Percentage Of Overlap Research Articles

PRATEEK: Integration of Multimodal Neuroimaging Data to Facilitate Advanced Brain Research

Background: In vivo neuroimaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) are useful techniques to understand brain anatomical structure, functional activity, source localization, neurochemical profiles, and tissue susceptibility respectively. Integrating unique and distinct information from these neuroimaging modalities will further help to enhance the understanding of complex neurological diseases. Objective: To develop a processing scheme for multimodal data integration in a seamless manner on healthy young population, thus establishing a generalized framework for various clinical conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease). Methods: A multimodal data integration scheme has been developed to integrate the outcomes from multiple neuroimaging data (fMRI, MEG, MRS, and QSM) spatially. Furthermore, the entire scheme has been incorporated into a user-friendly toolbox- “PRATEEK”. Results: The proposed methodology and toolbox has been tested for viability among fourteen healthy young participants. The data-integration scheme was tested for bilateral occipital cortices as the regions of interest and can also be extended to other anatomical regions. Overlap percentage from each combination of two modalities (fMRI-MRS, MEG-MRS, fMRI-QSM, and fMRI-MEG) has been computed and also been qualitatively assessed for combinations of the three (MEG-MRS-QSM) and four (fMRI-MEG-MRS-QSM) modalities. Conclusion: This user-friendly toolbox minimizes the need of an expertise in handling different neuroimaging tools for processing and analyzing multimodal data. The proposed scheme will be beneficial for clinical studies where geometric information plays a crucial role for advance brain research.

The impact of greenspace and air pollution exposure on incident dementia in the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: While long term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) has been linked to all-cause dementia, less is known about potential modification of these effects by greenspace exposure. METHODS: The Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study (GEMS) was a randomized trial in four US sites (Hagerstown MD, Pittsburgh PA, Sacramento CA, and Winston-Salem NC) from 2000-2008 with rigorous neuropsychological assessments for dementia every six months. Minimum age at enrollment was 75 years. Mean residence-specific PM₂.₅ concentrations were estimated using a novel spatiotemporal model and reconstructed from residential address histories for a 20-year period (1980-1999). Greenspace exposure was measured by averaging standardized 1) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), 2) reverse coded distance to nearest park, and 3) percentage of park overlap within a 10km buffer of residence. We evaluated modification by greenspace of the effects of PM₂.₅ on dementia risk by including an interaction term in Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, study site, year of randomization, gender, treatment assignment, neighborhood deprivation index, and education. RESULTS:For 2,549 participants who were free of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at enrollment, preliminary analyses indicate that an interquartile range (2 µg/m³) increase in 20-yr mean PM₂.₅ exposure was associated with a 19% (HR: 1.19: CI: 1.04, 1.37) greater risk of dementia. Relative to participants in the first tertile of greenspace, those in the second tertile had a 17% reduction (HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.63, 1.09) in dementia risk and those in the third tertile had a 25% reduction (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.54, 1.03); however, these estimates included the null. Greenspace exposure did not modify the impact of PM₂.₅ on dementia risk (interaction term p-value=0.57). CONCLUSIONS:Greenspace exposure may be a promising protective factor against dementia but does not appear to modify the impact of PM₂.₅ on dementia in this cohort of older adults. KEYWORDS: Greenspace, Air pollution, All-cause dementia, Fine particulate matter, Long-term exposure

Horizontal and vertical movements of immature dusky sharks Carcharhinus obscurus in relation to commercial longline fisheries in the western North Atlantic Ocean

BackgroundMany species of sharks, including the dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus, are often incidentally captured in commercial pelagic and bottom longline fisheries. Incidental capture can lead to at-vessel or post-release mortality and can be detrimental to populations of threatened, endangered, or prohibited species. The estimated at-vessel mortality for dusky sharks can be high in longline fisheries and, to minimize mortality, time–area closures have been designated in the western North Atlantic Ocean to mitigate interactions with longline fisheries, yet incidental capture of dusky sharks is still common. We compared the vertical and horizontal movements of dusky sharks to the overall fishing effort and depth fished of commercial pelagic and bottom longline fisheries to determine when and where overlap is present that could lead to incidental capture.ResultsTwenty-one (n = 21) dusky sharks were tagged with pop-up archival transmitting satellite tags and all were immature animals (123–200 cm FL) apart from two individuals (230 and 300 cm FL). Sharks were tagged off the coasts of North Carolina (71%) and Florida (29%). Twenty tags (95%) reported and provided tracks between 1 and 107 days (median 15 days) and 10 tags (50%) remained on sharks for > 4 days. Most individuals remained within the bottom longline closed area off the coast of North Carolina during their time at liberty. Dusky sharks primarily occupied the 20–40 m depth range 26% of the time, and overlapped with bottom and pelagic longline gears 41% and 59% of the time, respectively. Overlap was highest in the winter and spring for both commercial fisheries.ConclusionsThe use of archival satellite telemetry in this study has provided valuable preliminary information on vertical and horizontal movements of immature dusky sharks in western North Atlantic Ocean. Dusky sharks may be more vulnerable to incidental capture in the pelagic longline fishery due to the high fishing effort, larger areas of horizontal overlap, and greater percentage of vertical overlap. This information will inform mitigation measures of commercial longline fisheries, which can work toward population rebuilding of the species.

No more trouble: An economic strategy to protect taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of continental turtles

One key strategy to publicise the benefits of nature more effectively to people is to correlate indicators of human well-being with conservation needs. Turtles are important and publicly visible ecological indicator groups. We use continental turtles as flagship umbrella species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest hotspot to design a conservation strategy that incorporates taxonomic (TD), functional (FD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) for improved cost-effective outcomes. We first analyse the effectiveness of the current arrangement of protected areas (PAs) in safeguarding species by calculating the mean percentage overlap of each species range and the PAs network. We create three conservation models that differ in the amount of TD, FD and PD preserved. Each model defines a distinct plan (and cost) of paying landowners to participate in set-aside programs to preserve local habitats. We also analyse the performance of indicator species in representing TD, FD and PD gains and economic costs induced by payments for ecosystem services. The results show that species of continental turtles are not well conserved in the PAs. The spatial distribution of TD is highly correlated with that of FD and PD in the biome, with high values in the central region, in the extreme North, and in the South of the Atlantic Forest, due to the co-existence of the evolutionary lineages. We suggest a program for conservation planning to protect a threatened biodiversity hotspot, the ecosystem functions provided by flagship umbrella species, and its associated ecological and evolutionary values. Our findings are providing a representation of ecological and evolutionary values of continental turtles with annual economic benefits from environmental management tools.

Priority areas for restoring ecosystem services to enhance human well‐being in a dry forest

Habitat destruction reduces biodiversity and affects ecosystem functioning, putting at risk the provision of ecosystem services (ESs) essential for human well‐being. Ecological restoration using native species with multiple uses may offer a long‐term supply of natural resources for vulnerable human populations. We selected priority areas for restoration in the Brazilian Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (Caatinga), targeting areas with high ES demand but low supply. We estimated the supply and demand for three ESs: (1) food/medicine, (2) wood production, and (3) pollination. We estimated ES supply using maps of the potential geographical distribution of 194 native plant species used by the local population as a means of livelihood. For ES demand, we used maps of population density, rural municipalities, wood productivity, and crops dependent on pollination. We used a large‐scale prioritization tool (Zonation) to select two scenarios for each ES: (1) ES supply‐only and (2) ES supply + ES demand, selecting only nonvegetated areas. To select priority areas, where the potential occurrence of species (ES supply) corresponds to areas of high demand for the same services, we overlapped the maps of the two scenarios for each ES. The highest percentage of scenario overlap occurred for food/medicine ES (45%), whereas pollination showed the lowest percentage of overlap (10%), indicating little similarity between potential ES supply and demand areas. Our study shows the importance of including ES in ecological restoration opportunities, taking into account the vulnerable human population in dry regions and their demand for natural resources.

Ultrasound Probe Positions for Internal Jugular Vein Cannulation: A Prospective Study of Different Techniques.

We compared sonoanatomy of the internal jugular vein (IJV) the high (HA), conventional (CA) and the medial oblique approach (MA) to identify the best approach and head position for IJV cannulation. Total of 45 volunteers aged 18-65 years were included in this study. The degree of overlap in percentage, depth of IJV from skin, antero-posterior (AP) and transverse diameters (TD) of IJV were measured in real time with ultrasound (US). Measurements were taken in the HA, CA and MA in neutral and 30° head rotation on both the right and left side of the neck. The HA had lower percentage of overlap when compared to CA and MA in neutral and 30° head rotation (p= 0.002 to ≤0.001). The IJV was more shallow in the CA and MA. The AP and TD of the IJV were larger in the MA when compared to HA (p=<0.001) and CA (p =0.026 to < 0.001) and the right IJV has a larger AP and TD in all approaches. The HA had the least percentage of overlap compared to CA and MA, therefore the risk of accidental ICA puncture can be reduced. The apparent overlap seen in MA may not reflect the actual scenario because of the way the US beam cuts the vessel. The AP and TD of IJV were significantly increased in the MA, which would ease CVC. We conclude and recommend the medial oblique probe position with 30° head rotation provides optimal real time sonographic parameters for US guided IJV cannulation.

Microstructural response and improving surface mechanical properties of pure copper subjected to laser shock peening

High-energy short-pulse lasers have been increasingly used in the field of material processing. Comprehensive understanding of the laser shock peening effects is crucial to future improve the surface mechanical of pure copper efficiency and stability. Herein, we investigated laser shock peening, which may enhance the mechanical properties of metals and alloys. The microstructural evolution and surface mechanical properties of pure copper after laser shock peening were evaluated. Typical high-density dislocations and twin grating after laser shock peening were analyzed. The mechanism of laser shock peening-induced grain refinement was subsequently analyzed. The laser shock peening method effectively enhanced the surface mechanical properties of pure copper. The microhardness of pure copper increased obviously after laser shock peening. However, laser overlap percentage plays a key role in improving surface mechanical properties. In the present work, a 50% overlap was optimal, with the surface hardness after laser shock peening improving by 47%.

FDA-Approved and Emerging Next Generation Predictive Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Cancer Patients.

A patient’s response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is a complex quantitative trait, and determined by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Three currently FDA-approved predictive biomarkers (progra1mmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1); microsatellite instability (MSI); tumor mutational burden (TMB)) are routinely used for patient selection for ICI response in clinical practice. Although clinical utility of these biomarkers has been demonstrated in ample clinical trials, many variables involved in using these biomarkers have poised serious challenges in daily practice. Furthermore, the predicted responders by these three biomarkers only have a small percentage of overlap, suggesting that each biomarker captures different contributing factors to ICI response. Optimized use of currently FDA-approved biomarkers and development of a new generation of predictive biomarkers are urgently needed. In this review, we will first discuss three widely used FDA-approved predictive biomarkers and their optimal use. Secondly, we will review four novel gene signature biomarkers: T-cell inflamed gene expression profile (GEP), T-cell dysfunction and exclusion gene signature (TIDE), melanocytic plasticity signature (MPS) and B-cell focused gene signature. The GEP and TIDE have shown better predictive performance than PD-L1, and PD-L1 or TMB, respectively. The MPS is superior to PD-L1, TMB, and TIDE. The B-cell focused gene signature represents a previously unexplored predictive biomarker to ICI response. Thirdly, we will highlight two combined predictive biomarkers: TMB+GEP and MPS+TIDE. These integrated biomarkers showed improved predictive outcomes compared to a single predictor. Finally, we will present a potential nucleic acid biomarker signature, allowing DNA and RNA biomarkers to be analyzed in one assay. This comprehensive signature could represent a future direction of developing robust predictive biomarkers, particularly for the cold tumors, for ICI response.

OCRDetector: Accurately Detecting Open Chromatin Regions via Plasma Cell-Free DNA Sequencing Data.

Open chromatin regions (OCRs) are special regions of the human genome that can be accessed by DNA regulatory elements. Several studies have reported that a series of OCRs are associated with mechanisms involved in human diseases, such as cancers. Identifying OCRs using ATAC-seq or DNase-seq is often expensive. It has become popular to detect OCRs from plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing data, because both the fragmentation modes of cfDNA and the sequencing coverage in OCRs are significantly different from those in other regions. However, it is a challenging computational problem to accurately detect OCRs from plasma cfDNA-seq data, as multiple factors—e.g., sequencing and mapping bias, insufficient read depth, etc.—often mislead the computational model. In this paper, we propose a novel bioinformatics pipeline, OCRDetector, for detecting OCRs from whole-genome cfDNA sequencing data. The pipeline calculates the window protection score (WPS) waveform and the cfDNA sequencing coverage. To validate the proposed pipeline, we compared the percentage overlap of our OCRs with those obtained by other methods. The experimental results show that 81% of the TSS regions of housekeeping genes are detected, and our results have obvious tissue specificity. In addition, the overlap percentage between our OCRs and the high-confidence OCRs obtained by ATAC-seq or DNase-seq is greater than 70%.

Increasing the free spectral range of Fabry-Perot cavities using dissimilar 1D photonic crystals

We present a method for increasing the free spectral range (FSR) of a Fabry-Perot (F-P) cavity without shifting the position of cavity mode using two dissimilar one dimensional photonic crystals (PCs) as mirrors. The resonant cavity is formed between two PCs with photonic band gap (PBG) in slightly overlapping wavelength regions and the resultant PBG, which determines the FSR, is independent of the cavity width but solely determined by the percentage of overlap between the two PBGs. We noticed that the maximum FSR with nearly flat reflection could be achieved for an overlap of less than 13%. The coupling of Eigen modes at the overlapping band edge transmissions of the two PBGs leads to the observed widening of FSR.

Design methodology of a highly loaded tandem rotor and its performance analysis under clean and distorted inflows

Compact and efficient compressor design is one of the key challenges in aero-engine development. The flow through a compressor is exposed to adverse pressure gradients, which limits the maximum allowable flow turning in a compressor blade. Tandem blading is an interesting concept to achieve a higher total pressure rise by augmenting the flow turning angle. Variation in axial overlap and percentage pitch of the forward and aft blade elements largely influences the behavior of the tandem configuration. In the present study, the genetic algorithm is used to optimize the axial overlap and the percentage pitch for the tandem rotor. Results indicate that a lower axial overlap and higher percentage pitch results in optimum performance. The paper presents the parametric study of four tandem configurations with different axial overlaps and percentage pitches. A detailed experimental analysis of the four different tandem configurations is included in this paper. The behavior of the tandem rotor is examined under the clean and radially distorted inflow. Further, a comparison is drawn with a conventional single rotor in terms of aerodynamic parameters such as total pressure rise, axial velocity, and stall margin. The experimental analysis is supplemented by some interesting computational results, which are included to provide some insight into the complex flow field of the tandem rotor. Tandem rotor design is observed to have a higher sensitivity to radial tip inflow distortion. The upstream shift of the aft rotor blade adversely affects the total pressure rise and stall margin of the tandem rotor.

THE EFFECT OF THE USE OF PORTABLE READING TOOLS ON IMPROVING THE ABILITY TO READ AWARENESS WRITINGS OF LOW VISION STUDENTS

Low vision learners experience obstacles in reading the writing of caution, this happens also to one of the students who are in SLBN A pajajaran Bandung. With this condition, research creates a plan that aims to improve the ability to read it. In this thesis, researchers tested reading aids to determine the effect of using portable reading lights on improving the reading ability of low vision learners. Research using quantitative approach with Single Subject Research (SSR) method. The design used is A-B design. The subject of the study was a visually impaired student in grade 11 at SLBN A Pajajaran Bandung. Data collection by conducting tests to learners using advanced reading instruments. The data obtained is analyzed through descriptive statistics and displayed in the form of graphs and tables. The results showed a positive influence on improving the ability to read the writing after being given a portable reading light. This can be seen with a stable value at the time of intervention, as well as an increase in the middle value (mean) that is when the baseline phase has a middle value of 27.5% ¬and in the intervention phase has a middle value of 81.25%. The influence can also be seen from the percentage of overlap. The percentage of overlap between the baseline condition and the intervention phase is 0, which means that the smaller the percentage of overlap, the better the effect of the intervention. Based on the data obtained, the researchers concluded that portable reading lamps can be used for low vision learners who have difficulty reading in low light conditions. Thus, researchers recommend to the school and teachers to provide portable reading light aids to low vision learners to support in learning activities, especially reading writings.

EFFECT OF ADAPTIVE ATHLETIC ON SUBLIMATION NON VERBAL AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IN PROBLEMS EMOTION AND BEHAVIOR

This study aims to determine the effect of adaptive athletics on the sublimation of non¬verbal aggressive behavior in children with emotional and behavioral disorders at SLB Bhina Putera Surakarta. This research needs to be done because non-verbal aggressive behavior is a destructive behavior that interferes with the child's learning process so that the child will have difficulty following the learning. This research is an experimental study using the Single Subject Research (SSR) approach. The research design used is the A-B-A 'design. The research subject is a child with emotional and behavioral disorder in sixth grade at SLB Bhina Putera. Collecting data by conducting observation on students using non-verbal aggressive behavior instruments. Then the data obtained were analyzed through descriptive statistics and displayed in graphs and tables. The components analyzed in this study were the analysis in conditions and between conditions. The results showed that there was a positive influence on the sublimation of children's non-verbal aggressive behavior after being intervened with adaptive athletics. The positive effect is indicated by an decrease in the mean level of the three phases. Starting from the baseline-1 phase (A1) with a mean level of 95,3%, the intervention phase (B) of 77,4%, and the baseline-2 phase (A2) of 52,7%. Then, the magnitude of the effect of intervention using adaptive athletics can be seen from the percentage overlap. The smaller the overlap percentage, the better the intervention effect. The result of overlap percentage is 11.1%. Thus, adaptive athletics influenced the sublimation of children's non-verbal aggressive behavior in SLB Bhina Putera by 88.9%.

Differences in bone mineral density and morphometry measurements by fixed versus relative offset methods in high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography.

High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), which enables in vivo analysis of bone morphometry, is widely used in osteoporosis research. The scan position is usually determined by the fixed offset method; however, there are concerns that the scan position can become relatively proximal if limb length is short. The present study compared bone mineral density and morphometry measured using the fixed and relative offset methods, in which the scan position is determined based on the lengths of the forearm and lower leg, and investigated factors responsible for measurement differences between the two methods. A total of 150 healthy Japanese subjects, comprising 75 men and 75 women, with a mean age of 45.1years, were enrolled in this study. The distal radius and tibia were scanned using the fixed and relative offset methods; the fixed offset method involved scanning the radius and tibia at 9mm and 22mm, respectively, proximal to their distal articular surfaces. By contrast, the relative offset method entailed scanning the radius at 4% of the forearm length and the tibia at 7.3% of the lower leg length, proximal to their respective distal articular surfaces. The percent overlap between the scan positions of the two methods was measured using the scout views. Measurement values obtained with the two methods were compared. The correlation between the differences in the values among the two methods and forearm length, lower leg length, and body height was examined. The subjects had a mean height of 164.3±14.3cm, mean forearm length of 252.9±17.3mm, and mean lower leg length of 346.7±22.3mm. The mean percent overlap was 85.0±9.1% (59.2-99.6%) for the radius and 79.8±12.5% (48.3-99.8%) for the tibia. Fixed offset scanning yielded higher total volumetric bone mineral density (Tt.vBMD) and cortical vBMD (Ct.vBMD) and greater cortical thickness (Ct.Th) (all p<0.001). The differences between the two methods in terms of Tt.vBMD, Ct.vBMD and Ct.Th were significantly greater with shorter forearm length, lower leg length, and body height (radius: 0.51<|r|<0.63, tibia: 0.61<|r|<0.95). Measurements of bone mineral density and morphometry obtained using the fixed offset method differed from those obtained using the relative offset method, which takes body size into account. Shorter body height, forearm length, and lower leg length were found to correlate with greater measurement differences. In populations with smaller stature, use of the fixed offset method results in relatively proximal images; thus, caution should be exercised when comparing groups of different height.

Painting by lesions: White matter hyperintensities disrupt functional networks and global cognition

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a prominent feature of cerebral small vessel disease and are associated with cognitive impairment. These deficits in cognition may be caused by the disruption of large-scale functional networks due to the presence of WMHs. However, knowledge regarding the relevance of these lesions on functional networks remains inconclusive. These inconsistencies may derive from issues with interpreting functional imaging data from clinical populations. Lesion network mapping is a technique that allows the overlaying of lesions from a patient population to the functional connectivity of a human connectome derived from healthy adults. This allows researchers to identify functional networks that would be disrupted in a healthy population should the WMHs seen in cerebral small vessel disease be present. We hypothesized that the extent to which these functional networks are disrupted by WMHs is associated with cognitive performance in older adults with cerebral small vessel disease.This cross-sectional study combined baseline data from four studies to create a total sample of 164 older adults (aged ≥55) from metropolitan Vancouver with cerebral small vessel disease. Using lesion network mapping, we assessed the percentage overlap between voxels functionally connected with both the WMHs (lesion network) and five common functional networks: (1) visual; (2) dorsal attention; (3) ventral attention; (4) sensorimotor; and (5) frontoparietal. Cognition was assessed using: (1) Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); (2) Stroop Colour Word Test (3–2); (3) Trail Making Tests (Part B-A); and (4) Digit Symbol Substitution Test. A One-Way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests were performed to identify the functional networks with greatest percentage overlap with the lesion network. Partial correlations controlling for age were used to analyse whether the extent of the overlap between the lesion and functional networks was associated with poorer cognition.The visual, ventral attention, and frontoparietal networks had significantly greater overlap with the lesion network. After controlling for multiple comparisons, level of lesion network overlap with both the sensorimotor network (p<.001) and ventral attention network (p <. 001) was significantly correlated with MoCA score. Thus, the greater the disruption to the sensorimotor and ventral attention networks, the poorer the global cognition.Our results reveal that the visual, ventral attention, and frontoparietal networks are most vulnerable to disruptions stemming from WMHs. Additionally, we identified that disruption to the sensorimotor and ventral attention networks, as a result of WMHs, may underlie deficits in global cognition in older adults with cerebral small vessel disease.

A new reliable alternate method to an intraoral scanner (in-vitro study)

ObjectiveTo propose a method to develop 3-dimensional (3D) models of regular and orthodontic typodonts by using their 2-dimensional (2D) images, as an alternate method to 3D scanners. Materials and methodsThe mandibles of two typodonts, regular occlusion and malocclusion, were scanned by using a 3D scanner to generate their models. Captured scans were used to determine the accuracy of the existing method. One hundred images of each mandible were made by using a smartphone from various angles five times to create required and generate 3D models through the software. The percentage overlap of the hard tissues of the scans and the models superimposed within the group (repeatability test), and with each other (accuracy test) gathered the proposed method's accuracy and precision. The data were analyzed by using the Student's t-test. ResultsTen scans and ten models were overlapped among themselves and each other and evaluated. Repeatability test; significant overlap in scans for both mandibles (regular and maloccluded), and their 3D model's counterparts (P < 0.05, CI 95%). Accuracy tests; significant overlap between both methods for both mandibles (P < 0.05, CI 95%). ConclusionThe 2D images were successfully used to model the teeth (both regular and maloccluded) non-invasively. The proposed method showed high reproducibility as well as accuracy when compared to a commercially available 3D scanner. Clinical significanceThe 3D models for both regular teeth and teeth with malocclusions were modeled by using 2D images taken with a smartphone by using the novel method which was both reproducible and accurate.

On measuring agreement with numerically bounded linguistic probability schemes: A re-analysis of data from Wintle, Fraser, Wills, Nicholson, and Fidler (2019).

Across a wide range of domains, experts make probabilistic judgments under conditions of uncertainty to support decision-making. These judgments are often conveyed using linguistic expressions (e.g., x is likely). Seeking to foster shared understanding of these expressions between senders and receivers, the US intelligence community implemented a communication standard that prescribes a set of probability terms and assigns each term an equivalent numerical probability range. In an earlier PLOS ONE article, [1] tested whether access to the standard improves shared understanding and also explored the efficacy of various enhanced presentation formats. Notably, they found that embedding numeric equivalents in text (e.g., x is likely [55–80%]) substantially outperformed the status-quo approach in terms of the percentage overlap between participants’ interpretations of linguistic probabilities (defined in terms of the numeric range equivalents they provided for each term) and the numeric ranges in the standard. These results have important prescriptive implications, yet Wintle et al.’s percentage overlap measure of agreement may be viewed as unfairly punitive because it penalizes individuals for being more precise than the stipulated guidelines even when the individuals’ interpretations fall perfectly within the stipulated ranges. Arguably, subjects’ within-range precision is a positive attribute and should not be penalized in scoring interpretive agreement. Accordingly, in the present article, we reanalyzed Wintle et al.’s data using an alternative measure of percentage overlap that does not penalize in-range precision. Using the alternative measure, we find that percentage overlap is substantially elevated across conditions. More importantly, however, the effects of presentation format and probability level are highly consistent with the original study. By removing the ambiguity caused by Wintle et al.’s unduly punitive measure of agreement, these findings buttress Wintle et al.’s original claim that the methods currently used by intelligence organizations are ineffective at coordinating the meaning of uncertainty expressions between intelligence producers and intelligence consumers. Future studies examining agreement between senders and receivers are also encouraged to reflect carefully on the most appropriate measures of agreement to employ in their experiments and to explicate the bases for their methodological choices.

Using natural history collections to investigate changes in pangolin (Pholidota: Manidae) geographic ranges through time.

Pangolins, often considered the world’s most trafficked wild mammals, have continued to experience rapid declines across Asia and Africa. All eight species are classed as either Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Alongside habitat loss, they are threatened mainly by poaching and/or legal hunting to meet the growing consumer demand for their meat and keratinous scales. Species threat assessments heavily rely on changes in species distributions which are usually expensive and difficult to monitor, especially for rare and cryptic species like pangolins. Furthermore, recent assessments of the threats to pangolins focus on characterising their trade using seizure data which provide limited insights into the true extent of global pangolin declines. As the consequences of habitat modifications and poaching/hunting on species continues to become apparent, it is crucial that we frequently update our understanding of how species distributions change through time to allow effective identification of geographic regions that are in need of urgent conservation actions. Here we show how georeferencing pangolin specimens from natural history collections can reveal how their distributions are changing over time, by comparing overlap between specimen localities and current area of habitat maps derived from IUCN range maps. We found significant correlations in percentage area overlap between species, continent, IUCN Red List status and collection year, but not ecology (terrestrial or arboreal/semi-arboreal). Human population density (widely considered to be an indication of trafficking pressure) and changes in primary forest cover, were weakly correlated with percentage overlap. Our results do not suggest a single mechanism for differences among historical distributions and present-day ranges, but rather show that multiple explanatory factors must be considered when researching pangolin population declines as variations among species influence range fluctuations. We also demonstrate how natural history collections can provide temporal information on distributions and discuss the limitations of collecting and using historical data.

Assessing the role of the aquatic Natura 2000 network to protect both freshwater European species of community interest and threatened species in a Mediterranean region

Abstract The European Natura 2000 (N2K) network of protected areas stands out as the main conservation strategy in the European Union to preserve biodiversity under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The management of N2K sites is mainly focused on protecting the biological elements as Special Areas of Conservation for habitats or species listed in the European Habitats Directive, or as Special Protection Areas for birds listed in the European Birds Directive for which the site was designated. It seems urgent, therefore, to discriminate which N2K sites are really providing effective protection for aquatic biodiversity. Although the main objective of N2K is to protect species listed in the Birds and Habitats Directives, the conservation status of threatened species included in the European Red List of the IUCN must also be a concern for the European Union. Focusing on Central Spain as a case study, the aim of this work was to evaluate how far aquatic N2K (i.e. N2K sites designated for the occurrence of freshwater elements) is effective in protecting both those aquatic species in the Directives [referred to here as Species of Community Importance (SCI) and threatened species (TS)]. Most of the N2K sites in the study area have been designated using aquatic elements, which means that N2K could theoretically provide appropriate mechanisms to preserve aquatic biodiversity. However, N2K provides a low percentage of overlap with some of the hotspots identified for both TS and SCI. Surprisingly, TS are in general similarly or even better represented than SCI by N2K. N2K may provide good coverage for aquatic biodiversity, mainly by acting as an umbrella for other species, but it could be improved by addressing some spatial gaps, thereby making it more relevant to current challenges such as climate change and other human impacts.

A predictive model for determining rectum and bladder dose constraints in prostate volumetric modulated arc therapy.

Generic dose-volume constraints of the rectum/bladder (R/B) are used in inverse planning to reduce doses to these organs for patients undergoing prostate radiotherapy. A retrospective study was undertaken to assess correlations between the overlap of the R/B with the planning target volume (PTV) and the dose received during planning to organs at risk (OARs). Data for 105 prostate cancer patients who had volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to the intact prostate and proximal seminal vesicles at Nepean Cancer Care Centre from 2011 to 2015 were analyzed. R/B volume, R/B-PTV overlap volume, and R/B-PTV overlap percent metrics were collected with VMAT planning objectives. Characteristics were evaluated for correlation with different planning outcomes. The percentage overlap between the R/B and PTV were highly correlated to the doses to the relevant OAR, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.63 for the rectum volume percentage receiving more than 75 Gy (RV75Gy) and R2 of 0.91 for the bladder volume percentage receiving more than 70 Gy (BV70Gy). We identified a cut-off value of 10.14% (sensitivity 84.62%, specificity 80.43%) as predictive of RV75Gy < 10% and a cut-off of 7.95% (sensitivity 97.62%, specificity 92.06%) as predictive of BV70Gy < 15%. A 95% prediction interval assisted in identifying individualized R/B planning goals. The R/B-PTV percentage overlap has a high reliability in estimating sparing of the R/B. This prediction model can be used to improve planning efficiency and create customised automated OAR planning goals in prostate VMAT plans. By doing this, the radiation doses received by these OARs can be minimized.