bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of a source model for a new electronic brachytherapy tandem by film measurement
Authors: Martin Elijah , Sowards Keith , Wang Brian 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the accuracy of a vendor‐supplied source model for a new Xoft Axxent 0‐degree titanium tandem by film measurement.MethodsWe measured the anisotropy factors at varying distances and angles from the tandem in water using radiochromic film (Gafchromic EBT3) and an Epson Perfection v750 desktop flatbed scanner (US Epson, Long Beach, CA). A 0‐degree tandem was placed vertically in a water phantom. Four pieces of film, each at varying depths, were positioned orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tandem for azimuthal anisotropy measurements. Polar anisotropy measurements were taken with the film aligned parallel to the tandem. An absolute dose calibration for the film was verified with a PTW 34013 Soft X‐Ray Chamber. The film measurements were analyzed using different color channels. The measured polar anisotropy for varying source positions was compared to the vendor's data. Azimuthal anisotropy was measured as a function of the radius and angle, and normalized to the mean value over all angles at the specified radius.ResultsThe azimuthal anisotropy of the tandem and source was found to be consistent for different positions along the tandem's longitudinal axis and at varying distances from the tandem. Absolute dose using a calibrated parallel plate chamber showed agreement to within 2% of expected TPS values. The custom tandem, which has a thicker tip than the wall, was attenuating the 50 kV photons more than expected, at the angles where the photons had more wall material to traverse. This discrepancy was verified at different distances from the tandem and with different measurement techniques. As distance increased, anisotropy values had better agreement.ConclusionsWe quantified the agreement between the measured and provided anisotropy factors for a new Xoft Axxent 0‐degree titanium tandem. Radiochromic film response at low kV energy was also investigated. Our results showed that vendor‐supplied TG‐43 values were appropriate for clinical use at majority of the angles. A rigorous quality assurance method for new electronic brachytherapy sources and applicators, along with complete knowledge of all dosimetric measuring tools, should be implemented for all parts of the verification and commissioning process.
Flupirtine derivatives as potential treatment for the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses
Authors: Makoukji Joelle , Saadeh Fadi , Mansour Karl Albert , El‐Sitt Sally , Al Ali Jamal , Kinarivala Nihar , Trippier Paul C. , Boustany Rose‐Mary 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectiveNeuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCL) are fatal inherited neurodegenerative diseases with established neuronal cell death and increased ceramide levels in brain, hence, a need for disease‐modifying drug candidates, with potential to enhance growth, reduce apoptosis and lower ceramide in neuronal precursor PC12 cells and human NCL cell lines using enhanced flupirtine aromatic carbamate derivatives in vitro.MethodsAromatic carbamate derivatives were tested by establishing growth curves under pro‐apoptotic conditions and activity evaluated by trypan blue and JC‐1 staining, as well as a drop in pro‐apoptotic ceramide in neuronal precursor PC12 cells following siRNA knockdown of the CLN3 gene, and CLN1‐/CLN2‐/CLN3‐/CLN6‐/CLN8 patient‐derived lymphoblasts. Ceramide levels were determined in CLN1‐/CLN2‐/CLN3‐/CLN6‐/CLN8 patient‐derived lymphoblasts before and after treatment. Expression of BCL‐2, ceramide synthesis enzymes (CERS2/CERS6/SMPD1/DEGS2) and Caspases 3/8/9 levels were compared in treated versus untreated CLN3‐deficient PC12 cells by qRT‐PCR.ResultsRetigabine, the benzyl‐derivatized carbamate and an allyl carbamate derivative were neuroprotective in CLN3‐defective PC12 cells and rescued CLN1‐/CLN2‐/CLN3‐/CLN6‐/CLN8 patient‐derived lymphoblasts from diminished growth and accelerated apoptosis. All drugs decreased ceramide in CLN1‐/CLN2‐/CLN3‐/CLN6‐/CLN8 patient‐derived lymphoblasts. Increased BCL‐2 and decreased ceramide synthesis enzyme expression were established in CLN3‐derived PC12 cells treated with the benzyl and allyl carbamate derivatives. They down‐regulated Caspase 3/Caspase 8 expression. Caspase 9 expression was reduced by the benzyl‐derivatized carbamate.InterpretationThese findings establish that compounds analogous to flupirtine demonstrate anti‐apoptotic activity with potential for treatment of NCL disease and use of ceramide as a marker for these diseases.
Differential impact of behavioral, social, and emotional apathy on Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ang Yuen‐Siang , Lockwood Patricia L. , Kienast Annika , Plant Olivia , Drew Daniel , Slavkova Elitsa , Tamm Marin , Husain Masud 
Published: August 2018

AbstractApathy is highly prevalent in Parkinson's disease. New findings suggest the syndrome is multifaceted. Here, we investigate whether all aspects of apathy are equally affected in Parkinson's disease and whether different dimensions of apathy were associated with depression and anhedonia. On the Apathy Motivation Index, while behavioral apathy and social apathy were elevated, emotional motivation was relatively preserved in Parkinson's disease, although a few patients did show impaired emotional sensitivity. Behavioral and social, but not emotional, apathy was associated with depression and anhedonia. These findings suggest aspects of motivation can be selectively impaired in Parkinson's disease and may have implications for guiding treatment.
Tuning the Morphology of Isoindigo Donor–Acceptor Polymer Film for High Sensitivity Ammonia Sensor
Authors: Lu Chun‐Fu , Shih Cheng‐Wei , Chen Chien‐An , Chin Albert , Su Wei‐Fang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMonitoring the ammonia gas is of great interest to both environmental benefits and human health. The recent advance in polymer thin film transistors (TFTs) can realize high sensitivity and low‐cost gas sensors. Ammonia gas interacts with charge carrier channels and polymer/dielectrics interface through Coulomb force. This is the first report of high sensitivity and reusable ammonia sensor fabricated from thiophene‐isoindigo donor–acceptor conducting polymer. This kind of polymer has advantages of simple synthesis and excellent air stability. The systematic study is carried out to investigate relationship among chemical structure variation and morphology control of polymer to the performance of ammonia sensor. High crystallinity, favored crystal orientation, and direct percolation routes for analytes are found to be essential to increase the susceptibility of polymers to ammonia gas. By strengthening edge‐on morphology, the sensitivity can be enhanced fivefold for the same polymer. The idea can put forward the development of sensor array in a time‐efficient manner by employing the morphology effect.
Beyond Friedel and Crafts: Innate Alkylation of C−H Bonds in Arenes
Authors: Evano Gwilherm , Theunissen Cédric 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAlkylated arenes are ubiquitous molecules and building blocks commonly utilized in most areas of science. Despite its apparent simplicity, the regioselective alkylation of arenes is still a challenging transformation in a lot of cases. Classical methods for the introduction of alkyl groups to arenes, such as the venerable Friedel–Crafts reaction, radical additions, metalation or prefunctionalization of the arene followed by further alkylation, as well as alternatives such as the directed alkylation of C−H bonds, still suffer from severe limitations in terms of scope, efficiency, and selectivity. This can be addressed by exploiting the innate reactivity of some (hetero)arenes, in which electronic and steric properties, governed (or not) by the presence of one (or multiple) heteroatom(s), ensure high levels of regioselectivity. These innate alkylations of C−H bonds in (hetero)arenes will be overviewed comprehensively in this Review.
A Comparative Study of O/W Nanoemulsions Using Extra Virgin Olive or Olive‐Pomace Oil: Impacts on Formation and Stability
Authors: Katsouli Maria , Giannou Virginia , Tzia Constantina 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNanoemulsions are considered an innovative approach for industrial food applications. The present study explored the potential use of olive‐pomace oil (OPO) for oil‐in‐water (o/w) nanoemulsion preparations and compared the effectiveness of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and OPO at nanoemulsion formulations. The ternary‐phase diagrams were constructed and the o/w nanoemulsions properties were evaluated in relation to their composition. The results showed that it is possible to form OPO nanoemulsions using Polysorbate 20 or Polysorbate 40. Nanoemulsions with EVOO and OPO presented desirable properties, in terms of kinetic stability (emulsion stability index % [ESI%]), mean droplet diameter (MDD), polydispersity index (PDI), ζ‐potential, viscosity, and turbidity. EVOO exhibited lower surface and interfacial tension forming nanoemulsions with a high ESI% and a low MDD. However, OPO led to nanoemulsions with a high ESI% but with a higher MDD. It was observed that by increasing the emulsifier concentration the MDD decreased, while increasing the dispersed phase concentration led to a higher MDD and a lower ESI%. Finally, nanoemulsions with the smallest MDD (99.26 ± 4.20 nm) and PDI (0.236 ± 0.010) were formed using Polysorbate 40, which presented lower surface and interfacial tension. Specifically, the nanoemulsion with 6 wt% EVOO and 6 wt% Polysorbate 40 demonstrated an interfacial tension of 51.014 ± 0.919 mN m−1 and an MDD of 99.26 ± 4.20 nm. However, the nanoemulsion with 6 wt% OPO and 8 wt% Polysorbate 20 presented an interfacial tension of 54.308 ± 0.089 mN m−1 and an MDD of 340.5 ± 7.1 nm.
Numerical investigation on flow condensation process during interphase mixing in oxygen pipeline of liquid rocket
Authors: Kang Zhu , Yanzhong Li , Gang Lei , Jiaojiao Wang , Fushou Xie , Yuan Ma 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper presents a numerical study on the flow condensation of high temperature gas oxygen in subcooled flowing liquid oxygen and the corresponding mixing process in the oxygen pipeline of a liquid rocket propulsion system. A computational fluid dynamics model is established with the interfacial phase change solved by user‐defined function, and flow field details such as phase distribution and flow condensation length required for safety operation of liquid rocket engine are obtained. Experimental validation of numerical model is performed with HCFC123 as the working fluid, and the calculated void fraction and flow condensation length of gas show good agreement with those of experimental data. The numerical result indicates that when the gas oxygen is injected into the pipeline, continuous annular gas film forms in the vertical section and then accumulates in the inner side of the bend section due to the centrifugal force. Rapid condensation of oxygen occurs in the following horizontal section due to the enhanced interphase heat transfer by the transverse relative motion. The condensation length of gas oxygen varies with the inlet gas/liquid flow rate ratio, liquid subcooling, and inlet velocity. The operable gas/liquid ratio ranges for complete gas condensation in the given bend pipe is obtained for various liquid inlet parameters.
Morphological, barrier, and mechanical properties of cassava starch films reinforced with cellulose and starch nanoparticles
Authors: Santana J. S. , de Carvalho Costa É. K. , Rodrigues P. R. , Correia P. R. C. , Cruz R. S. , Druzian J. I. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTA comparative performance study of cellulose and starch nanoparticles on plasticized starch reinforcement has been presented. Starch nanoparticles were obtained by ultrasound and acid hydrolysis, and cellulose nanoparticles were extracted by acid hydrolysis from microcrystalline cellulose and sisal fibers. The nanoparticles were characterized according to the zeta potential, the particle‐size distribution, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The influence of the addition of these nanoparticles to starch films on the morphology, water vapor permeability (WVP), and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites films were investigated. The cellulose nanoparticles exhibited higher electrical stability than those originating from starch. Acid hydrolysis produced starch nanoparticles with higher crystallinity than ultrasound. All the nanoparticles significantly reduced the WVP. The cellulose nanoparticles significantly increased the tensile strength of the starch films; however, they reduced the flexibility of the nanocomposites. The results of this work support the application of starch and cellulose nanostructures for the development of reinforced biodegradable materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47001.
A facile method for fabricating nano/microfibrous three‐dimensional scaffold with hierarchically porous to enhance cell infiltration
Authors: Li H. , Ding Q. , Chen X. , Huang C. , Jin X. , Ke Q. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTThe integration of electrospinning and traditional needle punching technologies were demonstrated for fabricating a new three‐dimensional (3D) scaffold to enhance the cellular infiltration. This 3D scaffold combined the advantages of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous mats and carded chitosan microfibrous webs to construct hierarchically porous, which have three regions: the large pores (about 500 μm) on the nanofibrous mats generated by needle punching, could induce the massive cells infiltration into the inner scaffold; the small pores (30–200 μm) of the microfibrous webs allowed space for continuous cellular infiltration; and the inherent smaller pores of the nanofibrous mats (1–17 μm) which play a key role in providing a platforms for cell adhesion and proliferation. In addition, the 3D scaffold exhibited appropriate mechanical properties and significantly high initial cell attachment, proliferation, and infiltration, suggesting that its great potential in tissue engineering. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47046
Oral microbiome activity in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hicks Steven D. , Uhlig Richard , Afshari Parisa , Williams Jeremy , Chroneos Maria , Tierney‐Aves Cheryl , Wagner Kayla , Middleton Frank A. 
Published: August 2018

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with several oropharyngeal abnormalities, including buccal sensory sensitivity, taste and texture aversions, speech apraxia, and salivary transcriptome alterations. Furthermore, the oropharynx represents the sole entry point to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. GI disturbances and alterations in the GI microbiome are established features of ASD, and may impact behavior through the “microbial‐gut‐brain axis.” Most studies of the ASD microbiome have used fecal samples. Here, we identified changes in the salivary microbiome of children aged 2–6 years across three developmental profiles: ASD (n = 180), nonautistic developmental delay (DD; n = 60), and typically developing (TD; n = 106) children. After RNA extraction and shotgun sequencing, actively transcribing taxa were quantified and tested for differences between groups and within ASD endophenotypes. A total of 12 taxa were altered between the developmental groups and 28 taxa were identified that distinguished ASD patients with and without GI disturbance, providing further evidence for the role of the gut‐brain axis in ASD. Group classification accuracy was visualized with receiver operating characteristic curves and validated using a 50/50 hold‐out procedure. Five microbial ratios distinguished ASD from TD participants (79.5% accuracy), three distinguished ASD from DD (76.5%), and three distinguished ASD children with/without GI disturbance (85.7%). Taxonomic pathways were assessed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes microbial database and compared with one‐way analysis of variance, revealing significant differences within energy metabolism and lysine degradation. Together, these results indicate that GI microbiome disruption in ASD extends to the oropharynx, and suggests oral microbiome profiling as a potential tool to evaluate ASD status. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1286–1299. © 2018 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLCLay SummaryPrevious research suggests that the bacteria living in the human gut may influence autistic behavior. This study examined genetic activity of microbes living in the mouth of over 300 children. The microbes with differences in children with autism were involved in energy processing and showed potential for identifying autism status.
Importance of main pancreatic duct dilatation in IPMN undergoing surveillance
Authors: Marchegiani G , Andrianello S , Morbin G , Secchettin E , D'Onofrio M , De Robertis R , Malleo G , Bassi C , Salvia R 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Background
The association between risk of pancreatic cancer and a dilated main pancreatic duct (MPD) in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is debated. The aim of this study was to assess the role of MPD size in predicting pancreatic cancer in resected IPMNs and those kept under surveillance.

Methods
All patients with IPMN referred to the Pancreas Institute, University of Verona Hospital Trust, from 2006 to 2016 were included. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of malignancy detected at surgery or during follow-up.

Results
The final cohort consisted of 1688 patients with a median follow-up of 60 months. Main pancreatic duct dilatation was associated with other features of malignancy in both the resected and surveillance groups. In patients who underwent resection, only a MPD of at least 10 mm was an independent predictor of malignancy. In patients kept under surveillance, MPD dilatation was not associated with malignancy. Fifteen of 71 patients (21 per cent) with malignancy in the resection cohort had a dilated MPD alone, whereas only one of 30 (3 per cent) under surveillance with MPD dilatation alone developed malignancy. Patients with a dilated MPD and other worrisome features had an increased 5-year cumulative incidence of malignancy compared with those with a non-dilated duct (11 versus 1·2 per cent; P &lt; 0·001); however, the risk of malignancy was not significantly increased in patients with a dilated MPD alone (4 versus 1·2 per cent; P = 0·448).

Conclusion
In patients under surveillance, a dilated MPD alone was not associated with an increased incidence of malignancy in IPMN.
Critical Assessment of the mdx Mouse with Ex Vivo Eccentric Contraction of the Diaphragm Muscle
Authors: Addicks Gregory C. , Marshall Phillip , Jasmin Bernard J. , Renaud Jean‐Marc , Zhang Hongbo , Menzies Keir J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMuscle function and health progressively deteriorate during the progression of muscle dystrophies. The ability to objectively characterize muscle function and muscle damage is useful not only when comparing variants of dystrophy models, but also for characterizing the effects of interventions aiming to improve or halt the progressive decline of muscle function and muscle health. The protocols in this chapter describe the use of ex vivo eccentric contraction of the diaphragm muscle as a measure of muscle susceptibility to damage. Because muscle has a robust regenerative capacity, unhealthy muscle may be functionally close to normal; therefore, protocols for ex vivo characterization of muscle are often essential for assessing the effects of interventions. Additional methods that can be applied for assessment of dystrophic muscle are also highlighted. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Low‐Temperature Continuous‐Flow Dehydration of Xylose Over Water‐Tolerant Niobia–Titania Heterogeneous Catalysts
Authors: Moreno‐Marrodan Carmen , Barbaro Pierluigi , Caporali Stefano , Bossola Filippo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe sustainable conversion of vegetable biomass‐derived feeds to useful chemicals requires innovative routes meeting environmental and economical criteria. The approach herein pursued is the synthesis of water‐tolerant, unconventional solid acid monolithic catalysts based on a mixed niobia–titania skeleton building up a hierarchical open‐cell network of meso‐ and macropores, and tailored for use under continuous‐flow conditions. The materials were characterized by spectroscopic, microscopy, and diffraction techniques, showing a reproducible isotropic structure and an increasing Lewis/Brønsted acid sites ratio with increasing Nb content. The catalytic dehydration reaction of xylose to furfural was investigated as a representative application. The efficiency of the catalyst was found to be dramatically affected by the niobia content in the titania lattice. The presence of as low as 2 wt % niobium resulted in the highest furfural yield at 140 °C under continuous‐flow conditions, by using H2O/γ‐valerolactone as a safe monophasic solvent system. The interception of a transient 2,5‐anhydroxylose species suggested the dehydration process occurs via a cyclic intermediates mechanism. The catalytic activity and the formation of the anhydro intermediate were related to the Lewis acid sites (LAS)/Brønsted acid sites (BAS) ratio and indicated a significant contribution of xylose–xylulose isomerization. No significant catalyst deactivation was observed over 4 days usage.
Using Newborn Sequencing to Advance Understanding of the Natural History of Disease
Authors: Holm Ingrid A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA significant portion of newborns cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit or other ICUs, such as the cardiac ICU, have a medical condition with a genetic component, including congenital malformations, the leading cause of death in the NICU. In many cases, however, it is not clear which condition the child has or what can be done to help him or her. Genomic sequencing of sick newborns has the potential to bypass the prolonged journey to a diagnosis, improving the medical care of individual infants. Sequencing also has the potential to benefit others beyond the child whose genome is sequenced and his or her immediate family. Sequence data from sick newborns will expand medicine's understanding of genetic diseases, leading to improvements in clinicians’ ability to counsel family and to provide even more targeted care. Not only will more frequent use of sequencing lead to discovery of new genes; it will also provide unique insights into the full spectrum of known Mendelian genetic diseases, so‐called phenotypic expansion, when a gene previously recognized as associated with a phenotype is found to be associated with an expanded set of clinical features. Genetic and environmental changes that modify the expression of a genetic disease may also be elucidated.