bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy layer optimization strategies for intensity‐modulated proton therapy of lung cancer patients
Authors: Jensen M. Fuglsang , Hoffmann L. , Petersen J. B. B. , Møller D. S. , Alber M. 
Published: August 2018

PurposeWhen treating lung cancer patients with intensity‐modulated proton therapy (IMPT), target coverage can only be guaranteed when utilizing motion mitigation. The three motion mitigation techniques, gating, breath‐hold, and dose repainting, all benefit from a more rapid application of the treatment plan. A lower limit for the ungated treatment time is defined by the number of energy layers in the IMPT plan. By limiting this number during treatment planning, IMPT could become more viable for lung cancer patients. We investigate to what extend the number of layers can be reduced in single‐field optimization (SFO) and multifield optimization (MFO) plans and which implications it has on the plan quality and robustness.MethodsWe have implemented three distinct layer‐reducing strategies in the treatment planning system Hyperion; constant energy steps, exponential energy steps, and an adaptive strategy, where the spot weights are exposed to a group sparsity penalty in combination with layer exclusion during optimization. Four levels of increasing layer removal are planned for each strategy. SFO and MFO plans with three treatment fields are created for eleven locally advanced NSCLC patients on the midventilation 4DCT phase to simulate a breath‐hold. A minimum dose to the target is ensured for each degree of layer reduction, reflecting the plan quality in the homogeneity index (HI). Plan quality was also assessed by a robustness evaluation, where the patient setup was shifted 2 mm or 4 mm in six directions.ResultsThe three strategies result in very similar target coverages and robustness levels as a function of removed layers. The HI increases unacceptably for all the SFO plans after 50% layer removal as compared to the reference plan, while all the MFO plans are clinically acceptable with up to a highest removed percentage of 75%. The robustness level is constant as a function of removed layers. The SFO plans are significantly more robust than the MFO plans with all P‐values below 0.001 (Wilcoxon signed‐rank). The overall mean D98% CTV dose difference is at 2‐mm setup error amplitude: 0.7 Gy (SFO) and 1.9 Gy (MFO), and at 4 mm: 3.2 Gy (SFO) and 5.4 Gy (MFO), respectively.ConclusionsThe number of layers in MFO plans can be reduced substantially more than in SFO plans without compromising plan quality. Furthermore, as the robustness is independent of the number of layers, it follows that if the level of robustness is acceptable or enforced via robust optimization, MFO plans could be candidates for treatment time reductions via energy layer reductions.
A Generalized Backward Euler algorithm for the numerical integration of a viscous breakage model
Authors: Marinelli Ferdinando , Buscarnera Giuseppe 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThis paper discusses the formulation and the numerical performance of a fully implicit algorithm used to integrate a rate‐dependent model defined within a breakage mechanics framework. For this purpose, a Generalized Backward Euler (GBE) algorithm has been implemented according to two different linearization strategies: The former is derived by a direct linearization of the constitutive equations, while the latter introduces rate effects through a consistency parameter. The accuracy and efficiency of the GBE algorithm have been investigated by (1) performing material point analyses and (2) solving initial boundary value problems. In both cases, the overall performance of the underlying algorithm is inspected for a range of loading rates, thus simulating comminution from slow to fast dynamic problems. As the viscous response of the breakage model can be recast through a viscous nucleus function, the presented algorithm can be considered as a general framework to integrate constitutive equations relying on the overstress approach typical of Perzyna‐like viscoplastic models.
Fluorescent ZnII Chemosensor Mediated by a 1,8‐Naphthyridine Derivative and It′s Photophysical Properties
Authors: Luo Wenxiu , Liu Mengjiao , Yang Ting , Yang Xia , Wang Yi , Xiang Haifeng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOne of the greatest challenges in using fluorescent chemosensors for highly selective and sensitive transition‐metal ions is finding an efficient and simple method for its synthesis. In this study, a highly efficient fluorescence chemosensor for ZnII was developed from N‐Boc‐L‐proline modified 1,8‐naphthyridine. The fluorescence intensity of the chemosensor was increased significantly only in the presence of ZnII ion which provided a perceived color change for rapid visual sensing, while other metal ions showed fluorescence quenching or little changes. It was worth noting that the chemosensor L distinguished ZnII from CdII commonly having similar properties. The solvent effect and possible bonding mode for fluorescence enhancement have been also discussed. Results of this study indicated that the Boc‐group in l‐proline significantly improved the sensitivity and selectivity for ZnII detection performance, as confirmed by comparison experiments and time dependent‐density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations.
Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes with monocomponent intumescent flame retardant for reducing the flammability and smoke emission characteristics of epoxy resins
Authors: Xu Zhisheng , Deng Nan , Yan Long , Chu Zhiyong 
Published: August 2018

A novel monocomponent intumescent flame retardant named pentaerythritol phosphate melamine salt (PPMS)‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PPMS‐CNT) was synthesized via grafting PPMS on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and thoroughly characterized by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrometry,1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectrometry, scanning electron microscope (SEM)‐energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. Then, PPMS‐CNT was incorporated into epoxy resins (EPs) to investigate flame‐retardant and smoke suppression properties. The results show that the addition of PPMS‐CNT increases the limited oxygen index (LOI) and UL94 rating of EP composites, and the LOI value of EP‐3 containing 15 wt% PPMS‐CNT is increased to 24.5%. Cone calorimeter test indicates that the heat release and smoke production of EP composites are gradually decreased with increasing PPMS‐CNT content concomitant with the increase in the intumescent factor and residual weight. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the thermal stability and char‐forming ability of the EP composites are increasingly improved with increasing PPMS‐CNT content. Char residue analysis reveals that the same addition of PPMS‐CNT tends to form a more continuous and compact char than that of PPMS because of more phosphorus‐rich cross‐linking char and aromatic char remained in the condensed phase, thus exhibiting higher flame‐retardant and smoke suppression efficiencies in EP matrix. Overall, PPMS‐CNT can serve as a promising monocomponent intumescent flame retardant for reducing the flammability and smoke emission characteristics of EP materials.
Isothermally crystallization behavior of poly (L‐lactide) from melt under high pressure
Authors: Yuan Chaosheng , Xu Ying , Yang Kun , Wang Yongqiang , Wang Zheng , Cheng Xuerui , Su Lei 
Published: August 2018

The poly (L‐lactide) (PLLA) samples from melt were isothermally crystallized at 175°C and 190°C under pressures (PC) ranging from 0.1 to 400 MPa. The crystalline structures and thermal properties were investigated by using wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). On the basis of the DSC and WAXD results, it is confirmed that an α crystal was formed in the low‐pressure region (PC ≤ 50 MPa), and the disordered α crystal (α′) was formed in the medium‐pressure region (100 MPa ≤ PC ≤ 200 MPa) for the PLLA samples isothermally crystallized at 175°C. However, the only α crystal was formed in the pressure range from 0.1 to 200 MPa, and no α′ crystal could be found in the PLLA samples isothermally crystallized at 190°C. Interestingly, the full amorphous PLLA was obtained at 175°C and 190°C, when the PC was above 250 MPa. There seems to exist a cut‐off pressure for the crystallization of PLLA, which divides the pressure into high and low regions. The peculiarities of crystalline structure could be explained by the enhanced melt supercooling and the confined crystallization behaviors of PLLA under high pressure. The effect of the compression rate on the formation of amorphous PLLA was also researched with different compression rates. The results indicate that the molten PLLA could be easy to solidify as full amorphous phase under the higher pressure at a lower critical compression rate.
Dietary approaches for patients with heart failure and diabetes
Authors: Butler Thomas , Georgousopoulou Ekavi N , Mellor Duane 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNutritional management has a key role to play in the management of diabetes and heart failure (HF). There is currently little evidence to make dietary recommendations specifically for people living with both diabetes and HF. Therefore, most nutritional management recommendations for HF and diabetes need to be based on those for people living with diabetes.This review paper details what is known about the nutritional management recommendations for people living with both diabetes and HF. The only specific approach focusing on managing HF which is currently part of nutritional recommendations are those focused upon fluid and sodium intake to reduce blood volume. There is an emerging body of evidence to suggest individuals living with both diabetes and HF could benefit from dietary pattern approaches, e.g. the Mediterranean diet.A range of dietary approaches have been shown to be effective; the key is for nutritional and dietary advice to be carefully tailored to the individual's social situation and food preferences as well as being supportive of the overall medical management of their condition. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons.
Physical activity and structured exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure
Authors: Sargeant Jack A , Yates Thomas , McCann Gerry P , Lawson Claire A , Davies Melanie J , Gulsin Gaurav S , Henson Joseph 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or heart failure (HF) are encouraged to adopt a physically active lifestyle and participation in structured exercise is endorsed as a safe and effective adjunct to medical therapy in both conditions. This article aims to provide health care professionals with the information required to tailor guidance relating to physical activity and exercise for individuals with T2DM and HF by: (1) presenting an overview of current guidelines, and (2) providing practical suggestions for their implementation.‘Traditional’ forms of exercise training include moderate to vigorous‐intensity aerobic exercise and dynamic resistance exercise. Benefits of exercise training include improved cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function, more favourable body composition, lower metabolic risk and enhanced quality of life. Before engaging in structured exercise, medical clearance may be required for certain types of activities, and precautions should be taken to minimise the risk of hypoglycaemia and left‐ventricular overload in patients with T2DM and HF. Importantly, patients with HF should be educated to distinguish severe adverse symptoms during exercise from expected feelings of breathlessness and fatigue. The latter should not be a reason to discourage patients from engaging in as much physical activity and structured exercise as possible.In order to optimise adherence, exercise prescription should be driven by patient preferences, motivations and individual circumstances. Consideration should also be given to more novel approaches, such as reducing sedentary behaviour and high‐intensity interval training. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons.
Palliative care and heart failure in diabetes
Authors: Kilvert Anne , Fox Charles 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHeart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes and once established the mortality is very high. There is evidence for a U‐shaped association between HbA1c and risk of mortality with the lowest risk associated with an HbA1c of 6.5–7.5% (48–58 mmol/mol). Guidelines for management of chronic heart failure recommend palliative care for end‐stage disease, but because of the unpredictable trajectory of heart failure it can be difficult to decide exactly when palliative care should be introduced. Despite the frequent combination of diabetes and heart failure, end of life guidelines for each condition fail to provide recommendations for management when they coexist.While no class of cardiac failure medication is contraindicated in diabetes, some blood glucose lowering agents may have an adverse effect on heart failure. Cardiovascular outcome studies have linked pioglitazone, saxagliptin and possibly alogliptin with increased risk of heart failure and these drugs should be avoided once the condition is diagnosed. Blood glucose targets should aim for avoidance of hypoglycaemia (increased risk of arrhythmias) and hyperglycaemia (increased risk of dehydration and renal impairment when combined with diuretics). Despite the usual advice to reduce blood testing to a minimum in palliative care, monitoring of both the blood glucose and renal function may be needed to ensure optimal symptom control.Multidisciplinary heart failure and diabetes teams should be trained to provide palliative care and should use their combined skills to optimise care. They should aim to alleviate symptoms and to address the anxiety and depression often associated with heart failure. Both family and patient should be supported to deal with the uncertainty associated with the unpredictable trajectory towards death. Authors of guidelines should collaborate to produce recommendations for management of the combination of end‐stage heart failure and diabetes. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons.
Increased Enoxaparin Dosing Requirements for Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Severely Burned Patient: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Yost Raymond J. , Haan Bradley J. , Mangan Kyle C. 
Published: August 2018

Dosing of enoxaparin for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis in acutely burned patients has been shown to result in anti‐Xa levels below target range. We describe the first case report, to our knowledge, of a severely burned patient who, despite prophylactic dosing of enoxaparin 30 mg subcutaneously twice daily, developed an acute DVT that required high‐dose enoxaparin (100 mg [1.5 mg/kg] subcutaneously every 8 hours) to maintain anti‐Xa levels within the therapeutic range (0.6–1 IU/ml). Pharmacokinetic evaluations were performed using anti‐Xa levels measured throughout the patient's hospital stay to validate the appropriateness of this high‐dose regimen based on established therapeutic anti‐Xa level ranges. These results suggest that routine anti‐Xa level monitoring, regardless of enoxaparin dosing, is necessary for burn patients who are receiving enoxaparin given their hypermetabolic state following injury.
Hierarchical porous polyaniline supercapacitor electrode from polyaniline/silica self‐ aggregates
Authors: Li Peipei , Zhang Dazhi , Xu Yunhui , Ni Caihua , Shi Gang , Sang Xinxin , Cong Houluo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTo lengthen the lifecycles of polyaniline (PANI) electrodes, a hierarchical porous PANI was synthesized from PANI/silica self‐aggregates through a facile one‐pot method. Hydrogen bonding between NH groups in aniline/PANI and OH groups in nanosilica template led to a type of self‐assembly, which enabled the formation of uniform nanoparticles. Silica self‐aggregates provided macroporous channels, resulting in a decreased diffusion distance. After removal of the hard template, the porous PANI had a large, porous surface area (55.89 m2 g−1), in comparison with nonporous PANI (12.45 m2 g−1). The porous PANI was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared and UV‐visible spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. Because of its hierarchical structure, the resultant porous PANI possessed a higher capacitance (397 F g−1) than nonporous PANI (280 F g−1) at 1 A g−1 in 1 mol L−1 H2SO4 electrolyte. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Predictors of quality of life and depression among Korean‐American cancer patients and their family caregivers
Authors: Yoon Hyojin , Chatters Linda , Kao Tsui‐sui Annie , Saint‐Arnault Denise , Northouse Laurel 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined social, cultural, and appraisal factors associated with Korean‐American cancer patients' and their family caregivers' quality of life (QOL) and depression.MethodsData were from Korean‐American cancer patients and their family caregivers (N = 60 dyads) living in the United States. Study aims were examined using descriptive statistics and multiple regression.ResultsFor patients, higher social support and lower negative appraisal of illness predicted higher patient QOL; negative appraisal of illness also predicted higher patient depression. For caregivers, older age, having fewer traditional Korean values, and more modern (individualistic) values predicted higher caregiver QOL. Caregivers who held more modern values also had less depression.ConclusionsHigher support and less negative appraisal predicted better QOL in patients. For caregivers however, the type of cultural values they held (tradition or modern) was a key factor that predicted level of QOL and depression. Assessment of support and appraisal as well as attention to cultural values may enhance their QOL and reduce depression.
Investigating role of conformational changes of microtubule in regulating its binding affinity to kinesin by all‐atom molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Shi Xiao‐Xuan , Fu Yi‐Ben , Guo Si‐Kao , Wang Peng‐Ye , Chen Hong , Xie Ping 
Published: August 2018

AbstractChanges of affinity of kinesin head to microtubule regulated by changes in the nucleotide state are essential to processive movement of kinesin on microtubule. Here, using all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations we show that besides the nucleotide state, large conformational changes of microtubule‐tubulin heterodimers induced by strong interaction with the head in strongly binding state are also indispensable to regulate the affinity of the head to the tubulin. In strongly binding state the high affinity of the head to microtubule arises largely from mutual conformational changes of the microtubule and head induced by the specific interaction between them via an induced‐fit mechanism. Moreover, the ADP‐head has a much weaker affinity to the local microtubule‐tubulin, whose conformation is largely altered by the interaction with the head in strongly binding state, than to other unperturbed tubulins. This indicates that upon Pi release the ADP‐head temporarily has a much weaker affinity to the local tubulin than to other tubulins.
The tautomerization and ring closure in the Claisen rearrangement: A DFT study
Authors: Yamabe Shinichi , Yamazaki Shoko 
Published: August 2018

AbstractElementary processes of the aromatic Claisen rearrangement were investigated by DFT calculations. First, rearrangements of four substrates Ph—O—CH2—CHCH2 [A], Ph—O—CH2—CHCH(OMe) [B], Ph—O—CH2—CHCH2····BF3 [C], and Ph—O—CH—CHCH(OMe)····BF3 [D] were examined. In these systems, the tautomerization is initiated by the intermolecular proton transfer involving the transient ion‐pair intermediate. An ignition‐propagation chain‐reaction mechanism in the tautomerization was suggested. For [A], the (ortho‐allyl phenol → α‐methyl‐dihydrobenzofuran (α‐methyl‐cumarane)) process was found to be ready and the product of the Claisen rearrangement seems to be the cumarane rather than the phenol. In [D] (activated both by the terminal methoxy group and by the BF3 catalyst), not the [3,3]‐sigmatropic shift but the tautomerization is the rate determining step. Second, the parent system, Ph—O—CH2—CHCH2, was investigated with (H2O)
n (n = 2, 4, 6, and 10) systematically. The tautomerization takes place by the proton transfer via the water dimer or trimer. Except n = 2, similar changes of Gibbs free energies were obtained from the ether substrate to the cumarane.
Design and evaluation of an eye tracking support system for the scrub nurse
Authors: Unger Michael , Black David , Fischer Nele M. , Neumuth Thomas , Glaser Bernhard 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe availability of an increasing number of medical devices in the digital operating room has led to increased interaction demands of the surgical staff. To counteract the risk of bacterial contamination induced by device interactions, touchless interaction techniques are required.Support systems based on eye tracking enable interaction while maintaining sterility and freeing the hands to manipulate surgical instruments.MethodsA system using eye tracking glasses was developed. In an evaluation, participants completed tasks using gaze gestures. Three use cases were evaluated in an intraoperative setup. System performance, user acceptance, and workload were measured.ResultsThe system was evaluated in a laboratory environment with 26 participants. The precision of the gaze gesture recognition is 97.9%, and the true positive rate is 98.5%. The participants rated the system useful and were satisfied.ConclusionsTouchless interaction ensures sterility, although the increasing availability of medical devices in the operating room.
Automated detection of bird roosts using NEXRAD radar data and Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Chilson Carmen , Avery Katherine , McGovern Amy , Bridge Eli , Sheldon Daniel , Kelly Jeffrey 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAlthough NEXRAD radars have proven to be an effective tool for detecting airborne animals, detecting biological phenomena in radar images often involves a manual, time‐ consuming data‐extraction process. This paper focuses on applying machine learning to automatically find radar data that snapshots large aggregations of birds (specifically Purple Martins and Tree Swallows) as they depart en masse from roosting sites. These aggregations are evident in radar images as rings of elevated reflectivity that appear early in the morning as birds depart from roost sites. Our goal was to develop an algorithm that could determine whether an individual radar image contained at least one Purple Martin or Tree Swallow roost. We use a dataset of known roost locations to train three machine learning algorithms that employed (1) a traditional Artificial Neural Network (ANN), (2) a sophisticated preexisting Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) called Inception‐v3, and (3) a shallow CNN built from scratch. The resulting programs were all effective at finding bird roosts, with both the shallow CNN and the Inception‐v3 network making correct determinations about 90 per cent of the time with an AUC above .9. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to apply neural networks in the analysis of bird roosts in radar imagery, and these analytical tools offer new avenues of research into the ecology and behavior of flying animals, with practical applications to wind farm placement, air traffic administration and wildlife conservation. The NEXRAD radar network offers a tremendous archive of continental‐scale data and has the potential to capture entire vertebrate populations. We apply existing machine learning models to a new dataset which constitutes a valuable approach to extracting information from this archive.