bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Male pelvic multi‐organ segmentation on transrectal ultrasound using anchor‐free mask CNN
Authors: Lei Yang , Wang Tonghe , Roper Justin , Jani Ashesh B. , Patel Sagar A. , Curran Walter J. , Patel Pretesh , Liu Tian , Yang Xiaofeng 
Published: April 2021

PurposeCurrent prostate brachytherapy uses transrectal ultrasound images for implant guidance, where contours of the prostate and organs‐at‐risk are necessary for treatment planning and dose evaluation. This work aims to develop a deep learning‐based method for male pelvic multi‐organ segmentation on transrectal ultrasound images.MethodsWe developed an anchor‐free mask convolutional neural network (CNN) that consists of three subnetworks, that is, a backbone, a fully convolutional one‐state object detector (FCOS), and a mask head. The backbone extracts multi‐level and multi‐scale features from an ultrasound (US) image. The FOCS utilizes these features to detect and label (classify) the volume‐of‐interests (VOIs) of organs. In contrast to the design of a previously investigated mask regional CNN (Mask R‐CNN), the FCOS is anchor‐free, which can capture the spatial correlation of multiple organs. The mask head performs segmentation on each detected VOI, where a spatial attention strategy is integrated into the mask head to focus on informative feature elements and suppress noise. For evaluation, we retrospectively investigated 83 prostate cancer patients by fivefold cross‐validation and a hold‐out test. The prostate, bladder, rectum, and urethra were segmented and compared with manual contours using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), 95% Hausdorff distance (HD95), mean surface distance (MSD), center of mass distance (CMD), and volume difference (VD).ResultsThe proposed method visually outperforms two competing methods, showing better agreement with manual contours and fewer misidentified speckles. In the cross‐validation study, the respective DSC and HD95 results were as follows for each organ: bladder 0.75 ± 0.12, 2.58 ± 0.7 mm; prostate 0.93 ± 0.03, 2.28 ± 0.64 mm; rectum 0.90 ± 0.07, 1.65 ± 0.52 mm; and urethra 0.86 ± 0.07, 1.85 ± 1.71 mm. For the hold‐out tests, the DSC and HD95 results were as follows: bladder 0.76 ± 0.13, 2.93 ± 1.29 mm; prostate 0.94 ± 0.03, 2.27 ± 0.79 mm; rectum 0.92 ± 0.03, 1.90 ± 0.28 mm; and urethra 0.85 ± 0.06, 1.81 ± 0.72 mm. Segmentation was performed in under 5 seconds.ConclusionThe proposed method demonstrated fast and accurate multi‐organ segmentation performance. It can expedite the contouring step of prostate brachytherapy and potentially enable auto‐planning and auto‐evaluation.
Treatment response prediction using MRI‐based pre‐, post‐, and delta‐radiomic features and machine learning algorithms in colorectal cancer
Authors: Shayesteh Sajad , Nazari Mostafa , Salahshour Ali , Sandoughdaran Saleh , Hajianfar Ghasem , Khateri Maziar , Yaghobi Joybari Ali , Jozian Fariba , Fatehi Feyzabad Seyed Hasan , Arabi Hossein , Shiri Isaac , Zaidi Habib 
Published: April 2021

ObjectivesWe evaluate the feasibility of treatment response prediction using MRI‐based pre‐, post‐, and delta‐radiomic features for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT).Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study included 53 LARC patients divided into a training set (Center#1, n = 36) and external validation set (Center#2, n = 17). T2‐weighted (T2W) MRI was acquired for all patients, 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after nCRT. Ninety‐six radiomic features, including intensity, morphological and second‐ and high‐order texture features were extracted from segmented 3D volumes from T2W MRI. All features were harmonized using ComBat algorithm. Max‐Relevance‐Min‐Redundancy (MRMR) algorithm was used as feature selector and k‐nearest neighbors (KNN), Naïve Bayes (NB), Random forests (RF), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) algorithms were used as classifiers. The evaluation was performed using the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.ResultsIn univariate analysis, the highest AUC in pre‐, post‐, and delta‐radiomic features were 0.78, 0.70, and 0.71, for GLCM_IMC1, shape (surface area and volume) and GLSZM_GLNU features, respectively. In multivariate analysis, RF and KNN achieved the highest AUC (0.85 ± 0.04 and 0.81 ± 0.14, respectively) among pre‐ and post‐treatment features. The highest AUC was achieved for the delta‐radiomic‐based RF model (0.96 ± 0.01) followed by NB (0.96 ± 0.04). Overall. Delta‐radiomics model, outperformed both pre‐ and post‐treatment features (P‐value <0.05).ConclusionMultivariate analysis of delta‐radiomic T2W MRI features using machine learning algorithms could potentially be used for response prediction in LARC patients undergoing nCRT. We also observed that multivariate analysis of delta‐radiomic features using RF classifiers can be used as powerful biomarkers for response prediction in LARC.
Persistence and Dispersal of Stocked Rainbow Trout in an Alabama Tailwater
Authors: Baker Sarah M. , Sammons Steven M. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Tailwater trout fisheries provide popular and unique opportunities for anglers across the southeastern USA but often suffer from high mortality and low returns to creel. The Sipsey Fork tailwater in Alabama provides such an opportunity and is stocked monthly with Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. However, a recent creel survey found that less than 25% of fish stocked each month were harvested, with the fate of remaining fish unknown. Thus, movement patterns and fates of four cohorts of stocked Rainbow Trout were examined in the Sipsey Fork using radiotelemetry. Ninety-two tagged Rainbow Trout travelled an average of 5.8 km (SE = 0.7 km) away from their stocking location. Dam operation rarely appeared to influence trout movement. However, tagged Rainbow Trout rapidly dispersed below where most angler access was located; more than 40% of fish locations were found in this area by 3 weeks poststocking in three of four cohorts. Overall, only 30% of tagged Rainbow Trout remained alive 5 weeks after stocking. Rainbow Trout survival during this 5-week period ranged from 11% to 74% across cohorts, and those stocked in January exhibited greater survival than those stocked in June or October. Factors affecting trout movement and mediating Rainbow Trout survival may include Striped Bass Morone saxatilis predation, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen concentrations during certain times of the year. Efforts to mitigate such factors by altering stocking schedules could increase longevity of stocked Rainbow Trout and therefore maximize availability of fish to anglers. However, the propensity of stocked fish to migrate below the area of public access will continue to limit catch and harvest from this fishery.
Applicability of a proposed groundwater level determination approach for the K‐NET in Japan
Authors: Thabet Mostafa 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTThe evaluation of groundwater presence by means of seismic wave velocities is of great concern for many hydrological related engineering applications. This work introduces a simple basic procedure to accurately and systematically identify groundwater levels using P‐wave and S‐wave velocities. This procedure is defined as a seismic reflectivity parameter and based on the seismic reflection coefficients of P‐wave and S‐wave at the unsaturated/saturated interfaces (i.e., groundwater level). The present procedure is applied to 1045 K‐NET sites in Japan. Observed velocity structures, accompanied by their bulk densities and detailed lithology, for the upper 20 m depth are obtained from the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, Japan. Calculations are carried out considering three distinct lithological conditions – gravel, sand and clay–silt sediments – in order to evaluate the ability of this approach (seismic reflectivity parameter) to detect the groundwater level and assess its practical limitations. The increase of the seismic reflectivity parameter value varies substantially with Poisson's ratio, resembling the relationship between and Poisson's ratio in gravel, sand and clay–silt sediments. However, positive seismic reflectivity parameter values indicate groundwater presence, whereas negative seismic reflectivity parameter values indicate lithological variation. The seismic reflectivity parameter can also be used as a relative indicator for groundwater saturation levels. Fair comparisons are established between the seismic reflectivity parameter and the water seismic index technique. However, the seismic reflectivity parameter approach shows consistency with previous theoretical and experimental studies related to variations of and in saturated conditions, whereas the water seismic index shows inconsistency with these previous theoretical and experimental studies and an inability in determining saturation levels and detecting groundwater levels.
Adipocyte Proteins and Storage of Endogenous Fatty Acids in Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in Severe Obesity
Authors: Lytle Kelli A. , Bush Nikki C. , Triay Jessica M. , Kellogg Todd A. , Kendrick Michael L. , Swain James M. , Gathaiya Nicola W. , Hames Kazanna C. , Jensen Michael D. 
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveThis study tested whether substrate concentrations or fatty acid storage proteins predict storage of endogenous lipids in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and upper body subcutaneous adipose tissue (UBSQ) fat.MethodsThe day prior to surgery, 25 patients undergoing bariatric procedures received an infusion of autologous [1‐14C]triolein‐labeled very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles, and during surgery, they received a continuous [U‐13C]palmitate infusion/bolus [9,10‐3H]palmitate tracer. VAT and UBSQ fat were collected to measure VLDL‐triglyceride (TG) storage, direct free fatty acid (FFA) storage rates, CD36 content, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), acyl‐CoA synthetase, diacylglycerol acetyl‐transferase, and glycerol‐3‐phosphate acyltransferase activities.ResultsStorage of VLDL‐TG and FFA‐palmitate in UBSQ and VAT was not different. Plasma palmitate concentrations correlated with palmitate storage rates in UBSQ and VAT (r = 0.46, P = 0.02 and r = 0.46, P = 0.02, respectively). In VAT, VLDL‐TG storage was correlated with VLDL concentrations (r = 0.53, P < 0.009) and LPL (r = 0.42, P < 0.05). In UBSQ, VLDL‐TG storage was correlated with LPL (r = 0.42, P < 0.05). CD36, acyl‐CoA synthetase, glycerol‐3‐phosphate acyltransferase, and diacylglycerol acetyl‐transferase were not correlated with VLDL‐TG or palmitate storage.ConclusionsAdipose storage of VLDL‐TG is predicted by VLDL‐TG concentrations and LPL; FFA concentrations predict direct adipose tissue FFA storage rates.
Microwave‐assisted ring‐opening copolymerization and property of polycarbonates
Authors: Feng Tian‐Ji , Mei Li‐Li , Liu Fan , Yan Guo‐Ping , Yuan Ye , Guo Qing‐Zhong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRecently, the microwave‐assisted heating method has become a commonly used and environmentally friendly heating technology in the field of organic and polymeric synthetic chemistry. A series of poly(5,5‐dimethyl trimethylenecarbonate‐co‐2‐phenyl‐5,5‐bis[oxymethyl] trimethylenecarbonate) (P[DTC‐co‐PTC]) were synthesized by microwave‐assisted ring‐opening polymerization of 5,5‐dimethyl trimethylene carbonate (DTC) and 2‐phenyl‐5,5‐bis(oxymethyl) trimethylene carbonate (PTC) using tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate and aluminum isopropoxidase, the catalysts. These co‐polycarbonates were further reduced by a palladium‐carbon catalyst (Pd/C catalyst, 10%) to make partly deprotected polycarbonates (HPDPC). These two co‐polycarbonates were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, 1HNMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV, differential scanning calorimetry, and automatic contact‐angle measurements. The influences of the microwave irradiation time, microwave power, monomer feed molar ratio, different catalysts, and monomer/catalyst feed molar ratio on the molecular weights of co‐polycarbonates were also investigated. In vitro water absorption, degradation and drug release tests indicated that partly deprotected co‐polycarbonate HPDPC possessed greater hydrophilicity, faster degradation rate, and faster drug release rate than that of corresponding P(DTC‐co‐PTC). Therefore, microwave‐assisted polymerization is a clean and cheap heating method and can be used for ring‐opening copolymerization of carbonates, which enhances the hydrophilicity and biodegradation rate of aliphatic polycarbonates.
Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Just Marissa A. , Van Mater David , Wagner Lars M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAdjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma consists of conventional cytotoxic regimens that have changed little over the past decades. There is an urgent need for agents that are more effective and have less long‐term toxicity. Receptor tyrosine kinases regulate cell growth and proliferation of these tumors, and small‐molecule inhibitors for many of these kinases are now available. In this article, we review published phase II trials for patients with recurrent disease and highlight the pathways targeted by available agents, as well as the toxicity and efficacy results seen to date. We also discuss the difficulties in identifying biomarkers to facilitate rational patient selection, as well as published and proposed strategies for how these inhibitors can be combined with conventional chemotherapy or other targeted agents. It is hoped future trials can capitalize on this growing experience to optimize the use of this exciting class of agents.
Direct writing polyvinylidene difluoride thin films by intercalation of nano‐ZnO
Authors: Chen Caifeng , Zhang Ruifang , Zhu Jiaguang , Qian Xinyi , Zhu Jing , Ye Xuan , Zhang Muyu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPolyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a preeminent pyrolytic and piezoelectric polymer. It has been widely studied as an ideal material for wearable flexible sensors or low‐power electronic equipment. PVDF/ZnO thin films were prepared by direct writing method, which promoted the ordered arrangement of PVDF molecular chains under the action of electric field and thus improved the crystallinity of the β phase. Meanwhile, the effects of intercalation of ZnO nanoparticles on the crystallinity of PVDF thin films were explored. The results show that appropriate addition of nano‐ZnO as nucleating agent can induce the crystallinity of the PVDF film obviously. While the additive amount of nanoparticles was 0.02 wt%, the relative β phase content of the PVDF film can reach 88.92%. Under the double action of adding ZnO nanoparticles and electric field assistance, the dielectric constant of the composite film increases from 6.9 (pure PVDF) to 12.4 (0.03 wt% ZnO) at a frequency of 1 kHz. The d33 value of the film without polarization is up to −9.1 pC/N, the output voltage is increased to 351 mV, and the conductivity of the composite film has been improved.
Miscibility, crystallization and mechanical properties of poly[(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(4‐hydroxyvalerate)]/poly(propylene carbonate)/poly(vinyl acetate) ternary blends
Authors: Li Yi , Yao Shuangna , Han Changyu , Cheng Hongda 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA ternary blend of poly[(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(4‐hydroxyvalerate)] (P34HB), poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) was initially melt‐blended in an effort to obtain an excellent balance of mechanical performance. The effect of PVAc content on the miscibility, phase morphology, thermal behavior, isothermal melt crystallization and mechanical properties of P34HB/PPC/PVAc ternary blends was systematically investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that P34HB and PPC were immiscible, and PVAc exhibited immiscibility with PPC. PVAc was selectively dispersed in the P34HB matrix and phase morphology was refined by reducing the interfacial tension. Moreover, the PVAc component suppressed the cold crystallization and reduced the isothermal melt crystallization rate of P34HB in the ternary blends. Unexpectedly, marked increases of 32.7% and 3025% were achieved in the tensile modulus and elongation of the ternary blend containing 20 wt% PVAc compared to neat P34HB. Meanwhile, the strength did not deteriorate. The unusual combination of high ductility, strength and modulus is of great potential for expanding the practical application of sustainable and biological polymers. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Tackling Covid‐19 using disordered‐to‐order transition of residues in the spike protein upon angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 binding
Authors: Yesudhas Dhanusha , Srivastava Ambuj , Sekijima Masakazu , Gromiha M. Michael 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe 2019‐novel coronavirus also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a common threat to animals and humans, and is responsible for the human SARS pandemic in 2019 to 2021. The infection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in humans involves a viral surface glycoprotein named as spike proteins, which bind to the human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) proteins. Particularly, the receptor binding domains (RBDs) mediate the interaction and contain several disordered regions, which help in the binding. Investigations on the influence of disordered residues/regions in stability and binding of spike protein with ACE2 help to understand the disease pathogenesis, which has not yet been studied. In this study, we have used molecular‐dynamics simulations to characterize the structural changes in disordered regions of the spike protein that result from ACE2 binding. We observed that the disordered regions undergo disorder‐to‐order transition (DOT) upon binding with ACE2, and the DOT residues are located at functionally important regions of RBD. Although the RBD is having rigid structure, DOT residues make conformational rearrangements for the spike protein to attach with ACE2. The binding is strengthened via hydrophilic and aromatic amino acids mainly present in the DOTs. The positively correlated motions of the DOT residues with its nearby residues also explain the binding profile of RBD with ACE2, and the residues are observed to be contributing more favorable binding energies for the spike‐ACE2 complex formation. This study emphasizes that intrinsically disordered residues in the RBD of spike protein may provide insights into its etiology and be useful for drug and vaccine discovery.
The effect of grapes/grape products on glycemic response: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Moodi Vihan , Abedi Sajjad , Esmaeilpour Mozhgan , Asbaghi Omid , Izadi Fatemeh , Shirinbakhshmasoleh Mina , Behrouzian Mahsa , Shahriari Ali , Ghaedi Ehsan , Miraghajani Maryam 
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to examine the effect of grapes/grape products supplementation on glycemic indices in adults. Our systematic search to find relevant RCTs was performed up to February 2020 using PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Based on the heterogeneity between included studies, a random effects or a fixed model was applied in the meta‐analysis, and results were expressed as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Twenty‐nine clinical trials (1,297 participants) fulfilled the eligibility criteria of the present meta‐analysis. Overall, the grapes/grape products supplementation significantly reduced homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (WMD: −0.54, 95% CI: −0.91, −0.17, p = . 004) but did not affect fasting insulin levels (WMD: −0.90 μIU/ml, 95% CI: −1.04, 2.84, p = .362) and hemoglobin A1C (Hb1Ac) percentage (WMD: 0.00%, 95% CI: −0.10, 0.11, p = . 916) in the main analyses. In addition, changes to fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were in favor of the control group (WMD: 1.19 mg/dl, 95% CI: 0.05, 2.34, p = .041). We found that giving grapes/grape products to adults might have beneficial effects on the HOMA‐IR. Further, large‐scale RCTs with longer duration are required to confirm these results.
Effects of 4d transition metals doping on the photocatalytic activities of anatase TiO2 (101) surface
Authors: Ren Yuehong , Han Qingzhen , Su Qiaozhi , Yang Jie , Zhao Yuehong , Wen Hao , Jiang Zhaotan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAiming at improving the visible‐light photocatalytic activities of TiO2(101) surface we make an in‐depth study on the TiO2(101) doped with 4d transition metal (TM) atoms. It is shown that the 4d TM dopings can not only produce new impurity energy bands in the band gap but also result in the semiconductor–metal phase transition. Consequently, the visible‐light absorption is strongly strengthened due to the dopings of Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, and Ag, while it is only weakly improved for Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, and Cd dopings. The improvement in visible‐light absorption can be attributed to the intraband or interband transition of electrons. Moreover, the photocatalytic activities are explored, and we find Y and Ag dopings can effectively enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO2(101) surface. Thus the mechanism of improving photocatalytic activity of TiO2(101) has been clearly addressed, which is beneficial to further experimental and theoretical researches on TiO2 photocatalysts.
Long‐term organic management combined with conservation tillage enhanced soil organic carbon accumulation and aggregation
Authors: Littrell James , Xu Sutie , Omondi Emmanuel , Saha Debasish , Lee Jaehoon , Jagadamma Sindhu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSuccessful synergy between organic management and conservation tillage could provide the best agroecological benefits by minimizing the negative effects of both synthetic chemicals and intensive tillage on soils. We studied the long‐term impacts of conventional and organic crop management under different tillage regimes on soil organic C (SOC) and soil aggregation, leveraging Rodale Institute's long‐term Farming Systems Trial. The experiment was initiated in 1981 with three cropping systems under intensive tillage management: (a) conventional (3‐yr rotation of corn–corn–soybean) with synthetic fertilizer application, (b) organic–legume (4‐yr rotation of corn–oats–soybean/wheat–wheat) organic system with legume as sole N source, and (c) organic–manure (8‐yr rotation of soybean/wheat–wheat/hay–hay–hay–corn silage/wheat–wheat–corn–oats) organic system with composted manure and legumes as N sources. There were eight replications for each of these cropping systems when the trial was initiated in 1981. In 2008, four replicates of each cropping system treatment were placed under conservation tillage management. Soils were collected from 0 to 10‐, 10 to 20‐, and 20 to 30‐cm depths in 2018 and measured for total SOC, active SOC fractions (microbial biomass C, water extractable C, permanganate‐oxidizable C), aggregate size distribution, and wet aggregate stability. Overall, total and active SOC increased by 16–132% under organic management compared with conventional management and the increase was more pronounced under organic–manure treatment than organic–legume treatment. Results also showed that 10 yr of tillage treatments did not influence active and total SOC concentrations, but influenced dry aggregate size distribution and wet aggregate stability. This study suggests that in long‐term organic cropping systems, incorporated composted manure and perennial hay vs. legumes alone accumulated the greatest amount of SOC compared with conventional systems. Conservation tillage in organic systems improved aggregation; however, beyond 10 yr, it is necessary to reflect tillage effects on SOC.