bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intra‐arc binary collimation algorithm for the optimization of stereotactic radiotherapy treatment of multiple metastases with multiple prescriptions
Authors: MacDonald R. Lee , Thomas Christopher G. , Ward Lucy , Syme Alasdair 
Published: October 2018

PurposeTo design and implement a novel treatment planning algorithm based on a modification of dynamic conformal arc (DCA) therapy for the treatment of multiple cranial metastases with variable prescription doses.MethodsA workflow was developed in which separate dose matrices were calculated for each target at each control point (i.e., the multileaf collimator (MLC) was fit conformally to that single target). A cost function was used to quantify the relative contributions of each dose matrix in the plan to the overall plan objectives. Simulated annealing was used to allow for the inclusion or exclusion of individual dose matrices at each control point. The exclusion of individual targets at a given control point is termed intra‐arc binary collimation (iABC) in this work and is accomplished by closing the MLCs over the target for a duration specified by simulated annealing optimization. Dynamic collimator motions were employed to minimize the variation between the idealized dose matrices (i.e., perfectly collimated targets) and actual dose matrices (i.e., MLC apertures that include quantities of nontarget tissue due to the relative orientations of targets in the field). An additional simulated annealing optimization was performed to weight the relative contributions of dose at each control point [referred to as the monitor unit distribution (MUD)] to improve compliance with plan objectives. The algorithm was tested on seven previously treated multiple metastases patients and plans were compared to the clinically treated VMAT plans.ResultsTreatment plans generated with iABC used an average of 2716 (34%) fewer MU in the total plan than VMAT (P = 0.01). All normal tissue metrics for all plans and all patients were clinically acceptable. There were no statistically significant differences in any normal tissue dose metrics. Normalized prescription target coverage accuracy for all targets was 3% better on average for VMAT plans when compared to iABC (P = 0.07), and 14% better on average for iABC when compared to optimized DCA (P = 0.03).ConclusionA novel method of aperture and dose distribution design has been developed to significantly increase the MU efficiency of single isocenter treatment of multiple metastases with variable prescription doses when compared to VMAT, and which improves target coverage accuracy significantly when compared to optimized DCA. By applying a DCA approach to subsets of targets across control points, a hybrid method of treatment delivery has been developed that combines the efficiency of dynamic conformal treatments and the dosimetric flexibility of VMAT.
Infimal convolution‐based regularization for SPECT reconstruction
Authors: Zhang Jiahan , Li Si , Krol Andrzej , Schmidtlein C. Ross , Lipson Edward , Feiglin David , Xu Yuesheng 
Published: October 2018

PurposeTotal variation (TV) regularization is efficient in suppressing noise, but is known to suffer from staircase artifacts. The goal of this work was to develop a regularization method using the infimal convolution of the first‐ and the second‐order derivatives to reduce or even prevent staircase artifacts in the reconstructed images, and to investigate if the advantage in noise suppression by this TV‐type regularization can be translated into dose reduction.MethodsIn the present work, we introduce the infimal convolution of the first‐ and the second‐order total variation (ICTV) as the regularization term in penalized maximum likelihood reconstruction. The preconditioned alternating projection algorithm (PAPA), previously developed by the authors of this article, was employed to produce the reconstruction. Using Monte Carlo‐simulated data, we evaluate noise properties and lesion detectability in the reconstructed images and compare the results with conventional total variation (TV) and clinical EM‐based methods with Gaussian post filter (GPF‐EM). We also evaluate the quality of ICTV regularized images obtained for lower photon number data, compared with clinically used photon number, to verify the feasibility of radiation‐dose reduction to patients by use of the ICTV reconstruction method.ResultsBy comparison with GPF‐EM reconstructed images, we have found that the ICTV‐PAPA method can achieve a lower background variability level while maintaining the same level of contrast. Images reconstructed by the ICTV‐PAPA method with 80,000 counts per view exhibit even higher channelized Hotelling observer (CHO) signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), as compared to images reconstructed by the GPF‐EM method with 120,000 counts per view.ConclusionsIn contrast to the TV‐PAPA method, the ICTV‐PAPA reconstruction method avoids substantial staircase artifacts, while producing reconstructed images with higher CHO SNR and comparable local spatial resolution. Simulation studies indicate that a 33% dose reduction is feasible by switching to the ICTV‐PAPA method, compared with the GPF‐EM clinical standard.
Sensitivity of the IQM transmission detector to errors of VMAT plans
Authors: Razinskas Gary , Wegener Sonja , Greber Johannes , Sauer Otto A. 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe integral quality monitor (IQM) transmission detector is a wedge‐shaped large area ionization chamber that reports a position‐weighted dose area product for each control point of an IMRT or VMAT plan. In this study, the accuracy of the signal prediction is verified for the Synergy Agility MLC. Tolerance criteria for VMAT plan verification with the IQM were obtained from the observed sensitivity for the detection of incorrectly delivered plans.MethodsThe predicted IQM signal was compared to the measured signal recorded for a set of 30 VMAT plans for each beam quality of 6 and 10 MV. The system's capability to detect incorrectly delivered plans was tested by measuring altered plans containing small, random deviations. In addition, the observed deviations were related to measurements performed with a second QA phantom.ResultsThe cumulative IQM signal per arc deviated from the respective calculation on average by −0.48% (6 MV) and +0.21% (10 MV) with a standard deviation of 1.08% in both cases, suggesting a 2% warning and 3% action threshold as plan acceptance criteria. This choice was confirmed by the optimum threshold of 2.5% obtained via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Reproducibility of individual control points in multiply measured plans was low (on average 7% for 1SD) and thus, segment‐by‐segment comparison was impractical. A suitable criterion to resolve the angular distribution of the plan was identified by binning three to five control points as a running average. While the correlation between IQM signal deviations and gamma passing rates obtained with the ArcCHECK phantom was low for clinical plans, it was apparent for erroneous plans. Binning led to even higher sensitivity to errors.ConclusionsThe IQM was able to detect induced errors at least as reliable as the standard phantom and showed the potential to be used in pretreatment plan verification to ensure the correct plan transfer and delivery. However, there is no direct correlation between the IQM signal deviation and DVH metrics, so the IQM should be primarily used to screen for errors. Finer diagnostics should then be carried out using a different phantom.
miR‐34 regulates reproduction by inhibiting the expression of MIH, CHH, EcR, and FAMeT genes in mud crab Scylla paramamosain
Authors: Zhou Mingcan , Jia Xiwei , Wan Haifu , Wang Shuhong , Zhang Xin , Zhang Ziping , Wang Yilei 
Published: October 2018

Mud crab Scylla paramamosain is a commercially important species widely cultured in China. It is well known that the eyestalk regulates reproductive activities in crustaceans. In our previous research, we found that the miR‐34 expression level in male eyestalk was significantly higher than that in females. Thus, we assumed that it may play an important role in regulating reproduction. In this study, we used bioinformatic tools to identify the target genes of miR‐34 in eyestalk. Six reproduction‐related genes with an intact 3′‐untranslated region (UTR), including molt‐inhibiting hormone (MIH), crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), vitellogenesis‐inhibiting hormone, red pigment concentrating hormone, ecdysone receptor (EcR), and farnesoic acid methyltransferase (FAMeT) were identified. When the 3′‐UTR plasmid vectors of the six genes were cotransfected with miR‐34 mimics into 293FT cells, respectively, the luciferase activities of four genes (MIH, CHH, EcR, and FAMeT) were significantly decreased compared with that in the control group; on the contrary, when the six plasmid vectors were cotransfected with the miR‐34 inhibitor respectively, the luciferase activities of four genes (MIH, CHH, EcR, and FAMeT) were significantly higher than that in the control group. When agomiR‐34 and antagomiR‐34 were injected into the eyestalk respectively in vivo, the expression levels of the MIH, CHH, EcR, and FAMeT genes were detected by a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that agomiR‐34 suppressed the expression of the four genes, whereas antagomiR‐34 enhanced their expression. These experimental results confirmed our hypothesis that miR‐34 may indirectly regulate reproduction via binding to the 3′‐UTRs of MIH, CHH, EcR, and FAMeT genes and suppressing their expression.
A Monte Carlo Method to Quantify the Effect of Reactor Residence Time Distribution on Polyolefins Made with Heterogeneous Catalysts: Part IV—Intraparticle Transfer Resistance Effects
Authors: Liu Bao , Liu Boping , Soares João B. P. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAn integrated Monte Carlo/polymeric multilayer model (MC/PMLM) is developed to predict the polymer particle size distribution (PSD) and microstructures of polyolefins made with heterogeneous catalysts under intraparticle mass transfer limitations. The Monte Carlo model is used to randomly sample particle sizes and residence times from the catalyst PSD and reactor residence time distribution (RTD), respectively, while the polymeric multilayer model is used to describe single‐particle growth considering intraparticle mass transfer resistances. The effect of reactor RTD, catalyst PSD, and polymerization kinetics on polymer PSD and polymer properties is systematically investigated with the MC/PMLM for the first time. The results show that intraparticle mass transfer limitations under various operating conditions may affect polymer PSD and polymer properties. In addition, due to the versatility of the Monte Carlo approach, the proposed MC/PMLM is adequate to describe complex cases, such as reactor systems with arbitrary RTD and catalyst particles having any PSD.
Electrodiagnostic evidence of suprascapular nerve recovery after decompression
Authors: Feinberg Joseph H. , Mehta Priyesh , Gulotta Lawrence V. , Allen Answorth A. , Altchek David W. , Cordasco Frank A. , Potter Hollis G. , Warren Russell F. , Wickiewicz Thomas L. , Wolfe Scott W. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The purpose of this study was to determine whether surgical arthroscopic decompression or ultrasound‐guided aspiration of a paralabral cyst would result in suprascapular nerve recovery from axonal regeneration based on electrodiagnostic testing. Methods: Nine patients with preoperative electromyography (EMG) evidence of suprascapular neuropathy due to paralabral cysts at the suprascapular or spinoglenoid notch were prospectively studied. Eight patients underwent arthroscopic surgical decompression, and 1 patient underwent ultrasound‐guided aspiration. Postoperative EMG was performed in all patients to evaluate nerve regeneration. Results: Three (33%) patients had cysts at the suprascapular notch, whereas 6 (67%) patients had cysts at the spinoglenoid notch. All patients showed complete electrophysiological recovery after decompression. Discussion: Decompression of paralabral cysts at the suprascapular or spinoglenoid notch resulted in postoperative EMG evidence of nerve recovery. Long‐term studies with a greater number of patients are required to elucidate time to recovery. Muscle Nerve 59:247–249, 2019
Consolidation of viscoelastic soil by vertical drains incorporating fractional‐derivative model and time‐dependent loading
Authors: Huang Ming‐hua , Li Jia‐cheng 
Published: October 2018

SummaryThis paper presents a general solution to the consolidation system of viscoelastic soil by vertical drains incorporating a fractional‐derivative model and arbitrary time‐dependent loading. The fractional‐derivative Merchant model is introduced to describe the viscoelastic behavior of saturated soil around the vertical drains. Based on this model, the governing partial differential equation of a consolidation system incorporating vertical and horizontal drainage is obtained for the equal strain condition. Then, a general solution to the consolidation system involving arbitrary time‐dependent loading is derived using the Laplace transform technique and eigenfunction expansion method. Further, two comparisons are presented to verify the exactness of the proposed solution, and the consolidation behavior involving four time‐dependent loadings is illustrated and discussed.
Combating Excessive Eating: A Role for Four Evidence‐Based Remedies
Authors: Rogers Peter J. 
Published: October 2018

Objective:The aim of this study is to review the control of energy balance and outline some causes of and remedies for excessive energy intake.Methods:A narrative review was conducted.Results:There is negative feedback control of energy intake and body weight, but, nonetheless, energy intake is only loosely coupled with energy expenditure. Consequently, we are vulnerable to eating in excess of energy requirements. In this context, energy density, portion size, and habitual meal patterns have strong influences on energy intake and, accordingly, can be targeted to reduce energy intake. For example, energy density can be reduced without much affecting food reward (approximately the pleasure gained from eating) because their relationship is such that reward value is affected relatively little by increments in energy density above 1.5 kcal/g. This and other strategies that increase reward per calorie eaten may be superior to increasing the satiety effect of products because fullness is not inherently rewarding. Low‐calorie sweeteners provide a means to reduce energy density while largely preserving food or beverage reward value. Consistent with this, consumption of low‐calorie sweeteners compared with consumption of sugars has been found to reduce energy intake and body weight.Conclusions:Understanding what causes excessive eating also provides insights into how to combat this problem.
Omadacycline Enters the Ring: A New Antimicrobial Contender
Authors: Barber Katie E. , Bell Alison M. , Wingler Mary Joyce B. , Wagner Jamie L. , Stover Kayla R. 
Published: October 2018

Omadacycline is a novel aminomethylcycline approved for the treatment of community‐acquired bacterial pneumonia and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. This article reviews existing data pertaining to the biochemistry, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, in vitro activity, and current progress with omadacycline in clinical trials. Omadacycline inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome at the tetracycline‐binding site with an affinity similar to glycylcyclines. It is able to bypass older tetracycline resistance mechanisms and demonstrates activity against bacterial strains that are tetracycline resistant. In addition, omadacycline displays broad‐spectrum activity against gram‐positive organisms (including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin‐resistant enterococci), gram‐negative organisms, atypical organisms, and anaerobes. It has been evaluated against infections in adults both intravenously and orally. Dosage adjustments are not required for patients with renal impairment. Omadacycline displays a comparable efficacy and safety profile to standard‐of‐care agents, with the most common side effects observed being gastrointestinal. Currently available data for omadacycline suggest that this is a promising agent added to our antimicrobial armamentarium.
Bender‐Gestalt II differential item functioning across Caucasian and African American examinees
Authors: Strait Julia E. , Wright Emma Kate C. , Decker Scott L. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPerformance on figure copying tasks is empirically linked to the school readiness, learning, cognition, and neuropsychological functioning. These nonverbal tasks are frequently used to evaluate children from diverse backgrounds to minimize bias due to factors such as language, ethnicity, culture, or socioeconomic status on test performance. The current study examined the possible Differential Item Functioning across African American and Caucasian groups, ages 4 to 7 years, in Bender Motor Gestalt Test, Second Edition (BG‐II) visual‐motor scores. Results indicated that in general the BG‐II can be considered invariant across these ethnic groups in this age range.
Type D personality as a predictor of smoking cessation failure in smoking high school adolescents
Authors: Kim Sung Reul , Kim Hye Young , Kim Ji Young , Kim Hyun Kyung 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to identify the association between type D personality and smoking cessation among high school students who had participated in a stop smoking program. From 27 high schools, we recruited 279 smoking students who had participated in a stop smoking program between May 29, 2015, and January 25, 2016. About 26.5% of participants had a type D personality. A logistic regression analysis revealed that initiating smoking before or during 5th grade, smoking 21 or more cigarettes daily, and having a type D personality were significantly related to smoking cessation failure. Type D personality was significantly associated with social nicotine dependency and was a predictor of smoking cessation failure after a stop smoking program. Accordingly, type D personality should be considered along with other smoking‐related factors when attempting to promote smoking cessation among high school adolescents.
Partial cellulose acetylation in 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate induced by dichloromethane
Authors: Alfassi Gilad , Rein Dmitry M. , Cohen Yachin 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTCellulose acetate (CA) is one on the most important cellulose derivatives. The use of ionic liquids in cellulose processing was recently discovered to not exclusively act as a solvent but also as a reagent. Recent studies showed that bulky chlorides as well as acetyl chloride mixed with ionic liquids can facilitate cellulose acetylation. This work focused on a simple chloro‐organic cosolvent, dichloromethane (DCM), and showed the ability of this relatively small molecule, mixed with the ionic liquid, to facilitate homogenous acetylation by displacement of the acetate ion of the ionic liquid with a chloride ion. Maximal acetylation achieved by this method was a degree of substitution (DS) of 1.9, were only a small fraction of DCM was utilized for acetylation, well below even that expected for equimolar reaction. The degree of substitution was controlled by the dichloromethane content, thus controlling its solubility in water. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2458–2462
Body mass index and sexual function in women with gynaecological cancer
Authors: Donkers Hannah , Smits Anke , Eleuteri Antonio , Bekkers Ruud , Massuger Leon , Galaal Khadra 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and sexual functioning in gynaecologic cancer patients. To determine the association between socio‐economic deprivation and sexual functioning.MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study on women undergoing surgery for suspected or proven gynaecological cancer between September 2014 and February 2016 in the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust. Patients were invited to participate by completing the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at three time points: preoperative, 3 months postoperative, and 1 year postoperative. A semiparametric model of the FSFI score was used to establish the association between BMI and sexual functioning.ResultsA total of 257 patients were approached of which 166 patients were included. Fifty‐two patients (33.8%) were overweight (BMI, 25‐29.9 kg/m2), 44 (28.6%) were obese (BMI, 30‐39.9 kg/m2), and a further 20 (13.0%) morbidly obese (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2). Overweight and obese women reported improved sexual functioning compared with normal‐weight women in endometrial, ovarian, and vulvar cancers. Among cervical cancer, worse sexual functioning was seen in women with an increased BMI; however, this was not significant. Younger age was associated with improved sexual function, and sexual functioning was better postoperatively for all patients compared with preoperatively. There was no evidence of relationship between deprivation and sexual functioning in gynaecological cancer patients.ConclusionHigher BMI is associated with improved sexual functioning in endometrial, ovarian, and vulvar cancer; however, this was not seen in cervical cancer patients. There is no evidence of correlation between deprivation and sexual functioning.
Distress predicts utilization of psychosocial health services in oncology patients
Authors: Hamilton Jessica , Kroska Emily B. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe prevalence of increased distress among cancer patients has been well established and is known to be associated with negative consequences. Limited research has examined the association between distress and utilization of services, however, which is critical to understanding whether measurements of distress are being used to optimize patient care in the context of cancer.MethodsOne thousand two hundred thirteen adult cancer patients completed the Distress Thermometer and Patient Needs Assessment early in their cancer care. Electronic medical record (EMR)–abstracted data included psychosocial service utilization in the 12 months following the completion of these psychosocial metrics. Logistic regressions followed by t tests were completed to assess if distress or unmet needs were affiliated with service utilization rates.ResultsWhen controlling for age, distress significantly predicted service utilization rates overall. Follow‐up t tests suggest that use of social work and registered dietician services was higher among those with distress scores greater than 6. When assessing unmet needs, utilization rates were positively associated with number of unmet needs, specifically for social work and dieticians.ConclusionsDistress and unmet needs were related to higher rates of psychosocial service utilization during the 12 months following assessment of symptoms. These results support the continued mandate for evaluation of distress and suggest that psychosocial screening may be assisting in directing referrals and enhancing comprehensive care for patients. As psychosocial services grow, the need for continued evaluation is recommended to determine if psychology and chaplaincy services are utilized at higher rates as available providers increase.