bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early inappropriate shock in a subcutaneous cardiac defibrillator due to subcutaneous air
Authors: Nishinarita Ryo , Kishihara Jun , Matsuura Gen , Arakawa Yuki , Kobayashi Shuhei , Shirakawa Yuki , Horiguchi Ai , Nakamura Hironori , Ishizue Naruya , Oikawa Jun , Fukaya Hidehira , Niwano Shinichi , Ako Junya
Published: June 2019

A 57‐year‐old man was admitted to our hospital due to syncopal attack. He was diagnosed with Brugada syndrome due to which a subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator (S‐ICD) was inserted using the standard technique. Two hours after the implantation, he experienced inappropriate shock while conscious. Device interrogation revealed a contentious baseline shift and frequent oversensing of low‐amplitude signals, which was followed by a shock. Lateral chest X‐ray revealed subcutaneous air surrounding the proximal electrode. Another inappropriate shock could be avoided by changing the sensing vector. The subcutaneous air was completely resolved 7 days after implantation.
Attribution theory: An introduction to the special issue
Authors: Martinko Mark J. , Mackey Jeremy D.
Published: June 2019

This special issue of the Journal of Organizational Behavior was developed to further extend attribution theory and its application to the field of organizational behavior. In this introduction, we provide a brief overview of the motivation for this special issue, a concise summary of the papers included in it, a discussion about progress toward the field's goals, and suggestions for how future research can move the field forward. In doing so, we describe how applying attribution theory to studies that utilize a broad range of study designs, research contexts, and focal topics results in insights that enhance our understanding of how attributional processes predict and explain individuals' emotions and behaviors. We also provide suggestions for how to further develop attribution theory so we can more clearly describe the generalizability of relationships across a wide variety of organizational contexts.
Temporal disparity of the atmospheric systems contributing to interannual variation of wintertime haze pollution in the North China Plain
Authors: Chen Shangfeng , Guo Jianping , Song Linye , Cohen Jason B. , Wang Yong
Published: June 2019

Previous studies indicated that the meridional (northerly or southerly) wind anomalies over East China play an important role in modulating interannual variation of the winter haze pollution in the North China Plain (NCP) mainly via changing surface wind speed and humidity. Here, we report that the factors for the formation of the meridional wind anomalies over East China related to interannual variation of winter haze pollution experienced a significant interdecadal change around the mid‐1990s. Before the mid‐1990s, two upstream atmospheric wave trains contribute to generation of the meridional wind anomalies over East China via inducing significant geopotential height anomalies over northeast Asia. The first occurred over mid‐latitude Eurasia and propagated eastward into East Asia, resembling the East Atlantic‐west Russia (EAWR) pattern. The second propagated eastward along the subtropical Asian jet. Furthermore, during this period, the change in the intensity of East Asian trough (EAT) was closely linked with interannual variation of the winter haze variation in the NCP. By contrast, after the mid‐1990s, the atmospheric wave train along the Asian subtropical jet was not observed. Furthermore, the connection between the EAT intensity and the winter time NCP haze variation was weak. The mid‐latitude EAWR‐like pattern and the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation‐related sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical Pacific were possible factors that explain the meridional wind anomalies over East China. Understanding the change in the atmospheric anomalies contributing to interannual variation of the haze is essential for the prediction of haze in the NCP.
Diverse impacts of the Siberian high on surface air temperature in Northeast China during boreal winter
Authors: Liu Boqi , Zhu Congwen
Published: June 2019

The robust negative correlation between the Siberian High (SH) intensity and winter surface air temperature (SAT) in Northeast China has been widely used for winter climate seasonal forecasting. However, this traditional viewpoint varies when considering the changes in SH spatial extension during boreal winter. Here, a newly defined SH index representing both SH intensity and spatial extension shows two distinct influences of a stronger SH on the SAT in Northeast China. The stronger SH with a decreasing eastern edge, which features a meridional see–saw dipole of abnormal circulations centred over the Arctic and Siberia, respectively, results in a warmer winter over Northeast China. In this situation, the decreasing SH is linked to the enhanced Arctic Polar vortex through a tropospheric–stratospheric interaction. However, a stronger SH with an expanding eastern edge is coupled with the East Asian trough (EAT) and results in a colder winter in Northeast China. The SH and EAT anomalies are embedded in a zonally oriented wave‐train originating from the North Atlantic in the troposphere. Because of the diversity of impacts, the SH intensity and zonal extension should be jointly considered for seasonal forecasting of winter SAT anomalies in Northeast China.
Early Changes in Cement–Bone Fixation Using a Novel Rat Knee Replacement Model
Authors: Mann Kenneth A. , Miller Mark A. , Amendola Richard L. , Cyndari Karen I. , Horton Jason A. , Damron Timothy A. , Oest Megan E.
Published: June 2019

Trabecular resorption from interdigitated regions between cement and bone has been found in postmortem‐retrieved knee replacements, but the viability of interdigitated bone, and the mechanism responsible for this bone loss is not known. In this work, a Sprague–Dawley (age 12 weeks) rat knee replacement model with an interdigitated cement–bone interface was developed. Morphological and cellular changes in the interdigitated region of the knee replacement over time (0, 2, 6, or 12 weeks) were determined for ovariectomy (OVX) and Sham OVX treatment groups. Interdigitated bone volume fraction (BV/TV) increased with time for Sham OVX (0.022 BV/TV/wk) and OVX (0.015 BV/TV/wk) group, but the rate of increase was greater for the Sham OVX group (p = 0.0064). Tissue mineral density followed a similar increase with time in the interdigitated regions. Trabecular resorption, when it did occur, started at the cement border with medullary‐adjacent bone in the presence of osteoclasts. There was substantial loss of viable bone (~80% empty osteocyte lacunae) in the interdigitated regions. Pre‐surgical fluorochrome labels remained in the interdigitated regions, and did not diminish with time, indicating that the bone was not remodeling. There was also some evidence of continued surface mineralization in the interdigitated region after cementing of the knee, but this diminished over time. Statement of clinical significance: Interdigitated bone with cement provides mechanical stability for success of knee replacements. Improved understanding of the fate of the interdigitated bone over time could lead to a better understanding of the loosening process and interventions to prevent loss of fixation. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2163–2171, 2019
Spatiotemporal Distribution of Linear Microcracks and Diffuse Microdamage Following Daily Bouts of Fatigue Loading of Rat Ulnae
Authors: Liu Xiyu , Tang Chi , Zhang Xuhui , Cai Jing , Yan Zedong , Xie Kangning , Yang Zhiping , Wang Jing , Guo X. Edward , Luo Erping , Jing Da
Published: June 2019

Microdamage accumulation contributes to impaired skeletal mechanical integrity. The bone can remove microdamage by initiating targeted bone remodeling. However, the spatiotemporal characteristics of microdamage initiation and propagation and their relationship with bone remodeling in response to fatigue loading, especially for more physiologically relevant daily bouts of compressive loading, remain poorly understood. The right forelimbs of 24 rats were cyclically loaded with a ramp waveform for 1,500 cycles/day, and contralateral ulnae were not loaded as the controls. The rats were divided into four equal groups and loaded for 1, 4, 7, and 10 days, respectively. We demonstrated that linear microcracking accumulation exhibited a non‐linear time‐varying process within 10 days of loading with peaked microcrack density at Day 7. Disrupted canaliculi surrounding linear microcracks showed high similarity with the temporal changes of linear microcracking accumulation. Observable intracortical resorption regions were found on Day 10. We found more linear microcracks accumulated in the tensile cortex, but longer cracks were observed in the compressive sides. Increased accumulation of diffuse microdamage was observed from Day 4, but no obvious peak was observed within the 10‐day loading period. Diffuse damage first initiated in the compressive cortices but extended to tension from Day 7. The diffuse damage exhibited no impacts on the surrounding osteocyte integrity. Together, our findings revealed a time‐dependent, bone remodeling‐mediated varying process of linear microcracking accumulation following daily bouts of fatigue loading (with observable peak at Day 7 under our loading regime). Our study also identified distinct spatial accumulation of linear and diffuse microdamage in rat ulnae with tensile and compressive strains. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2112–2121, 2019
Number of Segments Within Musculoskeletal Foot Models Influences Ankle Kinematics and Strains of Ligaments and Muscles
Authors: Kim Hoon , Kipp Kristof
Published: June 2019

Multi‐segment foot models (MFMs) are becoming a common tool in musculoskeletal research on the ankle‐foot complex. The purpose of this study was to compare ankle joint kinematics as well as ligament and muscle strains that result from MFM with a different number of segments during vertical hopping. Ten participants were recruited and performed double‐limb vertical hops. Marker positions and ground reaction forces were collected. Two‐segment (2MFM), three‐segment (3MFM), and five‐segment MFM (5MFM) were used to calculate ankle kinematics and the strains of the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments and of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. Ranges of motion and peak strains were analyzed with Kruskal–Wallis and post hoc tests, whereas the time‐series of the ankle kinematics and ligament and muscle strains were analyzed with statistical parametric mapping. There were significant main effects for MFM in the talocrural joint range of motion and peak strains of ligaments and muscles. In addition, there were significant main effects for MFM in time‐series data of the talocrural joint angle as well as for ligament and muscle strains. In all cases, the post hoc analyses showed that the 2MFM consistently overestimated the range of motion and tissue strains compared to the 3MFM and 5MFM, while 3MFM and 5MFM did not differ from each other in the most variables. This study showed that the number of segments in MFM significantly affects the biomechanical estimates of joint kinematics and tissue strains during hopping. Clinical significance: MFM that combine all foot structures beyond the talus into one segment likely overestimate ankle joint biomechanics. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2231–2240, 2019
Detectability of degradable organic matter in agricultural soils by thermogravimetry
Authors: Tokarski David , Šimečková Jana , Kučerík Jiří , Kalbitz Karsten , Demyan Michael Scott , Merbach Ines , Barkusky Dietmar , Ruehlmann Joerg , Siewert Christian
Published: June 2019

Sustainable agricultural land use requires an assessment of degradable soil organic matter (SOM) because of its key function for soil fertility and plant nutrition. Such an assessment for practical land use should consider transformation processes of SOM and its sources of different origin. In this study, we combined a 120‐day incubation experiment with thermal decay dynamics of agricultural soils altered by added organic amendments. The aim was to determine the abilities and limits of thermal analysis as a rapid approach revealing differences in the degradability of SOM. The carried out experiments based on two independent sampling sets. The first sample set consisted of soil samples taken from non‐fertilized plots of three German long‐term agricultural field experiments (LTAEs), then artificially mixed with straw, farmyard manure, sheep faeces, and charcoal equal to 60 Mg ha−1 under laboratory conditions. The second sample set based on soil samples of different treatments (e.g., crop type, fertilization, cultivation) in LTAEs at Bad Lauchstädt and Müncheberg, Germany. Before and after the incubation experiment, thermal mass losses (TML) at selected temperatures were determined by thermogravimetry indicating the degradability of organic amendments mixed in soils. The results confirmed different microbial degradability of organic amendments and SOM under laboratory conditions. Thermal decay dynamics revealed incubation‐induced changes in the artificial soil mixtures primarily at TML around 300°C in the case of applied straw and sheep faeces, whereas farmyard manure showed mainly changes in TML around 450°C. Charcoal did not show significant degradation during incubation, which was confirmed by TML. Detailed analyses of the artificial soil mixtures revealed close correlations between CO2‐C evolution during incubation and changes in TML at 300°C with R2 > 0.96. Results of the soils from LTAEs showed similar incubation‐induced changes in thermal decay dynamics for fresh plant residues and farmyard manure. We conclude that the practical assessment of SOM could be facilitated by thermal decay dynamics if modified sample preparation and evaluation algorithms are used beyond traditional peak analysis.
Release of phytosiderophores from roots of wheat and triticale under nickel‐deficient conditions
Authors: Ahmadzadeh Fatemeh , Khoshgoftarmanesh Amir Hossein
Published: June 2019

Despite numerous studies on phytosiderophores (PS) there is still an open question whether nickel (Ni) deficiency induces release of PS from graminaceous plant roots. Seedlings of two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L. cvs. Rushan and Kavir) and a triticale cultivar (X. triticosecale) were grown in Ni‐free nutrient solution (Ni‐deficient, Ni–) and with 10 µM NiSO4 (Ni‐sufficient, Ni+, control). Root exudates were collected weekly for 4 weeks and the amount of PS in the root exudates was measured. The response to Ni deficiency on the release of PS differed between species. Roots of Rushan and triticale exuded higher PS in response to Ni‐deficient conditions. Nickel deficiency significantly enhanced shoot Fe and Zn concentrations in wheat, while it decreased shoot Fe and Zn concentrations in triticale. In Kavir, PS exudation was decreased by Ni deficiency at weeks 3 and 4 and the reduced release of PS from roots of Kavir was accompanied by lower concentrations of Fe and Zn in plant roots but higher Fe and Zn concentrations in shoot tissue. The PS release by Kavir was triggered by a Ni‐induced Zn deficiency particularly in the shoots. According to the results, it is suggested that in the studies concerning the phytosiderophore release under Ni deficiency, special attention should be given to different responses among and within cereals and to the plant Zn or Fe nutritional status.
Cost–benefit analysis of tomato in soilless culture systems with saline water under greenhouse conditions
Authors: Cámara‐Zapata José M , Brotons‐Martínez José M , Simón‐Grao Silvia , Martinez‐Nicolás Juan J , García‐Sánchez Francisco
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

The current need to produce food for a growing population, from diminishing natural resources, such as water and energy, and with minimum environmental degradation, demands the optimization of production. We compare the economic feasibility of tomato production in an open system with a perlite substrate, a closed system with the nutrient film technique (NFT), and a hydroponic crop (deep flow technique, DFT) using three levels of salinity that are found within the normal range for irrigation water quality in southeastern Spain.

RESULTS

Production with DFT resulted in an increase in the cost of phytosanitary treatments and the cost of maintenance. Production with perlite resulted in an increase in the cost of irrigation water and fertilization, and the use of NFT resulted in an increase in energy costs. The point of price equilibrium was exceeded in the three soilless systems when using low salinity water, and in perlite, with intermediate salinity water.

CONCLUSION

Profitability was reduced in the following order: perlite > NFT > DFT. There were positive results when using irrigation water with low salinity, and in the case of perlite, with intermediate salinity. In every case, salinity reduced the profitability of the operation, and this was greater when NFT was employed. The analysis of these soilless systems should be continued to determine the possibility of reducing cultivation costs. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
The Fetal 3‐Vessel Views: An Illustrative Case‐Based Tutorial
Authors: Anton Tracy , Sklansky Mark S. , Perez Mishella , Pretorius Dolores H.
Published: June 2019

In 2018, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine revised its obstetric Practice Parameter for the second‐trimester fetal anatomic survey. The 2018 Practice Parameter recommends incorporation of the 3‐vessel view and 3‐vessel and trachea view “if technically feasible.” Sonographers and other medical providers may require additional training and education to develop greater proficiency in obtaining and interpreting these views. This pictorial essay, including ultrasound images alongside their respective schematic diagrams, provides an up‐to‐date, practical, and clinically oriented review of the 3‐vessel view and 3‐vessel and trachea view and their most common presentations in the context of congenital heart disease.
Nitrogen‐Rich Porous Organic Polyamines for Stabilization of Highly Dispersed Metal Nanoparticles and Catalytic Application
Authors: Yang Dong , Hou Yinglai , Zhuang Qiang , Liu Pei , Kong Jie
Published: June 2019

Nitrogen‐rich triazine‐based porous organic polyamines (POPa) synthesized via a one‐step polycondensation of melamine and 4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tribenzaldehyde is employed to synthesize Au and Pd nanoparticles well‐dispersed on POPa. The as‐prepared POPa‐supported Au NPs and Pd NPs (AuNPs@POPa, PdNPs@POPa) with a narrow size distribution show remarkable catalytic activity for the reduction of nitrobenzene compounds and organic dyes and the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction, respectively. Benefitting from POPa the AuNPs@POPa and PdNPs@POPa catalysts can be readily recovered and reused almost without loss of activity. The nitrogen‐rich porous organic polyamines provide great opportunities to prepare functional metal nanocatalysts with potential in the heterogeneous catalysis field.
Theoretical and experimental investigation of effects of failures on the tensile endurance of elevator ropes
Authors: Onur Y.A. , Aycan O.
Published: June 2019

Elevators have an important place in human life just after uprising demands in high rise buildings, skyscraper and luxury residence concepts have surged. Steel wire ropes provide permanent working safety and reliability in the elevator installations. Due to this reason steel wire ropes are one of the vital components of elevators. In this study, effects of discard criteria such as wire breaks, abrasive wear and corrosion where extents of those failures are defined by ISO 4344 standard on the tensile endurance of 6×19 Seale and 8×19 Warrington elevator ropes have been investigated theoretically and experimentally. Tensile endurances of rope samples that have different extents of failure have been determined by using tensile testing machine and comparison is made by undamaged samples for each rope separately. In addition, stress and strain values occurred on the elevator ropes investigated have also been presented. The most critical failure type has been found to be 24 wire breaks for 6×19 Seale rope with fiber core where lifting capacity reduced by 25.99 %. The most critical failure type has been found to be abrasive wear which is 0.1 mm in depth along 100 mm length for 8×19 Warrington rope with independent wire rope core where lifting capacity reduced by 7.93 %.
Effect of hot extrusion parameters on microhardness and microstructure in direct recycling of aluminium chips
Authors: Rady M.H. , Mustapa M.S. , Harimon M.A. , Ibrahim M.R. , Shamsudin S. , Lajis M.A. , Wagiman A. , Msebawi M.S. , Yusof F.
Published: June 2019

Direct hot extrusion is an alternative process for recycling aluminium without melting the scrap. It utilizes low energy and is environmental friendly. This paper reports the microhardness and microstructure of aluminium alloy chips when subjected to various settings of preheating temperature and preheating time in hot extrusion process. Three values of preheating temperature are taken as 450 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C. On the other hand, three values of preheating time were chosen (1 h, 2 h, 3 h). The influences of the process parameters (preheating temperature and time) are analyzed using design of experiments approach whereby full factorial design with center point analysis are adopted. The total runs are 11 and they comprise of two factors of full factorial design with 3 center points. The responses are microhardness and microstructure. The results show that microhardness increases with the decrease of the preheating temperature. The results also show that the preheating temperature is more important to be controlled rather than the preheating time in microhardness analyses. The profile extrudes at 450 °C and 1 hour has gained the optimum microhardness and it can be concluded that setting temperature at 550 °C for 3 hours results in the highest responses for average grain sizes in analysis of microstructure.
Improvement of wear resistance behaviour of laser metal deposited Ti6Al4V/Mo composites
Authors: Akinlabi S.A. , Kumpaty S. , Fatoba O.S. , Akinlabi E.T.
Published: June 2019

Titanium and its alloys are materials found to exhibit wonderful properties such as its lightweight and, excellent mechanical properties – tensile strength and toughness even at elevated temperatures, extraordinary corrosion resistance behaviour and ability to withstand high temperatures. These unique properties have made Ti6Al4V attractive for a range of industrial applications. Some of the successful applications include medical implants and prosthesis, connecting rods for automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, sports equipment, gas turbine engines and space crafts. However, the high cost and poor wear resistance of Ti6Al4V limits its use for specific applications. This study investigates the wear resistance of the laser deposited Ti6Al4V composite and its enhancement with molybdenum. In this study, the Ti6Al4V/Mo composites were produced, the effect of influencing process parameter was investigated, and the produced Ti6Al4V‐Mo composites were further examined through various tests. The results revealed that the Ti6Al4V/Mo composite produced at varying laser powers had improved wear resistant when compared to the Ti6Al4V substrate. A direct correlation between the wear resistance and hardness was also observed.
Enhancement of the residual stresses of cold full‐forward extruded parts by application of an active counter punch
Authors: Hoche H. , Balser A. , Oechsner M. , Franceschi A. , Groche P.
Published: June 2019

Der Einsatz eines gesteuerten Gegenstempels als aktives Element kann die Qualität und die Beanspruchbarkeit kaltfließgepresster Produkte signifikant verbessern. Durch konventionelle Prozessführung mittels Voll‐Vorwärts‐Fließpressen hergestellte Bauteile weisen hohe Zugeigenspannungen an der Oberfläche sowie einen steilen Spannungsgradienten auf. Neben der Gefahr des Verzugs beeinträchtigt dieser ungünstige Eigenspannungszustand das Ermüdungsverhalten. Von den Autoren wurde ein System entwickelt, das während des Fließpressvorgangs mit einem aktiv eingesetzten Gegenstempel eine Druckkraft auf das zu umzuformende Bauteil ausübt und eine signifikante Verbesserung des Spannungszustands des Endprodukts bewirkt. Der positive Effekt wird durch eine Homogenisierung der Deformationen im Bauteil während des Fließpressens bewirkt. Zur Prozesssimulation wurde ein Finite‐Elemente‐Modell in Simufact Forming® entwickelt. Die Simulationsergebnisse zeigen, wie sich die durch den aktiven Gegenstempel aufgebrachte Kraft auf den endgültigen Spannungszustand auswirkt. Die Validierung der Simulationsergebnisse erfolgte anhand von Versuchen mit den beiden austenitischen Stählen 1.4307 und 1.4404. Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt bildet die Entwicklung geeigneter Messstrategien zur röntgenographischen Eigenspannungsanalyse mit dem sin2Ψ‐Verfahren, um trotz grobkörniger und anisotroper Werkstoffzustände die Qualität der Messergebnisse sicherzustellen. Die Ergebnisse aus Simulation und Experiment belegen das Potenzial der entwickelten Umformstrategie. Die Produktqualität lässt sich ohne Änderung der Prozesszeit erhöhen.
Design of a 16‐element array antenna with a planar L‐shaped probe for a direction of arrival estimation of the unidentified broadband signal
Authors: Jang Doyoung , Yoo Sungjun , Wang Jinchun , Choo Hosung
Published: June 2019

This article proposes the design of a 16‐element array antenna with a planar L‐shaped probe for a direction of arrival (DoA) estimation of an unidentified broadband signal. The individual element of the proposed antenna consists of a shorted radiating patch and the planar L‐shaped probe for obtaining the broad matching characteristic, wide beamwidth, and miniaturization. The developed individual elements are adopted to implement a planar 4 × 4 array antenna and to verify beam scanning properties. To obtain the improved signal detection performance of the proposed array antenna, the optimal array spacing of the proposed antenna is determined by calculating a root mean square error (RMSE) and the side lobe level. The results demonstrate that the proposed 4 × 4 array antenna with the optimal array spacing is suitable for detecting the unidentified signals with low RMSEs in a given signal detection environment.
Paired cycle‐GAN‐based image correction for quantitative cone‐beam computed tomography
Authors: Harms Joseph , Lei Yang , Wang Tonghe , Zhang Rongxiao , Zhou Jun , Tang Xiangyang , Curran Walter J. , Liu Tian , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The incorporation of cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) has allowed for enhanced image‐guided radiation therapy. While CBCT allows for daily 3D imaging, images suffer from severe artifacts, limiting the clinical potential of CBCT. In this work, a deep learning‐based method for generating high quality corrected CBCT (CCBCT) images is proposed.

Methods

The proposed method integrates a residual block concept into a cycle‐consistent adversarial network (cycle‐GAN) framework, called res‐cycle GAN, to learn a mapping between CBCT images and paired planning CT images. Compared with a GAN, a cycle‐GAN includes an inverse transformation from CBCT to CT images, which constrains the model by forcing calculation of both a CCBCT and a synthetic CBCT. A fully convolution neural network with residual blocks is used in the generator to enable end‐to‐end CBCT‐to‐CT transformations. The proposed algorithm was evaluated using 24 sets of patient data in the brain and 20 sets of patient data in the pelvis. The mean absolute error (MAE), peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), normalized cross‐correlation (NCC) indices, and spatial non‐uniformity (SNU) were used to quantify the correction accuracy of the proposed algorithm. The proposed method is compared to both a conventional scatter correction and another machine learning‐based CBCT correction method.

Results

Overall, the MAE, PSNR, NCC, and SNU were 13.0 HU, 37.5 dB, 0.99, and 0.05 in the brain, 16.1 HU, 30.7 dB, 0.98, and 0.09 in the pelvis for the proposed method, improvements of 45%, 16%, 1%, and 93% in the brain, and 71%, 38%, 2%, and 65% in the pelvis, over the CBCT image. The proposed method showed superior image quality as compared to the scatter correction method, reducing noise and artifact severity. The proposed method produced images with less noise and artifacts than the comparison machine learning‐based method.

Conclusions

The authors have developed a novel deep learning‐based method to generate high‐quality corrected CBCT images. The proposed method increases onboard CBCT image quality, making it comparable to that of the planning CT. With further evaluation and clinical implementation, this method could lead to quantitative adaptive radiation therapy.
Experimental study of humidity effect on charge measurement of reference ionization chambers in clinical high‐energy photon beams
Authors: Sato Yuuki , Shimizu Morihito , Morishita Yuichiro , Sato Masanori , Hoshina Masao
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In the practice code of dosimetry, humidity effect is assumed to be constant as far as the measurements are performed in the relative humidity (RH) range of (20–80)%; thus, the humidity effect can be ignored with a dose uncertainty of 0.15%. This assumption is based on the previous experimental results by Niatel and Guiho. Rogers and Ross calculated the stopping power ratio of humid air and dry air for high‐energy electron beams by using a Monte Carlo code. They demonstrate that the W value, the mean energy required to create an ion pair in air, is independent of the beam quality when the air is dry, and that the traditional humidity correction can be used also for high‐energy photon and electron beams; however, this was only a computational study. In the present study, we measured the humidity correction of Farmer‐type ionization chambers in high‐energy photon beams and determined the W values of humid air using the calculated energy deposition of humid air with a Monte Carlo code. Furthermore, we proposed an analytical expression to determine a practical humidity correction for an ionization chamber as a function of absolute humidity.

Method

Experiments were carried out using a clinical linear accelerator (linac, Elekta Precise) at the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ). A shield box was constructed downstream of the linac and connected to an air processor, which maintained the temperature around 22°C and controlled the humidity in the range of (10–70)% inside the box. We prepared two Farmer‐type ionization chambers: PTW 30013 and Exradin A19. Each ionization chamber was placed inside the box and irradiated with 6‐, 10‐, and 15‐MV high‐energy photon beams from the clinical linac. The energy deposition to the humid air inside the ionization chamber was calculated using the Electron Gamma Shower Version 5 (EGS5) code system.

Results

Stabilization for the humidity of the ionization chamber was completed within 3 h. The polarity and ion recombination corrections did not show any change in the humidity range studied. The measured humidity correction and the evaluated W values of humid air in high‐energy photon beams were in good agreement with those by Rogers in TG‐21 and by Niatel in the range of RH (10–70)%.

Conclusion

Humidity correction of ionization chambers in high‐energy photon beams from the clinical linac was determined experimentally. Using the analytical expression for the energy depositions by EGS5, the analytical expression for the W values was also derived.
Exploring associations between older adults’ demographic characteristics and their perceptions of self‐care actions for communicating with healthcare professionals in southern United States
Authors: Tzeng Huey‐Ming , Okpalauwaekwe Udoka , Feng Cindy , Jansen Sandra Lynn , Barker Anne , Yin Chang‐Yi
Published: June 2019

Aims

This study examined associations between older adults’ demographic factors and their perceived importance of, desire to and ability to perform seven self‐care behaviours for communicating with healthcare professionals.

Design

This cross‐sectional survey study analysed subset data of 123 older adults 65 years and older, living in southern United States.

Methods

The Patient Action Inventory for Self‐Care (57 items, grouped into 11 categories) was used to collect self‐reported self‐care data. Demographic characteristics were also collected. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to tests for relationships between the variables relevant to the research objective.

Results

Regression findings showed that separated older adults felt less able to share ideas about their healthcare experiences compared to married older adults. Male older adults reported less desire to list issues to discuss and less desire to share ideas about their care experience with their healthcare professionals compared to their female counterparts.
Phase 3 empowerment zones: The case of Tucson
Authors: Andonoska Ljubinka
Published: June 2019

The empowerment zones were the leading federal program for community revitalization and economic recovery during the period from 1993 to 2013. Implemented in three rounds, this program changed its benefits, with the final round offering only tax‐based incentives. Using a case study design, this paper looks closely at the round 3 empowerment zone in Tucson, Arizona. Utilizing qualitative data, this scholarship finds that the only performance indicator controlled by the administration was input oriented, that is, the marketing of program incentives to attract new businesses. Tucson program administrators did not know how well the program was performing. The program, although defined as comprehensive, in the case of Tucson, was concerned only with economic development and job creation.

This study is the only known study comprehensively examining round 3 empowerment zones.
Development of a predictive model for stromal content in prostate cancer samples to improve signature performance
Authors: Boufaied Nadia , Takhar Mandeep , Nash Claire , Erho Nicholas , Bismar Tarek A , Davicioni Elai , Thomson Axel A
Published: June 2019

Prostate cancer is heterogeneous in both cellular composition and patient outcome, and development of biomarker signatures to distinguish indolent from aggressive tumours is a high priority. Stroma plays an important role during prostate cancer progression and undergoes histological and transcriptional changes associated with disease. However, identification and validation of stromal markers is limited by a lack of datasets with defined stromal/tumour ratio. We have developed a prostate‐selective signature to estimate the stromal content in cancer samples of mixed cellular composition. We identified stromal‐specific markers from transcriptomic datasets of developmental prostate mesenchyme and prostate cancer stroma. These were experimentally validated in cell lines, datasets of known stromal content, and by immunohistochemistry in tissue samples to verify stromal‐specific expression. Linear models based upon six transcripts were able to infer the stromal content and estimate stromal composition in mixed tissues. The best model had a coefficient of determinationR2of 0.67. Application of our stromal content estimation model in various prostate cancer datasets led to improved performance of stromal predictive signatures for disease progression and metastasis. The stromal content of prostate tumours varies considerably; consequently, deconvolution of stromal proportion may yield better results than tumour cell deconvolution. We suggest that adjusting expression data for cell composition will improve stromal signature performance and lead to better prognosis and stratification of men with prostate cancer. © 2019 The Authors.The Journal of Pathologypublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Macrothrombocytopenia associated with a rare GFI1B missense variant confounding the presentation of immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Cheng Aaron N. , Bao Erik L. , Fiorini Claudia , Sankaran Vijay G.
Published: June 2019

Growth factor‐independent 1B (GFI1B) variants are a rare cause of thrombocytopenia. We report on a male child who was initially diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia. However, subtle clinical signs led to suspicion of a genetic cause of thrombocytopenia. Gene panel sequencing revealed a rare variant in GFI1B (C168F), which has recently been reported in several families with thrombocytopenia. We demonstrate that this variant significantly alters platelet parameters in population studies. This case highlights how diagnoses of exclusion, such as immune thrombocytopenia, can be confounded by genetic variation. Our understanding of blood disorders will undoubtedly evolve from an increased knowledge of human genetic variation.
Experience of parents receiving results from a quality‐of‐life study in pediatric advanced cancer: A report from the PediQUEST study
Authors: Bilodeau Madeline , Dussel Veronica , Wolfe Joanne
Published: June 2019

Little is known about the experience of parents receiving results of quality‐of‐life research in pediatric advanced cancer. The PediQUEST study participants who indicated interest in results during enrollment were mailed summarized findings and the Disseminating Quality‐of‐Life Research Questionnaire. Respondents (86%,12/14) reported feeling more than “a little” recognized, grateful, or satisfied to receive results. Concurrently, 43% (6/14) endorsed feeling more than “a little” sad, confused, or anxious. Nonetheless, 81% (13/16) prefer to be informed in the future. Although parents experience a spectrum of strong emotions, our findings suggest quality‐of‐life study results should be shared.
Mechanical characterization of graphene oxide reinforced epoxy at different strain rates
Authors: Majzoobi Gholam Hossein , Nejad Shahab H. Amini , Sabet Seyed Ali Reza
Published: June 2019

Strain rate has significant effect on mechanical behavior of the thermoset polymers. The rate sensitivity is more complicated for thermoset nanocomposites, which compose of two quite different types of materials. Nanofiller‐reinforced epoxy resin is widely used in the industry. In the present work, epoxy resin is reinforced by 0.05 to 0.7 wt% nanographene oxide (GO). The strain rate sensitivity of the fabricated nanocomposites is investigated through compressive test carried out at the strain rates of 0.001–1,900 s−1. The stress–strain curves of the nanocomposites indicated considerable difference between the low‐strain and high‐strain‐rate responses of the specimens. The results showed that the compressive strength of the nanocomposites was improved by more than 100% at high strain rates with respect to the low strain rates. Also, the addition of nano‐GO had influence on compressive strength enhancement but not as significant as the effect of strain rate. It was observed that the effect of GO was less important for higher strain rates. The experimental compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of the nanocomposites were casted in empirical relations for low and high strain rates for various filler weight percentages. Scanning electron microscopy was also used to examine the quality of GO dispersion. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1636–1647 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Psychosocial and behavioral pathways of metabolic syndrome in cancer caregivers
Authors: Steel Jennifer L. , Cheng Hannah , Pathak Ritambhara , Wang Yisi , Miceli Jessica , Hecht Carol Lynn , Haggerty Denise , Peddada Shyamal , Geller David A. , Marsh Wallis , Antoni Michael , Jones Reyna , Kamarck Thomas , Tsung Allan
Published: June 2019

Objective

Cancer caregivers are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. The aims of this study were to examine psychosocial and behavioral predictors of metabolic syndrome, an intermediate endpoint of CVD.

Methods

Cancer caregivers were administered a battery of questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, caregiver quality of life, sleep, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use, social support, relationship quality, and loneliness. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the American Heart Association guidelines and the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III, which includes the presence of at least three of the following abnormalities: blood pressure, glucose, abdominal girth, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides.

Results

Of the 104 caregivers, 77% were female, 94% were Caucasian, and the mean age was 59.5 (SD = 12.8). Of the 104 caregivers, 35.6% reported depressive symptoms in the clinical range of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies‐Depression (CES‐D) and 69.2% reported Perceived Stress Scale scores at least one standard deviation above the general population norms. A total of 16.3% of caregivers currently used tobacco, 28.8% consumed alcohol, and 26.7% were overweight (BMI = 25‐29.9) and 48.5% were obese (BMI ≥ 30). Forty‐nine percent of the caregivers met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. After age, gender, and race were adjusted, the following remained as significant predictors of metabolic syndrome: low levels of caregiver quality of life (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.067; 95% CI, 1.019‐1.117; P = .006), high levels of hostility (OR = 1.142; 95% CI, 1.030‐1.267; P = .012), and current alcohol use (OR = 4.193; 95% CI, 1.174‐14.978; P = .027).

Conclusion

Development of interventions to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome in cancer caregivers is recommended.
Nonlinear Mixed‐Effects Model Development and Simulation Using nlmixr and Related R Open‐Source Packages
Authors: Fidler Matthew , Wilkins Justin J. , Hooijmaijers Richard , Post Teun M. , Schoemaker Rik , Trame Mirjam N. , Xiong Yuan , Wang Wenping
Published: June 2019

nlmixr is a free and open‐source R package for fitting nonlinear pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), joint PK‐PD, and quantitative systems pharmacology mixed‐effects models. Currently, nlmixr is capable of fitting both traditional compartmental PK models as well as more complex models implemented using ordinary differential equations. We believe that, over time, it will become a capable, credible alternative to commercial software tools, such as NONMEM, Monolix, and Phoenix NLME.
Effects of curcumin supplementation on markers of inflammation and oxidative stress among healthy overweight and obese girl adolescents: A randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Saraf‐Bank Sahar , Ahmadi Alireza , Paknahad Zamzam , Maracy Mohammadreza , Nourian Mojgan
Published: June 2019

Introduction

It is well known that there is a strong linkage between obesity, systemic low‐grade inflammation, and oxidative stress in the pediatric population. Possible strategies that might control obesity and its relevant problems in this crucial group are of utmost importance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplements on inflammation, oxidative stress, and chemerin levels in adolescent girls.

Methods

Totally, 60 overweight and obese adolescent girls were randomly assigned to either placebo or intervention group in a randomized placebo‐controlled parallel trial design. Adolescents consumed one 500‐mg curcumin or placebo per day along with a slight weight loss diet for 10 weeks. High‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), interleukin 6 (IL‐6), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), chemerin levels, and anthropometric measurements were assessed at the beginning and end of the trial.

Results

Curcumin supplementation had a significant effect on IL‐6 levels and oxidative stress markers including TAC and MDA in crude model. After controlling the effects of confounders, curcumin supplementation had a substantial effect on inflammation (hs‐CRP and IL‐6) and oxidative stress (TAC) marker of adolescents.

Discussion

Ten weeks of curcumin supplementation had beneficial effects on inflammation and oxidative stress markers among postpubescent overweight and obese girl adolescents.
Meridional structure and future changes of tropopause height and temperature
Authors: Hu Shineng , Vallis Geoffrey K.
Published: June 2019

We use a simple, semianalytic, column model to understand better the meridional structure of the tropopause height and future changes in its height and temperature associated with global warming. The model allows us to separate the effects of tropospheric lapse rate, optical depth, outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), and stratospheric cooling on the tropopause height. When applied locally at each latitudinal band, the model predicts the overall meridional structure of the tropopause height, with a tropical tropopause substantially higher than in higher latitudes and a sharp transition at the edge of the extratropics. The large optical depth of the Tropics, due mainly to the large water‐vapour path, is the dominant tropospheric effect producing the higher tropical tropopause, whereas the larger tropical lapse rate actually acts to lower the tropopause height. The dynamical cooling induced by the stratospheric circulation lifts the thermal tropopause in the Tropics further, resulting in it being significantly cooler and higher than in mid‐ and high‐latitudes.

The model quantifies the causes of the tropopause height increase with global warming that is found robustly in climate integrations from the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The large spread in the increase rate of tropopause height in the CMIP5 model is captured by the simple model, which attributes the dominant contributions to changes in water‐vapour path and lapse rate, with changes in CO2 concentration and OLR having much smaller direct effects. The CMIP5 models also show a small but robust increase in the tropopause temperature in low latitudes, with a much smaller increase in higher latitudes. We suggest that the tropical increase may be caused at least in part by nongrey effects in the radiative transfer associated with the higher levels of water vapour in the Tropics, with near‐constant tropopause temperatures predicted otherwise.
A hypothesis testing procedure for random changepoint mixed models
Authors: Segalas Corentin , Amieva Hélène , Jacqmin‐Gadda Hélène
Published: June 2019

In biomedical research, random changepoint mixed models are used to take into account an individual breakpoint in a biomarker trajectory. This may be observed in the cognitive decline measured by psychometric tests in the prediagnosis phase of Alzheimer's disease. The existence, intensity and duration of this accelerated decline can depend on individual characteristics. The main objective of our work is to propose inferential methods to assess the existence of this phase of accelerated decline, ie, the existence of a random changepoint. To do so, we use a mixed model with two linear phases and test the nullity of the parameter measuring the difference of slopes between the two phases. Because we face the issue of nuisance parameters being unidentifiable under the null hypothesis, the supremum of the classic score test statistic on these parameters is used. The asymptotic distribution of the supremum under the null is approached with a perturbation method based on the multiplier bootstrap. The performance of our testing procedure is assessed via simulations and the test is applied to the French cohort PAQUID of elderly subjects to study the shape of the prediagnosis decline according to educational level. The test is significant for both educational levels and the estimated trajectories confirmed that educational level is a good marker for cognitive reserve.