ quarterly reports for their content elements and construct a new quarterly reporting measure with an ordinal quality dimension. The results show that deregulation reverses beneficial regulatory effects and, on average, increases information asymmetry and decreases firm value. We find that this effect is stronger for first-tier stocks, highlighting the importance of quarterly reporting for these firms. The results are robust to potential selection effects regarding firms’ choice of quarterly reporting content levels.
Recovery dynamics of wetland vegetation along a hydrological gradient in an agriculturally used inland valley in Uganda
Authors: Behn Kai , Alvarez Miguel , Mutebi Samuel , Becker Mathias
Published: September 2024

Wetlands in East Africa are important for providing ecosystem services and for conserving biodiversity. They are also suitable and increasingly used for agriculture. Between cropping cycles, spontaneous vegetation regrows on fallow plots. We hypothesize that recovery is affected by hydro-edaphic conditions and the duration of the fallow period. Land use intensification reduces fallow durations. A multi-year field study investigated the dynamics, biodiversity, and potential uses of fallow vegetation species after a disturbance event in an inland valley wetland in Central Uganda. The wetland was stratified into three hydrological positions along a gradient comprising the valley fringe, the mid-valley, and the riparian zone. In each zone, biomass was removed, and the soil was tilled, simulating a common disturbance event. Subsequently, four plots of 4 × 4 m size were delineated in each zone. Vegetation regrowth was subsequently monitored over a period of two years. We recorded and analyzed changes in aboveground live biomass, abundance of selected plant species, taxonomic and functional composition, and evenness during a 27-months recovery phase. While annual species dominated the vegetation initially, these were gradually replaced by herbaceous perennials, and eventually by tall reeds and woody plants, constituting three successional stages. The dynamics were similar, but species composition differed across the positions. At all successional stages, we observed the presence of useful wild plants, but also invasive species such as Mimosa pigra were recorded. While temporary fallows are important for biodiversity in tropical wetlands, such successions cannot substitute for the functions and services provided by natural vegetation and may promote invasive species.
Diffusion lacunae: a novel MR imaging finding on diffusion-weighted imaging for diagnosing placenta accreta spectrum
Authors: Iraha Yuko , Fujii Shinya , Tsuchiya Nanae , Azama Kimei , Yonamine Eri , Mekaru Keiko , Kinjo Tadatsugu , Sekine Masayuki , Nishie Akihiro
Published: September 2024

Objective

To evaluate the usefulness of novel diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings for diagnosing placenta accreta spectrum (PAS).

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 49 pregnant women with suspected PAS who underwent 1.5 T placental MRI. Diffusion lacunae were defined as intraplacental areas showing hypointensity on DWI and hyperintensity on the apparent diffusion coefficient map. Two radiologists evaluated the number and size of placental lacunae on DWI, and flow void in the diffusion lacunae on T2-weighted imaging. The radiologists also evaluated established MRI features of PAS described in the SAR-ESUR consensus statement. Pearson's chi-square test or Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare findings between patients with and without PAS. Interobserver reliability for DWI and established MRI features was also assessed. Optimal thresholds for the number and maximum size of diffusion lacunae for differentiating PAS from the no-PAS group were determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses.

Results

Eighteen patients were diagnosed with PAS, and 31 patients with placental previa without PAS. The number and maximum size of diffusion lacunae were significantly larger in patients with than in patients without PAS (p < 0.0001). Combining assessment of the number of diffusion lacunae with assessment of their maximum size yielded a diagnostic performance with sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 83%, 94% and 90%, respectively. Flow voids within the diffusion lacunae had sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 88%, 84% and 86%, respectively.

Conclusion

The number and size of diffusion lacunae, and T2 flow void in diffusion lacunae may be useful findings for diagnosing PAS.
Ungleichheiten in der Lehrkräfteversorgung: Eine Analyse zur Verteilung qualifizierten Lehrpersonals auf Schulen mit unterschiedlicher Schülerschaft und verschiedenen sozio-ökonomischen Kontexten
Authors: Richter Dirk , Huang Yizhen , Richter Eric
Published: September 2024

In Deutschland führt der Lehrkräftemangel dazu, dass verstärkt Quer- und Seiteneinsteiger:innen in vielen Bundesländern eingestellt werden und Unterricht fachfremd erteilt wird. Angesichts der steigenden Anteile dieser Personengruppe stellt sich die Frage, welche Schulen von diesen Maßnahmen besonders betroffen sind. Die vorliegende Studie nutzt Daten der amtlichen Schulstatistik eines ostdeutschen Bundeslandes, um die Verteilung von Lehrkräften ohne Lehramtsstudium und fachfremd erteiltem Unterricht zu untersuchen. Sie basiert auf Daten zweier Schuljahre (2016/17 und 2019/20) aller Grundschulen des Bundeslandes. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Schulen mit mehr Schüler:innen mit Migrationshintergrund und weniger Gymnasialempfehlungen mehr Lehrkräfte ohne Lehramtsabschluss beschäftigen. Längsschnittanalysen verdeutlichen zudem, dass Schulen mit größeren Kollegien, weniger Schüler:innen mit Gymnasialempfehlung und schwächerem sozioökonomischen Umfeld einen Anstieg solcher Lehrkräfte und fachfremden Unterrichts verzeichnen. Die Arbeit diskutiert mögliche Implikationen, die aus der festgestellten Ungleichverteilung der Lehrkräfte resultieren.
Advancing forest hydrological research: exploring global research trends and future directions through scientometric analysis
Authors: Farooqi Tanzeel Javaid Aini , Portela Rubén , Xu Zhou , Pan Shulin , Irfan Muhammad , Ali Arshad
Published: September 2024

Forest hydrology, the study of water dynamics within forested catchments, is crucial for understanding the intricate relationship between forest cover and water balances across different scales, from ecosystems to landscapes, or from catchment watersheds. The intensified global changes in climate, land use and cover, and pollution that occurred over the past century have brought about adverse impacts on forests and their services in water regulation, signifying the importance of forest hydrological research as a re-emerging topic of scientific interest. This article reviews the literature on recent advances in forest hydrological research, intending to identify leading countries, institutions, and researchers actively engaged in this field, as well as highlighting research hotspots for future exploration. Through a systematic analysis using VOSviewer, drawing from 17,006 articles retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection spanning 2000–2022, we employed scientometric methods to assess research productivity, identify emerging topics, and analyze academic development. The findings reveal a consistent growth in forest hydrological research over the past two decades, with the United States, Charles T. Driscoll, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences emerging as the most productive country, author, and institution, respectively. The Journal of Hydrology emerges as the most co-cited journal. Analysis of keyword co-occurrence and co-cited references highlights key research areas, including climate change, management strategies, runoff-erosion dynamics, vegetation cover changes, paired catchment experiments, water quality, aquatic biodiversity, forest fire dynamics and hydrological modeling. Based on these findings, our study advocates for an integrated approach to future research, emphasizing the collection of data from diverse sources, utilization of varied methodologies, and collaboration across disciplines and institutions. This holistic strategy is essential for developing sustainable approaches to forested watershed planning and management. Ultimately, our study provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, guiding future research directions towards forest hydrological research and applications.
Lessons on Datasets and Paradigms in Machine Learning for Symbolic Computation: A Case Study on CAD
Authors: del Río Tereso , England Matthew
Published: September 2024

Symbolic Computation algorithms and their implementation in computer algebra systems often contain choices which do not affect the correctness of the output but can significantly impact the resources required: such choices can benefit from having them made separately for each problem via a machine learning model. This study reports lessons on such use of machine learning in symbolic computation, in particular on the importance of analysing datasets prior to machine learning and on the different machine learning paradigms that may be utilised. We present results for a particular case study, the selection of variable ordering for cylindrical algebraic decomposition, but expect that the lessons learned are applicable to other decisions in symbolic computation. We utilise an existing dataset of examples derived from applications which was found to be imbalanced with respect to the variable ordering decision. We introduce an augmentation technique for polynomial systems problems that allows us to balance and further augment the dataset, improving the machine learning results by 28% and 38% on average, respectively. We then demonstrate how the existing machine learning methodology used for the problem—classification—might be recast into the regression paradigm. While this does not have a radical change on the performance, it does widen the scope in which the methodology can be applied to make choices.