bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical note: Experimental dosimetric characterization of proton pencil beam distortion in a perpendicular magnetic field of an in‐beam MR scanner
Authors: Gebauer Benjamin , Pawelke Jörg , Hoffmann Aswin , Lühr Armin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundAs it promises more precise and conformal radiation treatments, magnetic resonance imaging‐integrated proton therapy (MRiPT) is seen as a next step in image guidance for proton therapy. The Lorentz force, which affects the course of the proton pencil beams, presents a problem for beam delivery in the presence of a magnetic field.PurposeTo investigate the influence of the 0.32‐T perpendicular magnetic field of an MR scanner on the delivery of proton pencil beams inside an MRiPT prototype system.MethodsAn MRiPT prototype comprising of a horizontal pencil beam scanning beam line and an open 0.32‐T MR scanner was used to evaluate the impact of the vertical magnetic field on proton beam deflection and dose spot pattern deformation. Three different proton energies (100, 150, and 220 MeV) and two spot map sizes (15 × 15 and 30 × 20 cm2) at four locations along the beam path without and with magnetic field were measured. Pencil‐beam dose spots were measured using EBT3 films and a 2D scintillation detector. To study the magnetic field effects, a 2D Gaussian fit was applied to each individual dose spot to determine the central position , minimum and maximum lateral standard deviation ( and ), orientation (θ), and the eccentricity (ε).ResultsThe dose spots were subjected to three simultaneous effects: (a) lateral horizontal beam deflection, (b) asymmetric trapezoidal deformation of the dose spot pattern, and (c) deformation and rotation of individual dose spots. The strongest effects were observed at a proton energy of 100 MeV with a horizontal beam deflection of 14–186 mm along the beam path. Within the central imaging field of the MR scanner, the maximum relative dose spot size decreased by up to 3.66%, while increased by a maximum of 2.15%. The largest decrease and increase in the eccentricity of the dose spots were 0.08 and 0.02, respectively. The spot orientation θ was rotated by a maximum of 5.39°. At the higher proton energies, the same effects were still seen, although to a lesser degree.ConclusionsThe effect of an MRiPT prototype's magnetic field on the proton beam path, dose spot pattern, and dose spot form has been measured for the first time. The findings show that the impact of the MF must be appropriately recognized in a future MRiPT treatment planning system. The results emphasize the need for additional research (e.g., effect of magnetic field on proton beams with range shifters and impact of MR imaging sequences) before MRiPT applications can be employed to treat patients.
Extension of matRad with a modified microdosimetric kinetic model for carbon ion treatment planning: Comparison with Monte Carlo calculation
Authors: Yoon Euntaek , Kim Jung‐in , Park Jong Min , Choi Chang Heon , Jung Seongmoon 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundTreatment planning is essential for in silico particle therapy studies. matRad is an open‐source research treatment planning system (TPS) based on the local effect model, which is a type of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) model.PurposeThis study aims to implement a microdosimetric kinetic model (MKM) in matRad and develop an automation algorithm for Monte Carlo (MC) dose recalculation using the TOPAS code. In addition, we provide the developed MKM extension as open‐source tool for users.MethodsCarbon beam data were generated using TOPAS MC pencil beam irradiation. We parameterized the TOPAS MC beam data with a double‐Gaussian fit and modeled the integral depth doses and lateral spot profiles in the range of 100–430 MeV/u. To implement the MKM, the specific energy data table for Z = 1–6 and integrated depth‐specific energy data were acquired based on the Kiefer–Chatterjee track structure and TOPAS MC simulation, respectively. Generic data were integrated into matRad, and treatment planning was performed based on these data. The optimized plan parameters were automatically converted into MC simulation input. Finally, the matRad TPS and TOPAS MC simulations were compared using the RBE‐weighted dose calculation results. A comparison was made for three geometries: homogeneous water phantom, inhomogeneous phantom, and patient.ResultsThe RBE‐weighted dose (DRBE) distribution agreed with TOPAS MC within 1.8% for all target sizes for the homogeneous phantom. For the inhomogeneous phantom, the relative difference in the range of 80% of the prescription dose in the distal fall‐off region (R80) between the matRad TPS and TOPAS MC was 0.6% (1.1 mm). DRBE between the TPS and the MC was within 4.0%. In the patient case, the difference in the dose–volume histogram parameters for the target volume between the TPS and the MC was less than 2.7%. The relative difference in R80 was 0.7% (1.2 mm).ConclusionsThe MKM was successfully implemented in matRad TPS, and the RBE‐weighted dose was comparable to that of TOPAS MC. The MKM‐implemented matRad was released as an open‐source tool. Further investigations with MC simulations can be conducted using this tool, providing a good option for carbon ion research.
Rheumatoid arthritis with concomitant fibromyalgia: The role of ultrasound in assessing disease activity
Authors: Miladi Saoussen , Ben Ayed Hiba , Fazaa Alia , Boussaa Hiba , Makhlouf Yasmine , Souabni Leila , Ouenniche Kmar , Kassab Selma , Chekili Selma , Abdelghani Kawther Ben , Laatar Ahmed 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntroductionFibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic painful condition frequently associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which may falsely increase RA activity. The aim of our study was to compare clinical scoring and ultrasound (US) assessment in RA patients with concomitant FM with those without FM.MethodsA cross‐sectional study including patients with RA according to the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups: RA patients meeting ACR 2016 FM criteria (cases) and RA patients not meeting FM criteria (controls). Clinico‐biological and US assessments of RA activity were performed on the same day for each patient.ResultsEighty patients distributed into 40 patients in each group were recruited. Biologic DMARD prescription was more frequent in RA with FM patients than the control group (p = 0.04). DAS28 was significantly greater than DAS28 V3 in RA with FM group (p = 0.002). FM group had significantly less US synovitis (p = 0.035) and less Power Doppler (PD) activity (p = 0.035). Grey scale US score (p = 0.87) and DP US score (p = 0.162) were similar in the two groups. The correlation between the clinical and the ultrasonographic scores was strong to very strong in both groups with the strongest correlation found between DAS28 V3 and US DAS28 V3 (r = 0.95) in RA + FM group.ConclusionOur study confirms the overestimation of disease activity by the clinical scores in RA with concomitant FM. DAS28 V3 score and US assessment would represent a better alternative.
Pipeline for transferring annotations between proteins beyond globular domains
Authors: Martínez‐Pérez Elizabeth , Pajkos Mátyás , Tosatto Silvio C. E. , Gibson Toby J. , Dosztanyi Zsuzsanna , Marino‐Buslje Cristina 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDisProt is the primary repository of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs). This database is manually curated and the annotations there have strong experimental support. Currently, DisProt contains a relatively small number of proteins highlighting the importance of transferring annotations regarding verified disorder state and corresponding functions to homologous proteins in other species. In such a way, providing them with highly valuable information to better understand their biological roles. While the principles and practicalities of homology transfer are well‐established for globular proteins, these are largely lacking for disordered proteins. We used DisProt to evaluate the transferability of the annotation terms to orthologous proteins. For each protein, we looked for their orthologs, with the assumption that they will have a similar function. Then, for each protein and their orthologs, we made multiple sequence alignments (MSAs). Disordered sequences are fast evolving and can be hard to align, therefore, we implemented alignment quality control steps ensuring robust alignments before mapping the annotations. We have designed a pipeline to obtain good‐quality MSAs and to transfer annotations from any protein to their orthologs. Applying the pipeline to DisProt proteins, from the 1731 entries with 5623 annotations, we can reach 97,555 orthologs and transfer a total of 301,190 terms by homology. We also provide a web server for consulting the results of DisProt proteins and execute the pipeline for any other protein. The server Homology Transfer IDP (HoTIDP) is accessible at http://hotidp.leloir.org.ar.
On Preheating after Inflation in Scalar‐Tensor Theories of Gravity
Authors: Koad Peeravit , Channuie Jatechan , Channuie Phongpichit 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this work, the preheating mechanism is investigated after inflation in general scalar‐tensor theories of gravity. In the present scenario, two‐field scenario is considered and then derived the potential of exponential and hyperbolic tangent forms. The evolution of the background system is studied when the back reaction on the background field is neglected. The particle production due to parametric resonances in both models is examined. It is found that in Minkowski space the stage of parametric resonances can be described by the Mathieu equation. Finally, parametric resonances in the models are sufficiently broad possible for the exponential growth of the number of particles are demonstrated. The case in which the expansion of space is taken into account is also discussed.
Scrutinizing the types of leadership traits that contribute to the success of Six Sigma implementation: An empirical study
Authors: Bagherian Anthony , Gershon Mark , Kumar Sunil 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis article aims to investigate the significance of leadership in the successful adoption of Six Sigma. It explores which leadership styles and attributes are more conducive to successful implementation, as not all Six Sigma efforts have been entirely successful. The objective of this research is to identify the key elements of leadership styles that contribute to the achievement of Six Sigma programs in the automobile industry, based on a study conducted by various authors. According to the study, approximately 60% of corporate Six Sigma initiatives fail due to assumptions and incorrect leadership attributes. The research utilized a research survey with a Likert scale questionnaire distributed to 2325 prospective participants, with 573 responses primarily from Germany, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. The study employed exploratory research approaches and a mixed‐method research design to analyze the impact of leadership style on the success of Six Sigma deployment. The findings identified two essential key elements of leadership style through various SEM methods (EFA and CFA): (1) Leadership support for Six Sigma as a long‐term improvement strategy is crucial for sustained growth. (2) Leadership commitment to the organization's suppliers and maintaining quality to ensure defect‐free products. The practical implications of this study can be adopted by institutions, practitioners, and researchers to incorporate these leadership traits for sustainable Six Sigma implementation. This study makes an original contribution to the assessment of leadership styles in the European automobile industry, utilizing a mixed‐method research design along with descriptive statistics.
Quantized control for switched systems suffered by deception attacks and unknown disturbance
Authors: Wu Caizhang , Yan Jingjing , Xia Yuanqing 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is designing a feedback controller based on quantized sampled data to stabilize a continuous‐time switched system affected by unknown disturbance and deception attacks. Suppose that the switch is slow enough in the sense of dwell‐time and average dwell‐time, and the attacker's energy is limited by restraining the number and duration of deception attacks, we design a communication and control strategy based on mode switching and data tampering. By approximating the reachable set for the stabilizing stage and searching stage, respectively, we establish the increasing/decreasing rate of Lyapunov function under different cases. On this basis, the sufficient conditions which constrain average dwell‐time and sampling period are obtained to ensure the exponential decay and practical stability of the closed‐loop system. Furthermore, we also verify that the searching stage can be recovered within an unknown limited time under the influence of unknown disturbance and deception attacks. Two‐tank system is adopted at last to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm framework.
Sensitive Amperometric Detection of Hydroxylamine at Electropolymerized Curcumin Film Coated Pencil Graphite Electrode
Authors: Güneş Mehmet , Şap Ayşe , Karakaya Serkan , Yaman Mehmet , Dilgin Yusuf 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this study, a sensitive electrochemical method was developed for the determination of hydroxylamine (H−A) using a curcumin‐modified pencil graphite electrode prepared with the electropolymerization of curcumin (PolyCurc‐PGE). The PolyCurc‐PGE showed a remarkable electrocatalytic response for H−A oxidation compared with bare PGE. Amperometric and cyclic voltammetric measurements were performed based on the electrocatalytic oxidation of H−A at PolyCurc‐PGE. Some parameters, such as monomer concentration, pH, and cycle number during electropolymerization, were optimized to obtain the best electrochemical response of the modified electrode towards H−A. Results show that the PolyCurc‐PGE gives a linear response towards H−A oxidation in the range from 0.50 μM to 500 μM (R2=0.9984). In addition, the sensitivity and detection limit (LOD) of PolyCurc‐PGE were found to be 5432 μA mM−1 cm2 and 0.15 μM H−A, respectively. The developed amperometric method was successfully applied to determine H−A in pharmaceutical and water samples, and acceptable results were obtained with high accuracy and precision.
Biomass Porous Carbon Derived from Celery Leaves with High Capacitance for Supercapacitor
Authors: Wu Jiaqi , Ma Zihan , Wang Guangning , Chen Tingting 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTo develop environmentally friendly and high‐performance supercapacitors, the low‐cost, high‐capacitance renewable electrode material is at present viewed as one of the most challenging tasks for obtaining the next‐generation of energy storage devices. Therefore, in this study, Celery leaves, a common biomass vegetable, are used to prepare activated carbon for high voltage and high‐capacity supercapacitors through a simple method. Due to their high surface area and abundant nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms, hierarchically porous carbon materials can simultaneously realize high capacity and long‐cycling durability. The specific capacitance has been recorded to be up to 753.0 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 with capacity retention as high as 96.7 % even after 5,000 cycles. Also, the assembled symmetric cell provided a high energy density of 17.36 Wh kg−1 at 250 W kg−1. The effects of yellow and green colors and different activation temperatures on the properties of electrode materials were systematically studied. The results showed an excellent electrochemical performance in biomass carbon electrode materials, which would facilitate the development of a high‐quality energy system and a green supercapacitor.
Preparation of Cobalt and Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon Composite Catalysts From ZIF‐9 and Their Outstanding Fenton‐like Catalytic Properties Towards Methylene Blue
Authors: Ma Tianhao , Li Haixu , Liu Xiaoguang , He Haobo , Jiang Tiannan , Wang Junsheng , Li Bin , Xue Wendong , Ren Shubin , Sun Jialin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTo activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and degrade methylene blue (MB), cobalt and nitrogen‐doped porous carbon composite catalysts were prepared through pyrolysing zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF‐9 and dicyandiamide (DCDA) at 700–900 °C with various mass ratios. Powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller results showed that Co, porous carbon and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) co‐existed in the catalyst prepared at 800 °C with a ZIF‐9/DCDA ratio of 1 : 3. Thermogravimetric analysis suggested that CNT@ZIF‐800 had a higher ratio of graphitic to turbostratic carbon than CNT@ZIF‐700. It had degraded 94.8 % MB within 30 min, which was about 1.9 times faster than its counterpart C‐ZIF‐800. It also showed faster degradation rates towards Congo red (98.5 %, 5 min) and slower rates towards rhodamine B (90.7 %, 30 min) than MB. Furthermore, XPS revealed that it had 14.5 % more Co−Nx/pyridinic‐N active sites than C‐ZIF‐800. EPR suggested that 1O2 might be the primary catalytic species whereas the SO4−⋅ and ⋅OH the secondary ones. The formation mechanism of such active species might be originated from the synergistic activation of PMS by CNTs, Co−Nx/pyridinic‐N and abundant Co sites in the CNT@ZIF‐800. This work not only provided efficient Fenton‐like catalysts for MB degradation, but also clarified the catalytic mechanism.
Preparation and Characterization of Biodegradable Cellulose Acetate‐Fibroin for Dialysis Application
Authors: Amin Fazal , Rehman Wajid , Farooq Muhammad Usman , Hussain Rafaqat , ur Rahman Saeed , Rasheed Liaqat , Khan Sohail , Abdellatif Magda H. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMembrane separation technology is an efficient and high‐performance technique. It is a thin flat sheet and acts like a delicate barrier for the selective transport of substances under the influence of pressure. Low cost and various applications in industry as well as in medical make it more important. The basic property of a dialysis membrane is the ability to remove toxic materials from blood in minimum time, and maximum protein rejection, and must have the ability to moderate the water flux. Protein deposition or adsorption on the surface of the membrane results in low flux and change of selectivity of membrane for low toxic removal. In this work we prepared cellulose acetate membrane through the phase inversion method. The effects of additives are characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra‐Red (FT‐IR), and Contact Angle. The membrane performance is also studied in pure water flux, water uptakes, porosity, BSA rejection, and Urea clearance test. This membrane is modified by adding various types of organic and inorganic additives which will perform specific functions. M‐3 membrane showed excellent results its hydrophilicity is 133.33 %, leaching point is 2.08, pure water permeation flux 97.19 L/m2h, porosity is 13.97 nm, BSA rejection value is 91 % and Urea clearance is 92 %. These results show that M‐3 is excellent for dialysis operations.
Synthesis and Antiproliferative Evaluation of New 1,3,5‐Trisubstituted 1,2,4‐Triazole Derivatives against Glioblastoma Cell Lines
Authors: Koc Elif Beyza , Sucu Bilgesu Onur 
Published: May 2023

AbstractA series of novel 1,3,5‐trisubstituted‐1,2,4‐triazole derivatives were successfully synthesized from the starting materials of caffeic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA) in moderate to good yields (45–71 %). All novel compounds were screened for antiproliferative activity against three glioblastoma (GB) cell lines. Several compounds exhibited improved cytotoxic activities compared to the caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). Among the novel derivatives, 4‐(2‐(1‐benzyl‐3‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl)vinyl)‐2‐methoxyphenol (4) exhibited the most potent activity against the U87G, T98G and LN229 cell lines. Western blot results showed significantly reduced poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) and increased the Bcl‐2‐associated X (Bax) protein levels in T98G cells. Also, flow cytometry results using Annexin‐V/Propidium Iodide (PI) staining indicated that apoptosis was induced in T98G cells. It was found to be a promising drug candidate with strong physicochemical and bioavailability properties as a result of SwissADME calculations. These results show that novel compounds containing a 1,2,4‐triazole moiety have a good antiproliferative activity on GB cells.
Asymmertic Synthesis of β‐Azido Esters through a Combination of Aldol and Mitsunobu Reactions
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Kun , Chou Yi , Chiou Xin‐Shun , Tseng Po‐Yu 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis method offers several advantages over traditional methods for the asymmetric synthesis of β‐azido esters. First, the use of N‐acetyl camphorsultam allows for excellent stereoselectivity in the aldol reaction, which is crucial for the subsequent Mitsunobu reaction. Second, the use of trimethylsilyl azide (TMSN3) instead of hydrazoic acid (HN3) eliminates the need for handling a highly toxic and explosive reagent, making the process safer and easier to carry out. Third, the use of basic conditions for the Mitsunobu reaction allows for the reaction to proceed efficiently without the formation of the undesired silyl ethers.
Illness anxiety predicts higher mental strain and vaccine willingness—A nine‐wave longitudinal study during the first 1.5 years of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Germany
Authors: Bendau Antonia , Petzold Moritz Bruno , Plag Jens , Asselmann Eva , Ströhle Andreas 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIllness anxiety may amplify vulnerability to psychopathological symptoms during the COVID‐19‐pandemic—perhaps especially at the beginning of the pandemic and during high infection waves, but empirical evidence on this is lacking. In addition, considering a potentially functional facet of it, illness anxiety might be associated with higher vaccine willingness. We analyzed data of a nine‐wave longitudinal online‐survey (March 2020–October 2021) with 8148 non‐probability sampled adults of the general population in Germany (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04331106). Using multilevel analysis, we investigated longitudinal associations of dimensionally assessed illness anxiety (worry about illness, bodily preoccupation) with mental strain and vaccine willingness and considered the dynamic of the pandemic (i.e., duration and infection rates). Higher worry about illness and bodily preoccupation were associated with higher COVID‐19‐related fears, unspecific anxiety, depressive symptoms, and vaccine willingness. Vaccine willingness increased over time and in parallel to higher infection rates. Symptoms of mental strain decreased with continuing duration of the pandemic but increased when infection rates inclined. This decrease and increase, respectively, was steeper in individuals with higher illness anxiety. Our findings suggest that individuals with higher illness anxiety are more vulnerable to experience psychopathological symptoms during the ongoing pandemic, particularly at its beginning and during times of high infection rates. Thus, illness anxiety and associated symptoms should be targeted by adaptive measures. The fluctuation of symptoms parallel to the pandemic situation implies that support should be particularly issued at the beginning of extraordinary situations as well as during phases of high infection rates.