Bayesian quantification for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy

We propose a Bayesian statistical model for analyzing coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectra. Our quantitative analysis includes statistical estimation of constituent line-shape parameters, underlying Raman signal, error-corrected CARS spectrum, and the measured CARS spectrum. As such, this work enables extensive uncertainty quantification in the context of CARS spectroscopy. Furthermore, we present an unsupervised method for improving spectral resolution of Raman-like spectra requiring little to no \textit{a priori} information. Finally, the recently-proposed wavelet prism method for correcting the experimental artefacts in CARS is enhanced by using interpolation techniques for wavelets. The method is validated using CARS spectra of adenosine mono-, di-, and triphosphate in water, as well as, equimolar aqueous solutions of D-fructose, D-glucose, and their disaccharide combination sucrose

Cross-border regional innovation system integration: an analytical framework

The importance of inter-regional cooperation and innovation are widely accepted in the development rhetoric of the European Union. The highlighted importance of both themes in the context of borderlands has recently led to the coining of a new concept, cross-border regional innovation system.However, little attention has been given to the empirical analysis of the concept. This paper suggests a framework for empirically validating the concept by examining the levels of integration between cross-border regions. The outcome is a proposed framework can be operationalized by measurable indicators of cross-border cooperation in a regional innovation system setting. The framework was further tested with illustrative empirical cases that demonstrate its feasibility

Detecting Distal Radius Fractures Using a Segmentation-Based Deep Learning Model

Deep learning algorithms can be used to classify medical images. In distal radius fracture treatment, fracture detection and radiographic assessment of fracture displacement are critical steps. The aim of this study was to use pixel-level annotations of fractures to develop a deep learning model for precise distal radius fracture detection. We randomly divided 3785 consecutive emergency wrist radiograph examinations from six hospitals to a training set (3399 examinations) and test set (386 examinations). The training set was used to develop the deep learning model and the test set to assess its validity. The consensus of three hand surgeons was used as the gold standard for the test set. The area under the ROC curve was 0.97 (CI 0.95-0.98) and 0.95 (CI 0.92-0.98) for examinations without a cast. Fractures were identified with higher accuracy in the postero-anterior radiographs than in the lateral radiographs. Our deep learning model performed well in our multi-hospital and multi-radiograph system manufacturer settings. Thus, segmentation-based deep learning models may provide additional benefit. Further research is needed with algorithm comparison and external validation.Peer reviewe

Prostate Cancer–specific Survival After Radical Prostatectomy Is Improved Among Metformin Users but Not Among Other Antidiabetic Drug Users

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s)Background: Metformin has been linked to improved survival among diabetic prostate cancer (PCa) patients, while hyperinsulinemia and insulin usage has been related to worse prognosis. Objective: To evaluate the association of metformin and other antidiabetic drugs with PCa death and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Design, setting, and participants: The study cohort included 14 424 men who underwent radical prostatectomy in Finland during 1995–2013. Cases were identified, and clinical data were collected from patient files and national registries using personal identification numbers. Intervention: Information on the use of each antidiabetic drug during 1995–2014 was collected from prescription registry of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The risks of PCa death and initiation of ADT were analyzed by antidiabetic drug use with the Cox regression method. Each antidiabetic drug group was analyzed separately to model simultaneous usage. Pre- and postdiagnostic uses were analyzed separately. Results and limitations: Prediagnostic use of antidiabetic drugs in general had no association with the risk of PCa death. Prediagnostic use of metformin was related to a reduced risk of ADT initiation (hazard ratio [HR] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59–0.96), while high-dose insulin users had an increased risk. Overall, antidiabetic drug use after PCa diagnosis was associated with an elevated risk of PCa death. Only postdiagnostic metformin use was associated with reduced risks of PCa death (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.30–0.76) and ADT initiation compared with nonusers. Study limitations are missing information on glycemic control, smoking, living or exercise habits, prostate-specific antigen, and Gleason score. Conclusions: Among surgically treated PCa patients, use of metformin was associated with improved disease-specific survival, while insulin and insulin secretagogues were associated with poor survival. Metformin might be a favorable diabetes treatment among men with PCa. Patient summary: In this Finnish nationwide study, we found that the risks of prostate cancer death and cancer progression are lowered among metformin users, but not among other antidiabetic drug users. Metformin might be a favorable treatment choice for diabetes in men with prostate cancer.Peer reviewe

Identification of transcriptional and metabolic programs related to mammalian cell size

SummaryBackgroundRegulation of cell size requires coordination of growth and proliferation. Conditional loss of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 in mice permits hepatocyte growth without cell division, allowing us to study cell size in vivo using transcriptomics and metabolomics.ResultsLarger cells displayed increased expression of cytoskeletal genes but unexpectedly repressed expression of many genes involved in mitochondrial functions. This effect appears to be cell autonomous because cultured Drosophila cells induced to increase cell size displayed a similar gene-expression pattern. Larger hepatocytes also displayed a reduction in the expression of lipogenic transcription factors, especially sterol-regulatory element binding proteins. Inhibition of mitochondrial functions and lipid biosynthesis, which is dependent on mitochondrial metabolism, increased the cell size with reciprocal effects on cell proliferation in several cell lines.ConclusionsWe uncover that large cell-size increase is accompanied by downregulation of mitochondrial gene expression, similar to that observed in diabetic individuals. Mitochondrial metabolism and lipid synthesis are used to couple cell size and cell proliferation. This regulatory mechanism may provide a possible mechanism for sensing metazoan cell size

Peer review assessment of originality in tourism journals: critical perspective of key gatekeepers

Originality is an essential element of academic research and the peer review system plays a key gatekeeping role in its acceptance. However, there is no consensus as to the precise definition of the concept, its measurement nor the importance attached to it. Primary data from 26 interviews with editors or editorial board members of top ranking tourism journals inform a discussion of the nuanced understanding of the concept and of how different levels of originality (radical vs. incremental), among other peer review assessment criteria, influence tourism publication. Finally, the main challenges relating to recognising originality in the peer review process are identified leading to recommendations for improvements to how originality is assessed

Children’s social orientations as creative processes in early childhood education and care

The purpose of this article is to study children’s social orientations as creative processes in early childhood education and care (ECEC). In this article, we focus on how children’s creative thinking abilities relate to children’s social orientations in interactive situations in ECEC. We study children’s creative thinking abilities with the Thinking Creatively in Action and Movement [TCAM] -test and children’s social orientations with the Child observation instrument of Reunamo (2007). Two hundred and eighty children in 23 ECEC institutions participated in the research. There were altogether eight randomly selected days for the observation between January and May 2015. The TCAM-test was conducted by teachers for their own group. The connections between the TCAM-test and the Child observation instrument were studied with partial correlations controlling children’s age. The results showed that children’s creative thinking abilities were associated positively with participative social orientation. An adaptive and withdrawn orientation had negative correlations with creative thinking abilities.Peer reviewe

Children’s social orientations as creative processes in early childhood education and care

The purpose of this article is to study children’s social orientations as creative processes in early childhood education and care (ECEC). In this article, we focus on how children’s creative thinking abilities relate to children’s social orientations in interactive situations in ECEC. We study children’s creative thinking abilities with the Thinking Creatively in Action and Movement [TCAM] -test and children’s social orientations with the Child observation instrument of Reunamo (2007). Two hundred and eighty children in 23 ECEC institutions participated in the research. There were altogether eight randomly selected days for the observation between January and May 2015. The TCAM-test was conducted by teachers for their own group. The connections between the TCAM-test and the Child observation instrument were studied with partial correlations controlling children’s age. The results showed that children’s creative thinking abilities were associated positively with participative social orientation. An adaptive and withdrawn orientation had negative correlations with creative thinking abilities.Peer reviewe