bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The science of connected ecosystems: What is the role of catchment‐scale connectivity for healthy river ecology?
Authors: Fuller Ian C. , Death Russell G.
Published: February 2018

Riverine biological communities are highly resilient to extreme flood and/or drying disturbance regimes that would otherwise be destructive because these organisms can recolonise from upstream, floodplain, or hyporheic refugia when suitable conditions return. Healthy rivers require a high degree of connectivity to support complex life cycles of many lotic organisms and associated ecosystem functioning. Similarly, connectivity is required for appropriate geophysical functioning; permitting flux of water and sediment that drives channel‐forming and ecological processes. Ecological and geophysical processes have operated in this temporal and spatial patchwork of disturbance and recovery pre‐Anthropocene. Human impacts are increasing constraints on river and floodplain connectivity, severing many natural pathways, and degrading river ecosystem functioning. River restoration seeks to re‐establish some of those biological and physical connections to enhance some level of system health. However, increasing sediment connectivity may be detrimental to river health in some instances. Strongly connected catchments can transmit excessive quantities of sediment from inappropriate land management, detrimental invasive species can spread more widely, and many ecosystem processes can exceed positive feedback control. Simply restoring connectivity will not necessarily lead to healthy river ecosystems. River management requires a greater understanding of how and when connectivity can and should be restored. Although current thinking is often that greater connectivity is better, we illustrate with examples from New Zealand rivers that this is not always the case. The benefits and costs of maintaining or restoring river connectivity need to be given as much attention as the restoration and maintenance of river systems per se.
Fractional Sobolev inequalities associated with singular problems
Authors: Ercole G. , Pereira G. A.
Published: February 2018

In this paper we study Sobolev‐type inequalities associated with singular problems for the fractional p‐Laplacian operator in a bounded domain of , .
Nonlinear difference equations arising from the generalized Stieltjes‐Wigert and q‐Laguerre weights
Authors: Chen Hongmei , Filipuk Galina , Chen Yang
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we investigate the generalized Stieltjes‐Wigert and q‐Laguerre polynomials. We derive the second‐ and the third‐order nonlinear difference equations for the subleading coefficients of these polynomials and use them to find a few terms of the formal expansions in powers of qn/2. We also show how the recurrence coefficients in the three‐term recurrence relation for these polynomials can be computed efficiently by using the nonlinear difference equations for the subleading coefficient. Moreover, we obtain systems of difference equations with one of the equations being q‐discrete Painlevé III or V equations and analyze them by a singularity confinement. We also discuss certain generalized weights.
Allee thresholds and basins of attraction in a predation model with double Allee effect
Authors: Contreras Julio Dana , Aguirre Pablo
Published: February 2018

We investigate the nature of Allee thresholds and basins of attraction in a predation model with double Allee effect in the prey and a competition behaviour in the predator. From a mathematical perspective, this implies to find and characterise the corresponding basin boundaries in phase space. This is typically a major challenge since the objects that act as boundaries between 2 different basins are invariant manifolds of the system, which may also undergo topological changes at bifurcations. For this goal, we make an extensive use of analytical tools from dynamical systems theory and numerical bifurcation analysis and determine the full bifurcation diagram. Local bifurcations include saddle‐node, transcritical and Hopf bifurcations, while global phenomena include homoclinic bifurcations, heteroclinic connections, and heteroclinic cycles. We identify the Allee threshold to be either a limit cycle, a homoclinic orbit, or the stable manifold of an equilibrium. This strategy based on bifurcation and invariant manifold analysis allows us to identify the mathematical mechanisms that produce rearrangements of separatrices in phase space. In this way, we give a full geometrical explanation of how the Allee threshold and basins of attraction undergo critical transitions. This approach is complemented with a study of the dynamics near infinity. In this way, we determine the conditions such that the basins of attraction are bounded or unbounded sets in phase space. All in all, these results allow us to show a complete description of phase portraits, extinction thresholds, and basins of attraction of our model under variation of parameters.
A new stability number of the Bresse‐Cattaneo system
Authors: Djouamai Leila , Said‐Houari Belkacem
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we consider the Bresse‐Cattaneo system with a frictional damping term and prove some optimal decay results for the L2‐norm of the solution and its higher order derivatives. In fact, we show that there is a completely new stability number δ that controls the decay rate of the solution. To prove our results, we use the energy method in the Fourier space to build some very delicate Lyapunov functionals that give the desired results. We also prove the optimality of the results by using the eigenvalues expansion method. In addition, we show that for the absence of the frictional damping term, the solution of our problem does not decay at all. This result improves some early results
On in‐out splitting of incident fields and the far‐field behaviour of Herglotz wavefunctions
Authors: Martin P. A.
Published: February 2018

It is easy to write down entire solutions of the Helmholtz equation: Examples are plane waves and Herglotz wavefunctions. We are interested in the far‐field behaviour of these solutions motivated by the following question: When is it legitimate to split the far field of such an entire solution into the sum of an incoming spherical wave and an outgoing spherical wave? We review the relevant literature (there are disjoint physical and mathematical threads), and then we answer the question for Herglotz wavefunctions, using a combination of the 2‐dimensional method of stationary phase and some explicit examples.
Existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for a class of singular Kirchhoff type problems with sign‐changing potential
Authors: Li Hong‐Ying , Tang Yu‐Ting , Liao Jia‐Feng
Published: February 2018

In this paper, the existence and multiplicity of positive solutions are obtained for a class of Kirchhoff type problems with two singular terms and sign‐changing potential by the Nehari method.
A class of time‐fractional reaction‐diffusion equation with nonlocal boundary condition
Authors: Zhou Yong , Shangerganesh L. , Manimaran J. , Debbouche Amar
Published: February 2018

The purpose of the study is to analyze the time‐fractional reaction‐diffusion equation with nonlocal boundary condition. The proposed model is used to predict the invasion of tumor and its growth. Further, we establish the existence and uniqueness of a weak solution of the proposed model using the Faedo‐Galerkin method and compactness arguments.
On the feasibility of automatically selecting similar patients in highly individualized radiotherapy dose reconstruction for historic data of pediatric cancer survivors
Authors: Virgolin Marco , van Dijk Irma W. E. M. , Wiersma Jan , Ronckers Cécile M. , Witteveen Cees , Bel Arjan , Alderliesten Tanja , Bosman Peter A. N.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study is to establish the first step toward a novel and highly individualized three‐dimensional (3D) dose distribution reconstruction method, based on CT scans and organ delineations of recently treated patients. Specifically, the feasibility of automatically selecting the CT scan of a recently treated childhood cancer patient who is similar to a given historically treated child who suffered from Wilms’ tumor is assessed.

Methods

A cohort of 37 recently treated children between 2‐ and 6‐yr old are considered. Five potential notions of ground‐truth similarity are proposed, each focusing on different anatomical aspects. These notions are automatically computed from CT scans of the abdomen and 3D organ delineations (liver, spleen, spinal cord, external body contour). The first is based on deformable image registration, the second on the Dice similarity coefficient, the third on the Hausdorff distance, the fourth on pairwise organ distances, and the last is computed by means of the overlap volume histogram. The relationship between typically available features of historically treated patients and the proposed ground‐truth notions of similarity is studied by adopting state‐of‐the‐art machine learning techniques, including random forest. Also, the feasibility of automatically selecting the most similar patient is assessed by comparing ground‐truth rankings of similarity with predicted rankings.

Results

Similarities (mainly) based on the external abdomen shape and on the pairwise organ distances are highly correlated (Pearson rp ≥ 0.70) and are successfully modeled with random forests based on historically recorded features (pseudo‐R2 ≥ 0.69). In contrast, similarities based on the shape of internal organs cannot be modeled. For the similarities that random forest can reliably model, an estimation of feature relevance indicates that abdominal diameters and weight are the most important. Experiments on automatically selecting similar patients lead to coarse, yet quite robust results: the most similar patient is retrieved only 22% of the times, however, the error in worst‐case scenarios is limited, with the fourth most similar patient being retrieved.

Conclusions

Results demonstrate that automatically selecting similar patients is feasible when focusing on the shape of the external abdomen and on the position of internal organs. Moreover, whereas the common practice in phantom‐based dose reconstruction is to select a representative phantom using age, height, and weight as discriminant factors for any treatment scenario, our analysis on abdominal tumor treatment for children shows that the most relevant features are weight and the anterior–posterior and left–right abdominal diameters.
Comprehensive evaluation of broad‐beam transmission of patient supports from three fluoroscopy‐guided interventional systems
Authors: DeLorenzo Matthew C. , Yang Kai , Li Xinhua , Liu Bob
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to measure, evaluate, and model the broad‐beam x‐ray transmission of the patient supports from representative modern fluoroscopy‐guided interventional systems, for patient skin dose calculation.

Methods

Broad‐beam transmission was evaluated by varying incident angle, kVp, added copper (Cu) filter, and x‐ray field size for three fluoroscopy systems: General Electric (GE) Innova 4100 with Omega V table and pad, Siemens Axiom Artis with Siemens tabletop “narrow” (CARD) table and pad, and Siemens Zeego with Trumpf TruSystem 7500 table and pad. Field size was measured on the table using a lead ruler for all setups in this study. Exposure rates were measured in service mode using a calibrated Radcal 10 × 6–60 ion chamber above the patient support at the assumed skin location. Broad‐beam transmission factors were calculated by the ratio of air kerma rates measured with and without a patient support in the beam path. First, angle dependency was investigated on the GE system, with the chamber at isocenter, for angles of 0°, 15°, 30°, and 40°, for a variety of kVp, added Cu filters, and for two field sizes (small and large). Second, the broad‐beam transmission factor at normal incidence was evaluated for all three fluoroscopes by varying kVp, added Cu filter, and field size (small, medium, and large). An analytical equation was created to fit the data as to maximize R2 and minimize maximum percentage difference across all measurements for each system.

Results

For all patient supports, broad‐beam transmission factor increased with field size, kVp, and added Cu filtration and decreased with incident angle. Oblique incidence measurements show that the transmission decreased by about 1%, 3%, and 6% for incident angles of 15°, 30°, and 40°, respectively. The broad‐beam transmission factors at 0° for the table and table plus pad ranged from 0.73 to 0.96 and from 0.59 to 0.89, respectively. The GE and Siemens transmission factors were comparable, while the Trumpf transmission factors were the lowest. The data were successfully fitted to a function of angle, field size, kVp, and added Cu filtration using nine parameters, with an average R2 value of 0.977 and maximum percentage difference of 4.08%.

Conclusions

This study evaluated the broad‐beam transmission for three representative fluoroscopy systems and their dependency on angle, kVp, added Cu filter, and field size. The comprehensive data provided for patient support transmission will facilitate accurate calculation of peak skin dose (PSD) and may potentially be integrated into real‐time and retrospective dose monitoring with access to Radiation Dose Structured Reports (RDSR) and radiation event data.
Improvement of off‐axis SABR plan verification results by using adapted dose reconstruction algorithms for the Octavius 4D system
Authors: Jeevanandam Prakash , Agnew Christina E. , Irvine Denise M. , McGarry Conor K.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for lung patients can be performed with volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans using off‐axis target geometry to allow treatment in their CBCT verified position. For patient‐specific quality assurance measurements using the PTW Octavius 4D phantom (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) (OCT4D) in conjunction with an Octavius 1000SRS array (OCT1000) (PTW, Freiburg, Germany), repositioning the phantom off‐axis is required to ensure the measurement area coincides with the tumor. The aim of this work is to quantify delivery errors using an array repositioned off‐axis and evaluate new software which incorporates corrections for off‐axis phantom measurements.

Methods

Dynamic conformal arcs and 25 lung SABR plans were created with the isocenter at the patient midline and the target volume off‐axis. Measurements were acquired with an OCT4D phantom in conjunction with a 729 array (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) (OCT729) placed at isocenter. These plans were recalculated and delivered to both the OCT729 and OCT1000 arrays repositioned so that the high‐dose region was at the center of the phantom. Comparisons were made using VeriSoft v7.0 (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) and the newly implemented version 7.1 with 2%/2 mm gamma criterion (10% threshold) and results correlated with off‐axis distance to the tumor.

Results

Average pass rates for VeriSoft v7.0 significantly reduced from 92.7 ± 2.4% to 84.9 ± 4.1% when the phantom was repositioned compared to the isocenter setup for the OCT729. The gamma pass rates significantly decreased the further the phantom was moved off‐axis. Significantly higher pass rates were observed for the OCT1000 of 95.7 ± 3.6% and a significant decrease in gamma pass rate with off‐axis phantom distance was again observed. In contrast, even with phantom repositioning, the pass rates for analysis with VeriSoft v7.1 were 93.7 ± 2.1% and 99.4 ± 1.1% for OCT729 and OCT1000, respectively. No significant difference in gamma pass rate was observed with off‐axis phantom position irrespective of array type with the new software.

Conclusion

The errors in QA phantom measurements due to dose reconstruction at off‐axis target geometry have been demonstrated for conformal arcs and clinical VMAT SABR plans. A novel software solution implemented by the vendor to allow accurate pass rates has been tested. This solution enables high‐resolution arrays with small active detection areas to be used for quality assurance of SABR treatment plans in the off‐axis treatment position.
A new computer‐aided detection approach based on analysis of local and global mammographic feature asymmetry
Authors: Kelder Adam , Lederman Dror , Zheng Bin , Zigel Yaniv
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aims to develop and test a new computer‐aided detection (CAD) approach and scheme, assessing the likelihood of a subject harboring breast abnormalities.

Methods

The proposed scheme is based on the analysis of both local and global bilateral mammographic feature asymmetries. The level of local or global asymmetry is assessed by analyzing mammographic features extracted from the bilaterally matched regions of interest (ROIs), or from the entire breast, respectively. The selected local and global feature vectors are combined and classified using a maximum likelihood obtained from a naïve Bayes classifier. This scheme was evaluated using a leave‐one‐case‐out cross‐validation method that was applied to 243 subjects from mini‐MIAS and INbreast databases. In addition, the result is compared with a conventional unilateral (or single) image‐based CAD scheme.

Results

Using a case‐based evaluation approach and an area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) as a performance index, the new scheme yielded AUC = 0.79 ± 0.07, an 8.2% increase compared with AUC = 0.73 ± 0.08 obtained using the unilateral image‐based CAD scheme.

Conclusions

This work demonstrates that applying bilateral asymmetry analysis increases the discriminatory power of CAD schemes while optimizing the likelihood assessment of breast abnormalities presence. Therefore, the proposed CAD approach provides the radiologist with beneficial supplementary information and can indicate high‐risk cases.
N‐glycosylation by N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase V enhances the interaction of CD147/basigin with integrin β1 and promotes HCC metastasis
Authors: Cui Jian , Huang Wan , Wu Bo , Jin Jin , Jing Lin , Shi Wen‐Pu , Liu Zhen‐Yu , Yuan Lin , Luo Dan , Li Ling , Chen Zhi‐Nan , Jiang Jian‐Li
Published: February 2018

While the importance of protein N‐glycosylation in cancer cell migration is well appreciated, the precise mechanisms by which N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT‐V) regulates cancer processes remain largely unknown. In the current study, we report that GnT‐V‐mediated N‐glycosylation of CD147/basigin, a tumor‐associated glycoprotein that carries β1,6‐N‐acetylglucosamine (β1,6‐GlcNAc) glycans, is upregulated during TGF‐β1‐induced epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), which correlates with tumor metastasis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Interruption of β1,6‐GlcNAc glycan modification of CD147/basigin decreased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in HCC cell lines and affected the interaction of CD147/basigin with integrin β1. These results reveal that β1,6‐branched glycans modulate the biological function of CD147/basigin in HCC metastasis. Moreover, we showed that the PI3K/Akt pathway regulates GnT‐V expression and that inhibition of GnT‐V‐mediated N‐glycosylation suppressed PI3K signaling. In summary, β1,6‐branched N‐glycosylation affects the biological function of CD147/basigin and these findings provide a novel approach for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting metastasis. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Discrimination of Cynanchum wilfordii and Cynanchum auriculatum by terahertz spectroscopic analysis
Authors: Ham Woo Sik , Kim Jinju , Park Dae Joon , Ryu Han‐Cheol , Jang Young Pyo
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Precise identification of botanical origin of plant species is crucial for the quality control of herbal medicine. In Korea, the root part of Cynanchum auriculatum has been misused for C. wilfordii in the herbal drug market due to their morphological similarities. Currently, DNA analysis using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is employed to discriminate between these species.

Objective

In order to develop a new analytical tool for the rapid discrimination of C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum, terahertz (THz) spectroscopy was employed.

Methodology

Authentic samples of C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum were provided from the National Institute and standardized pellets for each species were prepared to get optimum results with terahertz time‐domain spectroscopy (THz‐TDS) in frequency range 0.2–1.20 THz.

Results

The C. wilfordii pellet showed longer time delay compare to the sample of C. auriculatum and this was due to the difference in permittivity. The pellet samples of C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum showed a permittivity difference of about 0.08 at 0.2–1.20 THz.

Conclusion

The experimental results indicated that THz‐TDS analysis can be an effective and rapid method for the discrimination of C. wilfordii and C. auriculatum, and this application can be expanded for the discrimination of other similar herbal medicines.
Use of dye complexation dynamics to determine α‐cyclodextrin host:guest stability constants
Authors: Rodríguez María , Silva Lara , Parajó Mercedes , Rodríguez‐Dafonte Pedro , García‐Río Luis
Published: February 2018

Dynamics of host:dye complexation have been used, as an alternative to displacement assays, for determination of additional host:guest stability constants. Requirement of this new methodology is host:guest complexation being much faster than host:dye in order to guaranty that host:guest system is in equilibrium at each time during dye inclusion into the host cavity. Methodology was tested by studying α‐CD:surfactant complexation using alkyltrimethylammonium surfactants with different alkyl chain length. Experimental results confirm the formation of 1:1 α‐CD:surfactant complexes with binding constants strongly dependent on the surfactant hydrophobicity.
Expecting the worst? The relationship between retrospective and prospective appraisals of illness on quality of life in prostate cancer survivors
Authors: Maguire Rebecca , Hanly Paul , Drummond Frances J. , Gavin Anna , Sharp Linda
Published: February 2018

Objective

Despite a generally good prognosis, many prostate cancer survivors have poor quality of life (QOL). A greater understanding of how psychological appraisals influence QOL is merited given their potentially modifiable nature. In this study, we considered how elements of survivors' retrospective and prospective appraisals relate to QOL.

Methods

A total of 1229 prostate cancer survivors between 2 and 5 years post‐diagnosis, identified from a population‐based National Cancer Registry, were asked questions on their socio‐demographics, health, treatment received, and adverse‐effects using a cross‐sectional design. QOL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ‐C30. Retrospective appraisals were assessed by asking survivors to reflect on their experience of treatment‐related adverse‐effects compared with their prior expectations. A fear of recurrence scale assessed prospective appraisals of future disease course. A multiple regression model explored the impact of psychological appraisals on QOL, after controlling for socio‐demographic, treatment, and health‐related factors.

Results

The model was significant explaining 37% of variance in QOL. The strongest associate with QOL was fear of recurrence (β = −.29; P < .001). Survivors who experienced side effects that were worse than expected had significantly lower QOL (β = −.10; P = .002). Other significant correlates of lower QOL were presence of comorbidities, having undergone a less invasive treatment, and having more advanced disease. Working at diagnosis and having a higher level of education were significantly associated with higher QOL.

Conclusions

Results suggest both retrospective and prospective appraisals are independently related to QOL in prostate cancer. Providing survivors with more information about possible adverse effects of treatment, as well as providing appropriate information regarding future disease progression, may improve QOL.
Factors associated with romantic relationship formation difficulties in women with breast cancer
Authors: Shaw L.‐K. , Sherman K.A. , Fitness J. , Elder E. ,   Breast Cancer Network Australia
Published: February 2018

Objective

Many un‐partnered women report difficulty in forming romantic relationships after breast cancer, characterized by high dating‐related anxiety and low perceived interpersonal competence. This study examined the relationship between poor body image (appearance investment and body dissatisfaction) and self‐compassion, and women's ability to form romantic relationships post‐breast cancer.

Methods

Women (N = 152) diagnosed with breast cancer, who were either un‐partnered and expressed interest in romantic dating, or who had commenced a relationship post‐diagnosis, completed an online survey. Assessments included the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire, Dating Anxiety Scale, Self‐compassion Scale, Appearance Schemas Inventory‐Revised, Body Image Scale, and Experiences in Close Relationships Scale. Multiple regression analyses assessed the relationships between these variables.

Results

Partnered and un‐partnered women differed in levels of dating anxiety, interpersonal competence, anxious attachment, and the self‐evaluative salience facet of appearance investment. Analyses revealed a significant model for dating anxiety, with high self‐evaluative salience, body image dissatisfaction, and attachment avoidance independently associated with this outcome. The model for interpersonal competence was also significant, with low attachment avoidance and high self‐compassion independently associated with this outcome.

Conclusions

Un‐partnered women who place high importance on appearance for their self‐worth and who report poor body image and low self‐compassion are at risk of experiencing difficulties in forming new romantic relationships after breast cancer. Future interventions should target these variables to facilitate romantic dating during cancer survivorship.
Solution structure of the PHD finger from the human KIAA1045 protein
Authors: Miyamoto Kazuhide , Yamashita Ayumi , Saito Kazuki
Published: February 2018

Cross‐brace structural motifs are required as a scaffold to design artificial RING fingers (ARFs) that function as ubiquitin ligase (E3) in ubiquitination and have specific ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme (E2)‐binding capabilities. The Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool database predicted the amino acid sequence 131–190 (KIAA1045ZF) of the human KIAA1045 protein as an unidentified structural region. Herein, the stoichiometry of zinc ions estimated spectrophotometrically by the metallochromic indicator revealed that the KIAA1045ZF motif binds to two zinc atoms. The structure of the KIAA1045ZF motif bound to the zinc atoms was elucidated at the atomic level by nuclear magnetic resonance. The actual structure of the KIAA1045ZF motif adopts a C4HC3‐type PHD fold belonging to the cross‐brace structural family. Therefore, the utilization of the KIAA1045ZF motif as a scaffold may lead to the creation of a novel ARF.
Circulating tumor cells and survival in abiraterone‐ and enzalutamide‐treated patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: De Laere Bram , Oeyen Steffi , Van Oyen Peter , Ghysel Christophe , Ampe Jozef , Ost Piet , Demey Wim , Hoekx Lucien , Schrijvers Dirk , Brouwers Barbara , Lybaert Willem , Everaert Els , Van Kerckhove Piet , De Maeseneer Daan , Strijbos Michiel , Bols Alain , Fransis Karen , Beije Nick , de Kruijff Inge , van Dam Valerie , Brouwer Anja , van Dam Pieter‐Jan , Van den Eynden Gert , Rutten Annemie , Sleijfer Stefan , Vandebroek Jean , Van Laere Steven , Dirix Luc
Published: February 2018

Background

The outcome to treatment administered to patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) greatly differs between individuals, underlining the need for biomarkers guiding treatment decision making.

Objective

To investigate the prognostic value of circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration and dynamics, in the context of second‐line endocrine therapies (ie, abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide), irrespective of prior systemic therapies.

Design, Settings, and Participants

In a prospective, multicentre study blood samples for CTC enumeration were collected from patients with mCRPC at baseline (n = 174). In patients who responded for minimally 10‐12 weeks a follow‐up sample was collected.

Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis

For baseline analysis, patients were stratified in <5 or ≥5 CTCs/7.5 mL, whereas for the analysis of CTC dynamics at 10‐12 weeks, in patients with stable, increasing or decreasing CTC counts. Progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and PSA changes at 10‐12 weeks were compared between groups.

Results

Patients demonstrating increasing CTCs on therapy had a shorter median PFS (4.03 vs 12.98 vs 13.67 months, HR 3.6, 95%CI 1.9‐6.8; P < 0.0001) and OS (11.2 months vs not reached, HR 9.5, 95%CI 3.7‐24; P < 0.0001), compared to patients with decreasing or stable CTCs. Multivariable Cox regression showed that prior chemotherapy (HR 4.1, 95%CI 1.9‐8.9; P = 0.0003), a high baseline CTC count (HR 1.5, 95%CI 1.2‐1.9; P = 0.002) and increasing CTCs at follow‐up (HR 3.3, 95%CI 1.4‐7.6; P = 0.005) were independent predictors of worse PFS. Previous chemotherapy (HR 7, 95%CI 1.9‐25; P = 0.003), high baseline CTC counts (HR 2.2, 95%CI 1.4‐3.7; P = 0.002) and increasing CTCs during therapy (HR 4.6, 95%CI 1.4‐15; P = 0.01) were independently associated with shorter OS. ≥30% and ≥50% PSA responses less frequently occurred in patients with CTC inclines at 10‐12 weeks on therapy (χ2 test: P < 0.01).

Conclusions

CTC dynamics during therapy are associated with PSA response and provide independent clinical prognostication over PSA declines. Hence the study demonstrates the pharmacodynamic properties of CTCs.
A practical diastereoselective synthesis of (−)‐bestatin
Authors: Shang Suisheng , Willems Andreas V. , Chauhan Satendra S.
Published: February 2018

Diastereoselective addition of nitromethane to Boc‐D‐Phe‐H in the presence of sodium hydride in diethyl ether/hexane containing 15‐crown‐5 and subsequent N,O‐protection with 2,2‐dimethoxypropane gave trans‐oxazolidine in a diastereomeric ratio of >16:1. The oxazolidine was easily separated by column chromatography, which after Nef reaction was coupled to H‐Leu‐OtBu. The 8‐step synthesis afforded (−)‐bestatin in an overall yield of 24.7% after deprotection and ion exchange.
Improvement of Au‐Free, Ti/Al/W Ohmic Contact on AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure Featuring a Thin‐Ti Layer and Low Temperature Annealing
Authors: Yoshida Takahiro , Egawa Takashi
Published: February 2018

In this study, a Ti/Al/W ohmic contact and the factors that determine the optimal annealing temperature are investigated to obtain Au‐free high‐electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with a low thermal budget. The results show that a thin‐Ti layer of 2.7 nm with a low specific contact resistance of 2.54 × 10−6 Ω · cm2 (0.358 Ω mm) is realized in 10 min at a low annealing temperature of 500 °C. It is found that a thinner Ti layer leads to a lower annealing temperature because Al needs to diffuse through the Ti layer and make contact with AlGaN to obtain linear I–V characteristics. In addition, Ti is essential in removing the natural oxide film on AlGaN surface, and the minimum thickness of the Ti layer is 2 nm. The Au‐free AlGaN/GaN HEMT on a silicon wafer shows comparable characteristics with the conventional Au‐containing HEMT, which leads to low cost manufacturing of HEMTs in existing silicon‐device fabrication lines.
Stabilization of a Metastable Tunnel‐Structured Orthorhombic Phase of VO2 upon Iridium Doping
Authors: Braham Erick J. , Andrews Justin L. , Alivio Theodore E. G. , Fleer Nathan A. , Banerjee Sarbajit
Published: February 2018

Metastable compounds accessible through kinetic stabilization or under conditions of constrained equilibrium represent a richly varied landscape of structures, properties, and function that are oftentimes entirely inaccessible in thermodynamic minima. The multiple redox states of vanadium and the ability to modulate the connectivity of vanadium and oxygen atoms yields a rich diversity of structures for binary vanadium oxides. Here, it is demonstrated that an orthorhombic quasi‐1D polymorph of VO2, characterized by extended tunnels with a rectangular cross‐section, can be stabilized through the substitutional doping of iridium on the vanadium sublattice. The obtained structure is considerably distorted from a previously reported paramontroseite mineral phase. The metastable phase is obtained in nanoplatelet form and is stable with respect to the energetically proximate monoclinic/rutile thermodynamic minima up to a temperature of 350 °C. The open framework structure and the accessibility of multiple redox states at the vanadium center suggests that the polymorph could potentially serve as an intercalation host. Beyond the solubility limit of iridium on the vanadium sublattice (1.28–3.15 at.% depending on the precursor concentration), metallic Ir nanocrystals are found to be homogeneously dispersed on the surfaces of the nanoplatelets indicating a strong interaction between the metal nanocrystals and oxide lattice.
Thermodynamic properties of diatomic molecule systems under SO(2,1)‐anharmonic Eckart potential
Authors: Valencia‐Ortega Gabriel , Arias‐Hernandez Luis‐Antonio
Published: February 2018

Due to one of the most representative contributions to the energy in diatomic molecules being the vibrational, we consider the generalized Morse potential (GMP) as a typical interaction for one‐dimensional microscopic systems, which describes local anharmonic effects. From the Eckart potential (EP) model, it is possible to find a connection with the GMP model, as well as obtaining the analytical expression for the energy spectrum because it is based on
algebras. This gives the macroscopic properties such as vibrational mean energy U, specific heat C, Helmholtz free energy F, and entropy S for a heteronuclear diatomic system, as well as with the exact partition function and its approximation for the high temperature region. Finally, a comparison is made between the graphs of some thermodynamic functions obtained with the GMP and the Morse potential (MP) for
molecules.
Formamidinesulfinic Acid‐Functionalized Fe3O4@SiO2 as a Green and Magnetic Recyclable Catalyst for Synthesis of Pyrano[2, 3‐d] pyrimidinone Derivatives
Authors: Ghandi Leila , Miraki Maryam Kazemi , Radfar Iman , Yazdani Elahe , Heydari Akbar
Published: February 2018

Formamidine sulfonic acid (FSA) stabilized on silica‐coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient and hydrogen bonding catalyst was employed for Knoevenagel condensation and synthesis of pyrano[2, 3‐d]pyrimidinone derivatives by the one‐pot three‐component condensation reaction in water at room temperature. The catalyst can be separated from the mixture reaction which is in close agreement with green chemistry disciplines.
Dynamically PEGylated and Borate‐Coordination‐Polymer‐Coated Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Synergetic Tumor‐Targeted, Chemo‐Photothermal Combination Therapy
Authors: Liu Shucheng , Pan Jianming , Liu Jinxin , Ma Yue , Qiu Fengxian , Mei Lin , Zeng Xiaowei , Pan Guoqing
Published: February 2018

Multifunctional nanomaterials with efficient tumor‐targeting and high antitumor activity are highly anticipated in the field of cancer therapy. In this work, a synergetic tumor‐targeted, chemo‐photothermal combined therapeutic nanoplatform based on a dynamically PEGylated, borate‐coordination‐polymer‐coated polydopamine nanoparticle (PDA@CP‐PEG) is developed. PEGylation on the multifunctional nanoparticles is dynamically achieved via the reversible covalent interaction between the surface phenylboronic acid (PBA) group and a catechol‐containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecule. Due to the acid‐labile PBA/catechol complex and the weak‐acid‐stable PBA/sialic acid (SA) complex, the nanoparticles can exhibit a synergetic targeting property for the SA‐overexpressed tumor cells, i.e., the PEG‐caused “passive targeting” and PBA‐triggered “active targeting” under the weakly acidic tumor microenvironment. In addition, the photothermal effect of the polydopamine core and the doxorubicin‐loading capacity of the porous coordination polymer layer endow the nanoparticles with the potential for chemo‐photothermal combination therapy. As expected, the in vitro and in vivo studies both verify that the multifunctional nanoparticles possess relatively lower systematic toxicity, efficient tumor targeting ability, and excellent chemo‐photothermal activity for tumor inhibition. It is believed that these multifunctional nanoparticles with synergetic tumor targeting property and combined therapeutic strategies would provide an insight into the design of a high‐efficiency antitumor nanoplatform for potential clinical applications.
Process Modeling and Simulation of the Radiation in the Electric Arc Furnace
Authors: Meier Thomas , Gandt Karima , Hay Thomas , Echterhof Thomas
Published: February 2018

In this paper, an approach to the enhancement of a dynamic process simulation model of an electric arc furnace (EAF) is described by improving the modeling and simulation of the heat transfer especially by radiation within the EAF. The presented work is a continuation of the work of Logar, Dovžan, and Škrjanc on modeling the heat and mass transfer and the thermochemistry in an EAF. The modeling and simulation of the heat transfer within the EAF is improved by including the electrode in the model and considering the convective and radiative heat transfer to and from the electrodes, for example, by modeling the surface of the electrodes as a radiative surface. Furthermore, the modeling of the melting geometry is improved and implemented in the model in a way to allow for more geometric variability of the scrap meltdown simulation. As a consequence, the view factor calculation within the model is implemented a new way, allowing for a fast and efficient matrix calculation. Finally, the modeling of the thermal radiation of the gas phase is revised to include gas species previously added to the model and to consider emissivity, absorptivity and transmittance of the gas phase as well as the dust load.
Prescribing 6-weeks of running training using parameters from a self-paced maximal oxygen uptake protocol
Authors: Hogg James S. , Hopker James G. , Coakley Sarah L. , Mauger Alexis R.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The self-paced maximal oxygen uptake test (SPV) may offer effective training prescription metrics for athletes. This study aimed to examine whether SPV-derived data could be used for training prescription.

Methods

Twenty-four recreationally active male and female runners were randomly assigned between two training groups: (1) Standardised (STND) and (2) Self-Paced (S-P). Participants completed 4 running sessions a week using a global positioning system-enabled (GPS) watch: 2 × interval sessions; 1 × recovery run; and 1 × tempo run. STND had training prescribed via graded exercise test (GXT) data, whereas S-P had training prescribed via SPV data. In STND, intervals were prescribed as 6 × 60% of the time that velocity at $$\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}$$

V
˙

O
2max

($$_{{\text{v}}}\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}$$

v

V
˙

O
2max

) could be maintained (Tmax). In S-P, intervals were prescribed as 7 × 120 s at the mean velocity of rating of perceived exertion 20 (vRPE20). Both groups used 1:2 work:recovery ratio. Maximal oxygen uptake ($$\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}$$

V
˙

O
2max

), $$_{{\text{v}}}\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}$$

v

V
˙

O
2max

, Tmax, vRPE20, critical speed (CS), and lactate threshold (LT) were determined before and after the 6-week training.

Results

STND and S-P training significantly improved $$\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}$$

V
˙

O
2max

by 4 ± 8 and 6 ± 6%, CS by 7 ± 7 and 3 ± 3%; LT by 5 ± 4% and 7 ± 8%, respectively (all P < .05), with no differences observed between groups.

Conclusions

Novel metrics obtained from the SPV can offer similar training prescription and improvement in $$\dot {V}{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2max}}}}$$

V
˙

O
2max

, CS and LT compared to training derived from a traditional GXT.
Characterization of Loading Responses and Failure Loci of a Boron Steel Spot Weld
Authors: Raath N. D. , Norman D. , McGregor I. , Hepple S. , Dashwood R. , Hughes D. J.
Published: February 2018

Boron steel, classed as an ultra high-strength steel (UHSS), has been utilized in anti-intrusion systems in automobiles, providing high strength and weight-saving potential through gage reduction. UHSS spot welds exhibit unique hardness distributions, with a hard nugget and outlying base material, but with a soft heat-affected zone in-between these regions. This soft zone reduces the strength of the weld and makes it susceptible to failure. Due to the interaction of various weld zones that occurs during loading, there is a need to characterize the loading response of the weld for accurate failure predictions. The loading response of certain weld zones, as well as failure loci, was obtained through physical simulation of the welding process. The results showed a significant difference in mechanical behavior through the weld length. An important result is that instrumented indentation was shown to be a valid, quantitative method for verifying the accuracy with which weld microstructure has been recreated with regard to the target weld microstructure.
Study of Solidification Cracking in a Transformation-Induced Plasticity-Aided Steel
Authors: Agarwal G. , Kumar A. , Gao H. , Amirthalingam M. , Moon S. C. , Dippenaar R. J. , Richardson I. M. , Hermans M. J. M.
Published: February 2018

In situ high-temperature laser scanning confocal microscopy is applied to study solidification cracking in a TRIP steel. Solidification cracking was observed in the interdendritic region during the last stage of solidification. Atom probe tomography revealed notable enrichment of phosphorus in the last remaining liquid. Phase field simulations also confirm phosphorus enrichment leading to severe undercooling of more than 160 K in the interdendritic region. In the presence of tensile stress, an opening at the interdendritic region is difficult to fill with the remaining liquid due to low permeability and high viscosity, resulting in solidification cracking.
Suburbanisation and Suburbanisms – Making Sense of Continental European Developments
Authors: Hesse Markus , Siedentop Stefan
Published: February 2018

This paper provides a brief overview of recent developments and debates concerned with suburbanisation in continental Europe. While current discourses in urban research and practice still focus on processes of reurbanisation and the gentrification of inner-city areas, suburbia continues to exist and thrive. Depending on the definition applied, suburban areas still attract a large share of in-migration and employment growth in cities of the developed countries. Given that popular meta-narratives on suburbia and suburbanisation are often spurred by, or refer to, North American suburban studies, we take a different perspective here, one based on continental European trajectories of development in and across city-regional areas that are considered to be suburban, and on social processes that are associated with suburbanisation (suburbanisms). Thus, we aim to avoid a biased understanding of suburbia as a spatial category, which is often considered mono-functional, non-sustainable, or in generic decline. Instead, we observe that suburban variety is huge, and the distinction between urban core and fringe seems to be as ambiguous as ever. The paper, which also introduces the theme of this special issue of “Raumforschung und Raumordnung | Spatial Research and Planning”, bundles our findings along four themes: on suburbia as a place of economic development, on the shifting dynamics of housing between core and fringe locales, on the life-cyclic nature of suburbanisation, and on strategies for redevelopment. Finally, we discuss certain topics that may deserve to be addressed by future research, particularly on the European variant of suburbanisation and suburbs.
Healthy minds 0–100 years: Optimising the use of European brain imaging cohorts (“Lifebrain”)
Authors: Walhovd Kristine B. , Fjell Anders M. , Westerhausen René , Nyberg Lars , Ebmeier Klaus P. , Lindenberger Ulman , Bartrés-Faz David , Baaré William F.C. , Siebner Hartwig R. , Henson Richard , Drevon Christian A. , Strømstad Knudsen Gun Peggy , Ljøsne Isabelle Budin , Penninx Brenda W.J.H. , Ghisletta Paolo , Rogeberg Ole , Tyler Lorraine , Bertram Lars ,   Lifebrain Consortium
Published: February 2018

The main objective of “Lifebrain” is to identify the determinants of brain, cognitive and mental (BCM) health at different stages of life. By integrating, harmonising and enriching major European neuroimaging studies across the life span, we will merge fine-grained BCM health measures of more than 5000 individuals. Longitudinal brain imaging, genetic and health data are available for a major part, as well as cognitive and mental health measures for the broader cohorts, exceeding 27,000 examinations in total. By linking these data to other databases and biobanks, including birth registries, national and regional archives, and by enriching them with a new online data collection and novel measures, we will address the risk factors and protective factors of BCM health. We will identify pathways through which risk and protective factors work and their moderators. Exploiting existing European infrastructures and initiatives, we hope to make major conceptual, methodological and analytical contributions towards large integrative cohorts and their efficient exploitation. We will thus provide novel information on BCM health maintenance, as well as the onset and course of BCM disorders. This will lay a foundation for earlier diagnosis of brain disorders, aberrant development and decline of BCM health, and translate into future preventive and therapeutic strategies. Aiming to improve clinical practice and public health we will work with stakeholders and health authorities, and thus provide the evidence base for prevention and intervention.
ALIMENTAL FOOD CONSUMPTION AMONG URBAN HOUSEHOLDS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF GHANA
Authors: MENG TING , FLORKOWSKI WOJCIECH J. , SARPONG DANIEL B. , CHINNAN MANJEET S. , RESURRECCION ANNA V.A.
Published: February 2018

In developing countries, problems such as malnutrition and food insecurity are shifting from rural to urban areas because of rapid urbanization. However, regional variations in alimental food consumption within urban settings have often been ignored. Using survey data, our study examines regional patterns of expenditure on fresh vegetables, fruits, and peanut products in urban households of Ghana. After accounting for socioeconomic and demographic factors, food expenditure on fresh vegetables and peanut products and income elasticity vary significantly across major cities. Food distributors may adjust their marketing strategies, while policy makers should pay attention to possible disparities in urban areas.