Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast transit portal dosimetry using density-scaled layer modeling of aSi-based electronic portal imaging device and Monte Carlo method.

PURPOSE Fast and accurate transit portal dosimetry was investigated by developing a density-scaled layer model of electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and applying it to a clinical environment. METHODS The model was developed for fast Monte Carlo dose calculation. The model was validated through comparison with measurements of dose on EPID using first open beams of varying field sizes under a 20-cm-thick flat phantom. After this basic validation, the model was further tested by applying it to transit dosimetry and dose reconstruction that employed our predetermined dose-response-based algorithm developed earlier. The application employed clinical intensity-modulated beams irradiated on a Rando phantom. The clinical beams were obtained through planning on pelvic regions of the Rando phantom simulating prostate and large pelvis intensity modulated radiation therapy. To enhance agreement between calculations and measurements of dose near penumbral regions, convolution conversion of acquired EPID images was alternatively used. In addition, thickness-dependent image-to-dose calibration factors were generated through measurements of image and calculations of dose in EPID through flat phantoms of various thicknesses. The factors were used to convert acquired images in EPID into dose. RESULTS For open beam measurements, the model showed agreement with measurements in dose difference better than 2% across open fields. For tests with a Rando phantom, the transit dosimetry measurements were compared with forwardly calculated doses in EPID showing gamma pass rates between 90.8% and 98.8% given 4.5 mm distance-to-agreement (DTA) and 3% dose difference (DD) for all individual beams tried in this study. The reconstructed dose in the phantom was compared with forwardly calculated doses showing pass rates between 93.3% and 100% in isocentric perpendicular planes to the beam direction given 3 mm DTA and 3% DD for all beams. On isocentric axial planes, the pass rates varied between 95.8% and 99.9% for all individual beams and they were 98.2% and 99.9% for the composite beams of the small and large pelvis cases, respectively. Three-dimensional gamma pass rates were 99.0% and 96.4% for the small and large pelvis cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The layer model of EPID built for Monte Carlo calculations offered fast (less than 1 min) and accurate calculation for transit dosimety and dose reconstruction.
Bernoulli Sampling Based (element of, delta)-Approximate Aggregation in Large-Scale Sensor Networks

Aggregations of sensed data are very important for users to get summary information about monitored area in applications of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). As the approximate aggregation results are enough for users to perform analysis and make decisions, many approximate aggregation algorithms are proposed for WSNs. However, most of the algorithms have fixed error bounds and cannot meet arbitrary precision requirement, the uniform sampling based algorithm which can reach arbitrary precision is just suitable for the static networks. Considering the dynamic property of WSNs, in this paper, we propose an approximate aggregation algorithm based on Bernoulli sampling to satisfy arbitrary precision requirement. Besides, two adaptive algorithms are also proposed, one is for adapting the sample with varying of precision requirement, the other is for adapting the sample with varying of sensed data. The theoretical analysis and experiment results show that the proposed algorithms have high performance in terms of accuracy and energy consumption.
Lymphokine-induced mycobacteriostatic activity in mouse pleural macrophages

We have developed an in vitro assay to study the intramacrophage replication of Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis BCG. In this assay, extracellular mycobacterial replication was avoided by using a small infecting inoculum and a new method for efficiently removing nonphagocytocytized bacilli. The ability of different mycobacterial strains to replicate in mouse pleural macrophages correlated with their virulence. The effect of lymphokines prepared by incubating spleen cells from BCG-immunized mice with mycobacterial antigens was tested with this assay. In the presence of lymphokines, mouse pleural macrophages were able to inhibit the intramacrophage replication of both BCG and M. tuberculosis. This assay is a useful in vitro model for studying antibacterial cellular immunity expressed by macrophages.
The effect of knee and foot position on the electromyographical activity of the superficial quadriceps.

Isometric quadriceps exercises are used early in knee rehabilitation. Varying knee or foot position is hypothesized to selectively activate specific quadriceps muscles. This study examined the activities of the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris during isometric contractions at 90 degrees, 150 degrees, and 175 degrees knee angles with internally rotated, neutral, and externally rotated foot positions. Subjects performed three perceived maximal isometric contractions at each knee angle/foot position while electromyographic activity (EMG) was collected. Statistical analysis consisted of a three-way repeated measures multiple analysis of variance, with post hoc analysis as was appropriate. Although no significant differences were detected among foot positions for the rectus femoris at 90 degrees, this knee angle produced significantly greater EMG activity for the neutral position compared with 150 degrees or 175 degrees. The 90 degrees angle was also superior to 175 degrees for the externally rotated position. The results for both the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis were similar, with the 90 degrees angle producing greater EMG activity than 175 degrees in the externally rotated position. In addition, the neutral position produced significantly more activity than the internally rotated position at 90 degrees. At 150 degrees, the neutral position was superior to the externally rotated position. Finally, at the 175 degrees knee angle, the highest level of EMG activity was with the foot internally rotated. Considering the combination of effects for EMG activity across all muscles tested, the 90 degrees knee angle with a neutral foot position may provide the most effective condition for rehabilitation of all muscles tested. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
First Norwegian record of Dixella naevia (Peus, 1934) (Diptera, Dixidae), and other interesting records of nematocerous Diptera

Some orders of insects are more popular among entomologists than others. What used to be called Nematocera is a group where very few papers have been published, at least on the Norwegian fauna. This applies especially to those groups with no obvious economic importance. But also mosquitoes have in Norway been neglected to some degree after the fundamental work of Natvig (1948). Since I have come across a few interesting finds of different species, I will hereby publish them in the hope that others will follow up this very fascinating group of small creatures. All the animals are collected by the author and kept in the author’s collection. The material is stored in 70% alcohol.
Neurotoxic effects of low level exposure to manganese in human populations.

5% ofingested Mn is absorbed and it is rapidly clearedfrom the blood by the liver and excreted in bile. Likeother essential elements, its concentration must becontained within certain limits for optimum fun-ctioning. The relation between manganese intakeand well-being is probably in the form of an invertedU-shaped curve: at lower levels, manifestations ofmanganese deﬁciency occur, while high levels of Mnexposure are associatedwith neurologic and neurop-sychiatric disorders. To date, we do not know atwhat level of exposure deleterious effects begin tooccur. The dose
Six-month Outcomes of Mobile Phone Application-based Self-management in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes

We report the case in order to examine the effect of a mobile application program ("Diabetes & Nutrition") developed in 2011-2012 for self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes and to recommend important considerations when the mobile application program is developed. A 46-year-old man was newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013 and had no complications. The height of the patient was 168 cm and the body weight was 75.6 kg. Nutrition education was conducted according to a medical prescription, and follow-up nutrition education was conducted after 3 and 6 months. After nutrition education, the patient was engaged in self-management using "Diabetes & Nutrition" program during 3 months. At 3 months, the body weight had decreased by 4.4 kg (from 75.6 to 71.2 kg), waist circumference by 5 cm (from 88 to 83 cm) and HbA1c level from 7.9% to 6.1%. Also at 3 months, the medication was reduced from from the dose of 850 mg to the dose of 500 mg metformin per twice a day. Since then, the patient did not continue to use the "Diabetes & Nutrition" because the level of blood glucose had stabilized, and the patient felt inconvenient and annoying to use the program. At 6 months, no significant change in the body weight and body composition was observed in comparison with those at 3 months. The present case demonstrates that the early use of "Diabetes & Nutrition" could be helpful for self-management of glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Developing self-management mobile application programs in the future will require strategies of how to promote continuous use of application program and self-management of type 2 diabetes.
Connective tissue growth factor–specific antibody attenuates tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis in an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays an important role in fibrosis by modulating cell migration and cell growth but may also modify tumor growth and metastasis. Because CTGF is overexpressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, we investigated the in vitro effects of CTGF on the proliferation and invasiveness of PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells and examined the consequences of its in vivo inhibition on the growth and metastasis of these cells using a fully human CTGF-specific monoclonal antibody (FG-3019) in an orthotopic nude mouse model. Although PANC-1 cells expressed relatively high levels of endogenous CTGF mRNA, the addition of CTGF to conditioned medium increased the proliferation and invasiveness of PANC-1 cells. Moreover, transforming growth factor-β1 caused a further increase in CTGF expression in these cells. In vivo, the twice weekly i.p. administration of FG-3019 decreased tumor growth and metastasis and attenuated tumor angiogenesis and cancer cell proliferation. FG-3019 did not enhance apoptosis and did not attenuate the inhibitory effects of gemcitabine on tumor growth and metastasis. These findings suggest that CTGF may contribute to aberrant autocrine and paracrine pathways that promote pancreatic cancer cell growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Therefore, blocking CTGF actions with FG-3019 may represent a novel therapeutic approach in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(5):1108–16]
Development of Conventional and Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assays for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Scabies

ABSTRACT Scabies remains the most prevalent, endemic, and neglected ectoparasitic infestation globally and can cause institutional outbreaks. The sensitivity of routine microscopy for demonstration of Sarcoptes scabiei mites or eggs in skin scrapings is only about 50%. Except for three studies using conventional or two-tube nested PCR on a small number of cases, no systematic study has been performed to improve the laboratory diagnosis of this important infection. We developed a conventional and a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene of S. scabiei. The cox1 gene is relatively well conserved, with its sequence having no high levels of similarity to the sequences of other human skin mites, pathogenic zoonotic mites, or common house dust mite species. This mitochondrial gene is also present in large quantities in arthropod cells, potentially improving the sensitivity of a PCR-based assay. In our study, both assays were specific and were more sensitive than microscopy in diagnosing scabies, with positive and negative predictive values of 100%. The S. scabiei DNA copy number in the microscopy-positive specimens was significantly higher than that in the microscopy-negative specimens (median S. scabiei DNA copy number, 3.604 versus 2.457 log10 copies per reaction; P = 0.0213). In the patient with crusted scabies, the qPCR assay performed on lesional skin swabs instead of scrapings revealed that the parasite DNA load took about 2 weeks to become negative after treatment. The utility of using lesional skin swabs as an alternative sample for diagnosis of scabies by PCR should be further evaluated.
The Orbital Floor is a Surgical Landmark for the Asian Anterior Skull Base

Background Surgical landmarks for defining the level of the skull base during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery (ESBS), e.g., the middle turbinate, may be distorted by tumor or previous surgery. The orbital floor is a valid fixed anatomic landmark for the white population, but it is not known if its use is useful for an Asian population. Objectives To define fixed anatomic landmarks for ESBS in an Asian population and to compare the level of the skull base and its relation with anatomic landmarks between Asian and white populations. Methods Computed tomographies performed on paranasal sinuses of Thai patients were retrospectively assessed. The distance between the nasal floor to four structures, the orbital floor, sphenoid planum, cribriform, and ethmoid roof, were measured. The level of skull base related to the orbital floor of an Asian population was compared with data of a white population from a previously published study. Results A total of 150 Thai patients (300 paranasal sinus systems) were assessed and compared with 150 white patients. The orbital floor was always below the skull base (600 sides [100%]). When compared with white patients, the Asian patients had significantly higher mean (standard deviation [SD]) values: orbital floor (35.2 ± 3.4 mm versus 33.9 ± 3.0 mm; p < 0.001), ethmoid roof (49.3 ± 3.8 mm versus 48.4 ± 4.5 mm; p = 0.01), cribriform (46.4 ± 3.6 mm versus 44.0 ± 3.7 mm; p < 0.001), and sphenoid roof (45.7 ± 3.7 mm versus 44.9 ± 3.7 mm; p = 0.01). The Asian population had a mean (SD) longer distance from the orbital floor to the cribiform (11.2 ± 2.5 mm versus 10.1 ± 2.7 mm; p < 0.001), a shorter distance to the sphenoid roof (10.5 ± 3.3 mm versus 11.0 ± 2.9 mm; p = 0.03), and a similar distance to the ethmoid roof(14.1 ± 3.1 mm versus 14.5 ± 3.5 mm; p = 0.09). Conclusion Although a statistical difference exists between racial groups, clinically, the orbital floor is a useful fixed anatomic landmark for ESBS for both Asian and white populations.
Molecular identification of species of Taenia causing bovine cysticercosis in Ethiopia

Abstract Bovine cysticercosis causing damage to the beef industry is closely linked to human taeniasis due to Taenia saginata. In African countries, Taenia spp. from wildlife are also involved as possible sources of infections in livestock. To identify the aetiological agents of bovine cysticercosis in Ethiopia, cysticerci were collected from 41 cattle slaughtered in the eastern and central areas during 2010–2012. A single cysticercus per animal was subjected to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene, and the resultant sequence was compared with those of members of the genus Taenia. Although 38 out of 41 cysticerci (92.7%) were identified as T. saginata, three samples (7.3%) showed the hitherto unknown sequences of Taenia sp. , which is distantly related to Taenia solium, Taenia arctos and Taenia ovis. Old literatures suggest it to be Taenia hyaenae, but morphological identification of species could not be completed by observing only the larval samples.
Postoperative management of nasal vestibular stenosis: the custom-made vestibular device.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a custom-made postoperative vestibular device on the occurrence and severity of restenosis. DESIGN This was a retrospective study conducted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Center for Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Academic Medical Center. In this tertiary care center between January 1994 and December 2000, 52 patients treated for nasal vestibular stenosis received a vestibular device directly postoperatively, with the intention to decrease the risk of restenosis. The vestibular device was composed of thermoplastic acrylic material and had a lumen to facilitate breathing. The shape of the device was custom-made within 1 week after surgery and was subsequently worn by the patient for 12 weeks (6 weeks continuously and 6 weeks only during the night). After this period, the occurrence and severity of restenosis of the nasal vestibule were evaluated and the necessity for a potential adjuvant operation was assessed. RESULTS Preoperatively, of the 52 patients, 38 (73%) had severe stenosis, 13 (25%) had moderate stenosis, and 1 (2%) had mild stenosis. Postoperatively, 15 (29%) of the patients had mild restenosis, 1 had a case of moderate stenosis, and 1 had a case of severe stenosis. Only the latter patient required a subsequent revision. Functional improvement was noticed in 51 (98%) of the patients, whereas 49 (94%) of the patients showed aesthetic improvement after the initial procedure. CONCLUSIONS In case of surgical treatment of vestibular stenosis, the use of a custom-made vestibular device may help prevent restenosis. In addition to functional improvement, the device may also improve the aesthetic result. The device does not seem to have any negative adverse effects, was easy to make, and was comfortable for the patient to wear.
Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for spinal metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma: its oncologic outcomes and risk of vertebral compression fracture

Spinal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) require high-dose irradiation for durable pain and tumor control. Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) enables the delivery of high-dose radiation. However, but vertebral compression fracture (VCF) can be problematic. The aim of his study is to evaluate the outcome and risk of VCF after SABR for spinal metastasis from HCC. We retrospectively reviewed 33 lesions in 42 spinal segments from 29 patients who received SABR with 1 fraction (16-20 Gy), or 3 fractions (18-45 Gy) from September 2009 to January 2015. The 1-year local control (LC) rate was 68.3%. Radiographic grade of cord compression (RGCC) was the only independent prognostic factor associated with LC (P = 0.007). The 1-year ultimate LC rate including the outcome of salvage re-irradiation was 87.2%. The pain response rate was 73.3% according to the categories of the International Bone Metastases Consensus Group. The 1-year VCF-free rate was 71.5%. Pre-existing VCF (P < 0.001) and only-lytic change (P = 0.017) were associated with a higher post-SABR VCF rate. One-third of post-SABR VCFs required interventions. SABR for spinal metastases from HCC provided efficacious LC, especially for lesions with RGCC ≤ II, and showed effective and durable pain relief. As VCF after SABR occurred frequently for vertebral segments with pre-existing VCF and only-lytic change, early preventive vertebroplasty is considerable for those high-risk vertebral segments.
Fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous biopsy of kidney: an alternative to open or laparoscopic approaches.

Received January 2007 Accepted July 2007 INTRODUCTION Percutaneous kidney biopsy is most frequently performed under the guidance of ultrasounography or computed tomography (CT). (1) In some patients, however, other options for kidney biopsy should be resorted to in order to obtain an adequate specimen. We hereby describe the technique of fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of the kidney after retrograde contrast injection through a ureteral catheter in patients with previously failed ultrasonography-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of the kidney.
Long-term outcome for patients with early stage marginal zone lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma

Abstract In this study with prolonged follow up, we compared clinical outcome, including cause of death and incidence of second cancer, for patients with early stage extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL, 49 patients), nodal marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL, nine patients) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL, 42 patients) with emphasis on potential benefit of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was given to 40 patients with EMZL (nine had surgery only) and all NMZL patients. MCL patients received radiotherapy (17 patients), chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (13 patients) or chemotherapy alone (12 patients). Compared to a matched control population no increased risk of second cancer or cardiovascular disease was observed. Radiotherapy alone was effective in EMZL and NMZL with low-relapse rates (20% and 33%) and a 10-year overall survival of 78% and 56%, respectively. High-relapse rate and inferior OS in MCL underline the need for extended staging with endoscopy and PET/CT and possibly for novel strategies.
Multi-player minimum cost flow problems with nonconvex costs and integer flows

In this paper we consider a variant of the well known minimum cost flow problem in a directed network with nonconvex costs and integer flows. We formulate the problem in a multi-player setup, whereby we associate one player with each arc of the network. The goal of each player is to minimize its nonconvex cost that depends on the integer flow through the arc subject to the network flow constraints. In this multi-player setup, a Pareto optimal point is justified to be an efficient solution concept. We propose an algorithm to compute a Pareto optimal point. We show that, although the problem in its original form has coupled constraints binding every player, there exists an equivalent variable transformation that decouples the optimization problems for a number of players. Each of the decoupled players can solve its optimization problem in a decentralized manner. We use the solutions of those decoupled players to transform the optimization problems for the rest of the players using consensus constraints. Then we present algorithms based on algebraic geometry to find a Pareto optimal point.
Control with actuation anticipation

Reachability traditionally thinks about the controllability Grammian of a system, i.e. the actuation vectors as they pass through the plant dynamics. This perspective depends on fully knowing the future plant dynamics even as we apply controls in the present, since the ability to plan is important for control. This paper explores a toy model with uncertain random actuation vectors. Our ability to plan is modulated by how much we can anticipate about the plant's future actuation. The results here philosophically build on the concept of “control capacity” introduced earlier and the model itself is inspired by earlier work on intermittent Kalman filtering and problems of networked control with packet drops. A simple greedy strategy is optimal for our toy model and we can easily characterize the informational value of knowing future actuation vectors. Furthermore, the control capacity of the toy system can be stated in a way that is suggestive of a dimensional-sense of “signal-to-noise-ratio”.