bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Development of Financial Technology, Financial Literacy, and Financial Management Behavior in Generation Z (A Case Study of Economics Students at UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang)
Authors: Rachmatulloh Bintang , Fikri Ichsanul , Abdillah Thoriq , Purnamasari Puji Endah
Published: October 2024

This study aims to analyze and explore the influence of financial technology development on financial literacy and financial management behavior in generation Z, especially for students at the Faculty of Economics, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang with a birth year range of 1997-2012 as many as 100 respondents. This study used a quantitative approach and purposive sampling technique which amounted to 100 qualified respondents. This study used a sample of generation Z at the Faculty of Economics, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang and this research was conducted in the period March-August 2024. This research method is SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) analysis with the PLS Partial Least Square (PLS) approach. Hypothesis testing in this research is to understand the relationship between variables. To test the validity and reliability of researchers using the outer model. Hypothesis testing using the inner model. The results showed that financial technology has a significant positive effect on financial literacy and student financial management behavior, financial literacy has a significant positive effect on student financial management behavior and literacy is able to mediate the relationship between financial technology and student financial management behavior.
Ionospheric Total Electron Content Response to the Intense Geomagnetic Storm of 10th -11th May 2024 over Low, Mid and High Latitude Regions
Authors: Muniafu Wilberforce , Uluma Edward , Lomotey Solomon Otoo , Nguessan Kouassi , Bankole Fashae Joshua , Uga Chali Idosa , Ndinya Boniface , Omondi George
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we investigated the response of ionospheric Total electron content (TEC) to the intense geomagnetic storm of 10th - 11th May 2024 using 6 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations: BAKE (Geog. Lat.64.33o N; Geog. Lon. 96.02o W), BELE (Geog. Lat. 1.41o S; Geog. Lon. 48.46o W), MBAR (Geog. Lat. 0.60o S; Geog. Lon. 30.74o E), SUTH (Geog. Lat. 32.38o S; Geog. Lon. 20.81o E), BJFS (Geog. Lat. 39.61o N; Geo. Lon. 115.89o E) and DUND (Geog. Lat. 45.88o S; Geog. Lon.170.60o E) situated over low, mid and high latitude regions. The GPS-TEC data was extracted, processed and used to plot vertical total electron content (VTEC) verses universal time (UT) from 8th to 13th May 2024 for each GNSS receiver station. A contour plot of TEC variation was also plotted for each station from 8th to 13th May 2024. The results showed TEC enhancing significantly at the beginning of the storm, during daytime at the geomagnetic equator, with the exception of MBAR, where TEC increased at night. This was attributed to the effect of prompt penetration of electric field (PPEF). A reduction in TEC was also noted on 11th May 2024, during the recovery phase over all the GNSS receiver stations. This was attributed to the effect of the disturbance dynamo electric ﬁeld (DDEF) and composition change. The contour plots showed diurnal variation in TEC concentration over each GNSS receiver station. The TEC concentration however reduced during the storm period.
Study the Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management with Bio-inoculants on Yield Attributes and Yields of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Yadav Abhishek Singh , Sharma Sanjeev , Dhankar Anurag , Gautam Mahendru Kumar , Singh Veerendra , Pandey Shubham , Patel Krishna Kumar , Yadav Kapil Kumar
Published: October 2024

The experiments were conducted during the kharif season of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at the S.I.F, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur. The experiment consists of 18 treatment combinations in randomized block design with three replications of different combinations of inorganic fertilizer, organic and bio-inoculants in rice. Based on results emanated from the  investigation it can be concluded that among the productivity parameters viz: The statistically maximum grain yield (q ha-1), straw yield (q ha-1) and biological yield (q ha-1) were found (47.38, 47.56 q ha-1), (66.82, 67.22q ha-1 ) and (114.20, 114.78 q ha-1 ) in 2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively in the treatments recorded in the treatment T17 - 100% NPK+ 5 ton ha-1 FYM + Azolla (300 kg ha-1) + S (30 kg ha-1) + Zinc (5 kg ha-1) during both years of experimentation and the plant growth traits viz: panicle length (28.93cm), panicle weight (g) (5.86g) number of grain panicle-1 (127) grains weight panicle-1 (4.11) and test weight (g) (24.97g) were recorded statistically maximum with the treatment T17 -100% NPK+ 5 ton ha-1 FYM + Azolla (300 kg ha-1) + S (30 kg ha-1) + Zinc (5 kg ha-1) during the experimentation.
Meloidogyne spp. Root-knot Nematode Distribution and Population Status in Autumn Pulses in Rajasthan's Zone IIIA
Authors: Yadav Seema , Bishnoi S.P. , Gurjar Hemraj , Parwati  , Chandrawat B.S. , Yadav Dinesh Kumar , Rajveer  , Dhayal Raju
Published: October 2024

A survey was conducted to determine the distribution and occurrence of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp. and other plant parasitic nematodes associated with Autumn pulses in Zone IIIA of Rajasthan. A total of 387 soil and root samples were collected from 25 different localities of zone IIIA in Rajasthan. Among them Meloidogyne spp. was found highest in 354 samples with 91.47% absolute frequency, 40.16 absolute density and 3.84 prominence value. Helicotylenchus spp., Pratylenchus spp., Hoplolaimus spp. etc., were also reported in surveyed localities. During the survey mung bean plants were found diseased with Cercospora leaf spot and anthracnose.
Evaluation of Community Pharmacist’s Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding the Pharmacotherapy Management of Gouty Arthritis in Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Tayyab Syed Taimoor , Gill Wasta Aslam , Siddique Mavra , Nasir Minahil , Arif Arooj , Khan Esha , Saghir Arisha , Rafique Hasnat , Hamza Ameer , Iqbal Muhammad Zahid
Published: October 2024

Background: Gouty arthritis is a prevalent but frequently misdiagnosed condition particularly in developing countries. As a medical expert pharmacists are essential to patient medication management, patient education, and treatment protocol adherence but insufficient information is present on related to gouty arthritis in Pakistan.
Objective: The purpose of the study is to evaluate retail pharmacists (KAP) knowledge, attitude, practices regarding gouty arthritis in Lahore community pharmacies. It also examines the relationship between KAP scores and demographic characteristics finding gaps in pharmacist knowledge and treatment of arthritis.
Methods: A study with a cross-sectional design was carried out on retail pharmacists working in community pharmacies throughout Lahore. Data on their knowledge attitude and practice regarding gouty arthritis were gathered using a structured questionnaire. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test evaluated normality, in addition to measures of skewness and kurtosis. Statistical analysis involved Fishers exact test and the Chi-square test to ascertain relationships between KAP scores and demographic factors. Effect size was measured using Cramer's V and Phi-square.
Results: There is no significant association between demographics of pharmacists and knowledge. There is no association between our study variables and attitude. The post-hoc comparison of p values of different demographics shows no association with the practice regarding gouty arthritis.
Conclusion: Despite their generally positive attitudes toward patient care community pharmacists have a notable knowledge gap regarding gouty arthritis. Enhanced training and education are required to improve community pharmacies handling of gout. Limitation such as sample size and response bias should be addressed in future research.
Seasonal cycle of cross‐equatorial flow in the central Indian Ocean
Authors: Wang Yi , McPhaden Michael J.
Published: March 2017

This study investigates the seasonal cycle of meridional currents in the upper layers of central equatorial Indian Ocean using acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) and other data over the period 2004–2013. The ADCP data set collected along 80.5°E is the most comprehensive collection of direct velocity measurements in the central Indian Ocean to date, providing new insights into the meridional circulation in this region. We find that mean volume transport is southward across the equator in the central Indian Ocean in approximate Sverdrup balance with the wind stress curl. In addition, mean westerly wind stress near the equator drives convergent Ekman flow in the surface layer and subsurface divergent geostrophic flow in the thermocline at 50–150 m depths. In response to a mean northward component of the surface wind stress, the maximum surface layer convergence is shifted off the equator to between 0.5° and 1°N. Evidence is also presented for the existence of a shallow equatorial roll consisting of a northward wind‐driven surface drift overlaying the southward directed subsurface Sverdrup transport. Seasonal variations are characterized by cross‐equatorial transports flowing from the summer to the winter hemisphere in quasi‐steady Sverdrup balance with the wind stress curl. In addition, semiannually varying westerly monsoon transition winds lead to semiannual enhancements of surface layer Ekman convergence and geostrophic divergence in the thermocline. These results quantify expectations from ocean circulation theories for equatorial Indian Ocean meridional circulation patterns with a high degree of confidence given the length of the data records.
A method for preferential selection of dates in the Schaake shuffle approach to constructing spatiotemporal forecast fields of temperature and precipitation
Authors: Scheuerer Michael , Hamill Thomas M. , Whitin Brett , He Minxue , Henkel Arthur
Published: March 2017

Hydrological forecasts strongly rely on predictions of precipitation amounts and temperature as meteorological forcings for hydrological models. Ensemble weather predictions provide a number of different scenarios that reflect the uncertainty about these meteorological inputs, but these are often biased and under‐dispersive, and therefore require statistical postprocessing. In addition to correcting the marginal distributions of the two weather variables, postprocessing methods must reconstruct their spatial, temporal, and intervariable dependence in order to generate physically realistic forecast trajectories that can be used as forcings of hydrological streamflow forecast models. For many years, a sample reordering method referred to as “Schaake shuffle” has been used successfully to address this multivariate aspect of forecast distributions by using historical observation trajectories as multivariate “dependence templates.” This paper proposes a variant of the Schaake shuffle, in which the historical dates are selected such that the marginal distributions of the corresponding observation trajectories are similar to the forecast marginal distributions, thus making it more likely that spatial and temporal gradients are preserved during the reordering procedure. This new approach is demonstrated with temperature and precipitation forecasts over four river basins in California, and it is shown to improve upon the standard Schaake shuffle both with respect to verification metrics applied to the forcings, and verification metrics applied to the resulting streamflow predictions.
Molecular Biology, Genomics, Proteomics, and Mouse Models of Human Cancer
Authors: Viswanathan Srinivas R. , Tuveson David A. , Meyerson Matthew
Published: March 2017

Overview

Cancer is a genetic disease. It is typified by abnormalities in genes that control cellular proliferation and lead to the unrestrained growth that characterizes a malignant cell. Thus, to gain the initiative in cancer detection and treatment, oncologists must begin to understand the molecular roots of the disease: genes, their messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs), and the proteins they produce. In short, oncologists should be conversant with the tools of molecular biology.

This chapter is a basic survey of molecular biology and is directed toward the clinician or trainee who wants a fundamental understanding of this discipline. It is “methods oriented” and will serve as a frame of reference for other chapters in this book. It describes the principles that underlie the procedures used most commonly by molecular biologists and provides examples of clinically relevant situations that draw on particular techniques. Molecular biology already plays an important role in clinical cancer medicine, both in terms of diagnosis (e.g., in the analysis of tumors for prognostic or pathogenetic information) and in treatment (e.g., in the production of pharmacologic and biologic agents, such as recombinant growth factors and monoclonal antibodies).

We begin with an overview of genes, gene expression, and gene cloning. Our discussion of techniques follow the flow of genetic information as we explain the procedures used to analyze gene expression at the levels of DNA, RNA, and protein. Good general overviews of these topics can be found in several books.1–3
Cancer Epidemiology
Authors: Wu Xifeng , Pu Xia , Melkonian Stephanie C. , Spitz Margaret R.
Published: March 2017

Overview

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are over 14 million new cancer cases per year worldwide. As the epidemiologic transition continues, we see increases in cancer incidence in developing nations with more than 50% of all new cancers occurring in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This chapter will review cancer disparities in developed and developing nations, as well as traditional and emerging risk factors, particularly tobacco smoking and factors related to energy balance. It will also summarize the novel and emerging wealth of genomic, epigenomic, metabolomic, and transcriptomic information for the prediction of cancer risk and outcomes.
Cancer Screening and Early Detection
Authors: Brawley Otis W.
Published: March 2017

Overview

Cancer screening is an intervention to find cancer at an early stage. The primary goal of screening is to reduce the mortality from the disease being screened for. Secondary is to successfully treat the disease with the least morbidity. In order for screening to be effective, the disease must have a phase in its natural history in which the disease is localized and therapeutic interventions can successfully stop disease progression. The natural history of some cancers is such that screening is not effective. One can best assess a disease as screenable and a screening intervention as useful through a prospective randomized in which people at risk for the cancer are enrolled and randomized to the screening intervention, which is administered on a regular basis or not to get the screening intervention. People who are diagnosed with the disease on both arms should have access to adequate treatment. Over time, the death rate from those who were to be screened is compared to those who were not to be screened. Of note, assessment should be by intention to screen. A successful screening test reduces the death rate. Assessment through a prospective randomized trial is important as some screening tests have been associated with an increase in overall and 5‐year survival rate without a decrease in mortality or risk of death. Indeed, the benefit and risk of a screening test is important in determining whether a screening test should be recommended or used.
DNA
Topoisomerase Targeting Drugs
Authors: Thomas Anish , Bates Susan , Figg William D. , Pommier Yves
Published: March 2017

Overview

DNA topoisomerase targeting drugs are widely used in the treatment of multiple cancers. These drugs act by generating topoisomerase‐linked DNA breaks and by blocking the religation of the cleavage complexes. Although topoisomerase targeting drugs have a wide spectrum of activity, structural, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic characteristics somewhat limit their efficacy and safety. To circumvent these limitations and to further exploit its activity, newer inhibitors‐ including novel formulations and those that achieve targeted delivery‐ are being developed. Recently described mechanisms that underlie cellular sensitivity to these agents will enable us to predict the activity of topoisomerase targeting drugs and to precisely select patients who are most likely to benefit. Understanding the genetic variants in drug metabolizing enzymes, transporters, and other proteins that influence the pharmacology of these drugs will allow for further individualizing the use of these drugs.
Drug Resistance and its Clinical Circumvention
Authors: Moscow Jeffrey A. , Cowan Kenneth H. , Sikic Branimir I.
Published: March 2017

Overview

Tumors initially sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents frequently develop resistance to them, resulting in the familiar clinical pattern of initial response, followed by a recurrence that no longer responds to therapy. Laboratory and clinical investigations have identified a plethora of drug‐resistance mechanisms, some that are particular to an individual agent and others that are generalizable across classes of agents. These mechanisms include altered cellular accumulation and detoxification of drugs, mutation of the drug target, change in expression of the drug target, and activation of alternative signaling pathways. The identification of drug‐resistance mechanisms has led to strategies to overcome resistance and improved clinical outcomes.
Cell‐Based Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Patel Krina K. , Moyes Judy S. , Cooper Laurence J.
Published: March 2017

Overview

For decades, scientists have applied cell‐based immunotherapies for treatment of cancers. The successful administration of polyclonal populations of donor‐derived or autologous T cells is based in part on defining the precise cellular effectors and identifying tumor‐associated antigens (TAAs) that can be targeted to safely achieve an antitumor effect without engendering on‐target, but off‐tissue toxicity, such as manifested by graft‐versus‐host‐disease (GvHD). The adoptive transfer of T cells can reconstitute or enhance resident immunity, which is in contrast to the apparent limitations associated with vaccine‐based strategies in recipients whose endogenous immune system may fail to respond to immunogen. Other cytolytic circulating lymphocyte populations can be harnessed for infusion. These include allogeneic NK cells that may mediate an antitumor effect without
a priori
defining the TAA and perhaps without the risk of GvHD. In some cases, a TAA can be identified, for example, the B‐lineage TAA CD19, but host immune tolerance prevents the emergence of an effective immune response. Genetic engineering has been combined with T‐cell therapy to generate antigen‐specific cells
ex vivo
, through the enforced expression of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). The adoptive transfer of CD19‐specific CAR
+
T cells has shown promise in initial clinical trials for successful disease control in patients with B‐cell malignancies resistant to conventional therapeutic modalities. Here, we describe the current status of cell‐based immunotherapy for cancer.
Cancer Nanotechnology
Authors: Liu Yanlan , Liu Danny , Shi Jinjun , Langer Robert S.
Published: March 2017

Overview

The advances in state‐of‐the‐art nanotechnologies have offered exciting opportunities to overcome many obstacles that contribute to the high mortality and recurrence of cancer, such as suboptimal pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs, severe adverse effects, development of drug resistance, and cancer metastases. Here, we highlight the clinical stage nanoparticle technologies applied in conventional cancer therapies and for the development of novel classes of anticancer therapeutics. We also discuss recent cutting‐edge research efforts in this exciting field, which could lead to more effective therapeutic nanoparticles for cancer treatment.
Cancer and Pregnancy
Authors: Litton Jennifer K.
Published: March 2017

Overview

The diagnosis of cancer during pregnancy is a clinical and emotional challenge for both the patient and the caregivers. A multidisciplinary approach including medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, and obstetrics is vital to coordinate the treatment of the mother and the monitoring of the fetus. The available data regarding the treatment of cancer during pregnancy, including staging, surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy as well as outcomes for the patients and the children exposed to chemotherapy
in utero
is reviewed.
Neoplasms of the Endocrine Glands: Pituitary Neoplasms
Authors: Gandhi Chirag D. , Pain Margaret , Post Kalmon D.
Published: March 2017

Overview

Pituitary neoplasms represent a phenotypically and pathologically diverse family of tumors. Treatment and classification are both patient and tumor specific as symptoms may derive from abnormal hormone production, compression of adjacent nervous system structures, and, in rare cases, metastases. Transsphenoidal surgery represents a common and well‐tolerated treatment for most pituitary adenomas; however, advances in radiation and chemotherapy have increased treatment options, enhancing treatment efficacy, and eligibility.
Neoplasms of the Cervix
Authors: Jhingran Anuja , Rodriguez Ana M.
Published: March 2017

Overview

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in females, with an estimated 529,800 new cases and 275,100 deaths in the year 2008. The incidence is declining in the United States with 12,900 new cases and 4100 deaths in 2015. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histology with the human papilloma virus (HPV) being the most common etiology. Cervical cancer can be easily prevented with pap smears, HPV testing, and hopefully the HPV vaccine. Early stage cervix cancer can be treated with surgery including now fertility sparing surgery and there are high cure rates. Local advance cervical cancer is treated with combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy with high survival rates but there is room for improvements with advancing stage. Systemic chemotherapy can be used for treatment of both recurrent and metastatic disease, but careful attention should be paid to balancing benefit and toxicity. The key to success will be the transportation of success seen in the developing countries to success in areas of the world where advanced‐stage invasive cervical cancer is most common.
Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Peritoneal Cancer
Authors: Berek Jonathan S. , Friedlander Michael L. , Bast Robert C.
Published: March 2017

Overview

Ovarian cancer is one of the most treatable solid tumors, as the majority will respond temporarily to surgery and cytotoxic agents. The disease, however, frequently persists and recurs in 70% of cases, having the highest fatality‐to‐case ratio of all the gynecologic cancers. Ovarian cancer is neither a common nor a rare disease, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 70 and a prevalence in the postmenopausal population in the United States of 1 in 2500, which impact strategies for early detection and prevention. Germ line mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 are associated with 10–15% of ovarian cancers and increase the risk of ovarian cancer dramatically. Factors that contribute to persistent ovulation increase the risk in women with sporadic disease, whereas use of oral contraceptives decreases the risk of disease post menopause. While epithelial ovarian cancers have been thought to arise from the ovarian surface epithelium or in the lining of inclusion cysts beneath the ovarian surface, many high‐grade serous “ovarian” carcinomas as well as peritoneal cancers are now believed to arise in the fimbriae of fallopian tube, rather than the ovary or peritoneum. Epithelial ovarian cancers can exhibit serous, endometrioid, mucinous, or clear cell histotypes. Low‐grade type I ovarian cancers grow slowly, can evolve from tumors of low malignant potential, bear Ras mutations in a majority of cases, express wild type TP53, often are detected in early stage (I–II), and respond less frequently to platinum‐ and taxane‐based therapy. High‐grade type II ovarian cancers grow rapidly, arise from precursors with TP53 mutations, are driven by DNA copy number changes, are diagnosed in late stage (III–IV), and frequently respond to combination chemotherapy. Owing to a lack of specific symptoms or an effective screening strategy, more than 70% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed in an advanced stage (III–IV). Primary treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer involves cytoreductive surgery and 6–8 cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel. For those women with small volumes of disease after surgery, intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy improves survival. Recurrent disease cannot be cured with currently available agents, but survival can be prolonged with combinations of cytotoxic agents including retreatment with paclitaxel and carboplatin. Palliative agents include liposomal doxorubicin, gemcitabine, topotecan, bevacizumab, pemetrexed, and etoposide. Experimental therapy for low‐grade cancers involves MEK inhibitors, whereas trials of PI3K pathway inhibitors and PARP inhibitors are underway in patients with high‐grade epithelial ovarian cancers. Combinations of targeted agents will be required.
A benchmarking method to evaluate the accuracy of a commercial proton monte carlo pencil beam scanning treatment planning system
Authors: Lin Liyong , Huang Sheng , Kang Minglei , Hiltunen Petri , Vanderstraeten Reynald , Lindberg Jari , Siljamaki Sami , Wareing Todd , Davis Ian , Barnett Allen , McGhee John , Simone Charles B. , Solberg Timothy D. , McDonough James E. , Ainsley Christopher
Published: March 2017

AcurosPT is a Monte Carlo algorithm in the Eclipse 13.7 treatment planning system, which is designed to provide rapid and accurate dose calculations for proton therapy. Computational run‐time in minimized by simplifying or eliminating less significant physics processes. In this article, the accuracy of AcurosPT was benchmarked against both measurement and an independent MC calculation, TOPAS. Such a method can be applied to any new MC calculation for the detection of potential inaccuracies. To validate multiple Coulomb scattering (MCS) which affects primary beam broadening, single spot profiles in a Solidwater® phantom were compared for beams of five selected proton energies between AcurosPT, measurement and TOPAS. The spot Gaussian sigma in AcurosPT was found to increase faster with depth than both measurement and TOPAS, suggesting that the MCS algorithm in AcurosPT overestimates the scattering effect. To validate AcurosPT modeling of the halo component beyond primary beam broadening, field size factors (FSF) were compared for multi‐spot profiles measured in a water phantom. The FSF for small field sizes were found to disagree with measurement, with the disagreement increasing with depth. Conversely, TOPAS simulations of the same FSF consistently agreed with measurement to within 1.5%. The disagreement in absolute dose between AcurosPT and measurement was smaller than 2% at the mid‐range depth of multi‐energy beams. While AcurosPT calculates acceptable dose distributions for typical clinical beams, users are cautioned of potentially larger errors at distal depths due to overestimated MCS and halo implementation.
The spatial accuracy of two frameless, linear accelerator‐based systems for single‐isocenter, multitarget cranial radiosurgery
Authors: Ezzell Gary A.
Published: March 2017

Single‐isocenter, multitarget cranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is more efficient than using an isocenter for each target, but spatial positioning uncertainties can be magnified at locations away from the isocenter. This study reports on the spatial accuracy of two frameless, linac‐based SRS systems for multitarget, single‐isocenter SRS as a function of distance from the isocenter. One system uses the ExacTrac platform for image guidance and the other localizes with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). For each platform, a phantom with 12 target BBs distributed up to 13.8 cm from the isocenter was aligned starting from five different initial offsets and then imaged with the treatment beam at seven different gantry and couch angles. The distribution of the resulting positioning errors demonstrated the value of adding a 1‐mm PTV margin for targets up to about 7–8 cm from the isocenter. For distances 10 cm or more, the CBCT‐based alignment remained within 1.1 mm while the ExacTrac‐based alignment differed by up to 2.2 mm.
Moving GPU‐OpenCL‐based Monte Carlo dose calculation toward clinical use: Automatic beam commissioning and source sampling for treatment plan dose calculation
Authors: Tian Zhen , Li Yongbao , Hassan‐Rezaeian Nima , Jiang Steve B. , Jia Xun
Published: March 2017

We have previously developed a GPU‐based Monte Carlo (MC) dose engine on the OpenCL platform, named goMC, with a built‐in analytical linear accelerator (linac) beam model. In this paper, we report our recent improvement on goMC to move it toward clinical use. First, we have adapted a previously developed automatic beam commissioning approach to our beam model. The commissioning was conducted through an optimization process, minimizing the discrepancies between calculated dose and measurement. We successfully commissioned six beam models built for Varian TrueBeam linac photon beams, including four beams of different energies (6 MV, 10 MV, 15 MV, and 18 MV) and two flattening‐filter‐free (FFF) beams of 6 MV and 10 MV. Second, to facilitate the use of goMC for treatment plan dose calculations, we have developed an efficient source particle sampling strategy. It uses the pre‐generated fluence maps (FMs) to bias the sampling of the control point for source particles already sampled from our beam model. It could effectively reduce the number of source particles required to reach a statistical uncertainty level in the calculated dose, as compared to the conventional FM weighting method. For a head‐and‐neck patient treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), a reduction factor of ~2.8 was achieved, accelerating dose calculation from 150.9 s to 51.5 s. The overall accuracy of goMC was investigated on a VMAT prostate patient case treated with 10 MV FFF beam. 3D gamma index test was conducted to evaluate the discrepancy between our calculated dose and the dose calculated in Varian Eclipse treatment planning system. The passing rate was 99.82% for 2%/2 mm criterion and 95.71% for 1%/1 mm criterion. Our studies have demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of our auto‐commissioning approach and new source sampling strategy for fast and accurate MC dose calculations for treatment plans.
Efficient independent planar dose calculation for FFF IMRT QA with a bivariate Gaussian source model
Authors: Li Feifei , Park Ji‐Yeon , Barraclough Brendan , Lu Bo , Li Jonathan , Liu Chihray , Yan Guanghua
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study is to perform a direct comparison of the source model for photon beams with and without flattening filter (FF) and to develop an efficient independent algorithm for planar dose calculation for FF‐free (FFF) intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) quality assurance (QA). The source model consisted of a point source modeling the primary photons and extrafocal bivariate Gaussian functions modeling the head scatter, monitor chamber backscatter, and collimator exchange effect. The model parameters were obtained by minimizing the difference between the calculated and measured in‐air output factors (Sc). The fluence of IMRT beams was calculated from the source model using a backprojection and integration method. The off‐axis ratio in FFF beams were modeled with a fourth degree polynomial. An analytical kernel consisting of the sum of three Gaussian functions was used to describe the dose deposition process. A convolution‐based method was used to account for the ionization chamber volume averaging effect when commissioning the algorithm. The algorithm was validated by comparing the calculated planar dose distributions of FFF head‐and‐neck IMRT plans with measurements performed with a 2D diode array. Good agreement between the measured and calculated Sc was achieved for both FF beams (<0.25%) and FFF beams (<0.10%). The relative contribution of the head‐scattered photons reduced by 34.7% for 6 MV and 49.3% for 10 MV due to the removal of the FF. Superior agreement between the calculated and measured dose distribution was also achieved for FFF IMRT. In the gamma comparison with a 2%/2 mm criterion, the average passing rate was 96.2 ± 1.9% for 6 MV FFF and 95.5 ± 2.6% for 10 MV FFF. The efficient independent planar dose calculation algorithm is easy to implement and can be valuable in FFF IMRT QA.
Effect of Ti and Zr Combined Modification on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Mg95Y2.5Zn2.5 Alloy Containing LPSO and W Phases
Authors: Wu Shouzhong , Ma Yanbin , Zhang Jinshan , Xu Chunxiang , Niu Xiaofeng , Liu Wei
Published: March 2017

In order to develop a high performance Mg–Y–Zn alloy containing LPSO phase in the condition of lower Y/Zn atomic ratio, the effect of Ti and Zr on microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg95Y2.5Zn2.5 alloy was investigated. Although the α‐Mg grains can be refined by adding Ti and Zr separately, the best refinement effect can be obtained by the combined addition of them. More importantly, the formation of LPSO phase was promoted by adding them in as‐cast Mg95Y2.5Zn2.5 alloy. Meanwhile, the growth model of W phase was transformed from divorced eutectic to cooperative eutectic. In this case, the LPSO/W interface became continuous, which degraded the mechanical properties of as‐cast alloys. After extrusion, the increased LPSO phase caused by adding Ti and Zr greatly improved the strength of as‐extruded alloy.
A test of a skeletal ageing method based on resorption of the alveolar crest following tooth loss using a skeletal population of documented age at death
Authors: Mays Simon
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Resorption of the alveolar process occurs following tooth loss, and appears to continue for a prolonged period. Previous study (Mays, ) with a known‐age collection of human remains suggested the potential of this phenomenon for age estimation in remains of adults who have lost one or more molar teeth. This article tests this ageing technique on another known age group, and attempts to evaluate the impact of some extraneous factors on the method.

Materials and methods

The study group comprises adult skeletons (N = 110) of documented age at death from 18th to 19th century London. It examines the relationship between a previously described standardized measure of posterior corpus height (SPCH) in mandibles showing loss of one or more molars. The potential influence of a general tendency to form or lose bone (identified by the presence of ossification into the anterior longitudinal ligament of the spine and cortical thickness at the metacarpal) and (for females) parity are also investigated.

Results

Negative age correlation was found for SPCH in females but not in males. In females, the age‐association was weaker, and the rate of loss slower, than in a previously studied 19th century European population. None of the other factors investigated showed a relationship with SPCH.

Discussion

As with other bony age indicators, the relationship between SPCH and age varies in different populations. Further work is needed to evaluate the extraneous factors that affect the relationship with age.
Stabilization of High Oxidation State Upconversion Nanoparticles by N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes
Authors: Möller Nadja , Rühling Andreas , Lamping Sebastian , Hellwig Tim , Fallnich Carsten , Ravoo Bart Jan , Glorius Frank
Published: March 2017

The stabilization of high oxidation state nanoparticles by N‐heterocyclic carbenes is reported. Such nanoparticles represent an important subset in the field of nanoparticles, with different and more challenging requirements for suitable ligands compared to elemental metal nanoparticles. N‐Heterocyclic carbene coated NaYF4:Yb,Tm upconversion nanoparticles were synthesized by a ligand‐exchange reaction from a well‐defined precursor. This new photoactive material was characterized in detail and employed in the activation of photoresponsive molecules by low‐intensity near‐infrared light (λ=980 nm).
Toughening of polyamide‐6 with little loss in modulus by block copolymer containing poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic acid) segment
Authors: He Ren , Zhan Xiaoli , Zhang Qinghua , Chen Fengqiu
Published: March 2017

Toughening of polyamide‐6 (PA6) by elastomers without sacrificing the modulus of blends has always been a challenge. In this study, PA6 was modified by poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic acid)‐block‐polystyrene‐block‐poly(n‐butyl acrylate)‐block‐polystyrene tetrablock copolymer (BCP) elastomer. The introduced acid groups in BCP resulted in the size of BCP inclusions down to nanometers in polyamide matrix. 10 wt % of BCP‐modified PA6 blends achieved five times increase in notched impact strength with almost no loss in modulus. Microscopic observations suggested the cavitation of elastomer particles and shear yielding of PA6 matrix to be the major toughening mechanism. This research provides a strategy to toughen polyamides by block copolymers at very low rubber content. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44849.
Core–shell hexadecane‐polyurethane nanofiber/net structured membrane: Evaluation of surfactant addition on morphology and performance
Authors: Rahimi Massoumeh , Mokhtari Javad
Published: March 2017

Coelectrospinning/netting or fabrication of well‐controlled nanofibers/net (NFN) within core–shell hexadecane (HD)–polyurethane (PU) nanofiber membranes is an effective strategy to improve nanostructure morphology, mechanical properties, and performance characteristics. Three types of surfactants were separately added to PU solutions in order to make controlled NFN layers within membrane structures. The experimental results indicated that the NFN layers composed of core–shell nanowires with a diameter of 20–40 nm increased significantly when a cationic surfactant was added. Also, the results confirmed that the NFN structure caused a significant increase in strength and a noticeable decrease in elongation of the membranes. The performance characteristics of the membranes, such as water vapor transmission rate and hydrostatic pressure, were not affected significantly by the addition of the cationic surfactant. The results confirmed that the mechanical properties and morphology of the core–shell HD‐PU nanofiber membranes could be controlled and tuned by the amount and type of surfactant. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45047.
Contrasting influences of inundation and land use on the rate of floodplain restoration
Authors: Dawson Samantha K. , Kingsford Richard T. , Berney Peter , Catford Jane A. , Keith David A. , Stoklosa Jakub , Hemmings Frank A.
Published: March 2017

This study examined the assisted natural restoration of native vegetation in an Australian floodplain wetland where flows were reinstated and the river was reconnected to the floodplain, following cessation of agricultural cultivation.

Extant vegetation was surveyed three times during an inundation event at plots with different land‐use histories.

Restoration rate was more influenced by past land use than long‐term inundation frequency and success decreased with antecedent land‐use intensity. Prolonged land‐use history (>3 years cultivation) restricted restoration success. Sites with longer cultivation histories tended to have fewer aquatic species, more terrestrial species and exotic species. For example, amphibious responders with floating leaves were found only in reference plots and less frequently in farmed treatment plots. In this scenario, increased persistence of exotics and dryland species suggested alternative trajectories. Fields with a short land‐use history (1–3 years of clearing and cultivation) resembled undisturbed floodplain communities, consistent with a ‘field of dreams’ hypothesis.

Although river–floodplain reconnections can restore wetlands, legacy effects of past land use may limit the pace and outcomes of restoration.
Recommendations for monitoring freshwater fishes in river restoration plans: A wasted opportunity for assessing impact
Authors: Rodeles Amaia A. , Galicia David , Miranda Rafael
Published: March 2017

Many human activities in and on rivers cause the loss of freshwater biodiversity, especially fish, which now are one of the most endangered vertebrate groups. River fragmentation caused by the construction of dams is one of the main threats to fish species. In Spain, which has the highest number of dams per square kilometre in the world, more than half of all fish species are threatened by these constructions. The government has initiated the National Strategy for River Restoration, a plan to restore rivers and preserve their inhabitants, which includes the removal of dams.

An information search and query was conducted to determine if fish monitoring was performed before and after dam removal, and the result was negative. Therefore, an assessment of the effects of dam removal on fish communities at a large spatial scale was not possible. Instead, an analysis was carried out to measure the effects of dam removal on river connectivity using a geometric network.

The analysis of river connectivity improvement showed that 66% of removed dams had one or more dams less than 5 km away. The removal of dams increased the connected river length by an average of 6.4 km per dam removed, with the range varying between 1.04 km and 9.48 km, depending on the river basin.

These results show that, although monitoring programmes are strongly recommended after restoration actions, they are not usually performed. This is a wasted opportunity to gather large datasets to understand better the effects of human actions on fish communities and on rivers.

River connectivity results may reflect a demolition strategy based more on economic and social opportunism rather than on ecological considerations. It is strongly recommended that dam removal plans should be based on ecological selection methods to achieve greater river improvements with less investment.
Heterogeneity versus duration dependence with competing risks: an application to the labor market
Authors: Robb Richard , Frydman Halina , Robertson Andrew
Published: March 2017

Two hypotheses can explain the declining probability of gaining employment as an unemployment spell wears on: heterogeneity of the unemployed versus duration dependence. The nonparametric tests developed in the literature for testing duration dependence would not account for the fact that an unemployment spell can terminate in other ways than employment. The nonparametric tests developed in this paper extend, under certain conditions, those tests to competing risks. We illustrate our test using US unemployment data in which we find little consistent evidence for duration dependence. © 2017 The Authors. Applied Stochastic Models in Business and Industry published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On a correlation among azimuthal velocities and the flyby anomaly sign
Authors: Acedo L. , Bel Ll.
Published: March 2017

Background

Data of six flybys, those of Galileo I, Galileo II, NEAR, Cassini, Rosetta, and Messenger were reported by Anderson et al. (2008). Four of them: Galileo I, NEAR, Rosetta, and Messenger gain Newtonian energy during the flyby transfer, while Galileo II and Cassini lose energy. In both cases this is a surprising anomaly since Newtonian forces originate from a potential and they are, therefore, conservative.

Materials and Methods

We use a Whiteheadian theory of gravity to analyze the anomalies.

Results

Here we show that the gravitational field of a rotating planet, as derived from this new model, introduces a nonconservative force that gives a partial, but in our opinion satisfactory, explanation of these anomalies.

Conclusion

This model also suggests a correlation between the sign of the anomaly and the sign of the azimuthal velocity at perigee.
Maßgeschneiderte Bauwerke mit BIM
Authors: Braun Matthias , Laufkötter Alrun , Hochmuth Markus
Published: March 2017

In den Zeiten vor der objektorientierten Planung musste der Ingenieur das zunächst nur in seiner eigenen dreidimensionalen Vorstellung existierende Bauwerk auf eine zweidimensionale Darstellung im Plan herunterbrechen. Dank BIM muss er diese Abstraktion heute nicht mehr durchführen. Er plant jetzt dreidimensional inklusive aller zugehörigen Mengen und Kosten, die als zusätzliche Informationen im Modell enthalten sind. Der Bauherr erhält mit der Planung eine optimierte Entscheidungsgrundlage und kann seine eigenen Schwerpunkte setzen. Somit ist der Planer in der Lage, das Bauwerk optimal an eine Vielzahl an Vorgaben anzupassen. Was hier möglich ist, zeigen ausgewählte Projektbeispiele aus dem Hoch‐ und Ingenieurbau.
A highly selective colorimetric and fluorescent dual‐modal probe for the rapid determination of fluoride anions
Authors: Li Changsuo , Tang Chengcheng , Xing Liting , Sun Bin , Cheng Shiyu , Liao Qiang , Zhu Baocun
Published: March 2017

In this work, 4‐(p‐hydroxybenzylidenehydrazino)‐N‐butyl‐1,8‐naphthalimide (1) has been designed and synthesized as a colorimetric and fluorescent dual‐modal probe for F−. Compound 1 immediately detected inorganic fluoride salts using UV/vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy methods, and served as a ‘naked‐eye’ indicator for F− with high selectivity and sensitivity. Both the absorption and fluorescence spectra show excellent linearity with the concentration of F−. Real‐life applications demonstrated that our proposed analytical system provided a satisfactory method for the determination of F−. In addition, the reaction mechanism of deprotonation was confirmed by 1H NMR.
High throughput inclusion body sizing: Nano particle tracking analysis
Authors: Reichelt Wieland N. , Kaineder Andreas , Brillmann Markus , Neutsch Lukas , Taschauer Alexander , Lohninger Hans , Herwig Christoph
Published: March 2017

The expression of pharmaceutical relevant proteins in Escherichia coli frequently triggers inclusion body (IB) formation caused by protein aggregation. In the scientific literature, substantial effort has been devoted to the quantification of IB size. However, particle‐based methods used up to this point to analyze the physical properties of representative numbers of IBs lack sensitivity and/or orthogonal verification. Using high pressure freezing and automated freeze substitution for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) the cytosolic inclusion body structure was preserved within the cells. TEM imaging in combination with manual grey scale image segmentation allowed the quantification of relative areas covered by the inclusion body within the cytosol. As a high throughput method nano particle tracking analysis (NTA) enables one to derive the diameter of inclusion bodies in cell homogenate based on a measurement of the Brownian motion. The NTA analysis of fixated (glutaraldehyde) and non‐fixated IBs suggests that high pressure homogenization annihilates the native physiological shape of IBs. Nevertheless, the ratio of particle counts of non‐fixated and fixated samples could potentially serve as factor for particle stickiness. In this contribution, we establish image segmentation of TEM pictures as an orthogonal method to size biologic particles in the cytosol of cells. More importantly, NTA has been established as a particle‐based, fast and high throughput method (1000–3000 particles), thus constituting a much more accurate and representative analysis than currently available methods.