bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of dose‐volume indices to computation settings in high‐dose‐rate prostate brachytherapy treatment plan evaluation
Authors: van der Meer Marjolein C. , Bosman Peter A. N. , Pieters Bradley R. , Niatsetski Yury , van Wieringen Niek , Alderliesten Tanja , Bel Arjan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the variation in computed dose‐volume (DV) indices for high‐dose‐rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy that can result from typical differences in computation settings in treatment planning systems (TPSs).MethodsFive factors were taken into account: number of dose‐calculation points, radioactive source description, interpolation between delineated contours, intersections between delineated organ contours, and organ shape at the top and bottom contour using either full or partial slice thickness. Using in‐house developed software, the DV indices of the treatment plans of 26 patients were calculated with different settings, and compared to a baseline setting that closely followed the default settings of the TPS used in our medical center. Studied organs were prostate and seminal vesicles, denoted as targets, and bladder, rectum, and urethra, denoted as organs at risk (OARs), which were delineated on MRI scans with a 3.3 mm slice thickness.ResultsWhen sampling a fixed number of points in each organ, in order to achieve a width of the 95% confidence interval over all patients of the DV indices of 1% or less, only 32,000 points had to be sampled per target, but 256,000 points had to be sampled per OAR. For the remaining factors, DV indices changed up to 0.4% for rectum, 1.3% for urethra, and 2.6% for prostate. DV indices of the bladder changed especially if the high‐dose‐region was (partly) located at the most caudal contour, up to 8.5%, and DV indices of the vesicles changed especially if there were few delineated contours, up to 9.8%, both due to the use of full slice thickness for the top and bottom contour.ConclusionsThe values of DV indices used in prostate HDR brachytherapy treatment planning are influenced by the computation settings in a TPS, especially at the most caudal part of the bladder, as well as in the seminal vesicles.
Immunotherapy with ponezumab for probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Authors: Leurent Claire , Goodman James A. , Zhang Yao , He Ping , Polimeni Jonathan R. , Gurol Mahmut Edip , Lindsay Monica , Frattura Linda , Sohur Usharbudh Shivraj , Viswanathan Anand , Bednar Martin M. , Smith Eric E. ,   the Ponezumab Trial Study Group, Greenberg Steven M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectiveCerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is caused by cerebrovascular deposition of β‐amyloid fragments leading to cerebrovascular dysfunction and other brain injuries. This phase 2, randomized, double–blind trial in patients with probable CAA assessed the efficacy and safety of ponezumab, a novel monoclonal antibody against Aβ1–40.MethodsThirty‐six participants aged 55–80 years with probable CAA received intravenous placebo (n = 12) or ponezumab (n = 24). The change from baseline to Days 2 and 90 in cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) was measured in the visual cortex as the natural log of the rising slope of the BOLD fMRI response to a visual stimulus. Safety and tolerability were also assessed.ResultsThe mean change from baseline to Day 90 was 0.817 (ponezumab) and 0.958 (placebo): a mean ratio of 0.852 (90% CI 0.735–0.989) representing a trend towards reduced CVR in the ponezumab group. This trend was not present at Day 2. There was one asymptomatic occurrence of amyloid–related imaging abnormality–edema in the ponezumab group. The total number of new cerebral microbleeds from baseline to day 90 did not differ between groups. The ponezumab group had a participant with nonfatal new cerebral hemorrhage with aphasia and a participant with subdural hemorrhage that site investigators deemed to be nondrug related. In the placebo group one participant had a fatal intracerebral hemorrhage and one participant had migraine with aura.InterpretationPonezumab was safe and well‐tolerated. The ponezumab group showed a trend towards treatment effect at Day 90 that was opposite to the hypothesized direction. The prespecified efficacy criteria were thus not met.
Visualization analysis of heart diseases using two‐dimensional electrocardiogram sequences
Authors: Fang Ying , Ying Hang , Lai Xiaobo , Xu Xiaomei , Ruan Xinming 
Published: March 2019

SummaryDuring the last years, there have been large advances in the understanding of cardiac mechanics, and in particular shape, motion and deformation. However, it is important to comprehend how these features interrelate and how they can be interpreted to refine the clinical diagnosis. The goal of our study is to illustrate the use of two‐dimensional ultrasound cardiac motion sequences on some typical cardiac pathologies. The method is applied to preprocessed data from two‐dimensional ultrasound sequences of four different subjects, namely, two healthy volunteers, one patient with left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony from the left bundle branch block, and one patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The interpretation based on these features is corroborated with other analyzing techniques such as electrocardiogram and visual interpretation by experienced clinical observers. The proposed method realizes a computer program, which allows the user to easily obtain and visualize information about myocardial shape, motion (displacement and velocity), and deformation (strain) along the left ventricle myocardium wall during the cardiac cycle.
Recent Challenges in Perovskite Solar Cells Toward Enhanced Stability, Less Toxicity, and Large‐Area Mass Production
Authors: Liu Wen‐Wu , Wu Te‐Hui , Liu Mao‐Cheng , Niu Wen‐Jun , Chueh Yu‐Lun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn recent years, organic–inorganic halide perovskites have emerged as prospective materials for high‐efficiency, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Despite their superiority in synthesizing route, the poor stability of PSCs with regard to humidity, heat, UV radiation, and oxygen limits their applications. Moreover, the toxicity of perovskite films and suitable ways to achieve large‐area production need to be taken into account before commercialization. Herein, reports of recent technological improvement on cell stability, interfacial modification, the substitution of electron and hole transport layers, strategies on lowering the toxicity of lead‐based perovskites, and large‐area production are summarized. The purpose of this review is to pave the way for the promising structure as well as the stability of the PSCs, and thereby promoting their commercial application.
Geometry‐Dependent Nonequilibrium Steady‐State Diffusion and Adsorption of Lipid Vesicles in Micropillar Arrays
Authors: Liu Fangjie , Abel Steven M. , Collins Liam , Srijanto Bernadeta R. , Standaert Robert , Katsaras John , Collier Charles Patrick 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMicro‐ and nanofabricated sample environments are useful tools for characterizing diffusion in confined aqueous environments. The steady‐state diffusion and adsorption of unilamellar lipid vesicles in arrays of hydrophilic micropillars is investigated. Gradients in the coverage of fluorescently labeled, pillar‐supported lipid films, formed from vesicle fusion, are determined from 3D z‐stack images using confocal microscopy. The gradients are the result of preferential adsorption of vesicles near the tops of the pillars, which progressively deplete them from solution as they diffuse toward the base of the array. However, the increased propensity for vesicle adsorption near the pillar tops compared to the confined spaces between pillars results in the formation of confluent supported lipid bilayers at the pillar tops that resist the adsorption of additional vesicles while leaving the pillar surfaces below available for binding. This results in a reduction in the numbers of depleted vesicles compared to what one would anticipate based on diffusive fluxes. The resulting inhomogeneous spatial profiles of lipid structures on the pillars are the result of the system being maintained in a dissipative, nonequilibrium steady state during incubation of the pillar arrays in the vesicle solution, which is ultimately quenched by rinsing away the unbound, freely diffusing vesicles.
Optical Control of Ferroelectric Domains: Nanoscale Insight into Macroscopic Observations
Authors: Vats Gaurav , Bai Yang , Zhang Dawei , Juuti Jari , Seidel Jan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDomain wall nanoelectronics constitutes a potential paradigm shift for next‐generation energy conversion and von‐Neumann devices. In this context, attempts have been made to achieve energy‐efficient control over ferromagnetic, ferroelectric, and ferroelastic domain walls through electric and magnetic fields or applied stress. However, optical control of ferroic domains offers an additional degree of freedom and significant advantages of reduced hysteresis and Joule heating losses, creating novel opportunities in the regime of nanoelectronics and photonics. Herein, the reversible optical control of ferroelectric domains and domain walls in a novel band‐gap‐engineered lead‐free ferroelectric ceramic ((K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–2 mol% Ba(Ni0.5Nb0.5)O3−δ
) is demonstrated. The optical poling behaves similar to electrical poling and is governed by the bulk ferroelectric photovoltaic effect. The light‐generated charge carriers are transported toward domain walls or electrodes due to a nonzero field in the samples. This causes a change in internal electric field influencing the nanoscale state of polarization, which could also be interesting for other ferroelectrics if the voltage generated by light is in the range of the switching voltages. This work establishes a relationship between light‐induced macroscopic observations and nanoscale changes in the ferroelectric response, providing fundamental insight and facilitating research into ferroelectric photovoltaics and optoelectronics.
Micro‐CT assessment of dental mineralization defects indicative of vitamin D deficiency in two 17th–19th century Dutch communities
Authors: Veselka Barbara , Brickley Megan B. , D'Ortenzio Lori , Kahlon Bonnie , Hoogland Menno L. P. , Waters‐Rist Andrea L. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigates vitamin D deficiency patterns in individuals from birth to the beginning of adolescence. Microscopic computed tomography (micro‐CT) evaluation of interglobular dentine (IGD) in teeth provides information on the age of disease onset and the number of deficient periods per individual, which will increase our understanding of factors influencing vitamin D deficiency prevalence, including sociocultural practices and latitude.Materials and methodsBeemster and Hattem, two Dutch 17th–19th century communities, yielded relatively high prevalences of rickets (15–24%) and residual rickets (15–24%). From the affected individuals, a subsample of 20 teeth were selected for micro‐CT scanning. Thin sections were made of 17 teeth, consisting of 6 teeth with and 11 teeth without observable IGD on micro‐CT that were included for method comparison.ResultsAbout 19 out of 29 (65.5%) individuals (one tooth was deemed unobservable) presented with IGD on micro‐CT. Eight of the 11 (72.7%) individuals without IGD on micro‐CT demonstrated histologically visible IGD. In 40.7% (11/27) of the affected individuals (combined micro‐CT and histology results), vitamin D deficiency was recurrent, and in four individuals, some episodes occurred at approximately annual intervals suggesting vitamin D deficiency was seasonal. In three individuals, IGD occurred in the dentine formed around birth, suggesting maternal vitamin D deficiency.DiscussionMicro‐CT analysis of IGD is found to be a valuable non‐destructive method that can improve our understanding of the influence of sociocultural practices and latitude on disease development within age and sex groups in past communities.
Freisetzung der Spannung kondensierter Fünfringe des Fullerenkäfigs durch chemische Funktionalisierung
Authors: Guan Runnan , Chen Muqing , Jin Fei , Yang Shangfeng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractEin Übersichtsartikel, der sich speziell mit der Stabilisierung kondensierter Fünfringe bei vor 2009 isolierten Fullerenen befasst, wurde von Xie et al. 2009 veröffentlicht. In diesem Aufsatz geben wir nun einen allgemeinen Überblick über Fullerene, die kondensierte Fünfringe enthalten, wobei wir uns auf die hochinteressanten neuen Fortschritte auf diesem Themengebiet seit 2009 konzentrieren. Anhand einer vollständigen Auflistung aller bisher beschrieben Arten von Fullerenen mit kondensierten Fünfringen werden wir verdeutlichen, wie die Spannung kondensierter Fünfringe auf unterschiedliche Weise freigesetzt werden kann. Wir werden außerdem die Auswirkungen der kondensierten Fünfringe auf die Stabilität, die elektronischen Eigenschaften und die chemische Reaktivität des Fullerenkäfigs diskutieren und damit ein tiefgehendes Verständnis der Rolle kondensierter Fünfringe ermöglichen. Am Schluss werden wir die Perspektiven von Fullerenen mit kondensierten Fünfringen erörtern, insbesondere ungeklärte Fragen wie die Stabilität reiner, leerer Nicht‐IPR‐Fullerene und deren Bildungsmechanismen.
In Situ Engineering of Intracellular Hemoglobin for Implantable High‐Performance Biofuel Cells
Authors: Chen Huifeng , Bai Zhengyu , Dai Xianqi , Zeng Xiaoqiao , Cano Zachary P. , Xie Xiaoxiao , Zhao Mingyu , Li Matthew , Wang He , Chen Zhongwei , Yang Lin , Lu Jun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe key challenge for the broad application of implantable biofuel cells (BFCs) is to achieve inorganic–organic composite biocompatibility while improving the activity and selectivity of the catalysts. We have fabricated nanoengineered red blood cells (NERBCs) by an environmentally friendly method by using red blood cells as the raw material and hemoglobin (Hb) embedded with ultrasmall hydroxyapatite (HAP, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) as the functional BFC cathode material. The NERBCs showed greatly enhanced cell performance with high electrocatalytic activity, stability, and selectivity. The NERBCs maintained the original biological properties of the natural cell, while enhancing the catalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) through the interaction between −OH groups in HAP and the Hb in RBCs. They also enabled direct electron transportation, eliminating the need for an electron‐transfer mediator, and showed catalytic inactivity for glucose oxidation, thus potentially enabling the development of separator‐free BFCs.
Potential impacts of agricultural development on freshwater biodiversity in the Lake Victoria basin
Authors: van Soesbergen Arnout , Sassen Marieke , Kimsey Samuel , Hill Samantha 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

The Lake Victoria basin (LVB) and its tributary rivers are a major biodiversity hot spot, containing at least 234 native fish species, 135 native aquatic plant species, and 50 native freshwater mollusc species. Lake Victoria itself is home to around 500 fish species, most of which are haplochromine cichlids.
The LVB is increasingly under threat from unsustainable land conversion and the intensification of agriculture. High population growth is driving the expansion of agriculture, urbanization, and freshwater abstractions, which have a profound impact on freshwater biodiversity. In addition, increased demand for agricultural crops from domestic and international markets are likely to lead to larger agricultural operations, further threatening freshwater biodiversity.
This study explores these potential future impacts on the biodiversity found in freshwater rivers in the LVB as a result of projected future changes in land use.
A newly developed database of land‐use impacts on freshwater biodiversity is introduced, with a focus on ecological community composition data from freshwater habitats under human pressures. Impacts on freshwater biodiversity are then projected under four different scenarios of land‐use change.
Results show that land use has a significant impact on freshwater biodiversity. Freshwater biodiversity is projected to be at most risk in sub‐basins in the Tanzanian, Rwandan, and Burundian part of the LVB, such as the Kagera and Magoga/Isonga sub‐basins. Local species richness levels are particularly affected in the Magoga/Isonga sub‐basin in Tanzania, with an average loss of 10.8% across all scenarios.
Model results show the potential to identify broad spatial patterns of likely threats and pressures on freshwater ecosystems under different socio‐economic futures. The analysis of these patterns, where they are consistent and where they differ, can support the production of policy that strives to find the optimal balance between development and conservation in an uncertain future.
Reversible Shape‐Morphing and Fluorescence‐Switching in Supramolecular Nanomaterials Consisting of Amphiphilic Cyanostilbene and Cucurbit[7]uril
Authors: Lee Eung‐Chang , Kim Hyeong‐Ju , Park Soo Young 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe demonstrate a reversible shape‐morphing with concurrent fluorescence switching in the nanomaterials which are complexed with cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) in water. The cyanostilbene derivative alone forms ribbon‐like two‐dimensional (2D) nanocrystals with bright yellow excimeric emission in water (λem=540 nm, ΦF=42 %). Upon CB[7] addition, however, the ribbon‐like 2D nanocrystals immediately transform to spherical nanoparticles with significant fluorescence quenching and blue‐shifting (λem=490 nm, ΦF=1 %) through the supramolecular complexation of the cyanostilbene and CB[7]. Based on this reversible fluorescence switching and shape morphing, we could demonstrate a novel strategy of turn‐on fluorescence sensing of spermine and also monitoring of lysine decarboxylase activity.
An epitope‐directed antibody affinity maturation system utilizing mammalian cell survival as readout
Authors: Eguchi Akihiro , Nakakido Makoto , Nagatoishi Satoru , Kuroda Daisuke , Tsumoto Kouhei , Nagamune Teruyuki , Kawahara Masahiro 
Published: March 2019

AbstractUpon developing therapeutically potent antibodies, there are significant requirements, such as increasing their affinity, regulating their epitope, and using native target antigens. Many antibody selection systems, such as a phage display method, have been developed, but it is still difficult to fulfill these requirements at the same time. Here, we propose a novel epitope‐directed antibody affinity maturation system utilizing mammalian cell survival as readout. This system is based on the competition of antibody binding, and can target membrane proteins expressed in a native form on a mammalian cell surface. Using this system, we successfully selected an affinity‐matured anti‐ErbB2 single‐chain variable fragment variant, which had the same epitope as the original one. In addition, the affinity was increased mainly due to the decrease in the dissociation rate. This novel cell‐based antibody affinity maturation system could contribute to directly obtaining therapeutically potent antibodies that are functional on the cell surface.
Efficient production of poly γ‐d‐glutamic acid from the bloom‐forming green macroalgae, Ulva sp., by Bacillus sp. SJ‐10
Authors: Kim Jang‐Ho , Lee Jong Min , Jang Won Je , Park Hae Dae , Kim Young‐Ok , Kim Chang‐Hoon , Kong In‐Soo 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNumerous studies on poly γ‐d‐glutamicacid (γ‐PGA) production have investigated terrestrial renewable sources for reducing production costs, but there are no studies using waste marine resources so far. We aimed to develop a cost‐effective production method of γ‐d‐PGA by Bacillus sp. SJ‐10 using green macroalgae (Ulva sp.) as a major substrate without hydrolysis pretreatment. The SJ‐10 was shown to not only cause immediate tissue degradation of the Ulva membrane but also grew well as a sole substrate. The γ‐d‐PGA yield was 6.29 ± 0.34 g/L under optimized conditions via the response surface method, and the produced γ‐d‐PGA had a thermal decomposition temperature of 310°C and molecular weight of 250–1780 kDa. The calculated cost efficiency for the final yield was 32% when compared with complex media. Therefore, the present study provided a strategy for promoting an ecofriendly and cost‐effective means to produce γ‐d‐PGA via a marine renewable resource.
Immunoglobulin G transport increases in an in vitro blood–brain barrier model with amyloid‐β and with neuroinflammatory cytokines
Authors: Mantle Jennifer L. , Lee Kelvin H. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractImmunotherapies are a promising strategy for the treatment of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), however, transport of antibodies to the brain is severely restricted by the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Furthermore, molecular transport at the BBB is altered in disease, which may affect the mechanism and quantity of therapeutic antibody transport. To better understand the transport of immunotherapies at the BBB in disease, an in vitro BBB model derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was used to investigate the endocytic uptake route of immunoglobulin G (IgG). In this model, uptake of fluorescently labeled IgGs is a saturable process. Inhibition of clathrin‐mediated endocytosis, caveolar endocytosis, and macropinocytosis demonstrated that macropinocytosis is a major transport route for IgGs at the BBB. IgG uptake and transport were increased after the addition of stimuli to mimic AD (Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42) and neuroinflammation (tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6). Lastly, caveolar endocytosis increased in the AD model, which may be responsible for the increase in IgG uptake in disease. This study presents an iPSC‐derived BBB model that responds to disease stimuli with physiologically relevant changes to molecular transport and can be used to understand fundamental questions about transport mechanisms of immunotherapies in health and neurodegenerative disease.