bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
3D ultrashort echo time MRI of the lung using stack‐of‐spirals and spherical k‐Space coverages: Evaluation in healthy volunteers and parenchymal diseases
Authors: Dournes Gaël , Yazbek Joseph , Benhassen Wadie , Benlala Ilyes , Blanchard Elodie , Truchetet Marie‐Elise , Macey Julie , Berger Patrick , Laurent François 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundUltrashort echo time (UTE) has been shown to improve lung MRI quality in three dimensions. The evaluation of 3D‐UTE stack‐of‐spirals VIBE (3D‐USV) sequence for parenchymal diseases and a comparison of performance with that of a spherical mode of acquisition is needed.PurposeTo assess MRI quality using a prototypical 3D‐USV sequence and to compare performance with that of a spherical acquisition using Pointwise Encoding Time Reduction with Radial Acquisition (PETRA).Study TypeMonocenter, prospective.PopulationTwelve healthy volunteers and 32 adult patients with either cystic fibrosis (CF; n = 16) or interstitial lung disease (ILD; n = 16).Field Strength/SequenceBoth free‐breathing 3D‐USV and PETRA were completed at 1.5T.AssessmentIn healthy volunteers, visual analysis of imaging quality was scored using a Likert scale. Quantitative evaluation of apparent signal ratio (Sr) and contrast ratio (Cr) was measured. Patients with CF and ILD completed both computed tomography (CT) and MRI. Depiction of structural alterations was assessed using dedicated clinical scores. All evaluations were done in consensus by two readers.Statistical TestsComparison of means was assessed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Concordance and agreement between CT and MRI were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and kappa test.ResultsIn controls, 3D‐USV yielded lower artifacts owing to better automatic respiratory synchronization than PETRA (P < 0.001). However, Sr and Cr of 3D‐USV were found significantly lower by 2.25‐ and 2.36‐fold, respectively (P < 0.001). In patients, 3D‐USV and PETRA showed comparable performances to assess airway severity in CF (Bhalla score, ICC = 0.89 and ICC = 0.92, respectively) and presence of structural alterations in ILD such as honeycombing (kappa = 0.68 and kappa = 0.69, respectively).Data Conclusion3D‐USV enables high‐resolution morphological imaging of the lung without need of an external device to compensate respiratory motions. Automation and robustness of the method may facilitate clinical application for both airway and interstitial lung investigations.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1489–1497
A Monte‐Carlo‐based and GPU‐accelerated 4D‐dose calculator for a pencil beam scanning proton therapy system
Authors: Pepin Mark D. , Tryggestad Erik , Wan Chan Tseung Hok Seum , Johnson Jedediah E. , Herman Michael G. , Beltran Chris 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe presence of respiratory motion during radiation treatment leads to degradation of the expected dose distribution, both for target coverage and healthy tissue sparing, particularly for techniques like pencil beam scanning proton therapy which have dynamic delivery systems. While tools exist to estimate this degraded four‐dimensional (4D) dose, they typically have one or more deficiencies such as not including the particular effects from a dynamic delivery, using analytical dose calculations, and/or using nonphysical dose‐accumulation methods. This work presents a clinically useful 4D‐dose calculator that addresses each of these shortcomings.MethodsTo quickly compute the 4D dose, the three main tasks of the calculator were run on graphics processing units (GPUs). These tasks were (a) simulating the delivery of the plan using measured delivery parameters to distribute the plan amongst 4DCT phases characterizing the patient breathing, (b) using an in‐house Monte Carlo simulation (MC) dose calculator to determine the dose delivered to each breathing phase, and (c) accumulating the doses from the various breathing phases onto a single phase for evaluation. The accumulation was performed by individually transferring the energy and mass of dose‐grid subvoxels, a technique that models the transfer of dose in a more physically realistic manner. The calculator was run on three test cases, with lung, esophagus, and liver targets, respectively, to assess the various uncertainties in the beam delivery simulation as well as to characterize the dose‐accumulation technique.ResultsFour‐dimensional doses were successfully computed for the three test cases with computation times ranging from 4–6 min on a server with eight NVIDIA Titan X graphics cards; the most time‐consuming component was the MC dose engine. The subvoxel‐based dose‐accumulation technique produced stable 4D‐dose distributions at subvoxel scales of 0.5–1.0 mm without impairing the total computation time. The uncertainties in the beam delivery simulation led to moderate variations of the dose–volume histograms for these cases; the variations were reduced by implementing repainting or phase‐gating motion mitigation techniques in the calculator.ConclusionsA MC‐based and GPU‐accelerated 4D‐dose calculator was developed to estimate the effects of respiratory motion on pencil beam scanning proton therapy treatments. After future validation, the calculator could be used to assess treatment plans and its quick runtime would make it easily usable in a future 4D‐robust optimization system.
An improved crack tracking algorithm with self‐correction ability of the crack path and its application in a continuum damage model
Authors: Yun Kumchol , Kim Tae‐Jong , Jang Paek San , Wang Zhenqing , Ronald Sakaya 
Published: September 2018

SummaryIn this paper, a new procedure for predicting the crack propagation and fracture behavior in quasi‐brittle materials is presented based on continuum damage mechanics. Several crack tracking algorithms are widely used for failure analysis, among which the local tracking algorithm is very simple and easy to implement with low computational cost. However, in the prediction of crack growth with the traditional local tracking algorithm, it can be often seen that the sharp changes in the crack path such as U‐turns can occur. An improved local tracking algorithm with self‐correction ability of the crack path is proposed to overcome these difficulties of the traditional crack tracking algorithms. A continuum damage model, in addition to the present crack tracking algorithm, can greatly enhance the performance of failure prediction in quasi‐brittle materials. The present approach has the advantages that it can well predict the crack propagation path and can avoid mesh size and mesh bias dependence without the embedment of discontinuities or nodal enrichment. The present model is incorporated into ANSYS by the ANSYS Parameter Design Language to simulate the initiation and propagation of the discrete crack in engineering applications. The numerical results by this model are compared with the ones by the extended finite element method and experiments, and good agreements are achieved.
Improving patient prioritization during hospital‐homecare transition: A pilot study of a clinical decision support tool
Authors: Topaz Maxim , Trifilio MaryGrace , Maloney Donna , Bar‐Bachar Ofrit , Bowles Kathryn H. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTPatient admission to homecare is a complex process. Medicare policy requires that all patients receive a first home visit within 48 hr after the referral is received at the homecare agency. For unstable or high risk patients, waiting 48 hr to be seen by homecare nurses may not be safe. In this pilot study we tested an innovative clinical decision support tool (called PREVENT), designed to identify patients who may need to be prioritized for early homecare visits. The study was conducted in 2016 at a large homecare agency in the Northeastern US with 176 patients admitted to homecare from the hospital. In the control phase (n = 90 patients), we calculated the PREVENT priority score (indicative of high or medium/low first nursing visit priority) but did not share the score with the homecare intake nurses who influence visit scheduling. In the experimental phase, the PREVENT score was shared with the homecare intake nurses (n = 86 patients). During the experimental phase, high‐risk patients received their first homecare nursing visit about one‐half a day sooner than in the control phase (1.8 days vs. 2.2 days). Rehospitalizations from homecare decreased by 9.4% between the control (21.1%) and experimental phases (11.7%). This pilot study of patient prioritization showed promising results: high priority patients received their first homecare visit sooner and overall rehospitalization rates were lower.
Titania/gum tragacanth nanohydrogel for methylene blue dye removal from textile wastewater using response surface methodology
Authors: Rahimdokht Mehdi , Pajootan Elmira , Ranjbar‐Mohammadi Marziyeh 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to statistically evaluate the capability of a prepared TiO2/gum tragacanth hydrogel as a photocatalyst for the removal of methylene blue dye molecules from contaminated solutions. In this regard, TiO2 nanoparticles were sonicated in gum tragacanth and the final hydrogel was prepared by the addition of glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent. Response surface methodology was employed as a mathematical and statistical tool to describe the system by a polynomial equation that relates the removal efficiency to selected variables (time, pH, initial dye concentration and photocatalyst dosage). The significance and adequacy of the model were confirmed by high coefficient of determination (R2) and adjusted R2 values (>93%). The system was optimized at an initial dye concentration of 9.37 mg L−1, pH of 9.02, time of 124.34 min and photocatalyst dosage of 0.13 g L−1 using the response optimizer with an efficiency of 88.86%. A kinetic study of photocatalytic decoloration indicated that the pseudo‐second‐order model was well fitted to the experimental data. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Sexual dysfunction and reproductive concerns in young women with breast cancer: Type, prevalence, and predictors of problems
Authors: Ljungman Lisa , Ahlgren Johan , Petersson Lena‐Marie , Flynn Kathryn E. , Weinfurt Kevin , Gorman Jessica R. , Wettergren Lena , Lampic Claudia 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveA dearth of studies focusing on young women (<40 years) with breast cancer have hampered the understanding of the type, prevalence, and predictors of sexual dysfunction and reproductive concerns in this population.MethodsData were collected from 181 women (response rate = 60%) diagnosed with breast cancer approximately 2 years previously (age 21‐39) using the Swedish National Quality Registry for Breast Cancer and a survey including standardized measures of sexual dysfunction, reproductive concerns, body image, and health‐related quality of life. Multivariable logistic binary regression analyses were used to identify predictors of sexual dysfunction and reproductive concerns.ResultsSexual dysfunction in at least one domain was reported by 68% of the women, and a high level of reproductive concerns in at least one dimension was reported by 58%. Model results showed that current endocrine treatment was a significant predictor of dysfunction related to lubrication (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2‐12.1) and vaginal discomfort (OR 8.7, 95% CI 1.5‐51.5). Negative body image was related to satisfaction with sex life (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0‐1.2). A high level of reproductive concerns was predicted by a wish for (additional) children in the future (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1‐10.2) and by previous chemotherapy (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1‐5.9).ConclusionsSexual dysfunction and reproductive concerns are common in young women with breast cancer. Current endocrine treatment, previous chemotherapy, a negative body image, and a wish for children in the future predict higher level of problems.
Nocturnal enuresis and sleep disordered breathing in primary school children: Potential implications
Authors: Wada Hiroo , Kimura Manami , Tajima Tomokazu , Shirahama Ryutaro , Suzuki Yohei , Suzuki Yuka , Hayashi Toshinari , Maruyama Koutatsu , Endo Motoki , Sakamoto Naoko , Ikeda Ai , Gozal David , Tanigawa Takeshi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe association between nocturnal enuresis (NE) and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) has been repeatedly reported, but has primarily been focused on clinical cohorts. The purpose of this study, was to assess whether SDB‐related symptoms such as snoring and unrefreshing sleep in the morning are associated with NE in a large‐scale community school‐based survey.MethodsA cross‐sectional assessment using a standard questionnaire was conducted on nearly 20 000 primary school children (5‐12 years old) in Matsuyama, Japan. Associations between NE and the frequencies of snoring and unrefreshing sleep were evaluated using multivariate logistic and regression analyses.ResultsMultivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for enuresis were 1.21 (1.04 to 1.40) and 1.36 (1.07 to 1.73) in boys who snored 1 or 2 nights per week and ≥3 nights per week, respectively (P for trend <0.0001). Those for enuresis were 1.67 (1.41 to 1.99) and 1.96 (1.63 to 2.36) in boys who showed unrefreshing sleep 1 or 2 nights per week and ≥3 nights per week, respectively (P for trend <0.0001). Significant associations between NE and snoring frequency emerged among children who did not report unrefreshing sleep (P‐trend for boys and girls were <0.0001 and <0.01, respectively), while significant associations between NE and frequency of unrefreshing sleep were detected among children who snored ≥1 nights per week (P for trend >0.1).ConclusionsThe pathogenic mechanisms linking snoring and unrefreshing sleep to increased risk of NE are unknown. However, snoring, a surrogate reporter of SDB, is associated with increased urine production, while unrefreshing sleep may result from disrupted sleep facilitating increased sleep pressure and elevated arousal thresholds. Thus, both SDB and unrefreshing sleep are potential independent risk factors of NE in school age children.
Economic injury levels and sequential sampling plans for control decision‐making systems of Bemisia tabaci biotype B adults in watermelon crops
Authors: de O Lima Carlos H , Sarmento Renato A , Pereira Poliana S , Ribeiro Arthur V , Souza Danival J , Picanço Marcelo C 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDDecision‐making systems are essential parts of integrated pest management programs. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a major pest of many crops, including watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), the second most consumed fruit worldwide. However, there are still no studies on decision‐making systems for B. tabaci on this crop. Thus, we aim to determine a decision‐making system to control B. tabaci biotype B on watermelon crops.RESULTSThe highest densities of B. tabaci biotype B reduced the yield of watermelon crops by up to 56%. Watermelon plants were more susceptible to the pest at the vegetative stage than at the reproductive stage. The economic injury levels of B. tabaci biotype B when watermelon prices were low, average, and high were respectively, 0.52, 0.21 and 0.13 adults leaf−1 at the vegetative stage, and 1.69, 0.69 and 0.44 adults leaf−1 at the reproductive stage. The sequential plans reached the same decisions as the conventional plan, and reduced the time and cost of sampling by up to 92.68%.CONCLUSIONThe decision‐making systems determined in this study enable an expedited and proper decision to be made for controlling B. tabaci, biotype B and can be used in different price situations for watermelon and in crops at different phenological stages. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Water transport on infinite graphs
Authors: Häggström Olle , Hirscher Timo 
Published: September 2018

If the nodes of a graph are considered to be identical barrels – featuring different water levels – and the edges to be (locked) water‐filled pipes in between the barrels, consider the optimization problem of how much the water level in a fixed barrel can be raised with no pumps available, that is, by opening and closing the locks in an elaborate succession. This model is related to an opinion formation process, the so‐called Deffuant model. We consider the initial water profile to be given by i.i.d. unif(0,1) random variables, investigate the supremum of achievable water levels at a given node – or to be more precise, the support of its distribution – and ask in which settings it becomes degenerate, that is, reduces to a single value. This turns out to be the case for all infinite connected quasi‐transitive graphs, with exactly one exception: the two‐sided infinite path.
Probe electrospray ionization of mixture solutions using metal needles with different tip conditions
Authors: Ninomiya Satoshi , Iwamoto Shunpei , Chen Lee Chuin , Hiraoka Kenzo 
Published: September 2018

Time‐dependent mass spectra of mixture solutions of cytochrome c and cholesterol were measured by probe electrospray ionization (PESI) mass spectrometry and the PESI characteristics for several metal needles were investigated with different tip conditions. For a mixture solution of cytochrome c and cholesterol in 0.1% formic acid methanol/water (1/1) at a motion frequency of 1 Hz, an acupuncture needle with a sharp tip and 0.5‐mm‐diameter titanium and stainless‐steel wire needles gave strong cytochrome c and extremely weak cholesterol ion signals. When the frequency was lowered, and the high‐voltage duration increased, the titanium and stainless‐steel needles provided both cytochrome c and cholesterol ion signals with high intensities well separated over time.
Palladium‐Catalyzed O‐Arylation Reaction Using Different Heterogeneous Catalyst Systems: The Role of Support
Authors: Firuzabadi Fahimeh Dehghani , Asadi Zahra 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPalladium complex of 2‐(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde (P,N‐ligand) was immobilized on three different amino functionalized supports such as MCM‐41, SBA‐16, and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) to evaluate their catalytic activity toward O‐arylation reaction. Catalytic results showed that P,N−Pd‐MCM‐41 catalyst exhibited much higher activity than the other two catalysts due to the higher active surface sites and could be reused for several runs without significant loss in its catalytic activity. Notably, the reaction was done under solvent‐free condition which is important from the green chemistry point of view. The catalysts were characterized by different techniques including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), elemental analysis (CHN), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption analysis.
Biomimetic Clauson‐Kass and Paal‐Knorr Pyrrole Synthesis Using β‐Cyclodextrin‐SO3H under Aqueous and Neat Conditions ‐ Application to Formal Synthesis of Polygonatine†
Authors: Patil Rani N. , Kumar A. Vijay 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe synthesis of pyrroles under mild conditions using sulfonic acid‐functionalized β‐Cyclodextrin (β‐CD) as a supramolecular catalyst under aqueous conditions is demonstrated. Good to excellent conversion of various amines into pyrroles was observed without any side product formation. CD was found to play a dual role as a phase transfer reagent through inclusion as well as an acid catalyst thereby facilitating the smooth conversions of reactants. The advantages of this protocol are mild reaction conditions, sustainable catalyst and use of non‐toxic solvent water. Notably, the catalyst can be easily recovered and reused up to five cycles without any loss of catalytic activity. The developed protocol was successfully used as a key step for the formal synthesis of the alkaloid natural product Polygonatine.
Membrane‐Targetable Probes for Hg2+ Detection in Live Cells and Paper‐Based Devices
Authors: Bai Lei , Wu Meirong , Chen Buxiang , Ding Yaqi , Zhou Jia , Ge Jingyan , Zhang Chengwu , Fu Zhenqian , Li Lin , Huang Wei 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTwo novel fluorogenic probes (HGMem‐2 and −3) for detecting Hg2+ were designed, synthesized and characterized. Probes based on a commercially available fluorophore (fluorescein) with high brightness were equipped with/without a photolabile group (2‐nitrobenzyl group), a membrane‐anchoring unit (cholesterol) and a Hg2+‐reactive moiety. Taking advantage of the hydrophobicity of the cholesterol group in the probe, a paper‐based device spotted with HGMem‐2 was developed as a Hg2+ paper indicators, and showed feasibility in complex cell lysate. Only upon UV photolysis, HGMem‐3 displayed more than 1900‐fold fluorescence enhancement with the addition of Hg2+. Furthermore, they exhibited pronounced Hg2+‐selective fluorogenic signalling behavior over other 45 analytes. Importantly, HGMem‐3 was utilized to specifically visualize Hg2+ near cell membrane in live HepG2 cells with high spatiotemporal resolution, avoiding the influence of reactive species outside cells successfully. Hence, our newly developed membrane‐anchored Hg2+ sensors provide useful tools for versatile applications in biological and environmental research.
Exploration of NbSe2 Flakes as Reversible Host Materials for Sodium‐Ion and Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Luo Yushan , Han Jin , Ma Qianru , Zhan Renming , Zhang Youquan , Xu Qiuju , Xu Maowen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTransition metal dichalcogenides have captured much attention in recent years. NbSe2, as one of transition metal dichalcogenides, has been explored as electrode materials for sodium‐ion and potassium‐ion batteries and delivered a high reversible electrochemical performance. Flakes NbSe2 electrode materials deliver a discharge capacity of 115 mA h g‐1 for sodium‐Ions batteries and 95 mA h g‐1 at 25 mA g‐1 for potassium‐Ions batteries in the first cycle respectively, with high coulomb efficiency. In addition, the phase transformation process of NbSe2 has been investigated by ex‐situ XRD during Na‐insertion/extraction processes.
Effect of Particle Size on the Performance of TiO2 Based Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Maurya Ishwar Chandra , Senapati Sudipta , Singh Shalini , Srivastava Pankaj , Maiti Pralay , Bahadur Lal 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe performance of TiO2 based dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is largely influenced by the size of the TiO2 particles. In this work, different‐sized TiO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized by a facile sol–gel technique using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as capping agent and its performance as the photoanode of DSSC with N719 sensitizer dye is investigated. Particle nature and dimension of TiO2 nanoparticles were studied through XRD, FTIR, SEM and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses, whereas thermal stability was investigated through TGA in the temperature range of 30–600 °C 30–600 °C. The DSSC assembled with photoanode consisted of smallest size TiO2 nanoparticles obtained using 3 mM PEG (TNP‐II) exhibited solar‐to‐electrical energy conversion efficiency of 2.5%, under illumination of 100 mWcm−2, which was an extensive improvement compared to the device based on un‐capped, TiO2 nanoparticles based cell (TNP) (1.0%). The enhancement in efficiency resulting from the reduction of particles size of TiO2 is attributed to enlarged band‐gap, increased specific surface area & surface to volume ratio of the photoanode, greater dye loading and more interactions between anchoring groups of the dye and surface of TiO2. EIS measurements revealed that TNP‐II photoanode–based cells exhibited faster electron transport, increased electron lifetime, higher charge collection efficiency and less recombination leading to better photovoltaic output. The work shows that developed TNP‐II nanoparticles have good potential for application in photoenergy conversion devices.