bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy layer optimization strategies for intensity‐modulated proton therapy of lung cancer patients
Authors: Jensen M. Fuglsang , Hoffmann L. , Petersen J. B. B. , Møller D. S. , Alber M.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

When treating lung cancer patients with intensity‐modulated proton therapy (IMPT), target coverage can only be guaranteed when utilizing motion mitigation. The three motion mitigation techniques, gating, breath‐hold, and dose repainting, all benefit from a more rapid application of the treatment plan. A lower limit for the ungated treatment time is defined by the number of energy layers in the IMPT plan. By limiting this number during treatment planning, IMPT could become more viable for lung cancer patients. We investigate to what extend the number of layers can be reduced in single‐field optimization (SFO) and multifield optimization (MFO) plans and which implications it has on the plan quality and robustness.

Methods

We have implemented three distinct layer‐reducing strategies in the treatment planning system Hyperion; constant energy steps, exponential energy steps, and an adaptive strategy, where the spot weights are exposed to a group sparsity penalty in combination with layer exclusion during optimization. Four levels of increasing layer removal are planned for each strategy. SFO and MFO plans with three treatment fields are created for eleven locally advanced NSCLC patients on the midventilation 4DCT phase to simulate a breath‐hold. A minimum dose to the target is ensured for each degree of layer reduction, reflecting the plan quality in the homogeneity index (HI). Plan quality was also assessed by a robustness evaluation, where the patient setup was shifted 2 mm or 4 mm in six directions.

Results

The three strategies result in very similar target coverages and robustness levels as a function of removed layers. The HI increases unacceptably for all the SFO plans after 50% layer removal as compared to the reference plan, while all the MFO plans are clinically acceptable with up to a highest removed percentage of 75%. The robustness level is constant as a function of removed layers. The SFO plans are significantly more robust than the MFO plans with all P‐values below 0.001 (Wilcoxon signed‐rank). The overall mean D98% CTV dose difference is at 2‐mm setup error amplitude: 0.7 Gy (SFO) and 1.9 Gy (MFO), and at 4 mm: 3.2 Gy (SFO) and 5.4 Gy (MFO), respectively.

Conclusions

The number of layers in MFO plans can be reduced substantially more than in SFO plans without compromising plan quality. Furthermore, as the robustness is independent of the number of layers, it follows that if the level of robustness is acceptable or enforced via robust optimization, MFO plans could be candidates for treatment time reductions via energy layer reductions.
A Generalized Backward Euler algorithm for the numerical integration of a viscous breakage model
Authors: Marinelli Ferdinando , Buscarnera Giuseppe
Published: August 2018

This paper discusses the formulation and the numerical performance of a fully implicit algorithm used to integrate a rate‐dependent model defined within a breakage mechanics framework. For this purpose, a Generalized Backward Euler (GBE) algorithm has been implemented according to two different linearization strategies: The former is derived by a direct linearization of the constitutive equations, while the latter introduces rate effects through a consistency parameter. The accuracy and efficiency of the GBE algorithm have been investigated by (1) performing material point analyses and (2) solving initial boundary value problems. In both cases, the overall performance of the underlying algorithm is inspected for a range of loading rates, thus simulating comminution from slow to fast dynamic problems. As the viscous response of the breakage model can be recast through a viscous nucleus function, the presented algorithm can be considered as a general framework to integrate constitutive equations relying on the overstress approach typical of Perzyna‐like viscoplastic models.
Fluorescent ZnII Chemosensor Mediated by a 1,8‐Naphthyridine Derivative and It′s Photophysical Properties
Authors: Luo Wenxiu , Liu Mengjiao , Yang Ting , Yang Xia , Wang Yi , Xiang Haifeng
Published: August 2018

One of the greatest challenges in using fluorescent chemosensors for highly selective and sensitive transition‐metal ions is finding an efficient and simple method for its synthesis. In this study, a highly efficient fluorescence chemosensor for ZnII was developed from N‐Boc‐L‐proline modified 1,8‐naphthyridine. The fluorescence intensity of the chemosensor was increased significantly only in the presence of ZnII ion which provided a perceived color change for rapid visual sensing, while other metal ions showed fluorescence quenching or little changes. It was worth noting that the chemosensor L distinguished ZnII from CdII commonly having similar properties. The solvent effect and possible bonding mode for fluorescence enhancement have been also discussed. Results of this study indicated that the Boc‐group in l‐proline significantly improved the sensitivity and selectivity for ZnII detection performance, as confirmed by comparison experiments and time dependent‐density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations.
Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes with monocomponent intumescent flame retardant for reducing the flammability and smoke emission characteristics of epoxy resins
Authors: Xu Zhisheng , Deng Nan , Yan Long , Chu Zhiyong
Published: August 2018

A novel monocomponent intumescent flame retardant named pentaerythritol phosphate melamine salt (PPMS)‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PPMS‐CNT) was synthesized via grafting PPMS on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and thoroughly characterized by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrometry,1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectrometry, scanning electron microscope (SEM)‐energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. Then, PPMS‐CNT was incorporated into epoxy resins (EPs) to investigate flame‐retardant and smoke suppression properties. The results show that the addition of PPMS‐CNT increases the limited oxygen index (LOI) and UL94 rating of EP composites, and the LOI value of EP‐3 containing 15 wt% PPMS‐CNT is increased to 24.5%. Cone calorimeter test indicates that the heat release and smoke production of EP composites are gradually decreased with increasing PPMS‐CNT content concomitant with the increase in the intumescent factor and residual weight. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the thermal stability and char‐forming ability of the EP composites are increasingly improved with increasing PPMS‐CNT content. Char residue analysis reveals that the same addition of PPMS‐CNT tends to form a more continuous and compact char than that of PPMS because of more phosphorus‐rich cross‐linking char and aromatic char remained in the condensed phase, thus exhibiting higher flame‐retardant and smoke suppression efficiencies in EP matrix. Overall, PPMS‐CNT can serve as a promising monocomponent intumescent flame retardant for reducing the flammability and smoke emission characteristics of EP materials.
Isothermally crystallization behavior of poly (L‐lactide) from melt under high pressure
Authors: Yuan Chaosheng , Xu Ying , Yang Kun , Wang Yongqiang , Wang Zheng , Cheng Xuerui , Su Lei
Published: August 2018

The poly (L‐lactide) (PLLA) samples from melt were isothermally crystallized at 175°C and 190°C under pressures (PC) ranging from 0.1 to 400 MPa. The crystalline structures and thermal properties were investigated by using wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). On the basis of the DSC and WAXD results, it is confirmed that an α crystal was formed in the low‐pressure region (PC ≤ 50 MPa), and the disordered α crystal (α′) was formed in the medium‐pressure region (100 MPa ≤ PC ≤ 200 MPa) for the PLLA samples isothermally crystallized at 175°C. However, the only α crystal was formed in the pressure range from 0.1 to 200 MPa, and no α′ crystal could be found in the PLLA samples isothermally crystallized at 190°C. Interestingly, the full amorphous PLLA was obtained at 175°C and 190°C, when the PC was above 250 MPa. There seems to exist a cut‐off pressure for the crystallization of PLLA, which divides the pressure into high and low regions. The peculiarities of crystalline structure could be explained by the enhanced melt supercooling and the confined crystallization behaviors of PLLA under high pressure. The effect of the compression rate on the formation of amorphous PLLA was also researched with different compression rates. The results indicate that the molten PLLA could be easy to solidify as full amorphous phase under the higher pressure at a lower critical compression rate.
Dietary approaches for patients with heart failure and diabetes
Authors: Butler Thomas , Georgousopoulou Ekavi N , Mellor Duane
Published: August 2018

Nutritional management has a key role to play in the management of diabetes and heart failure (HF). There is currently little evidence to make dietary recommendations specifically for people living with both diabetes and HF. Therefore, most nutritional management recommendations for HF and diabetes need to be based on those for people living with diabetes.

This review paper details what is known about the nutritional management recommendations for people living with both diabetes and HF. The only specific approach focusing on managing HF which is currently part of nutritional recommendations are those focused upon fluid and sodium intake to reduce blood volume. There is an emerging body of evidence to suggest individuals living with both diabetes and HF could benefit from dietary pattern approaches, e.g. the Mediterranean diet.

A range of dietary approaches have been shown to be effective; the key is for nutritional and dietary advice to be carefully tailored to the individual's social situation and food preferences as well as being supportive of the overall medical management of their condition. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons.
Physical activity and structured exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure
Authors: Sargeant Jack A , Yates Thomas , McCann Gerry P , Lawson Claire A , Davies Melanie J , Gulsin Gaurav S , Henson Joseph
Published: August 2018

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or heart failure (HF) are encouraged to adopt a physically active lifestyle and participation in structured exercise is endorsed as a safe and effective adjunct to medical therapy in both conditions. This article aims to provide health care professionals with the information required to tailor guidance relating to physical activity and exercise for individuals with T2DM and HF by: (1) presenting an overview of current guidelines, and (2) providing practical suggestions for their implementation.

‘Traditional’ forms of exercise training include moderate to vigorous‐intensity aerobic exercise and dynamic resistance exercise. Benefits of exercise training include improved cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function, more favourable body composition, lower metabolic risk and enhanced quality of life. Before engaging in structured exercise, medical clearance may be required for certain types of activities, and precautions should be taken to minimise the risk of hypoglycaemia and left‐ventricular overload in patients with T2DM and HF. Importantly, patients with HF should be educated to distinguish severe adverse symptoms during exercise from expected feelings of breathlessness and fatigue. The latter should not be a reason to discourage patients from engaging in as much physical activity and structured exercise as possible.

In order to optimise adherence, exercise prescription should be driven by patient preferences, motivations and individual circumstances. Consideration should also be given to more novel approaches, such as reducing sedentary behaviour and high‐intensity interval training. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons.
Palliative care and heart failure in diabetes
Authors: Kilvert Anne , Fox Charles
Published: August 2018

Heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes and once established the mortality is very high. There is evidence for a U‐shaped association between HbA1c and risk of mortality with the lowest risk associated with an HbA1c of 6.5–7.5% (48–58 mmol/mol). Guidelines for management of chronic heart failure recommend palliative care for end‐stage disease, but because of the unpredictable trajectory of heart failure it can be difficult to decide exactly when palliative care should be introduced. Despite the frequent combination of diabetes and heart failure, end of life guidelines for each condition fail to provide recommendations for management when they coexist.

While no class of cardiac failure medication is contraindicated in diabetes, some blood glucose lowering agents may have an adverse effect on heart failure. Cardiovascular outcome studies have linked pioglitazone, saxagliptin and possibly alogliptin with increased risk of heart failure and these drugs should be avoided once the condition is diagnosed. Blood glucose targets should aim for avoidance of hypoglycaemia (increased risk of arrhythmias) and hyperglycaemia (increased risk of dehydration and renal impairment when combined with diuretics). Despite the usual advice to reduce blood testing to a minimum in palliative care, monitoring of both the blood glucose and renal function may be needed to ensure optimal symptom control.

Multidisciplinary heart failure and diabetes teams should be trained to provide palliative care and should use their combined skills to optimise care. They should aim to alleviate symptoms and to address the anxiety and depression often associated with heart failure. Both family and patient should be supported to deal with the uncertainty associated with the unpredictable trajectory towards death. Authors of guidelines should collaborate to produce recommendations for management of the combination of end‐stage heart failure and diabetes. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons.
Increased Enoxaparin Dosing Requirements for Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Severely Burned Patient: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Yost Raymond J. , Haan Bradley J. , Mangan Kyle C.
Published: August 2018

Dosing of enoxaparin for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis in acutely burned patients has been shown to result in anti‐Xa levels below target range. We describe the first case report, to our knowledge, of a severely burned patient who, despite prophylactic dosing of enoxaparin 30 mg subcutaneously twice daily, developed an acute DVT that required high‐dose enoxaparin (100 mg [1.5 mg/kg] subcutaneously every 8 hours) to maintain anti‐Xa levels within the therapeutic range (0.6–1 IU/ml). Pharmacokinetic evaluations were performed using anti‐Xa levels measured throughout the patient's hospital stay to validate the appropriateness of this high‐dose regimen based on established therapeutic anti‐Xa level ranges. These results suggest that routine anti‐Xa level monitoring, regardless of enoxaparin dosing, is necessary for burn patients who are receiving enoxaparin given their hypermetabolic state following injury.
Hierarchical porous polyaniline supercapacitor electrode from polyaniline/silica self‐ aggregates
Authors: Li Peipei , Zhang Dazhi , Xu Yunhui , Ni Caihua , Shi Gang , Sang Xinxin , Cong Houluo
Published: August 2018

To lengthen the lifecycles of polyaniline (PANI) electrodes, a hierarchical porous PANI was synthesized from PANI/silica self‐aggregates through a facile one‐pot method. Hydrogen bonding between NH groups in aniline/PANI and OH groups in nanosilica template led to a type of self‐assembly, which enabled the formation of uniform nanoparticles. Silica self‐aggregates provided macroporous channels, resulting in a decreased diffusion distance. After removal of the hard template, the porous PANI had a large, porous surface area (55.89 m2 g−1), in comparison with nonporous PANI (12.45 m2 g−1). The porous PANI was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared and UV‐visible spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. Because of its hierarchical structure, the resultant porous PANI possessed a higher capacitance (397 F g−1) than nonporous PANI (280 F g−1) at 1 A g−1 in 1 mol L−1 H2SO4 electrolyte. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Functional tremors in older people: an individualised approach is required
Authors: Chalkley Joe , Ruhi Shamim
Published: August 2018

There is debate as to the most appropriate and accurate description of functional movement disorders (FMDs). In this article, Dr Chalkley and Dr Ruhi discuss the characteristics of FMDs and specifically look at two patients' tremors that were entirely distractible and variable in direction, amplitude and frequency. They describe similar onset and development of their symptoms: hand tremors starting after a traumatic event, which then progressed to the whole body. Despite this, there were multiple differences between the cases; of note, the effect of emotion, exercise and relaxation were completely opposing. They conclude that a traumatic life event may trigger a cascade of somatic symptoms, how personalised approaches to psychological therapy are of importance and crucially that more high‐quality research is needed to make evidence‐based decisions on the management of FMDs.
Predictors of quality of life and depression among Korean‐American cancer patients and their family caregivers
Authors: Yoon Hyojin , Chatters Linda , Kao Tsui‐sui Annie , Saint‐Arnault Denise , Northouse Laurel
Published: August 2018

Objective

This study examined social, cultural, and appraisal factors associated with Korean‐American cancer patients' and their family caregivers' quality of life (QOL) and depression.

Methods

Data were from Korean‐American cancer patients and their family caregivers (N = 60 dyads) living in the United States. Study aims were examined using descriptive statistics and multiple regression.

Results

For patients, higher social support and lower negative appraisal of illness predicted higher patient QOL; negative appraisal of illness also predicted higher patient depression. For caregivers, older age, having fewer traditional Korean values, and more modern (individualistic) values predicted higher caregiver QOL. Caregivers who held more modern values also had less depression.

Conclusions

Higher support and less negative appraisal predicted better QOL in patients. For caregivers however, the type of cultural values they held (tradition or modern) was a key factor that predicted level of QOL and depression. Assessment of support and appraisal as well as attention to cultural values may enhance their QOL and reduce depression.
Investigating role of conformational changes of microtubule in regulating its binding affinity to kinesin by all‐atom molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Shi Xiao‐Xuan , Fu Yi‐Ben , Guo Si‐Kao , Wang Peng‐Ye , Chen Hong , Xie Ping
Published: August 2018

Changes of affinity of kinesin head to microtubule regulated by changes in the nucleotide state are essential to processive movement of kinesin on microtubule. Here, using all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations we show that besides the nucleotide state, large conformational changes of microtubule‐tubulin heterodimers induced by strong interaction with the head in strongly binding state are also indispensable to regulate the affinity of the head to the tubulin. In strongly binding state the high affinity of the head to microtubule arises largely from mutual conformational changes of the microtubule and head induced by the specific interaction between them via an induced‐fit mechanism. Moreover, the ADP‐head has a much weaker affinity to the local microtubule‐tubulin, whose conformation is largely altered by the interaction with the head in strongly binding state, than to other unperturbed tubulins. This indicates that upon Pi release the ADP‐head temporarily has a much weaker affinity to the local tubulin than to other tubulins.
Raman and Thermoluminescence Studies of HPHT Synthetic Nanodiamond Powders
Authors: Ruiz‐Valdez Carlos F. , Chernov Valery , Meléndrez Rodrigo , Álvarez‐García Susana , Santacruz‐Gómez Karla , Berman‐Mendoza Dainet , Barboza‐Flores Marcelino
Published: August 2018

Nanocrystalline diamond has received increasing attention because of its unique perspectives in biomedical applications. In this work, Raman and thermoluminescence (TL) properties of commercial synthetic high pressure–high temperature (HPHT) nanodiamond powders with mean size of 60, 140, 380, and 660 nm purchased from PlasmaChem GmbH, Germany are presented. The Raman spectra exhibit a diamond peak related to the CC sp3 chemical bond and a number of additional bands that could be assigned to G‐band, OH and CO groups and some intrinsic point defects. The position of the diamond peak does not depend on nanoparticle size when it is monitored with low power laser. The use of a laser with increased power leads to uncontrolled heating of the nanopowders that is manifested as a broadening and down‐shifting of the 1332 cm−1 line. After exposure to beta radiation, all the powders exhibit a main broad TL peak with maxima between 320 and 380 °C and a weaker low temperature TL. The dose response is linear at the doses of less than 10 Gy for all the powders. At higher doses a supralinear behavior is observed.
Improving the Efficiency of Thin Film Thermoelectric Generators under Constant Heat Flux by Using Substrates of Low Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Morales Carlos , Flores Eduardo , Ares José R. , Sánchez Carlos , Ferrer Isabel J.
Published: August 2018

Thin film thermoelectric generators performance needs to be improved to be competitive with their bulk counterpartners. Here, a method has been proposed to enhance the efficiency of non‐conventional thin film thermoelectric generators, i.e., those with heat running parallel to the film surface, under constant heat flux configuration. This geometry offers the possibility to decouple the thermal and electronic transport via an adequate selection of the film and substrate thermal conductivities and their respective thicknesses. An analysis of those parameters and their relationships in order to reach the maximum thin film thermoelectric generators efficiency is presented in this work. It has been concluded that under well‐established conditions, the thin film thermoelectric generators efficiency is clearly increased and becomes comparable to that of the bulk thermoelectric generators under constant heat flux. This novel framework can lead to the use of devices based on compounds with high power factor regardless of their thermal conductivity.
The tautomerization and ring closure in the Claisen rearrangement: A DFT study
Authors: Yamabe Shinichi , Yamazaki Shoko
Published: August 2018

Elementary processes of the aromatic Claisen rearrangement were investigated by DFT calculations. First, rearrangements of four substrates Ph—O—CH2—CHCH2 [A], Ph—O—CH2—CHCH(OMe) [B], Ph—O—CH2—CHCH2····BF3 [C], and Ph—O—CH—CHCH(OMe)····BF3 [D] were examined. In these systems, the tautomerization is initiated by the intermolecular proton transfer involving the transient ion‐pair intermediate. An ignition‐propagation chain‐reaction mechanism in the tautomerization was suggested. For [A], the (ortho‐allyl phenol → α‐methyl‐dihydrobenzofuran (α‐methyl‐cumarane)) process was found to be ready and the product of the Claisen rearrangement seems to be the cumarane rather than the phenol. In [D] (activated both by the terminal methoxy group and by the BF3 catalyst), not the [3,3]‐sigmatropic shift but the tautomerization is the rate determining step. Second, the parent system, Ph—O—CH2—CHCH2, was investigated with (H2O)
n (n = 2, 4, 6, and 10) systematically. The tautomerization takes place by the proton transfer via the water dimer or trimer. Except n = 2, similar changes of Gibbs free energies were obtained from the ether substrate to the cumarane.
Design and evaluation of an eye tracking support system for the scrub nurse
Authors: Unger Michael , Black David , Fischer Nele M. , Neumuth Thomas , Glaser Bernhard
Published: August 2018

Background

The availability of an increasing number of medical devices in the digital operating room has led to increased interaction demands of the surgical staff. To counteract the risk of bacterial contamination induced by device interactions, touchless interaction techniques are required.

Support systems based on eye tracking enable interaction while maintaining sterility and freeing the hands to manipulate surgical instruments.

Methods

A system using eye tracking glasses was developed. In an evaluation, participants completed tasks using gaze gestures. Three use cases were evaluated in an intraoperative setup. System performance, user acceptance, and workload were measured.

Results

The system was evaluated in a laboratory environment with 26 participants. The precision of the gaze gesture recognition is 97.9%, and the true positive rate is 98.5%. The participants rated the system useful and were satisfied.

Conclusions

Touchless interaction ensures sterility, although the increasing availability of medical devices in the operating room.
Context and Implications Document for:Child discipline and violence in Nigeria: A community‐based intervention programme to reduce violent discipline and other forms of negative parenting practices
Authors: Ofoha Dorothy , Ogidan Rotimi , Saidu Rosemary
Published: August 2018

This guide accompanies the following article: Ofoha, D., Ogidan, R. and Saidu, R., Child discipline and violence in Nigeria: A community‐based intervention programme to reduce violent discipline and other forms of negative parenting practices, Review of Education, https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3128
Automated detection of bird roosts using NEXRAD radar data and Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Chilson Carmen , Avery Katherine , McGovern Amy , Bridge Eli , Sheldon Daniel , Kelly Jeffrey
Published: August 2018

Although NEXRAD radars have proven to be an effective tool for detecting airborne animals, detecting biological phenomena in radar images often involves a manual, time‐ consuming data‐extraction process. This paper focuses on applying machine learning to automatically find radar data that snapshots large aggregations of birds (specifically Purple Martins and Tree Swallows) as they depart en masse from roosting sites. These aggregations are evident in radar images as rings of elevated reflectivity that appear early in the morning as birds depart from roost sites. Our goal was to develop an algorithm that could determine whether an individual radar image contained at least one Purple Martin or Tree Swallow roost. We use a dataset of known roost locations to train three machine learning algorithms that employed (1) a traditional Artificial Neural Network (ANN), (2) a sophisticated preexisting Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) called Inception‐v3, and (3) a shallow CNN built from scratch. The resulting programs were all effective at finding bird roosts, with both the shallow CNN and the Inception‐v3 network making correct determinations about 90 per cent of the time with an AUC above .9. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to apply neural networks in the analysis of bird roosts in radar imagery, and these analytical tools offer new avenues of research into the ecology and behavior of flying animals, with practical applications to wind farm placement, air traffic administration and wildlife conservation. The NEXRAD radar network offers a tremendous archive of continental‐scale data and has the potential to capture entire vertebrate populations. We apply existing machine learning models to a new dataset which constitutes a valuable approach to extracting information from this archive.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants: Phase I Dose-Escalation Clinical Trial
Authors: Ahn So Yoon , Chang Yun Sil , Sung Se In , Park Won Soon
Published: August 2018

We previously demonstrated that transplanting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improved recovery from brain injury induced by severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in newborn rats. To assess the safety and feasibility of MSCs in preterm infants with severe IVH, we performed a phase I dose-escalation clinical trial. The first three patients received a low dose of MSCs (5 × 106 cells/kg), and the next six received a high dose (1 × 107 cells/kg). We assessed adverse outcomes, including mortality and the progress of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Intraventricular transplantation of MSCs was performed in nine premature infants with mean gestational age of 26.1 ± 0.7 weeks and birth weight of 808 ± 85 g at 11.6 ± 0.9 postnatal days. Treatment with MSCs was well tolerated, and no patients showed serious adverse effects or dose-limiting toxicities attributable to MSC transplantation. There was no mortality in IVH patients receiving MSCs. Infants who underwent shunt surgery showed a higher level of interleukin (IL)-6 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained before MSC transplantation in comparison with infants who did not receive a shunt. Levels of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in initially obtained CSF correlated significantly with baseline ventricular index. Intraventricular transplantation of allogeneic human UCB-derived MSCs into preterm infants with severe IVH is safe and feasible, and warrants a larger, and controlled, phase II study.
The impact of model assumptions in scalar‐on‐image regression
Authors: Happ Clara , Greven Sonja , Schmid Volker J.
Published: August 2018

Complex statistical models such as scalar‐on‐image regression often require strong assumptions to overcome the issue of nonidentifiability. While in theory, it is well understood that model assumptions can strongly influence the results, this seems to be underappreciated, or played down, in practice. This article gives a systematic overview of the main approaches for scalar‐on‐image regression with a special focus on their assumptions. We categorize the assumptions and develop measures to quantify the degree to which they are met. The impact of model assumptions and the practical usage of the proposed measures are illustrated in a simulation study and in an application to neuroimaging data. The results show that different assumptions indeed lead to quite different estimates with similar predictive ability, raising the question of their interpretability. We give recommendations for making modeling and interpretation decisions in practice based on the new measures and simulations using hypothetic coefficient images and the observed data.
Magnetic Nanofibers: Unique Properties, Fabrication Techniques, and Emerging Applications
Authors: Chen Xiaoqing , Cheng Lisheng , Li Haoyi , Barhoum Ahmed , Zhang Youchen , He Xuetao , Yang Weinmin , Bubakir Mahmoud M , Chen Hongbo
Published: August 2018

Magnetic nanofibers (MNFs) are integrated with a variety of properties, such as large surface area, high porosity, small size effect and apparent magnetism. This enables MNFs to possess excellent properties of both nanofibers (NFs) and magnetic materials, which greatly widens the application of the original magnetic materials. A brief review of the properties of MNFs, fabrication techniques, and their emerging applications which include biomedical application, sensing and electronic devices, wastewater treatment and microwave absorption is presented. Finally, the development trend and prospect of MNFs in future are summarized and discussed.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Biosensing of Gadolinium Substituted BiFeO3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Basavarajappa Patil S. , Seethya Bhojya Naik H. , Ganganagappa Nagaraju , Eshwaraswamy Kumaraswamy B. , Kakarla Raghava Reddy
Published: August 2018

Gadolinium (Gd3+) substituted bismuth ferrite (BF) photocatalysts were synthesized using sol‐gel method and the effect of Gd3+ substitution was investigated on the structural, optical and surface properties of Gd3+ substituted BF nanoparticles. Different techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) with Selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAED), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), ultraviolet‐visible diffuse reflection spectra (UV‐DRS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET), and photoluminescence spectra (PL) were employed to characterize the nanoparticles. Compared to nascent BF, the Gd3+ substituted BF nanoparticles showed improved long‐range ordering, smaller pore diameter, higher porosity and redshift of the band gap. These properties were responsible for their improved photocatalytic activity, when tested for the photodegradation of organic dyes. It was found that 3 % Gd3+ substituted BF nanoparticles exhibited enhanced the photocatalytic activity of indigo carmine dye with a degradation ranging from 34 % to 69 %, while for Congo red dye the degradation varied from 37 % to 73 % under the visible light. Furthermore, bio‐sensing properties of BF materials were improved as detected by the uric acid using cyclic voltammogram technique.
Unsubstituted Oxacalix[n]arenes (n=4 and 8): A Conformational Study in Solution and Solid State and Interaction Studies with Aromatic Guests
Authors: Peterson Anna , Kaabel Sandra , Kahn Iiris , Pehk Tõnis , Aav Riina , Adamson Jasper
Published: August 2018

We present single crystal structures of unsubstituted oxacalix[4]arene and oxacalix[8]arene macrocycles and investigate the weak supramolecular interactions that govern their packing in the solid state. We further show that the unsubstituted oxacalix[4]arene shows weak complexation with two aromatic guest species, benzoic acid and ferrocene, in CDCl3, whereas the oxacalix[8]arene host does not complex with these guest molecules. We also present NMR titration experiments with non‐aromatic acids and DFT calculations that signify the importance of π‐π interactions for complexation with benzoic acid. Weak complexation is also observed between electron‐rich aromatic guest molecules and the unsubstituted oxacalix[4]arene host.
TiO2 Nanoparticle Catalyzed Rapid Synthesis of Spiroxindole‐Pyrrolidine in Aqueous Medium and Evaluation of their Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Ramesh Pambala , Reddy Marri Sameer , Kumar Nandigama Satish , Rathod Balaji , Prakasham R. S. , Chowan L. Raju
Published: August 2018

We report TiO2 nanoparticle as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst for rapid synthesis of Spiroxindole‐Pyrrolidine by reacting of 3‐aryl‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐prop‐2‐en‐1‐one, isatins and benzylamines via 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction using water as reaction media. The reaction proceeded with excellent regio and diastereoselective product formation along with good yields within 30 minutes. Structure of the product was unambiguously confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. Synthesized Spiroxindole‐Pyrrolidine derivatives were evaluated for antimicrobial activity and found that all the compounds performed well against standard streptomycin drug.
Enthalpy of Combustion on n‐Alkanes. Quantum Chemical Calculations up to n‐C60H122 and Power Law Distributions
Authors: Audran Gérard , Marque Sylvain R. A. , Siri Didier , Santelli Maurice
Published: August 2018

Heats of combustion of n‐alkanes, ΔHn , from CH4 to C60H122 have been determined using quantum‐chemical calculations. We have observed a nearly perfect linear relationship between ΔHn(theo) and the experimental values of heats of combustion for methane to n‐eicosane. Then, we were able to extrapolate for 21 ≤ n ≤ 60. Interestingly, we showed that the variations of the increments H[n‐CnH(2n+2)]/n ‐H[n‐C(n–1)H2n]/(n–1) against n led to a characteristic power law distribution.
Pressure Welding of Silver Nanowires Networks at Room Temperature as Transparent Electrodes for Efficient Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Tseng Jiun‐Yi , Lee Ling , Huang Yu‐Chen , Chang Jung‐Hao , Su Teng‐Yu , Shih Yu‐Chuan , Lin Hao‐Wu , Chueh Yu‐Lun
Published: August 2018

In this work, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as a superior mediate for the pressure welding of silver nanowires (Ag NWs) networks as transparent electrodes without any thermal treatment is demonstrated. After a pressing of 200 kg cm−2, not only the sheet resistance but also the surface roughness of the PMMA‐mediated Ag NWs networks decreases from 2.6 kΩ sq−1 to 34.3 Ω sq−1 and from 76.1 to 12.6 nm, respectively. On the other hand, high transparency of an average transmittance in the visible wavelengths of 93.5% together with a low haze value of 2.58% can be achieved. In terms of optoelectronic applications, the promising potential of the PMMA‐mediated pressure‐welded Ag NWs networks used as a transparent electrode in a green organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) device is also demonstrated. In comparison with the OLED based on commercial tin‐doped indium oxide electrode, the increments of power efficiency and external quantum efficiency (EQE) from 80.1 to 85.9 lm w−1 and 19.2% to 19.9% are demonstrated. In addition, the PMMA‐mediated pressure welding succeeds in transferring Ag NWs networks to flexible polyethylene naphthalate and polyimide substrates with the sheet resistance of 42 and 91 Ω sq−1 after 10 000 times of bending, respectively.
Strategic Thinking in the Context of Complexity
Authors: Terra Leonardo Augusto Amaral , Passador João Luiz
Published: August 2018

This article seeks to provide a discussion of the paradigmatic changes that the complexity of scenarios has imposed on strategic thinking and promote an epistemological reflection that can guide researchers in the field. As a result, the article explores the limitations of the atomists and dialectics approaches and proposes the construction of a unified theory of strategy that recognizes the complex nature of its object of study. The paper also concludes that the area needs to create new structures of empirical and conceptual analysis and suggest a series of recommendations to develop studies in the field. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Team Formation Using a Systems Thinking Approach
Authors: Sanchez‐Segura Maria‐Isabel , Hadzikadic Mirsad , Dugarte‐Peña German‐Lenin , Medina‐Dominguez Fuensanta
Published: August 2018

Team performance varies depending on the organization of their members, the exploitation of their synergies and their planning to optimally meet the minimum requirements with the best results. This article reports a dual‐purpose methodology. First, we use the soft systems methodology to start up viability‐driven teamwork based on team complexity, a better understanding of idiosyncrasy, and the synergies leveraging team behavior. The viable systems model is used to propose the essential functions of a team that effectively operates in dynamic organizational environments. Second, this research provides guidance for training teams to apply holistic thinking in their problem‐solving practice by helping them to co‐integrate and apply systemic approach for immersive problem solving. In essence, this article reports success drivers, generic teamwork structures and viability accomplishment references for agilely, effectively and synergistically launching teams. We wrap up by discussing the lessons learned from applying this approach to several teams and outline future developments. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Key to Organizational Sustainability: Nurturing a Culture of Change
Authors: Vodonick John
Published: August 2018

Unless they are constructed for purely theoretical purposes, all human organizations exist in their own particular environments. Those environments are subject to change. Unless the organization accommodates the changing environment. The chances of it continuing to serve the needs of its stakeholders will diminish. At a certain point as the needs of the stakeholders of the organization will cease to be served and the organization will no longer be sustainable. When the organization ceases to be sustainable it will cease to exits in its present form. The problem of organizational sustainability has been intensively studied. The issue of organizational resistance to change has been historically approached from the perspective of militating organizational resistance to a particular change initiative. In this paper, the social and historical roots of resistance to change are explored, and a new strategy to accommodate organizational change is developed. That new strategy is to adopt and nurture a culture of change. The first step in creating an organizational culture of change is to make change an everyday expectation by adjusting the organizational structure to encourage the assumption of power, authority and creativity throughout the organization. The basic four structures of organization are surveyed, and the type of structure that has been found to be most accepting and supporting of change is the type that has come to be known as an adhocracy. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Managing Transformation within Service Systems Networks: A System Viability Approach
Authors: Bithas George , Kutsikos Konstadinos , Warr Alan , Sakas Damianos
Published: August 2018

Information technologies and massively increased connectivity drive service‐based organizations towards collaboration‐driven innovation activities. From a systems theory viewpoint, a formal structure for observing these developments is service system networks; that is, networks of resource‐integrating systems that co‐create value through service exchange. Given their dynamic nature, service systems networks may need to reconfigure themselves, as systems join, leave or change their role in the network, thus potentially jeopardizing the network's viability. By following a design science research methodology, our research aims to address this challenge through a novel two‐dimensional model that maps a service system's options (‘roles’) for positioning itself within a service systems network. Roles are defined as viability‐inducing states, described in terms of three sets of attributes (role elements) that correspond to critical success factors of network viability: service innovation, collaboration and resilience. Hence, a move to a new role is acceptable if and only if network viability is satisfied. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Multidimensional Framework for Digital Platform Innovation and Management: From Business to Technological Platforms
Authors: Yablonsky Sergey
Published: August 2018

The systems that support digital businesses require transformation to maximize the economic value of network connections. It forces a shift to platforms and ecosystems collaborative by nature, by applying business models with multiple actors playing multiple roles. The proposed multidimensional framework involves the use of a multi‐methodology approach that incorporates synergy of business and technological innovations and management. This research concerns a multidimensional approach to digital platform enterprise development that provides support for executives to examine the interrelationships across platform business model portfolio on regular basis. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Social Systems Approach to Self‐assessed Health and Its Determinants in the Digital Era
Authors: Vătămănescu Elena‐Mădălina , Alexandru Vlad‐Andrei , Dincă Violeta Mihaela , Nistoreanu Bogdan Gabriel
Published: August 2018

Placing self‐assessed health (SAH) and its determinants within a social systems framework, the current paper aims to investigate the influences of individual characteristics, environmental and socio‐economic factors on the way people rate their own health. The multiplexity and dynamics of social structures are examined through the lens of the digital era, which exerts a substantive impact on the individuals' appraisal of reality and capacity of adjusting to the unfolding of the world. Thus, given the digital‐centric environment contextualizing the activity of white‐collar workers, the study scrutinizes SAH and its determinants based on over 54 000 observations. The findings support the inferred relationships, supporting that SAH is determined by multifield variables to a great extent. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of Electromagnetic Brake on Hook Growth and Inclusion Entrapment Beneath the Surface of Low‐Carbon Continuous Casting Slabs
Authors: Wang Shengdong , Zhang Xubin , Zhang Lifeng , Wang Qiangqiang
Published: August 2018

In the current study, the entrapment of inclusions by hooks under electromagnetic brake (EMBr) is investigated through hook reveal and inclusion detection at the subsurface of slabs. Simulation is performed to present the fluid flow and the temperature at the meniscus of the mold. With the application of EMBr in the simulation, the steel jet from the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) deflected upward, the speed of upper backflow increased, and the temperature of steel at the meniscus also increased. The measured average depth of hooks and the number density of >10 μm inclusions without EMBr are larger than those with EMBr. With the application of EMBr, the high temperature of the liquid steel at the meniscus prevented the growth of hooks, and small hooks could only capture few inclusions. Hence, the surface quality of slabs could be improved with EMBr.
Effects of PBA‐Based Polyurethane Prepolymer as Compatibilizer on the Properties of Polylactic Acid‐Starch Composites
Authors: Weng Fangqing , Wang Mei , Koranteng Ernest , Ma Nian , Wu Zhengshun , Wu Qiangxian
Published: August 2018

Developing biodegradable materials as alternative to petroleum based materials is highly desirable due to the problem of plastic pollution and shortage of petroleum‐based energy. In this context, the authors have developed bio‐based polylactic acid‐starch (PLA/St) composite materials with Poly‐1,4‐butylene glycol adipate diol (PBA)‐based polyurethane prepolymer (PBAPU) as a compatibilizer. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and other test results show that the compatibility between starch and polylactic acid‐starch (PLA) is improved by using the PBAPU compatibilizer. This is due to the polyurethane bond formed as a result of the reaction between the NCO group in polyurethane prepolymer and the OH group in starch. Furthermore, the structures of the soft segments in polyurethane prepolymer and the polylactic acid matrix which belong to the aliphatic polyesters with similar solubility parameters are also very compatible. The results suggested that a novel interface layer is formed between hydrophobic PLA and hydrophilic starch. Consequently, the ensuing PLA/St composite material exhibit increased interfacial compatibility between polylactic acid and starch, with significant improvements in the thermodynamic as well as the mechanical properties. Certainly, this research has significance in the field of bio‐based plastics, resource utilization, and environmental protection.
The Feeling of Sincerity
Authors: Gregory Daniel ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2018

There is a growing literature in philosophy dealing with the phenomenon of inner speech, that is, the activity of speaking to oneself in one’s mind. This paper highlights a feature of inner speech which has not yet been noticed in this literature: that there is something distinctive that it is like to make a sincere assertion in inner speech (and, indeed, in external speech). The paper then traces out two implications of this observation. The first relates to the question of how we should characterise inner speech; the second relates to the question of how inner speech may play a role in self-attributions of belief.