Existing assessments of biomass supply and demand and their impacts face various types of limitations and uncertainties, partly due to the type of tools and methods applied (e.g., partial ...representation of sectors, lack of geographical details, and aggregated representation of technologies involved). Improved collaboration between existing modeling approaches may provide new, more comprehensive insights, especially into issues that involve multiple economic sectors, different temporal and spatial scales, or various impact categories. Model collaboration consists of aligning and harmonizing input data and scenarios, model comparison and/or model linkage. Improved collaboration between existing modeling approaches can help assess (i) the causes of differences and similarities in model output, which is important for interpreting the results for policy‐making and (ii) the linkages, feedbacks, and trade‐offs between different systems and impacts (e.g., economic and natural), which is key to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts of biomass supply and demand. But, full consistency or integration in assumptions, structure, solution algorithms, dynamics and feedbacks can be difficult to achieve. And, if it is done, it frequently implies a trade‐off in terms of resolution (spatial, temporal, and structural) and/or computation. Three key research areas are selected to illustrate how model collaboration can provide additional ways for tackling some of the shortcomings and uncertainties in the assessment of biomass supply and demand and their impacts. These research areas are livestock production, agricultural residues, and greenhouse gas emissions from land‐use change. Describing how model collaboration might look like in these examples, we show how improved model collaboration can strengthen our ability to project biomass supply, demand, and impacts. This in turn can aid in improving the information for policy‐makers and in taking better‐informed decisions.
To determine whether patients read and remembered health promotion messages displayed in waiting rooms, 600 patients in a UK general practice were given a self-complete questionnaire. Two ...notice-boards carried between 1 to 4 topics over four study periods. Three-hundred and twenty-seven (55%) of subjects responded. Twenty-two per cent recalled at least one topic. Increasing the number of topics did not increase the overall impact of the notice-boards. The numbers of patients recalling a topic remained constant, but increasing the number of topics reduced the number remembering each individual topic. Patients aged over 60 years were less likely to recall topics, but waiting time, gender and health professional seen had no effect on results. Very few patients (< 10%) read or took health promotion leaflets. These results suggest that the role of waiting room notice-boards should be reassessed. More modern methods of communication such as electronic notice-boards or videos could be used. However, the waiting room might best function not as an area where a captive audience can be bombarded with health promotion messages, but rather as a place for relaxation before consulting a health professional, making patients more receptive to health advice in the consultation.
The highly infectious bacterium Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular pathogen, whose virulence requires proliferation inside host cells, including macrophages. Here we have performed ...a global transcriptional profiling of the highly virulent F. tularensis ssp. tularensis Schu S4 strain during its intracellular cycle within primary murine macrophages, to characterize its intracellular biology and identify pathogenic determinants based on their intracellular expression profiles. Phagocytosed bacteria rapidly responded to their intracellular environment and subsequently altered their transcriptional profile. Differential gene expression profiles were revealed that correlated with specific intracellular locale of the bacteria. Upregulation of general and oxidative stress response genes was a hallmark of the early phagosomal and late endosomal stages, while induction of transport and metabolic genes characterized the cytosolic replication stage. Expression of the Francisella Pathogenicity Island (FPI) genes, which are required for intracellular proliferation, increased during the intracellular cycle. Similarly, 27 chromosomal loci encoding putative hypothetical, secreted, outer membrane proteins or transcriptional regulators were identified as upregulated. Among these, deletion of FTT0383, FTT0369c or FTT1676 abolished the ability of Schu S4 to survive or proliferate intracellularly and cause lethality in mice, therefore identifying novel determinants of Francisella virulence from their intracellular expression profile.
A novel method for non-destructive intramuscular fat (IMF) estimation via spectral ultrasound backscatter analysis of signals obtained from pig carcasses early post mortem is described. A commercial ...hand-held ultrasound device (center frequency: 2.7MHz) was modified to focus the sound beam to the longissimus muscle at the 2nd/3rd last rib. Time-resolved ultrasound backscatter signals of loin muscle were recorded 45minp.m. on 82 pig carcass sides. Backfat width (dBF=18.9±3.8mm) and muscle attenuation (αmuscle=.77±.15dBMHz−1cm−1) were assessed from the measured pulse echo data. Other propagation properties of skin, backfat and muscle tissue obtained in a previous investigation were incorporated into the signal pre-processing to minimize parameter estimation artifacts. Spectral and cepstral parameters were derived from time-gated backscattered signals measured in the central muscle region. The range of intramuscular fat (IMF) determined by ether extraction was representative for German pig populations (.7%≤IMFchem≤3.6%, coefficient of variation CV(IMFchem)=44.8%). Variations of IMF were associated with variations of backfat width (CV(dBF)=20.2%), muscle attenuation (CV(αmuscle)=19.3%), and slope of the backscattered amplitude spectrum (CV(m)=28.8%). A full cross validated multiple linear regression model using these parameters resulted in good predictability of IMFchem (R2=.76, RMSEP=.34%). Among all tested carcasses, 73% could be correctly classified into one of three IMF classes (LOW: <1%, MID: 1–2%, HIGH: >2%). Using a single threshold (2% IMF), about 92% of all carcasses were correctly classified. With respect to the inherent variability of IMF within a single muscle and the different tissue volumes used for the chemical and ultrasound based IMF estimations the remaining prediction errors are acceptable. Compared to previous ultrasound based studies, the number of acoustic parameters used for the IMF prediction could be reduced. Moreover, the used parameters are based on time-of-flight and spectral slope estimations, which are i) more robust with respect to measurement artifacts and ii) have a causal link to structural variations associated with IMF variations in pork loin.
► Backscatter data from central loin acquired with modified commercial US device. ► Incorporation of acoustic properties of backfat and muscle minimize artifacts. ► IMF variations associated with backfat width, muscle attenuation and spectral slope. ► IMF prediction accuracy (R2=.76) with robust acoustic parameters.
This study aimed at characterising 606 crossbred pigs of three commercially available breed types in terms of their carcass and meat quality. Breed G and H were German Large White (LW)
×
German ...Landrace (LR) sows sired with Pietrain (PI) boars, i.e. PI
×
(LW
×
LR). Breed S was 25% Duroc (DU), i.e. PI
×
(DU
×
LR). Most of the parameters were affected by breed and/or date of slaughter. The meat of crossbred pigs with 25% Duroc proportion appeared most favourable because of higher intramuscular fat content, lower drip loss and higher sensory liking scores. Conductivity is closely related to drip loss while the data suggests that the relationship is dependent on breed and carcass weight. The application of conductivity and lean meat yield thresholds to select carcasses with uniform and superior meat quality effectively decreased drip loss and increased intramuscular fat content as well as sensory liking scores. The variation of meat quality traits remains high, though.
The production of single- and multi-photon events has been studied in the reaction e(+) e(-) --> gamma(gamma) + invisible particles. The data collected with the DELPHI detector during the years 1999 ...and 2000 at centre-of-mass energies between 191 GeV and 209 GeV was combined with earlier data to search for phenomena beyond the Standard Model. The measured number of light neutrino families was consistent with three and the absence of an excess of events beyond that predicted by the Standard Model processes was used to set limits on new physics. Both model-independent searches and searches for new processes predicted by supersymmetric and extra-dimensional models have been made. Limits on new non-standard model interactions between neutrinos and electrons were also determined.
A measurement of the production cross section of top quark pairs (tt¯) in proton–proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is ...reported. Candidate events are selected in the dilepton topology with large missing transverse energy and at least two jets. Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35 pb−1, a tt¯ production cross section σtt¯=177±20(stat.)±14(syst.)±7(lum.) pb is measured for an assumed top quark mass of mt=172.5 GeV. A second measurement requiring at least one jet identified as coming from a b quark yields a comparable result, demonstrating that the dilepton final states are consistent with being accompanied by b-quark jets. These measurements are in good agreement with Standard Model predictions.
Abstract
Purpose
The DRG-ÖRG IRP (Deutsche Röntgengesellschaft-Österreichische Röntgengesellschaft international radiomics platform) represents a web-/cloud-based radiomics platform based on a ...public-private partnership. It offers the possibility of data sharing, annotation, validation and certification in the field of artificial intelligence, radiomics analysis, and integrated diagnostics. In a first proof-of-concept study, automated myocardial segmentation and automated myocardial late gadolinum enhancement (LGE) detection using radiomic image features will be evaluated for myocarditis data sets.
Materials and Methods
The DRG-ÖRP IRP can be used to create quality-assured, structured image data in combination with clinical data and subsequent integrated data analysis and is characterized by the following performance criteria: Possibility of using multicentric networked data, automatically calculated quality parameters, processing of annotation tasks, contour recognition using conventional and artificial intelligence methods and the possibility of targeted integration of algorithms. In a first study, a neural network pre-trained using cardiac CINE data sets was evaluated for segmentation of PSIR data sets. In a second step, radiomic features were applied for segmental detection of LGE of the same data sets, which were provided multicenter via the IRP.
Results
First results show the advantages (data transparency, reliability, broad involvement of all members, continuous evolution as well as validation and certification) of this platform-based approach. In the proof-of-concept study, the neural network demonstrated a Dice coefficient of 0.813 compared to the expert's segmentation of the myocardium. In the segment-based myocardial LGE detection, the AUC was 0.73 and 0.79 after exclusion of segments with uncertain annotation.
The evaluation and provision of the data takes place at the IRP, taking into account the FAT (fairness, accountability, transparency) and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) criteria.
Conclusion
It could be shown that the DRG-ÖRP IRP can be used as a crystallization point for the generation of further individual and joint projects. The execution of quantitative analyses with artificial intelligence methods is greatly facilitated by the platform approach of the DRG-ÖRP IRP, since pre-trained neural networks can be integrated and scientific groups can be networked.
In a first proof-of-concept study on automated segmentation of the myocardium and automated myocardial LGE detection, these advantages were successfully applied.
Our study shows that with the DRG-ÖRP IRP, strategic goals can be implemented in an interdisciplinary way, that concrete proof-of-concept examples can be demonstrated, and that a large number of individual and joint projects can be realized in a participatory way involving all groups.
Key Points:
The DRG-ÖRG IRP is a web/cloud-based radiomics platform based on a public-private partnership.
The DRG-ÖRG IRP can be used for the creation of quality-assured, structured image data in combination with clinical data and subsequent integrated data analysis.
First results show the applicability of left ventricular myocardial segmentation using a neural network and segment-based LGE detection using radiomic image features.
The DRG-ÖRG IRP offers the possibility of integrating pre-trained neural networks and networking of scientific groups.
Citation Format
Overhoff D, Kohlmann P, Frydrychowicz A et al. The International Radiomics Platform – An Initiative of the German and Austrian Radiological Societies. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 276 – 287
Zusammenfassung
Ziel
Die DRG-ÖRG-IRP (Deutsche Röntgengesellschaft-Österreichische Röntgengesellschaft Internationale Radiomics-Plattform) stellt eine web-/cloudbasierte Radiomics-Plattform auf Grundlage einer öffentlich-privaten Partnerschaft dar. Sie bietet die Möglichkeit der gemeinsamen Nutzung von Daten, Annotation, Validierung und Zertifizierung auf dem Gebiet der künstlichen Intelligenz, Radiomics-Analyse und integrierten Diagnostik. In einer ersten Proof-of-Concept-Studie soll die automatisierte Myokardsegmentation sowie die automatisierte myokardiale Late-Gadolinum-Enhancement (LGE)-Detektion mittels radiomischer Bildmerkmale für Myokarditis-Datensätze evaluiert werden.
Material und Methoden
Die DRG-ÖRP-IRP kann zur Erstellung qualitätsgesicherter, strukturierter Bilddaten in Kombination mit klinischen Daten und anschließender integrierter Datenanalyse genutzt werden und zeichnet sich durch die folgenden Leistungskriterien aus: Nutzungsmöglichkeit multizentrischer vernetzter Daten, automatisiert berechnete Qualitätsparameter, Bearbeitung von Annotationsaufgaben, Konturerkennung mittels herkömmlicher Verfahren sowie Verfahren der künstlichen Intelligenz und der Möglichkeit einer gezielten Einbindung von Algorithmen.
In einer ersten Studie wurde ein anhand kardialer CINE-Datensätze vortrainiertes neuronales Netz zur Segmentierung von PSIR-Datensätzen evaluiert. In einem zweiten Schritt wurden radiomische Bildmerkmale zur segmentalen Detektion von LGE der gleichen Datensätze, welche multizentrisch über die IRP zu Verfügung gestellt wurden, angewendet.
Ergebnisse
Erste Ergebnisse zeigen die Vorteile (Datentransparenz, Zuverlässigkeit, breite Einbindung aller Mitglieder, kontinuierliche Evolution sowie Validierung und Zertifizierung) dieses plattformbasierten Ansatzes auf. In der Proof-of-Concept-Studie konnte im Vergleich zur Segmentierung des Myokards durch den Experten das neuronale Netzwerk einen Dice-Koeffizienten von 0,813 nachweisen. Im Rahmen der segmentbasierten myokardialen LGE-Detektion ergab sich ein AUC von 0,73 bzw. ein AUC von 0,79 nach Ausschluss von Segmenten mit unsicherer Annotation.
Die Auswertung und Bereitstellung der Daten findet auf der IRP unter Berücksichtigung der FAT-Kriterien (Fairness, Accountability, Transparency) sowie FAIR-Kriterien (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) statt.
Schlussfolgerung
Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die DRG-ÖRP-IRP als Kristallisationspunkt für die Generierung weiterer Einzel- und Verbundprojekte genutzt werden kann. Die Durchführung von quantitativen Analysen mit Verfahren der künstlichen Intelligenz wird hierbei durch den Plattformansatz der DRG-ÖRP-IRP erheblich erleichtert, da vorab trainierte neuronale Netze integriert und wissenschaftliche Gruppen vernetzt werden können.
In einer ersten Proof-of-Concept-Studie zur automatisierten Segmentation des Myokards sowie zur automatisierten myokardialen LGE-Detektion konnten diese Vorteile erfolgreich angewendet werden.
Somit zeigt sich, dass sich mittels der DRG-ÖRP-IRP strategische Ziele interdisziplinär umsetzen, konkrete alltagstaugliche Proof-of-Concept-Beispiele aufzeigen sowie möglichst partizipativ unter Einbindung aller Gruppierungen eine Vielzahl an Einzel- und Verbundprojekten realisieren lassen.
Kernaussagen:
Die DRG-ÖRG-IRP ist eine web-/cloudbasierte Radiomics-Plattform auf Grundlage einer öffentlich-privaten Partnerschaft.
Die DRG-ÖRG-IRP ist nutzbar für die Erstellung qualitätsgesicherter, strukturierter Bilddaten in Kombination mit klinischen Daten und anschließender integrierter Datenanalyse.
Erste Ergebnisse zeigen die Anwendbarkeit linksventrikulärer myokardialer Segmentierung mittels neuronalen Netzwerks und segmentbasierte LGE-Detektion mittels radiomischer Bildmerkmale.
Die DRG-ÖRG-IRP bietet die Möglichkeit der Integration vorab trainierter neuronaler Netze und Vernetzung wissenschaftlicher Gruppen.
Zitierweise
Overhoff D, Kohlmann P, Frydrychowicz A et al. The International Radiomics Platform – An Initiative of the German and Austrian Radiological Societies. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 276 – 288
Development of calcium channel blockers is attractive, but has in the past been hampered by lack of high throughput electrophysiological technology. This limitation has been overcome by the ...implementation of automated patch clamp systems that allow identification of state-dependent compounds, which preferentially target pathologically overactive channels. We recently presented a fluorescence-based high-throughput screen for P/Q-type calcium channels followed by automated electrophysiology. Here, we provide a detailed description of the development of the secondary screen, and show the full analysis of the inactivation kinetics of the recombinant P/Q channel that served as a basis for the automated patch clamp protocol. Increasing the length of pre-depolarization shifted the inactivation to more hyperpolarized potentials. No steady-state inactivation was reached up to pre-depolarization durations of 3 min, while stability of the recordings progressively declined. As a compromise, a 3s pre-depolarization protocol was proposed for functional screening. In order to validate the electrophysiological screening, we compared kinetics and pharmacology of recombinant P/Q-type channels between automated and manual patch clamp measurements. Channel activation was similar under both conditions. By contrast, inactivation occurred at more hyperpolarized potentials in the automated system. Therefore, P/Q-type calcium channel inactivation is sensitive to the applied technological platform and needs to be adjusted when performing automated patch clamp recordings. Our results indicate that a thorough analysis of the inactivation kinetics is mandatory, when establishing an electrophysiological screening protocol for calcium channel blockers. As some data obtained by automated recordings may not be identical to manual patch clamp analysis, we recommend a proper initial validation of the screening assay and--if necessary--a posthoc adjustment of automated patch clamp values. The protocol presented here supports hit-to-lead and lead optimization efforts during the development of novel P/Q-type calcium channel blockers, and may be valuable for the generation of assays in other ion channel programs.
An observation of the Λb0→ψ(2S)Λ0 decay and a comparison of its branching fraction with that of the Λb0→J/ψΛ0 decay has been made with the ATLAS detector in proton–proton collisions at s=8 TeV at the ...LHC using an integrated luminosity of 20.6 fb−1. The J/ψ and ψ(2S) mesons are reconstructed in their decays to a muon pair, while the Λ0→pπ− decay is exploited for the Λ0 baryon reconstruction. The Λb0 baryons are reconstructed with transverse momentum pT>10 GeV and pseudorapidity |η|<2.1. The measured branching ratio of the Λb0→ψ(2S)Λ0 and Λb0→J/ψΛ0 decays is Γ(Λb0→ψ(2S)Λ0)/Γ(Λb0→J/ψΛ0)=0.501±0.033(stat)±0.019(syst), lower than the expectation from the covariant quark model.
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