bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alkylaromatics in Detergents Manufacture: Modeling and Optimizing Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonation
Authors: Dolganova Irena , Dolganov Igor , Ivanchina Emiliya , Ivashkina Elena 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLinear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (ASA) is the main ingredient of many commercial formulations for industrial and domestic synthetic detergents. The current industrial ASA production method includes sulfonation of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) with sulfur trioxide in tubular falling‐film reactors. The present study investigates the influence of light alkylaromatics on the efficiency of ASA production. After dealkylation and polymerization, these aromatic compounds form viscous components in the sulfonation reactor. This increases the organic liquid viscosity and disrupts the uniformity of sulfonation. We present the results of IR analysis of the LAB and ASA samples, which indicate that the viscous components are sulfones that are part of the unsulfonated matter. With due consideration of the sulfonation process reaction network, we developed a mathematical model for a sulfonation reactor considering the alkylaromatics content in the feed flow and its effect on the reaction rates. The results allowed the improvement of sulfonation process in terms of increasing the number of days between the reactor washings. The sulfur flow rate increased from 371.7 to 380.9 kg h−1 at the end of this period for the aromatics content in LAB of 4 wt.% and from 372.1 to 380.1 kg h−1 for aromatics content in LAB of 6 wt.%. The proposed modifications of the process modes can increase the SO3 conversion up to 98%.
Effect of the flow profile on separation efficiency in pressure‐assisted reversed‐polarity capillary zone electrophoresis of anions: Simulation and experimental evaluation
Authors: Jarvas Gabor , Szigeti Marton , Guttman Andras 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCapillary electrophoresis connected to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is a promising combination to analyze complex biological samples. The use of sheathless electrospray ionization interfaces, such as a porous nanoelectrospray capillary emitter, requires the application of forward flow (either by pressure or electroosmosis) to maintain the electrospray process. The analysis of solute molecules with strong negative charges (e.g., aminopyrenetrisulfonate labeled glycans) necessitates a reversed‐polarity capillary electrophoresis separation mode, in which case the electroosmotic flow is counter current, thus pressure assistance is necessary. In this study, we compared the effect of forced convection with and without counter electroosmotic flow on the resulting separation efficiency in capillary electrophoresis based on flow profile simulations by computational fluid dynamics technique and by actual experiments. The efficiencies of the detected peaks were calculated from the resulting electropherograms and found approximately 950 000 plates/m for electrophoresis with counter electroosmotic flow, 20 000 plates/m with pressure only (such as would be in open tubular liquid chromatography), and 480 000 plates/m for electrophoresis with simultaneous counter electroosmotic flow and forward pressure assistance, which validates the simulation data.
Efficient synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers with bio‐recognition sites for the selective separation of bovine hemoglobin
Authors: Zhang Zulei , Li Lei 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe developed a facile approach to the construction of bio‐recognition sites in silica nanoparticles for efficient separation of bovine hemoglobin based on amino‐functionalized silica nanoparticles grafting by 3‐aminopropyltriethoxylsilane providing hydrogen bonds with bovine hemoglobin through surface molecularly imprinting technology. The resulting amino‐functionalized silica surface molecularly imprinted polymers were characterized using scanning electron microscope, transmission electronic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Results showed that the as‐synthesized imprinted polymers exhibited spherical morphology and favorable thermal stability. The binding adsorption experiments showed that the imprinted polymers can reach equilibrium within 1 h. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model fitted the adsorption data well. Meanwhile, the imprinted polymers possessed a maximum binding capacity up to 90.3 mg/g and highly selectivity for the recognition of bovine hemoglobin. Moreover, such high binding capacity and selectivity retained after eight cycles, indicating the good stability and reusability of the imprinted polymers. Finally, successful application in the selective recognition of bovine hemoglobin from a real bovine blood sample indicated that the imprinted polymers displayed great potentials in efficient purification and separation of target proteins.
Quantification of Muscle Tissue Properties by Modeling the Statistics of Ultrasound Image Intensities Using a Mixture of Gamma Distributions in Children With and Without Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Sikdar Siddhartha , Diao Guoqing , Turo Diego , Stanley Christopher J. , Sharma Abhinav , Chambliss Amy , Laughrey Loretta , Aralar April , Damiano Diane L. 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesTo investigate whether quantitative ultrasound (US) imaging, based on the envelope statistics of the backscattered US signal, can describe muscle properties in typically developing children and those with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodsRadiofrequency US data were acquired from the rectus femoris muscle of children with CP (n = 22) and an age‐matched cohort without CP (n = 14) at rest and during maximal voluntary isometric contraction. A mixture of gamma distributions was used to model the histogram of the echo intensities within a region of interest in the muscle.ResultsMuscle in CP had a heterogeneous echo texture that was significantly different from that in healthy controls (P < .001), with larger deviations from Rayleigh scattering. A mixture of 2 gamma distributions showed an excellent fit to the US intensity, and the shape and rate parameters were significantly different between CP and control groups (P < .05). The rate parameters for both the single gamma distribution and mixture of gamma distributions were significantly higher for contracted muscles compared to resting muscles, but there was no significant interaction between these factors (CP and muscle contraction) for a mixed‐model analysis of variance.ConclusionsUltrasound tissue characterization indicates a more disorganized architecture and increased echogenicity in muscles in CP, consistent with previously documented increases in fibrous infiltration and connective tissue changes in this population. Our results indicate that quantitative US can be used to objectively differentiate muscle architecture and tissue properties.
Radiomics analysis of pulmonary nodules in low‐dose CT for early detection of lung cancer
Authors: Choi Wookjin , Oh Jung Hun , Riyahi Sadegh , Liu Chia‐Ju , Jiang Feng , Chen Wengen , White Charles , Rimner Andreas , Mechalakos James G. , Deasy Joseph O. , Lu Wei 
Published: February 2018

PurposeTo develop a radiomics prediction model to improve pulmonary nodule (PN) classification in low‐dose CT. To compare the model with the American College of Radiology (ACR) Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System (Lung‐RADS) for early detection of lung cancer.MethodsWe examined a set of 72 PNs (31 benign and 41 malignant) from the Lung Image Database Consortium image collection (LIDC‐IDRI). One hundred three CT radiomic features were extracted from each PN. Before the model building process, distinctive features were identified using a hierarchical clustering method. We then constructed a prediction model by using a support vector machine (SVM) classifier coupled with a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). A tenfold cross‐validation (CV) was repeated ten times (10 × 10‐fold CV) to evaluate the accuracy of the SVM‐LASSO model. Finally, the best model from the 10 × 10‐fold CV was further evaluated using 20 × 5‐ and 50 × 2‐fold CVs.ResultsThe best SVM‐LASSO model consisted of only two features: the bounding box anterior–posterior dimension (BB_AP) and the standard deviation of inverse difference moment (SD_IDM). The BB_AP measured the extension of a PN in the anterior–posterior direction and was highly correlated (r = 0.94) with the PN size. The SD_IDM was a texture feature that measured the directional variation of the local homogeneity feature IDM. Univariate analysis showed that both features were statistically significant and discriminative (P = 0.00013 and 0.000038, respectively). PNs with larger BB_AP or smaller SD_IDM were more likely malignant. The 10 × 10‐fold CV of the best SVM model using the two features achieved an accuracy of 84.6% and 0.89 AUC. By comparison, Lung‐RADS achieved an accuracy of 72.2% and 0.77 AUC using four features (size, type, calcification, and spiculation). The prediction improvement of SVM‐LASSO comparing to Lung‐RADS was statistically significant (McNemar's test P = 0.026). Lung‐RADS misclassified 19 cases because it was mainly based on PN size, whereas the SVM‐LASSO model correctly classified 10 of these cases by combining a size (BB_AP) feature and a texture (SD_IDM) feature. The performance of the SVM‐LASSO model was stable when leaving more patients out with five‐ and twofold CVs (accuracy 84.1% and 81.6%, respectively).ConclusionWe developed an SVM‐LASSO model to predict malignancy of PNs with two CT radiomic features. We demonstrated that the model achieved an accuracy of 84.6%, which was 12.4% higher than Lung‐RADS.
Chromosomal aberrations and CNVs in twin fetuses with cardiovascular anomalies: Comparison between monochorionic diamniotic and dichorionic diamniotic twins
Authors: Zhang Yi , Huang Linhuan , Huang Xuan , He Zhiming , Lin Shaobin , Wang Ye , Li Lin , Luo Yanmin , Fang Qun 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the types of cardiovascular anomalies and the results of invasive prenatal diagnosis in twin fetuses.MethodsA total of 298 fetuses in 149 twin pairs were enrolled, in which 1 or 2 fetuses of a twin pair had cardiovascular anomalies. Prenatal diagnosis was performed on 290 fetuses of 149 twin pairs, including 150 monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) fetuses (79 pairs) and 140 dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) fetuses (70 pairs). G‐Banding karyotyping and/or chromosomal microarray analysis were performed. The types of cardiovascular anomalies and the results of prenatal diagnosis were analyzed.ResultsFifty percent (79/158) fetuses in MCDA group and 52.1% (73/140) fetuses in DCDA group were diagnosed with cardiovascular anomalies by ultrasound. Primary cardiac structural defects such as septal defects and tetralogy of Fallot were more common in DCDA group than in MCDA group, while acardiac anomaly was the most common in MCDA group. Chromosomal aberrations were identified in 7.7% fetuses (11/142) of MCDA group and in 18.3% fetuses (22/120) of DCDA group by G‐banding karyotyping. Except benign copy number variations (CNVs), 37 CNVs (pathogenic, likely pathogenic, and variant of uncertain significance) and chromosomal aberrations were detected in 21.3% (32/150) fetuses of MCDA group and 47 CNVs (pathogenic, likely pathogenic, and variant of uncertain significance) and chromosomal aberrations were detected in 32.1% (45/140) fetuses of DCDA group by chromosomal microarray analysis.ConclusionsMost of cardiovascular anomalies were identified in one fetus of a twin pair no matter in MCDA or DCDA twin. Primary cardiac structural defects were more common in DCDA group. Monozygotic twins may have discordant phenotypes, karyotypes, and CNVs between 2 fetuses of each pair.
Financial difficulty, worry about affording care, and benefit finding in long‐term survivors of cancer
Authors: Jones Salene M.W. , Walker Rod , Fujii Monica , Nekhlyudov Larissa , Rabin Borsika A. , Chubak Jessica 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the associations of worry about affording care and reporting financial difficulties with benefit finding in long‐term cancer survivors.MethodsLong‐term survivors of cancer (n = 547) in 3 integrated health care delivery systems completed the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Cancer Survivorship Supplement. The relationship between benefit finding (becoming a stronger person, coping better, and making positive changes) and the potentially interacting factors of worry about affording care and financial difficulties was examined using multivariate logistic regression models.ResultsOf the total sample, 20% reported worry and 15% reported financial difficulty. Among those who reported no worry, financial difficulty was positively associated with becoming a stronger person (odds ratio [OR] = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.07, 7.80). Coping better was not associated with worry, financial difficulties, or the interaction of the two. Among those with no financial difficulty, worry was positively associated with making positive changes (OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.41, 4.96), and among those reporting no worry, financial difficulty had a non‐significant positive association with making positive changes (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 0.91, 4.31). Among those reporting worry, having financial difficulties was associated with lower odds of making positive changes (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.78).ConclusionsOur results suggest a complex relationship between financial difficulty, worry, and benefit finding. The combination of worry about affording care and financial difficulty needs to be addressed and further studied among cancer survivors, as the presence of both, but not alone, was negatively associated with making positive changes, an aspect of benefit finding.
Analysis of RPA190 revealed multiple positively selected mutations associated with metalaxyl resistance in Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Chen Fengping , Zhou Qian , Xi Jing , Li Dong‐liang , Schnabel Guido , Zhan Jiasui 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDMetalaxyl is a phenylamide fungicide, introduced for oomycete management in the 1970s. RPA190 gene has been reported to be associated with metalaxyl resistance, although other genes may also be involved in the process. This study assessed the evolutionary association of amino acid (AA) mutations in RPA190 with metalaxyl resistance in Phytophthora infestans.RESULTSAll isolates from Yunnan were resistant to metalaxyl with multiple AA mutations in RPA190. Two main evolutionary pathways were found in metalaxyl resistance: in one pathway, RPA190 from sensitive isolates (SAA) underwent a single type AA mutation at position 1476, changing from valine to glycine (V1476G); the second pathway involved multiple steps of point mutations. In a phylogenetic tree, nucleotide sequences of the gene clustered into six clades largely corresponding to AA isoform groups. Among the clusters, sequences carrying mutations V1476G and P980S formed two independent clades; other clades shared a common mutation of F382Y. All three mutations together with another two were shown to be under positive selection and the number of AA mutations in an isolate was positively correlated with EC50 values.CONCLUSIONMultiple mutations such as V1476G, P980S, and F382Y in RPA190 contribute to metalaxyl resistance, and resistance to metalaxyl can emerge in at least two independent pathways in P. infestans. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Parameter estimation for bivariate Weibull distribution using generalized moment method for reliability evaluation
Authors: Yuan Fuqing 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBivariate Weibull distribution can address the life of a system exhibiting 2‐dimensional characteristics in risk and reliability engineering. The applicability of bivariate Weibull distribution has been hindered by its difficulty with parameter estimation, as the number of parameters in bivariate Weibull distribution is more than those in univariate Weibull distribution. Considering a particular structure of a bivariate Weibull distribution model, this paper proposes a generalized moment method (GMM) for parameter estimation. This GMM method is simple, and it has proved to be efficient. The GMM can guarantee the existence and the uniqueness of the solution. A confidence interval for each estimator is derived from the moments of the bivariate distribution. The paper presents a simulation case and 2 real cases to demonstrate the proposed methods.
A novel rotational matrix and translation vector algorithm: geometric accuracy for augmented reality in oral and maxillofacial surgeries
Authors: Murugesan Yahini Prabha , Alsadoon Abeer , Manoranjan Paul , Prasad P.W.C. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundAugmented reality‐based surgeries have not been successfully implemented in oral and maxillofacial areas due to limitations in geometric accuracy and image registration. This paper aims to improve the accuracy and depth perception of the augmented video.MethodologyThe proposed system consists of a rotational matrix and translation vector algorithm to reduce the geometric error and improve the depth perception by including 2 stereo cameras and a translucent mirror in the operating room.ResultsThe results on the mandible/maxilla area show that the new algorithm improves the video accuracy by 0.30–0.40 mm (in terms of overlay error) and the processing rate to 10–13 frames/s compared to 7–10 frames/s in existing systems. The depth perception increased by 90–100 mm.ConclusionThe proposed system concentrates on reducing the geometric error. Thus, this study provides an acceptable range of accuracy with a shorter operating time, which provides surgeons with a smooth surgical flow.
Robot‐assisted vs freehand pedicle screw fixation in spine surgery – a systematic review and a meta‐analysis of comparative studies
Authors: Yu Lingjia , Chen Xi , Margalit Adam , Peng Huiming , Qiu Guixing , Qian Wenwei 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundMedical robotics has progressively become more compelling in modern orthopaedic surgery. Several studies comparing robot‐assisted (RA) and freehand (FH) conventional techniques for pedicle screw fixation have been published, but the results are unclear. Here, we assessed current evidence regarding the efficiency, safety and accuracy of RA compared with FH techniques.MethodsA literature search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science was performed to compare the differences between RA and FH in spine surgery. Two reviewers independently reviewed included studies, conducted a risk of bias assessment, and extracted data.ResultsThree randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and six retrospective comparative studies included a total of 750 patients (3625 pedicle screws). No significant differences were noted between RA and FH in pedicle screw accuracy (95.5% compared with 92.9%; odds ratio: 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 3.30; P=0.51), overall complication rate (1.33% compared with 3.45%; odds ratio: 0.46; 95% CI, 0.15 to 1.43; P=0.18) and radiation exposure time (weighted mean difference [WMD]:8.49; 95% CI, –15.43 to 32.40; P=0.49). While RA was associated with a longer operative time (WMD: 39.63; 95% CI, 5.27 to 73.99; P= 0.02), percutaneous or minimal robot‐assisted pedicle screw fixation (M‐RA) had a shorter radiation exposure time than FH (WMD: –33.10; 95% CI, –38.18 to –28.02; P=0.00)ConclusionsThe current literature did not prove that RA supersedes FH, although several studies are more optimistic about this procedure. Future well‐designed RCTs assessing RA and FH are needed to confirm and update the findings of this analysis.
Stream mitigation banking
Authors: Lave Rebecca 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCompensatory mitigation (also known as offsetting) is the practice of allowing harm to one ecosystem as long as a comparable ecosystem elsewhere is restored. This common practice is intended to balance the competing demands of economic development and environmental protection. Here, I explore compensatory mitigation through a focus on one particular type: stream mitigation banking in the United States under the Clean Water Act, a market‐based form of environmental management. I explain the motivations for compensating for rather than preventing environmental damage more broadly, the practice of stream mitigation banking, and what we know about its environmental and social impacts. I conclude by calling out the stakes in offsetting more generally, and in stream mitigation banking in particular, arguing that neither market‐based environmental management nor offsetting more generally may be serving us well.This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water
Human Water > Value of Water
Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Human and Machine Learning
Authors: Kao Ying-Fang , Venkatachalam Ragupathy 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we consider learning by human beings and machines in the light of Herbert Simon’s pioneering contributions to the theory of Human Problem Solving. Using board games of perfect information as a paradigm, we explore differences in human and machine learning in complex strategic environments. In doing so, we contrast theories of learning in classical game theory with computational game theory proposed by Simon. Among theories that invoke computation, we make a further distinction between computable and computational or machine learning theories. We argue that the modern machine learning algorithms, although impressive in terms of their performance, do not necessarily shed enough light on human learning. Instead, they seem to take us further away from Simon’s lifelong quest to understand the mechanics of actual human behaviour.