1,721,029 research outputs found
The hidden structural complexity of the human cerebral cortex
No full textThe cerebral cortex exhibits an intrinsic structural complexity of folding. Fractal geometry may be used to describe the structural complexity of objects (such as the cerebral cortex) that show self-similarity throughout a proper range of spatial scales. The potential value of fractal dimension, estimated from T1-weighted MRI images, has already been widely demonstrated in previous literature, but how it is related to the cyto- and myeloarchitecture of the cerebral cortex is still unknown. In this study, we computed the fractal dimension of the six cortical layers, which present various cellular compositions and distributions, developmental trajectories, connections, physiology, and functional roles. The procedure for determining fractal dimension indices was applied to segmentations obtained from the public BigBrain dataset that consists of an ultrahigh-resolution three-dimensional (3D) model of a human brain based on histologically processed postmortem brain reconstruction. Results denote an increasing trend in fractal dimension values from the outermost (layer I) to the innermost layers (the infragranular layers V and VI) of the cortex in both hemispheres. Layers V and VI are composed of sparse, low-density pyramidal neurons and fusiform cells. Differently from the supragranular layers (i.e., layers I, II, and III), the infragranular layers are characterized by a high content of myelin belonging to the projection fibers. Consequently, the structural complexity of the cerebral cortex seems to be coupled with the projection fibers network, rather than with neuronal density, and the presence of associative and commissural fibers
Artificial intelligence in endocrinology: a comprehensive review
Full text linkBackground and aimArtificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising technology in the field of endocrinology, offering significant potential to revolutionize the diagnosis, treatment, and management of endocrine disorders. This comprehensive review aims to provide a concise overview of the current landscape of AI applications in endocrinology and metabolism, focusing on the fundamental concepts of AI, including machine learning algorithms and deep learning models.MethodsThe review explores various areas of endocrinology where AI has demonstrated its value, encompassing screening and diagnosis, risk prediction, translational research, and "pre-emptive medicine". Within each domain, relevant studies are discussed, offering insights into the methodology and main findings of AI in the treatment of different pathologies, such as diabetes mellitus and related disorders, thyroid disorders, adrenal tumors, and bone and mineral disorders.ResultsCollectively, these studies show the valuable contributions of AI in optimizing healthcare outcomes and unveiling new understandings of the intricate mechanisms underlying endocrine disorders. Furthermore, AI-driven approaches facilitate the development of precision medicine strategies, enabling tailored interventions for patients based on their individual characteristics and needs.ConclusionsBy embracing AI in endocrinology, a future can be envisioned where medical professionals and AI systems synergistically collaborate, ultimately enhancing the lives of individuals affected by endocrine disorders
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Preliminary assessment of a microgrid integrated with a biomass gasification CHP system for a production facility in Central Italy
No full textThe aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and to improve buildings energy efficiency has led to develop smart grids to manage electricity and heat. The work deals with the thermal and electric microgrid analysis of the Loccioni Company: the production facility consists of high-energy performance industrial and office buildings, partially powered by produced on-site renewable energy (solar PV, hydropower plants, water ground heat pumps). The challenge of continuous improvement in the use of energy led the company to develop a thermal microgrid for optimal management of the heat produced by a small-scale CHP system (50 kWel/110 kWth). The cogeneration system is based on biomass (pellet) chemical degradation process of gasification. The work discusses preliminary results relating to the first months of the system operation, to highlight the energy benefits and the critical issues. Data are collected by the Company monitoring system and a laboratory feedstock physico-chemical characterization is carried out. The main goal of this paper is to lay the foundations for the development of an energy management system that regulates energy flows between buildings. The development of the thermal microgrid will guarantee not only tangible benefits in terms of energy savings but also an increase in the resilience of the entire building/plant system
THREE DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF CONDYLAR POSITION IN ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY:STUDY GROUP OF 38 PATIENTS
No full textIn our study we wished to investigate 3D variations in the condylar position in a group of patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery involving the saggital bilateral osteotomy of the mandibular rami, combining the capability of the cone-beam with software able to generate a 3D cephalometry.
Ol all parameters considered, only the angulation of the right condyle with respect to the median saggital plane and to a lesser degree, its transversal position, showed any significant variation between pre and postsurgery. For alle the other variables the changes were negligible: less than a millimeter for linear distances or less than a degree for angular mesures.
In patients who underwent an osteotomy of the mandibular rami for the correction of a dentofacial dysmorphism , and who didn't present dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints, the manual intraoperator monitoring of the proximal segments of the osteotomy was able to mantain the condyle in the presurgical position
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Full text linkWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
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