bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient‐based 4D digital breast phantom for perfusion contrast‐enhanced breast CT imaging
Authors: Caballo Marco , Mann Ritse , Sechopoulos Ioannis 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to develop a realistic patient‐based 4D digital breast phantom including time‐varying contrast enhancement for simulation of dedicated breast CT perfusion imaging.MethodsA 3D static phantom is first created by segmenting a breast CT image from a healthy patient into skin, fibroglandular tissue, adipose tissue, and vasculature. For the creation of abnormal cases, a breast lesion model was developed and can be added to the phantom. After defining the necessary perfusion parameters for each tissue (e.g., arterial input function for vasculature, blood volume and blood flow for the other normal tissues) based on contrast‐enhanced dynamic breast MRI data, the corresponding time‐enhancement curves are computed for each voxel in the phantom, according to tissue type. These curves are calculated by convolution between the arterial input function and a shifted exponential function. This exponential depends on the perfusion parameters associated with each tissue voxel, and, to incorporate normal biological variability, a uniform random distribution is used to vary the perfusion parameters on a voxel‐basis. Finally, a 4D array is produced by sampling the continuous time‐enhancement curves at the desired sampling rate. Beside modeling different enhancement dynamics according to the given input perfusion parameters, the phantom also includes the possibility to realistically simulate different spatial enhancement patterns for the breast parenchyma, taking into account the arterial sources supplying the breast. Finally, different patterns of contrast medium uptake can also be simulated for the tumor models (homogeneous and rim enhancement).ResultsAs an example, a typical 4D phantom has dimensions of 426 × 421 × 260 × 559 (x, y, z, t), with a voxel size of 273 μm and a sampling time of 1 s. The characteristics of the tumor model can be modified at will to evaluate perfusion in different types of breast lesions. Results show the expected enhancement of tissues, consistent with the given input parameters. Moreover, the tumor models evaluated in this work show different enhancement dynamics according to the tumor type (defined by different input perfusion parameters), and also present a higher enhancement compared to the other healthy tissues, as expected.ConclusionsThe proposed digital phantom can model the breast tissue perfusion during 4D breast CT image acquisition, displaying the different enhancement dynamics that could be found in a real patient breast. This phantom can be used during the development of dynamic contrast‐enhanced dedicated breast CT imaging, for optimization of image acquisition, image reconstruction, and image analysis. This modality could provide functional information of the breast, resulting in detection, diagnosis, and treatment improvements of breast cancer with breast CT.
Real‐Time Detection of Atmosphere Composition in Three‐Component Gas‐Phase Copolymerization of Olefins
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Yang Yilin , Huang Kai , Hu JiJiang , Jie Suyun , Li Bo‐Geng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe uniformity of copolymer composition has a great influence on its properties; however, it is very difficult to control. Especially in the laboratory research of the multi‐component gas‐phase copolymerization of olefins, the polymerization is usually conducted in a batch reactor, and the composition of the resulting copolymers is often distributed very widely. The samples of such copolymers are in fact not representative. Detection and control of the atmospheric composition in the batch reactor during olefin gas‐phase copolymerization is of great significance for the control of the uniformity of copolymer composition. In this work, a method based on three flow meters in series has been developed for real‐time detection of the atmospheric composition in olefin gas‐phase copolymerization with a delay time of less than 3 s. The method is applicable to copolymerization of up to a ternary system, including the binary copolymerization of olefins with hydrogen modulation of molecular weight or the ternary copolymerization of olefins. The consumption rate of each monomer is also online measured.
Silsesquioxane‐Supported Chromium Catalyst for Insight into Phillips‐Type Ethylene Polymerization
Authors: Zeng Yanning , Liu Shuxin , Terano Minoru 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTo investigate the Phillips catalyst for ethylene polymerization, a family of silsesquioxane‐supported chromium catalysts with a bipodal structure have been synthesized from trivalent or hexavalent chromium precursor and fully characterized by 1H/13C/29Si NMR, FT‐IR, and UV–vis spectroscopies. Upon activation with tri‐n‐octylaluminum or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) modified TIBA following the “TIBA‐BHT”, all the silsesquioxane‐supported chromium catalysts display moderate activities (50–523 g‐PE•g‐cat−1·h−1) for ethylene polymerization, producing polyethylene (PE) with high methyl branching level (0.1–1.3/1000C) and a clear bimodal molecular weight distribution (MWD). Catalysts with hexavalent chromium precursor exhibit higher activities than trivalent ones. The type of activator and coordination environments of the active site play a key role in the MWD of obtained PE.
Short segment sensory nerve stimulation in suspected ulnar neuropathy at the elbow: A pilot study
Authors: Vazquez do Campo Rocio , Dimberg Elliot , Rubin Devon 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Routine ulnar nerve conduction studies may be normal in very mild ulnar neuropathies at the elbow (UNE). Short segment ulnar sensory stimulation across the elbow may detect mild abnormalities in these cases. Methods: Short segment ulnar sensory nerve stimulation was performed in 20 controls and 15 patients with clinically suspected mild UNE. Greatest peak latency shift and amplitude drop between 2 adjacent stimulation sites were calculated. Results: The upper limit of normal for peak latency shift and amplitude reduction between sites was 0.7 ms and 15%, respectively. Abnormal latency shift was detected in 12 of 15 patients and focal sensory conduction block in 6 of 15 patients. In 5 of 7 patients in whom all other studies were normal, sensory inching was abnormal. Discussion: Ulnar sensory short segment stimulation may provide diagnostic confirmation and localization of the site of nerve compression in mild UNE, and may improve UNE detection when all other studies are normal. Muscle Nerve 59:125–129, 2019
Continuing barriers to care of Wilms tumor in a low‐income country
Authors: Ekenze Sebastian O. , Nwangwu Emmanuel I. , Ezomike Uchechukwu O. , Orji Emmanuel I. , Okafor Okechukwu O. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackground/objectiveThis study evaluates the outcome of Wilms tumor (WT) following introduction of multidisciplinary team management and patient treatment stratification by tumor histology in two referral centers in southeastern Nigeria.MethodsWe analyzed histologically confirmed WT cases managed from January 2008 to June 2017.ResultsThere were 45 patients, peak age incidence of 2 to 5 years who presented after mean symptom duration of 4.9 months (range, 1–12 months), with mean tumor weight of 1040 g (range, 350–4200 g). Overall, 14 (31.1%) had unfavorable histology of WT. A total of 22 (48.9%) patients received preoperative chemotherapy, 43 (95.6%) received postoperative chemotherapy based on stage of disease and histopathology, but none received adequate radiotherapy. Of these, 19 (44.2%) patients complied with chemotherapy regimen, 15 (33.3%) were lost to follow‐up and 12 (26.7%) cases relapsed. With 30 cases available for evaluation and mean follow‐up duration of 23 months (range, 6–80 months), the overall 5‐year survival is 53.3% (16 cases). Survival in children who complied with postoperative chemotherapy was 73.7%, and abandonment‐sensitive survival was 35.6%. Persisting challenges were late presentation, poor compliance to treatment, and lack of radiotherapy treatment.ConclusionMultidisciplinary team management and chemotherapy based on tumor histology might have resulted in slight improvement of outcome since our last report. However, to ensure survival that may approach global benchmarks, there is need for public health measures to improve time to diagnosis, and improvement of facilities and healthcare funding to ensure compliance to all phases of standard therapy.
Adaptive behavior impaired in children with low‐grade glioma
Authors: de Lande R. S. van , Maurice‐Stam H. , Marchal J. P. , Vuurden D. G. van , Vandertop W. P , Grootenhuis M. A. , Schouten‐van Meeteren A. Y. N. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundAdaptive behavior, i.e., the performance on daily activities required for personal and social independence, is essential to estimate in children with low‐grade glioma (LGG) since most of them are long‐term survivors. Our aim was to investigate adaptive behavior in children with LGG.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional study, adaptive behavior was assessed using the paper pencil version of the Parent Form of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales 2nd edition (VABS‐II) testing communication, daily living skills, social skills, and motor skills. Scores of children with LGG, younger than 20 years, and diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 were compared with family controls. Correlations between clinical variables and adaptive behavior were explored.ResultsFifty‐six children with LGG (median age, 12.1 years; 52% male) and 46 controls (median age, 11.0 years; 43% male) were included in the analyses. Compared with controls, the LGG group was more impaired on total adaptive behavior, communication, and motor skills and in the subdomain gross motor skills (effect sizes d, 0.64–0.86, P < 0.003). Younger age at diagnosis (r = −0.357, P < 0.01) and chemotherapy (r = −0.342, P < 0.05) were associated with poorer motor skills. Residual disease was associated with poorer total adaptive behavior (r = −0.282, P < 0.05). No other significant correlations were found.ConclusionAt the group level, adaptive functioning of children with LGG is impaired compared with family controls. Regular structured monitoring of adaptive behavior is recommended to be able to define the needs for tailored rehabilitation in daily life at home as well as at school.
Impact of early analgesia on hospitalization outcomes for sickle cell pain crisis
Authors: Payne Jason , Aban Inmaculada , Hilliard Lee M. , Madison Jennifer , Bemrich‐Stolz Christina , Howard Thomas H. , Brandow Amanda , Waite Emily , Lebensburger Jeffrey D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundPainful events are the leading cause of hospitalizations for patients with sickle cell disease. Individualized pain plans targeting patient‐specific maximum opioid dosing may shorten hospitalization length and are recommended by national guidelines. Prior to implementing individualized sickle cell pain plans, we tested the hypothesis that a shorter time to achieve a maximum opioid dose would improve hospitalization outcomes.ProcedureTwo‐year IRB‐approved, retrospective study of pediatric patients admitted for vaso‐occlusive crisis (VOC). We recorded the emergency department admission time, order entry time for the maximum opioid dose during the hospitalization, and time of discharge orders. We categorized patients as infrequent if they required <3 admissions for VOC over two years and patients as frequent if they required ≥3 admissions for VOC over two years. To account for multiple admissions, generalized linear modeling was performed.ResultsWe identified 236 admissions for acute pain observed in 108 patients. Achieving an earlier maximum opioid dose was significantly associated with shorter length of hospitalization for frequent and infrequent pain patients (both P ≤ 0.0001). As total hospitalization length can be impacted by the time a maximum opioid order was placed, we also analyzed hospitalization length after the maximum opioid order was placed. Frequent pain patients who achieved earlier analgesia had a significantly shorter hospitalization from the time the maximum opioid order was placed (P = 0.03) while no association was found for infrequent pain patients (P = 0.84).ConclusionsEarly achievement of maximum analgesia improved hospitalization outcomes and warrant further investigation in prospective studies of individualized pain plans.
Synthesis of polymers having zwitterionic structure via the radical polymerization of 4‐vinylphenyl isothiocyanate/cyclic amidine adduct
Authors: Yamauchi Akira , Matsumoto Kozo , Endo Takeshi 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTPolymers having a zwitterionic pendant group have found a wide range of applications such as fungicides, fire‐retardants, lubricating oil additives, emulsifiers, cryoprotectants, and electronic materials. Their properties depend not only on the polymer main chains but also on the zwitterionic structures. In this article, the synthesis of novel polymers having zwitterionic structures is described. A zwitterionic monomer (4‐vinylphenyl isothiocyanate [VPI]‐1,2‐dimetyl‐1,4,5,6,‐tetrahydropirimidine [DMTHP]) was synthesized by the reaction of VPI and a cyclic amidine DMTHP. A radical polymerization of VPI‐DMTHP was carried out using 2,2′‐azobis(2,4‐dimethyl‐4‐methoxy)valeronitrile (V‐70) as an initiator to give poly(VPI‐DMTHP). The obtained poly(VPI‐DMTHP) was not soluble in any of the investigated organic solvents, probably because it had a networked structure resulting from the ionic interactions. Copolymers of VPI‐DMTHP and other vinyl monomers such as styrene, methyl methacrylate, t‐butyl methacrylate, and N‐vinylpyrrolidone were synthesized. The obtained copolymers were also insoluble in all of the examined common organic solvents even when the VPI‐DMTHP content was low (5 mol %), indicating the existence of strong ionic interactions in the zwitterionic moieties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2303–2309
Miscible/partially‐miscible blends of polypropylene—the mechanisms responsible for the decrease of yield stress
Authors: Rozanski Artur 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTIn miscible or partially‐miscible blends of semicrystalline polymer/non‐cocrystallizing low molecular weight component, a decrease of the value of yield stress in comparison to reference (pure) polymer is usually observed. On the example of model polypropylene/nonadecane systems, the mechanisms responsible for the decrease of the yield stress have been identified. It has been proved that during the deformation of polypropylene/nonadecane blends containing low amount of nonadecane (up to 5 wt %) the reduction of the yield stress is caused only by the swelling of interlamellar regions. In the case of the systems containing a moderate amount of nonadecane (7–10 wt %), the reduction of the yield stress is caused by the swelling of interlamellar regions and the reduction of the sample cross‐section effectively participating in transferring of tensile stress. In blends containing nonadecane in the amount of 15–30 wt % the reduction of the yield stress is caused by the swelling of interlamellar regions and strong asymmetrization of nonadecane microdomains, resulting in localizing the deformation along interspherulitic regions and a drastic reduction of the content of polypropylene matrix, effectively participating in transferring of tensile stress between adjacent spherulites. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 1203–1214
Phase 3 adaptive trial design options in treatment of complicated urinary tract infection
Authors: Viele Kert , Mundy Linda M. , Noble Robert B. , Li Gang , Broglio Kristine , Wetherington Jeffrey D. 
Published: August 2018

SUMMARYNew antimicrobial drugs for treatment of complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) are generally assessed in randomized, double‐blind, noninferiority clinical trials. Robust historical data for the active comparator inform on treatment effect estimation, yet typically do not substitute for the active comparator data in the proposed trial. We report design options for a phase 3 trial of cUTI using a Bayesian hierarchical model and historical data from 2 well‐executed phase 3 registrational trials of doripenem. The methodology is directly applicable to other phase 3 noninferiority settings. In addition to the research design application, we provide a novel methodology for assessing the robustness of type I error control. The model borrows heavily from the prior data when the current active comparator parameter estimate approximated the historical estimate. In contrast, the model had restricted borrowing when the 2 estimates were very different. The alternative trial design, with or without the inclusion of futility stopping criteria, provides a framework for future cUTI phase 3 trials.
Modelling and Optimization of As(III) Adsorption onto Thiol‐Functionalized Bentonite from Aqueous Solutions Using Response Surface Methodology Approach
Authors: Yılmaz Şakir , Ecer Ümit , Şahan Tekin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe aim of the present work was to investigate thiol‐functionalized bentonite (TFB) as a novel adsorbent for the adsorption of As(III) from aqueous environments and to determine optimal adsorption conditions. The response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to analyze the most significant variables for adsorption including initial pH, temperature (°C, T), initial As(III) concentration (mgL−1, Co), adsorbent dosage (g, m) and contact time (min., t). The optimum adsorption conditions according to the RSM were found to be 5.98, 42.87 °C, 31.02 mgL−1, 0.33 g and 127.48 min for initial pH, T, Co, m and t, respectively. Under these conditions obtained by the model, the maximum percentage of As(III) adsorption and adsorption capacity were found to be 91.01% and 8.56 mgg−1, respectively. The kinetic studies showed that As(III) adsorption followed a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and the rate was controlled by both intraparticle and film diffusion. Experimental data were compared with linear isotherm models and it was found that the adsorption data has better fit to the Langmuir isotherm model. Furthermore, the thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption of As(III) was endothermic, possible and natural. Based on all these conclusions, it can be said that TFB has high potential for As(III) removal from aqueous environments.
Topochemical Understanding of Lignin Distribution During Hydrothermal Flowthrough Pretreatment
Authors: Jung Seokwon , Trajano Heather L. , Yoo Chang Geun , Foston Marcus B. , Hu Fan , Tolbert Allison K. , Wyman Charles E. , Ragauskas Arthur J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractChanges in surface properties during biomass pretreatments are important parameters to understand and engineer biological biomass conversion processes. In particular, different influences on the surface of biomass are expected between flowthrough and batch pretreatments. For a better understanding of biomass surface changes by hydrothermal flowthrough pretreatment, the mechanism by which the surface of biomass is altered in terms of cellulose and lignin was investigated using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) and compared with the bulk chemical composition and the results from scanning electron microscope (SEM). ToF‐SIMS analysis results provide semi‐quantitative information of cellulose and lignin and support the other observation from SEM and bulk compositional analyses. In brief, more lignin was observed on the surface of biomass at the early stage hydrothermal pretreatment, while the lignin mainly located at the cell corners was reduced by extended pretreatment time. Unlike batch pretreatment, pseudo‐lignin formation was not observed on the poplar surface during the flowthrough process.
Functionalized Carboxyl Carbon/NaBOB Composite as Highly Conductive Electrolyte for Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Lixia , Han Weifang , Ge Chunhua , Zhang Rui , Bai Yufeng , Zhang Xiangdong 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSodium‐ion batteries are the most promising candidates of reusable batteries because of the huge abundant sodium resources and low cost. So the new types of sodium electrolyte materials are attracted to be identified. In this paper, a series of sodium composites are synthesized by the carboxyl carbon spheres (HTC‐COOH) and sodium bis(oxalate)‐borate (NaBOB) using the solid‐state reaction. FTIR, TG, XRD, elemental analysis, SEM and AFM are used to prove the successful synthesis of functionalized carboxyl carbon/NaBOB (HTC/NaBOB) composite. The thermal stability and ionic conductivity of the composites are also studied and discussed. The test results show the HTC/NaBOB composites have high thermal stability, which possess the thermal decomposition temperature higher than 300°C in N2. When the weight ratio of oxalic acid, boric acid, sodium hydroxide and HTC‐COOH reaches appropriate proportion, the conductivity of HTC/NaBOB composite electrolyte solution is higher than NaBOB in N, N‐Dimethylformamide (DMF) with the same the content of element boron and the ionic conductivity of 0.10 mol dm−3 electrolyte solution is 4.87 mScm−1 in DMF. The study shows that these composites are non‐absorbent water and easy to be recycle and store as electrolytes. They may have great potential as a new class of electrolyte for high‐performance sodium ion batteries.
Photosensitizer and Autophagy Promoter Coloaded ROS‐Responsive Dendrimer‐Assembled Carrier for Synergistic Enhancement of Tumor Growth Suppression
Authors: Wang Ting , Hu Jinhui , Luo Hao , Li Huiyang , Zhou Jiahong , Zhou Lin , Wei Shaohua 
Published: August 2018

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during photodynamic therapy (PDT) can trigger autophagy. However, little research is focused on whether there is a synergistic anticancer effect with PDT if extra autophagy promoter or inhibitor is added. Here, it is found that autophagy promotion significantly enhances the PDT activity to cancer cells. Based on this preliminary result, a ROS‐sensitive self‐assembled dendrimer nanoparticle is exploited as a carrier to codeliver an autophagy promoter (rapamycin, Rapa) and photosensitizer (phthalocyanine, Pc) to the tumor. After entrapped by cancer cells and irradiated by light, the ROS generated in PDT process of Pc can trigger nanoparticle destruction to release Rapa, thus initiating the autophagy process and remarkably enhancing the efficacy of PDT, leading to efficient tumor suppression.