bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a mobile C‐arm cone‐beam CT in interstitial high‐dose‐rate prostate brachytherapy treatment planning
Authors: Djukelic Mario , Waterhouse David , Toh Ryan , Tan Hendrick , Rowshanfarzad Pejman , Joseph David , Ebert Martin A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) obtained with a mobile C‐arm X‐ray fluoroscopy unit as a single modality for planning of high‐dose‐rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy treatments.MethodsThe feasibility of using CBCT images obtained using a Siemens Arcadis Orbic 3D mobile C‐arm was evaluated. A retrospective clinical study was undertaken of six participants undergoing HDR prostate brachytherapy. Plans generated using images from a Toshiba Aquilion One LB CT were compared with those generated using CBCT images. After rigid spatial registration, the plans were compared based on various parameters such as dose‐volume histograms, overlap quantities and metrics, and dose constraints.ResultsProvided they were within the limited field of view, the brachytherapy catheters and fiducial markers were clearly visible in the CBCT images and thus, localisable and identifiable in the treatment planning process. The Siemens CBCT underestimated CT numbers leading to poorer tissue contrast which exacerbated the difficulties in delineation of the target tumour and the surrounding organs at risk. Between CT‐ and CBCT‐based plans, the mean difference of CTV‐D90 was 1.58 Gy, CTV‐V100 was 12.13%, rectum‐V80 was 0.06% and urethra‐V120 was −0.70%.ConclusionIt was not feasible to solely utilise the Siemens Arcadis Orbic 3D for HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment planning due to suboptimal organ delineation. However, the methods in this study could be used to evaluate other mobile CBCT imaging devices for feasibility in HDR brachytherapy treatment planning since the results indicated that it may not be necessary to have standard quality CT images for treatment planning.
Phosphorus deficiency promotes the lateral root growth of Fraxinus mandshurica seedlings
Authors: Huang Wengong , Zhao Xingtang , Liang Nansong , He Liming , Yu Lei , Zhan Yaguang 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of phosphorus (P) deficiency on the lateral root growth of Fraxinus mandshurica seedlings and to reveal the potential molecular mechanisms involved. F. mandshurica seedlings were treated with various concentrations of P (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mM KH2PO4) for 15 d. The growth of lateral roots was quantified by the number of lateral roots, total root length, total root surface area, and root : shoot ratio. Additionally, the levels of endogenous hormones and acid phosphatase were determined in the lateral roots of F. mandshurica seedlings using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The transcription of 17 FmWRKYs and FmPHR1 was detected in the lateral roots of F. mandshurica seedlings using quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). F. mandshurica seedlings under P deficiency (0 mM) exhibited significantly higher number of lateral roots, total root length, total root surface area, and root : shoot ratio than those under P supply. P deficiency significantly decreased the levels of indole‐3‐acetic acid, brassinolide, and ethylene, and increased the levels of gibberellins 3, cytokinin, abscisic acid, and acid phosphatase in the lateral roots of F. mandshurica seedlings when compared to seedlings with P supply. In addition, the transcription of four FmWRKYs, including FmWRKY6, FmWRKY23, FmWRKY44, and FmWRKY71, as well as FmPHR1 were significantly higher in the lateral roots of F. mandshurica seedlings under P deficiency compared to seedlings treated with 1 mM P. Phosphorus deficiency promoted the lateral root growth of F. mandshurica seedlings and this process may be associated with the up‐regulation of FmWRKY6, FmWRKY23, FmWRKY44, FmWRKY71, and FmPHR1.
Fertilizer ammonium : nitrate ratios determine phosphorus uptake by young maize plants
Authors: Pedersen Ingeborg F. , Sørensen Peter , Rasmussen Jim , Withers Paul J. A. , Rubæk Gitte Holton 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe investigated the interacting effects of inorganic nitrogen and the main inorganic phosphorus form in dairy manure (dicalcium phosphate, CaHPO4) on growth, nutrient uptake, and rhizosphere pH of young maize plants. In a pot experiment, three levels of CaHPO4 (0, 167, and 500 mg P pot−1) were combined with nitrogen (637 mg N pot−1) applied at five NH4‐N : NO3‐N ratios (0 : 100, 25 : 75, 50 : 50, 75 : 25, and 100 : 0) and a nitrification inhibitor in a concentrated layer of a typical acid sandy soil from Denmark. 15N‐labeled NH4‐N was applied to differentiate the role of nitrification and to partition nitrogen uptake derived from NH4‐N. Among treatments including nitrogen, shoot biomass, rooting and phosphorus uptake were significantly higher at the five‐leaf stage when CaHPO4 was applied with NH4‐N : NO3‐N ratios of 50 : 50 and 75 : 25. In these treatments, rhizosphere pH dropped significantly in direct proportion with NH4‐N uptake. The fertilizers in the concentrated layer had a root‐inhibiting effect in treatments without phosphorus supply and in treatments with pure NO3‐N or NH4‐N supply. Increased nitrogen uptake as NH4‐N instead of NO3‐N reduced rhizosphere pH and enhanced acquisition of applied CaHPO4 by young maize plants, which may have positive implications for the enhanced utilization of manure phosphorus.
Using woody organic matter amendments to increase water availability and jump‐start soil restoration of desertified grassland soils of Ningxia, China
Authors: Li Zhigang , Schneider Rebecca L. , Morreale Stephen J. , Xie Yingzhong , Li Jian , Li Changxiao , Ni Xilu 
Published: April 2019

AbstractSolutions are urgently needed to address the continued degradation of agricultural soils worldwide, which has severely impacted the ability to grow crops and has led to increased irrigation demand from already rapidly depleting freshwater resources. This project evaluated a unique, previously untested, type of soil organic amendment, that is, coarse wood chips, for capturing and storing scarce precipitation and improving desertified, sandy soils. A field plot experiment was conducted in Ningxia, China, from 2011 through 2016, comparing unamended sandy soils with three coarse woody amendments, including (a) surface‐applied mulch, (b) wood chips incorporated into the top 20 cm of soil, and 3) incorporated wood chips combined with a branch lattice shelter over the soil surface—all treatments replicated under both irrigated and nonirrigated conditions. Precipitation patterns and soil moisture content were compared between 2012 and 2015, and related soil physical and chemical properties were monitored continuously, as well as alfalfa yields in 2015 and 2016. Results indicated that amended soils maintained significantly higher soil water contents between rain events, decreased the number of days below the permanent wilting point, and improved soil properties and alfalfa growth. The combination treatment of wood chips and a branch shelter performed the best among treatments, exhibiting increases in average water storage 50% or more above controls. Unlike highly degradable soil amendments, the slow decomposition of the coarse wood chips resulted in continuous benefits for all 5 years. This use of coarse wood chips represents a timely new addition to the toolbox of soil amendments, providing a mechanism for immediate, long‐lasting restoration of the world's degraded and desertified soils that will foster global food and water security.
Roads as drivers of above‐ground biomass loss at tropical forest edges in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China
Authors: Dissanayake Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Naveen Jayalal , Zhai De‐Li , Dossa Gbadamassi Gouvide Olawole , Shi Jipu , Luo Qinghui , Xu Jianchu 
Published: April 2019

AbstractRoads are an increasingly important anthropogenic disturbance to tropical ecological systems. Although the ecological impacts of roads are now well recognised, there remains a lack of certainty regarding how roads in general and roads with different widths affect vital ecosystem services such as above‐ground biomass (AGB) in tropics. Using a non‐destructive sampling method, we investigated disturbance effects of roads on AGB and related attributes in Xishuangbanna, China. We surveyed woody plants in natural forests, rubber plantations, and tea plantations up to 100 m from the edge of three different road widths and estimated AGB using allometric equations at 10 m intervals. Two sample t‐test results confirmed that natural forests stored more AGB than rubber and tea plantations, and less AGB at edges of wider road than at edges of narrower road. Linear mixed effects models revealed that land use, road width, and distance from edge significantly explained 68% (both fixed and random factors) variation in AGB. We observed two results that indicated wider roads altered more AGB than narrower road types in natural forests. First, AGB declined at road edges; second, the disturbance effects on AGB by wider road types went deeper than narrower roads did in natural forests. Our results suggest that both widening the existing roads and construction of new roads will degrade ecosystem productivity. We recommend that impacts assessments of roads on AGB should be considered and taken serious while planning and designing roads to avoid serious damages to many ecosystem services that AGB provides.
An Advanced Practice Practitioner–Based Program to Reduce 30‐ and 90‐Day Readmissions After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Mahmud Nadim , Halpern Samantha , Farrell Rebecca , Ventura Kate , Thomasson Arwin , Lewis Heidi , Olthoff Kim M. , Levine Matthew H. , Nazarian Susanna , Khungar Vandana 
Published: April 2019

Hospital readmissions after liver transplantation (LT) are common and associated with increased morbidity and cost. High readmission rates at our center motivated a change in practice with adoption of a nurse practitioner (NP)–based posttransplant care program. We sought to determine if this program was effective in reducing 30‐ and 90‐day readmissions after LT and to identify variables associated with readmission. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing LT from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017, at a tertiary LT referral center. A NP‐based posttransplant care program with weekend in‐house nurse coordination providers and increased outpatient NP clinic availability was instituted on January 1, 2016. Postdischarge readmission rates at 30 and 90 days were compared in the pre‐exposure and postexposure groups, adjusting for associated risk factors. A total of 362 patients were included in the analytic cohort. There were no significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, or index hospitalization characteristics between groups. In the adjusted analyses, the risk of readmission in the postexposure group was significantly reduced relative to baseline at 30 days (hazard ratio [HR] 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39‐0.90; P = 0.02) and 90 days (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.34‐0.71; P < 0.001). Risk factors positively associated with 30‐day readmission included peritransplant dialysis (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.13‐2.58; P = 0.01) and retransplant on index hospitalization (HR, 10.21; 95% CI, 3.39‐30.75; P < 0.001). Male sex was protective against readmission (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45‐0.97; P = 0.03). In conclusion, implementation of expanded NP‐based care after LT was associated with significantly reduced 30‐ and 90‐day readmission rates. LT centers and other service lines using significant postsurgical resources may be able to reduce readmissions through similar programs.
A Novel Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) Dispersant: Polyaryletherketones with Pendent Pyrene Groups
Authors: Xu Da , Gao Yanwei , Sun Yang , Wang Zhaoyang , Jiang Zhenhua , Jiang Xiangyu , Zhang Haibo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPolyaryletherketones (PAEKs) with pendant pyrene groups are prepared and used to functionalize and disperse graphene nanoplates (GNPs). A variety of polymers with a range of pyrene contents are studied. A monomer with pyrene and two hydroxyl groups is designed and synthesized through the Suzuki reaction and used to prepare a series of pyrene‐functioned PAEKs (Py‐PAEKs) by copolymerization. Experiments demonstrate that Py‐PAEKs have not only excellent solubility, but also excellent mechanical properties and outstanding heat resistance. In the same treatment condition, the concentration of GNPs that are modified by Py‐PAEK with 40 molar percentage of pyrene (Py‐40) increases 88 times of the concentration of pure GNPs in NMP. In addition, adding 0.5% GNPs, which is functionalized by Py‐40 to PEEK resin, improves the flexural strength of polymer composite nearly 12% and while the tensile strength of these composites improves nearly 10% with a doubling of the strain at break.
Low pressure voiding induced by a novel implantable pudendal nerve stimulator
Authors: Cai Haotian , Morgan Tara , Pace Natalie , Shen Bing , Wang Jicheng , Roppolo James R. , Horlen Kyle , Khanwilkar Pratap , de Groat William C. , Tai Changfeng 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimTo validate the functionality of an implantable pudendal nerve stimulator under development for Food and Drug Administration approval to restore bladder function after spinal cord injury.MethodsIn nine cats under anesthesia, two tripolar cuff electrodes were implanted bilaterally on the pudendal nerves and one bipolar cuff electrode was implanted on the right pudendal nerve central to the tripolar cuff electrode. The pudendal nerve stimulator was implanted subcutaneously on the left lower back along the lumbosacral spine and connected to the cuff electrodes. In five cats, a double lumen catheter was inserted into the bladder through the urethra to infuse saline and measure bladder pressure and another catheter was inserted into the distal urethra to perfuse and measure the back pressure caused by urethral contraction. In four cats, a bladder catheter was inserted into the bladder dome and the urethra was left open so that voiding could occur without urethral outlet obstruction.ResultsThe implantable pudendal nerve stimulator was controlled wirelessly and successfully provided the required stimulation waveforms to different cuff electrodes. Pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS) at 5 Hz increased bladder capacity to about 200% of control capacity. PNS at 20 to 30 Hz induced large (80‐100 cmH2O) bladder contractions under isovolumetric conditions. When combined with ipsilateral or bilateral pudendal nerve block induced by 6 to 10 kHz stimulation, PNS at 20 to 30 Hz elicited low pressure (<40 cmH
2O) efficient (70%) voiding.ConclusionsThe implantable stimulator generated the required stimulation waveforms and successfully induced low pressure efficient voiding in anesthetized cats.
In Situ tensile tests to analyze the mechanical response, crack initiation, and crack propagation in single polyamide 66 fibers
Authors: Marcellan Alba , Bunsell Anthony , Piques Roland , Laiarinandrasana Lucien 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTSingle fiber mechanical testing is challenging to perform, especially when the diameter is as small as tens of micrometers. For this reason, real‐time observations of crack propagation mechanisms have been rarely been investigated experimentally. This article presents experimental and numerical investigations of fracture of monofilamentary high performance polyamide 66 fibers. Their engineering stress–strain curves are compared. The mechanisms of failure starting from crack initiation until the final brittle fracture are studied by in situ tests in Scanning Electron and optical microscopes. Finite element modeling at the individual fiber scale has been performed in three‐dimensional (3D), as a reverse engineering method. The compliance method was used to determine the crack depth that triggers the final failure. The fracture toughness was numerically determined using the J‐integral concept, accounting for the geometry of the crack front (3D) together with plastic deformation. 3D meshes were designed especially from postmortem observations. The average value deduced was about 47 ± 7 kJ m−2, which will be discussed with other estimates using linear elastic fracture mechanics. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 680–690
Association between anxiety, depression, and comorbid chronic diseases among cancer survivors
Authors: Yan Rui , Xia Juan , Yang Renren , Lv Binghui , Wu Peng , Chen Wanli , Zhang Yaxuan , Lu Xinyuan , Che Beibei , Wang Jiwei , Yu Jinming 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveCancer survivors (CSs) often face the dual physical burden of cancer and other comorbid chronic disease (CCD) and have a great deal of psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression. However, the association between CCD and psychological problems remain less clear in CS. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Chinese CS, and whether CCD have impact on CSs' anxiety and depression.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted among 1546 CSs in Shanghai, China. All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire containing Zung self‐rating anxiety scale (SAS), Zung self‐rating depression scale (SDS), and questions on sociodemographic characteristics and CCD. Associations between CCDs, and anxiety and depression, were evaluated by using logistic regression, adjusted for confounding factors.ResultsThe prevalence of anxiety and depression in CSs were 28.2 % and 48.2%, respectively. 74.9% CSs had one or more comorbidities. Almost all CCDs examined showed associations with anxiety, except for CSs with diabetes. CSs with hyperlipidemia, diabetes, heart and cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal diseases had significantly greater depression scores. When compared with those without CCD, CSs with one to two CCDs and greater than or equal to three CCDs had higher risks of anxiety and depression.ConclusionsAnxiety and depression were more prevalent among CSs who also had CCDs. CCD have significantly negative association with CSs' anxiety and depression. Further cohort research will help deduce the causal relationships between CCDs, and anxiety and depression.
Detecting outbreaks in temporally dependent networks
Authors: Hazrati‐Marangaloo Hossein , Noorossana Rassoul 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDynamic networks require effective methods of monitoring and surveillance in order to respond promptly to unusual disturbances. In many applications, it is of interest to identify anomalous behavior within a dynamic interacting system. Such anomalous interactions are reflected by structural changes in the network representation of the system. In this paper, a dynamic random graph model is proposed that takes into account the past activities of the individuals in the social network and also represents temporal dependency of the network. The model parameters are appearance and disappearance probabilities of an edge which are estimated using a maximum likelihood approach. A generalization of a single path‐dependent likelihood ratio test is employed to detect changes in the parameters of the proposed model. Through monitoring the estimated parameters, one can effectively detect structural changes in a temporal‐dependent network. The proposed model is employed to describe the behavior of a real network, and its parameters are monitored via dependent likelihood ratio test and multivariate exponentially weighted moving average control chart. Results indicate that the proposed dynamic random graph model is a reliable mean to modeling and detecting changes in temporally dependent networks.
Modern wheat semi-dwarfs root deep on demand: response of rooting depth to drought in a set of Swiss era wheats covering 100 years of breeding
Authors: Friedli Cordula N. , Abiven Samuel , Fossati Dario , Hund Andreas 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBreeding for enhanced rooting depth and root biomass in deeper soil layers is a promising strategy to adapt wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants to drought periods. We evaluated (1) the extent of indirect selection of root traits during the last century of wheat breeding and (2) how it affected the variety performance under well-watered conditions compared to gradually developing drought stress. Fourteen bread wheat genotypes covering 100 years of Swiss wheat breeding were grown in 1.6 m tall columns in the greenhouse under well-watered and drought conditions. Root parameters, such as rooting depth and root biomass and above ground parameters were determined at flowering and maturity. Rooting depth showed a negative trend in response to year of release under well-watered conditions but not under early water stress. Modern varieties responded with enhanced root allocation to deeper soil layers. Consequently, rooting depth was positively correlated with plant height at well-watered conditions but not under early water stress. Considerable genetic variation for rooting depth among modern varieties indicates that the trait is selectable without strong alteration of plant height. We conclude that modern varieties adjusted rooting depth to water demand.
Victory is its own reward: oxytocin increases costly competitive behavior in schizophrenia
Authors: Bradley Ellen R. , Brustkern Johanna , De Coster Lize , van den Bos Wouter , McClure Samuel M. , Seitz Alison , Woolley Joshua D. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundAberrant sensitivity to social reward may be an important contributor to abnormal social behavior that is a core feature of schizophrenia. The neuropeptide oxytocin impacts the salience of social information across species, but its effect on social reward in schizophrenia is unknown.MethodsWe used a competitive economic game and computational modeling to examine behavioral dynamics and oxytocin effects on sensitivity to social reward among 39 men with schizophrenia and 54 matched healthy controls. In a randomized, double-blind study, participants received one dose of oxytocin (40 IU) or placebo and completed a 35-trial Auction Game that quantifies preferences for monetaryv.social reward. We analyzed bidding behavior using multilevel linear mixed models and reinforcement learning models.ResultsBidding was motivated by preferences for both monetary and social reward in both groups, but bidding dynamics differed: patients initially overbid less compared to controls, and across trials, controls decreased their bids while patients did not. Oxytocin administration was associated with sustained overbidding across trials, particularly in patients. This drug effect was driven by a stronger preference for winning the auction, regardless of monetary consequences. Learning rate and response variability did not differ between groups or drug condition, suggesting that differences in bidding derive primarily from differences in the subjective value of social rewards.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that schizophrenia is associated with diminished motivation for social reward that may be increased by oxytocin administration.