bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TH‐EF‐BRB‐01: JUNIOR INVESTIGATOR WINNER — Novel EPID for Enhanced Contrast and Detective Quantum Efficiency
Authors: Rottmann J , Morf D , Fueglistaller R , Chen H , Yip S , Star‐Lack J , Zentai G , Berbeco R
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

Beams‐eye‐view imaging applications such as real‐time soft‐tissue motion estimation are hindered by the inherently low image contrast of electronic portal imaging devices (EPID) currently in clinical use. We introduce and characterize a novel EPID that provides substantially increased detective quantum efficiency (DQE), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) and dynamic range without degradation in spatial resolution.

Methods:

The prototype design features a stack of four conventional EPID layers combined with low noise integrated readout electronics. Each layer consists of a copper plate, a scintillator (GdO2S2:Tb) and a photodiode/TFT‐switch (aSi:H). We characterize the prototype in terms of contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), modulation transfer function (MTF) and DQE. CNR is estimated using a Las Vegas contrast phantom, presampled MTF is estimated using a slanted edge technique and the DQE is calculated from measured normalized noise power spectra (NPS) and the MTF. The prototype has been designed and built to be interchangeable with the current clinical EPID in terms of size and data output specifications.

Results:

DQE(0) can be nearly quadrupled to about 4.5% by using the four‐layered design instead of only a single layer device. No substantial differences are observed between each layer's individual MTF and the one for all four layers operating combined indicating that defocusing is negligible. Also, using four layers instead of one nearly doubles (factor x1.9) the CNR showing that the device is mostly quantum noise limited.

Conclusion:

A layered EPID design allows improving the radiation sensitivity while maintaining spatial resolution and saturation level of a single layer conventional EPID. Experimental characterization of this first 4‐layered prototype demonstrates substantially improved DQE and CNR while maintaining high resolution and remaining quantum noise limited. Besides overall improved image quality and dosimetric sensitivity we anticipate this novel detector design to enable more accurate soft‐tissue motion estimations during radiation therapy procedures, particularly of the lung.

The project was partially supported by a grant from Varian Medical Systems, Inc. and grant No. R01CA188446‐01 from the National Cancer Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health.
TH‐EF‐BRB‐04: One‐Pixel Prototype of a Novel Polycrystalline CdTe‐Based Multilayer Detector for Radiation Therapy Imaging Applications
Authors: Shvydka D , Karpov V , Warrell G , Parsai E
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

Recent developments in polycrystalline CdTe‐based photovoltaics have resulted in a technology of inexpensive, large‐area structures possessing strong built‐in fields and superior radiation hardness. Stacking a large number of such structures (number of layers N>>1) into a detector with signal readout from individual layers produces a device with sufficient absorption under an MV beam, low signal spreading, no charge trapping, and low noise due to obviating the need for external biasing. We tested one‐pixel multilayer detector prototypes under a 6MV beam, compared their electrical parameters with those predicted by device modeling, and used the layer number‐signal data for verification of the energy spectrum unfolding algorithm.

Methods:

We modeled the energy deposition with depth of a CdTe‐based device under a 6MV beam with the Monte Carlo simulation package MCNP5. The results yielded charge carrier generation profiles in individual layers, which were then combined into structures of 10–12 layers. The profiles were used as input for modeling of current‐voltage (I‐V) characteristics with the device operation modeling software SCAPS‐1D. Modeling results were compared to measurements on several 1‐pixel multilayer structures under the 6MV beam of a Varian TrueBeam accelerator.

Results:

Measurements of I‐V characteristics for all layers of 1‐pixel multilayer structures established electrical parameters of best devices to be close to those modeled. A regularization algorithm for extracting the energy spectrum was successfully tested with these structures.

Conclusion:

The proposed multilayer structure adds a third dimension, depth‐signal reading, to the traditional 2‐D pixelation, allowing for the photon energy and source position to be obtained through signal processing. The latter processing relies on regularization approaches, similar to those developed for computed tomography, and thus have potential to significantly improve the quality of images under MV energy x‐ray sources of medical linear accelerators.

This research is supported with NRC grant No. NRC‐HQ‐12‐G‐38‐0042
TH‐EF‐BRB‐05: Dynamic Blade Collimation for Image Quality Improvement and Dose Reduction in CBCT Guidance
Authors: Parsons D , Robar J
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

The focus of this work is the development of a novel blade collimation system enabling volume‐of‐interest (VOI) CBCT using the kV source on a TrueBeam linear accelerator (linac). Advantages of the system are assessed, particularly with regard to reduction and localization of dose, as well as improvement of image quality.

Methods:

A four blade dynamic kV collimator was developed to track a VOI during a CBCT acquisition. The system is controlled using a Raspberry Pi computer placed within the linac gantry. The current prototype is capable of tracking an arbitrary volume defined by the treatment planner for subsequent CBCT guidance. During gantry rotation, the collimator tracks the VOI with adjustment of position and dimension. CBCT image quality was investigated as a function of collimator dimension, while maintaining the same dose to the VOI, for a 20 cm diameter cylindrical water phantom with a 9 mm diameter bone insert centered on isocenter. Dose distributions for various anatomical sites were modeled using a dynamic BEAMnrc library and DOSXYZnrc. The resulting VOI dose distributions were compared to full‐field distributions to quantify dose reduction and localization to the target volume.

Results:

Preliminary measurements show contrast increase by a factor of 1.3 and noise reduction by a factor of 1.7, for CBCT. This results in a increase in contrast‐to‐noise ratio by a factor of approximately 2.2. Depending upon the anatomical site, dose was reduced to 15%–80% of the full field value along the central axis plane and down to less than 1% along the axial planes.

Conclusion:

The present system allows CBCT imaging of a planner‐defined volume, offering both image quality improvement and reduction of imaging dose for the patient. Current work involves the development of fluence modulation for VOI CBCT.

This work was supported through a research partnership with Varian Medical, Incorporated.
TH‐EF‐BRA‐02: Patient‐Specific Dose Maps for CT Scans Using a Fast, Deterministic Boltzmann Transport Equation Solver
Authors: Wang A , Maslowski A , Wareing T , Schmidt T , Star‐Lack J
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

To develop a rapid and accurate software tool for computing patient‐specific radiation dose maps of dose delivered from kV computed tomography (CT) scans.

Methods:

Monte Carlo methods currently provide the gold‐standard for calculating patient‐specific dose maps, but require immense computational resources to achieve sufficiently high statistical accuracy. To overcome this limitation, a deterministic method was implemented to solve the same underlying Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) that governs particle interactions and transport. Phase‐space was discretized according to spatial location, energy, and angle, and a deterministic finite element algorithm was applied to compute the object's photon fluence distribution, which does not exhibit stochastic noise. A computationally efficient GPU implementation for a standard workstation was developed, and comparison was made between the performance of the deterministic BTE solver and a standard Monte Carlo algorithm for a cone‐beam projection of a virtual anthropomorphic chest phantom.

Results:

The BTE solution and Monte Carlo results were in strong agreement with a relative root‐mean square error (RMSE) of 3.47%. Some larger differences existed at high‐contrast boundaries (e.g., air/water) and within the bone, and are under further investigation. Notably, the computation time of the BTE solver was 8 seconds, while to obtain the same level of statistical uncertainty with conventional Monte Carlo required 1200 CPU‐hours. Additionally, unlike Monte Carlo, the BTE computation time is only weakly dependent on the number of sources, making it extremely well‐suited for CT dose calculations. Therefore, the BTE‐based method is expected to offer a >30,000x speed increase compared to Monte Carlo for entire CT scans, even after application of variance reduction techniques and GPU implementation.

Conclusion:

The novel deterministic BTE solver offers a significantly faster alternative to Monte Carlo‐based methods for computing dose delivered by CT scans, which can enable estimation of patient‐specific organ doses for each CT examination performed.

Adam Wang, Alex Maslowski, Todd Wareing, and Josh Star‐Lack are employees of Varian Medical Systems.
TH‐F‐304‐00: Task Group 158: Measurement and Calculation of Doses Outside the Treatment Volume From External‐Beam Radiation Therapy Treatment
Authors: Howell Rebecca
Published: June 2015

The introduction of advanced techniques and technology in radiotherapy has greatly improved our ability to deliver highly conformal tumor doses while minimizing the dose to the adjacent organs at risk. Despite these tremendous improvements there remains a general concern about doses to normal tissues outside the target volume. As patients live longer after treatment, there is increased opportunity for late effects including second cancers and cardiac toxicity to manifest. Complicating the management of these issues, there are unique challenges with measuring, calculating, and reducing non‐target doses that many medical physicists may have limited experience with. Task Group (TG) 158, measurement and calculation of doses outside the treatment volume from external‐beam radiation therapy was created to provide guidance for physicists in terms of assessing and managing non‐target doses. This education session would highlight the major topics included TG‐158.

The principal objective for this session will be to provide guidance for medical physicists in terms of assessing and managing non‐target doses.

Learning Objectives:

To highlight major concerns with non‐target radiation and provide a rough estimate of doses associated with different treatment approaches in clinical practice.

To discuss (a) uses of dosimeters and phantoms for measuring photon, electron, and neutron doses and (b) the use of calculation techniques (including Monte Carlo) for dosimetric evaluations.

To highlight techniques that may be considered for reducing non‐target doses and summarize TG158 recommendations for both clinical and research practice.
TH‐F‐304‐01: Dosimeters and Phantoms for Measuring Non‐Target Photon, Electron, and Neutron Doses
Authors: Howell R.
Published: June 2015

The introduction of advanced techniques and technology in radiotherapy has greatly improved our ability to deliver highly conformal tumor doses while minimizing the dose to the adjacent organs at risk. Despite these tremendous improvements there remains a general concern about doses to normal tissues outside the target volume. As patients live longer after treatment, there is increased opportunity for late effects including second cancers and cardiac toxicity to manifest. Complicating the management of these issues, there are unique challenges with measuring, calculating, and reducing non‐target doses that many medical physicists may have limited experience with. Task Group (TG) 158, measurement and calculation of doses outside the treatment volume from external‐beam radiation therapy was created to provide guidance for physicists in terms of assessing and managing non‐target doses. This education session would highlight the major topics included TG‐158.

The principal objective for this session will be to provide guidance for medical physicists in terms of assessing and managing non‐target doses.

Learning Objectives:

To highlight major concerns with non‐target radiation and provide a rough estimate of doses associated with different treatment approaches in clinical practice.

To discuss (a) uses of dosimeters and phantoms for measuring photon, electron, and neutron doses and (b) the use of calculation techniques (including Monte Carlo) for dosimetric evaluations.

To highlight techniques that may be considered for reducing non‐target doses and summarize TG158 recommendations for both clinical and research practice.
TH‐F‐304‐02: Overview of Non‐Target Doses, Concerns, and Summary of Recommendations
Authors: Kry S.
Published: June 2015

The introduction of advanced techniques and technology in radiotherapy has greatly improved our ability to deliver highly conformal tumor doses while minimizing the dose to the adjacent organs at risk. Despite these tremendous improvements there remains a general concern about doses to normal tissues outside the target volume. As patients live longer after treatment, there is increased opportunity for late effects including second cancers and cardiac toxicity to manifest. Complicating the management of these issues, there are unique challenges with measuring, calculating, and reducing non‐target doses that many medical physicists may have limited experience with. Task Group (TG) 158, measurement and calculation of doses outside the treatment volume from external‐beam radiation therapy was created to provide guidance for physicists in terms of assessing and managing non‐target doses. This education session would highlight the major topics included TG‐158.

The principal objective for this session will be to provide guidance for medical physicists in terms of assessing and managing non‐target doses.

Learning Objectives:

To highlight major concerns with non‐target radiation and provide a rough estimate of doses associated with different treatment approaches in clinical practice.

To discuss (a) uses of dosimeters and phantoms for measuring photon, electron, and neutron doses and (b) the use of calculation techniques (including Monte Carlo) for dosimetric evaluations.

To highlight techniques that may be considered for reducing non‐target doses and summarize TG158 recommendations for both clinical and research practice.
TH‐F‐304‐03: Calculation Techniques (including Monte Carlo) for Determining Non‐Target Photon, Electron, and Neutron Doses
Authors: Bednarz B.
Published: June 2015

The introduction of advanced techniques and technology in radiotherapy has greatly improved our ability to deliver highly conformal tumor doses while minimizing the dose to the adjacent organs at risk. Despite these tremendous improvements there remains a general concern about doses to normal tissues outside the target volume. As patients live longer after treatment, there is increased opportunity for late effects including second cancers and cardiac toxicity to manifest. Complicating the management of these issues, there are unique challenges with measuring, calculating, and reducing non‐target doses that many medical physicists may have limited experience with. Task Group (TG) 158, measurement and calculation of doses outside the treatment volume from external‐beam radiation therapy was created to provide guidance for physicists in terms of assessing and managing non‐target doses. This education session would highlight the major topics included TG‐158.

The principal objective for this session will be to provide guidance for medical physicists in terms of assessing and managing non‐target doses.

Learning Objectives:

To highlight major concerns with non‐target radiation and provide a rough estimate of doses associated with different treatment approaches in clinical practice.

To discuss (a) uses of dosimeters and phantoms for measuring photon, electron, and neutron doses and (b) the use of calculation techniques (including Monte Carlo) for dosimetric evaluations.

To highlight techniques that may be considered for reducing non‐target doses and summarize TG158 recommendations for both clinical and research practice.
The Influence of Professional Development on Teachers’ Implementation of the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Model
Authors: Lee Okseon , Choi Euichang
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a professional development (PD) program on teachers’ implementation of the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model, and to identify the characteristics of PD that influence teaching practice. The participants were six elementary school teachers and 12 students, and the data were collected from interviews with the teachers and students, observations, and teachers’ reflective journal entries. The findings revealed that PD enhanced the fidelity of implementation in terms of improving structural adherence, facilitating coherent instructional delivery, and making the students more active and responsible. The PD also helped the teachers to adapt the model by developing cultural differentiation strategies, modifying existing components, and extending the implementation of the TPSR through connection with other subjects or activities. The teachers found that the PD facilitated their implementation of TPSR by giving them common goals, empowering them as creators of knowledge, and providing a continuous and authentic learning experience.
Use of the mCherry Fluorescent Protein To Study Intestinal Colonization by Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA and Lactobacillus plantarum 423 in Mice
Authors: van Zyl Winschau F. , Deane Shelly M. , Dicks Leon M. T.
Published: June 2015

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are natural inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of humans and animals, and some LAB species receive considerable attention due to their health benefits. Although many papers have been published on probiotic LAB, only a few reports have been published on the migration and colonization of the cells in the GIT. This is due mostly to the lack of efficient reporter systems. In this study, we report on the application of the fluorescent mCherry protein in the
in vivo
tagging of the probiotic strains
Enterococcus mundtii
ST4SA and
Lactobacillus plantarum
423. The
mCherry
gene, encoding a red fluorescent protein (RFP), was integrated into a nonfunctional region on the genome of
L. plantarum
423 by homologous recombination. In the case of
E. mundtii
ST4SA, the
mCherry
gene was cloned into the pGKV223D LAB/
Escherichia coli
expression vector. Expression of the
mCherry
gene did not alter the growth rate of the two strains and had no effect on bacteriocin production. Both strains colonized the cecum and colon of mice.
Spatial and Temporal Factors Associated with an Increased Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in Spinach Fields in New York State
Authors: Weller Daniel , Wiedmann Martin , Strawn Laura K.
Published: June 2015

While rain and irrigation events have been associated with an increased prevalence of foodborne pathogens in produce production environments, quantitative data are needed to determine the effects of various spatial and temporal factors on the risk of produce contamination following these events. This study was performed to quantify these effects and to determine the impact of rain and irrigation events on the detection frequency and diversity of
Listeria
species (including
L. monocytogenes
) and
L. monocytogenes
in produce fields. Two spinach fields, with high and low predicted risks of
L. monocytogenes
isolation, were sampled 24, 48, 72, and 144 to 192 h following irrigation and rain events. Predicted risk was a function of the field's proximity to water and roads. Factors were evaluated for their association with
Listeria
species and
L. monocytogenes
isolation by using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). In total, 1,492 (1,092 soil, 334 leaf, 14 fecal, and 52 water) samples were collected. According to the GLMM, the likelihood of
Listeria
species and
L. monocytogenes
isolation from soil samples was highest during the 24 h immediately following an event (odds ratios [ORs] of 7.7 and 25, respectively). Additionally,
Listeria
species and
L. monocytogenes
isolates associated with irrigation events showed significantly lower
sigB
allele type diversity than did isolates associated with precipitation events (
P
= <0.001), suggesting that irrigation water may be a point source of
L. monocytogenes
contamination. Small changes in management practices (e.g., not irrigating fields before harvest) may therefore reduce the risk of
L. monocytogenes
contamination of fresh produce.
Functional Analysis of Sterol Transporter Orthologues in the Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Bühler Nicole , Hagiwara Daisuke , Takeshita Norio
Published: June 2015

Polarized growth in filamentous fungi needs a continuous supply of proteins and lipids to the growing hyphal tip. One of the important membrane compounds in fungi is ergosterol. At the apical plasma membrane ergosterol accumulations, which are called sterol-rich plasma membrane domains (SRDs). The exact roles and formation mechanism of the SRDs remained unclear, although the importance has been recognized for hyphal growth. Transport of ergosterol to hyphal tips is thought to be important for the organization of the SRDs. Oxysterol binding proteins, which are conserved from yeast to human, are involved in nonvesicular sterol transport. InSaccharomyces cerevisiaeseven oxysterol-binding protein homologues (OSH1 to -7) play a role in ergosterol distribution between closely located membranes independent of vesicle transport. We found five homologous genes (oshAtooshE) in the filamentous fungiAspergillus nidulans. The functions of OshA-E were characterized by gene deletion and subcellular localization. Each gene-deletion strain showed characteristic phenotypes and different sensitivities to ergosterol-associated drugs. Green fluorescent protein-tagged Osh proteins showed specific localization in the late Golgi compartments, puncta associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, or diffusely in the cytoplasm. The genes expression and regulation were investigated in a medically important speciesAspergillus fumigatus, as well asA. nidulans. Our results suggest that each Osh protein plays a role in ergosterol distribution at distinct sites and contributes to proper fungal growth.
Auxotrophic Mutations Reduce Tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Very High Levels of Ethanol Stress
Authors: Swinnen Steve , Goovaerts Annelies , Schaerlaekens Kristien , Dumortier Françoise , Verdyck Pieter , Souvereyns Kris , Van Zeebroeck Griet , Foulquié-Moreno María R. , Thevelein Johan M.
Published: June 2015

Very high ethanol tolerance is a distinctive trait of the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
with notable ecological and industrial importance. Although many genes have been shown to be required for moderate ethanol tolerance (i.e., 6 to 12%) in laboratory strains, little is known of the much higher ethanol tolerance (i.e., 16 to 20%) in natural and industrial strains. We have analyzed the genetic basis of very high ethanol tolerance in a Brazilian bioethanol production strain by genetic mapping with laboratory strains containing artificially inserted oligonucleotide markers. The first locus contained the
ura3
Δ
0
mutation of the laboratory strain as the causative mutation. Analysis of other auxotrophies also revealed significant linkage for
LYS2
,
LEU2
,
HIS3
, and
MET15
. Tolerance to only very high ethanol concentrations was reduced by auxotrophies, while the effect was reversed at lower concentrations. Evaluation of other stress conditions showed that the link with auxotrophy is dependent on the type of stress and the type of auxotrophy. When the concentration of the auxotrophic nutrient is close to that limiting growth, more stress factors can inhibit growth of an auxotrophic strain. We show that very high ethanol concentrations inhibit the uptake of leucine more than that of uracil, but the 500-fold-lower uracil uptake activity may explain the strong linkage between uracil auxotrophy and ethanol sensitivity compared to leucine auxotrophy. Since very high concentrations of ethanol inhibit the uptake of auxotrophic nutrients, the active uptake of scarce nutrients may be a major limiting factor for growth under conditions of ethanol stress.
Programmed Genome Rearrangements in the Ciliate
Oxytricha
Authors: Yerlici V. Talya , Landweber Laura F.
Published: June 2015

The ciliate
Oxytricha
is a microbial eukaryote with two genomes, one of which experiences extensive genome remodeling during development. Each round of conjugation initiates a cascade of events that construct a transcriptionally active somatic genome from a scrambled germline genome, with considerable help from both long and small noncoding RNAs. This process of genome remodeling entails massive DNA deletion and reshuffling of remaining DNA segments to form functional genes from their interrupted and scrambled germline precursors. The use of
Oxytricha
as a model system provides an opportunity to study an exaggerated form of programmed genome rearrangement. Furthermore, studying the mechanisms that maintain nuclear dimorphism and mediate genome rearrangement has demonstrated a surprising plasticity and diversity of noncoding RNA pathways, with new roles that go beyond conventional gene silencing. Another aspect of ciliate genetics is their unorthodox patterns of RNA-mediated, epigenetic inheritance that rival Mendelian inheritance. This review takes the reader through the key experiments in a model eukaryote that led to fundamental discoveries in RNA biology and pushes the biological limits of DNA processing.
Diversity-generating Retroelements in Phage and Bacterial Genomes
Authors: Guo Huatao , Arambula Diego , Ghosh Partho , Miller Jeff F.
Published: June 2015

Diversity-generating retroelements (DGRs) are DNA diversification machines found in diverse bacterial and bacteriophage genomes that accelerate the evolution of ligand–receptor interactions. Diversification results from a unidirectional transfer of sequence information from an invariant template repeat (TR) to a variable repeat (VR) located in a protein-encoding gene. Information transfer is coupled to site-specific mutagenesis in a process called mutagenic homing, which occurs through an RNA intermediate and is catalyzed by a unique, DGR-encoded reverse transcriptase that converts adenine residues in the TR into random nucleotides in the VR. In the prototype DGR found in the
Bordetella
bacteriophage BPP-1, the variable protein Mtd is responsible for phage receptor recognition. VR diversification enables progeny phage to switch tropism, accelerating their adaptation to changes in sequence or availability of host cell-surface molecules for infection. Since their discovery, hundreds of DGRs have been identified, and their functions are just beginning to be understood. VR-encoded residues of many DGR-diversified proteins are displayed in the context of a C-type lectin fold, although other scaffolds, including the immunoglobulin fold, may also be used. DGR homing is postulated to occur through a specialized target DNA-primed reverse transcription mechanism that allows repeated rounds of diversification and selection, and the ability to engineer DGRs to target heterologous genes suggests applications for bioengineering. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of our current understanding of this newly discovered family of beneficial retroelements.
hAT
Transposable Elements
Authors: Atkinson Peter W.
Published: June 2015

hAT
transposons are ancient in their origin and they are widespread across eukaryote kingdoms. They can be present in large numbers in many genomes. However, only a few active forms of these elements have so far been discovered indicating that, like all transposable elements, there is selective pressure to inactivate them. Nonetheless, there have been sufficient numbers of active
hAT
elements and their transposases characterized that permit an analysis of their structure and function. This review analyzes these and provides a comparison with the several domesticated
hAT
genes discovered in eukaryote genomes. Active
hAT
transposons have also been developed as genetic tools and understanding how these may be optimally utilized in new hosts will depend, in part, on understanding the basis of their function in genomes.
Multiple parasitic infections in a cardiac transplant recipient
Authors: Sanches Bruno Fernandes , Morgado Joana , Carvalho Nuno , Anjos Rui
Published: June 2015

Infectious complications represent an important cause of morbidity and death in patients with transplant. Parasitic infections are less frequent than viral and bacterial agents, and are often overlooked. We describe the case of a 13-year-old adolescent, born in São Tomé Island, who was under immunosuppressive therapy after a cardiac transplant. The patient had an intermittent course of diarrhoea, abdominal pain and vomiting. She was admitted dehydrated, andStrongyloides stercoralis,Schistosoma intercalatumandCystoisospora belliwere isolated in her stools. The patient was treated with ivermectin, albendazole, praziquantel and ciprofloxacin with clinical and microbiological resolution. Her immunosuppressive therapy was reduced during hospitalisation. We believe that the parasitic infection was a result of a recrudescence of dormant infections acquired in her homeland. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of cystoisosporiasis or schistosomiasis in heart transplant recipients.
Is this still just sarcoidosis, or should we a-DRESS a different diagnosis?
Authors: Rolls Sophie , Hyams Catherine , Sheaff Michael , O'Shaughnessy Terence C
Published: June 2015

An Afro-Caribbean woman presented with worsening breathlessness, weight loss, lethargy and fevers, developing a bilateral florid erythematous rash on her legs. She was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy was found on thoracic CT imaging. She was tachycardic and investigations revealed pancytopenia, eosinophilia, raised serum ACE, acute kidney injury and deranged liver function tests. Biopsy of the lymphadenopathy revealed mixed lymphoid cells and liver biopsy revealed extramedullary haematopoiesis, with hypercellular marrow found on bone marrow biopsy. Cardiac MRI was normal, excluding cardiac sarcoid. The patient developed status epilepticus and phenytoin was started. She subsequently developed skin desquamation, in keeping with toxic epidermal necrosis. Skin biopsies revealed atypical granulomas and multinucleated giant cells, which subsequently resolved on steroid treatment. This case highlights an overlap syndrome, with an unclear diagnosis between sarcoidosis, drug reaction or rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and/or hypereosinophilic syndrome and Still's disease. Hence varied serological and clinical features can complicate the distinction between diagnoses.
Left gastric artery aneurysm in Marfan syndrome: a unique case
Authors: Powell Richard Oliver , Babu Suresh B , Bommayya Girish
Published: June 2015

A 78-year-old man presented with abdominal pain, high International Normalised Ratio and rapidly falling haemoglobin. He had a background of Marfan syndrome and was on warfarin following mechanical aortic valve replacement. Abdominal CT imaging showed haemoperitoneum with a leaking aneurysm of the left gastric artery measuring 10 mm in diameter. The decision whether to reverse his anticoagulation provided a difficult clinical scenario given the risk of thrombosis associated with the mechanical aortic valve. The patient went on to have a successful percutaneous embolisation of the aneurysm using a metallic coil and Onyx. Left gastric artery aneurysms are rare and have a reported mortality of up to 70%. This is the first case of gastric artery aneurysm described in a patient with Marfan syndrome.
Effect of early lactation foot trimming in lame and non‐lame dairy heifers: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Maxwell O. J. R. , Hudson C. D. , Huxley J. N.
Published: June 2015

Foot trimming is a common management intervention in prevention of lameness in dairy cattle. Despite this, there is surprisingly limited experimental evidence on its efficacy, especially in regard to primiparous heifers. A randomised, negatively controlled trial was conducted to investigate the association between an early lactation foot trim on primiparous animals and production outcomes. 282 heifers were enrolled from eight farms in the UK, and randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. Milk yield (305‐day‐adjusted whole‐milk yield) was not significantly different between groups (trimmed 7727 litres, untrimmed 7646 litres). However, multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that this relationship was confounded by lameness state. Animals that were lame at the time of trimming gave significantly more milk (734 litres, P=0.02) than those that were non‐lame and untrimmed. The present results suggest that, based on milk production alone, it would not have been cost beneficial to trim all heifers; however, a targeted intervention aimed at lame animals would have delivered a substantial return on investment. As a very minimum, the authors recommend heifers should be regularly assessed in early lactation, and treated as soon as they are identifiably lame. The high prevalence of lesions identified suggests routine trimming for all heifers may be justifiable on welfare grounds even if the milk‐yield benefits are marginal.
Song repertoire size, not territory location, predicts reproductive success and territory tenure in a migratory songbird
Authors: Potvin D.A. , Crawford P.W. , MacDougall-Shackleton S.A. , MacDougall-Shackleton E.A.
Published: June 2015

In territorial animals occupying environments that vary in quality over the landscape, high-quality individuals are predicted to monopolize high-quality territories. Thus, in many cases it may be difficult to disentangle the relative effects of individual quality from those of territory quality on long-term fitness. We used a 9-year field data set from a migratory population of Eastern Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia melodia (A. Wilson, 1810)) to evaluate the relative contributions of male song quality (as measured by song repertoire size) and territory location to fitness components including annual reproductive success, overwinter return rates, and between-year territory tenure. Song repertoire size did not predict territory location, allowing us to evaluate territory location and song quality separately. Song repertoire size, but not territory location, predicted annual reproductive success. Moreover, males with larger repertoires moved smaller distances between subsequent breeding seasons, suggesting more successful territory tenure. There was no effect of either repertoire size or territory location on overwinter return. We conclude that intrinsic male phenotype, indicated by song repertoire size, is an important predictor of male fitness, independent of breeding-territory location in this migratory population, and that the value of specific territories may depend largely on previous experience.
New Dynamic Orderings for the Parallel One–Sided Block-Jacobi SVD Algorithm
Authors: Bečka Martin , Okša Gabriel , Vajteršic Marián
Published: June 2015

Five variants of a new dynamic ordering are presented for the parallel one-sided block Jacobi SVD algorithm. Similarly to the two-sided algorithm, the dynamic ordering takes into account the actual status of a matrix—this time of its block columns with respect to their mutual orthogonality. Variants differ in the computational and communication complexities and in proposed global and local stopping criteria. Their performance is tested on a square random matrix of order 8192 with a random distribution of singular values using [Formula: see text], 32, 64, 96 and 128 processors. All variants of dynamic ordering are compared with a parallel cyclic ordering, two-sided block-Jacobi method with dynamic ordering and the ScaLAPACK routine PDGESVD with respect to the number of parallel iteration steps needed for the convergence and total parallel execution time. Moreover, the relative errors in the orthogonality of computed left singular vectors and in the matrix assembled from computed singular triplets are also discussed. It turns out that the variant 3, for which a local optimality in some precisely defined sense can be proved, and its combination with variant 2, are the most efficient ones. For relatively small blocking factors [Formula: see text], they outperform the ScaLAPACK procedure PDGESVD and are about 2 times faster.
Traditional Chinese Herbal MedicinePenthorum chinensePursh: A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review
Authors: Wang Anqi , Lin Ligen , Wang Yitao
Published: June 2015

Penthorum chinense Pursh (Ganhuangcao), a traditional Chinese medicine, is used for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and alcoholic liver damage. A wide range of investigations have been carried out on this herbal medicine from pharmacognosy to pharmaceuticals, as well as pharmacology. The extract of P. chinense was reported to have significant liver protective effects through anti-oxidation, reduction of key enzyme levels, inhibition of hepatitis B virus DNA replication, and promotion of bile secretion. Based on the current knowledge, flavonoids and phenols are considered to be responsible for P. chinense's bioactivities. The main purpose of this review is to provide comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the phytochemical and pharmacological studies performed on P. chinense during the past few decades. Moreover, it intends to provide new insights into the research and development of this herbal medicine.
Artemisia capillaris Thunberg Produces Sedative-Hypnotic Effects in Mice, Which are Probably Mediated Through Potentiation of the GABAA Receptor
Authors: dela Peña Irene Joy I. , Hong Eunyoung , Kim Hee Jin , de la Peña June Bryan , Woo Tae Sun , Lee Yong Soo , Cheong Jae Hoon
Published: June 2015

The Artemisia group of plants has long been used as a traditional remedy for various conditions. The present study assessed the sleep-promoting (sedative-hypnotic) effects of Artemisia capillaris Thunberg (A. capillaris), and elucidated a possible mechanism behind its effect. ICR mice were given A. capillaris extract (oral) at different dosages (50, 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg/kg), distilled water (oral; control), or diazepam (intraperitoneal; reference drug). One hour after administration, locomotion (open-field test) and motor coordination (rota-rod test) were assessed. The extract's effect on pentobarbital-induced sleep was also evaluated. Additionally, electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were measured in rats. To evaluate a possible mechanism behind its effects, changes in chloride ( Cl -) ion influx were measured in human neuroblastoma cells. As compared to the control group, mice treated with A. capillaris demonstrated significantly decreased locomotor activity and impaired motor balance and coordination. The extract also shortened the onset and lengthened the duration of sleep induced by pentobarbital sodium. These effects were comparable to that induced by diazepam. Furthermore, A. capillaris-treated rats showed increased delta and decreased alpha EEG waves; an electroencephalographic pattern indicative of relaxation or sedation. In neuroblastoma cells, the extract dose-dependently increased Cl - ion influx, which was blocked by co-administration of bicuculline, a GABAA receptor competitive antagonist, suggesting that its effects are mediated through the GABAA receptor– Cl - ion channel complex. Altogether, the results of the present study demonstrate that A. capillaris possesses potent sedative-hypnotic effects, which are probably mediated through potentiation of the GABAA receptor– Cl - ion channel complex.
The Inhibitory Effect ofAngelica tenuissimaWater Extract on Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-Kappa-B Ligand-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Resorbing Activity of Mature Osteoclasts
Authors: Ahn Sung-Jun , Baek Jong Min , Cheon Yoon-Hee , Park Sun-Hyang , Lee Myeung Su , Oh Jaemin , Kim Ju-Young
Published: June 2015

Angelica tenuissima has been traditionally used in oriental medicine for its therapeutic effects in headache, toothache, and flu symptoms. It also exerts anti-inflammatory activity via the inhibition of the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). However, the effect of Angelica tenuissima on osteoclast differentiation has not been identified until recently. In this study, we first confirmed that Angelica tenuissima water extract (ATWE) significantly interrupted the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells (MNCs) in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. Next, we clarified the underlying mechanisms linking the suppression effects of ATWE on the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. At the molecular level, ATWE induced the dephosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Akt and decreased the degradation of IκB in RANKL-dependent early signaling pathways. Subsequently, ATWE caused impaired activation of the protein and mRNA levels of c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cell c1 (NFATc1). Moreover, the disassembly of filamentous actin (F-actin) ring and anti-resorptive activity of mature osteoclasts were triggered by ATWE treatment. Although ATWE did not enhance osteogenesis in primary osteoblasts, our results showed that ATWE is a potential candidate for anti-resorptive agent in osteoporosis, a common metabolic bone disorder.
Features and new physical scales in primordial observables: Theory and observation
Authors: Chluba Jens , Hamann Jan , Patil Subodh P.
Published: June 2015

All cosmological observations to date are consistent with adiabatic, Gaussian and nearly scale invariant initial conditions. These findings provide strong evidence for a particular symmetry breaking pattern in the very early universe (with a close to vanishing order parameter, ϵ), widely accepted as conforming to the predictions of the simplest realizations of the inflationary paradigm. However, given that our observations are only privy to perturbations, in inferring something about the background that gave rise to them, it should be clear that many different underlying constructions project onto the same set of cosmological observables. Features in the primordial correlation functions, if present, would offer a unique and discriminating window onto the parent theory in which the mechanism that generated the initial conditions is embedded. In certain contexts, simple linear response theory allows us to infer new characteristic scales from the presence of features that can break the aforementioned degeneracies among different background models, and in some cases can even offer a limited spectroscopy of the heavier degrees of freedom that couple to the inflaton. In this review, we offer a pedagogical survey of the diverse, theoretically well-grounded mechanisms which can imprint features into primordial correlation functions in addition to reviewing the techniques one can employ to probe observations. These observations include cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies and spectral distortions as well as the matter two and three point functions as inferred from large-scale structure (LSS) and potentially, 21 cm surveys.
Cosmology without Einstein's assumption that inertial mass produces gravity
Authors: Ellis Homer G.
Published: June 2015

Giving up Einstein's assumption, implicit in his 1916 field equations, that inertial mass, even in its appearance as energy, is equivalent to active gravitational mass and therefore is a source of gravity allows revising the field equations to a form in which a positive cosmological constant is seen to (mis)represent a uniform negative net mass density of gravitationally attractive and gravitationally repulsive matter. Field equations with both positive and negative active gravitational mass densities of both primordial and continuously created matter, incorporated along with two scalar fields to 'relax the constraints' on the spacetime geometry, yield cosmological solutions that exhibit inflation, deceleration, coasting, acceleration, and a 'big bounce' instead of a 'big bang,' and provide good fits to a Hubble diagram of Type Ia supernovae data. The repulsive matter is identified as the back sides of the 'drainholes' introduced by the author in 1973 as solutions of those same field equations. Drainholes (prototypical examples of 'traversable wormholes') are topological tunnels in space which gravitationally attract on their front, entrance sides, and repel more strongly on their back, exit sides. The front sides serve both as the gravitating cores of the visible, baryonic particles of primordial matter and as the continuously created, invisible particles of the 'dark matter' needed to hold together the large-scale structures seen in the universe; the back sides serve as the misnamed 'dark energy' driving the current acceleration of the expansion of the universe. Formation of cosmic voids, walls, filaments and nodes is attributed to expulsion of drainhole entrances from regions populated by drainhole exits and accumulation of the entrances on boundaries separating those regions.
FIELD EVAPORATION OF GROUNDED ARSENIC DOPED SILICON CLUSTERS
Authors: DENG ZEXIANG , SHE JUNCONG , LI ZHIBING , WANG WEILIANG , CHEN QIANG
Published: June 2015

We have investigated the field evaporation of grounded arsenic (As) doped silicon (Si) clusters composed of 52 atoms with density functional theory (DFT) to mimic Si nano structures of hundreds of nanometers long standing on a substrate. Six cluster structures with different As doping concentrations and dopant locations are studied. The critical evaporation electric fields are found to be lower for clusters with higher doping concentrations and doping sites closer to the surface. We attribute the difference to the difference in binding energies corresponding to the different As-doping concentrations and to the doping locations. Our theoretical study could shed light on the stability of nano apexes under high electric field.