bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SU‐E‐T‐523: On the Radiobiological Impact of Lateral Scatter in Proton Beams
Authors: Heuvel F Van den , Deruysscher D
Published: July 2014

Introduction:

In proton therapy, justified concern has been voiced with respect to an increased efficiency in cell kill at the distal end of the Bragg peak. This coupled with range uncertainty is a counter indication to use the Bragg peak to define the border of a treated volume with a critical organ. An alternative is to use the lateral edge of the proton beam, obtaining more robust plans. We investigate the spectral and biological effects of the lateral scatter .

Methods:

A general purpose Monte Carlo simulation engine (MCNPX 2.7c) installed on a Scientific Linux cluster, calculated the dose deposition spectrum of protons, knock on electrons and generated neutrons for a proton beam with maximal kinetic energy of 200MeV. Around the beam at different positions in the beam direction the spectrum is calculated in concentric rings of thickness 1cm. The deposited dose is converted to a double strand break map using an analytical expression.based on micro dosimetric calculations using a phenomenological Monte Carlo code (MCDS). A strict version of RBE is defined as the ratio of generation of double strand breaks in the different modalities. To generate the reference a Varian linac was modelled in MCNPX and the generated electron dose deposition spectrum was used .

Results:

On a pristine point source 200MeV beam the RBE before the Bragg peak was of the order of 1.1, increasing to 1.7 right behind the Bragg peak. When using a physically more realistic beam of 10cm diameter the effect was smaller. Both the lateral dose and RBE increased with increasing beam depth, generating a dose deposition with mixed biological effect.

Conclusions:

The dose deposition in proton beams need to be carefully examined because the biological effect will be different depending on the treatment geometry. Deeply penetrating proton beams generate more biologically effective lateral scatter.
SU‐E‐T‐524: Web‐Based Radiation Oncology Incident Reporting and Learning System (ROIRLS)
Authors: Kapoor R , Palta J , Hagan M , Grover S , Malik G
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

Describe a Web‐based Radiation Oncology Incident Reporting and Learning system that has the potential to improve quality of care for radiation therapy patients. This system is an important facet of continuing effort by our community to maintain and improve safety of radiotherapy.Material and

Methods:

The VA National Radiation Oncology Program office has embarked on a program to electronically collect adverse events and near miss data of radiation treatment of over 25,000 veterans treated with radiotherapy annually. Software used for this program is deployed on the VAs intranet as a Website. All data entry forms (adverse event or near miss reports, work product reports) utilize standard causal, RT process step taxonomies and data dictionaries defined in AAPM and ASTRO reports on error reporting (AAPM Work Group Report on Prevention of Errors and ASTROs safety is no accident report). All reported incidents are investigated by the radiation oncology domain experts. This system encompasses the entire feedback loop of reporting an incident, analyzing it for salient details, and developing interventions to prevent it from happening again. The operational workflow is similar to that of the Aviation Safety Reporting System. This system is also synergistic with ROSIS and SAFRON.

Results:

The ROIRLS facilitates the collection of data that help in tracking adverse events and near misses and develop new interventions to prevent such incidents. The ROIRLS electronic infrastructure is fully integrated with each registered facility profile data thus minimizing key strokes and multiple entries by the event reporters.

Conclusions:

OIRLS is expected to improve the quality and safety of a broad spectrum of radiation therapy patients treated in the VA and fulfills our goal of Effecting Quality While Treating Safely The Radiation Oncology Incident Reporting and Learning System software used for this program has been developed, conceptualized and maintained by TSG Innovations Inc. and is deployed on the VA intranet as a Website.

The Radiation Oncology Incident Reporting and Learning System software used for this program has been developed, conceptualized and maintained by TSG Innovations Inc. and is deployed on the VA intranet as a Website.
SU‐E‐T‐525: Dose Volume Histograms (DVH) Analysis and Comparison with ICRU Point Doses in MRI Guided HDR Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer
Authors: Badkul R , McClinton C , Kumar P , Mitchell M
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

Brachytherapy plays a crucial role in management of cervix cancer. MRI compatible applicators have made it possible to accurately delineate gross‐target‐volume(GTV) and organs‐at‐risk(OAR) volumes, as well as directly plan, optimize and adapt dose‐distribution for each insertion. We sought to compare DVH of tumor‐coverage and OARs to traditional Point‐A, ICRU‐38 bladder and rectum point‐doses for four different planning‐techniques.

Methods:

MRI based 3D‐planning was performed on Nucletron‐Oncentra‐TPS for 3 selected patients with varying tumor‐sizes and anatomy.GTV,high‐risk‐clinical‐target‐volume(HR‐CTV),intermediate‐risk‐clinical‐target‐volume(IR‐CTV) and OARs: rectum, bladder, sigmoid‐colon, vaginal‐mucosa were delineated. Three conventionally used techniques: mg‐Radium‐equivalent(RaEq),equal‐dwell‐weights(EDW),Medical‐College‐of‐Wisconsin proposed points‐optimization(MCWO) and a manual‐graphical‐optimization(MGO) volume‐coverage based technique were applied for each patient. Prescription was 6Gy delivered to point‐A in Conventional techniques (RaEq, EDW, MCWO). For MGO, goal was to achieve 90%‐coverage (D90) to HR‐CTV with prescription‐dose. ICRU point doses for rectum and bladder, point‐A doses, DVH‐doses for HR‐CTV‐D90,0.1cc‐volume(D0.1),1ccvolume(D1),2cc‐volume(D2) were collected for all plans and analyzed

. Results:

Mean D90 for HR‐CTV normalized to MGO were 0.89,0.84,0.9,1.0 for EDW, RaEq, MCWO, MGO respectively. Mean point‐A doses were 21.7% higher for MGO. Conventional techniques with Point‐A prescriptions under covered HR‐CTV‐D90 by average of 12% as compared to MGO. Rectum, bladder and sigmoid doses were highest in MGO‐plans for ICRU points as well as D0.1,D1 and D2 doses. Among conventional‐techniques, rectum and bladder ICRU and DVH doses(0.1,1,2cc) were not significantly different (within 7%).Rectum D0.1 provided good estimation of ICRU‐rectum‐point doses (within 3.9%),rectum D0.1 were higher from 0.8 to 3.9% while bladder D0.1 overestimated the bladder ICRU point dose up to 43% for conventional‐techniques.Bladder‐D2 provided a good estimation of ICRU bladder point‐doses(within 3.6%) for conventional‐techniques. This correlation is not observed for MGO plans perhaps due to steering of isodose line, leading to unpredictable dwell‐weighting.

Conclusion:

MRI based HDR‐planning provides accurate delineation of tumor volumes and normal structures, and optimized tumor‐coverage can be achieved with acceptable normal‐tissue doses. This study showed that for conventional techniques D0.1 rectum dose and D2 bladder dose are good representation of ICRU‐reference‐point doses.
SU‐E‐T‐526: On the Linearity, Stability and Beam Energy Dependence of CdSe Quantum Dots as Scintillating Probes
Authors: Delage M‐E , Lecavalier M‐E , Lariviere D , Allen C , Beaulieu L
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

Structure and energy transfer mechanisms confer colloidal quantum dots (cQDs) interesting properties, among them their potential as scintillators. CdSe multi‐shell cQDs in powder were investigated under photons irradiation. The purpose of this work is to characterize signal to dose linearity, stability with time and to quantify the dependence of their light output with beam energy.

Methods:

The cQDs are placed at the extremity of a non‐scintillating plastic collecting fiber, with the other extremity connected to an Apogee U2000C CCD camera. The CCD camera collects the fluorescence light from irradiated cQDs from which the delivered dose is extracted. This signal is corrected for Cerenkov contamination at MV energies using the chromatic technique. The detector was irradiated with two devices: Xstrahl 200 orthovoltage unit for 120, 180 and 220 kVp and a Varian Clinac iX for 6 and 23 MV.

Results:

Linear output response with varying dose is observed for all beam energies with R2 factors > 0,999. Reproducibility measurements were performed at 120 kVp: the same set‐up was irradiated at different time intervals (one week and three months). The results showed only a small relative decrease of light output of 3,2 % after a combine deposited dose of approximately 95 Gy. CdSe nanocrystals response has been studied as a function of beam energy. The output increases with decreasing energy from 120 kVp to 6 MV and increase again for 23 MV. This behavior could be explained in part by the cQDs high‐Z composition.

Conclusion:

The fluorescence light output of CdSe cQDs was found to be linear as a function of dose. The results suggest stability of the scintillation output of cQDs over time. The specific composition of cQDs is the main cause of the observed energy dependence. We will further look into particle beam dependence of the cQDs. Bourse d' excellence aux etudes graduees du CRC (Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer, Universite Laval)

Bourse d' excellence aux etudes graduees du CRC (Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer, Universite Laval)
SU‐E‐T‐527: Prior Knowledge Guided TomoTherapy Treatment Planning
Authors: Lian J , Yuan L , Zhu X , Chera B , Chang S , Wu Q
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

The quality and efficiency of radiotherapy treatment planning are highly planer dependent. Previously we have developed a statistical model to correlate anatomical features with dosimetry features of head and neck Tomotherapy treatment. The model enables us to predict the best achievable dosimetry for individual patient prior to treatment planning. The purpose of this work is to study if the prediction model can facilitate the treatment planning in both the efficiency and dosimetric quality.

Methods:

The anatomy‐dosimetry correlation model was used to calculate the expected DVH for nine patients formerly treated. In Group A (3 patients), the model prediction agreed with the clinic plan; in Group B (3 patients), the model predicted lower larynx mean dose than the clinic plan; in Group C (3 patients), the model suggested the brainstem could be further spared. Guided by the prior knowledge, we re‐planned all 9 cases. The number of interactions during the optimization process and dosimetric endpoints between the original clinical plan and model‐guided re‐plan were compared.

Results:

For Group A, the difference of target coverage and organs‐at‐risk sparing is insignificant (p>0.05) between the replan and the clinical plan. For Group B, the clinical plan larynx median dose is 49.4±4.7 Gy, while the prediction suggesting 40.0±6.2 Gy (p<0.05). The re‐plan achieved 41.5±6.6 Gy, with similar dose on other structures as clinical plan. For Group C, the clinical plan brainstem maximum dose is 44.7±5.5 Gy. The model predicted lower value 32.2±3.8 Gy (p<0.05). The re‐plans reduced brainstem maximum dose to 31.8±4.1 Gy without affecting the dosimetry of other structures. In the replanning of the 9 cases, the times operator interacted with TPS are reduced on average about 50% compared to the clinical plan.

Conclusion:

We have demonstrated that the prior expert knowledge embedded model improved the efficiency and quality of Tomotherapy treatment planning.
Say What You Mean: Rethinking Disability Language in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly
Authors: Peers Danielle , Spencer-Cavaliere Nancy , Eales Lindsay
Published: July 2014

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (APAQ) currently mandates that authors use person-first language in their publications. In this viewpoint article, we argue that although this policy is well intentioned, it betrays a very particular cultural and disciplinary approach to disability: one that is inappropriate given the international and multidisciplinary mandate of the journal. Further, we contend that APAQ’s current language policy may serve to delimit the range of high-quality articles submitted and to encourage both theoretical inconsistency and the erasure of the ways in which research participants self-identify. The article begins with narrative accounts of each of our negotiations with disability terminology in adapted physical activity research and practice. We then provide historical and theoretical contexts for person-first language, as well as various other widely circulated alternative English-language disability terminology. We close with four suggested revisions to APAQ’s language policy.
Load-Specific Physical Activity Scores are Related to Tibia Bone Architecture
Authors: Kindler Joseph M. , Ross Hannah L. , Laing Emma M. , Modlesky Christopher M. , Pollock Norman K. , Baile Clifton A. , Lewis Richard D.
Published: July 2014

Assessment of physical activity in clinical bone studies is essential. Two bone-specific physical activity scoring methods, the Bone Loading History Questionnaire (BLHQ) and Bone-Specific Physical Activity Questionnaire (BPAQ), have shown correlations with bone density and geometry, but not architecture. The purpose of this study was to determine relationships between physical activity scoring methods and bone architecture in non-Hispanic white adolescent females (N = 24; 18-19 years of age). Bone loading scores (BLHQ [hip and spine] and past BPAQ) and energy expenditure (7-day physical activity recall) were determined from respective questionnaires. Estimates of trabecular and cortical bone architecture at the nondominant radius and tibia were assessed via magnetic resonance imaging. Total body and regional areal bone mineral density (aBMD), as well as total body fat mass and fat-free soft tissue (FFST) mass were assessed via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Pearson’s correlations and partial correlations adjusting for height, total body fat mass, and FFST were performed. Hip BLHQ scores were correlated with midtibia cortical volume (r = .43; p = .03). Adjusted hip and spine BLHQ scores were correlated with all midtibia cortical measures (r = .50-0.58; p < .05) and distal radius apparent trabecular number (r = .46-0.53; p < .05). BPAQ scores were correlated with all midtibia cortical (r = .41-0.51; p < .05) and most aBMD (r = .47-0.53; p < .05) measures. Energy expenditure was inversely associated with femoral neck aBMD only after statistical adjustment (r = .49, p < .05). These data show that greater load-specific physical activity scores, but not energy expenditure, are indicative of greater midtibia cortical bone quality, thus supporting the utility of these instruments in musculoskeletal research.
Dairy-Based Preexercise Meal Does Not Affect Gut Comfort or Time-Trial Performance in Female Cyclists
Authors: Haakonssen Eric C. , Ross Megan L. , Cato Louise E. , Nana Alisa , Knight Emma J. , Jenkins David G. , Martin David T. , Burke Louise M.
Published: July 2014

Some athletes avoid dairy in the meal consumed before exercise due to fears about gastrointestinal discomfort. Regular exclusion of dairy foods may unnecessarily reduce intake of high quality proteins and calcium with possible implications for body composition and bone health. This study compared the effects of meals that included (Dairy) or excluded (Control) dairy foods on gastric comfort and subsequent cycling performance. Well-trained female cyclists (n = 32; mean ± SD; 24.3 ± 4.1 y; VO2peak 57.1 ± 4.9 ml/kg/min) completed two trials (randomized cross-over design) in which they consumed a meal (2 g/kg carbohydrate and 54 kJ/kg) 2 hr before a 90-min cycle session (80 min at 60% maximal aerobic power followed by a 10-min time trial; TT). The dairy meal contained 3 servings of dairy foods providing ~1350 mg calcium. Gut comfort and palatability were measured using questionnaires. Performance was measured as maximum mean power during the TT (MMP10min). There was no statistical or clinical evidence of an effect of meal type on MMP10min with a mean difference (Dairy – Control) of 4 W (95% CI [–2, 9]). There was no evidence of an association between pretrial gut comfort and meal type (p = .15) or between gut comfort delta scores and meal type postmeal (p = .31), preexercise (p = .17) or postexercise (p = .80). There was no statistical or clinical evidence of a difference in palatability between meal types. In summary, substantial amounts of dairy foods can be included in meals consumed before strenuous cycling without impairing either gut comfort or performance.
Effect of Whey Protein Hydrolysate on Performance and Recovery of Top-Class Orienteering Runners
Authors: Hansen Mette , Bangsbo Jens , Jensen Jørgen , Bibby Bo Martin , Madsen Klavs
Published: July 2014

This trial aimed to examine the effect of whey protein hydrolysate intake before and after exercise sessions on endurance performance and recovery in elite orienteers during a training camp. Eighteen elite orienteers participated in a randomized controlled intervention trial during a 1-week training camp (13 exercise sessions). Half of the runners (PRO-CHO) ingested a protein drink before (0.3 g kg−1) and a protein-carbohydrate drink after (0.3 g protein kg−1 and 1 g carbohydrate kg−1) each exercise session. The others ingested energy and timematched carbohydrate drinks (CHO). A 4-km run-test with 20 control points was performed before and on the last day of the intervention. Blood and saliva were obtained in the mornings, before and after run-tests, and after the last training session. During the intervention, questionnaires were fulfilled regarding psychological sense of performance capacity and motivation. PRO-CHO and not CHO improved performance in the 4-km run-test (interaction p < .05). An increase in serum creatine kinase was observed during the week, which was greater in CHO than PRO-CHO (interactionp < .01). Lactate dehydrogenase (p < .001) and cortisol (p = .057) increased during the week, but the change did not differ between groups. Reduction in sense of performance capacity during the intervention was greater in CHO (p < .05) than PRO-CHO. In conclusion, ingestion of whey protein hydrolysate before and after each exercise session improves performance and reduces markers of muscle damage during a strenuous 1-week training camp. The results indicate that protein supplementation in conjunction with each exercise session facilitates the recovery from strenuous training in elite orienteers.
Oxidation of dimethylplatinum(II) complexes with malonyl peroxide derivatives
Authors: Hazlehurst Richard J. , Pellarin Kyle R. , McCready Matthew S. , Puddephatt Richard J.
Published: July 2014

The reaction of the cyclic peroxides cyclobutane malonoyl peroxide and cyclopentane malonoyl peroxide to dimethylplatinum(II) complexes with the bidentate nitrogen donor ligand 4,4′-di-t-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine (bubpy) gave a mixture of the products of cis and trans oxidative addition, [PtMe2{(O2C)2C(C3H6)}(bubpy)] and [PtMe2{(O2C)2C(C4H8)}(bubpy)], respectively. The cis isomers exist with a chelating dicarboxylate ligand, forming a six-membered ring, while the trans isomers are thought to exist as oligomers, which may react with water or solvent to give complexes containing a monodentate dicarboxylate ligand. Equilibration of the product of cis oxidative addition, cis-[PtMe2{(O2C)2C(C3H6)}(bubpy)], with oxalic or phthalic acid to give equilibria with the oxalate cis-[PtMe2(O4C2)(bubpy)] or phthalate cis-[PtMe2{(O2C)2C6H4}(bubpy)] derivative, respectively, indicated the expected sequence of chelate stability oxalate > cyclobutane malonate > phthalate.
1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with C1-substituted 7-oxabenzonorbornadienes
Authors: Nagireddy Jaipal R. , Carlson Emily , Tam William
Published: July 2014

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of unsymmetrical C1-substituted 7-oxabenzonorbornadienes with acetonitrile oxide and benzonitrile oxide were investigated to probe the regio- and stereoselectivities of these reactions. All novel oxabicycle-fused isoxazoline adducts were obtained in moderate to excellent yields (53%–98%) and with complete exo-stereoselectivity. The major regioisomer in almost all instances showed positioning of the nitrile oxide’s methyl or phenyl group anti to the C1-substituent. The relative ratios of the regioisomers suggested nonnegligible electronic and steric contributions of the C1-substituent in these reactions. Several useful applications of these 2-isoxazolines toward natural product synthesis are proposed via reductive cleavage of their N–O bonds.
Estimation of standing wood volume in forest compartments by exploiting airborne laser scanning information: model-based, design-based, and hybrid perspectives
Authors: Corona Piermaria , Fattorini Lorenzo , Franceschi Sara , Scrinzi Gianfranco , Torresan Chiara
Published: July 2014

Forest compartments are usually delineated according to artificial or natural boundaries and usually include portions of different strata. While volume estimation of each stratum can be performed from field plots located within each stratum, volume estimation in portions of the stratum may be problematic owing to the small number (or even the absence) of plots falling in those portions. If upper canopy heights from airborne laser scanning are available at the pixel level for the whole survey area, these data are used as auxiliary information. A ratio model presuming a proportional relationship between transformed heights (e.g., power of heights) and volumes at the pixel level is adopted to guide estimation. From this model, the volume within any portion of the survey area is estimated as the proportionality factor estimate multiplied by the total of transformed heights in that portion. This estimator is considered from the model-based, design-based, and hybrid perspectives. Variances and their estimators are derived under the three approaches together with the corresponding confidence intervals. The volume estimator and the variance estimators are checked from the design-based point of view by a simulation study performed on a real forest in northwestern Italy. An application to a public forest estate in the same zone is performed.
New evidence on the relationship between Microsporidia and Fungi: a genome-wide analysis by DarkHorse software
Authors: Xiang Heng , Zhang Ruizhi , De Koeyer David , Pan Guoqing , Li Tian , Liu Tie , Zhou Zeyang
Published: July 2014

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites that infect a wide variety of species, including humans. Phylogenetic analysis indicates a relationship between the Microsporidia and the Fungi. However, most results are based on the analysis of relatively few genes. DarkHorse analysis involves the transformation of BLAST results into a lineage probability index (LPI) value and allows for the comparison of genes for an entire genome with those of other genomes. Thus, we can see which genes from the microsporidia score most closely based on the LPI with other eukaryotic organisms. In this analysis, we calculated the LPI for each gene from the genomes of 7 Microsporidia, Antonospora locustae, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Nosema bombycis, Nosema ceranae, and Nematocida parisii, to analyze the genetic relationships between Microsporidia and other species. It was found that many (91%) genes were most closely correlated with genes from other microsporidial genomes and had the highest mean LPI (0.985), indicating a monophyletic origin of the Microsporidia. In a subsequent analysis, we excluded the other Microsporidia from the analysis to look for relationships before the divergence of Microsporidia, and found that 43% of the microsporidial genes scored highest with fungal genes, and a higher mean LPI was found with Fungi than with other kingdoms, suggesting that Microsporidia is closely related to Fungi at the genomic level. Microsporidial genes were functionally clustered based on the KOG (Eukaryotic COG) database, and the possible lineages for each gene family were discussed in concert with the DarkHorse results.
A Nondestructive Islanding Detection Method Based on Adaptive and Periodic Disturbance on Reactive Power Output of Inverter-Based Distributed Generation
Authors: Chen Xiaolong , Li Yongli
Published: July 2014

In order to detect islanding nondestructively, an islanding detection method for microgrid is proposed based on adaptive and periodic disturbance on the reactive power output of inverter-based distributed generation (DG). The first two parts of the disturbance in a cycle form a symmetric triangular shape and the disturbance can adaptively adjust its peak value and cycle time for two purposes. One is to minimize the total amount of the disturbance. The other is to guarantee that the absolute value of the rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) is constant during islanding, which can be utilized to be a criterion to detect islanding. The method can be applied on the DG either operating at a unity power factor or generating both active and reactive power simultaneously. Moreover, it helps to avoid the serious transient process during control strategy transformation of the DG for microgrid islanded operation. According to the anti-islanding test system in the IEEE Std. 929-2000 and IEEE Std. 1547-2003, several study cases are carried out in the PSCAD/EMTDC environment. The simulation results show that the proposed method can detect islanding rapidly and nondestructively. Moreover, it also performs effectively for the system with multiple DGs.
Vague Congruences and Quotient Lattice Implication Algebras
Authors: Qin Xiaoyan , Liu Yi , Xu Yang
Published: July 2014

The aim of this paper is to further develop the congruence theory on lattice implication algebras. Firstly, we introduce the notions of vague similarity relations based on vague relations and vague congruence relations. Secondly, the equivalent characterizations of vague congruence relations are investigated. Thirdly, the relation between the set of vague filters and the set of vague congruences is studied. Finally, we construct a new lattice implication algebra induced by a vague congruence, and the homomorphism theorem is given.
Numerical Solution for an Epicycloid Crack
Authors: Asri Nik Long Nik Mohd , Feng Koo Lee , Jin Wong Tze , Eshkuvatov Z. K.
Published: July 2014

A flat crack,Ω, is lying in a three-dimensional homogenous isotropic elastic solid subjected to shear loading. A mathematical formulation is developed based on the mixed boundary values forΩsuch that the problem of finding the resulting force can be written in the form of hypersingular integral equation. Employing conformal mapping, the integral equation is transformed to a similar equation over a circular region,D. By making a suitable representation of hypersingular integral equation, the problem is reduced to solve a system of linear equations. Numerical solution for the shear stress intensity factors, maximum stress intensity, and strain energy release rate is obtained. Our results give an excellent agreement to the existing asymptotic solutions.
Comparison of Clinical Safety and Outcomes of Early versus Delayed Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhou Min-Wei , Gu Xiao-Dong , Xiang Jian-Bin , Chen Zong-You
Published: July 2014

Objective.To compare the clinical safety and outcomes of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.Methods.Pertinent studies were selected from the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases, references from published articles, and reviews. Seven randomized controlled trials (early laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy) were selected. Conventional meta-analysis according to Cochrane Collaboration was used for the pooling of the results.Results.Seven trials with 1106 patients were included. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of bile duct injury (Peto odds ratio 0.49 (95% confidence interval 0.05 to 4.72);P=0.54) or conversion to open cholecystectomy (risk ratio 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.69 to 1.20);P=0.50). The total hospital stay was shorter by 4 days for early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (mean difference −4.12 (95% confidence interval −5.22 to −3.03) days;P<0.00001).Conclusion.Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy during acute cholecystitis is safe and shortens the total hospital stay.
New Ray Tracing Method to Investigate the Various Effects on Wave Propagation in Medical Scenario: An Application of Wireless Body Area Network
Authors: Islam M. J. , Reza A. W. , Kausar A. S. M. Z. , Ramiah H.
Published: July 2014

The advent of technology with the increasing use of wireless network has led to the development of Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) to continuously monitor the change of physiological data in a cost efficient manner. As numerous researches on wave propagation characterization have been done in intrabody communication, this study has given emphasis on the wave propagation characterization between the control units (CUs) and wireless access point (AP) in a hospital scenario. Ray tracing is a tool to predict the rays to characterize the wave propagation. It takes huge simulation time, especially when multiple transmitters are involved to transmit physiological data in a realistic hospital environment. Therefore, this study has developed an accelerated ray tracing method based on the nearest neighbor cell and prior knowledge of intersection techniques. Beside this, Red-Black tree is used to store and provide a faster retrieval mechanism of objects in the hospital environment. To prove the superiority, detailed complexity analysis and calculations of reflection and transmission coefficients are also presented in this paper. The results show that the proposed method is about 1.51, 2.1, and 2.9 times faster than the Object Distribution Technique (ODT), Space Volumetric Partitioning (SVP), and Angular Z-Buffer (AZB) methods, respectively. To show the various effects on received power in 60 GHz frequency, few comparisons are made and it is found that on average −9.44 dBm, −8.23 dBm, and −9.27 dBm received power attenuations should be considered when human, AP, and CU move in a given hospital scenario.
Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Gold Bearing Quartz Veins and Soils in Parts of Maru Schist Belt Area, Northwestern Nigeria
Authors: Oke Samson Adeleke , Abimbola Akinlolu Festus , Rammlmair Dieter
Published: July 2014

Epigenetic, N-S, NNE-SSW quartz veins crosscut metapelites and metagabbro in Maru area. The objectives of this work were to study field, mineralogy, and geochemical characteristics of gold bearing quartz veins and soils. Euhedral and polygonal magnetite with hematite constituted the major ore minerals. Quartz occurred as main gangue phase with appreciable sericite and chlorite. The mineralogy of soil retrieved from twelve minor gold fields examined with X-ray diffraction is quartz ± albite ± microcline ± muscovite ± hornblende ± magnetite ± illite ± kaolinite ± halloysite ± smectite ± goethite ± vermiculite ± chlorite. The concentration of gold in quartz vein varies from 10.0 to 6280.0 ppb with appreciable Pb (3.5–157.0 ppm) and ΣREE (3.6 to 82.9 ppm). Gold content in soil varies from <5.0 to 5700.0 ppb. The soil is characterized by As ± Sb gold’s pathfinder geochemical association. Multidata set analysis revealed most favourable areas for gold. Possibility of magmatic fluids as part of ore constituents is feasible due to presence of several intrusions close to quartz veins. Based on field, mineralogical, and geochemical evidences, ore fluids may have been derived from fracturing, metamorphic dewatering, crustal devolatilization of sedimentary, gabbroic protoliths, and emplaced in an orogenic setting.
Fuzzy-Based Trust Prediction Model for Routing in WSNs
Authors: Anita X. , Bhagyaveni M. A. , Manickam J. Martin Leo
Published: July 2014

The cooperative nature of multihop wireless sensor networks (WSNs) makes it vulnerable to varied types of attacks. The sensitive application environments and resource constraints of WSNs mandate the requirement of lightweight security scheme. The earlier security solutions were based on historical behavior of neighbor but the security can be enhanced by predicting the future behavior of the nodes in the network. In this paper, we proposed a fuzzy-based trust prediction model for routing (FTPR) in WSNs with minimal overhead in regard to memory and energy consumption. FTPR incorporates a trust prediction model that predicts the future behavior of the neighbor based on the historical behavior, fluctuations in trust value over a period of time, and recommendation inconsistency. In order to reduce the control overhead, FTPR received recommendations from a subset of neighbors who had maximum number of interactions with the requestor. Theoretical analysis and simulation results of FTPR protocol demonstrate higher packet delivery ratio, higher network lifetime, lower end-to-end delay, and lower memory and energy consumption than the traditional and existing trust-based routing schemes.
Design Patterns for Self-Adaptive RTE Systems Specification
Authors: Ben Said Mouna , Hadj Kacem Yessine , Kerboeuf Mickaël , Ben Amor Nader , Abid Mohamed
Published: July 2014

The development of self-adaptive real-time embedded (RTE) systems is an increasingly hard task due to the growing complexity of both hardware and software and the high variability of the execution environment. Different approaches, platforms, and middleware have been proposed in the field, from low to high abstraction level. However, there is still a lack of generic and reusable designs for self-adaptive RTE systems that fit different system domains, lighten designers’ task, and decrease development cost. In this paper, we propose five design patterns for self-adaptive RTE systems modeling resulting from the generalization of relevant existing adaptation-related works. Combined together, the patterns form the design of an adaptation loop composed of five adaptation modules. The proposed solution offers a modular, reusable, and flexible specification of these modules and enables the separation of concerns. It also permits dealing with concurrency, real-time features, and adaptation cost relative to the adaptation activities. To validate our solution, we applied it to a complex case study, a cross-layer self-adaptive object tracking system, to show patterns utilization and prove the solution benefits.
Parameter Identification for Salinity in a Quasilinear Thermodynamic System of Sea Ice
Authors: Lv Wei , Li Xiaojiao , Feng Enmin
Published: July 2014

This study is intended to provide a parameter identification method to determine salinity of sea ice by temperature
and salinity observations. A quasilinear thermodynamic system of sea ice with unknown salinity is described and its property is proved. Then, a parameter identification model is established and the existence of its optimal solution is discussed. The salinity profile is calculated by the temperature and salinity data, which were measured at Nella Fjord around Zhongshan Station, Antarctica, during the polar night time by the 22nd Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition. Another simulation for temperature profiles during different measurement periods is operated. Results show that better
simulations of the salinity and temperature distribution are possible with the estimated parameters than Eicken’s (Eicken 1992) and THESCI’s (Lv et al. 2009). This method will help people understand the salinity evolution of sea ice more thoroughly.
Research of Innovation Diffusion on Industrial Networks
Authors: Chen Yongtai , Li Shouwei
Published: July 2014

The real value of innovation consists in its diffusion on industrial network. The factors which affect the diffusion of innovation on industrial network are the topology of industrial network and rules of diffusion. Industrial network is a complex network which has scale‐free and small‐world characters; its structure has some affection on threshold, length of path, enterprise’s status, and information share of innovation diffusion. Based on the cost and attitude to risk of technical innovation, we present the “avalanche” diffusing model of technical innovation on industrial network.
Existence Results for a Coupled System of Nonlinear Fractional Hybrid Differential Equations with Homogeneous Boundary Conditions
Authors: Caballero Josefa , Darwish Mohamed Abdalla , Sadarangani Kishin , Shammakh Wafa M.
Published: July 2014

We study an existence result for the following coupled system of nonlinear fractional hybrid differential equations with homogeneous boundary conditionsD0+α[x(t)/f(t,x(t),y(t))]=g(t,x(t),y(t)),D0+αy(t)/f(t,y(t),x(t))=g(t,y(t),x(t)),  0<t<1,andx(0)=y(0)=0,whereα∈(0,1)andD0+αdenotes the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative. The main tools in our study are the techniques associated to measures of noncompactness in the Banach algebras and a fixed point theorem of Darbo type.
Nonlinear Integrable Couplings of Levi Hierarchy and WKI Hierarchy
Authors: Shan Zhengduo , Yang Hongwei , Yin Baoshu
Published: July 2014

With the help of the known Lie algebra, a type of new 8-dimensional matrix Lie algebra is constructed in the paper. By using the 8-dimensional matrix Lie algebra, the nonlinear integrable couplings of the Levi hierarchy and the Wadati-Konno-Ichikawa (WKI) hierarchy are worked out, which are different from the linear integrable couplings. Based on the variational identity, the Hamiltonian structures of the above hierarchies are derived.
Claw Lesions Causing Clinical Lameness in Lactating Holstein Frisian Crossbred Cows
Authors: Zahid Umar Nazir , Randhawa Swaran Singh , Hussain Syed Ashaq , Randhawa Sarnarinder Singh , Mahajan Vishal , Dua Kirti
Published: July 2014

The objective of this study was to identify claw lesions causing clinical lameness in lactating Holstein Frisian (HF) crossbred cows in dairy cattle. Seventy dairy farmers were interviewed at the monthly meetings of Progressive Dairy Farmers Association of Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Ten dairy farms were randomly selected as per probability proportional to size and a total of 450 lactating HF crossbred cows were taken into the study. All the lactating cows were scored for locomotion and rear leg view index. Trimming was done in all the clinically lame animals (animals with locomotion scores 2 and 3) and equal number of animals selected randomly from those with locomotion scores 0 and 1. Various claw lesions were evaluated in both the groups. There was a significant relationship between locomotion score and rear leg view index to identify lameness. Sole ulcers and white line fissures were the lesions responsible for clinical lameness. Other lesions did not cause clinical lameness but increased the asymmetry in lactating HF crossbred cows. Both locomotion score and rear leg view index could be reliably used to identify clinical lameness in lactating cattle.
Bridging Endovascular Therapy and Subsequent Surgical Repair for the Treatment of Infected Aneurysms after Percutaneous Cardiac Intervention
Authors: Papakostas John C. , Pappa Evgenia , Kouvelos George N. , Papa Nektario , Matsagkas Miltiadis I.
Published: July 2014

Bridging endovascular therapy, accompanied by a second stage open surgical repair was used to treat a rare case of infected aneurysms alongside external iliac artery after a percutaneous cardiac intervention. Because these aneurysms require early treatment, we suggest this approach, in order to avoid immediate, major surgery in a recently symptomatic cardiac and bacteremic patient receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. The approach seems to be safe and durable.
The Use of Metformin in Patients with Prostate Cancer and the Risk of Death
Authors: Bensimon Leah , Yin Hui , Suissa Samy , Pollak Michael N. , Azoulay Laurent
Published: July 2014

Background: Given the conflicting results from observational studies, we assessed whether the use of metformin after a prostate cancer diagnosis is associated with a decreased risk of cancer-specific and all-cause mortality.

Methods: This study was conducted linking four databases from the United Kingdom. A cohort of men newly diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer with a history of treated type II diabetes, between April 1, 1998 and December 31, 2009, was followed until October 1, 2012. Nested case–control analyses were performed for cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality, in which exposure was defined as use of metformin during the time to risk-set. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted rate ratios (RR) of each outcome with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: The cohort consisted of 935 men with prostate cancer and a history of type II diabetes. After a mean follow-up of 3.7 years, 258 deaths occurred, including 112 from prostate cancer. Overall, the post-diagnostic use of metformin was not associated with a decreased risk of cancer-specific mortality (RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.51–2.33). In a secondary analysis, a cumulative duration ≥938 days was associated with an increased risk (RR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.00–10.24). The post-diagnostic use of metformin was not associated with all-cause mortality (RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.50–1.23).

Conclusion: The use of metformin after a prostate cancer diagnosis was not associated with an overall decreased risk of cancer-specific and all-cause mortality.

Impact: The results of this study do not support a role for metformin in the prevention of prostate cancer outcomes. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(10); 2111–8. ©2014 AACR.
A Pooled Analysis of Body Mass Index and Pancreatic Cancer Mortality in African Americans
Authors: Bethea Traci N. , Kitahara Cari M. , Sonderman Jennifer , Patel Alpa V. , Harvey Chinonye , Knutsen Synnøve F. , Park Yikyung , Park Song Yi , Fraser Gary E. , Jacobs Eric J. , Purdue Mark P. , Stolzenberg-Solomon Rachael Z. , Gillanders Elizabeth M. , Blot William J. , Palmer Julie R. , Kolonel Laurence N.
Published: July 2014

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and both incidence and mortality are highest in African Americans. Obesity is also disproportionately high in African Americans, but limited data are available on the relation of obesity to pancreatic cancer in this population.

Methods: Seven large prospective cohort studies pooled data from African American participants. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight at baseline. Cox regression was used to calculate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for levels of BMI relative to BMI 18.5–24.9, with adjustment for covariates. Primary analyses were restricted to participants with ≥5 years of follow-up because weight loss before diagnosis may have influenced baseline BMI in cases who died during early follow-up.

Results: In follow-up of 239,597 participants, 897 pancreatic cancer deaths occurred. HRs were 1.08 (95% CI, 0.90–1.31) for BMI 25.0 to 29.9, 1.25 (95% CI, 0.99–1.57) for BMI 30.0 to 34.9, and 1.31 (95% CI, 0.97–1.77) for BMI ≥35.0 among those with ≥5 years of follow-up (Ptrend = 0.03). The association was evident among both sexes and was independent of a history of diabetes. A stronger association was observed among never-smokers (BMI ≥30 vs. referent: HR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.02–2.03) than among smokers (HR = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.87–1.54; Pinteraction = 0.02).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that obesity is independently associated with increased pancreatic cancer mortality in African Americans.

Impact: Interventions to reduce obesity may also reduce risk of pancreatic cancer mortality, particularly among never-smokers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(10); 2119–25. ©2014 AACR.
The Boston Residue and Clearance Scale: Preliminary Reliability and Validity Testing
Authors: Kaneoka Asako S. , Langmore Susan E. , Krisciunas Gintas P. , Field Katherine , Scheel Rebecca , McNally Edel , Walsh Michael J. , O'Dea Meredith B. , Cabral Howard
Published: July 2014

Background: There is no appropriately validated scale with which to rate the problem of residue after swallowing. The Boston Residue and Clearance Scale (BRACS) was developed to meet this need. Initial reliability and validity were assessed. Methods: BRACS is an 11-point ordinal residue rating scale scoring three aspects of residue during a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES): (1) the amount and location of residue, (2) the presence of spontaneous clearing swallows, and (3) the effectiveness of clearing swallows. To determine inter-rater and test-retest reliability, 63 swallows from previously recorded FEES procedures were scored twice by 4 raters using (1) clinical judgment (none, mild, mild-moderate, moderate, moderate-severe, severe) and (2) BRACS. Concurrent validity was tested by correlating clinical judgment scores with BRACS scores. Internal consistency of the items in BRACS was examined. A factor analysis was performed to identify important factors that suggest grouping within the 12 location items in BRACS. Results: BRACS showed excellent inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.81), test-retest reliability (ICC: 0.82-0.92), high concurrent validity (Pearson's r = 0.76), and high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.86). Factor analysis revealed 3 main latent factors for the 12 location items. Conclusion: BRACS is a valid and reliable tool that can rate the severity of residue.
Severe Dermatologic Reactions with Bendamustine: A Case Series
Authors: Carilli Allison , Favis Gregory , Sundharkrishnan Lohini , Hajdenberg Julio
Published: July 2014

Cutaneous drug reactions make up the largest proportion of adverse events in the medical field. Causality, in particular, is difficult to determine, and therefore, preventing recurrent reactions can be challenging. Bendamustine was initially thought to be a well-tolerated chemotherapy agent with few side effects aside from bone marrow suppression. However, the incidence of cutaneous reactions reported is rising. We describe three such reactions in relation to bendamustine administration in hopes of adding to the awareness of such side effects.
Caveolin-1 Modulates Cardiac Gap Junction Homeostasis and Arrhythmogenecity by Regulating cSrc Tyrosine Kinase
Authors: Yang Kai-Chien , Rutledge Cody A. , Mao Mao , Bakhshi Farnaz R. , Xie An , Liu Hong , Bonini Marcelo G. , Patel Hemal H. , Minshall Richard D. , Dudley Samuel C.
Published: July 2014

Background—

Genome-wide association studies have revealed significant association of caveolin-1 (Cav1) gene variants with increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Nevertheless, the mechanism for this linkage is unclear.

Methods and Results—

Using adult Cav1
-/-
mice, we revealed a marked reduction in the left ventricular conduction velocity in the absence of myocardial Cav1, which is accompanied with increased inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias. Further studies demonstrated that loss of Cav1 leads to the activation of cSrc tyrosine kinase, resulting in the downregulation of connexin 43 and subsequent electric abnormalities. Pharmacological inhibition of cSrc mitigates connexin 43 downregulation, slowed conduction, and arrhythmia inducibility in Cav1
-/-
animals. Using a transgenic mouse model with cardiac-specific overexpression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE8/8), we demonstrated that, on enhanced cardiac renin–angiotensin system activity, Cav1 dissociated from cSrc because of increased Cav1 S-nitrosation at Cys
156
, leading to cSrc activation, connexin 43 reduction, impaired gap junction function, and subsequent increase in the propensity for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Renin–angiotensin system–induced Cav1 S-nitrosation was associated with increased Cav1–endothelial nitric oxide synthase binding in response to increased mitochondrial reactive oxidative species generation.

Conclusions—

The present studies reveal the critical role of Cav1 in modulating cSrc activation, gap junction remodeling, and ventricular arrhythmias. These data provide a mechanistic explanation for the observed genetic link between Cav1 and cardiac arrhythmias in humans and suggest that targeted regulation of Cav1 may reduce arrhythmic risk in cardiac diseases associated with renin–angiotensin system activation.