bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IT investment management and information technology portfolio management (ITPM)
Authors: Cunha Dolci Pietro , Carlos Gastaud Maçada Antonio , G. Grant Gerald
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze some Brazilian companies’ use of the information technology portfolio management (ITPM) technique as an aid to their information technology (IT) investments management.

Design/methodology/approach

– It was carried out in five case studies in different Brazilian companies from several economic sectors which were using ITPM or were in the initial implementation phase. Eight interviews were conducted. The persons interviewed were high-level executives working in the IT department in the studied companies.

Findings

– Different levels of ITPM use was found with respect to IT investment management (planning, control and evaluation). It was observed, in the analyzed cases, that ITPM is used most frequently in IT investment planning, which is the process most discussed and used in analyzed companies. The ITPM technique is used more frequently in Company 2 than in the other cases because the organization of the IT area in the company is structured according to ITPM dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

– The ITPM technique has received little attention in IT research and research in this area identifying the use and applicability of ITPM in companies is still very limited in the information systems literature.

Originality/value

– The paper presents IT investment management in different Brazilian companies and how ITPM was used to help companies in this process compose by planning, control and evaluation.
Women on the move: the self-initiated expatriate in China
Authors: Muir Melinda , Wallace Michelle , McMurray Don
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the under-researched phenomenon of women, who of their own volition, are choosing to live and work in another country, as self-initiated expatriates (SIEs).

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing from a career constructivist position, the qualitative framework relied on primary data gathering through semi-structured interviews with 25 western professional SIE women living and working in Beijing.

Findings

– The findings suggest that the SIE women's motivations for mobility and their career types and patterns are complex and varied. As an initial and tentative step towards developing a framework of female SIEs’ careers the authors introduce a typology of four career patterns.

Research limitations/implications

– As an exploratory piece of research there is limited generalisability since the findings are presented from the perspective of a particular cohort of women's narratives.

Practical implications

– There is a need to recognise the potential value of SIEs to MNCs particularly in light of the well-documented concerns regarding human capital. Companies risk losing this potentially valuable employee if the career opportunities, as well as compensation packages, benefits and support on offer, do not match the plans and expectations of the individuals concerned.

Originality/value

– The study provides new insights into the nature and dynamics of the different career modes and configurations of SIE women. This is an important and appropriate research agenda for several reasons. First, there remains a paucity of research on female SIEs. Second, little is known about their career-related behaviours and expectations and the relationship between mobility and career. Thus, it is hoped that a study such as this will add to the emerging body of knowledge about an under researched yet growing number of the some of the most mobile human capital in the world.
Truck dispatching and minimum emissions earthmoving
Authors: S. Kaboli Alireza , G. Carmichael David
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The dispatching of trucks in earthmoving and like operations is worthy of examination because of potential emission reductions and savings through the appropriate allocation of trucks to excavators and dump sites. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– Truck dispatching is performed through linear programming (LP) and the effect of truck allocation on unit emissions and unit costs established. Number of trucks, unit cost and unit emissions are all considered as objective functions. A cut and fill operation on a road project provides a numerical case study.

Findings

– It is demonstrated analytically that the minimum unit emissions solution is the same as that for minimum unit cost. Numerical results from the case study, including sensitivity analyses on the underlying parameters, support this conclusion.

Practical implications

– The LP dispatching solution, based on minimizing truck numbers and unit costs, accordingly impacts the environment the least in terms of emissions. The paper's results will be of interest to those designing and managing earthmoving and like operations for production, cost and emissions.

Originality/value

– While LP has been used by others to examine optimum unit cost dispatching, this paper is original in examining the dispatching or truck allocation based on both unit cost and unit emissions, and showing the relationship between the optima for both.
A method for energy efficiency assessment during urban energy planning
Authors: Regina de Casas Castro Marins Karin
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– Energy use in urban areas has turned a subject of local and worldwide interest over the last few years, especially emphasized by the correlated greenhouse gases emissions. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the overall energy efficiency potential and emissions resulting from integrated solutions in urban energy planning, in the scale of districts and neighbourhoods in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach is based on the description and the application of a method to analyse energy performance of urban areas and support their planning. It is a quantitative bottom-up method and involves urban morphology, urban mobility, buildings and energy supply systems. Procedures are applied to the case study of Agua Branca urban development area, located in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Findings

– In the case of Agua Branca area, energy efficiency measures in buildings have shown to be very important mostly for the buildings economies themselves. For the area as a whole, strategies in promoting public transport are more effective in terms of energy efficiency and also to decrease pollutant emissions.

Originality/value

– Literature review has shown there is a lack of approaches and procedures able to support urban energy planning at a community scale. The bottom-up method presented in this paper integrates a plenty of disaggregated and multisectoral parameters at the same stage in urban planning and shows that is possible to identify the most promising actions by building overall performance indexes.
Tension pneumothorax secondary to nasojejunal feeding tube misplacement in a mechanically ventilated dog
Authors: Giordano P , Kirby BM , Bennett RC , Bernard F
Published: September 2014

Case report

An 11‐year‐old female terrier‐cross underwent general anaesthesia and mechanical ventilation for insulinoma resection. Following tumour removal, three consecutive but unsuccessful attempts were made to place a wire‐guided nasojejunal feeding tube (NJFT), using both nostrils, with one tube eventually left in situ in the right nostril. A final successful attempt using a smaller NJFT was made via the left nostril.

On withdrawal of the previously, unsuccessfully placed NJFT, the dog developed an acute tension pneumothorax. Severe cardiorespiratory dysfunction ensued, including decreasing arterial haemoglobin O2 saturation, increasing end‐tidal CO2, hypotension and tachycardia.

Immediate thoracocentesis with air evacuation from the pleural cavity followed by continuous air drainage through bilateral thoracostomy tubes produced marked improvement of cardiorespiratory function. During exploratory thoracotomy performed 1 day later, two lung lesions were identified and over sewn, one in the right middle lobe and the other in the accessory lobe.

Conclusions

This is the first case report to describe in an anaesthetised and mechanically ventilated dog the occurrence and management of a tension pneumothorax as a life‐threatening complication secondary to parenchymal injury after NJFT misplacement into the tracheobronchial tree. It illustrates that presence of a cuffed endotracheal tube does not protect against passing a NJFT into the bronchial system.
Red blood cell alloimmunization is influenced by recipient inflammatory state at time of transfusion in patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Fasano Ross M. , Booth Garrett S. , Miles Megan , Du Liping , Koyama Tatsuki , Meier Emily Riehm , Luban Naomi L. C.
Published: September 2014

Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients are at increased risk of red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization. Recipient inflammatory state at time of transfusion has been shown to regulate alloimmunization in murine models, but evidence is lacking inSCDpatients. We retrospectively studied a cohort of alloimmunizedSCDpatients to determine the influence of pro‐inflammatorySCD‐related complications at time of transfusion on alloimmunization. For each transfusion, the presence of pro‐inflammatory state, degree ofRBCantigen matching, unit age, storage solution and alloantibody detection date were ascertained. Transfusion‐associated pro‐inflammatory events were compared between transfusions resulting and not resulting in new alloantibodies. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Fifty‐two patients received 3166 pre‐storage leuco‐reduced transfusions of which 128 resulted in alloantibodies. Transfusions during inflammatory events were associated with increased alloantibody risk on univariate and multivariate analysis; acute chest syndrome and vaso‐occlusive crisis showed strongest associations with alloimmunization. Increased antigen matching demonstrated a protective effect on alloimmunization (univariate and multivariate analysis). Although an association was seen between citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose (adenine) stored units and alloimmunization on univariate analysis, no effect was found on multivariate analysis. Identifying recipient pro‐inflammatory states at time of transfusion that promote alloimmunization can impactRBCunit selection decisions forSCDpatients at risk for alloimmunization.
Cytokine profile of patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia affects platelet count recovery after Helicobacter pylori eradication
Authors: Rocha Andreia M. C. , Souza Cláudia , Melo Fabrício F. , Clementino Nelma C. D. , Marino Marília C. A. , Rocha Gifone A. , Queiroz Dulciene M. M.
Published: September 2014

Helicobacter pylori eradication induces platelet recovery in a subgroup of patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP), but the mechanisms involved are still not understood. We aimed to evaluate the effect of H. pylori eradication on platelet response and to identify the associated serum cytokine profile in 95 patients with cITP. Serum cytokine concentrations were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay prior to and 6 months after H. pylori eradication. Remission of cITP was observed in 17 (28·8%) of 59 patients in whom the bacterium was eradicated. Six months after treatment, a significant reduction in the concentrations of T‐helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cells and an increase in T regulatory (Treg) and Th2‐cell commitment cytokines were observed in patients who recovered, but not in those whose platelet count did not recover. Patients who had a platelet response to eradication of the bacteria had higher pre‐treatment serum levels of γ‐interferon (IFNG, IFN‐γ), transforming growth factor‐β (TGFB1, TGF‐β) and interleukin 17 (IL17A, IL‐17) than patients who did not respond, but only higher pre‐treatment TGFB1 levels was independently associated with platelet response. In conclusion, amelioration of cITP after eradication of H. pylori was linked to a more efficient suppression of Th1 and Th17 response and a more pronounced Treg cell response.
An automated image processing method to quantify collagen fibre organization within cutaneous scar tissue
Authors: Quinn Kyle P. , Golberg Alexander , Broelsch G. Felix , Khan Saiqa , Villiger Martin , Bouma Brett , Austen William G. , Sheridan Robert L. , Mihm Martin C. , Yarmush Martin L. , Georgakoudi Irene
Published: September 2014

Standard approaches to evaluate scar formation within histological sections rely on qualitative evaluations and scoring, which limits our understanding of the remodelling process. We have recently developed an image analysis technique for the rapid quantification of fibre alignment at each pixel location. The goal of this study was to evaluate its application for quantitatively mapping scar formation in histological sections of cutaneous burns. To this end, we utilized directional statistics to define maps of fibre density and directional variance from Masson's trichrome‐stained sections for quantifying changes in collagen organization during scar remodelling. Significant increases in collagen fibre density are detectable soon after burn injury in a rat model. Decreased fibre directional variance in the scar was also detectable between 3 weeks and 6 months after injury, indicating increasing fibre alignment. This automated analysis of fibre organization can provide objective surrogate endpoints for evaluating cutaneous wound repair and regeneration.
H3 clipping activity of glutamate dehydrogenase is regulated by stefin B and chromatin structure
Authors: Mandal Papita , Chauhan Sakshi , Tomar Raghuvir S.
Published: September 2014

Glutamate dehydrogenase has been recently identified as a tissue‐specific histone H3‐specific clipping enzyme. We have previously shown that it cleaves free as well as chromatin‐bound histone H3. However, the physiological significance of this enzyme is still not clear. The present study aimed to improve our understanding of its significance in vivo. Using biochemical and cell biological approaches, we show that glutamate dehydrogenase is primarily associated with euchromatin, and it re‐localizes from the nuclear periphery to the nucleolus upon DNA damage. The cysteine protease inhibitor stefin B regulates the H3 clipping activity of the enzyme. Chromatin structure and certain histone modifications influence H3 clipping activity. Interestingly, we also observed that an in vivo truncated form of H3 lacks H3K56 acetylation, which is a code for the DNA damage response. Together, these results suggest that glutamate dehydrogenase is a euchromatin‐associated enzyme, and its H3 clipping activity is regulated by chromatin structure, histone modifications and an in vivo inhibitor. In response to DNA damage, it re‐localizes to the nuclei, and hence may be involved in regulation of gene expression in vivo.
Medication use and fall‐risk assessment for falls in an acute care hospital
Authors: Chiu Ming‐Huang , Lee Hsin‐Dai , Hwang Hei‐Fen , Wang Shih‐Chieh , Lin Mau‐Roung
Published: September 2014

Aim

A nested case–control study was carried out to examine relationships of a fall‐risk score and the use of single medications and polypharmacy with falls among hospitalized patients aged 50 years and older in Taiwan.

Methods

There were 83 patients who experienced a fall during hospitalization in an acute‐care hospital. Matched by age and sex, five control patients for each case were randomly selected from all other inpatients who had not experienced any fall at the time of the index fall.

Results

Patients who took tricyclic antidepressants, diuretics, and narcotics were 3.36‐, 1.83‐ and 2.09‐fold, respectively, more likely to experience a fall than their counterparts. Conversely, patients who took beta‐blockers were 0.34‐fold more likely than those who did not take them to experience a fall. Patients taking ≥6 medications were 3.08‐fold more likely than those taking fewer medications to experience a fall, whereas those with anxiety were 4.72‐fold more likely to experience a fall than those without. A high fall‐risk score was not significantly associated with the occurrence of falls.

Conclusions

Among older hospitalized patients, tricyclic antidepressants, diuretics, narcotics, and polypharmacy should be mindfully prescribed and reviewed on a regular basis. A fall‐risk scale developed from community‐dwelling older people might not accurately predict falls in hospitalized patients. Further research to validate the negative effect of beta‐blocker use on falls is required. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 856–863.
Portuguese version of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator: Transcultural adaptation and psychometric validation
Authors: Coelho Tiago , Santos Rubim , Paúl Constança , Gobbens Robbert JJ , Fernandes Lia
Published: September 2014

Aim

To present the translation and validation process of the Portuguese version of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI).

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was designed using a non‐probability sample of 252 community‐dwelling older adults. Preliminary studies were carried out for face and content validity assessment. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability, construct (convergent/divergent) and criterion validity were subsequently analyzed.

Results

The sample was mainly women (75.8%), with a mean age of 79.2 ± 7.3 years. TFI internal consistency was good (KR‐20 = 0.78). Test–retest reliability for the total was also good (r = 0.91), with kappa coefficients showing substantial agreement for most items. TFI physical and social domains correlated as expected with concurrent measures, whereas the TFI psychological domain showed similar correlations with other psychological and physical measures. The TFI showed a good to excellent discrimination ability in regard to frailty criteria, and fair to good ability to predict adverse outcomes.

Conclusions

The psychometric properties of the TFI seem to be consistently good. These findings provide initial evidence that the Portuguese version is a valid and reliable measure for assessing frailty in the elderly. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 951–960.
Potential Orthopyroxene, Clinopyroxene and Olivine Reference Materials for In Situ Lithium Isotope Determination
Authors: Su Ben‐Xun , Gu Xiao‐Yan , Deloule Etienne , Zhang Hong‐Fu , Li Qiu‐Li , Li Xian‐Hua , Vigier Nathalie , Tang Yan‐Jie , Tang Guo‐Qiang , Liu Yu , Pang Kwan‐Nang , Brewer Aaron , Mao Qian , Ma Yu‐Guang
Published: September 2014

Over 1400 electron probe and 700 ion probe microanalyses were performed on eleven mineral separates to evaluate their potential as reference materials for in situ Li isotopic determination. Our results suggest the homogenous distributions of major elements, Li and its isotopes for each sample. Hence, these samples are suitable to be used as reference materials for in situ measurements of Li abundance and Li isotopes by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) or laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). These samples have the advantage of mitigating probable matrix effects during calibration owing to the wide range of compositions. The effect of composition on the δ7Li of olivine measured by SIMS is a linear function of composition, with δ7Li increasing by 1.0‰ for each mole per cent decrease in forsterite component.
Heterogeneity in IRB Policies with Regard to Disclosures about Payment for Participation in Recruitment Materials
Authors: Wright Megan S. , Robertson Christopher T.
Published: September 2014

The payment of human subjects is an area where Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) have wide discretion. Although the “Common Rule” requires the provision of full information to human research participants to secure valid consent, the Rule is silent on the issue of payment. Still, some federal agencies offer guidance on the matter. For example, the National Science Foundation (NSF) cautions that high payments for risky research “may induce a needy participant to take a risk that they normally would prefer not to take.” For research under its purview, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance provides that “[a]dvertisements may state that subjects will be paid, but should not emphasize the payment or the amount to be paid, by such means as larger or bold type.” One might read the FDA guidance to permit the advertisement for human subjects to state the specific amount of payment, as long as it is not emphasized.
Evaluation of nurses' perceptions of the impact of targeted depression education and a screening and referral tool in an acute cardiac setting
Authors: Ski Chantal F , Munian Sam , Rolley John X , Thompson David R
Published: September 2014

Aims and objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate nurses' perceptions of an education programme and screening and referral tool designed for cardiac nurses to facilitate depression screening and referral procedures for patients with coronary heart disease.

Background

There is a high prevalence of depression in patients with coronary heart disease that is often undetected. It is important therefore that nurses working with cardiac patients are equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognise the signs and symptoms of depression and refer appropriately.

Design

A qualitative approach with purposive sampling and semi‐structural interviews was implemented within the Donabedian ‘Structure‐Process‐Outcome’ evaluation framework.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 14 cardiac nurses working in a major metropolitan hospital six weeks post‐attending an education programme on depression and coronary heart disease. Thematic data analysis was implemented, specifically adhering to Halcomb and Davidson's (2006) pragmatic data analysis, to examine nurse knowledge and experience of depression assessment and referral in an acute cardiac ward.

Results

The key findings of this study were that the education programme: (1) increased the knowledge base of nurses working with cardiac patients on comorbid depression and coronary heart disease, and (2) assisted in the identification of depression and the referral of ‘at risk’ patients.

Conclusions

Emphasis was placed on the translational significance of educating cardiac nurses about depression via the introduction of a depression screening and referral instrument designed specifically for use in the cardiac ward. As a result, participants found they were better equipped to identify depressive symptoms and, guided by the screening instrument, to confidently instigate referral procedures.

Relevance to clinical practice

Much complexity lies in caring for cardiac patients with depression, including issues such as misdiagnosis. Targeted education, including use of appropriate instruments, has the potential to facilitate early recognition of the signs and symptoms of depression in the acute cardiac setting.
Hearing loss: An unknown complication of pre‐eclampsia?
Authors: Terzi Hasan , Kale Ahmet , Hasdemir Pinar Solmaz , Selcuk Adin , Yavuz Arzu , Genc Selahattin
Published: September 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine whether pre‐eclampsia is a risk factor for cochlear damage and sensorineural hearing impairment.

Material and Methods

This prospective case–control study consisted of 33 patients with pre‐eclampsia and 32 normotensive pregnant patients as controls. All of the subjects underwent otoscopic examinations – pure tone audiometry (0.25–16 kHz) and transient evoked otoacoustic emission (1–4 kHz) tests – during their third trimester of pregnancy.

Results

The mean ages of the patients with pre‐eclampsia and the control subjects were 29.6 ± 5.7 and 28.6 ± 5.3 years, respectively. The baseline demographic characteristics, including age, gravidity, parity number, and gestational week, were similar between the two patient groups. Hearing thresholds in the right ear at 1, 4, 8, and 10 kHz and in the left ear at 8 and 10 kHz were significantly higher in the patients with pre‐eclampsia compared to the control subjects. The degree of systolic blood pressure measured at the time of diagnosis had a deteriorating effect on hearing at 8, 10, and 12 kHz in the right ear and at 10 kHz in the left ear.

Conclusions

Pre‐eclampsia is a potential risk factor for cochlear damage and sensorineural hearing loss. Further studies that include routine audiological examinations are needed in these patients.
Cost assessment of robotics in gynecologic surgery: A systematic review
Authors: Iavazzo Christos , Papadopoulou Eleni K. , Gkegkes Ioannis D.
Published: September 2014

Aim

The application of robotics is an innovation in the field of gynecologic surgery. Our objective was to evaluate the currently available literature on the cost assessment of robotic surgery of various operations in the field of gynecologic surgery.

Material and Methods

PubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched in order to retrieve the included studies in our review.

Results

We retrieved 23 studies on a variety of gynecologic operations. The mean cost for robotic, open and laparoscopic surgery ranged from 1731 to 48 769, 894 to 20 277 and 411 to 41 836 Euros, respectively. Operative charges, in hysterectomy, for robotic, open and laparoscopic technique ranged from 936 to 33 920, 684 to 25 616 and 858 to 25 578 Euros, respectively. In sacrocolpopexy, these costs ranged from 2067 to 7275, 2904 to 69 792 and 1482 to 2000 Euros, respectively. Non‐operative charges ranged from 467 to 39 121 Euros. The mean total costs for myomectomy ranged from 27 342 to 42 497 and 13 709 to 20 277 Euros, respectively, for the robotic and open methods, while the mean total cost of the laparoscopic technique was 26 181 Euros. Conversions to laparotomy were present in 79/36 185 (0.2%) cases of laparoscopic surgery and in 21/3345 (0.62%) cases of robotic technique. Duration of robotic, open and laparoscopic surgery ranged from 50 to 445, 83.7 to 701 and 74 to 330 min, respectively.

Conclusion

Robotic surgery has the potential to become cost‐effective in centers with many patients while industry competition could reduce the cost of the robotic instrumentation, making robotic technology more affordable and cost‐effective.
Case of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma: Possible clinical link to lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia as its origin
Authors: Sugihara Takeru , Nakagawa Shunsuke , Sasajima Yuko , Matsumoto Yasuhiro , Takeshita Shigeki , Ayabe Takuya
Published: September 2014

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) is defined as an extremely well differentiated variant of endocervical adenocarcinoma. Several reports have stated that MDA associates with lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH). It is difficult to distinguish LEGH from MDA based on clinical and histologic similarities. There is no definite evidence proving that LEGH is a precursor lesion of MDA. A 45‐year‐old woman was admitted to our hospital for minute investigation of her neurological disorder. The multiple‐cystic lesion at the uterine cervix was identified by magnetic resonance imaging. Based on her normal histological findings and severe underlying conditions, a careful follow‐up strategy was adapted. Two years later, atypical glandular cells were observed and the multiple‐cystic lesion had increased. Pathological diagnosis of a conization specimen was MDA. Radical hysterectomy was carried out. Pathological examination revealed coexistence of LEGH and MDA. Her clinical course and histological findings suggested the possibility that LEGH might be a precursor lesion of MDA.
The Brucella abortus virulence regulator, LovhK, is a sensor kinase in the general stress response signalling pathway
Authors: Kim Hye‐Sook , Willett Jonathan W. , Jain‐Gupta Neeta , Fiebig Aretha , Crosson Sean
Published: September 2014

In the intracellular pathogen Brucella abortus, the general stress response (GSR) signalling system determines survival under acute stress conditions in vitro, and is required for long‐term residence in a mammalian host. To date, the identity of the Brucella sensor kinase(s) that function to perceive stress and directly activate GSR signalling have remained undefined. We demonstrate that the flavin‐binding sensor histidine kinase, LovhK (bab2_0652), functions as a primary B. abortus GSR sensor. LovhK rapidly and specifically phosphorylates the central GSR regulator, PhyR, and activates transcription of a set of genes that closely overlaps the known B. abortus GSR regulon. Deletion of lovhK severely compromises cell survival under defined oxidative and acid stress conditions. We further show that lovhK is required for cell survival during the early phase of mammalian cell infection and for establishment of long‐term residence in a mouse infection model. Finally, we present evidence that particular regions of primary structure within the two N‐terminal PAS domains of LovhK have distinct sensory roles under specific environmental conditions. This study elucidates new molecular components of a conserved signalling pathway that regulates B. abortus stress physiology and infection biology.
Genome‐Wide Association Study for Sperm Concentration in Holstein‐Friesian Bulls
Authors: Hering DM , Olenski K , Kaminski S
Published: September 2014

Contents

The aim of the study was to screen the entire bull genome to identify markers and candidate genes underlying sperm concentration. The analysed data set originates from a population of 877 Polish Holstein‐Friesian bulls. Based on sperm concentration value, two extreme groups of bulls were created: Low (L, n = 126) and High (H, n = 140). Each bull was genotyped using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip. Genome‐wide association analysis was performed with the use of GoldenHelix SVS7 software. An additive model with a Cohran–Armitage test, Correlation/Trend adjusted by a Bonferroni test, was used to estimate the effect of SNP marker for sperm concentration. Thirteen markers reached genome‐wide significance. The most significant SNPs were located on chromosome 3 (rs109154964 and rs108965556), 14 (rs41621145) and 18 (rs41615539), in the close vicinity of protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6), Sel1 repeat containing 1 (SELRC1), triple QxxK/R motif containing (TRIQK) and zinc finger homeobox 3 (ZFHX3) genes, respectively. For three other candidate genes located close to significant markers (within a distance of ca 1 Mb), namely histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9), an inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (ID2) and glutathione S‐transferase theta 1 (GSTT1), their potential role in the production of male germ cells was confirmed in earlier studies. Six additional candidate genes (Vav3, GSTM1, CDK5, NOS3, PDP1 and GAL3ST1) were suspected of being significantly associated with sperm concentration or semen biochemistry. Our results indicate the genetic complexity of sperm concentration but also open the possibility for finding causal polymorphism useful in marker‐assisted selection.
The Concept of Antifragility and its Implications for the Practice of Risk Analysis
Authors: Aven Terje
Published: September 2014

Nassim Taleb's antifragile concept has been shown considerable interest in the media and on the Internet recently. For Taleb, the antifragile concept is a blueprint for living in a black swan world (where surprising extreme events may occur), the key being to love variation and uncertainty to some degree, and thus also errors. The antonym of “fragile” is not robustness or resilience, but “please mishandle” or “please handle carelessly,” using an example from Taleb when referring to sending a package full of glasses by post. In this article, we perform a detailed analysis of this concept, having a special focus on how the antifragile concept relates to common ideas and principles of risk management. The article argues that Taleb's antifragile concept adds an important contribution to the current practice of risk analysis by its focus on the dynamic aspects of risk and performance, and the necessity of some variation, uncertainties, and risk to achieve improvements and high performance at later stages.
The Dynamic Nature of Risk Perceptions After a Fatal Transit Accident
Authors: Wernstedt Kris , Murray‐Tuite Pamela
Published: September 2014

In 2009, two trains of Washington, DC's Metrorail system collided, resulting in nine deaths and 50 serious injuries. Based on a multiwave survey of Metrorail users in the months after the crash, this article reports how the accident appears to have (1) changed over time the tradeoffs among safety, speed, frequency of service, cost, and reliability that the transit users stated they were willing to make in the postaccident period and (2) altered transit users’ concerns about safety as a function of time and distance from the accident site. We employ conditional logit models to examine tradeoffs among stated preferences for system performance measures after the accident, as well as the influence that respondent characteristics of transit use, location, income, age, and gender have on these preference tradeoffs. As expected, respondents appear averse to longer headways between trains, longer travel durations, higher travel costs, a higher number of late trains, and a higher number of fatalities. The models also show evidence of higher aversion to fatalities from transit system operation among females compared to males. In addition, respondents less experienced with Metrorail travel and those with lower household incomes show higher aversion to fatalities, and this aversion increases as a subject's psychological distance from the accident site decreases. Contrary to expectations shaped by previous studies, aversion to fatalities appears to have increased between the early months after the accident and the end of the survey period, and the expected relationship between age and aversion to fatalities is not statistically significant.
Simulation of insulating-layer charging on a conductive substrate irradiated by ion and electron beams
Authors: Ohya Kaoru
Published: September 2014

A comparative study of the charging characteristics of insulating thin layers on a conductive substrate by ion and electron beam irradiation was performed by simulation. A 100-nm or thinner SiO2 layer on a Si substrate was irradiated with 30-keV He, Ne, and Ga ions and 0.5–10 keV electrons. Most of the He ions and high-energy (>4 keV) electrons passed through the 100-nm-thick layer and reached the substrate. This strongly relaxed the positive charging effect of the ions and caused slightly positive charging by the electrons. Because of the negligible contribution of projectile charges, the charging is solely attributed to secondary electron (SE) emission. For Ga ions and low-energy (<1.5 keV) electrons, positive charging was substantially enhanced because of the successive injection of positive ions into the layer and the emission of excess SEs over the injecting electrons (SE yield > 1), respectively. For Ne ions, positive charging proceeded gradually even when all the SEs were reabsorbed by the surface, as was the case for Ga ions. However, positive charging with low-energy electrons reached a steady state as a result of a balance between the injected electrons and the ejecting SEs. A transition from positive to negative charging occurred for intermediate-energy electrons because the SE yield was less than unity. When layer thickness was decreased, positive charging by Ne and Ga ions was suppressed because of a decrease in the number of accumulated charges. However, positive charging with high-energy electrons subsequently changed to negative charging.
Poster — Thur Eve — 18: Cherenkov Emission By High‐Energy Radiation Therapy Beams: A Characterization Study
Authors: Zlateva Y. , Quitoriano N. , El Naqa I.
Published: September 2014

We investigate Cherenkov emission (CE) by radiotherapy beams via radiation dose‐versus‐CE correlation analyses, CE detection optimization by means of a spectral shift towards the near‐infrared (NIR) window of biological tissue, and comparison of CE to on‐board MV imaging. Dose‐CE correlation was investigated via simulation and experiment. A Monte Carlo (MC) CE simulator was designed using Geant4. Experimental phantoms include: water; tissue‐simulating phantom composed of water, Intralipid®, and beef blood; plastic phantom with solid water insert. The detector system comprises an optical fiber and diffraction‐grating spectrometer incorporating a front/back‐illuminated CCD. The NIR shift was carried out with CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), emitting at (650±10) nm. CE and MV images were acquired with a CMOS camera and electronic portal imaging device.

MC and experimental studies indicate a strong linear dose‐CE correlation (Pearson coefficient > 0.99). CE by an 18‐MeV beam was effectively NIR‐shifted in water and a tissue‐simulating phantom, exhibiting a significant increase at 650 nm for QD depths up to 10 mm. CE images exhibited relative contrast superior to MV images by a factor of 30. Our work supports the potential for application of CE in radiotherapy online imaging for patient setup and treatment verification, since CE is intrinsic to the beam and non‐ionizing and QDs can be used to improve CE detectability, potentially yielding image quality superior to MV imaging for the case of low‐density‐variability, low‐optical‐attenuation materials (ex: breast/oropharynx). Ongoing work involves microenvironment functionalization of QDs and application of multi‐channel spectrometry for simultaneous acquisition of dosimetric and tumor oxygenation signals.
Poster — Thur Eve — 20: CTDI Measurements using a Radiochromic Film‐based clinical protocol
Authors: Quintero C. , Tomic N. , Bekerat H. , DeBlois F. , Seuntjens J. , Devic S.
Published: September 2014

The purpose of the study was evaluating accuracy and reproducibility of a radiochromic film‐based protocol to measure computer tomography dose index (CTDI) as a part of annual QA on CT scanners and kV‐CBCT systems attached to linear accelerators.

Energy dependence of Gafchromic XR‐QA2 ® film model was tested over imaging beam qualities (50 – 140 kVp). Film pieces were irradiated in air to known values of air‐kerma (up to 10 cGy). Calibration curves for each beam quality were created (Film reflectance change Vs. Air‐kerma in air). Film responses for same air‐kerma values were compared. Film strips were placed into holes of a CTDI phantom and irradiated for several clinical scanning protocols. Film reflectance change was converted into dose to water and used to calculate CTDIvol values. Measured and tabulated CTDIvol values were compared.

Average variations of ±5.2% in the mean film reflectance change were observed in the energy range of 80 to 140 keV, and 11.1% between 50 and 140 keV. Measured CTDI values were in average 10% lower than tabulated CTDI values for CT‐simulators, and 44% higher for CBCT systems. Results presented a mean variation for the same machine and protocol of 2.6%. Variation of film response is within ±5% resulting in ±15% systematic error in dose estimation if a single calibration curve is used. Relatively large discrepancy between measured and tabulated CTDI values strongly support the trend towards replacing CTDI value with equilibrium dose measurement in the center of cylindrical phantom, as suggested by TG‐ 111.
Poster — Thur Eve — 25: Sensitivity to inhomogeneities for an in‐vivo EPID dosimetry method
Authors: Peca Stefano , Brown Derek
Published: September 2014

Introduction:

The electronic portal imaging device (EPID) has the potential to be used for in vivo dosimetry during radiotherapy as an additional dose delivery check. We recently proposed a simple method of using the EPID for 2D‐IVD based on correlation ratios. In this work we have investigated the sensitivity of our EPID‐IVD to inhomogeneities.

Methods:

We used slab phantoms that simulate water, bone, and lung, arranged in various geometries. To simulate body contours non‐orthogonal to the field, we used a water wedge. CT data of these phantoms was imported into MATLAB, in conjunction with EPID images acquired during irradiation, to calculate dose inside the phantom in isocenter plane. Each phantom was irradiated using a linear accelerator while images were acquired with the EPID (cine mode). Comparisons between EPID‐calculated and TPS dose maps were: pixel‐by‐pixel dose difference, and 3%,3mm gamma evaluation.

Results:

In the homogeneous case, CAX dose difference was <1%, and 3%,3mm gamma analysis yielded 99% of points with gamma<1. For the inhomogeneous phantoms, agreement decreased with increasing inhomogeneity reaching up to 10% CAX dose difference with 10cm of lung. Results from the water wedge phantom suggest that the EPID‐calculated dose can account for surface irregularities of approximately ±3cm.

Conclusions:

The EPID‐based IVD investigated has limitations in the presence of large inhomogeneities. Nonetheless, CAX doses never differed by >15% from the TPS. This suggests that this EPID‐IVD is capable of detecting gross dose delivery errors even in the presence of inhomogeneities, supporting its utility as an additional patient safety device.
Poster — Thur Eve — 29: Characterization of Patient Immobilization for Head and Neck Cancer Treatment
Authors: Courneyea L , Mullins J , Howard M , Beltran C , Brinkmann D , Pafundi D
Published: September 2014

Purpose:

Evaluate an immobilization system to determine its adequacy for the reduced margins required for proton therapy.

Methods:

Twelve head‐and‐neck cancer patients were immobilized for conventional photon radiotherapy and imaged with pre‐ and post‐treatment cone beam CTs (CBCTs) for each treatment fraction.

To quantify the patient positioning reproducibility, each CBCT was registered to the simulation CT offline. Registrations were performed using auto‐match tools and a matching volume‐of‐interest (VOI) consisting of a 5mm expansion around the mandible, occipital bone, C1/C2 and C7/T1. For each registration, the bony anatomy in the VOI was evaluated for agreement with the simulation position using 3 and 5mm margins. Registrations were initially restricted to translational corrections. If the bony anatomy did not agree with the simulation position to within 3mm or 5mm, the auto‐match was repeated with 3 additional rotational corrections. Intrafraction motion was calculated as the difference between the pre‐ and post‐treatment CBCT matches.

Results:

Pre‐treatment patient positioning agreed with the simulation CT to within 3mm/5mm for 62%/86% of fractions using translational matching and 84%/100% of fractions when rotations were included. Intrafraction motion averaged 1.1±0.8mm, with 12% of fractions having >2mm intrafraction motion. Post‐treatment positioning accuracy was 57%/84% and 80%/100% for registrations without/with rotations. For the mandible, positioning accuracy dropped from 93% pre‐treatment to 82% post‐treatment.

Conclusion:

If rotational corrections are available, the immobilization system studied created reproducible patient positioning to within 3mm for 84% of fractions. However, intrafraction motion caused additional anatomy to fall outside the 3mm margin by the end of treatment.
Poster — Thur Eve — 33: The Influence of a Modeled Treatment Couch on Dose Distributions During IMRT and RapidArc Treatment Delivery
Authors: Aldosary Ghada , Nobah Ahmad , Al‐Zorkani Faisal , Devic Slobodan , Moftah Belal
Published: September 2014

Treatment couches have been known to perturb dose delivery in patients. This effect is most pronounced in techniques such as IMRT and RapidArc. Although modern treatment planning systems (TPS) include data for a “default” treatment couch, actual couches are not manufactured identically. Thus, variations in their Hounsfield Unit (HU) values may exist. This study demonstrates a practical and simple method of acquiring reliable HU data for any treatment couch. We also investigate the effects of both the default and modeled treatment couches on absorbed dose. Experimental verifications show that by neglecting to incorporate the treatment couch in the TPS, dose differences of up to 9.5% and 7.3% were present for 4 MV and 10 MV photon beams, respectively. Furthermore, a clinical study based on a cohort of 20 RapidArc and IMRT (brain, pelvis and abdominal) cases is performed. 2D dose distributions show that without the couch in the planning phase, differences ≤ 4.6% and 5.9% for RapidArc and IMRT cases are present for the same cases that the default couch was added to. Additionally, in comparison to the default couch, employing the modeled couch in the calculation process influences dose distributions by ≤ 2.7% and 8% for RapidArc and IMRT cases, respectively. This result was found to be site specific; where an accurate couch proves to be preferable for IMRT brain plans. As such, adding the couch during dose calculation decreases dose calculation errors, and a precisely modeled treatment couch offers higher dose delivery accuracy for brain treatment using IMRT.
Poster — Thur Eve — 37: Respiratory gating with an Elekta flattening filter free photon beam
Authors: Péloquin S , Furstoss C , Munger P , Carrier J‐F , Wierzbicki W
Published: September 2014

In cases where surgery is not possible for lung cancer treatment, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) may be an option. One problem when treating this type of cancer is the motion of the lungs caused by the patient's respiration. It is possible to reduce the impact of this movement with the use of respiratory gating. By combining respiratory gating with a flattening filter free (FFF) photon beam linac, the increased treatment time caused by a reduced beam‐on time of respiratory gating methods can be compensated by the inherent increased dose rate of FFF beams.

This project's aim is to create hardware and software interfaces allowing free respiration gating on an Elekta Synergy‐S linac specially modified to deliver 6 MV FFF photon beams.

First, a printed circuit board was created for reading the signal from a Bellows Belt from Philips (a respiration monitor belt) and transmitting an On/Off signal to the accelerator. A software was also developed to visualize patient respiration.

Secondly, a FFF model was created with the Pinnacle treatment planning system from Philips. Gamma (Γ) analysis (2%, 2 mm) was used to evaluate model. For fields going from 5.6 × 5.6 to 12 × 12 cm2, central axis depth dose model fitting shows an average gamma value of 0.2 and 100% of gamma values remain under the Γ = 1 limit. For smaller fields (0.8 × 0.8 and 1.6 × 1.6 cm2), Pinnacle has more trouble trying to fit the measurements, overestimating dose in penumbra and buildup regions.
Poster — Thur Eve — 41: Considerations for Patients with Permanently Implant Radioactive Sources Requiring Unrelated Surgery
Authors: Basran P. S , Baxter P , Beckham WA
Published: September 2014

Permanent implant of sealed radioactive sources is an effective technique for treating cancer. Typically, the radioactive sources are implanted in and near the disease, depositing dose locally over several months. There may be instances where these patients must undergo unrelated surgical procedures when the radioactive material remains active enough to pose risks. This work explores these risks, discusses strategies to mitigate those risks, and describes a case study for a permanent I‐125 prostate brachytherapy implant patient who developed colo‐rectal cancer and required surgery 6 months after brachytherapy.

The first consideration is identifying the risk from unwarranted radiation to the patient and staff before, during, and after the surgical procedure. The second is identifying the risk the surgical procedure may have on the efficacy of the brachytherapy implant. Finally, there are considerations for controlling for radioactive substances from a regulatory perspective. After these risks are defined, strategies to mitigate those risks are considered. These strategies may include applying the concepts of ALARA, the use of protective equipment and developing a best practice strategy with the operating room team.

We summarize this experience with some guidelines: If the surgical procedure is near (ex: 5 cm) of the implant; and, the surgical intervention may dislodge radioisotopes enough to compromise treatment or introduces radiation safety risks; and, the radioisotope has not sufficiently decayed to background levels; and, the surgery cannot be postponed, then a detailed analysis of risk is advised.