bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of [18F]FDG PET/CT liver SUV as reference or normalisation factor
Authors: Zwezerijnen Gerben J. C. , Eertink Jakoba J. , Ferrández Maria C. , Wiegers Sanne E. , Burggraaff Coreline N. , Lugtenburg Pieternella J. , Heymans Martijn W. , de Vet Henrica C. W. , Zijlstra Josée M. , Boellaard Ronald
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Although visual and quantitative assessments of [18F]FDG PET/CT studies typically rely on liver uptake value as a reference or normalisation factor, consensus or consistency in measuring [18F]FDG uptake is lacking. Therefore, we evaluate the variation of several liver standardised uptake value (SUV) measurements in lymphoma [18F]FDG PET/CT studies using different uptake metrics.

Methods

PET/CT scans from 34 lymphoma patients were used to calculate SUVmaxliver, SUVpeakliver and SUVmeanliver as a function of (1) volume-of-interest (VOI) size, (2) location, (3) imaging time point and (4) as a function of total metabolic tumour volume (MTV). The impact of reconstruction protocol on liver uptake is studied on 15 baseline lymphoma patient scans. The effect of noise on liver SUV was assessed using full and 25% count images of 15 lymphoma scans.

Results

Generally, SUVmaxliver and SUVpeakliver were 38% and 16% higher compared to SUVmeanliver. SUVmaxliver and SUVpeakliver increased up to 31% and 15% with VOI size while SUVmeanliver remained unchanged with the lowest variability for the largest VOI size. Liver uptake metrics were not affected by VOI location. Compared to baseline, liver uptake metrics were 15–18% and 9–18% higher at interim and EoT PET, respectively. SUVliver decreased with larger total MTVs. SUVmaxliver and SUVpeakliver were affected by reconstruction protocol up to 62%. SUVmax and SUVpeak moved 22% and 11% upward between full and 25% count images.

Conclusion

SUVmeanliver was most robust against VOI size, location, reconstruction protocol and image noise level, and is thus the most reproducible metric for liver uptake. The commonly recommended 3 cm diameter spherical VOI-based SUVmeanliver values were only slightly more variable than those seen with larger VOI sizes and are sufficient for SUVmeanliver measurements in future studies.

Trial registration

EudraCT: 2006–005,174-42, 01–08-2008.
Noise-driven bifurcations in a neural field system modelling networks of grid cells
Authors: Carrillo José A. , Holden Helge , Solem Susanne
Published: September 2022

The activity generated by an ensemble of neurons is affected by various noise sources. It is a well-recognised challenge to understand the effects of noise on the stability of such networks. We demonstrate that the patterns of activity generated by networks of grid cells emerge from the instability of homogeneous activity for small levels of noise. This is carried out by analysing the robustness of network activity patterns with respect to noise in an upscaled noisy grid cell model in the form of a system of partial differential equations. Inhomogeneous network patterns are numerically understood as branches bifurcating from unstable homogeneous states for small noise levels. We show that there is a phase transition occurring as the level of noise decreases. Our numerical study also indicates the presence of hysteresis phenomena close to the precise critical noise value.
Prognostic analysis and risk stratification of lung adenocarcinoma undergoing EGFR-TKI therapy with time-serial CT-based radiomics signature
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Lu Bingfeng , Yang Xinguan , Lan Dong , Lin Shushen , Zhou Zhipeng , Li Kai , Deng Dong , Peng Peng , Zeng Zisan , Long Liling
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the value of time-serial CT radiomics features in predicting progression-free survival (PFS) for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients after epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) therapy.

Materials and methods

LUAD patients treated with EGFR-TKIs were retrospectively included from three independent institutes and divided into training and validation cohorts. Intratumoral and peritumoral features were extracted from time-serial non-contrast chest CT (including pre-therapy and first follow-up images); moreover, the percentage variation per unit time (day) was introduced to adjust for the different follow-up periods of each patient. Test-retest was performed to exclude irreproducible features, while the Boruta algorithm was used to select critical radiomics features. Radiomics signatures were constructed with random forest survival models in the training cohort and compared against baseline clinical characteristics through Cox regression and nonparametric testing of concordance indices (C-indices).

Results

The training cohort included 131 patients (74 women, 56.5%) from one institute and the validation cohort encompassed 41 patients (24 women, 58.5%) from two other institutes. The optimal signature contained 10 features and 7 were unit time feature variations. The comprehensive radiomics model outperformed the pre-therapy clinical characteristics in predicting PFS (training: 0.78, 95% CI: [0.72, 0.84] versus 0.55, 95% CI: [0.49, 0.62], p < 0.001; validation: 0.72, 95% CI: [0.60, 0.84] versus 0.54, 95% CI: [0.42, 0.66], p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Radiomics signature derived from time-serial CT images demonstrated optimal prognostic performance of disease progression. This dynamic imaging biomarker holds the promise of monitoring treatment response and achieving personalized management.

Key Points

• The intrinsic tumor heterogeneity can be highly dynamic under the therapeutic effect of EGFR-TKI treatment, and the inevitable development of drug resistance may disrupt the duration of clinical benefit. Decision-making remained challenging in practice to detect the emergence of acquired resistance during the early response phase.

• Time-serial CT-based radiomics signature integrating intra- and peritumoral features offered the potential to predict progression-free survival for LUAD patients treated with EGFR-TKIs.

• The dynamic imaging signature allowed for prognostic risk stratification.
Imaging features facilitate diagnosis of porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder
Authors: Lampichler Katharina , Semmler Georg , Wöran Katharina , Simbrunner Benedikt , Jachs Mathias , Hartl Lukas , Bauer David Josef Maria , Balcar Lorenz , Burghart Lukas , Trauner Michael , Tamandl Dietmar , Ba-Ssalamah Ahmed , Mandorfer Mattias , Reiberger Thomas , Scheiner Bernhard , Scharitzer Martina
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) is a recently defined vascular liver disease. Since diagnosis remains challenging, we aimed to evaluate radiological features that are distinct between PSVD and cirrhosis.

Methods

Clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters (CT/MRI) of patients with histologically-confirmed PSVD vs. cirrhosis vs. non-cirrhotic parenchymal liver disease were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Sixty-three PSVD, 155 cirrhosis, and 41 non-cirrhotic patients were included. As compared to cirrhosis, PSVD patients were younger and had lower HVPG, liver stiffness, and MELD. Routine clinical and imaging findings indicative of portal hypertension were similarly common. Intrahepatic portal tract abnormalities (49% vs. 15%; p < 0.001), FNH-like lesions (30% vs. 1%; p < 0.001), and abnormal liver morphology defined as peripheral parenchymal atrophy and compensatory hypertrophy of central segments (32% vs. 7%; p < 0.001) were significantly more common in PSVD patients. Hypertrophy of segment I (70% vs. 84%; p = 0.019), atrophy of segment IV (24% vs. 47%; p = 0.001), and nodular liver surface (22% vs. 89%; p < 0.001) were more common in patients with cirrhosis. In patients with gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI, we identified the distinct imaging feature of “periportal hyperintensity” in the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) in 42% of patients with PSVD (14/33) vs. 1% in cirrhosis (1/95) vs. 0% in non-cirrhotic controls (0/41); p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Diagnosis of PSVD must be considered in younger patients presenting with clinical features of portal hypertension, portal tract abnormalities, and FNH-like lesions on CT/MRI. ‘Periportal hyperintensity’ in the HBP of gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI was identified as a specific radiological feature of PSVD.

Key Points

• Cross-sectional imaging can provide essential information to identify patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD).

• Intrahepatic portal tract abnormalities, FNH-like lesions, and abnormal liver morphology are common in PSVD patients.

• Periportal hyperintensity on the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI seems to be specific for patients with PSVD.
Tropospheric pathways of the late-winter ENSO teleconnection to Europe
Authors: Mezzina Bianca , García-Serrano Javier , Ambrizzi Tercio , Matei Daniela , Manzini Elisa , Bladé Ileana
Published: September 2022

The late-winter signal associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) over the European continent is unsettled. Two main anomalous patterns of sea-level pressure (SLP) can be identified: a “wave-like” pattern with two opposite-signed anomalies over Europe, and a pattern showing a single anomaly (“semi-isolated”). In this work, potential paths of the tropospheric ENSO teleconnection to Europe and their role in favoring a more wave-like or semi-isolated pattern are explored. Outputs from historical runs of two versions of the MPI-ESM coupled model, which simulate these two types of patterns, are examined. A novel ray-tracing approach that accounts for zonal asymmetries in the background flow is used to test potential propagation paths in these simulations and in observations; three source regions are considered: the tropical Pacific, the North America/North Atlantic, and the tropical Atlantic. The semi-isolated pattern is suggested to be related to the well-known Rossby wave train emanating from the tropical Pacific, either via a split over northern North America or via reflection due to inhomogeneities in the background flow. The wave-like pattern, in turn, appears to be related to a secondary wave train emerging from the tropical Atlantic. The competition between these two pathways contributes to determining the actual surface response.
Risk and course of COVID-19 in immunosuppressed patients with myasthenia gravis
Authors: Stascheit Frauke , Grittner Ulrike , Hoffmann Sarah , Mergenthaler Philipp , Schroeter Michael , Ruck Tobias , Pawlitzki Mark , Blaes Franz , Kaiser Julia , Schara Ulrike , Della-Marina Adela , Thieme Andrea , Hagenacker Tim , Jacobi Christian , Berger Benjamin , Urban Peter P. , Knop Karl Christian , Schalke Berthold , Lee De-Hyung , Kalischewski Petra , Wiendl Heinz , Meisel Andreas
Published: September 2022

Background

Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) are potentially prone for a severe COVID-19 course, but there are limited real-world data available on the risk associated with COVID-19 for patients with MG. Here, we investigate whether current immunosuppressive therapy (IST) influences the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity.

Methods

Data from the German myasthenia gravis registry were analyzed from May 2020 until June 2021 and included patient demographics, MG disease duration, comorbidities, current IST use, COVID-19 characteristics, and outcomes. Propensity score matching was employed to match MG patients with IST to those without, and multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to determine associations between IST with (1) symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and (2) severe COVID-19 course, as measured by hospitalization or death.

Results

Of 1379 patients with MG, 95 (7%) patients (mean age 58 (standard deviation [SD] 18) presented with COVID-19, of which 76 (80%) received IST at time of infection. 32 patients (34%) were hospitalized due to COVID-19; a total of 11 patients (12%) died. IST was a risk factor for hospitalization or death in the group of COVID-19-affected MG patients (odds ratio [OR] 3.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–9.06, p = 0.046), but current IST was not associated with a higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection itself.

Discussion

In this national MG cohort study, current IST use was a risk factor for a severe disease course of COVID-19 but not for SARS-CoV-2 infection itself. These data support the consequent implementation of effective strategies to prevent COVID-19 in this high-risk group.

Trial registration information

German clinical trial registry (https://www.drks.de), DRKS00024099, first patient enrolled: February 4th, 2019.
The periodic property of Gaylord’s oscillator with a non-perturbative method
Authors: El-Dib Yusry O.
Published: September 2022

The Gaylord's oscillator is a vibrating of a uniform rigid rod without slipping on a rigid circular surface with a definite radius. The dominant equation of motion was the outcome of a strongly nonlinear pendulum equation of the second order. The run article is interested in obtaining the frequency–amplitude equation and the approximate solution of Gaylord's oscillator by a simpler approach. The frequency–amplitude relationship is derived in terms of the Bessel function. Quasi-exact periodic solution derived depends on a non-perturbative approach. The validation of the analytical solution is made through the comparison with the numerical solution which shows excellent approval. Finally, the non-perturbative method is of high accuracy besides simplicity if it is compared with the other perturbative techniques in analyzing the behavior of oscillators with strong nonlinearities.
Are predictive saccades linked to the processing of peripheral information?
Authors: Vater Christian , Mann David L.
Published: September 2022

High-level athletes can predict the actions of an opposing player. Interestingly, such predictions are also reflected by the athlete’s gaze behavior. In cricket, for example, players first pursue the ball with their eyes before they very often initiate two predictive saccades: one to the predicted ball-bounce point and a second to the predicted ball-bat-contact point. That means, they move their eyes ahead of the ball and “wait” for the ball at the new fixation location, potentially using their peripheral vision to update information about the ball’s trajectory. In this study, we investigated whether predictive saccades are linked to the processing of information in peripheral vision and if predictive saccades are superior to continuously following the ball with foveal vision using smooth-pursuit eye-movements (SPEMs). In the first two experiments, we evoked the typical eye-movements observed in cricket and showed that the information gathered during SPEMs is sufficient to predict when the moving object will hit the target location and that (additional) peripheral monitoring of the object does not help to improve performance. In a third experiment, we show that it could actually be beneficial to use SPEMs rather than predictive saccades to improve performance. Thus, predictive saccades ahead of a target are unlikely to be performed to enhance the peripheral monitoring of target.
Species diversity and phylogeography of the Australoheros autrani group (Teleostei, Cichlidae) in eastern Brazil
Authors: da Silva Marcos A. , Ottoni Felipe P. , Mattos José L. O. , Indermaur Adrian , Katz Axel M. , Salzburger Walter
Published: September 2022

Cichlid fishes are an important model system in evolutionary biology, primarily because of their exceptional diversity. However, while some cichlid assemblages, such as the ones of the African Great Lakes, have received considerable attention, others are not well studied, including many riverine species. Here, we focus on the Australoheros autrani species group and first report a new record of Australoheros in the upper Paranaíba River drainage, extending the known distribution range of this genus. Through Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of these specimens as well as available sequences, we assigned the newly discovered population to Australoheros barbosae. We corroborate the monophyly of the A. autrani species group and the presence of three species in the upper/middle Paraíba do Sul River basin as well as molecular diagnostic characters for each. Finally, we provide evidence for a recent expansion of A. barbosae.
Robust weighted aggregation of expert opinions in futures studies
Authors: Marozzi Marco , Bolzan Mario , Di Zio Simone
Published: September 2022

Expert judgments are widespread in many fields, and the way in which they are collected and the procedure by which they are aggregated are considered crucial steps. From a statistical perspective, expert judgments are subjective data and must be gathered and treated as carefully and scientifically as possible. In the elicitation phase, a multitude of experts is preferable to a single expert, and techniques based on anonymity and iterations, such as Delphi, offer many advantages in terms of reducing distortions, which are mainly related to cognitive biases. There are two approaches to the aggregation of the judgments given by a panel of experts, referred to as behavioural (implying an interaction between the experts) and mathematical (involving non-interacting participants and the aggregation of the judgments using a mathematical formula). Both have advantages and disadvantages, and with the mathematical approach, the main problem concerns the subjective choice of an appropriate formula for both normalization and aggregation. We propose a new method for aggregating and processing subjective data collected using the Delphi method, with the aim of obtaining robust rankings of the outputs. This method makes it possible to normalize and aggregate the opinions of a panel of experts, while modelling different sources of uncertainty. We use an uncertainty analysis approach that allows the contemporaneous use of different aggregation and normalization functions, so that the result does not depend on the choice of a specific mathematical formula, thereby solving the problem of choice. Furthermore, we can also model the uncertainty related to the weighting system, which reflects the different expertise of the participants as well as expert opinion accuracy. By combining the Delphi method with the robust ranking procedure, we offer a new protocol covering the elicitation, the aggregation and the processing of subjective data used in the construction of Delphi-based future scenarios. The method is very flexible and can be applied to the aggregation and processing of any subjective judgments, i.e. also those outside the context of futures studies. Finally, we show the validity, reproducibility and potential of the method through its application with regard to the future of Italian families.
Network intrusion detection based on conditional wasserstein variational autoencoder with generative adversarial network and one-dimensional convolutional neural networks
Authors: He Jiaxing , Wang Xiaodan , Song Yafei , Xiang Qian , Chen Chen
Published: September 2022

There is a class-imbalance problem that the number of minority class samples is significantly lower than that of majority class samples in common network traffic datasets. Class-imbalance phenomenon will affect the performance of the classifier and reduce the robustness of the classifier to detect unknown anomaly detection. And the distribution of the continuous features in the dataset does not follow the Gaussian distribution, which will bring great difficulties to intrusion detection. We propose Conditional Wasserstein Variational Autoencoders with Generative Adversarial Network (CWVAEGAN) to solve the class-imbalance phenomenon, CWVAEGAN transform the original dataset through data preprocessing, and then use the improved VAEGAN to generate minority class samples. According to the CWVAEGAN model, an intrusion detection system based on CWVAEGAN and One-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1DCNN), namely CWVAEGAN-1DCNN, is established. By using the examples generated by CWVAEGAN, the problem of intrusion detection on class unbalanced data is solved. Specifically, CWVAEGAN-1DCNN consists of three modules: data preprocessing module, CWVAEGAN, and deep neural network. We evaluate the performance of CWVAEGAN-1DCNN on two benchmark datasets and compared it with the other 16 methods. Experiment results suggest that the performance of CWVAEGAN-1DCNN is better than class-balancing methods, and other advanced methods.
Long-term survival of screen-detected synchronous and metachronous bilateral non-palpable breast cancer among Chinese women: a hospital-based study (2003–2017)
Authors: Pan Bo , Xu Ying , Zhou Yidong , Yao Ru , Zhou Xingtong , Xu Yali , Ren Xinyu , Xiao Mengsu , Zhu Qingli , Kong Lingyan , Mao Feng , Lin Yan , Zhang Xiaohui , Shen Songjie , Sun Qiang
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Screen-detected unilateral non-palpable breast cancer (NPBC) shows favorable prognosis, whereas bilateral breast cancer (BBC), especially synchronous BBC (SBBC) manifests worse survival than unilateral breast cancer (BC). It remains unclear whether screen-detected bilateral NPBC has compromised survival and requires intensified treatment or favorable prognosis and needs de-escalating therapy.

Methods

From 2003 to 2017, 1,075 consecutive NPBC patients were retrospectively reviewed. There were 988 patients with unilateral NPBC (UniNPBC), and 87 patients with ipsilateral NPBC + any contralateral BC [(N + AnyContra) PBC], including 32 patients with bilateral NPBC (BiNPBC) and 55 patients with ipsilateral NPBC + contralateral palpable cancer [(N + Contra) PBC]. Median follow-up time was 91 (48–227) months. Clinicopathological characteristics were compared between UniNPBC and BBC, whereas relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) among BBC subgroups. RFS and OS factors of BBC were identified.

Results

Compared to UniNPBC, patients with screen-detected bilateral BC had more invasive (85.1%, 74.8%), ER negative (26.4%, 17.1%), PR negative (36.8%, 23.5%), triple-negative (21.6%, 8.5%) BC as well as less breast conserving surgery (17.2%, 32.4%), radiotherapy (13.8%, 32.0%) and endocrine therapy (71.3%, 83.9%). 10 year RFS and OS rates of (N + AnyContra) PBC (72.8%, 81.5%), (N + Contra) PBC (60.6%, 73.9%), and synchronous (N + Contra) PBC (58.1%, 70.1%) were significantly compromised compared to UniNPBC (91.0%, 97.2%). RFS factors of BBC included pN3 (p = 0.048), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.008) and existence of contralateral palpable interval BC (p = 0.008), while the OS relevant factor was pN3 (p = 0.018).

Conclusion

Screen-detected bilateral NPBC including SynBiNPBC and MetaBiNPBC showed good prognosis as UniNPBC so that the therapy of BiNPBC could be de-escalated and optimized according to UniNPBC. Contrarily, screen-detected ipsilateral NPBC with contralateral palpable BC [(N + Contra) PBC] manifested unfavorable survival worse than UniNPBC and synchronous (N + Contra) PBC had the worst survival among all subgroups, implying that these were actually bilateral interval BC and required intensified treatment.
The effects of economic development on democratic institutions and repression in non-democratic regimes: theory and evidence
Authors: Kemnitz Alexander , Roessler Martin
Published: September 2022

This paper provides a theoretical rationale for the simultaneous use of repression and democratic institutions by a non-democratic government, as is often observed in reality. We find that economic development has different impacts on the levels of repression and democracy, depending on whether it appears in the form of rises in income or in education: A higher income level reduces democracy, whereas more education leads to both more democracy and more repression. These theoretical implications are corroborated by dynamic panel data regressions.
The Basic Premises of EU Regulations Regarding the Safety of Unmanned Aircraft in the Context of their Development Process
Authors: Kasprzyk Piotr
Published: September 2022

The development of UA is one of the most important challenges for the future of aviation. Consequently, this is one of the major challenges for the future of aviation law, particularly for those legal regulations that aim to provide an adequate level of civil aviation safety. The main goal is to show the results of the analysis of the legal framework created in Europe and to show where Europe is going in the nearest future. The method of study comprised content analysis of existing legislation. Results of the study shows inter alia that although the analysis of the adopted solutions is necessary for a better understanding, a comprehensive assessment of these solutions will be possible at the earliest after the end of the adopted transition periods, i.e. after 2023.
Integrability of Hamiltonian systems with gyroscopic term
Authors: Przybylska Maria , Maciejewski Andrzej J.
Published: September 2022

We study the integrability of 2D Hamiltonian systems $$H_\mu =\frac{1}{2}(p_1^2+p_2^2) + \omega (p_1q_2-p_2q_1) -\tfrac{\mu }{r}+ V(q_1,q_2)$$

H
μ

=

1
2

(

p
1
2

+

p
2
2

)

+
ω

(

p
1

q
2

-

p
2

q
1

)

-

μ
r

+
V

(

q
1

,

q
2

)

, where $$r^2=q_1^2+q_2^2$$

r
2

=

q
1
2

+

q
2
2

, and potential $$V(q_1,q_2)$$

V
(

q
1

,

q
2

)

is a homogeneous rational function of integer degree k. The main result states that under very general assumptions: $$\mu \omega \ne 0$$

μ
ω
≠
0

, $$|k|>2$$

|
k
|
>
2

and $$V(1,\mathrm {i})\ne 0$$

V
(
1
,
i
)
≠
0

or $$V(-1,\mathrm {i})\ne 0$$

V
(
-
1
,
i
)
≠
0

, the system is not integrable. It was obtained by combining the Levi-Civita regularization, differential Galois methods, and the so-called coupling constant metamorphosis transformation. The proof that the regularized version of the problem is not integrable contains the most important theoretical results, which can be applied to study integrability of other problems.
Propositional contingentism and possible worlds
Authors: Masterman Christopher James
Published: September 2022

Propositional contingentism is the view that what propositions there are is a contingent matter—certain propositions ontologically depend on objects which themselves only contingently exist. Possible worlds are, loosely, complete ways the world could have been. That is to say, the ways in which everything in its totality could have been. Propositional contingentists make use of possible worlds frequently. However, a neglected, but important, question concerns whether there are any notions of worlds which are both theoretically adequate and consistent with propositional contingentism. Some notion of a possible world is adequate if the systematic connection between, at least, possibility and truth at some possible world holds. Here, I argue that no adequate notion of a possible world is available to at least those who subscribe to one natural formulation of propositional contingentism. I also show that this result contrasts with a simple and adequate definition of a possible world available to the necessitist—those who hold that necessarily everything necessarily exists.
The role of topography, climate, soil and the surrounding matrix in the distribution of Veredas wetlands in central Brazil
Authors: Gonçalves Rogério Victor S. , Cardoso João Custódio F. , Oliveira Paulo Eugênio , Raymundo Diego , de Oliveira Denis Coelho
Published: September 2022

Wetlands are among the most important ecosystems in the world in terms of endemic biodiversity, carbon storage and hydrological process. Veredas wetlands are distributed across the Brazilian savanna (i.e. Cerrado biome) and are permanently protected areas. Veredas wetlands have a hydromorphic soil, providing water to the main rivers of central Brazil and allowing the occurrence of several endemic species of plants and animals. Although recent studies on biotic and abiotic characteristics have been conducted in several areas of Veredas, the studies are local and there is a lack of information about large-scale patterns. Here we used remote sensing data to explore the role of climate, soil, topography and surrounding matrix explaining Veredas occurrence in the Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba (TMAP), a mesoregion of the State of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. Veredas were more frequent in the western region of TMAP, in areas with lower altitudes, temperature and precipitation seasonality, soil cation exchange capacity, silt and sand content, and slope. Moreover, farming was the most frequent land use in areas surrounding Veredas. Veredas are associated with recharging of the water table and water flow that maintains rivers in the Upper Paraná River water basin. We trust the present assessment will be of help for the development of conservation strategies and biodiversity studies.

Graphical abstract

Research questions, data processing, statistical analysis and illustration of the outputs generated.
Submerged membrane/adsorption hybrid process in water reclamation and concentrate management—a mini review
Authors: Loganathan Paripurnanda , Kandasamy Jaya , Ratnaweera Harsha , Vigneswaran Saravanamuthu
Published: September 2022

Clean water shortage is a major global problem due to escalating demand resulting from increasing human population growth and industrial activities, decreasing freshwater resources and persistent droughts. Recycling and reuse of wastewater by adopting efficient reclamation techniques can help solve this problem. However, wastewater contains a wide range of pollutants, which require removal before it may be reused. Adsorption and membrane processes are two successful treatments used to remove most of these pollutants. Their efficiency increases when these processes are integrated as observed, for example in a submerged membrane adsorption hybrid system (SMAHS). It uses coarse air bubbling/sparging to produce local shear which minimises reversible membrane fouling, improves performance and extends the life of the membrane. Additionally, the adsorbent acts as a buoyant media that produces an extra shearing effect on the membrane surface, reduces membrane resistance and increases flux. In addition, it adsorbs the organics that would otherwise deposit on and cause fouling of the membrane. The use of activated carbon (AC) adsorbent in SMAHS is very effective in removing most pollutants including natural organic matter (NOM) and organic micropollutants (OMPs) from wastewaters and membrane concentrate wastes, the latter being a serious problem in practical applications of the reverse osmosis process. However, certain NOM fractions and OMPs (i.e. hydrophilic and negatively charged ones) are not efficiently removed by AC. Other adsorbents need to be explored for their effective removal.

Graphical abstract
PITPNC1 promotes the thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue under acute cold exposure
Authors: Tang Guoqing , Ma Chengxin , Li Liangkui , Zhang Shaoyan , Li Fengsheng , Wu Jin , Yin Yesheng , Zhu Qing , Liang Yan , Wang Ru , Huang He , Zhao Tong-Jin , Yang Hongyuan , Li Peng , Chen Feng-Jung
Published: September 2022

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an essential role in non-shivering thermogenesis. The phosphatidylinositol transfer protein, cytoplasmic 1 (PITPNC1) is identified as a lipid transporter that reciprocally transfers phospholipids between intracellular membrane structures. However, the physiological significance of PITPNC1 and its regulatory mechanism remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that PITPNC1 is a key player in thermogenesis of BAT. While Pitpnc1−/− mice do not differ with wildtype mice in body weight and insulin sensitivity on either chow or high-fat diet, they develop hypothermia when subjected to acute cold exposure at 4°C. The Pitpnc1−/− brown adipocytes exhibit defective β-oxidation and abnormal thermogenesis-related metabolism pathways in mitochondria. The deficiency of lipid mobilization in Pitpnc1−/− brown adipocytes might be the result of excessive accumulation of phosphatidylcholine and a reduction of phosphatidic acid. Our findings have uncovered significant roles of PITPNC1 in mitochondrial phospholipid homeostasis and BAT thermogenesis.
Time Course and Clinical Significance of Hematoma Expansion in Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Fletcher-Sandersjöö Alexander , Tatter Charles , Tjerkaski Jonathan , Bartek Jiri , Maegele Marc , Nelson David W. , Svensson Mikael , Thelin Eric Peter , Bellander Bo-Michael
Published: September 2022

Background

Preventing intracranial hematoma expansion has been advertised as a possible treatment opportunity in traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the time course of hematoma expansion, and whether the expansion affects outcome, remains poorly understood. In light of this, the aim of this study was to use 3D volume rendering to determine how traumatic intracranial hematomas expand over time and evaluate its impact on outcome.

Methods

Single-center, population-based, observational cohort study of adults with moderate-to-severe TBI. Hematoma expansion was defined as the change in hematoma volume from the baseline computed tomography scan until the lesion had stopped progressing. Volumes were calculated by using semiautomated volumetric segmentation. Functional outcome was measured by using the 12 month Glasgow outcome scale (GOS).

Results

In total, 643 patients were included. The mean baseline hematoma volume was 4.2 ml, and the subsequent mean hematoma expansion was 3.8 ml. Overall, 33% of hematomas had stopped progressing within 3 h, and 94% of hematomas had stopped progressing within 24 h of injury. Contusions expanded significantly more, and for a longer period of time, than extra-axial hematomas. There was a significant dose–response relationship between hematoma expansion and 12 month GOS, even after adjusting for known outcome predictors, with every 1-ml increase in hematoma volume associated with a 6% increased risk of 1-point GOS deduction.

Conclusions

Hematoma expansion is a driver of unfavorable outcome in TBI, with small changes in hematoma volume also impacting functional outcome. This study also proposes a wider window of opportunity to prevent lesion progression than what has previously been suggested.
Circular RNA expression profile of systemic lupus erythematosus and its clinical significance as a potential novel biomarker
Authors: Li Wenyu , Fan Runge , Zhou Cheng , Wei Yue , Lin Shunsheng , Wen Sijian , Zeng Wen , Hou Wei , Zhao Cheng , Lin Youkun
Published: September 2022

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of endogenous noncoding RNAs that are more abundant, specific, and highly organized than linear RNAs. Increasing evidence supports that circRNAs may serve as diagnostic biomarkers in many diseases, but their potential as biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear.

Objective

We investigated the critical circRNAs involved in SLE progression and explored their potential application as biomarkers in SLE.

Method

RNA sequencing was conducted on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 4 SLE patients and 4 healthy volunteers. CircRNA profile data were analyzed to identify differentially expressed circRNAs and visualized via R software. After screening, qPCR analysis of target circRNA expression was performed using PBMCs from 31 SLE patients and 35 healthy volunteers. Correlations between circRNA expression levels and the SLEDAI score were assessed via Spearman correlation analysis. Finally, the performance of circRNAs as biomarkers in SLE was examined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Results

The result identified six differentially expressed circRNAs between SLE patients and healthy controls: hsa_circ_0006689, hsa_circ_0070562, hsa_circ_0006117, hsa_circ_0007683, hsa_circ_0042519, and hsa_circ_0008647. The validation analysis showed differing relative expression levels of hsa_circ_0007683, hsa_circ_0042519, hsa_circ_0008647, and hsa_circ_0006689 between SLE patients and healthy volunteers (P < 0.05), and hsa_circ_0006689 expression in PBMCs correlated with the SLEDAI score (P < 0.05). Furthermore, addition of hsa_circ_0006689 expression increased the sensitivities of anti-dsDNA antibody and anti-Sm antibody levels for SLE diagnosis (from 29.03 to 61.30% and 32.26–71.00%, respectively).

Conclusion

Our results suggest hsa_circ_0006689 may be a useful circRNA biomarker for SLE diagnosis and prognosis.
Novel nano-biosorbent materials from thermal catalytic degradation of green pea waste for cationic and anionic dye decolorization
Authors: Rubangakene Norbert Onen , Elkady Marwa , Elwardany Ahmed , Fujii Manabu , Sekiguchi H. , Shokry Hassan
Published: September 2022

The recycling of waste materials in wastewater decontamination has been an attractive discipline in zero discharge and energy recovery. Biochar/zeolite nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized as a cheap and eco-friendly material from a solid fraction obtained from the thermos-catalytic conversion of green pea agriculture waste (Pisum sativum). A dark-whitish solid was obtained from thermal pyrolysis at 450 °C with a heating rate of 27 °C/min for 15 min that was further subjected to alkaline chemical activation. The synthesized composites have been examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission emission microscopy (TEM), and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) analyses. The successful preparation of biochar/zeolite nanocomposite was evident from characterization results with an average particle size of 30–40 nm with a high surface area of 15.3 m2/g. The material was evaluated as an eco-friendly adsorbent for decolorization of both cationic methylene blue dye (MB) and Congo red anionic dye (CR) using the batch technique. The influence of dosage, pH, temperature, initial dye concentration, and contact time were studied against the dye adsorption process. It was indicated that the material recorded maximum dye decolorization efficiencies of 87.5% at pH of 12 and 84.1% at pH of 2 for MB and CR, respectively. The optimum material dosage and contact time for dye decolorization were 5 g/l and 60 min, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated from the sorption process and revealed a negative charge of Gibbs free energy ($${\Delta G}^{o}$$

Δ
G

o

) an indication of spontaneity and thermodynamic favorability. Positive enthalpy and entropy demonstrated the endothermic behavior and the disorderliness. Equilibrium adsorption results best fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model, while MB and CR adsorption kinetics were pseudo-second-order reactions.
Evolutionary game analysis of three parties in logistics platforms and freight transportation companies’ behavioral strategies for horizontal collaboration considering vehicle capacity utilization
Authors: Deng Shuai , Zhou Duohong , Wu Guohua , Wang Ling , You Ge
Published: September 2022

In China, logistics platforms are an effective way to solve vehicle capacity utilization using information sharing. However, most logistics platforms do not possess operational sustainability due to excessive profit-seeking. To address this problem, conflicts of interest among freight transportation participants are discussed using a stakeholder approach. A three-player evolutionary game model (TEGM) is developed to analyze the interactions among freight carriers, freight shippers, and logistics platforms. Then, the asymptotic equilibrium and evolutionary stability strategies of the three-player game are analyzed. The results indicate that a high-level positive network externality is the driving force behind the logistics platform’s “high-level service”. A fairness payment incentive guarantees a “sharing” strategy for freight carriers and shippers. When the high-level positive network externality is limited and lower than a threshold value, there is no stable equilibrium point in the TEGM. A government tax incentive cannot change the freight carriers’ and shippers’ strategy to participate in this horizontal collaboration system, except for the logistics platform’s probability of providing “high-level service”. However, the behavioral strategies of the freight transportation participants can be changed to achieve the sustainability of freight transportation by reducing the value-added tax rate through the logistics platform and increasing the high-level positive network externality of the logistics platform and other participants’ perceived fairness through a payment incentive. Finally, suggestions for regulating the behaviors of freight transportation participants and promoting the sustainability of freight transportation are discussed.
Fundamental and practical approaches for single-cell ATAC-seq analysis
Authors: Shi Peiyu , Nie Yage , Yang Jiawen , Zhang Weixing , Tang Zhongjie , Xu Jin
Published: September 2022

Assays for transposase-accessible chromatin through high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) are effective tools in the study of genome-wide chromatin accessibility landscapes. With the rapid development of single-cell technology, open chromatin regions that play essential roles in epigenetic regulation have been measured at the single-cell level using single-cell ATAC-seq approaches. The application of scATAC-seq has become as popular as that of scRNA-seq. However, owing to the nature of scATAC-seq data, which are sparse and noisy, processing the data requires different methodologies and empirical experience. This review presents a practical guide for processing scATAC-seq data, from quality evaluation to downstream analysis, for various applications. In addition to the epigenomic profiling from scATAC-seq, we also discuss recent studies in which the function of non-coding variants has been investigated based on cell type-specific cis-regulatory elements and how to use the by-product genetic information obtained from scATAC-seq to infer single-cell copy number variants and trace cell lineage. We anticipate that this review will assist researchers in designing and implementing scATAC-seq assays to facilitate research in diverse fields.
A Socio-legal Approach to Language Use in Administrative Settings in Belgium’s Dutch-Language Area
Authors: Bernaerts Jonathan
Published: September 2022

This reflective article maps out the findings of a socio-legal study on language use in administrative settings in Belgium’s Dutch-language area. It explains how the author arrived at a socio-legal approach to this study object. Thereafter the article focuses on the methods used and the conceptual framework. It discusses the various methodological choices regarding data collection and the use of methods stemming from anthropology in this study. It also illustrates how anthropological literature on concepts such as discretion and multiple embeddedness provide conceptual tools for building a framework around which to structure and present the empirical data.

The last part of the article sketches the findings of this socio-legal study. Drawing on the conceptual framework, it illustrates that even when practice deviates from statutory law, the relationship between the law and the practice cannot be easily captured in a dichotomic relationship. The author furthermore deduces some relevant findings in light of general human rights. The article concludes with some reflections on research that combines law and anthropology, both as separate disciplines and as a combined endeavor.
Re-reading Neulinger and Shuruk v. Switzerland: Bringing the Religious Dimension into View
Authors: Margaria Alice
Published: September 2022

This Article offers an anthropologically informed rereading of the landmark case Neulinger and Shuruk v. Switzerland, decided by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in 2010. This rereading is undertaken by “going beyond judgments” temporally—i.e., reconstructing the case from its origins to present—and spatially—i.e., looking at different sources of data and putting them into conversation with one another. This approach draws on anthropology both conceptually and methodologically. Not only does it address “case law” and “litigation” as creations of a variety of social and legal agents, constantly and meaningfully interacting with one another, but it also adopts a “litigant’s perspective” and creates space for acknowledging aspects of the lived experience of the applicants that have been marginalized in legal reasoning. By doing so, this Article shows that, from being strongly imbued with religious considerations, Neulinger and Shuruk came to assume a neutral framing when entering and progressing through the ECtHR. “Going beyond judgments” ultimately foregrounds the image of the Court as an institution addressing and doing different things to different audiences and stakeholders, and showcases some of the ways through which multi-perspectivity and efforts to “humanize the law” may be incorporated into case-law analyses.
Environmental Rights Between Constitutional Law and Local Context: Reflections on a Moving Target
Authors: Hanschel Dirk , Aguilera Bravo Mario G. , Dashpurev Bayar , Idris Abduletif Kedir
Published: September 2022

Environmental rights such as the right to a sound environment and rights of nature, while playing an increasingly important role in global environmental governance and protection, frequently do not correspond to articulations of fundamental experiences of injustice by communities particularly affected by serious environmental degradation caused by, for example, extractive activities or major infrastructure projects. We present three empirically grounded case studies that employ concepts and methods from anthropology to demonstrate this. The work is still in progress, but sufficiently well advanced to present some findings. Our ethnographic research in Ethiopia and Mongolia reveals that vulnerable local communities take recourse to constitutional environmental rights far less often than expected. The reasons for this range from rule-of-law issues to local perceptions of vulnerability and relevant norms. Conversely, where environmental rights are demanded or claimed at the local level, they are often not translated adequately into the law of the state. Our case study on Ecuador, where rights of nature as a specific type of environmental rights have been included in the constitution, shows that transfers from local practice, while potentially having a transformative effect, may lead to conceptual selectivity, ambiguity, lack of clarity, and overlaps with existing state norms and, hence, redundancies. Environmental rights are, therefore, a moving target whose concrete added value hinges on context—as methods of law and anthropology serve to illustrate.
Inertio-thermal vapour bubble growth
Authors: Sullivan Patrick , Dockar Duncan , Borg Matthew K. , Enright Ryan , Pillai Rohit
Published: September 2022

Our understanding of homogeneous vapour bubble growth is currently restricted to asymptotic descriptions of their limiting behaviour. While attempts have been made to incorporate both the inertial and thermal limits into bubble growth models, the early stages of bubble growth have not been captured. By accounting for both the changing inertial driving force and the thermal restriction to growth, we present an inertio-thermal model of homogeneous vapour bubble growth, capable of accurately capturing the evolution of a bubble from the nano- to the macro-scale. We compare our model predictions with: (a) published experimental and numerical data, and (b) our own molecular simulations, showing significant improvement over previous models. This has potential application in improving the performance of engineering devices, such as ultrasonic cleaning and microprocessor cooling, as well as in understanding of natural phenomena involving vapour bubble growth.