bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNAi screens reveal novel metabolic regulators: RIP140, MAP4k4 and the lipid droplet associated fat specific protein (FSP) 27
Authors: Puri V. , Virbasius J. V. , Guilherme A. , Czech M. P.
Published: August 2010

Adipose tissue modulates whole body metabolism and insulin sensitivity by controlling circulating lipid levels and producing molecules that can regulate fatty acid metabolism in such tissues as muscle and liver. We have developed RNA interference (RNAi) screens to identify genes in cultured adipocytes that regulate insulin signalling and key metabolic pathways. These short interfering RNA (siRNA)‐based screens identified the transcriptional corepressor receptor interacting protein 140 (RIP140) (J Clin Invest116: 125, 2006) and the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAP4k4) (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA103: 2087, 2006) as negative regulators of insulin‐responsive hexose uptake and oxidative metabolism. Gene expression profiling revealed that RIP140 depletion upregulates the expression of clusters of genes in the pathways of glucose uptake, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation. RIP140‐null mice resist weight gain on a high‐fat diet and display enhanced glucose tolerance. MAP4k4 depletion in adipocytes increases many of the RIP140‐sensitive genes, increases adipogenesis and mediates some actions of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Remarkably, another hit in our RNAi screens was fat specific protein 27 (FSP27), a highly expressed isoform of Cidea. We discovered that FSP27 unexpectedly associates specifically with lipid droplets and regulates fat storage. We conclude that RIP140, MAP4k4 and the novel lipid droplet protein FSP27 are powerful regulators of adipose tissue metabolism and are potential therapeutic targets for controlling metabolic disease. The discovery of these novel proteins validates the power of RNAi screening for discovery of new therapeutic approaches to type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Cytoplasmic organelles determine complexity and specificity of calcium signalling in adrenal chromaffin cells
Authors: García‐Sancho J. , Verkhratsky A.
Published: August 2010

Complex and coordinated fluctuations of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) regulate secretion of adrenaline from chromaffin cells. The physiologically relevant intracellular Ca2+ signals occur either as localized microdomains of high Ca2+ concentrations or as propagating Ca2+ waves, which give rise to global Ca2+ elevations. Intracellular organelles, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria and nuclear envelope, are endowed with powerful Ca2+ transport systems. Calcium uptake and Ca2+ release from these organelles determine the spatial and temporal parameters of Ca2+ signalling events. Furthermore, the ER and mitochondria form close relations with the sites of plasmalemmal Ca2+ entry, creating ‘Ca2+ signalling triads’ which act as elementary operational units, which regulate exocytosis. Ca2+ ions accumulating in the ER and mitochondria integrate exocytotic activity with energy production and protein synthesis.
Folk Wisdom About the Effects of Relationship Conflict
Authors: Sanchez‐Burks Jeffrey , Neuman Eric J. , Ybarra Oscar , Kopelman Shirli , Park Hyekyung , Goh Karen
Published: August 2010

Three experiments examined cultural differences and similarities in folk wisdom about the effects of perceived conflict. In Study 1, Americans exhibited an optimistic bias relative to East Asians in their beliefs about perceived relationship conflict, but not conflict in general. Study 2 suggests that these findings cannot be accounted for by cultural differences in perceptions about the distinction, or lack thereof, between relationship and task‐focused forms of conflict. Furthermore, the results demonstrated an interaction effect such that both groups prefer to address and resolve perceived task conflict proactively, whereas only European Americans perceive that it is relatively unnecessary to address relationship conflict to achieve task performance. Study 3 suggests that these cultural patterns have behavioral implications, such that Americans were more likely than East Asians to join a talented group likely to experience relationship conflict. Together, these results suggest novel implications for intragroup dynamics in intercultural contexts.
Position statement on the use of bortezomib in multiple myeloma
Authors: MORGAN G. J. , DAVIES F. E. , CAVENAGH J. D. , JACKSON G. H. ,   on behalf of the United Kingdom Myeloma Forum (UKMF) and the Haematology Oncology Task Force of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology
Published: August 2010

Bortezomib (Velcade™) is a boron containing molecule which reversibly inhibits the proteasome, an intracellular organelle which is central to the breakdown of ubiquinated proteins and consequently crucial for normal cellular homeostasis. Phase II clinical trials demonstrate it is effective for the treatment of relapsed refractory myeloma, and a phase III trial comparing bortezomib to dexamethasone in second/third line treatment showed superiority in progression free and overall survival. It is administered intravenously in the outpatient setting on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 of a 21‐day cycle and regular monitoring for side effects is essential. It is currently approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy and who have already undergone or are unsuitable for transplantation. Given the strength of this data the UK Myeloma Forum and British Committee for Standards in Haematology believe that bortezomib should be available for prescription by UK haematologists according to its licensed indication in patients with relapsed myeloma.
Healing the Heart: Integrating Complementary Therapies and Healing Practices Into the Care of Cardiovascular Patients
Authors: Kreitzer Mary Jo , Snyder Mariah
Published: August 2010

Complementary therapies and healing practices have been found to reduce stress, anxiety, and lifestyle patterns known to contribute to cardiovascular disease. Promising therapies include imagery and hypnosis, meditation, yoga, tai chi, prayer, music, exercise, diet, and use of dietary supplements. Many of these complementary approaches to healing have been within the domain of nursing for centuries and can readily be integrated into the care of patients with cardiovascular disease. While individual complimentary modalities hold considerable merit, it is critical that the philosophy underlying these therapies—caring, holism, and harmony—also be understood and honored.
The Road to Exercise Is Filled With Good Intentions: Why Don't My Proximal Exercise Intentions Match My Actions?
Authors: Bloomquist Candace D. , Gyurcsik Nancy C. , Brawley Lawrence R. , Spink Kevin S. , Bray Steven R.
Published: August 2010

Difficulty in following through with proximal exercise intentions (PIs) may be associated with experiencing frequent, limiting perceived reasons (factors causing indecision) and low self‐regulatory efficacy (SRE) to cope. Differences in reason frequency, limitation, and SRE between adults whose PI frequency matched their exercise frequency and adults whose PI frequency was higher than their actual frequency (mismatched) were examined. Participants (N = 163) completed Web‐based measures of reason frequency, limitation, coping strategies and related SRE, intention, and exercise for the prior 4 weeks. A multivariate analysis of variance comparing matched (n = 89) with mismatched (n = 74) groups was significant. Matched participants reported significantly lower reason limitation and higher SRE, suggesting that they may have the SRE to buffer negative effects of limiting reasons.
DIETARY CHANGE AMONG ITALIANS AND AUSTRALIANS IN PERTH
Authors: Hopkins S. , Margetts B. M. , Cohen J. , Armstrong B.K.
Published: August 2010

Patterns of dietary change have been assessed in 170 Italians and 170 Australians. 77 percent of Australians and 58 percent of Italians indicated that they had changed their diet at some time; the change being more recent among Australians. The direction of change in nine food groups was assessed. The most striking change was in meat consumption where 68 percent of Italians stated that they had increased while Australians tended to have slightly decreased consumption. Italians had also tended to increase their fat consumption and decrease their consumption of sugar and starch, vegetables, fruit, salt and dairy products. Fat consumption had apparently fallen amongst Australians with 58 percent stating that they had previously eaten more.

Reasons for changing diet were categorized into 11 groups. For Italians the most frequently reported reason was migration (60 percent of females 64.3 percent males); whereas a change in household composition was most often mentioned by Australians (42 percent). Health was mentioned as a reason for changing diet by about 25 percent of respondents. Those Italians indicating migration as their major reason for change appeared to have increased their meat and fat intake more than other Italans.

The study supports the view that Italian migrants are changing their food consumption patterns towards those of Australians in general. From current theories of the role of diet in chronic disease many of these changes would be considered undesirable.

Studies comparing the health of migrants with that of the home and host population assume that migrants make lifestyle changes away from that of the home country toward that of the country of settlement. While this assumption has been tested in some populations (for example Japanese migrants in Hawaii)1 few data are available from migrants to Australia.

Italians are the largest non‐British migrant group in Australia and come from a country in which they way of life is quite different from that of this country. With respect to one aspect of lifestyle, diet, apparent consumption of meat and sugar is reported to be appreciably lower in Italy than Australia and consumption of vegetables, fruit and pulses appreciably higher. Similar, but much smaller dietary differences exist between Italian migrants in Australia and the Australian born population. While this suggests that dietary acculturation has occurred following migration it is also possible that in dietary and other respects, migrants are non‐typical of their home population. It would be desirable therefore to produce more direct evidence of dietary change in the migrant population.

In this report we examine retrospectively dietary changes apparently associated with migration and other phenomena in Italian migrants to Australia. These are compared with dietary changes reported by a matched sample of Australian‐born subjects thus permitting a more general analysis of dietary change and the factors influencing it in Australia.
THE HIGH PREVALENCE OF HYPERURICAEMIA IN A POLYNESIAN POPULATION
Authors: Jackson Livia , Taylor R. , Whitehouse Sunny , Zimmet P.
Published: August 2010

The overall prevalence of hyperuricaemia (raised serum uric acid) in the isolated Polynesian population of Funafuti, aged 20 years and over, was found to be 34.1 percent. The prevalence for males was 32.3 percent and for females 35.7 percent. Despite this high prevalence of hyperuricaemia, no cases of gout were identified.

Although hyperuricaemia is not uncommon in Polynesian populations, and probably genetic in origin, the absence of gout is unusual and supports the theory that certain environmental influences in the “modern” way of life are necessary precipitating factors of arthritis in those with hyperuricaemia.
PATTERNS OF PRIVATE HOSPITAL OWNERSHIP IN VICTORIA
Authors: Morley J. B. , Taylor R. G. , Opit L. J.
Published: August 2010

A study has been conducted into the pattern of ownership of “for‐profit” private hospitals in Victoria. Private companies were found to dominate the acute care private hospital business in Victoria; the company structures were sophisticated, involving numerous individuals and the business was rapidly expanding. Victorian Health Commission registration requirements were inadequate and, in particular, the definition of “Proprietor” in the Victorian Health Act was seen to be imprecise. It is proposed that all individuals holding a financial interest in private hospitals should be required to be registered publicly, together with their occupations. More than one‐third of the hospitals had doctors or their relatives as directors or shareholders, although bed utilization figures for these doctors in their hospitals were not obtainable. The conflict between commercial practice and professional practice of medicine is briefly discussed. The influence of business costs on profit‐motivated hospitals is briefly examined, leading to questions about the use of Commonwealth subsidies as “health‐investor subsidies” and “commercial subsidies”. These observations are presented with attention to the current encouragement of greater use of private enterprise in Australian hospital resources.
REPORTED HEALTH, LIFE‐STYLE AND OCCUPATIONAL STRESS IN PRISON OFFICERS
Authors: Webster Ian W. , Porritt Donald W. , Brennan Peter J.
Published: August 2010

A voluntary health screening survey of 262 prison officers shows that they have high levels of psychological stress which correlate with job pressures, personality and, to a lesser extent, lack of job rewards. Reported symptoms and subjective health followed a similar pattern, suggesting that psychological factors may mediate these symptoms or lead to their recognition and reporting. Where prison officers' physical health deviates from a national sample of Australian males, and other studies, life‐style factors of overweight and smoking are important determinants.
TOWARDS A NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Authors: Mathews John
Published: August 2010

This paper discusses the prospects for establishing a National Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health in Australia, examines possible models for such an Institute using overseas examples, and discusses its functions. Existing facilities in Australia which could be drawn on by a National Institute are noted. Other proposals put forward recently are discussed and evaluated.
CONVALESCENCE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL TRAUMA: SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF SUBJECTIVE RECOVERY
Authors: Somers Ronald L.
Published: August 2010

Few of the many past studies of interpersonal differences in reaction to illness have investigated social determinants of convalescence, particularly with regard to convalescence from physical trauma. In this study a group of patients with uncomplicated nose fractures was followed closely from initial treatment at a large hospital in Denmark to self‐reported recovery. Rapid recovery among patients aged 15–26 was found to be associated with larger household size and higher socio‐economic status. Recovery time among patients aged 27–56 was not related to any of the social factors investigated in this study.
SETTING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH STANDARDS IN AUSTRALIA: THE CASE OF SCREEN‐BASED EQUIPMENT OPERATORS' EYESIGHT TESTS*
Authors: Hocking Bruce
Published: August 2010

The setting of an occupational health standard requires consideration of many issues. To illustrate this, the setting of the National Health and Medical Research Council occupational health standard on eyesight tests for screen‐based equipment operators is reviewed. Problems of a technical, professional, political and economic nature are identified. Two systems to help avoid these problems in the proposed National Occupational Health and Safety Commission are discussed; one involves setting standards by consensus, the other uses an adversary process.
ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, BLOOD PRESSURE AND LIPOPROTEIN LIPIDS IN FIJI: COMPARISON OF AN URBAN AND RURAL POPULATION
Authors: Nye E. R. , Bakani I. R. , Coverdale H. A. , Sutherland W. H. F. , Spears G. F. S.
Published: August 2010

Measurement of height, weight, skinfold, blood pressure and lipoprotein lipids were carried out as a part of a cardiovascular risk factor survey in Fiji in 1983. Observations were limited to urban and island‐dwelling Melanesians and it was found that, while the urban population was fatter than the island dwellers, their systolic pressures were significantly lower in both men and women. Removal of subjects previously diagnosed as having hypertension in both populations left the island population with higher systolic pressures than the urban group but the difference was no longer significant at the 5 per cent level.

Lipoprotein lipids were broadly similar in the two populations with values similar to New Zealand Caucasians. There were no differences in high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels between the two population groups, nor were there differences between men and women.

A total of 24 men and women were known cases of coronary heart disease at the time of the survey, a further 47 had symptoms suggestive of the disorder.
AGE TRENDS IN PAP SMEAR USAGE, 1971–1986
Authors: Mitchell Heather , Medley Gabriele
Published: August 2010

Age specific rates for Papanicolaou smears by the Victorian Cytology (Gynaecological) Service (VCGS) during 1971 to 1986 are presented. There was a dramatic increase in smear rates for women aged less than 35 years during the period studied.

Conversely, for postmenopausal women maximum smear rates were achieved in 1971 with a steady decline thereafter. In women over the age of 55 years, the 1986 smear rates were approximately half the 1971 rates. The pronounced decline in smear rates in older women is particularly worrying as these women constitute the age group with the highest incidence rates for cervical cancer.

The highest rate for any age group occurred in 1976 when 357 women per 1000 female residents in the age group 35–39 years were screened. Smears were received from an estimated 18.3 percent of the resident female population of Victoria during 1986. A longitudinal study of subsequent use of cervical cytology by women having negative smears in 1971 is in progress.
WORKSAFE AUSTRALIA: TO THE McKAY REPORT AND BEYOND
Authors: Gun R. T.
Published: August 2010

The health and safety of workers was not the only raison d'être for Worksafe Australia. To the Hawke Government, to the ACTU hierarchy and to the employers, a federal initiative in occupational health was a vital item in the ALP‐ACTU Accord which would lock the unions into wage restraint. To the already powerful Commonwealth Department of Employment and Industrial Relations the initiative was a golden opportunity to establish a new federal structure under its influence. Thus a bureaucracy, top‐heavy with administrators, came into being whilst established national occupational health activities ground to a halt. Plagued by dissent from within and criticism from without, the organisation was saved from extinction only by its importance to the Accord. In 1987 the Government appointed Mr. B. V. McKay to review Worksafe Australia, following which the activities of the organisation were streamlined, with due acknowledgement now given to the key role of the States in giving effect to nationally‐agreed policies and standards. However problems remain, and the future of Worksafe Australia is still uncertain.
COUNTING HEADS: ESTIMATING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN NEW SOUTH WALES
Authors: Lyle David M. , Quine Susan , Bauman Adrian , Pierce John P.
Published: August 2010

The public health problem of head injuries contributes to considerable morbidity in the community and is the commonest cause of death in young adult Australians. However, estimating the incidence of head injury has been difficult, and has varied between countries and over time. This paper critically appraises the methodological issues contributing to head injury/brain injury incidence estimates, in particular case definition, differing data sources, and methods of case ascertainment. The most appropriate definition from a methodological service provider perspective is one which clearly distinguishes between potential and actual brain injury. The results from a study which used the most accurate methods have been extrapolated to NSW, and reduce the estimated brain injury incidence in NSW from a reported 392 to 180 per 100,000 incident cases per year. This revised estimate implies that in 1990 there will be about 10,500 new cases of traumatic brain injury, of which an estimated 400 will result in serious physical or mental disability. These estimates were originally calculated to enable the development of an appropriate level of health service provision for brain‐injured persons through the NSW Brain Injury Program.
A RANDOMISED TRIAL OF GENERAL PRACTITIONER‐WRITTEN INVITATIONS TO ENCOURAGE ATTENDANCE AT SCREENING MAMMOGRAPHY
Authors: Irwig Les , Turnbull Deborah , McMurchie Marilyn
Published: August 2010

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of general practitioner‐written invitations to the Breast X‐Ray Programme of the Central Sydney Area Health Service. Five out of six randomly selected general practices in Drummoyne participated. Within each practice, women aged 45 to 70 were individually randomised to receive or not receive a letter from their general practitioner (GP). Thirty‐two per cent of women attended if invited compared to 7 per cent if they were not sent an invitation. An attendance of 38 per cent was obtained for women whose GP chose to send a letter with an appointment compared to 24 per cent for women whose GP chose to send a general invitation without an appointment. Combining all practices, women who consulted their GP within the previous 6 months were more likely to attend in response to the invitation (38 per cent) than women whose last consultation was more remote, dropping to 15 per cent in those who last attended that GP over 2 years earlier. Women aged 65 to 70 years old were at least as likely to respond to the invitation as women aged 45 to 64. Reminder letters were subsequently sent to a random half of non‐respondents who had attended the practice in the previous 12 months. A further 18 per cent of women attended after the reminder letter was sent (8/45), compared with 2 per cent in the control group (1/48). Twenty‐seven per cent of women in Drummoyne had already attended for screening mammography before the trial. Two invitations with appointments from GPs had the potential to attract 49 per cent of the remaining women, resulting in 63 per cent attendance overall.
Les Volcans Quaternaires de Tatung, Shansi
Authors: Yin T. H.
Published: August 2010

RéSUMé

A la suite des visites successives il est maintenant connu qu'il existe, à 30 km. Est de Tatung et dans un espace de 60 km. carrés, un groupe d'une dizaine de volcans d'aspect varié: coniques, arrondis ou égueuiés. Les plus importants ont une hauteur relative d'environs 100 m. Tous sont plus ou moins recouverts de loess. Autour de chaque cône principal un système de drainage radial s'est établi; il en résulte à la longue une série de rigoles rayonnantes autour du sommet, ce sont les barrancos.

L'activité strombolience s'est manifestée pour la première fois au Sanmenien (Heishan), accentuée au commencement de l'époque loessique pour se terminer au milieu de cette dernière époque (Haotienssu).
Optimal preparation of mycelia and arthrospores of Geotrichum candidum: a SEM, TEM and cytochemical study
Authors: Olesen Peter , Kier Use
Published: August 2010

Three morphological stages of Geotrichum candidum, viz. the mycelium, a cylindrical spore type, and an ellipsoidal spore type, were subjected to qualitative and quantitative morphological and cytochemical analyses using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Considerable variation in total cell shrinkage as well as cell wall thickness was found with fixation procedure and cell type. Cell walls were best preserved with simultaneous fixation in aldehydes and osmium whereas optimal preservation of the cytoplasm required sequential fixation. Mechanical pretreatment improved the visualization of ultrastructural details in the thick–walled ellipsoidal spores. Wall polysaccharides and cytoplasmic glycogen stained positively with periodic acid–thiosemicarbohydrazide–silver proteinate and with alkaline bismuth subni–trate. In all three cell types an electron–transparent wall region was sandwiched between outer and inner electron–dense and PAS–positive regions. Wall thickness in cylindrical spores corresponded to that of mycelium whereas ellipsoidal spores had a 1.7 times thicker wall and a 1.9 times greater wall volume than cylindrical spores.
Taxonomic revision of Driessenia (Melastomataceae)
Authors: Hansen Carlo
Published: August 2010

The genus Driessenia Korth. comprises fourteen species and two varieties. Eleven species are endemic to Borneo, the remaining three species occur on Sumatra, Java or Sulawesi. Five species (D. sessiliflora, D. planopetiolata, D. attenuata, D. grandithyrsa and D. aequiappendiculata), one variety (D. microthrix Stapf var. pteroclada) and one combination (D. dispar (Cogn.)) are new. The genus Triuranthera Back. is made a synonym of Driessenia. The revision includes a key to the species, illustrations of various floral parts and maps of distribution.
Chrysophycean scales as paleoindicators in the sediments of Hall Lake, Washington, U.S.A.
Authors: Munch C. S.
Published: August 2010

Twelve species of Mallomonas and ten species of other genera of Mallomonadaceae and Paraphysomonadaceae were found in sediments deposited in Hall Lake from about 1850 to the present. One Mallomonas species (M. portue‐ferreae peterfi & As‐mund) was found that had not previously been reported from North America. The majority of the species have been described as either generally distributed or characteristic of acid or oligotrophic humic waters. M. heterospina Lund and M. multiunca Asmund, which were restricted to sediments deposited during the operation of a sawmill on the lake, have been collected from very eutrophic to dystrophic waters as well. On the whole the species composition indicates a change in the lake from oligotrophic to more eutrophic conditions.
Phylogenetic studies in the Gerbera‐complex (Compositae, tribe Mutisieae, subtribe Mutisiinae)
Authors: Hansen Hans V.
Published: August 2010

The phylogeny of the Gerbera‐complex (Compositae, tribe Mutisieae, subtribe Mutisiinae) is discussed with the use of cladistics. 14 OTUs are accepted, viz. 1. Trichocline s. str., 2. Lulia, 3. Trichocline spathulata (“Amblysperma”), 4. Gerbera hieracioides, 5. Chaptalia, 6. Leibnitzia, 7. Uechtritzia, 8. Perdicium, 9. Gerbera sect. Gerbera, 10. Gerbera sect. Parva, 11. Gerbera sect. Lasiopus, 12. Gerbera sect. Piloselloides, 13. Gerbera sect. Pseudoseris, and 14. Gerbera sect. Isanthus. The work is mainly based on SEM‐studies. The paper discusses the phylogenetic and taxonomic implications of the presented consensus‐tree. It is proposed to rank the Gerbera‐complex as a single, large genus.
Thalloconidia in the genus Umbilicaria
Authors: Hestmark Geir
Published: August 2010

Hypothalline, hyphomycetous anamorphs ‐ thalloconidia ‐ from 18 taxa in the lichen genus Umbilicaria have been studied in detail with the aid of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. These asexual propagules are brown to dark brown, single‐to multi‐cellular (up to 2500 cells), spherical to irregular, smooth to rugged; their walls two‐ or three‐layered. The thalloconidia are produced and seceded directly from the cortex and/or the rhizinomorphs on the lower side of the thallus. Conidiomata and conidiophores are absent. The characteristics of the thalloconidia prove to be of substantial value for taxonomical work at the specific level. The anamorphs of U. antarctica and U. esculenta are described for the first time. Thirty‐five taxa from the genus Umbilicaria and 10 from the genus Lasallia were screened for the occurrence of thalloconidia with negative result.
Penetrations in Shells Under External Pressure
Authors: DeHart R. C. , Greimann L. F.
Published: August 2010

Penetrations, in the pressure-resistant structure of a submersible, disturb the stress condition in the shell and may cause a premature failure. In this paper, two types of finite-element solutions are used to predict the stress distribution near view port openings in spherical shells under external pressure. Results of experimental stress analyses are also given and compared to the theoretical results.
The Underwater Laser Surveying System: A New Concept
Authors: Borchardt D. R. , Witte R. S.
Published: August 2010

In January of 1969 under contract to the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratories (NCEL), TRW delivered to Project TEKTITE an underwater surveying system which utilized a portable, pulsed ion, argon gas laser as the reference light source. The intent of the system was to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting standard surveying operations by constructing several different size rectangles on the floor of the ocean and measuring the contours in the area of these rectangles. In addition, the actual location of the laser and the orientation of the rectangular plot was to be accurately located relative to reference points on a shoreline considered inaccessible to the divers. The Underwater Laser Surveying System (ULSS) has successfully met or exceeded all design objectives.
Application of the Matrix Displacement Method to the Analysis of Pressure Vessels
Authors: Argyris J. H. , Buck K. E. , Grieger I. , Mareczek G.
Published: August 2010

The matrix displacement approach of the finite element method is applied to the analysis of deformations and stresses in pressure-vessel type structures. Particular reference is made to structures with rotational symmetry, both under axisymmetric and unsymmetric loading and temperature distribution, for which two classes of structural elements for the idealization of solids and membrane shells are described. A survey of some finite elements used for the analysis of more general pressure vessel structures is conducted. Several examples of axisymmetric and nonsymmetric structures are included to demonstrate the versatility and power of the method.
An Analysis of Punching Variables by Two-Level Fractional Factorial Design
Authors: Wang K. K. , Taraman Khalil , Wu S. M.
Published: August 2010

A two-level fractional factorial design of experiment is introduced to investigate the effects of several variables on four responses with 16 tests for punching operation. The analysis indicates that the taper on punch bottom is not only the most significant factor affecting punch force but also interacts with another factor, the radius on die mouth. The die radius was found to be the dominating factor affecting the other three responses, i.e., the burr height, the amount of dishing, and the fracture angle. The increase of die radius will reduce burr height but increase dishing and fracture angle.
On the Plastic Flow Beneath a Blunt Axisymmetric Indenter
Authors: Shaw M. C. , DeSalvo G. J.
Published: August 2010

A new approach to large strain plasticity problems in which the material is considered to behave in a plastic-elastic fashion, instead of as a plastic-rigid body, is applied to the axisymmetric blunt indenter. The ratio of the mean stress on the punch face to the uniaxial flow stress of the material (constraint factor C) is found to be 2.82 for an extensive specimen. However, it is shown that a small part of the punch face is elastically loaded, and if the loaded punch area is assumed equal to the size of the plastic impression, then the constraint factor to be used is 3.00 instead of 2.82. This is the value to be used in interpreting the ordinary brinell test. Hardness values are shown to be independent of the degree of friction on the face of a blunt indenter and of the elasticity of the indenter. The amount of material required beneath an axisymmetric indenter in order that there be no upward flow is found to be about 2.6 times the diameter of the impression for steel. However, the exact value depends on Young’s modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, material hardness, and the depth of the impression relative to the diameter of the indenting sphere. When two opposing axisymmetric indenters are employed, the influence of one on the other will be less than one percent when their spacing is approximately 11.5 times the indentation diameter. A blunt indenter may be defined as one which gives no upward flow in a hardness test. Upward flow should be avoided in hardness testing since it causes the mean stress on the punch face to produce a given impression to be sensitive to friction and the tendency of the metal to strain harden. Upward flow may be prevented by use of an extensive specimen relative to the depth of the impression, large indenter angle (160–180 deg), and high indenter friction (rough surface and no lubricant). The flow stress measured by a blunt indenter is that corresponding to the onset of plastic flow. When upward flow is permitted, the flow stress measured by an indentation hardness test will correspond to an appreciable plastic strain which increases as the included angle of the indenter decreases. The quantity measured by an indenter that performs with upward flow is, therefore, quite ambiguous when the material tested strain hardens.
Performance of a Convectively Heated Rectangular Fin With a Step Change in Cross-Sectional Area and Losing Heat by Simultaneous Convection and Radiation (Step Fins Under Radiation Environment)
Authors: Kundu B. , Aziz A.
Published: August 2010

A numerical procedure has been used to study the thermal performance of a step convective-radiative fin with temperature dependent thermal conductivity and convective base heating. An analytical solution has been developed for a pure convective fin with constant thermal conductivity, with its base exposed to a hot fluid. The effects of geometrical and thermophysical parameters on the temperature profiles in the fin, the fin efficiency, and the fin effectiveness are illustrated. The step fin is found to deliver a superior thermal performance compared with the uniformly thick fin.
SU‐EE‐A3‐01: Quantifying Anatomical Variability in Regressing Tumors during Active Breath Hold Radiotherapy: A Modal Dominant Deformations Approach
Authors: Badawi A , Weiss E , Brown A , Orton M , Hugo G
Published: August 2010

Purpose: To quantify and classify interfraction geometric variability of lung tumors for independent analysis. Method and Materials: 14 research subjects (15 tumors) underwent three weekly repeat breath hold (BH) scans at end of normal inspiration. Images were deformably registered to the planning scan, and the gross tumor volume (GTV), ipsilateral (IL), and contralateral (CL) lungs delineated on the planning scan were propagated to all images. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to generate two statistical shape models of the structures for each patient: a week to week (W2W) model using only one scan per week and an all scans model using all available images per patient. Principal dominant modes were classified by modal volume and position change and time trend into six discrete classes representing tumor regression (isotropic and anisotropic) or breath hold/lung volume variability. Three novel normalized modal variability indices (mean mode volume, total variances, total dominant variances, concordance variance, and concordance standard deviation) were developed to quantify the BH variability using the W2W and all scans models. Results: The mean BH variability indices were 1.03%, 13.57%, and 7.3%, representing the percentage of mean shape, total variance, and modes concordances respectively, due to BH reproducibility. 46 dominant modes were identified for all patients in total. 23, 8, 4, 4, 1, and 6 modes belonged to classes 1–6, respectively. Classes 1–2 are rigid shifts associated with BH or error, while classes 3–6 represented deformation due to tumor regression. Modal GTV positional shift was found to correlate with CL volume change in 10/15 subjects. Conclusion: BH variability indices were used to quantify BH. A novel modal classification system was developed to classify geometric variability by type. Modal GTV positional shift correlation with CL volume is likely due to altered lung function in the IL.

Supported by NIH R01 CA116249.
SU‐GG‐E‐01: Leap into Rap
Authors: Venkatakrishnan V
Published: August 2010

Purpose: The objective of this presentation is to develop a design for a series of web based teaching modules for Radiology residents that will be featured in the AAPM website.Method and Materials: On line Expert Chat support, audio and video clips and pdf's of relevant documents will serve as material.This will be the design for a LEArning Physics INTeratively/INTuitively On‐your‐own, module, for RAdiology Practice.(LEAP INTO RAP) Learning will be interactive, The user will begin a 2–5 hour session, learning and answering questions as he/she goes along; going back and forth iteratively until the module is completed.. After a major concept is presented, the user answers a pop‐up question/s. During the session the user will have access to pdf's of the papers related to the content, audio and video clips and access to On‐line Chat with an “Expert” in the topic. The user NEED NOT complete in one sitting and can return as many times as possible. The author would like to co‐ordinate with other experts in the field to come up with a series of modules that are relevant to Radiology Residents, parallel to the RSNA teaching modules, but WITHOUT ANY OVERLAP. Results: The user will walk away with a standard level of knowledge on the topic commensurate with the category registered in (Radiology Resident, Medical Physicist, Public etc.). The user will also automatically receive the desired approved organization category xx credits, directly transmitted to the organization of choice. Conclusion: 1.The design of this web‐based module will become the standard design for development of several more in each category and several categories to come (explained in supporting document). 2. It will be a revenue generating component of the website for AAPM. 3. Will be accessed by Radiology Residents, Medical Physicists and General Public.
SU‐GG‐I‐07: Monitoring Radiation Dose in Cerebral CT Perfusion Exams
Authors: Lu Z , So J , Dutta A , Nickoloff E
Published: August 2010

PURPOSE: This paper is to study how to monitor and manage the radiation dose in cerebral CT perfusion exams with various CT scanners including a 10 slice MDCT, a 64 slice VCT and a 320 detector row volume scanner. METHODS & MATERIALS: Several cerebral CT perfusion protocols have been studied with various tube current settings. Radiation dose measurements were done on an anthropormorphic head phantom using an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter device (MicroStar, Landauer) and an ion chamber dosimeter (Accu‐Pro, RadCal). All the measurements were done at the skin surface. Several OSLs were used to cover the X‐ray slice beam width. The readout of OSLs was performed right on site with a portable reading device. RESULTS: The accuracy of the OSLs was verified through a side‐by‐side comparison with an ion chamber dosimeter. It is shown that the OSL sensor is angle independent that makes it advantageous over those solid state personal dosimeters for real‐time CT dose measurements. For our study, 80 kVp was utilized for the cerebral CT perfusion exams. The tube current varied from 80 mA to 200 mA. The radiation dose varied directly with the selection of tube voltage and current settings. Considerable variations were also observed among different types of CT scanners. Conclusion: Since there is a potential risk for the skin dose to be accumulated beyond the threshold for determinant effects such as skin erythema and epilation in CT perfusion exams, it is important to optimize the protocol and monitor the patient dose closely. This paper verifies a tool to do that. It can be utilized during the initial set‐up of the protocol. Also, it will be useful for individual patient dose monitoring from case to case. It adds the safeguard to high dose CT scans such as cerebral CT perfusion exams.
SU‐GG‐T‐167: Faster IMRT Delivery on a Siemens Primus with a Novel High Performance MLC Controller
Authors: Mallah J , Mihailidis D , Limanen L
Published: August 2010

Purpose: In this prototype clinical installation (first one in the US) the 82‐leaf MLC controller was modified to drive the 58‐MLC system on a Primus, aiming to decrease the delivery time for IMRT. We evaluated the effects of upgrading to the High Performance Controller (HPC) for the 58‐leaf MLC system of the Siemens Primus Linac. The HPC uses the same drive electronics and control system used for the 82‐leaf MLC system which is typically on the Siemens Oncor Linac. Preliminary factory testing suggests a speedup of 25% to 40% for the 58‐leaf system. The purpose of this study is first to validate the mechanical and dosimetric performance of the upgrade and then to evaluate the gain in speed for typical IMRT treatments of various sites. Methods and Materials: Six IMRT QA plans (three of which were used for TG‐119) were chosen for comparisons between treatments before and after the upgrade. The treatments were timed and dosimetric evaluations were done with an ion chamber and film. MLCs were calibrated and standard QA tests were performed before and after the upgrade to validate the performance of the MLCs. Results: The measured reduction in treatment time ranged from 13% to 28%, with an average of 17% among the six plans. The reduction in the estimated average segment‐change times ranged from 23% to 38%, with an average of 28% among the six plans. The average time per segment change was reduced from 11.6 sec to 8.4 sec. Dosimetrically, no significant differences were observed between treatments before and after the upgrade. Conclusions: The Siemens HPC controller upgrade for the Primus provides a significant benefit in terms of reducing treatment time for IMRT treatments. The dosimetric effect of the upgrade was insignificant. We will describe a concise QC procedure for these types of upgrades.
SU‐GG‐T‐183: Enhanced Accuracy of IMRT Photon Fluence Profile Surveillance: Iterative Resolution Correction of the DAVID Chamber
Authors: Looe HK , Harder D , Ruehmann A , Willborn K , Poppe B
Published: August 2010

Purpose: The DAVID system (PTW‐Freiburg, Germany) is a multiwire ionization chamber placed in the accessory holder, capable of continuously monitoring treatment delivery. The system supplements the pre‐treatment dosimetric plan verification for advanced radiotherapy techniques such as IMRT and rotational therapy. Each detection wire signal is associated to the opening width of the MLC leaf pair it is surveying. The blurring of the lateral transport of secondary electrons within the chamber is corrected by an iterative deconvolution algorithm hence achieving enhanced error detection efficiency. Method and Materials: The measured signal profile S(x) is regarded as the result of a convolution of the true photon fluence profile P(x) with the lateral response function fξ(x) (ξ = sequential number of a wire). The fξ(x) was measured for each detection wire by opening only the MLC leaf pair it is associated with. The iterative algorithm consists in a sequence of approximations for Pn(x) which quickly converges towards the desired true P(x). Each Pn(x) is numerically convolved with fξ(x) and from the comparison of the result with S(x), the next approximation Pn+1(x) is derived. Results: The fine structure of the fluence profile is restored through the deconvolution. The lateral resolution of the DAVID system has been improved and error detection efficiency of the DAVID system can be enhanced by a factor of 2. The deconvolution of each IMRT segment can be performed in less than 1 sec. Conclusion: The developed iterative deconvolution method is capable of correcting for the blurring of the DAVID chamber signal profiles due to the lateral transport of scattered electrons within the chamber. The short computational time needed makes the algorithm feasible to be implemented in the daily routine to gain an increased specificity in IMRT photon fluence profile surveillance.
SU‐GG‐T‐184: Per‐Patient Dose QA Based on Clinically Relevant Metrics: Validation of the Planned Dose Perturbation Method to Estimate Patient Dose/DVH Using Conventional QA Data
Authors: Nelms B , Zhen H , Savitskij D , Hardee R , Tome W
Published: August 2010

Purpose: In patient‐specific IMRT QA, there is a need for patient dose/DVH‐based metrics. A method called “Planned Dose Perturbation” (PDP) uses conventional IMRT QA to estimate patient dose by perturbing the 3D TPS planned dose based on conventional QA comparisons. The accuracy of the PDP method is assessed here. Materials and Methods: 3D IMRT doses were generated using an accurate beam model. Then, various errors were induced in each beam of each plan to produce an incorrect 3D patient dose and corresponding incorrect planar QA calculations. The error‐free beams were used to generate “virtual measurements” per beam. Then, conventional planar IMRT QA methods were used to generate per‐beam 2D dose error maps which became inputs to the PDP system. PDP perturbs the error‐induced 3D Patient Dose to generate a revised 3D Patient Dose. This revised dose was compared voxel‐by‐voxel to the error‐free 3D Patient Dose to generate matching rate scores at 2%/2mm DTA over the 3D grid. Anatomical Region‐of‐Interest dose metrics (mean and max) were also assessed per ROI. This process was repeated for many cases, from simple IMRT plans (single beams on phantom) to very complex clinical IMRT plans (head/neck, prostate). Multiple beam energies were studied along with a range of severity of induced errors. Results: All the PDP Patient Dose estimates achieved passing rates of 99.1% vs. error‐free Patient Dose (2%/2mm DTA, absolute, volumetric, global percent difference, 10% lower threshold). When analyzing absolute dose metrics per ROI, the mean dose and max dose errors of PDP Patient Dose vs. Gold Standard averaged less than 1.00% error for all ROI (max error was 0.58%). Conclusions: The PDP method is extremely accurate at estimating patient dose/DVH impact based on conventional IMRT QA phantom methods. Research sponsored by Canis Lupus LLC and Sun Nuclear Corporation.
SU‐GG‐T‐190: Effects of the MLC Leaf Offset on IMRT Dose Distribution
Authors: Li J S , Lin T , Chen L , Price R , Ma C‐M
Published: August 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the dosimetric‐effective leaf offset of the multi‐leaf‐collimators (MLC) and its effects on accurate dose delivery and reliable patient‐specific quality assurance (QA) for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Methods: The effective MLC leaf offsets were determined by simulating the picket‐fence film measurement with variable leaf offsets and comparing with the measured dose profiles. The IMRT dose distributions were calculated using intensity maps built from the actual deliverable IMRT leaf sequences with and without considering the MLC leaf offset. The mean dose of the treatment target and voxel doses in the high dose regions were compared and evaluated for 7 IMRT plans generated for Varian 21EX and Siemens Primus linear accelerators. Results: By comparing the calculated picket‐fence dose profiles with film measurements, leaf offsets of 1mm and −0.3mm were determined for the Varian 21EX and Siemens Primus machines, respectively. The mean target dose was increased by up to 7.8% and the standard deviation of the voxel dose discrepancy was about 5% for Varian IMRT plans when the MLC leaf offset was applied in the dose calculation. These effects will be reduced to half if only 0.5mm leaf offset is considered in the dose calculation. The effects on Siemens IMRT plans were smaller due to the smaller leaf offset. The mean dose was reduced by up to 2.3% and the standard deviation of the voxel dose discrepancy was about 0.5%. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the MLC leaf offset can affect the mean dose significantly and cause uncertainties in individual voxel doses. The dose uncertainties caused by MLC leaf offset are one of the major uncertainty sources for measurement‐based IMRT QA because it is usually not fully considered in the treatment planning system.