bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and longitudinal assessment of daily quality assurance for an MR‐guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) linac
Authors: Mittauer Kathryn E. , Dunkerley David A.P. , Yadav Poonam , Bayouth John E. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPurposeTo describe and characterize daily machine quality assurance (QA) for an MR‐guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) linac system, in addition to reporting a longitudinal assessment of the dosimetric and mechanical stability over a 7‐month period of clinical operation.MethodsQuality assurance procedures were developed to evaluate MR imaging/radiation isocenter, imaging and patient handling system, and linear accelerator stability. A longitudinal assessment was characterized for safety interlocks, laser and imaging isocenter coincidence, imaging and radiation (RT) isocentricity, radiation dose rate and output, couch motion, and MLC positioning. A cylindrical water phantom and an MR‐compatible A1SL detector were utilized. MR and RT isocentricity and MLC positional accuracy was quantified through dose measured with a 0.40 cm2 x 0.83 cm2 field at each cardinal angle. The relationship between detector response to MR/RT isocentricity and MLC positioning was established through introducing known errors in phantom position.ResultsCorrelation was found between detector response and introduced positional error (N = 27) with coefficients of determination of 0.9996 (IEC‐X), 0.9967 (IEC‐Y), 0.9968 (IEC‐Z) in each respective shift direction. The relationship between dose (DoseMR/RT+MLC) and the vector magnitude of MLC and MR/RT positional error (Errormag) was calculated to be a nonlinear response and resembled a quadratic function: DoseMR/RT+MLC[%] = −0.0253 Errormag [mm]2 − 0.0195 Errormag [mm]. For the temporal assessment (N = 7 months), safety interlocks were functional. Laser coincidence to MR was within ±2.0 mm (99.6%) and ±1.0 mm (86.8%) over the 7‐month assessment. IGRT position–reposition shifts were within ±2.0 mm (99.4%) and ±1.0 mm (92.4%). Output was within ±3% (99.4%). Mean MLC and MR/RT isocenter accuracy was 1.6 mm, averaged across cardinal angles for the 7‐month period.ConclusionsThe linac and IGRT accuracy of an MR‐guided radiotherapy system has been validated and monitored over seven months for daily QA. Longitudinal assessment demonstrated a drift in dose rate, but temporal assessment of output, MLC position, and isocentricity has been stable.
Microfluidic Devices in Fabricating Nano or Micromaterials for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Luo Xuan , Su Peng , Zhang Wei , Raston Colin L. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNano or microsized particles have been a research focus for decades, and the advancement of microfluidic technologies provides alternative strategies for the synthesis of such materials for various applications. Recent advances of using different microfluidic devices (MDs), including continuous laminar flow, segmented flow, droplet‐based, and other non‐chip‐based microreactors, for the synthesis of nano or microsized particles with specific properties are reviewed, along with their biomedical applications. Different categories of particles fabricated in MDs are summarized to highlight the wide application of the processing platform in the development of novel functional materials.
Multigram Synthesis and C−C/C−N Couplings of Functionalized 1,2‐Disubstituted Cyclopropyltrifluoroborates
Authors: Hryschuk Oleksandr V. , Yurov Yevhen , Tymtsunik Andriy V. , Kovtunenko Volodymyr O. , Komarov Igor V. , Grygorenko Oleksandr O. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA convenient approach to the multigram synthesis of functionalized 1,2‐disubstituted cyclopropyltrifluoroborates was developed, based on Pd(II)‐ or Cu(I)‐catalyzed reaction of vinyltrifluoroborate and diazo compounds. Optimized protocols allowed for the preparation of the target products as pure diastereomers on multigram scale. It was shown that the title compounds were good coupling partners for the Suzuki‐Miyaura and Chan‐Lam reactions, which provide medicinally relevant (het)arylcyclopropanes with high diastereoselectivity.magnified image
Biobehavioral variation in human water needs: How adaptations, early life environments, and the life course affect body water homeostasis
Authors: Rosinger Asher Y. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBody water homeostasis is critical for optimal physiological and cognitive function for humans. The majority of research has illustrated the negative biological consequences of failing to meet water needs. The human body has several mechanisms for detecting, regulating, and correcting body water deficits and excesses. However, variation exists in total water intake and how people meet those water needs as well as thirst thresholds and how well people tolerate water restriction. An evolutionary and developmental framework provides an underexplored perspective into human water needs by examining how adaptations, early life experiences and environments, as well as life course changes in health states and behaviors may shape these critical factors in body water homeostasis. This article first reviews biological and behavioral adaptations to water scarcity among animals and humans. It then examines human variation in water intake in a mostly water secure environment through the analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dietary data and the link between water intake patterns and hydration biomarkers. Next, it reviews existing evidence of how maternal water restriction in utero and during lactation shape vasopressin release, thirst thresholds, drinking patterns, and body water homeostasis for the infant. Early life water restriction appears to have implications for hydration status, body size, and cardiovascular health. Finally, it examines how life course changes in health states and behaviors, including obesity, sleep, and parasitic infection, affect body water homeostasis. This article poses new questions about the plasticity and shaping of human water needs, thirst, and hydration behaviors.
An empirical estimate of the generation time of mouse lemurs
Authors: Radespiel Ute , Lutermann Heike , Schmelting Barthel , Zimmermann Elke 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe generation time of organisms drives the rate of change in populations and across evolutionary times. In long‐lived species, generation time should also account for overlapping generations, and the average age of parents has been proposed as a best approximation under these conditions. This study uses this definition to estimate the generation time of a widely studied small primate, Microcebus murinus, based on parentage data generated for a free‐living population over a 6‐year period in northwestern Madagascar. The average age of parents was calculated separately for mothers and fathers of three different offspring cohorts that differed in the degree of demographic uncertainty. In addition, adult survival rates were calculated for males and females based on long‐term capture data from the same population to estimate the possible upper limits of generation time. Adult survival was low with only 44% of adult females and 38% of adult males being recaptured at the beginning of their second breeding season. The average age of mothers was 1.56–1.91 years, pointing toward a 2‐year female generation time due to the high proportion of 1‐year old mothers in all three cohorts. Female generation time estimates were fairly stable across the three offspring cohorts. In contrast, the average age of fathers differed by more than 1 year from the first to the third offspring cohort (1.71–2.83 years) pointing toward a 3‐year generation time, but also suggesting a higher degree of demographic uncertainty in the early years of the study. For future modeling purposes, we, therefore, propose to use the average, 2.5 years, of male and female values as new estimate for the generation time of mouse lemurs.
Basicranial ontogeny comparison in Pan troglodytes and Homo sapiens and its use for developmental stage definition of KNM‐ER 42700
Authors: Mori Tommaso , Harvati Katerina 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to develop a comparative basis for assessing the developmental stage of KNM‐ER 42700 based on the ontogenetic pattern of the ectocranial surface of the basicranium in modern humans and chimpanzees.Materials and methodsA total of 33 landmarks were collected from an ontogenetic sample of modern humans (80), chimpanzees (51), and 12 individuals classified as Homo erectus s.l. Ontogenetic trajectories were analyzed, and common aspects were extracted for the purpose of discriminating age groups. A regression of size on the extracted shape variables was used to investigate common ontogenetic allometry.ResultsThe basicranial development of chimpanzees and humans follows different trajectories; however, similarities are also present. The common shape component of development extracted can be used to define age groups in both chimpanzees and modern humans. The extracted shape component presents a similar ontogenetic and static‐allometric pattern in these two species. The developmental stages of H. erectus s.l. specimens were attributed following these common traits. Our analysis correctly assigned developmental stages to those specimens of H. erectus for which developmental ages are known.DiscussionThe component used for assessing the developmental stage has an ontogenetic allometric component. However, this shape component can discriminate age group irrespective of size and is no longer related to size when static allometry is considered. Adult H. erectus s.l. specimens were attributed to the adult category. KNM‐WT 15000 fell with the late juvenile age group, whereas D2700 plotted in the region of overlap between the juvenile and adult age groups and Mojokerto with the younger age groups, as predicted by their known developmental ages. KNM‐ER 42700 fell within the adult variability despite its incompletely fused spheno‐occipital synchondrosis.
Societal perceptions and lived experience: Infant feeding practices in premodern Japan
Authors: Tsutaya Takumi , Shimatani Kazuhiko , Yoneda Minoru , Abe Mikiko , Nagaoka Tomohito 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectivesA change in how children were treated and valued occurred in premodern Japan, as popularized ideas of an inheritance‐based family system led to more careful and affectionate child‐rearing practices by lower social‐status groups. A number of books were written, advising that breastfeeding should last approximately 3 years. The objective of this study is to reconstruct and compare breastfeeding and weaning practices before and after the transition, to illuminate the impact of documented changes in child‐rearing practices on subadults’ lived experience.Materials and MethodsCarbon and nitrogen stable isotopic data were obtained from 40 subadult skeletons excavated from the Sakai Kango Toshi 871 (SKT871) site (late 17th–19th century, Osaka, Japan). Isotopic results from SKT871 were compared with previously reported results from the Hitotsubashi site (AD 1657–1683, Tokyo, Japan). Hitotsubashi and SKT871 represent urban populations of lower status before and after the transition of societal perception of subadults.ResultsThe most probable age at the end of weaning reconstructed in SKT871 was 1.9 years (1.4–2.7 years with a 95% credible interval) and was lower than that in Hitotsubashi (2.1–4.1 years with a 95% credible interval).DiscussionThe age at the end of weaning became younger after the transition of societal perception toward subadults, and this younger weaning age is inconsistent with written recommendations for the duration of weaning in premodern Japan. It is possible that an increased need for inheritors under the inheritance‐based family system led to earlier weaning and shorter inter‐birth intervals, but authorities recommended an ideal practice of a longer breastfeeding period.
Hydration‐Facilitated Fine‐Tuning of the AIE Amphiphile Color and Application as Erasable Materials with Hot/Cold Dual Writing Modes
Authors: Jin Hongjun , Li Hongpeng , Zhu Zhiyang , Huang Jianbin , Xiao Yunlong , Yan Yun 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHydration water greatly impacts the color of inorganic crystals, but it is still unknown whether hydration water can be utilized to systematically manipulate the emission color of organic luminescent groups. Now, metal ions with different hydration ability allow fine‐tuning the emission color of a fluorescent group displaying aggregation induced emission (AIE). Because the hydration water can be removed easily by gentle heating or mechanical grinding and re‐gained by solvent fuming, rewritable materials can be fabricated both in the hot‐writing and cold‐writing modes. This hydration‐facilitated strategy will open up a new vista in fine‐tuning the emission color of AIE molecules based on one synthesis and in the design of smart luminescent devices.
Electrochemically Tunable Proton‐Coupled Electron Transfer in Pd‐Catalyzed Benzaldehyde Hydrogenation
Authors: Koh Katherine , Sanyal Udishnu , Lee Mal‐Soon , Cheng Guanhua , Song Miao , Glezakou Vassiliki‐Alexandra , Liu Yue , Li Dongsheng , Rousseau Roger , Gutiérrez Oliver Y. , Karkamkar Abhijeet , Derewinski Miroslaw , Lercher Johannes A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAcid functionalization of a carbon support allows to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of Pd to hydrogenate benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol proportional to the concentration of Brønsted‐acid sites. In contrast, the hydrogenation rate is not affected when H2 is used as a reduction equivalent. The different responses to the catalyst properties are shown to be caused by differences in the hydrogenation mechanism between the electrochemical and the H2‐induced hydrogenation pathways. The enhancement of electrocatalytic reduction is realized by the participation of support‐generated hydronium ions in the proximity of the metal particles.
Antimicrobial action and clotting time of thin, hydrated poly(vinyl alcohol)/cellulose acetate films functionalized with LL37 for prospective wound‐healing applications
Authors: Felgueiras Helena P. , Teixeira Marta A. , Tavares Tânia D. , Homem Natália C. , Zille Andrea , Amorim M. Teresa P. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTPoly(vinyl alcohol)/cellulose acetate (PVA/CA) films were prepared via a new method that combines principles from solvent casting and phase inversion. To guarantee some degree of flexibility, films were produced with a higher percentage of PVA compared to CA, from 90/10 to 50/50. The antimicrobial peptide (AMP) LL37 was then anchored using dopamine as a binding agent. Films were characterized in terms of functional groups, thermal stability, tensile strength, porosity, swelling, and degradation (stability in physiological media at different pHs). The antimicrobial performance of LL37 surface‐modified films was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli in dynamic environment and in the presence and absence of an albumin interface. LL37 treated films demonstrated great antibacterial efficacy against the three kinds of bacteria, ≈75% inhibition for S. aureus, ≈85% for S. epidermidis, and ≈60% for E. coli, regardless of PVA/CA ratio. Presence of albumin reduced bacteria inhibition in all tested groups, most likely due to the binding of the protein molecules to the antimicrobial agents, reducing the free fraction available for bacterial killing. Films treated with LL37 accelerated clotting time (≈10 min) above vancomycin and bare surfaces, demonstrating great capacity to activate the intrinsic coagulation cascade. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48626.
Quantitative Analysis of the Timing of Development of the Cerebellum and Precerebellar Nuclei in Monotremes, Metatherians, Rodents, and Humans
Authors: Ashwell Ken W. S. , Shulruf Boaz , Gurovich Yamila 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTWe have used a quantitative statistical approach to compare the pace of development in the cerebellum and precerebellar systems relative to body size in monotremes and metatherians with that in eutherians (rodents and humans). Embryos, fetuses, and early postnatal mammals were scored on whether key structural events had been reached in the development of the cerebellum itself (CC—corpus cerebelli; 10 milestones), or the pontine and inferior olivary precerebellar nuclear groups (PC; 4 milestones). We found that many early cerebellar and precerebellar milestones (e.g., formation of Purkinje cell layer and deep cerebellar nuclei) were reached at a smaller absolute body length in both metatherians and eutherians together, compared to monotremes. Some later milestones (e.g., formation of the external granular layer and primary fissuration) were reached at a smaller body length in metatherians than eutherians. When the analysis was performed with proportional body length expressed as a natural log‐transformed ratio of length at birth, milestones were reached at a much smaller proportional body length in rodents and humans than in the metatherians or monotremes. The findings are consistent with the slower pace of metabolic activity and embryonic development in monotremes. They also indicate slightly advanced maturation of some early features of the cerebellum in some metatherians (i.e., early cerebellar development in dasyurids relative to body size), but do not support the notion of an accelerated development of the cerebellum to cope with the demands of early birth. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy Anat Rec, 303:1998–2013, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Prediction of Damage Accrual in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Frailty Index
Authors: Legge Alexandra , Kirkland Susan , Rockwood Kenneth , Andreou Pantelis , Bae Sang‐Cheol , Gordon Caroline , Romero‐Diaz Juanita , Sanchez‐Guerrero Jorge , Wallace Daniel J. , Bernatsky Sasha , Clarke Ann E. , Merrill Joan T. , Ginzler Ellen M. , Fortin Paul R. , Gladman Dafna D. , Urowitz Murray B. , Bruce Ian N. , Isenberg David A. , Rahman Anisur , Alarcón Graciela S. , Petri Michelle , Khamashta Munther A. , Dooley M. A. , Ramsey‐Goldman Rosalind , Manzi Susan , Zoma Asad A. , Aranow Cynthia , Mackay Meggan , Ruiz‐Irastorza Guillermo , Lim S. Sam , Inanc Murat , van Vollenhoven Ronald F. , Jonsen Andreas , Nived Ola , Ramos‐Casals Manuel , Kamen Diane L. , Kalunian Kenneth C. , Jacobsen Soren , Peschken Christine A. , Askanase Anca , Hanly John G. 
Published: October 2019

ObjectiveThe Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) frailty index (FI) has been shown to predict mortality, but its association with other important outcomes is unknown. We examined the association of baseline SLICC FI values with damage accrual in the SLICC inception cohort.MethodsThe baseline visit was defined as the first visit at which both organ damage (SLICC/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index [SDI]) and health‐related quality of life (Short Form 36) were assessed. Baseline SLICC FI scores were calculated. Damage accrual was measured by the increase in SDI between the baseline assessment and the last study visit. Multivariable negative binomial regression was used to estimate the association between baseline SLICC FI values and the rate of increase in the SDI during follow‐up, adjusting for relevant demographic and clinical characteristics.ResultsThe 1,549 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients eligible for this analysis were mostly female (88.7%) with a mean ± SD age of 35.7 ± 13.3 years and a median disease duration of 1.2 years (interquartile range 0.9–1.5 years) at baseline. The mean ± SD baseline SLICC FI was 0.17 ± 0.08. Over a mean ± SD follow‐up of 7.2 ± 3.7 years, 653 patients (42.2%) had an increase in SDI. Higher baseline SLICC FI values (per 0.05 increase) were associated with higher rates of increase in the SDI during follow‐up (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.19 [95% confidence interval 1.13–1.25]), after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity/region, education, baseline SLE Disease Activity Index 2000, baseline SDI, and baseline use of glucocorticoids, antimalarials, and immunosuppressive agents.ConclusionOur findings indicate that the SLICC FI predicts damage accrual in incident SLE, which further supports the SLICC FI as a valid health measure in SLE.
Spatiotemporal and deterioration assessment of water main failures
Authors: Martínez García Diego , Lee Juneseok , Keck Jonathan , Yang Paul , Guzzetta Robert 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMany water utilities are experiencing high failure rates in their drinking water distribution water mains, and the consequence of these failures can be severe in terms of social, economic, environmental, and reputational outcomes. This study analyzed clustering‐based spatiotemporal failure patterns in six selected water service areas in California. Water main failure hot spot zones that are of concern were identified, and a time‐dependent Poisson process was further used to assess associated deterioration patterns. These findings can help water utilities make more informed strategic, tactical, operational, and contingency decisions regarding asset management activities in the global pursuit of providing higher levels of service to customers.
Analysis of tizoxanide, active metabolite of nitazoxanide, in rat brain tissue and plasma by UHPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Guo Sixun , Li Fang , Wang Bin , Zhao Yilei , Wang Xiaoxiong , Wei Hua , Yu Kaijiang , Hai Xin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTizoxanide, the active metabolite of nitazoxanide, has recently been reported as an effective agent for the treatment of glioma. As there had been no report about the analysis of tizoxanide in brain tissue, we established extraction and UHPLC–MS/MS methods to quantify tizoxanide in rat brain and plasma to evaluate the brain‐to‐plasma ratio of tizoxanide. The biological samples were mainly prepared by acetonitrile and the separation was performed on a Waters XBridge® BEH C18 column. The mobile phase was composed of water mixed with 10 mm ammonium formate (pH 3.0) and acetonitrile according a gradient volume. Tizoxanide and topiramate (internal standard) were monitored utilizing negative electron spray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The methods were validated to be precise and accurate within the dynamic range of 5–1000 ng/mL and 0.2–50 ng/g for plasma and brain tissue samples, respectively. The lower limit of quantitation of the method was 0.2 ng/g, which was far more sensitive than all existing methods to quantify tizoxanide in biological samples. Application performed on rats exhibited that the brain‐to‐plasma ratio of tizoxanide ranged from 3.16 to 26.86% in 1 h after administration of 10 mg/kg nitazoxanide.