bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of tube to tubesheet welding qualification on heat exchanger
Authors: Saffiudeen Mohamed Fayas , Mohammed Fasil T. , Syed Abdullah 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPlant turnarounds are one of the most critical events in the Saudi Arabian oil and gas industries. Shutdowns have the potential to affect the plant’s cash flow and objectives either in a constructive nor a bad way. A heat exchanger is an essential equipment for some procedures in the oil and gas refineries plant and it will decide the plant’s shutdown span. In a heat exchanger, welded tube to tubesheet joint is a basic factor which requires a different qualification. In this paper, tube to tubesheet welding for various material combination (carbon steel-stainless steel, stainless steel-stainless steel, and alloy steel-alloy steel) is qualified. According to American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Section IX QW-193 mock up qualification is done and QW-193.1 to QW-193.1.3 (visual test, liquid penetrant test and macro etching test) likewise is followed and lab tested for acceptance criteria. Ten model welds are needed to determine the eligibility of each procedure according to the required standard and totally 60 models (every 20) tried to rate this 3 procedure qualification record and welder qualification test record (PQR / WQTR). Qualification of the sheet from tube to tube follows all needed variables referred to in QW-288. This study proposes the improved minimum and maximum value for current (I), voltage (V), and travel speed (mm/min) required for above said materials qualifications. Further discourse is made over the heat input (KJ/mm), after effects of minimum leak path all things considered (Macro etching test), and classifies the range qualified against utilized base material for better understanding according to QW-288 essential variables.
Experimental investigation of flow pattern at 180° bend with rigid bed in effect of twin convergent bridge piers
Authors: Sedighi Farid , Vaghefi Mohammad , Zarei Elham 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe generation of vortices in sharp bends of rivers is a well-known phenomenon. However, their influence on the bridge pier has not been investigated deeply. This study studies the flow pattern around the twin convergent bridge pier in a sharp bend by an experimental approach. The test facility includes a channel located at Advanced Hydraulic Laboratory, Persian Gulf University, with a 1 m width and 2 m central radius. The flow 3D velocity is measured along the bend by an ADV velocimeter. It is realized that the most important vortex from a sediment transport point of view is located adjacent to a pier in a plane just parallel to the flow direction. Furthermore, it could be concluded that the pier influencing range has an approximate dimension of 10 times pier diameter in a plane parallel to flow and 3 timer pier diameters in the vertical plane. Results and discussions are presented throughout the paper.
Enhancing class F fly ash geopolymer concrete performance using lime and steam curing
Authors: Diab Muhammad Ahmad 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Producing fly ash geopolymer concrete (FGPC) which can be cured by air, water, or steam instead of thermal curing without decreasing its mechanical properties will facilitate using FGPC in cast-in situ applications and precast concrete industry. Furthermore, it will decrease the consumed energy in FGPC production. This research attempts to achieve this goal by investigating the efficacy of supplementing class F FGPC with lime while using different curing processes to generate lime-fly ash geopolymer concrete (L-FGPC) that could be a feasible alternative to ordinary FGPC.

Methods
The studied variables included lime content, molarity of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), additional water content, curing type, and moisture of aggregates. The comparative criteria were setting times of fresh concrete, mechanical properties of hardened concrete, and voids ratio. SEM and X-ray diffraction tests were used to validate test results.

Conclusions
Steam curing generated the best mechanical properties of L-FGPC. Using 2% lime content with steam-cured L-FGPC yielded proper setting times and the best mechanical properties. Microstructure tests revealed compact microstructure and decreased voids ratio upon using 2% lime content in L-FGPC. Increasing molarity of NaOH, decreasing additional water content, and decreasing moisture of aggregates enhanced L-FGPC’s mechanical properties.
A simple laboratory method to simulate calcite-bonded loose-structured soil samples for collapsibility study
Authors: Opukumo Alfred Wilson , Davie Colin T. , Glendinning Stephanie 
Published: June 2022

AbstractCalcite is one of the commonest bond elements in natural collapsible soils. Where calcite occurs in significant amounts, the soils are considered calcareous. Collapsible soils are characterised by high porosity, high-void ratio, and low-dry density, with the soil particles held together in a honeycomb structure by a bonding agent like clay, suction or calcite. Collapse usually occurs when the bonding agent is lost through wetting, dissolution and/or stressing. Thus, understanding the behaviour of a bonding agent in the collapse phenomenon is critical to design safe and economic foundations built on collapsible soils. For a better interpretation, laboratory-simulated soils have the advantage to ensure controlled soil properties and somewhat homogeneity as against natural soils. Unfortunately, there is no standardized procedure for simulating calcite-bonded collapsible soils. A novel reaction setup developed in-house has been adopted to precipitate calcite bonding through lime gassing. Samples of silt-clay-lime mixes of differing proportions were prepared into varying dry densities to achieve collapsible soil features, and then, CO2was passed through the mixes placed in the reaction setup. Gassing was done for 24 h. Samples were labelled A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2 and C3, where A, B and C represented silt/clay initial proportioning of 50/50, 35/65 and 20/80, respectively, while 1, 2 and 3 represented lime contents of approximately 9, 20 and 33%, respectively. After gassing, three different methods (acid–base colour indicator,calculated mass gain (CMG), andexperimental determination of CaCO3content) were used to confirm the presence or content of CaCO3precipitate. Results revealed high levels of successes in terms of lime conversion to calcite and relative homogeneity of samples with collapsible features.
Criminal sanctions for suicidality in the 21st Century UK
Authors: Thomson Alex B. , Eales Sarah , McAllister Emma , Molodynski Andrew 
Published: June 2022

SummaryCriminal sanctions including court orders, prosecution and imprisonment persist as responses to suicidality in the UK even where there is no public danger. Their prevalence, the level of clinical involvement and outcomes are unclear. There is an urgent need to examine the national picture of harms, benefits and the responsibilities of mental health professionals.
Immune-related gene expression signature in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer treated with immunotherapy.
Authors: Licitra Lisa F. , Serafini Mara Serena , Pistore Federico , Lenoci Deborah , Airoldi Mario , Cossu Rocca Maria , Strojan Primoz , Grasic Kuhar Cvetka , Merlano Marco C. , Denaro Nerina , Perri Francesco , Argiris Athanassios , Gurizzan Cristina , Perrone Federica , Ghi Maria Grazia , Cassano Alessandra , Allegrini Giacomo , De Cecco Loris , Bossi Paolo 
Published: June 2022

6051 Background: In platinum-resistant recurrent-metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients (pts), survival improvements have been achieved with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), however this benefit is limited to a relatively small subgroup of pts. Predictive biomarkers are still under investigation and their contribution to the clinic has been limited. An immune-related cluster (Cl6) has been defined by means of a metanalysis in locally advanced HNSCC. Methods: Gene expression profiling was performed on two cohorts of platinum resistant R/M HNSCC pts treated with ICI alone: i) 20 patients as training set, divided in long-term (OS >18 months; n=12) and short-term (OS < 6 months; n=8) survivors matched according to site of recurrence (distant metastases only, or locoregional recurrence with/out metastases); ii) 80 patients enrolled in a phase II trial (EudraCT number: 2017-000562-30; NIVACTOR study) as testing set. The molecular subtyping stratification (De Cecco, Oncotarget 2015) was applied. Subsequently, a score was determined between each sample and the centroids for the 6 clusters previously identified. The threshold point was imputed in the training set as the closest value to the observed prevalence. A Cox multivariable analysis including TMB, CPS and TPS PD-L1 status, age, tumoral subsite and performance status (PS) was performed. Results: Among all the clusters, Cl6 turned out to be significant and applied to training set it provided evidence to discriminate pts’ survivals (AUC=0.86, 95%CI=0.7-1.0; p=2E-05). The stratification based on Cl-6 along with the cut-off point defined in the training set were challenged in the testing set: samples were divided in 28 (35%) having high Cl-6 scores and 52 (65%) with low scores, reaching HR=0.46 (95% CI= 0.27-0.76; p=0.0024). Multivariate analysis showed that only Cl6 (high vs low, HR=0.44; p=0.00443) and PS (1,2 vs 0, HR 1.85; p=0.02686) resulted to be significant on pts’ OS. Conclusions: By analysing two series of pts receiving immunotherapy alone, we identified an immune-related gene expression signature, able to discriminate the prognosis of platinum-resistant R/M HNSCC pts. The multivariate analysis confirmed the immune-related Cl6 as factor linked to outcome in pts treated with immunotherapy, as well as it confirmed the importance of PS. An analysis of the signature on pts receiving first line treatment with immunotherapy is currently ongoing. [Table: see text]
The mutational landscape of medullary thyroid carcinoma using whole-exome sequencing in China.
Authors: Huang Chen , Di Jinxi , Jiang Ruiying , Wang Xiaowei , Wang Ye , Feng Qianqian , Liu Siyao , Niu Yun , Shi Yanfen , Lin Jie , Wang Bei , Luo Jie , Zhong Dingrong , Tong Jie 
Published: June 2022

6054 Background: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignancy, and its molecular pathogenesis is far from being understood. Therefore, a relatively comprehensive and accurate genomic profiling is needed for the future molecular diagnosis, treatment and early prevention of MTC patients. Methods: In this study, we investigated both the somatic and germline mutational spectrum of MTC, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on tumor samples and matched noncancerous tissues from 30 MTC patients. Genetic alterations were defined and analyzed using MutSigCV and novel germline mutations were identified using MutationTaster and cross-referenced in PubMed. Results: In somatic mutational spectrum we found the top three significantly mutated genes (SMGs) in our MTC samples were RET, FAM186A and PRG4 genes (33%, 33% and 27%, respectively). For the germline mutations, FAT4 was detected as the most common mutated genes, following by RET and FAT1. Besides, we identified 30 novel germline mutations such as IGF1R, PDK1, NOTCH1, RPTOR, MPL, SETD2 and ARID2. Those mutated genes have been previously associated with neurofibromatosis, Lynch syndrome and other diseases respectively and now predicted potential functional pathogenicity in the patients with MTC. Conclusions: The study elucidated a relatively more comprehensive genomic landscape of MTC. In addition to the RET gene, which has been studied extensively, other SMGs may also be of interest including novel germline mutations. These findings may indicate the potential basis of molecular diagnosis, early prevention and targeted therapeutic options for patients with MTC in the future.
Impact on xerostomia for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with superficial parotid lobe-sparing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (SPLS-IMRT): A prospective phase II randomized controlled study.
Authors: Huang Huageng , Miao Jingjing , Zhao Chong , Wang Lin 
Published: June 2022

6059 Background: In the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) era, xerostomia remains one of the most common radiation-induced toxicities in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. We first proposed the superficial parotid lobe–sparing IMRT (SPLS-IMRT) technique in NPC, which has been proved to significantly reduce the mean doses of bilateral entire parotid glands and superficial parotid lobes. To further validate its clinical benefits, we conducted a prospective phase II randomized controlled study to compare the incidence of xerostomia in NPC patients treated with SPLS-IMRT and conventional IMRT (C-IMRT). Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed NPC who met the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either SPLS-IMRT or C-IMRT. The V36 (the percentage volume receiving a dose of 36 Gy) of the entire parotid gland was constrained to be less than 40% in both groups. Additionally, V26 (the percentage volume receiving a dose of 26 Gy) of the superficial parotid lobe was constrained to be less than 30% in the SPLS-IMRT group. The primary endpoint was the incidence of xerostomia at 12 months post-IMRT. The secondary endpoints included the xerostomia questionnaire (XQ) score, unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR), stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR), and survival outcomes. Results: From January 2018 to September 2018, 90 patients were enrolled (45 per group). Eighty-two patients were included for xerostomia analysis (42 in the SPLS-IMRT group and 40 in the C-IMRT group). At 12 months post-IMRT, the incidence of xerostomia in the SPLS-IMRT group was significantly lower than that in the C-IMRT group (83.4% vs. 95.0%; P = 0.007), especially the grade 3 xerostomia (0% vs. 12.5%; P < 0.001). However, the median change in XQ score (XQchange) was similar between the two groups (11.9 points vs. 14.1 points; P = 0.194). Moreover, there was a significantly higher median fractional USFR (0.67 vs. 0.35; P = 0.024) and SSFR (0.66 vs. 0.32; P = 0.021) in the SPLS-IMRT group than the C-IMRT group. All 90 patients were included for survival analysis. With a median follow-up time of 37.8 months (IQR, 33.9–38.5 months), the 3-year locoregional relapse-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival in the SPLS-IMRT and C-IMRT groups were 92.5% vs. 90.9% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.84; P = 0.477), 83.8% vs. 81.7% (HR, 1.13; P = 0.816), and 88.9% vs. 88.2% (HR, 0.96; P = 0.949), respectively. Conclusions: SPLS-IMRT significantly reduced the incidence of xerostomia at 12 months post-IMRT in NPC by recovering parotid gland function earlier than C-IMRT, without compromising survivals. Phase III clinical trials are needed to confirm this result. Clinical trial information: NCT05020067.
Quality of life and two-year results of a randomized phase III study of dysphagia-optimized intensity modulated radiotherapy (DO-IMRT) versus standard IMRT (S-IMRT) in head and neck cancer.
Authors: Nutting Christopher , Rooney Keith , Foran Bernadette , Pettit Laura , Beasley Matthew , Finneran Laura , Roe Justin , Tyler Justine , Roques Tom , Cook Audrey , Petkar Imran , Bhide Shree , Srinivasan Devraj , Boon Cheng , De Winton Emma , Frogley Robert , Sydenham Mark Adrian , Emson Marie , Hall Emma ,   On behalf of the DARS Investigators
Published: June 2022

6065 Background: Most newly diagnosed oro- & hypopharngeal cancers (OPC, HPC) are treated with (chemo)RT with curative intent but at the consequence of adverse effects on quality of life. We investigated if using DO-IMRT to reduce RT dose to the dysphagia/aspiration related structures (DARS) improved swallowing function compared to S-IMRT. Methods: Patients with T1-4, N0-3, M0 OPC/HPC were randomised 1:1 to S-IMRT (65 Gray (Gy)/30 fractions (f) to primary & nodal tumour; 54Gy/30f to remaining pharyngeal subsite & nodal areas at risk of microscopic disease) or DO-IMRT. The volume of the superior & middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle (PCM) (OPC) or inferior PCM (HPC) lying outside the high-dose target volume was set a mandatory mean dose constraint in DO-IMRT. Treatment allocation was by minimisation balanced by centre, use of induction/concomitant chemotherapy, tumour site & AJCC stage. Primary endpoint was mean MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) composite score 12 months after RT. Secondary endpoints included University of Washington (UW)-Qol, Performance Status Scale Head & Neck (PSS-HN) domain scores (range: 0-100), swallow volume, swallow capacity and local control. Results: 112 patients (56 S-IMRT, 56 DO-IMRT) were randomised from 22 UK & Ireland centres from 06/2016 - 04/2018. 111/112 had RT doses as prescribed (1 patient died before RT). Outcome measures at 12 and 24 months are summarised below. DO-IMRT had higher MDADI scores at 12 (p = 0.04) and 24 (p = 0.07) months. Clinically important improvements in swallowing function were seen in patients receiving DO-IMRT using PSS-HN domains and the UW-QoL tool. Conclusions: DO-IMRT improved patient reported swallowing function compared with S-IMRT. Improvements were seen in overall MDADI as well as functional scores in both PSS-HN and UW-QoL. Clinical trial information: 25458988. [Table: see text]
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus tislelizumab followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A single-arm, phase II trial.
Authors: Chen Qiu-Yan , Mai Hai-Qiang , Tang Lin-Quan , Luo Meijuan , Zhao Chong , Mo Hao-Yuan , Sun Rui , Luo Dong-Hua , Wang Lin , Guo Shan-Shan , Xie Siyi , Li Su-Chen , Liu Sai-Lan , Li Xiao Yun , Peng Jing-Yun , Qiu Hui-Zhi , Sun Xue-Song , Liu LiTing 
Published: June 2022

6068 Background: Neoadjuvant treatment with gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP) prior to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has favorable survival outcomes with acceptable toxicity in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC), 10% of whom achieved complete response (CR) after neoadjuvant treatment. Immune checkpoint blockade therapy plus GP regimen has been shown to improve the survival in recurrent or metastatic NPC. We investigated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant treatment with GP plus tislelizumab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, in previously untreated LANPC. Methods: In this phase II, single-armed Simon two-stage study, eligible patients are of age 18-70, with adequate haematological, renal, and hepatic function, diagnosed with staged III-IVa（AJCC 8th） non-keratinizing LANPC. Enrolled patients received intravenous gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) on days 1 and 8, cisplatin (80 mg/m2) on day 1, and tislelizumab (200mg) on day 1 every 3 weeks for 3 cycles followed by standard CCRT. The primary endpoint was CR rate after neoadjuvant treatment, using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 by investigator. The secondary endpoints included pathology complete response (pCR) rate, 2-year progress-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), locoregional failure-free survival (LRRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and toxicity. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04833257, all enrolled patients have finished their treatment and the follow-up is ongoing. Results: From April 14th 2021 to August 5th, 2021, a total of 63 patients (median age 46y, 74.6% male) were enrolled at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. As of January 31st, 2022, the median follow-up is 7.37 months, no patients had disease progression. The CR rate after neoadjuvant treatment was 41.3% (95% CI, 28.8% to 53.8%). The ORR and pCR rate were 88.9% (95% CI, 80.9% to 96.9%) and 75.8% (95% CI, 64.8% to 86.8%), respectively. The incidence of acute treatment-related AEs (trAEs) and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) of grade 3 or 4 was 69.8% and 3.2%, respectively. All of irAEs for grade 3 or 4 were hepatotoxicity and skin rash. Long-term efficacy is awaited. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant treatment with GP plus tislelizumab achieved impressive CR rate and pCR rate with manageable toxicities. Further follow-up is needed to confirm the long-term efficacy. Clinical trial information: NCT04833257.
Factors associated with adherence to remote patient monitoring for early detection of dehydration risk during radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.
Authors: Phillips Sarah , Shinn Eileen H. , Garden Adam S. , Beadle Beth Michelle , Camero Maria , Baum George , Shete Sanjay , Farcas Emilia , Patrick Kevin , Peterson Susan K. 
Published: June 2022

6076 Background: Remote patient monitoring (RPM) may improve the early detection and mitigation of cancer treatment-related complications, health-related outcomes and quality of life. RPM’s success may depend, in part, on patients’ adherence to remote monitoring protocols. However, factors that influence adherence to RPM are largely unknown. Daily blood pressure/pulse (BP/P), weight, and electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) were monitored remotely in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiation treatment (RT) to identify dehydration risk. We evaluated potential factors associated with RPM adherence. Methods: During RT (average 6 to 7 weeks), participants were asked to take daily (Monday-Friday) measures of BP/P and weight using Bluetooth-enabled devices and to complete daily ePROs using a mobile tablet application (app). Data were provided to their physicians for daily review. The MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck (MDASI-HN) was completed at baseline and end of RT, and 6-8 weeks post-RT completion. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) was completed at baseline and 6-8 weeks post-RT completion. A device usability survey measuring perceived usefulness of RPM was completed at the end of RT. Adherence to daily monitoring was recorded objectively. Longitudinal analyses compared the relationship between demographic, clinical, and PRO data and monitoring adherence. Results: Participants (n = 169) were 80% male, 87% White, and 91% married. Overall adherence to monitoring BP/P, weight, and ePROs was 83%, 82% and 74%, respectively. Greater HN-specific symptom severity and interference was associated with decreased adherence to daily monitoring of BP/P, weight, and ePROs (P< 0.021). Higher PAM scores were associated with higher adherence to daily monitoring of BP/P only (p = 0.006). Participants reported modest levels of perceived usefulness of RPM across four categories: symptom management, early problem detection, illness monitoring by healthcare provider, and feeling of security during RT. Only a single item indicating perceived feeling of security was associated with greater adherence to daily monitoring of blood pressure/pulse (p = 0.032) and weight (p = 0.007). Conclusions: A benefit of frequent RPM may be early detection and mitigation of symptoms during RT for HNC, however, increasing symptom burden experienced during treatment may interfere with adherence to daily monitoring. Better adherence may be attributed to patients perceiving a sense of security from daily monitoring and may suggest a potentially important value that patients gain from RPM. Understanding factors that impact patient adherence to RPM may help improve acceptability and clinical utility of RPM in oncology. Clinical trial information: NCT02253238.