bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical Note: Improving the VMERGE treatment planning algorithm for rotational radiotherapy
Authors: Gaddy Melissa R. , Papp Dávid 
Published: June 2016

Purpose:The authors revisit the VMERGE treatment planning algorithm by Craft et al. [“Multicriteria VMAT optimization,” Med. Phys. 39, 686–696 (2012)] for arc therapy planning and propose two changes to the method that are aimed at improving the achieved trade‐off between treatment time and plan quality at little additional planning time cost, while retaining other desirable properties of the original algorithm.Methods:The original VMERGE algorithm first computes an “ideal,” high quality but also highly time consuming treatment plan that irradiates the patient from all possible angles in a fine angular grid with a highly modulated beam and then makes this plan deliverable within practical treatment time by an iterative fluence map merging and sequencing algorithm. We propose two changes to this method. First, we regularize the ideal plan obtained in the first step by adding an explicit constraint on treatment time. Second, we propose a different merging criterion that comprises of identifying and merging adjacent maps whose merging results in the least degradation of radiation dose.Results:The effect of both suggested modifications is evaluated individually and jointly on clinical prostate and paraspinal cases. Details of the two cases are reported.Conclusions:In the authors’ computational study they found that both proposed modifications, especially the regularization, yield noticeably improved treatment plans for the same treatment times than what can be obtained using the original VMERGE method. The resulting plans match the quality of 20‐beam step‐and‐shoot IMRT plans with a delivery time of approximately 2 min.
A Computer Model of Drafting Effects on Collective Behavior in Elite 10,000-m Runners
Authors: Trenchard Hugh , Renfree Andrew , Peters Derek M. 
Published: June 2016

Purpose:Drafting in cycling influences collective behavior of pelotons. Although evidence for collective behavior in competitive running events exists, it is not clear if this results from energetic savings conferred by drafting. This study modeled the effects of drafting on behavior in elite 10,000-m runners.Methods:Using performance data from a men’s elite 10,000-m track running event, computer simulations were constructed using Netlogo 5.1 to test the effects of 3 different drafting quantities on collective behavior: no drafting, drafting to 3 m behind with up to ~8% energy savings (a realistic running draft), and drafting up to 3 m behind with up to 38% energy savings (a realistic cycling draft). Three measures of collective behavior were analyzed in each condition: mean speed, mean group stretch (distance between first- and last-placed runner), and runner-convergence ratio (RCR), which represents the degree of drafting benefit obtained by the follower in a pair of coupled runners.Results:Mean speeds were 6.32 ± 0.28, 5.57 ± 0.18, and 5.51 ± 0.13 m/s in the cycling-draft, runner-draft, and no-draft conditions, respectively (all P < .001). RCR was lower in the cycling-draft condition but did not differ between the other 2. Mean stretch did not differ between conditions.Conclusions:Collective behaviors observed in running events cannot be fully explained through energetic savings conferred by realistic drafting benefits. They may therefore result from other, possibly psychological, processes. The benefits or otherwise of engaging in such behavior are as yet unclear.
Maturity-Associated Variation in Functional Characteristics Of Elite Youth Tennis Players
Authors: Myburgh Gillian K. , Cumming Sean P. , Silva Manuel Coelho E. , Cooke Karl , Malina Robert M. 
Published: June 2016

Purpose:To evaluate relationships among skeletal maturity, body size, and functional capacities of elite junior tennis players.Methods:Participants were 88 elite British Junior tennis players (44 male; 44 female), 8–16 years of age (12.4 } 1.9 years). Skeletal age estimated maturty. Anthropometry, grip strength, countermovement jump, squat jump, forehand agility, backhand agility, Yo-Yo, 5-m, 10-m and 20-m sprints were measured. Comparative analysis for each sex was performed, relating advanced maturers (Male: 15; Female: 29) to a combination of on-time and late maturers (Male: 29; Female: 31). ANCOVAs were used to determine absolute differences between male and female players and between the 2 maturity subgroups, with chronological age as the covariate.Results:Advanced maturity afforded male players advantages in absolute measures of grip strength, speed, upper and lower body power but not in acceleration, agility or aerobic endurance. Male players were significantly taller than females in the U13-U16 age group. Advanced maturity in female players afforded advantages in absolute measures of grip strength, agility and overhead power, but not in backhand agility, aerobic endurance or squat jump power.Conclusion:It is important that talent identification protocols consider the maturity of youth athletes to more satisfactorily address athletic potential rather than transient physical capabilities.
Strain- and Substrate-Dependent Redox Mediator and Electricity Production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Bosire Erick M. , Blank Lars M. , Rosenbaum Miriam A. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an important, thriving member of microbial communities of microbial bioelectrochemical systems (BES) through the production of versatile phenazine redox mediators. Pure culture experiments with a model strain revealed synergistic interactions of
P. aeruginosa
with fermenting microorganisms whereby the synergism was mediated through the shared fermentation product 2,3-butanediol. Our work here shows that the behavior and efficiency of
P. aeruginosa
in mediated current production is strongly dependent on the strain of
P. aeruginosa
. We compared levels of phenazine production by the previously investigated model strain
P. aeruginosa
PA14, the alternative model strain
P. aeruginosa
PAO1, and the BES isolate
Pseudomonas
sp. strain KRP1 with glucose and the fermentation products 2,3-butanediol and ethanol as carbon substrates. We found significant differences in substrate-dependent phenazine production and resulting anodic current generation for the three strains, with the BES isolate KRP1 being overall the best current producer and showing the highest electrochemical activity with glucose as a substrate (19 μA cm
−2
with ∼150 μg ml
−1
phenazine carboxylic acid as a redox mediator). Surprisingly,
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 showed very low phenazine production and electrochemical activity under all tested conditions.

IMPORTANCE
Microbial fuel cells and other microbial bioelectrochemical systems hold great promise for environmental technologies such as wastewater treatment and bioremediation. While there is much emphasis on the development of materials and devices to realize such systems, the investigation and a deeper understanding of the underlying microbiology and ecology are lagging behind. Physiological investigations focus on microorganisms exhibiting direct electron transfer in pure culture systems. Meanwhile, mediated electron transfer with natural redox compounds produced by, for example,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
might enable an entire microbial community to access a solid electrode as an alternative electron acceptor. To better understand the ecological relationships between mediator producers and mediator utilizers, we here present a comparison of the phenazine-dependent electroactivities of three
Pseudomonas
strains. This work forms the foundation for more complex coculture investigations of mediated electron transfer in microbial fuel cells.
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Hiccups following Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yue Jinhuan , Liu Ming , Li Jun , Wang Yuming , Hung E-Sing , Tong Xin , Sun Zhongren , Zhang Qinhong , Golianu Brenda 
Published: June 2016

Objectives To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for hiccups following stroke. Methods Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and four Chinese medical databases were searched from their inception to 1 June 2015. The dataset included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with no language restrictions that compared acupuncture as an adjunct to medical treatment (effectiveness) or acupuncture versus medical treatment (comparative effectiveness) in stroke patients with hiccups. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the trials. Results Out of 436 potentially relevant studies, five met the inclusion criteria. When acupuncture was compared with other interventions (as sole or adjunctive treatment), meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in favour of cessation of hiccups within a specified time period (CHWST) following intervention when used as an adjunct (risk ratio (RR) 1.59, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.19, I2=0%), but not when used alone (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.47, I2=65%, ie, high heterogeneity). No safety information was reported in these studies. Conclusions Our systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for patients suffering from hiccups following stroke when used as an adjunct to medical treatment. However, due to the limited number of RCTs and poor methodology quality, we cannot reach a definitive conclusion, hence further large, rigorously designed trials are needed.
Systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of product reformulation measures to reduce the sugar content of food and drink on the population's sugar consumption and health: a study protocol
Authors: Hashem Kawther M , He Feng J , MacGregor Graham A 
Published: June 2016

IntroductionObesity, type 2 diabetes and dental caries are all major public health problems in the UK, with significant costs to the healthcare service. We aim to conduct a systematic review to summarise the evidence on the effectiveness of product reformulation measures to reduce the sugar content of food and drink on the population's sugar consumption and health.Methods and analysisElectronic database will be systematically searched using a combination of terms, tailored to optimise sensitivity, specificity, and the syntax and functionality of each database. The databases searched will include the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE (Ovid) and Scopus. The bibliographies of those papers that match inclusion criteria will be searched by hand to identify any further, relevant references, which will be subject to the same screening and selection process. The database search results will be supplemented by hand searches. In addition to the peer-reviewed literature, a number of grey literature searches will be undertaken using the broad search terms ‘sugar’ and ‘food’ or ‘drink’ and ‘reduction’, these searches will include key government and organisation websites as well as general searches in Google. The selection of the studies, data collection and quality appraisal will be performed independently by 2 reviewers. Data will be initially analysed through a narrative synthesis method. If a subset of data we analyse appears comparable, we will investigate the possibility of performing a meta-analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval will not be required as this is a protocol for a systematic review. The findings will be disseminated widely through conference presentations and published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016034022.
Improving the rate of Patient Feedback for a Later Life Mental Health Liaison Team
Authors: Cooper Daniel 
Published: June 2016

It is well established that patient feedback is key to service development and improvement in the modern NHS. Certain patient groups can be particularly difficult to get feedback from, including those with dementia. The Later Life Mental Health Liaison Team at the Bristol Royal Infirmary were consistently receiving very low levels of patient feedback, such that it was insufficient to properly contribute to future service development and improvement.This QIP aimed to increase this level of feedback to a target of 15% from an existing average of 3%. The intervention centred around getting feedback from patients face to face and was developed over a number of PDSA cycles. The feedback questions were based upon the NHS Friends and Family Test.Over four PDSA cycles levels of feedback increased to 21% which more than achieved the goal set out at the start. This was however achieved at a time cost and involved an increased success rate of existing systems as well as new ones put into place by the QIP.
A retrospective analysis of the combined use of PERC rule and Wells score to exclude pulmonary embolism in the Emergency Department
Authors: Theunissen JMG , Scholing C , van Hasselt WE , van der Maten J , ter Avest E 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundThe pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC) rule is an eight-factor decision rule to support the decision not to order a diagnostic test when the gestalt-based clinical suspicion on pulmonary embolism (PE) is low.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study, we determined the accuracy of a negative PERC (0) in patients with a low Wells score (<2) to rule-out PE, and compared this to the accuracy of the default algorithm used in our hospital (a low Wells score in combination with a negative D-dimer).ResultsDuring the study period, 377 patients with a Wells score <2 were included. CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was performed in 86 patients, and V/Q scintigraphy in one patient. PE was diagnosed in 18 patients. 78 patients (21%) had a negative PERC score. When further diagnostic studies would have been omitted in these patients, two (subsegmental) PEs would have been missed, resulting in a sensitivity of 89% (64%–98%) and a negative likelihood ratio (LR−) of 0.52 (0.14–1.97). The default algorithm missed one (subsegmental) PE, resulting in a sensitivity of 95% (71%–99%) and an LR− of 0.25 (0.04–1.73).ConclusionsThe combination of a Wells score <2 and a PERC rule of 0 had a suboptimal sensitivity for excluding PE in our sample of patients presenting in the ED. Further studies are warranted to test this algorithm in larger populations.
Pexmetinib: A Novel Dual Inhibitor of Tie2 and p38 MAPK with Efficacy in Preclinical Models of Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Bachegowda Lohith , Morrone Kerry , Winski Shannon L. , Mantzaris Ioannis , Bartenstein Matthias , Ramachandra Nandini , Giricz Orsi , Sukrithan Vineeth , Nwankwo George , Shahnaz Samira , Bhagat Tushar D. , Bhattacharyya Sanchari , Assal Amer , Shastri Aditi , Gordon-Mitchell Shanisha , Pellagatti Andrea , Boultwood Jacqueline , Schinke Carolina , Yu Yiting , Guha Chandan , Rizzi James , Garrus Jennifer , Brown Suzy , Wollenberg Lance , Hogeland Grant , Wright Dale , Munson Mark , Rodriguez Mareli , Gross Stefan , Chantry David , Zou Yiyu , Platanias Leonidas C. , Burgess Laurence E. , Pradhan Kith , Steidl Ulrich , Verma Amit 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) suppress normal hematopoietic activity in part by enabling a pathogenic inflammatory milieu in the bone marrow. In this report, we show that elevation of angiopoietin-1 in myelodysplastic CD34+ stem-like cells is associated with higher risk disease and reduced overall survival in MDS and AML patients. Increased angiopoietin-1 expression was associated with a transcriptomic signature similar to known MDS/AML stem-like cell profiles. In seeking a small-molecule inhibitor of this pathway, we discovered and validated pexmetinib (ARRY-614), an inhibitor of the angiopoietin-1 receptor Tie-2, which was also found to inhibit the proinflammatory kinase p38 MAPK (which is overactivated in MDS). Pexmetinib inhibited leukemic proliferation, prevented activation of downstream effector kinases, and abrogated the effects of TNFα on healthy hematopoietic stem cells. Notably, treatment of primary MDS specimens with this compound stimulated hematopoiesis. Our results provide preclinical proof of concept for pexmetinib as a Tie-2/p38 MAPK dual inhibitor applicable to the treatment of MDS/AML. Cancer Res; 76(16); 4841–9. ©2016 AACR.
IKBKE Is a Substrate of EGFR and a Therapeutic Target in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer with Activating Mutations of EGFR
Authors: Challa Sridevi , Guo Jian-Ping , Ding Xiaowen , Xu Cheng-Xiong , Li Yajuan , Kim Donghwa , Smith Matthew A. , Cress Douglas W. , Coppola Domenico , Haura Eric B. , Cheng Jin Q. 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) marked by EGFR mutations tend to develop resistance to therapeutic EGFR inhibitors, often due to secondary mutation EGFRT790M but also other mechanisms. Here we report support for a rationale to target IKBKE, an IκB kinase family member that activates the AKT and NF-κB pathways, as one strategy to address NSCLC resistant to EGFR inhibitors. While wild-type and mutant EGFR directly interacted with IKBKE, only mutant EGFR phosphorylated IKBKE on residues Y153 and Y179. The unphosphorylatable mutant IKBKE-Y153F/Y179-F that lost kinase activity failed to activate AKT and inhibited EGFR signaling. In clinical specimens of NSCLC with activating mutations of EGFR, we observed elevated levels of phospho-Y153 IKBKE. IKBKE ablation with shRNA or small-molecule inhibitor amlexanox selectively inhibited the viability of NSCLC cells with EGFR mutations in vitro. In parallel, we found that these treatments activated the MAPK pathway due to attenuation of an IKBKE feedback mechanism. In vivo studies revealed that combining amlexanox with MEK inhibitor AZD6244 significantly inhibited the xenograft tumor growth of NSCLC cells harboring activating EGFR mutations, including EGFRT790M. Overall, our findings define IKBKE as a direct effector target of EGFR and provide a therapeutic rationale to target IKBKE as a strategy to eradicate EGFR-TKI–resistant NSCLC cells. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4418–29. ©2016 AACR.
Defining the Threshold of Permissible Risk for Non-therapeutic Clinical Trials with Children in Europe
Authors: Wade* Katherine 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
It is important that clinical research with children is encouraged so that they are not exposed to the dangers of extrapolation from adult treatments. Clinical trials with investigational medicinal products (imps) are an important part of improving medical care for children. Both the 2001 Clinical Trials Directive and the 2014 Regulation recognise the need for such research, including the need for non-therapeutic trials with imps. However, it is also recognised that a balance must be struck between permitting tailored medical care for children as a group on the one hand, and protecting individual trial participants from harm on the other. A central issue in striking this balance relates to defining the threshold of risk which should be permitted in such research. This article provides a critical analysis of the current European law in relation to the definition of acceptable risk for non-therapeutic clinical trials with imps and makes recommendations for reform, drawing on law from the Council of Europe, as well as law from the us.
A new species of Dudgeodes Sartori, 2008 (Ephemeroptera: Teloganodidae) from Thailand
Authors: MARTYNOV ALEXANDER V. , PALATOV DMITRY M. , BOONSOONG BOONSATIEN 
Published: June 2016

A new species of the genus Dudgeodes Sartori, 2008 is described from Thailand. It is the first representative of the genus reported from this country. The species is described based on mature nymphs. Dudgeodes romani sp. nov. differs from other species of the genus by the length of antennae; coloration of male eyes; shape of abdominal median tubercles; features of the tarsal claws, forefemora, gills and segments of the labial palps, and by chaetotaxy.
Analytical Infrared Delta-Four-Stream Adding Method from Invariance Principle
Authors: Zhang Feng , Wu Kun , Li Jiangnan , Yang Quan , Zhao Jian-Qi , Li Jian 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
The single-layer solutions using a four-stream discrete ordinates method (DOM) in infrared radiative transfer (IRT) have been obtained. Two types of thermal source assumptions—Planck function exponential and linear dependence on optical depth—are considered. To calculate the IRT in multiple layers with a vertically inhomogeneous atmosphere, an analytical adding algorithm has been developed by applying the infrared invariance principle. The derived adding algorithm of the delta-four-stream DOM (δ-4DDA) can be simplified to work for the delta-two-stream DOM (δ-2DDA).
The accuracy for monochromatic emissivity is investigated for both δ-2DDA and δ-4DDA. The relative error for the downward emissivity can be as high as 15% for δ-2DDA, while the error is bounded by 2% for δ-4DDA. By incorporating δ-4DDA into a radiation model with gaseous transmission, δ-4DDA is much more accurate than δ-2DDA. Also, δ-4DDA is much more efficient, since it is an analytical method. The computing time of δ-4DDA is about one-third of the corresponding inverse matrix method.
Effects of a Warming Climate on Daily Snowfall Events in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Danco James F. , DeAngelis Anthony M. , Raney Bryan K. , Broccoli Anthony J. 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Using simulations performed with 24 coupled atmosphere–ocean global climate models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), projections of Northern Hemisphere daily snowfall events under the RCP8.5 emissions scenario are analyzed for the periods of 2021–50 and 2071–2100 and compared to the historical period of 1971–2000. The overall frequency of daily snowfall events is simulated to decrease across much of the Northern Hemisphere, except at the highest latitudes such as northern Canada, northern Siberia, and Greenland. Seasonal redistributions of daily snowfall event frequency and average daily snowfall are also projected to occur in some regions. For example, large portions of the Northern Hemisphere, including much of Canada, Tibet, northern Scandinavia, northern Siberia, and Greenland, are projected to experience increases in average daily snowfall and event frequency in midwinter. But in warmer months, the regions with increased snowfall become fewer in number and are limited to northern Canada, northern Siberia, and Greenland. These simulations also show changes in the frequency distribution of daily snowfall event intensity, including an increase in heavier snowfall events even in some regions where the overall snowfall decreases. The projected changes in daily snowfall event frequency exhibit some dependence on the temperature biases of the individual models in certain regions and times of the year, with colder models typically toward the positive end of the distribution of event frequency changes and warmer models toward the negative end, particularly in regions near the transition zone between increasing and decreasing snowfall.