bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toward 3D dose verification of an electronic brachytherapy source with a plastic scintillation detector
Authors: Georgi Peter , Kertzscher Gustavo , Nyvang Lars , Šolc Jaroslav , Schneider Thorsten , Tanderup Kari , Johansen Jacob Graversen 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundElectronic brachytherapy (eBT) is considered a safe treatment with good outcomes. However, eBT lacks standardized and independent dose verification, which could impede future use.PurposeTo validate the 3D dose‐to‐water distribution of an electronic brachytherapy (eBT) source using a small‐volume plastic scintillation detector (PSD).MethodsThe relative dose distribution of a Papillon 50 (P50) (Ariane Medical Systems, UK) eBT source was measured in water with a PSD consisting of a cylindrical scintillating BCF‐12 fiber (length: 0.5 mm, Ø: 1 mm) coupled to a photodetector via an optical fiber. The measurements were performed with the PSD mounted on a motorized stage in a water phantom (MP3) (PTW, Germany). This allowed the sensitive volume of the PSD to be moved to predetermined positions relative to the P50 applicator, which pointed vertically downward while just breaching the water surface. The percentage depth‐dose (PDD) was measured from 0 to 50 mm source‐to‐detector distance (SDD) in 1–3 mm steps. Dose profiles were measured along two perpendicular axes at five different SDDs with step sizes down to 0.5 mm. Characterization of the PSD consisted of determining the energy correction through Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and by measuring the stability and dose rate linearity using a well‐type ionization chamber as a reference. The measured PDD and profiles were validated with corresponding MC simulations.ResultsThe measured and simulated PDD curves agreed within 2% (except at 0 mm and 43 mm depth) after the PSD measurements were corrected for energy dependency. The absorbed dose decreased by a factor of 2 at 7 mm depth and by a factor of 10 at 26 mm depth. The measured dose profiles showed dose gradients at the profile edges of more than 50%/mm at 5 mm depth and 15%/mm at 50 mm depth. The measured profile widths increased 0.66 mm per 1 mm depth, while the simulated profile widths increased 0.74 mm per 1 mm depth. An azimuthal dependency of > 10% was observed in the dose at 10 mm distance from the beam center. The total uncertainty of the measured relative dose is < 2.5% with a positional uncertainty of 0.4 mm. The measurements for a full 3D dose characterization (PDD and profiles) can be carried out within 8 h, the limiting factor being cooling of the P50.ConclusionThe PSD and MP3 water phantoms provided a method to independently verify the relative 3D dose distribution in water of an eBT source.
3D thermoelastic solids under non‐linear interface thermal and orthotropic frictional contact conditions
Authors: Ubero‐Martínez Iván , Rodríguez‐Tembleque Luis , Cifuentes‐Rodríguez Jaime , Vallepuga‐Espinosa José 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis article presents a robust and efficient methodology to study three‐dimensional thermoelastic contact problems under orthotropic friction conditions, including the effects of non‐linear thermal contact conductance and convective boundary conditions at the interstitial contact zone. The proposed methodology considers the boundary element method to compute the thermomechanical influence coefficients and an augmented Lagrangian formulation to ensure the fulfillment of all these thermomechanical contact conditions. The resulting non‐linear equation set have been solved by an efficient proposed iterative Uzawa scheme. The proposed formulation has been validated by comparison with some available results in the literature and later on, it is considered to study how the thermoelastic contact variables are affected by both: the non‐linear interface thermal and the orthotropic friction conditions in different engineering problems such as a brake disc‐pad contact system.
Obesity and breast cancer: Preventive and therapeutic possibilities for bariatric surgery
Authors: Crafts Trevor D. , Tonneson Jennifer E. , Wolfe Bruce M. , Stroud Andrea M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBreast cancer is the most common and second deadliest malignancy in women. With rising obesity rates and building evidence for a strong association with obesity, the incidence of breast cancer can be expected to increase. Weight loss reduces breast cancer risk, the mechanisms of which are still poorly understood. As an effective therapy for obesity, bariatric surgery may be a powerful tool in breast cancer prevention and treatment. This review details the potential physiologic mechanisms that may underlie this association, as well as recently published studies that reinforce the link between bariatric surgery and a reduction in incident breast cancer. The use of bariatric surgery as an adjunct therapy in endometrial cancer also raises the potential for similar use in select breast cancer patients. Despite the expanding potential applications of bariatric surgery in this field, publications to date have been strictly observational, highlighting a need for future clinical trials.
Identification of Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl in different harvest periods using intelligent sensory technologies, HPLC characteristic fingerprint coupled with chemometrics
Authors: Pan Meng Hua , Su Ya Fei , Liu Xue Jing , Xiang Si Qi , Ding Yan Xia , Li Qin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionForsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl (FS), the fruit of Oleaceae plants, as a large part of traditional Chinese medicine, is classified as “Qingqiao (Q)” and “Laoqiao (L)” based on the harvest time. Because the maturation of FS is a gradual process, its accurate identification based on different maturity levels is an important issue.ObjectivesWe suggest colorimetric, electronic tongue, and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) characteristic fingerprints to discriminate FS in different harvest periods.Material and methodsFirst, FS fruits from different harvest times were collected, and then, their colour parameters, E‐tongue sensory properties, HPLC characteristic fingerprints, and contents of nominal ingredients were determined. Finally, multivariate statistical analyses, including three‐dimensional scatter plots, hierarchical cluster, principal component, linear discriminant, similarity, and partial least squares discriminant analyses were performed.ResultsThe results demonstrated that the three experimental techniques could effectively discriminate FS based on different harvest times with 100% accuracy. Under the qualitative conditions, nine common peaks were identified in the HPLC fingerprints of 60 samples, among which, six peaks [variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1] could be used as index peaks for qualitative identification. In fact, the contents of quality marker components, including forsythin, phillygenin, rutin and forsythoside A, were significant different (P < 0.001) at different harvest times. Interestingly, the quality markers not only accurately reflected the maturity of FS but also showed close correlations with the colour parameters and sensory E‐tongue responses.ConclusionIn our present investigation, bionic technologies, including a colorimeter, E‐tongue analysis, and HPLC characteristic fingerprints, combined with chemometrics, were employed to develop a novel and accurate method for discriminating FS based on different harvest times.
Validation of the multidimensional impact of Cancer Risk Assessment Questionnaire to assess impact of waiting for genome sequencing results
Authors: Best Megan , Napier Christine , Schlub Timothy , Bartley Nicci , Biesecker Barbara , Ballinger Mandy , Butow Phyllis 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether the existing Multidimensional Impact of Cancer Risk Assessment (MICRA) scale, which assesses impact of receiving genetic test results on individuals being assessed for cancer risk, can be successfully adapted to cancer patients experiencing prolonged waiting for results of germline genome sequencing (GS).MethodsPatients previously diagnosed with likely hereditary cancer (n = 250) who were waiting for germline GS results completed questionnaires 3 months after baseline. We adapted the MICRA to measure anxiety associated with waiting for results, and assessed factor structure, internal consistency, test–retest reliability and construct validation.ResultsFactor analysis revealed four factors: distress, positive experience, family support and uncertainty. Internal consistency for each sub‐scale was high with the values of Cronbach's alpha for the distress, positive experiences, family support and uncertainty sub‐scales 0.92, 0.88, 0.92 and 0.87, respectively. Test–retest reliability was poor, with intra‐class correlations of 0.53, 0.13, 0.33 and 0.52 for the four factors, respectively. Construct validation showed large correlations between the MICRA distress and uncertainty sub‐scale scores and the Impact of Events score intrusion (0.42 and 0.62, respectively) and IES avoidant thinking sub‐scales (0.40 and 0.58, respectively) but not the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale sub‐scales.ConclusionsThe adapted MICRA identified test‐related anxiety and uncertainty in a population of cancer patients waiting for germline GS results. Results suggest that the distress and uncertainty sub‐scales of the adapted measure are most useful in this context.
Analgesic and antiinflammatory effects of Nigella orientalis L. seeds fixed oil: Pharmacological potentials and molecular mechanisms
Authors: Ait Eldjoudi Djedjiga , Ruiz‐Fernandez Clara , González‐Rodriguez María , Ait Atmane Sihem , Cordero‐Barreal Alfonso , Farrag Yousof , Pino Jesus , Sineiro Jorge , Lago Francisca , Conde‐Aranda Javier , Khettal Bachra , Gualillo Oreste 
Published: February 2022

AbstractNigella species have been widely used in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiinflammatory and analgesic potentials of Nigella orientalis L. seeds fixed oil (NOO). The acetic acid writhing test and the formaldehyde‐induced licking paw were performed to assess the analgesic activity of the oil. The antiinflammatory activity was first evaluated in vitro by the erythrocyte membrane stabilization then in vivo by xylene‐ and carrageenan‐induced ear and paw edema, respectively. To further understand the molecular mechanism of action of the Nigella extract, lipopolysaccharide‐activated RAW 264.7 macrophages were used. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reaction and cell viability by MTT assay. The gene and protein expression of inflammatory mediators were assessed by RT‐PCR and western blot, respectively. NOO exerted a potent analgesic effect in in vivo models of writhing test and induced edema. The analyzed molecular mechanisms revealed a role for NO and prostaglandins as molecules mediating the pharmacological effects of the extract through a mechanism involving nuclear factor‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinases. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the fixed oil of N. orientalis has strong antinociceptive and antiinflammatory properties and might be a promising agent for the treatment of certain inflammation‐related diseases.
A Prospective Diversity of Antibacterial Small Peptidomimetic and Quorum Sensing Mediated Drug: A Review
Authors: Bhukta Swadhapriya , Samal Sangram Keshari , Vasudevan Sahana , Sarveswari Hema Bhagavathi , Shanmugam Karthi , Princy S. Adline , Dandela Rambabu 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe global threat of antimicrobial resistance demands alternative tackling approaches with a unique mechanism of action. Antimicrobial peptides are currently explored widely as the potential next generation antimicrobials and anti‐infectives. They provide multiple advantages in terms of wide spectrum activity ranging from antimicrobial, anti‐infective to immunomodulatory agents. The most striking feature is the delayed resistance development. Owing to their reduced stability and easy degradation, the current research is focused on the development of small peptidomimetic molecules (SPMs) provides longer half‐life and improved stability. In addition, they are widely explored as quorum sensing inhibitors. These are proven to be effective quorum quenchers against both Gram ‐ positive and Gram – negative bacteria. Specifically these molecules are shown to have potent anti‐biofilm activity. In this regard, this review provides the structural aspects in the development of SPMs as both antibacterial and anti‐quorum drugs for the last five years.
Iodide Salt Mediated Synthesis of β‐Keto Sulfones Using Arylsulfonyl Chlorides as the Sulfur Sources
Authors: Yuan Zhi‐ying , Zhang Shuai , Teng Fan , Jin Xue‐Feng , Sheng Wen‐bing , Gui Qing‐Wen 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAn efficient, green strategy has been developed to synthesize β‐keto sulfones using available and inexpensive sulfonyl chlorides as a sulfur source in reaction with aromatic alkenes in the presence of cheap iodide. It is particularly pointed out that this method involves the construction of C−S bonds and the desired product can be obtained either through the free radical pathway. This agreement involves a green and simple synthesis method, and is functionalized with styrene and the present method is applicable to a wide range of benzenesulfonyl chloride compounds and styrenes with a variety of functional groups.
Synthesis of Pentacyclic Pyran Fused Pyrazolo Benzo[h]quinolines by Multicomponent Reaction and Their Photophysical Studies
Authors: Yadav Rahul , Darakshan  , Bhaumick Prabhas , Choudhury Lokman H. , Parvin Tasneem 
Published: February 2022

AbstractHerein we report for the first time a one‐pot method for the synthesis of pentacyclic pyran fused pyrazolo benzo[h]quinolines in acetic acid medium from the three‐component reaction of 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone, α, β‐unsaturated aldehydes and 5‐aminopyrazoles under the reflux conditions. In this reaction, four new bonds (2 C−C, 1 C−N and 1 C−O) and two new rings (pyridine and pyran) were formed in one‐pot. The novel products contain four bioactive moieties such as pyran, pyridine, pyrazole and α‐naphthol. The salient features of this method are: one‐pot process, short reaction time, easier purification, no need of column chromatography and good yields of the products. All the products were characterized by IR, NMR and HRMS. Most of our synthesized compounds were found highly fluorescent. Therefore, we further studied their photophysical properties by UV‐Visible and Fluorescence spectroscopy. We have calculated their quantum yields which were found in the range 0.243–0.424 in CHCl3 solution (c=10−5 M). Compound 4 e showed the highest quantum yield of 0.424.
In Operando Neutron Scattering Multiple‐Scale Studies of Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Huibo , Ning De , Wang Litong , Li Heng , Li Qingyuan , Ge Mingzheng , Zou Junyan , Chen Shi , Shao Huaiyu , Lai Yuekun , Zhang Yanyan , Xing Guichuan , Pang Wei Kong , Tang Yuxin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractReal‐time observation of the electrochemical mechanistic behavior at various scales offers new insightful information to improve the performance of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). As complementary to the X‐ray‐based techniques and electron microscopy‐based methodologies, neutron scattering provides additional and unique advantages in materials research, owing to the different interactions with atomic nuclei. The non‐Z‐dependent elemental contrast, in addition to the high penetration ability and weak interaction with matters, makes neutron scattering an advanced probing tool for the in operando mechanistic studies of LIBs. The neutron‐based techniques, such as neutron powder diffraction, small‐angle neutron scattering, neutron reflectometry, and neutron imaging, have their distinct functionalities and characteristics regimes. These result in their scopes of application distributed in different battery components and covering the full spectrum of all aspects of LIBs. The review surveys the state‐of‐the‐art developments of real‐time investigation of the dynamic evolutions of electrochemically active compounds at various scales using neutron techniques. The atomic‐scale, the mesoscopic‐scale, and at the macroscopic‐scale within LIBs during electrochemical functioning provide insightful information to battery researchers. The authors envision that this review will popularize the applications of neutron‐based techniques in LIB studies and furnish important inspirations to battery researchers for the rational design of the new generation of LIBs.
Prediction of bug‐fixing time based on distinguishable sequences fusion in open source software
Authors: Du Junwei , Ren Xinshuang , Li Haojie , Jiang Feng , Yu Xu 
Published: February 2022

AbstractGenerally, open source software (OSS) has a longer bug‐fixing time. If the bug‐fixing time can be predicted accurately as early as possible, it will be beneficial to the efficiency of bug fixing. Traditional bug‐fixing time prediction models are usually based on static features of bug report. It is difficult to go into service due to inappropriate feature extraction of data and low prediction accuracy of models. The HMM prediction model can predict the bug‐fixing time accurately according to earlier fixing activities. However, this method of temporal sequence feature selection results in a large number of inconsistent samples, and the HMM prediction model can only capture the adjacent activity behavior information of one sequence, and hence, it will reduce the performance of bug‐fixing time prediction. By incorporating the activity information and time information of bug activity transfer, the proportion of inconsistent samples is reduced significantly. In this paper, a double‐sequence input LSTM model (LSTM‐DA) is designed to capture both sequences interaction features and long‐distance‐dependent features. The results of the experiments show that the proposed model can improve the F‐measure and accuracy indicators by about 10% compared with the HMM model in all dimensions, which demonstrates the effectiveness of our method.
Application of engineered cementitious composites in the plastic hinge of reinforced concrete beams for seismic enhancing
Authors: Zhang Yangxi , Yao Xinyuan , Li Tong , Deng Mingke 
Published: February 2022

AbstractShear failure of the potential plastic hinge region of reinforced concrete (RC) beam usually causes irrational failure mechanism and low seismic response of the whole frame structure. In this study, engineered cementitious composite (ECC) was proposed to apply locally in the potential plastic hinge region of RC beams to improve the failure mode and rotation capacity of the members. One RC beam and five ECC‐RC composite beams were manufactured, and tested by lateral cyclic loading. The test variables were the length of ECC strengthening region, stirrup ratio and longitudinal reinforcement ratio. The test results indicated that the plastic hinge region of the RC beam failed in shear with poor plastic deformation and low energy dissipation. For the ECC strengthened beams, flexural behavior dominated the ECC region and shear failure was migrated up into the concrete region or eliminated. The ECC region of the composite beams exhibited great rotation capacity, thus the hysteretic response, plastic deformability and energy dissipation of the ECC strengthened beams were improved significantly. Meanwhile, applying ECC in the plastic hinge effectively enhances the damage tolerance of the beams. Based on the test results, the substituting length of ECC in the potential plastic hinge of the RC beam is recommended to be no less than the beam height. Besides, the strength of ECC strengthened beam can be calculated and checked by the current design codes.
Optimal verification strategies in multi‐firm projects
Authors: Kulkarni Aditya U. , Salado Alejandro , Wernz Christian 
Published: February 2022

AbstractVerification activities are intended to reduce the costs of system development by identifying design errors before deploying the system. However, subcontractors in multifirm projects are motivated to implement locally cost‐effective verification strategies over verification strategies that benefit the main contractor. Incentivizing verification activities is one mechanism by which the contractor can motivate subcontractors to implement verification strategies desirable to the contractor. Prior work on mathematical models of verification in systems engineering has neither explored optimal verification strategies nor incentives in multi‐firm projects. In this paper, we present a modeling concept for determining optimal verification strategies in multi‐firm projects. Our models are belief‐based, which means that contractors and subcontractors incorporate their at times limited knowledge about true verification state through a probabilistic assessment of possible states. We develop an initial two‐level model, where one contractor directly works with multiple subcontractors at the next lower level. This model is then extended to a general network model with multiple, multilevel contractor‐subcontractor relationship. We derive solution algorithms that characterize the optimal verification strategies and incentives for each of the firms. Our work contributes to the systems engineering literature by laying the foundation for the study of incentives as a mechanism to align verification activities in multi‐firm systems engineering projects.
Biogeography and systematics ofCarexsubgenusUncinia(Cyperaceae): A unique radiation for the genusCarexin the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: García‐Moro Pablo , Otero Ana , Benítez‐Benítez Carmen , Costa Lucas , Martín‐Bravo Santiago , Naczi Robert F.C. , Reznicek Anton A. , Roalson Eric H. , Starr Julian R. , Jiménez‐Mejías Pedro 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCarexsubg.Uncinia(Cyperaceae) constitutes one of six currently recognizedCarexsubgenera. This subgenus is mainly distributed on the American continent and in the Pacific region, and it is the only subgenus almost entirely absent from the Old World and primarily diversified in the Southern Hemisphere. It includes some of the fewCarexspecies with clear epizoochoric traits: the representatives ofC. sect.Unciniapossess utricles with an exserted and hooked rachilla that allows the diaspores to attach to feather or hair. We performed phylogenetic (ITS, ETS‐1f,matK), biogeographic, and ancestral state reconstruction analyses to elucidate the systematic structure, origin and dispersal routes, and major morphological evolutionary patterns of the different lineages within the subgenus. Our phylogenetic reconstructions revealed that the subgenus comprises seven different clades that mostly match previously recognized sections. One of the clades, however, represents a new section described herein asC. sect.Wheelerianae. Unispicate lineages evolved repeatedly from ancestors bearing multispicate inflorescences, while the presence of a rachilla, often pictured as a plesiomorphy inCarex, seems to have developed four independent times in the evolution ofC. subg.Uncinia. The origin of the subgenus dates back to the beginning of the Miocene, probably in North America from where it colonized the Southern Hemisphere. It first dispersed to South America during the Early Miocene. Later, in the Middle Miocene, representatives ofC. sect.Unciniawould reach the Pacific Southwest region (New Zealand, Australasia) from South America in at least two independent dispersal events. The vast majority of the biogeographic events seem to be explained by long‐distance dispersal. The remarkable dispersal ability ofC. sect.Unciniaenabled by the hooked rachilla has allowed it to reach remote archipelagos in the Pacific and Subantarctic regions, probably bird‐mediated.