Role of Preoperative Assessment in Predicting Tumor-Induced Plasticity in Patients with Diffuse Gliomas

When diffuse gliomas (DG) affect the brain’s potential to reorganize functional networks, patients can exhibit seizures and/or language/cognitive impairment. The tumor–brain interaction and the individual connectomic organization cannot be predicted preoperatively. We aimed to, first, investigate the relationship between preoperative assessment and intraoperative findings of eloquent tumors in 36 DG operated with awake surgery. Second, we also studied possible mechanisms of tumor-induced brain reorganization in these patients. FLAIR-MRI sequences were used for tumor volume segmentation and the Brain-Grid system (BG) was used as an overlay for infiltration analysis. Neuropsychological (NPS) and/or language assessments were performed in all patients. The distance between eloquent spots and tumor margins was measured. All variables were used for correlation and logistic regression analyses. Eloquent tumors were detected in 75% of the patients with no single variable able to predict this finding. Impaired NPS functions correlated with invasive tumors, crucial location (A4C2S2/A3C2S2-voxels, left opercular-insular/sub-insular region) and higher risk of eloquent tumors. Epilepsy was correlated with larger tumor volumes and infiltrated A4C2S2/A3C2S2 voxels. Language impairment was correlated with infiltrated A3C2S2 voxel. Peritumoral cortical eloquent spots reflected an early compensative mechanism with age as possible influencing factor. Preoperative NPS impairment is linked with high risk of eloquent tumors. A systematic integration of extensive cognitive assessment and advanced neuroimaging can improve our comprehension of the connectomic brain organization at the individual scale and lead to a better oncological/functional balance.

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Comparing the Diagnostic Value of Serum D-Dimer to CRP and IL-6 in the Diagnosis of Chronic Prosthetic Joint Infection

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9092917 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 2917

Author(s):

Thomas Ackmann ◽

Burkhard Möllenbeck ◽

Georg Gosheger ◽

Jan Schwarze ◽

Tom Schmidt-Braekling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Joint Infection ◽

Revision Arthroplasty ◽

Preoperative Assessment ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

Musculoskeletal Infection ◽

Prosthetic Joint ◽

The Individual ◽

Low Sensitivity ◽

D Dimer

Introduction: D-dimer is a diagnostic criterion for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) in 2018. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum D-dimer values in comparison to C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) for the diagnosis of PJI. Materials and Methods: We included 119 patients (50 women, 69 men; 71 knees, 48 hips) undergoing revision arthroplasty with preoperative assessment of CRP, IL-6, and serum D-dimer. Cases were classified as infected or aseptic based on the MSIS criteria of 2018. Receiver operating curves and Youden’s index were used to define an ideal cut-off value and sensitivity and specificity for the individual parameters, and respective combinations were calculated using cross-tables. Results: The median D-dimer level (2320 vs. 1105 ng/mL; p < 0.001), the median CRP level (4.0 vs. 0.5 mg/dL; p < 0.001), and the median IL-6 level (21.0 vs. 5.0 pg/mL; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the group of PJI compared to the group with aseptic failure. The calculated optimal cut-off values were 2750 ng/mL (AUC 0.767) for D-dimer, 1.2 mg/dL (AUC 0.914) for CRP, and 10.0 pg/mL (AUC 0.849) for IL-6. D-dimer showed a sensitivity of 38% and specificity of 94%, whereas the CRP and IL-6 had sensitivities of 88% and 76%, and specificities of 87% and 92%, respectively. Conclusion: In comparison with CRP and IL-6, serum D-dimer showed low sensitivity and specificity in our cohort. While CRP and IL-6 combination had the highest sensitivity, a combination of Il-6 and D-dimer or CRP and IL-6 had the highest specificity.

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Orientation-Dependent Reflection of Structurally Coloured Butterflies

Biomimetics ◽

10.3390/biomimetics5010005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 5

Author(s):

Sigrid Zobl ◽

Bodo D. Wilts ◽

Willi Salvenmoser ◽

Peter Pölt ◽

Ille C. Gebeshuber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Orientation Dependence ◽

Butterfly Species ◽

Butterfly Wing ◽

Step Size ◽

Photonic Structures ◽

Light Interference ◽

Important Input ◽

Individual Scale ◽

The Individual ◽

Wing Scales

The photonic structures of butterfly wing scales are widely known to cause angle-dependent colours by light interference with nanostructures present in the wing scales. Here, we quantify the relevance of the horizontal alignment of the butterfly wing scales on the wing. The orientation-dependent reflection was measured at four different azimuth angles, with a step size of 90°, for ten samples—two of different areas of the same species—of eight butterfly species of three subfamilies at constant angles of illumination and observation. For the observed species with varying optical structures, the wing typically exhibits higher orientation-dependent reflections than the individual scale. We find that the measured anisotropy is caused by the commonly observed grating structures that can be found on all butterfly wing scales, rather than the local photonic structures. Our results show that the technique employed here can be used to quickly evaluate the orientation-dependence of the reflection and hence provide important input for bio-inspired applications, e.g., to identify whether the respective structure is suitable as a template for nano-imprinting techniques.

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Alternative Approaches to Analyzing SWAT Data

Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193128703100114 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 63-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

David W. Biers ◽

Philip J. Masline

Keyword(s):

Rating Scale ◽

Memory Task ◽

Task Demands ◽

Conjoint Measurement ◽

Multivariate Statistical ◽

Alternative Approaches ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

Using Data ◽

Individual Scale ◽

The Individual

The present study sought to determine the sensitivity of three alternative approaches to deriving a workload composite measure based upon data gathered using the Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (SWAT) and to determine through the use of multivariate statistical procedures (MANOVA) if anything is to be gained by retaining the individual scale information of SWAT. The three rating scale dimensions of SWAT (time load, mental effort load, psychological stress load) were combined into a single workload composite using three techniques: conjoint measurement; a simple sum of the three scales weighted equally; an empirically determined weighted-linear combination of the three scales (from MANOVA). Using data gathered by having subjects perform a continuous memory task under twelve levels of task difficulty, it was found that the three composite measures were equally sensitive and highly correlated (the minimum correlation among the three composites being 0.9913). The results of the MANOVA performed on the same data indicated that the individual scales of SWAT were differentially sensitive to different task demands and that individual scale information should be retained rather than rely on a simple composite.

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Reflexion of light by external surfaces of the herring, Clupea harengus

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315400016544 ◽

1965 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 711-738 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

E. J. Denton ◽

J. A. C. Nicol

Keyword(s):

Green Light ◽

Normal Incidence ◽

Clupea Harengus ◽

Sea Surface ◽

Histological Studies ◽

Fresh Fish ◽

Wide Range ◽

Individual Scale ◽

The Individual

The orientations of the reflecting layers in the external surfaces of the herring have been found both by light-measurements on the fresh fish and by histological studies on preserved specimens.The reflecting platelets which lie under the scales are orientated, with respect to the surface of the fish, in a similar way to the platelets found in the bleak and described earlier by Demon & Nicol (1965). However, on the curved dorsum of the fish, although the reflecting platelets are much more perpendicular to the sea surface than the scales on which they lie, these platelets are still inclined some 20° to the perpendicular. It is shown that, in this region, the fish reflects the fraction of the light striking the platelets which is sufficient to match the background against which the fish is seen. The platelets on the curved dorsum have the property of reflecting green light well if it falls obliquely on them but reflecting it poorly when it strikes them at angles close to normal incidence. On the broad flank of the herring the scales have reflecting platelets under most of their surfaces, and the individual scale has several distinctly coloured regions. When we look at any particular region of the flank of an intact fish we are always looking at several overlapping layers differing greatly from one another in their spectral reflecting properties.It is the combination of the reflexions of several layers which gives the very bright silvery reflexions of the intact fish. A system of overlapping scales of this kind is needed even to reflect one waveband of light well over a wide range of angles of incidence.

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Individual-scale inference to anticipate climate-change vulnerability of biodiversity

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2011.0183 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 367 (1586) ◽

pp. 236-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

James S. Clark ◽

David M. Bell ◽

Matthew Kwit ◽

Anne Stine ◽

Ben Vierra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Individual Tree ◽

Demographic Rates ◽

Competitive Environments ◽

Scale Models ◽

Competition For Light ◽

Input Variables ◽

Individual Scale ◽

The Individual ◽

Demographic Responses

Anticipating how biodiversity will respond to climate change is challenged by the fact that climate variables affect individuals in competition with others, but interest lies at the scale of species and landscapes. By omitting the individual scale, models cannot accommodate the processes that determine future biodiversity. We demonstrate how individual-scale inference can be applied to the problem of anticipating vulnerability of species to climate. The approach places climate vulnerability in the context of competition for light and soil moisture. Sensitivities to climate and competition interactions aggregated from the individual tree scale provide estimates of which species are vulnerable to which variables in different habitats. Vulnerability is explored in terms of specific demographic responses (growth, fecundity and survival) and in terms of the synthetic response (the combination of demographic rates), termed climate tracking. These indices quantify risks for individuals in the context of their competitive environments. However, by aggregating in specific ways (over individuals, years, and other input variables), we provide ways to summarize and rank species in terms of their risks from climate change.

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Influence of OSHV-1 oyster mortality episode on dissolved inorganic fluxes: An ex situ experiment at the individual scale

Aquaculture ◽

10.1016/j.aquaculture.2017.03.026 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 475 ◽

pp. 40-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M. Richard ◽

J. Bourreau ◽

C. Montagnani ◽

V. Ouisse ◽

P. Le Gall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ex Situ ◽

Oyster Mortality ◽

Individual Scale ◽

The Individual

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Application of GIS on the Identification of Suitable Areas for Water Conservation Technologies in the Upper Tana Watershed of the Central Highlands of Kenya

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science ◽

10.9734/ijpss/2019/v30i130166 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

B. W. Nganga ◽

K. O. Nge’tich ◽

N. Adamtey ◽

K. Milka ◽

K. F. Ngetich

Keyword(s):

Water Conservation ◽

Influencing Factor ◽

Stream Order ◽

Weighted Overlay ◽

Suitability Evaluation ◽

Model Builder ◽

Suitability Maps ◽

The Individual ◽

Online Sources ◽

Conservation Technologies

Low adoption of soil water conservation technologies has been one of the main causes for decreased agricultural productivity in the Upper Tana Catchment of Kenya. Proper identification of locations to scale-out the individual technologies necessary to improve water conservation is a key determinant for the rate of adoption. Our main aim was to identify the suitable sites for water conservation technologies using the suitability model created by the model builder function in ArcGIS 10.5®. The model combined the thematic layers of soil texture, slope, rainfall, and stream order, which were acquired from assorted online sources. The factors were converted to raster format and reclassified based on their suitability and were assigned fixed scores and weights by use of multi influencing factor (MIF) method. The suitability evaluation was carried out by use of weighted overlay to produce suitability classes for each of the water conservation technique. The delineated suitability maps indicated that check dams are highly suitable in 50% of the study area. Mulching, on the other hand, is highly suitable for 49% of the study area. Zai pits are highly suitable in 43% of the study area. Majority of the study area is moderately suitable for the use of terraces, covering 41% of the study area. The highly suitable areas for the Checkdams are Machakos, Kitui, Tharaka-Nithi and lower parts of Embu. The highly suitable areas for mulching are Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyandarua and Nyeri. The highly suitable areas for the Zai pits are Kitui, lower parts of Tharaka-Nithi and the highly suitable areas for the terraces are Murang’a, Nyeri and Kirinyaga. Furthermore, the results demonstrated the effectiveness of GIS in delineating the suitable areas for the use of water conservation technologies.

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FACTOR ANALYSIS AS OPTIMAL METHOD IN DETERMINING MOTORIC ABILITIES AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE, HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELLNESS OF PERSPECTIVE JUDOKAS

Facta Universitatis Series Physical Education and Sport ◽

10.22190/fupes170927010p ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 107

Author(s):

Dragan Popović ◽

Dragana Mitić ◽

Jasna Popović ◽

Evagelija Boli ◽

Evdokia Samouilidou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Education ◽

Life Assessment ◽

Current Status ◽

Optimal Method ◽

Scale Scores ◽

And Gender ◽

Individual Scale ◽

The Individual

The goal of this study is a comparative analysis of the possibilities of physical education for children with health problems and the current status in boys and girls. Understanding the concept of impaired health is a precondition for the realization of the training process and possible integration in the process of physical education, according to the structure of health disadvantages. Quality of life assessment is performed on three levels. The first level are items that are given in the form of a statement. On the second level, item-like particles are observed in the sub-segments (scales that cover different dimensions of health and quality of life). The raw scores of each scale are transformed into standardized ones with a possible value of 1-4, which facilitates the interpretation of the results. The third level represents total physical and psycho-social health. Up to this level, there are certain mathematical procedures, based on the individual scale scores. Comparative analyses in regard of the cultural and gender specificities are provided, based on MANOVA and DISCRA analyses, within the introductory part, and 11 scales of the Questionnaire. Analysis of the data point out major differences in the possibility of physical activity application in children with medical conditions, with a special overview of boys and girls from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, in Serbia and the Northern Aegean region of Greece.

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About the Triggering of UN Sustainable Development Goals and Regenerative Sustainability in Higher Education

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11010254 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 254 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Giulia Sonetti ◽

Martin Brown ◽

Emanuele Naboni

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Global Climate ◽

Ethical Reasoning ◽

Global Dimension ◽

Environmental Crisis ◽

Development Goals ◽

Individual Scale ◽

The Individual ◽

And Behavior

Humans are at the center of global climate change: The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are igniting sustainability with proactive, global, social goals, moving us away from the Brundtland paradigm ‘do nothing today to compromise tomorrows generation’. This promotes a regenerative shift in the sustainability concept, no longer only considering resources and energy, but also significant human-centric attributes. Despite this, precise ecological and sustainable attitudes have little prognostic value regarding final related individual human behavior. The global cultural challenge, dominated by technological innovations and business imperatives, alongside the mirroring technological fallacy and lack of ethical reasoning, makes the role of small actions, at individual and at academic scale even harder. This paper outlines the context in which universities can collaborate and contribute to triggering sustainability values, attitudes, and behavior within future regenerative societies. This contribution consists in three main areas: the first analyzes the issue of sustainability transitions at the individual scale, where influencing factors and value–behavior links are presented as reviewed from a number of multi and transdisciplinary scholars’ works. The second part enlarges the picture to the global dimension, tracing the ideological steps of our current environmental crisis, from the differences in prevailing western and eastern values, tradition, and perspectives, to the technological fallacy and the power of the narratives of changes. Finally, the task of our role as academics in the emerging ‘integrative humanities’ science is outlined with education promoted as an essential driver in moving from sustainability to regenerative paradigms.

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Multiscale Eulerian CFD of Chemical Processes: A Review

ChemEngineering ◽

10.3390/chemengineering4020023 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 23 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Son Ich Ngo ◽

Young-Il Lim

Keyword(s):

Bubble Columns ◽

Coarse Grained ◽

Navier Stokes ◽

Digital Twins ◽

Single Scale ◽

Liquid Bubble ◽

Coupling Strategy ◽

Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽

Individual Scale ◽

The Individual

This review covers the scope of multiscale computational fluid dynamics (CFD), laying the framework for studying hydrodynamics with and without chemical reactions in single and multiple phases regarded as continuum fluids. The molecular, coarse-grained particle, and meso-scale dynamics at the individual scale are excluded in this review. Scoping single-scale Eulerian CFD approaches, the necessity of multiscale CFD is highlighted. First, the Eulerian CFD theory, including the governing and turbulence equations, is described for single and multiple phases. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS)-based turbulence model such as the standard k-ε equation is briefly presented, which is commonly used for industrial flow conditions. Following the general CFD theories based on the first-principle laws, a multiscale CFD strategy interacting between micro- and macroscale domains is introduced. Next, the applications of single-scale CFD are presented for chemical and biological processes such as gas distributors, combustors, gas storage tanks, bioreactors, fuel cells, random- and structured-packing columns, gas-liquid bubble columns, and gas-solid and gas-liquid-solid fluidized beds. Several multiscale simulations coupled with Eulerian CFD are reported, focusing on the coupling strategy between two scales. Finally, challenges to multiscale CFD simulations are discussed. The need for experimental validation of CFD results is also presented to lay the groundwork for digital twins supported by CFD. This review culminates in conclusions and perspectives of multiscale CFD.

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