bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of tumor response via a pretreatment MRI radiomics-based nomogram in HCC treated with TACE
Authors: Kong Chunli , Zhao Zhongwei , Chen Weiyue , Lv Xiuling , Shu Gaofeng , Ye Miaoqing , Song Jingjing , Ying Xihui , Weng Qiaoyou , Weng Wei , Fang Shiji , Chen Minjiang , Tu Jianfei , Ji Jiansong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objectives
To develop and validate a pre-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) MRI-based radiomics model for predicting tumor response in intermediate-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Materials
Ninety-nine intermediate-advanced HCC patients (69 for training, 30 for validation) treated with TACE were enrolled. MRI examinations were performed before TACE, and the efficacy was evaluated according to the mRECIST criterion 3 months after TACE. A total of 396 radiomics features were extracted from T2-weighted pre-TACE images, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was applied to feature selection and model construction. The performance of the model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curves.

Results
The AFP value, Child-Pugh score, and BCLC stage showed a significant difference between the TACE response (TR) and non-TACE response (nTR) patients. Six radiomics features were selected by LASSO and the radiomics score (Rad-score) was calculated as the sum of each feature multiplied by the non-zero coefficient from LASSO. The AUCs of the ROC curve based on Rad-score were 0.812 and 0.866 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. To improve the diagnostic efficiency, the Rad-score was further integrated with the above clinical indicators to form a novel predictive nomogram. Results suggested that the AUC increased to 0.861 and 0.884 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Decision curve analysis showed that the radiomics nomogram was clinically useful.

Conclusion
The radiomics and clinical indicator-based predictive nomogram can well predict TR in intermediate-advanced HCC and can further be applied for auxiliary diagnosis of clinical prognosis.

Key Points
• The therapeutic outcome of TACE varies greatly even for patients with the same clinicopathologic features.
• Radiomics showed excellent performance in predicting the TACE response.
• Decision curves demonstrated that the novel predictive model based on the radiomics signature and clinical indicators has great clinical utility.
Influence of angled dispersion gas on coaxial atomization, spray and flame formation in the context of spray-flame synthesis of nanoparticles
Authors: Bieber M. , Al-Khatib M. , Fröde F. , Pitsch H. , Reddemann M. A. , Schmid H-J. , Tischendorf R. , Kneer R. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Liquid atomization determines the initial conditions for flame formation and particle synthesis. Without a stable flame, high droplet velocities and thus short droplet residence time in the flame may lead to droplets being injected into an extinguished flame, which influences synthesis and final particle output. An experimental investigation of spray formation and flame stability is performed through high-speed visualization. Targeted variation of nozzle geometry is applied to improve spray-flame interaction and compared to a standardized burner. Timescales of spray density and flame fluctuations are quantified and compared, where the latter were significantly larger and hence not correlated. Instead, dispersion gas forms a barrier between spray phase and pilot flame; hence, ignition depends on large liquid lumps with high radial momentum to break through the dispersion gas for spray ignition. Angling of dispersion gas flow increases radial shear and turbulence and leads to refined atomization and improved flame stability. To investigate the nozzle influence on particle formation, particle characteristics are examined by online and offline analytics with focus on particle structures and product purity. The modified nozzle produced smaller primary particle sizes, thus indicating a sensitivity of sintering dominance on the nozzle geometry. Impurities impact the examination of particle structures and general particle functionality. Carbon contamination was apparent in synthesized particles and also indicated sensitivity to nozzle geometry. Discrepancies to literature data are discussed regarding differences in flame activity and droplet characteristics. The report highlights, how product characteristics can differ crucially due to changes in nozzle geometry despite comparable operating conditions.

Graphic abstract
Benthic Foraminifera of the Agulhas Bank coastal shelf in the vicinity of Plettenberg Bay, South Africa: a reconnaissance survey
Authors: Hempel Susanne , Flemming Burg 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe study area is located on the inner Agulhas Bank around Plettenberg Bay, southern Cape Province, South Africa (Fig. 1). The Agulhas Bank is a transitional environment between the cold-temperate Benguela Current regime of the south-eastern South Atlantic and the warm-temperate Agulhas Current regime of the south-western Indian Ocean. Three distinct faunal assemblages (A, B and C) were identified in the study area. These are aligned in three consecutive, coast-parallel belts, assemblage A forming the inshore belt, assemblage C the offshore belt and assemblage B the in-between belt. Assemblage A is composed ofTextularia-group individuals andPararotaliasp.,Cibicides lobatulusandPlanorbulina mediterranensis. It occupies the nearshore belt up to 50 m water depth in sediments composed of very fine, fine and medium sands, with some coarse and very coarse sands. Assemblage B is composed ofBolivinacf.pseudopunctata,Cassidulina laevigata,Ammonia beccarii,Bolivina tortuosaandBulimina elongata. It occupies water depths from 50–70 m, but may locally extend down to 90 m and, within the bay itself, upward to 20 m in fine and very fine sands containing some medium sand and mud. Assemblage C is dominated byCassidulina laevigata,Bolivinacf.pseudopunctata,Bulimina elongataandAmmonia beccarii. In contrast to assemblage B which is dominated byB.cf.pseudopunctata, assemblage C is dominated byC. laevigata. Assemblage C is mainly confined to water depths of 70–100 m in sediments dominated by very fine sand (0.063–0.125 mm) containing some coarser sediment and mud. The distribution of the forams with respect to water depth, sediment composition and other environmental parameters suggests that it is mainly controlled by a combination of environmental parameters. No tangible relationship was found between the open shelf foraminifer communities and those of estuaries and lagoons along the South African coast.
Proposition of a simple binary grading of estimated blood loss during colon surgery
Authors: Teixeira Farinha Hugo , Martin David , Ramó Audrey , Hübner Martin , Demartines Nicolas , Hahnloser Dieter 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) is often reported in nearly all surgical papers; however, there is no consensus regarding its measurement. The aim of this study was to determine whether EBL (ml) is as reliable and reproducible in predicting complications as a simple binary grading of EBL.

Methods
All consecutive patients undergoing colectomies between January 2015 and December 2018 were included. EBL was assessed prospectively by the surgeon and anaesthesiologist in ml and with a binary scale: bleeding “as usual” versus “more than usual” by the surgeon. Differences between pre- and post-operative haemoglobin levels (ΔHb g/dl) were correlated to EBL. Blood loss impact on 30-day postoperative morbidity was analysed.

Results
A total of 270 patients were included, with a mean age of 65 years (SD 17). Mean EBL documented by surgeons correlated to EBL by anaesthesiologists (79.5 ml, SD 99 vs. 84.5 ml, SD 118, ϱ = 0.926, p < 0.001). Surgeons and anaesthesiologists’ EBL correlated also with ΔHb (ϱ = − 0.273, p = 0.01 and ϱ = − 0.344, p = 0.01, respectively). Patient with surgeon EBL ≥ 250 ml or graded as “more than usual” bleeding had significantly more severe complications (8% vs. 20%, p = 0.02 and 8% vs. 27%, p = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion
Anaesthesiologist and surgeon’s EBL correlated with ΔHb. Simple grading of blood loss as “usual” and “more than usual” predicted severe complications and higher mortality rates. This simple binary grading of blood loss in colon surgery could be an alternative to the estimation of blood loss in ml as it is easy to apply but needs to be validated externally.
Application of Bayesian statistics for radiation dose assessment in mixed beta-gamma fields
Authors: Słonecka I. , Krasowska J. , Baranowska Z. , Fornalski K. W. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe present paper proposes a novel method, based on Bayesian statistics, as a new approach in the field of thermoluminescence dosimetry for the assessment of personal doses in mixed beta-gamma radiation fields. The method can be utilized in situations when the classical way of dose calculation is insufficient or impossible. The proposed method uses a prior function which can be assigned to the unknown parameter and the likelihood function obtained from an experiment, which together can be transformed into the posterior probability distribution of the sought parameter. Finally, the distribution is converted to the value of the dose. The proposed method is supported by analytical and Monte Carlo calculations, which confirmed the results obtained through the Bayesian approach.
Blastability and Ore Grade Assessment from Drill Monitoring for Open Pit Applications
Authors: Navarro Juan , Seidl Thomas , Hartlieb Philipp , Sanchidrián José A. , Segarra Pablo , Couceiro Paulo , Schimek Peter , Godoy Clara 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBlasting performance is influenced by mechanical and structural properties of the rock, on one side, and blast design parameters on the other. This paper describes a new methodology to assess rock mass quality from drill-monitoring data to guide blasting in open pit operations. Principal component analysis has been used to combine measurement while drilling (MWD) information from two drill rigs; corrections of the MWD parameters to minimize external influences other than the rock mass have been applied. First, a Structural factor has been developed to classify the rock condition in three classes (massive, fractured and heavily fractured). From it, a structural block model has been developed to simplify the recognition of rock classes. Video recording of the inner wall of 256 blastholes has been used to calibrate the results obtained. Secondly, a combined strength-grade factor has been obtained based on the analysis of the rock type description and strength properties from geology reports, assaying of drilling chips (ore/waste identification) and 3D unmanned aerial vehicle reconstructions of the post-blast bench face. Data from 302 blastholes, comprised of 26 blasts, have been used for this analysis. From the results, four categories have been identified: soft-waste, hard-waste, transition zone and hard-ore. The model determines zones of soft and hard waste rock (schisted sandstone and limestone, respectively), and hard ore zones (siderite rock type). Finally, the structural block model has been combined with the strength-grade factor in an overall rock factor. This factor, exclusively obtained from drill monitoring data, can provide an automatic assessment of rock structure, strength, and waste/ore identification.
Comparing health-related quality of life in modified Rankin Scale grades: 15D results from 323 patients with brain arteriovenous malformation and population controls
Authors: Pohjola Anni , Oulasvirta Elias , Roine Risto P. , Sintonen Harri P. , Hafez Ahmad , Koroknay-Pál Päivi , Lehto Hanna , Niemelä Mika , Laakso Aki 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
We wanted to understand how patients with different modified Rankin Scale (mRS) grades differ regarding their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and how this affects the interpretation and dichotomization of the grade.

Methods
In 2016, all adult patients in our brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) database (n = 432) were asked to fill in mailed letters including a questionnaire about self-sufficiency and lifestyle and the 15D HRQoL questionnaire. The follow-up mRS was defined in 2016 using the electronic patient registry and the questionnaire data. The 15D profiles of each mRS grade were compared to those of the general population and to each other, using ANCOVA with age and sex standardization.

Results
Patients in mRS 0 (mean 15D score = 0.954 ± 0.060) had significantly better HRQoL than the general population (mean = 0.927 ± 0.028), p < 0.0001, whereas patients in mRS 1–4 had worse HRQoL than the general population, p < 0.0001. Patients in mRS 1 (mean = 0.844 ± 0.100) and mRS 2 (mean = 0.838 ± 0.107) had a similar HRQoL. In the recently published AVM research, the most commonly used cut points for mRS dichotomization were between mRS 1 and 2 and between mRS 2 and 3.

Conclusions
Using 15D, we were able to find significant differences in the HRQoL between mRS 0 and mRS 1 AVM patients, against the recent findings on stroke patients using EQ-5D in their analyses. Although the dichotomization cut point is commonly set between mRS 1 and 2, patients in these grades had a similar HRQoL and a decreased ability to continue their premorbid lifestyle, in contrast to patients in mRS 0.
Impffortschritt in Deutschland und der Welt: Chancen und Risiken
Authors: Grimm Veronika , Lembcke Franziska K. , Schwarz Milena 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungDeutschland hat sich das Ziel gesetzt, bis zum 21. September 2021 70 % der erwachsenen Bevölkerung ein Impfangebot zu unterbreiten. Der Fortschritt der Impfkampagne hängt dabei wesentlich von drei Determinanten ab: der Impfstoffverfügbarkeit, den Impfkapazitäten sowie der Impfbereitschaft. Auf Basis von Szenarienrechnungen wird aufgezeigt, wie das Ziel der Bundesregierung zu erreichen ist und welche Anforderungen an die Organisation der Impfkampagne dabei gestellt werden müssen. Abschließend werden langfristige Perspektiven und Herausforderungen angesprochen, etwa mit Blick auf die Impfung von Kindern und Jugendlichen oder den weltweiten Impffortschritt.
Identifying the sensitivity of GPS to non-tidal loadings at various time resolutions: examining vertical displacements from continental Eurasia
Authors: Klos Anna , Dobslaw Henryk , Dill Robert , Bogusz Janusz 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe examine the sensitivity of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to non-tidal loading for a set of continental Eurasia permanent stations. We utilized daily vertical displacements available from the Nevada Geodetic Laboratory (NGL) at stations located at least 100 km away from the coast. Loading-induced predictions of displacements of earth’s crust are provided by the Earth-System-Modeling Group of the GFZ (ESMGFZ). We demonstrate that the hydrological loading, supported by barystatic sea-level changes to close the global mass budget (HYDL + SLEL), contributes to GPS displacements only in the seasonal band. Non-tidal atmospheric loading, supported by non-tidal oceanic loading (NTAL + NTOL), correlates positively with GPS displacements for almost all time resolutions, including non-seasonal changes from 2 days to 5 months, which are often considered as noise, intra-seasonal and seasonal changes with periods between 4 months and 1.4 years, and, also, inter-annual signals between 1.1 and 3.0 years. Correcting the GPS vertical displacements by NTAL leads to a reduction in the time series variances, evoking a whitening of the GPS stochastic character and a decrease in the standard deviation of noise. Both lead, on average, to an improvement in the uncertainty of the GPS vertical velocity by a factor of 2. To reduce its impact on the GPS displacement time series, we recommend that NTAL is applied at the observation level during the processing of GPS observations. HYDL might be corrected at the observation level or remain in the data and be applied at the stage of time series analysis.
Activated p53 in the anti-apoptotic milieu of tuberous sclerosis gene mutation induced diseases leads to cell death if thioredoxin reductase is inhibited
Authors: Abdelwahab ElHusseiny M. M. , Bovari-Biri Judit , Smuk Gabor , Fillinger Janos , McPhail Donald , Krymskaya Vera P. , Pongracz Judit E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTuberous sclerosis, angiomyolipoma and lymphangioleiomyomatosis are a group of diseases characterized by mutation in tuberous sclerosis genes (TSC 1-2). TSC mutation leads to continuous activation of the mTOR pathway that requires adaptation to increased ATP requirement. With limited treatment options, there is an increasing demand to identify novel therapeutic targets and to understand the correlations between mTOR pathway activation and the lack of cell death in the presence of TSC mutation. In the current study, we demonstrate deregulation of p53 controlled and mitochondria associated cell death processes. The study also reveals that treatment of TSC mutant cells with the drug candidate Proxison combined with reduced concentration of rapamycin can increase production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), can modify miRNA expression pattern associated with p53 regulation and can reduce cell viability.
Ecotoxicity testing of airborne particulate matter—comparison of sample preparation techniques for the Vibrio fischeri assay
Authors: Kováts Nora , Hubai Katalin , Sainnokhoi Tsend-Ayush , Hoffer András , Teke Gábor 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe bioassay based on the bioluminescence inhibition of the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri has been the most widely used test for the assessment of airborne particulate matter ecotoxicity. Most studies available use an extract of the solid sample, either made with water or organic solvents. As an alternative, a whole-aerosol test is also available where test bacteria are in actual contact with contaminated particles. In our study, different extraction procedures were compared to this direct contact test based on the V. fischeri assay and analytical measurements. The lowest PAH content and the highest EC50 were determined in water extract, while the highest PAH amount and lowest EC50 were measured in dichloromethane, hexane, and dimethyl-sulphoxide extracts. EC50 of the direct contact test was comparable to that of the methanol extract. Our results suggest that the sensitivity of the direct contact test equals to that of extraction procedures using organic solvents, moreover, it is mimicking an environmentally realistic exposure route.
Operationalism: An Interpretation of the Philosophy of Ancient Greek Geometry
Authors: Blåsjö Viktor 
Published: April 2021

AbstractI present a systematic interpretation of the foundational purpose of constructions in ancient Greek geometry. I argue that Greek geometers were committed to an operationalist foundational program, according to which all of mathematics—including its entire ontology and epistemology—is based entirely on concrete physical constructions. On this reading, key foundational aspects of Greek geometry are analogous to core tenets of 20th-century operationalist/positivist/constructivist/intuitionist philosophy of science and mathematics. Operationalism provides coherent answers to a range of traditional philosophical problems regarding classical mathematics, such as the epistemic warrant and generality of diagrammatic reasoning, superposition, and the relation between constructivism and proof by contradiction. Alleged logical flaws in Euclid (implicit diagrammatic reasoning, superposition) can be interpreted as sound operationalist reasoning. Operationalism also provides a compelling philosophical motivation for the otherwise inexplicable Greek obsession with cube duplication, angle trisection, and circle quadrature. Operationalism makes coherent sense of numerous specific choices made in this tradition, and suggests new interpretations of several solutions to these problems. In particular, I argue that: Archytas’s cube duplication was originally a single-motion machine; Diocles’s cissoid was originally traced by a linkage device; Greek conic section theory was thoroughly constructive, based on the conic compass; in a few cases, string-based constructions of conic sections were used instead; pointwise constructions of curves were rejected in foundational contexts by Greek mathematicians, with good reason. Operationalism enables us to view the classical geometrical tradition as a more unified and philosophically aware enterprise than has hitherto been recognised.
Buffer Stock Operations and Well-Being: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in Ghana
Authors: Abokyi Emmanuel , Strijker Dirk , Asiedu Kofi Fred , Daams Michiel N. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the possible causal relationship between buffer stock operations in Ghanaian agriculture and the well-being of smallholder farmers in a developing world setting. We analyze the differences in the objective and subjective well-being of smallholder farmers who do or do not participate in a buffer stock price stabilization policy initiative, using self-reported assessments of 507 farmers. We adopt a two-stage least square instrumental variable estimation to account for possible endogeneity. Our results provide evidence that participation in buffer stock operations improves the objective and subjective well-being of smallholder farmers by 20% and 15%, respectively. Also, with estimated coefficient of 1.033, we find a significant and robust relationship between objective well-being and subjective well-being among smallholder farmers. This relationship implies that improving objective well-being enhances the subjective well-being of the farmers. We also find that the activities of intermediaries decrease both the objective and subjective well-being of farmers. This study demonstrates that economic, social, and environmental aspects of agricultural life could constitute priorities for public policy in improving well-being, given their strong correlation with the well-being of farmers. Based on the results of this study, we provide a better understanding, which may aid policy-makers, that public buffer stockholding operations policy is a viable tool for improving the well-being of smallholder farmers in a developing country.
Matching Temporal Signatures of Solar Features to Their Corresponding Solar-Wind Outflows
Authors: de Pablos D. , Long D. M. , Owen C. J. , Valori G. , Nicolaou G. , Harra L. K. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe role of small-scale coronal eruptive phenomena in the generation and heating of the solar wind remains an open question. Here, we investigate the role played by coronal jets in forming the solar wind by testing whether temporal variations associated with jetting in EUV intensity can be identified in the outflowing solar-wind plasma. This type of comparison is challenging due to inherent differences between remote-sensing observations of the source and in-situ observations of the outflowing plasma, as well as travel time and evolution of the solar wind throughout the heliosphere. To overcome these, we propose a novel algorithm combining signal filtering, two-step solar-wind ballistic back-mapping, window shifting, and Empirical Mode Decomposition. We first validate the method using synthetic data, before applying it to measurements from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and Wind spacecraft. The algorithm enables the direct comparison of remote-sensing observations of eruptive phenomena in the corona to in-situ measurements of solar-wind parameters, among other potential uses. After application to these datasets, we find several time windows where signatures of dynamics found in the corona are embedded in the solar-wind stream, at a time significantly earlier than expected from simple ballistic back-mapping, with the best-performing in-situ parameter being the solar-wind mass flux.