bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiation leakage dose from Elekta electron collimation system
Authors: Pitcher Garrett M. , Hogstrom Kenneth R. , Carver Robert L.
Published: February 2017

This study provided baseline data required for a greater project, whose objective was to design a new Elekta electron collimation system having significantly lighter electron applicators with equally low out‐of field leakage dose. Specifically, off‐axis dose profiles for the electron collimation system of our uniquely configured Elekta Infinity accelerator with the MLCi2 treatment head were measured and calculated for two primary purposes: 1) to evaluate and document the out‐of‐field leakage dose in the patient plane and 2) to validate the dose distributions calculated using a BEAMnrc Monte Carlo (MC) model for out‐of‐field dose profiles. Off‐axis dose profiles were measured in a water phantom at 100 cm SSD for 1 and 2 cm depths along the in‐plane, cross‐plane, and both diagonal axes using a cylindrical ionization chamber with the and applicators and 7, 13, and 20 MeV beams. Dose distributions were calculated using a previously developed BEAMnrc MC model of the Elekta Infinity accelerator for the same beam energies and applicator sizes and compared with measurements. Measured results showed that the in‐field beam flatness met our acceptance criteria ( on major and on diagonal axes) and that out‐of‐field mean and maximum percent leakage doses in the patient plane met acceptance criteria as specified by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Cross‐plane out‐of‐field dose profiles showed greater leakage dose than in‐plane profiles, attributed to the curved edges of the upper X‐ray jaws and multileaf collimator. Mean leakage doses increased with beam energy, being 0.93% and 0.85% of maximum central axis dose for the and applicators, respectively, at 20 MeV. MC calculations predicted the measured dose to within 0.1% in most profiles outside the radiation field; however, excluding modeling of nontrimmer applicator components led to calculations exceeding measured data by as much as 0.2% for some regions along the in‐plane axis. Using EGSnrc LATCH bit filtering to separately calculate out‐of‐field leakage dose components (photon dose, primary electron dose, and electron dose arising from interactions in various collimating components), MC calculations revealed that the primary electron dose in the out‐of‐field leakage region was small and decreased as beam energy increased. Also, both the photon dose component and electron dose component resulting from collimator scatter dominated the leakage dose, increasing with increasing beam energy. We concluded that our custom Elekta Infinity with the MLCi2 treatment head met IEC leakage dose criteria in the patient plane. Also, accuracy of our MC model should be sufficient for our use in the design of a new, improved electron collimation system.

PACS number(s): 87.56.nk, 87.10.Rt, 87.56.J
On the use of a convolution–superposition algorithm for plan checking in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy
Authors: Hardcastle Nicholas , Oborn Bradley M. , Haworth Annette
Published: February 2017

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) aims to deliver a highly conformal ablative dose to a small target. Dosimetric verification of SBRT for lung tumors presents a challenge due to heterogeneities, moving targets, and small fields. Recent software (M3D) designed for dosimetric verification of lung SBRT treatment plans using an advanced convolution–superposition algorithm was evaluated. Ten lung SBRT patients covering a range of tumor volumes were selected. 3D CRT plans were created using the XiO treatment planning system (TPS) with the superposition algorithm. Dose was recalculated in the Eclipse TPS using the AAA algorithm, M3D verification software using the collapsed‐cone‐convolution algorithm, and in‐house Monte Carlo (MC). Target point doses were calculated with RadCalc software. Near‐maximum, median, and near‐minimum target doses, conformity indices, and lung doses were compared with MC as the reference calculation. M3D 3D gamma passing rates were compared with the XiO and Eclipse. Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to compare each calculation method with XiO with a threshold of significance of . M3D and RadCalc point dose calculations were greater than MC by up to 7.7% and 13.1%, respectively, with M3D being statistically significant (s.s.). AAA and XiO calculated point doses were less than MC by 11.3% and 5.2%, respectively (AAA s.s.). Median and near‐minimum and near‐maximum target doses were less than MC when calculated with AAA and XiO (all s.s.). Near‐maximum and median target doses were higher with M3D compared with MC (s.s.), but there was no difference in near‐minimum M3D doses compared with MC. M3D‐calculated ipsilateral lung V20 Gy and V5 Gy were greater than that calculated with MC (s.s.); AAA‐ and XiO‐calculated V20 Gy was lower than that calculated with MC, but not statistically different to MC for V5 Gy. Nine of the 10 plans achieved M3D gamma passing rates greater than 95% and 80%for and criteria, respectively. M3D typically calculated a higher target and lung dose than MC for lung SBRT plans. The results show a range of calculated doses with different algorithms and suggest that M3D is in closer agreement with Monte Carlo, thus discrepancies between the TPS and M3D software will be observed for lung SBRT plans. M3D provides a useful supplement to verification of lung SBRT plans by direct measurement, which typically excludes patient specific heterogeneities.

PACS number(s): 87.55.D‐, 87.55.Qr, 87.55.K‐
Investigation on using high‐energy proton beam for total body irradiation (TBI)
Authors: Zhang Miao , Qin Nan , Jia Xun , Zou Wei J. , Khan Atif , Yue Ning J.
Published: February 2017

This work investigated the possibility of using proton beam for total body irradiation (TBI). We hypothesized the broad‐slow‐rising entrance dose from a monoenergetic proton beam can deliver a uniform dose to patient with varied thickness. Comparing to photon‐based TBI, it would not require any patient‐specific compensator or beam spoiler. The hypothesis was first tested by simulating 250 MeV, 275 MeV, and 300 MeV protons irradiating a wedge‐shaped water phantom in a paired opposing arrangement using Monte Carlo (MC) method. To allow dose variation, the maximum water equivalent thickness (WET) of a treatable patient separation was 29 cm for 250 MeV proton, and for 275 MeV and 300 MeV proton. The compared 6 MV photon can only treat patients with up to 15.5 cm water‐equivalent separation. In the second step, we simulated the dose deposition from the same beams on a patient's whole‐body CT scan. The maximum patient separation in WET was 23 cm. The calculated whole‐body dose variations were , , and for 250 MeV proton, 275 MeV proton, 300 MeV proton, and 6 MV photon. At last, we tested the current machine capability to deliver a monoenergetic proton beam with a large uniform field. Experiments were performed on a compact double scattering single‐gantry proton system. With its C‐shaped gantry design, the source‐to‐surface distance (SSD) reached 7 m. The measured dose deposition curve had 22 cm relatively flat entrance region. The full width half maximum field size was measured 105 cm. The current scatter filter had to be redesigned to produce a uniform intensity at such treatment distance. In conclusion, this work demonstrated the possibility of using proton beam for TBI. The current commercially available proton machines would soon be ready for such task.

PACS number(s): 87.53.Bn, 87.55.K‐, 87.55.‐x, 87.56.‐v
Implementation of a double Gaussian source model for the BEAMnrc Monte Carlo code and its influence on small fields dose distributions
Authors: Doerner Edgardo , Caprile Paola
Published: February 2017

The shape of the radiation source of a linac has a direct impact on the delivered dose distributions, especially in the case of small radiation fields. Traditionally, a single Gaussian source model is used to describe the electron beam hitting the target, although different studies have shown that the shape of the electron source can be better described by a mixed distribution consisting of two Gaussian components. Therefore, this study presents the implementation of a double Gaussian source model into the BEAMnrc Monte Carlo code. The impact of the double Gaussian source model for a 6 MV beam is assessed through the comparison of different dosimetric parameters calculated using a single Gaussian source, previously commissioned, the new double Gaussian source model and measurements, performed with a diode detector in a water phantom. It was found that the new source can be easily implemented into the BEAMnrc code and that it improves the agreement between measurements and simulations for small radiation fields. The impact of the change in source shape becomes less important as the field size increases and for increasing distance of the collimators to the source, as expected. In particular, for radiation fields delivered using stereotactic collimators located at a distance of 59 cm from the source, it was found that the effect of the double Gaussian source on the calculated dose distributions is negligible, even for radiation fields smaller than 5 mm in diameter. Accurate determination of the shape of the radiation source allows us to improve the Monte Carlo modeling of the linac, especially for treatment modalities such as IMRT, were the radiation beams used could be very narrow, becoming more sensitive to the shape of the source.

PACS number(s): 87.53.Bn, 87.55.K, 87.56.B‐, 87.56.jf
Improving treatment plan evaluation with automation
Authors: Covington Elizabeth L. , Chen Xiaoping , Younge Kelly C. , Lee Choonik , Matuszak Martha M. , Kessler Marc L. , Keranen Wayne , Acosta Eduardo , Dougherty Ashley M. , Filpansick Stephanie E. , Moran Jean M.
Published: February 2017

The goal of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of Plan‐Checker Tool (PCT) which was created to improve first‐time plan quality, reduce patient delays, increase the efficiency of our electronic workflow, and standardize and automate the physics plan review in the treatment planning system (TPS). PCT uses an application programming interface to check and compare data from the TPS and treatment management system (TMS). PCT includes a comprehensive checklist of automated and manual checks that are documented when performed by the user as part of a plan readiness check for treatment. Prior to and during PCT development, errors identified during the physics review and causes of patient treatment start delays were tracked to prioritize which checks should be automated. Nineteen of 33 checklist items were automated, with data extracted with PCT. There was a 60% reduction in the number of patient delays in the six months after PCT release. PCT was successfully implemented for use on all external beam treatment plans in our clinic. While the number of errors found during the physics check did not decrease, automation of checks increased visibility of errors during the physics check, which led to decreased patient delays. The methods used here can be applied to any TMS and TPS that allows queries of the database.

PACS number(s): 87.55.‐x, 87.55.N‐, 87.55.Qr, 87.55.tm, 89.20.Bb
A comprehensive evaluation of adaptive daily planning for cervical cancer HDR brachytherapy
Authors: Meerschaert Rebecca , Nalichowski Adrian , Burmeister Jay , Paul Arun , Miller Steven , Hu Zhenghui , Zhuang Ling
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate adaptive daily planning for cervical cancer patients who underwent high‐dose‐rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR‐BT) using comprehensive interfractional organ motion measurements. This study included 22 cervical cancer patients who underwent 5 fractions of HDR‐BT. Regions of interest (ROIs) including high‐risk clinical tumor volume (HR‐CTV) and organs at risk (OARs) were manually contoured on daily CT images. All patients were clinically treated with adaptive daily plans (ADP), which involved ROI delineation and dose optimization at each treatment fraction. Single treatment plans (SP) were retrospectively generated by applying the first treatment fraction's dwell times adjusted for decay and dwell positions of the applicator to subsequent treatment fractions. Various existing similarity metrics were calculated for the ROIs to quantify interfractional organ variations. A novel similarity (JRARM) score was established, which combined both volumetric overlap metrics (DSC, JSC, and RVD) and distance metrics (ASD, MSD, and RMSD). Linear regression was performed to determine a relationship between interfractional organ variations of various similarity metrics and variations from both plans. Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were used to assess ADP and SP by comparing for OARs. For interfractional organ variations, the sigmoid demonstrated the greatest variations based on the JRARM, DSC, and RMSD metrics. Comparisons between paired ROIs showed differences in metrics at each treatment fraction. RVD, MSD, and RMSD were found to be significantly correlated to variations for bladder and sigmoid. The comparison between plans found ADP provided lower EQD2 of OARs than SP. Specifically, the sigmoid demonstrated statistically significant dose variations (). Substantial interfractional organ motion occurs during HDR‐BT based on comprehensive measurements and may significantly affect of OARs. Adaptive daily planning provides improved dose sparing for OARs compared to single planning with the extent of sparing being different among OARs.

PACS number(s): 87.55.D, 87.55.de, 87.55.kh, 87.57.nj
Deriving detector‐specific correction factors for rectangular small fields using a scintillator detector
Authors: Qin Yujiao , Zhong Hualiang , Wen Ning , Snyder Karen , Huang Yimei , Chetty Indrin J.
Published: February 2017

The goal of this study was to investigate small field output factors (OFs) for flattening filter‐free (FFF) beams on a dedicated stereotactic linear accelerator‐based system. From this data, the collimator exchange effect was quantified, and detector‐specific correction factors were generated. Output factors for 16 jaw‐collimated small fields (from 0.5 to 2 cm) were measured using five different detectors including an ion chamber (CC01), a stereotactic field diode (SFD), a diode detector (Edge), Gafchromic film (EBT3), and a plastic scintillator detector (PSD, W1). Chamber, diodes, and PSD measurements were performed in a Wellhofer water tank, while films were irradiated in solid water at 100 cm source‐to‐surface distance and 10 cm depth. The collimator exchange effect was quantified for rectangular fields. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of the measured configurations were also performed using the EGSnrc/DOSXYZnrc code. Output factors measured by the PSD and verified against film and MC calculations were chosen as the benchmark measurements. Compared with plastic scintillator detector (PSD), the small volume ion chamber (CC01) underestimated output factors by an average of for square field). The stereotactic diode (SFD) overestimated output factors by for rectangular field). The other diode detector (Edge) also overestimated the OFs by an average of for square field). Gafchromic film (EBT3) measurements and MC calculations agreed with the scintillator detector measurements within and , respectively. Across all the X and Y jaw combinations, the average collimator exchange effect was computed: (CC01), (SFD), (Edge diode), (Monte Carlo), (film), and (PSD). Small field detectors should be used with caution with a clear understanding of their behaviors, especially for FFF beams and small, elongated fields. The scintillator detector exhibited good agreement against Gafchromic film measurements and MC simulations over the range of field sizes studied. The collimator exchange effect was found to be important at these small field sizes. Detector‐specific correction factors were computed using the scintillator measurements as the benchmark.

PACS number(s): 87.56.Fc
Analytical design method of a device for ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting
Authors: Huang Weihai , Yu Deping , Zhang Min , Ye Fengfei , Yao Jin
Published: February 2017

Ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting (UEVC) is effective in ultraprecision diamond cutting of hard-brittle materials and ferrous metals. However, its design is quite empirical and tedious. This paper proposes an analytical design method for developing the UEVC device which works at the Flexural-Flexural complex-mode to generate the elliptical vibration. For such UEVC device, the resonant frequencies of the two flexural vibrations are required to be the same. In addition, the nodal points of the two flexural vibrations should be coincident so that the device can be clamped without affecting the vibrations. Based on the proposed analytical design method, an UEVC device was first designed. Modal analysis of the designed UEVC device was performed by using the finite element method, which shows that the resonant frequencies coincide well with the targeted ones. Then a prototype UEVC device was fabricated, and its vibration characteristics were measured by an impedance analyzer and a laser displacement sensor. Experimental results indicate that the designed UEVC device can generate elliptical vibration with the resonant frequencies closed to the target ones. In addition, the vibration trajectory can be precisely tuned by adjusting the phase difference and the amplitude of the applied voltage. Simulation and experimental results validated the effectiveness of the analytical design method.
The Bifunctional Enzyme SpoT Is Involved in the Clarithromycin Tolerance of Helicobacter pylori by Upregulating the Transporters HP0939, HP1017, HP0497, and HP0471
Authors: Geng Xiwen , Li Wen , Chen Zhenghong , Gao Sizhe , Hong Wei , Ge Xiaoran , Hou Guihua , Hu Zhekai , Zhou Yabin , Zeng Beini , Li Wenjuan , Jia Jihui , Sun Yundong
Published: February 2017

Clarithromycin (CLA) is a commonly recommended drug for
Helicobacter pylori
eradication. However, the prevalence of CLA-resistant
H. pylori
is increasing. Although point mutations in the 23S rRNA are key factors for CLA resistance, other factors, including efflux pumps and regulation genes, are also involved in the resistance of
H. pylori
to CLA. Guanosine 3′-diphosphate 5′-triphosphate and guanosine 3′,5′-bispyrophosphate [(p)ppGpp)], which are synthesized by the bifunctional enzyme SpoT in
H. pylori
, play an important role for some bacteria to adapt to antibiotic pressure. Nevertheless, no related research involving
H. pylori
has been reported. In addition, transporters have been found to be related to bacterial drug resistance. Therefore, this study investigated the function of SpoT in
H. pylori
resistance to CLA by examining the shifts in the expression of transporters and explored the role of transporters in the CLA resistance of
H. pylori
. A Δ
spoT
strain was constructed in this study, and it was shown that SpoT is involved in
H. pylori
tolerance of CLA by upregulating the transporters HP0939, HP1017, HP0497, and HP0471. This was assessed using a series of molecular and biochemical experiments and a cDNA microarray. Additionally, the knockout of genes
hp0939
,
hp0471
, and
hp0497
in the resistant strains caused a reduction or loss (the latter in the Δ
hp0497
strain) of resistance to CLA. Furthermore, the average expression levels of these four transporters in clinical CLA-resistant strains were considerably higher than those in clinical CLA-sensitive strains. Taken together, our results revealed a novel molecular mechanism of
H. pylori
adaption to CLA stress.
Conformally symmetric relativistic star
Authors: Rahaman Farook , Maharaj Sunil D. , Sardar Iftikar Hossain , Chakraborty Koushik
Published: February 2017

We investigate whether compact stars having Tolman-like interior geometry admit conformal symmetry. Taking anisotropic pressure along the two principal directions within the compact object, we obtain physically relevant quantities such as transverse and radial pressure, density and redshift function. We study the equation of state (EOS) for the matter distribution inside the star. From the relation between pressure and density function of the constituent matter, we explore the nature and properties of the interior matter. The redshift function and compactness parameter are found to be physically reasonable. The matter inside the star satisfies the null, weak and strong energy conditions. Finally, we compare the masses and radii predicted from the model with corresponding values in some observed stars.
Variations of Surveillance Practice for Patients with Bone Sarcoma: A Survey of Australian Sarcoma Clinicians
Authors: Lewin Jeremy , Thompson Kate , Bae Susie , Desai Jayesh , Strong Robyn , Caruso Denise , Howell Deborah , Herschtal Alan , Sullivan Michael , Orme Lisa
Published: February 2017

Introduction. After treatment, bone sarcoma patients carry a high chance of relapse and late effects from multimodal therapy. We hypothesize that significant variation in surveillance practice exists between pediatric medical oncology (PO) and nonpediatric medical oncology (NP) sarcoma disciplines.Methods. Australian sarcoma clinicians were approached to do a web based survey that assessed radiologic surveillance (RS) strategies, late toxicity assessment, and posttreatment psychosocial interventions. Results. In total, 51 clinicians responded. No differences were identified in local disease RS. In metastatic disease response assessment, 100% of POs (23/23) and 93% of NPs (24/26) conducted CT chest. However, this was more likely to occur for NPs in the context of a CT chest/abdomen/pelvis (NP: 10/26; PO: 1/23;p=0.006). POs were more likely to use CXR for RS (p=0.006). POs showed more prescriptive intensity in assessment of heart function (p=0.001), hearing (p<0.001), and fertility (p=0.02). POs were more likely to deliver written information for health maintenance/treatment summary (p=0.04). The majority of respondents described enquiring about psychosocial aspects of health (n=33/37, 89%), but a routine formal psychosocial screen was only used by 23% (n=6/26).Conclusion. There is high variability in bone sarcoma surveillance between PO and NP clinicians. Efforts to harmonize approaches would allow early and late effects recognition/intervention and facilitate improved patient care/transition and research.
Prediction of Radix Astragali Immunomodulatory Effect of CD80 Expression from Chromatograms by Quantitative Pattern-Activity Relationship
Authors: Ng Michelle Chun-har , Lau Tsui-yan , Fan Kei , Xu Qing-song , Poon Josiah , Poon Simon K. , Lam Mary K. , Chau Foo-tim , Sze Daniel Man-Yuen
Published: February 2017

The current use of a single chemical component as the representative quality control marker of herbal food supplement is inadequate. In this CD80-Quantitative-Pattern-Activity-Relationship (QPAR) study, we built a bioactivity predictive model that can be applicable for complex mixtures. Through integrating the chemical fingerprinting profiles of the immunomodulating herb Radix Astragali (RA) extracts, and their related biological data of immunological marker CD80 expression on dendritic cells, a chemometric model using the Elastic Net Partial Least Square (EN-PLS) algorithm was established. The EN-PLS algorithm increased the biological predictive capability with lower value of RMSEP (11.66) and higher values of Rp2 (0.55) when compared to the standard PLS model. This CD80-QPAR platform provides a useful predictive model for unknown RA extract’s bioactivities using the chemical fingerprint inputs. Furthermore, this bioactivity prediction platform facilitates identification of key bioactivity-related chemical components within complex mixtures for future drug discovery and understanding of the batch-to-batch consistency for quality clinical trials.
Influence of Pulse Shaping Filters on PAPR Performance of Underwater 5G Communication System Technique: GFDM
Authors: Wu Jinqiu , Ma Xuefei , Qi Xiaofei , Babar Zeeshan , Zheng Wenting
Published: February 2017

Generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) is a new candidate technique for the fifth generation (5G) standard based on multibranch multicarrier filter bank. Unlike OFDM, it enables the frequency and time domain multiuser scheduling and can be implemented digitally. It is the generalization of traditional OFDM with several added advantages like the low PAPR (peak to average power ratio). In this paper, the influence of the pulse shaping filter on PAPR performance of the GFDM system is investigated and the comparison of PAPR in OFDM and GFDM is also demonstrated. The PAPR is restrained by selecting proper parameters and filters to make the underwater acoustic communication more efficient.
Hyperferritinemia as a Diagnostic Marker for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome
Authors: Kim Uh Jin , Oh Tae hoon , Kim Bansuk , Kim Seong Eun , Kang Seung-Ji , Park Kyung-Hwa , Jung Sook-In , Jang Hee-Chang
Published: February 2017

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging viral disease in East Asia with high mortality. Few studies have examined markers that suggest SFTS in febrile patients. To determine useful biochemical markers for SFTS, patients aged 18 years or older with SFTS or microbiologically confirmed community-onset bacteremia with thrombocytopenia (BT) at presentation between June 2013 and December 2015 were included from two tertiary university hospitals in Republic of Korea retrospectively. Eleven patients with SFTS and 62 patients with bacteremia and thrombocytopenia were identified in the study period. Age and sex did not show significant difference among two groups. Fever was more commonly observed but comorbidities were less common in SFTS than in BT (P<0.05, each). The areas under the curves of serum ferritin, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, serum procalcitonin, and fibrinogen were above 0.9, indicating the discriminative power of these biomarkers (1.000, 0.991, 0.963, 0.931, and 0.934, resp., allP<0.05). The optimal cutoff value of serum ferritin was 3,822 ng/mL in this study. These results suggest that hyperferritinemia is a typical laboratory feature of SFTS, and the serum ferritin level can be used as a marker for clinicians suspecting SFTS.
Invasive Assessment of the Coronary Microcirculation in Reperfused ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Bulluck Heerajnarain , Foin Nicolas , Tan Jack W. , Low Adrian F. , Sezer Murat , Hausenloy Derek J.
Published: February 2017

For patients presenting with an acute ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, the most effective therapy for reducing myocardial infarct size and preserving left ventricular systolic function is primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). However, mortality and morbidity remain significant. This is partly attributed to the development of microvascular obstruction, which occurs in around 50% of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients post-PPCI, and it is associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling and worse clinical outcomes. Although microvascular obstruction can be detected by cardiac imaging techniques several hours post-PPCI, it may be too late to intervene at that time. Therefore, being able to predict the development of microvascular obstruction at the time of PPCI may identify high-risk patients who might benefit from further adjuvant intracoronary therapies, such as thrombolysis, vasodilators, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory agents that may reduce microvascular obstruction. Recent studies have shown that invasive coronary physiology measurements performed during PPCI can be used to assess the coronary microcirculation. In this article, we provide an overview of the various invasive methods currently available to assess the coronary microcirculation in the setting of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, and how they could potentially be used in the future for tailoring therapies to those most at risk.
The Artificial Memory of Mr. Polly: Memory Simulation in Databases and the Emergence of Knowledge
Authors: Bahr Gisela Susanne , Allen William H. , Bernhard Philip J. , Wood Stephen
Published: February 2017

Human memory may be characterized by five dimensions: (1) large capacity; (2) associativity; (3) diversity of memory systems; (4) change over time; and (5) a unified memory experience. The organization and multidimensionality underlying memory can be represented with set theory. This offers a new mathematical perspective, which is the foundation for the cognitive memory architecture Ardemia. The authors present a relational database implementation of Ardemia that supports the creation of the artificial memory of Mr. Polly, the main character in H.G. Wells’s novel The History of Mr. Polly. In addition to the implementation of Mr. Polly’s artificial memory using TimeGlue, his memory is probed with a collection of everyday memory queries that are related to temporal and schema knowledge. The investigation of Mr. Polly’s knowledge suggests an alternative representation of schemas; rather than fixed structures or explicit associations, it is possible to model schemas as the results of the interaction between existing knowledge and remembering.
The Fall of the Public and the Moral Contestation in the Journalistic Culture of Turkey
Authors: Aşık Ozan
Published: February 2017

The deepening social polarization and increasing state pressure in Turkey undermines the participation of journalists as the custodians of public interest in the public sphere based on the principle of common good. Using the data of my ethnographic fieldwork in newsrooms, I explore the features of legitimate journalistic activity without normative connection to the public. The Islamic-based ruling party (AKP) attempts to transform the public into its own intimate, family-like sphere. Journalists are compelled to either totally merge with the AKP-friendly family that dominates the public, or retreat to the privacy of the newsroom as an act of resistance and withdraw from contact with the ‘other’ journalistic community. Examining this “otherization” and isolation is crucial to understanding the ways in which the pursuit of professional ethics is replaced by self-centered norm-defining practices articulated in the rhetoric of intimacy rather than of the debate-oriented public sphere of journalists.
Four new nematode species (Araeolaimida: Comesomatidae, Diplopeltidae) from the New Zealand continental slope
Authors: LEDUC DANIEL
Published: February 2017

Four new nematode species of the order Araeolaimida are described from the continental slope of New Zealand: Sabatieria megadena sp. n., Pararaeolaimus tetradenus sp. n., Southerniella parasimplex sp. n., and Diplopeltula cuspidiboja sp. n. The present study provides the first record of the genus Pararaeolaimus in the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone. Pararaeolaimus megaloamphidus Timm, 1961, Diplopeltula mollis Bussau, 1993 and Diplopeltula peruensis Bussau, 1993 are considered species inquirendae due to the incomplete nature of the original descriptions. Southerniella amblynema Bussau, 1993, Southerniella lympha Bussau, 1993, and Southerniella nojii Jensen, 1991 are transferred to the genus Intasia Tchesunov & Miljutina, 2008 due to the presence of a single anterior outsretched ovary. A key to valid Southerniella species is provided.
Elective Neck Dissection for Head and Neck Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Skull Base Invasion
Authors: Cannon Richard B. , Dundar Yusuf , Thomas Andrew , Monroe Marcus M. , Buchmann Luke O. , Witt Benjamin L. , Sowder Aleksandra M. , Hunt Jason P.
Published: February 2017

Objectives

Skull base invasion from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) via perineural spread affects survival and the rate of regional metastasis. Our objective is to investigate the factors associated with elective neck dissection (END) in this population and the survival difference with END compared with observation for patients with a cN0 neck.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Academic.

Subjects and Methods

Patients were treated surgically for head and neck cSCC with skull base invasion via perineural spread with a cN0 neck from 2004 to 2014. Clinicopathologic data were collected and analyzed. Primary outcomes were disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Fifty‐nine patients met inclusion criteria: 28 underwent an END and 31 underwent neck observation. Free tissue transfer reconstruction was significantly associated with END (P <. 001). Patients treated with an END had significantly improved 5‐year DFS (57% and 32%, P =. 042) and OS (60% and 37%, P =. 036) compared with those who were observed and a significantly reduced rate of regional recurrence (9% and 37%, P =. 024). The rate of occult nodal metastasis identified with END was 36% and is approximately equal to the regional failure rate of the neck observation group (37%).

Conclusion

END was more commonly used in cases requiring free tissue transfer. The use of END for head and neck cSCCs that have invaded the skull base is not routinely performed but was found to be associated with a survival advantage and reduced regional recurrence rate.
hackseq: Catalyzing collaboration between biological and computational scientists via hackathon
Authors:   hackseq Organizing Committee 2016
Published: February 2017

hackseq (http://www.hackseq.com) was a genomics hackathon with the aim of bringing together a diverse set of biological and computational scientists to work on collaborative bioinformatics projects. In October 2016, 66 participants from nine nations came together for three days for hackseq and collaborated on nine projects ranging from data visualization to algorithm development. The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive with 100% (n = 54) of survey respondents saying they would like to participate in future hackathons. We detail key steps for others interested in organizing a successful hackathon and report excerpts from each project.
Research Roundup
Authors: Costello John
Published: February 2017

John Costello provides a synopsis and brief review of a selection of recently published research articles of interest to neuroscience nurses, highlighting the key points to keep you up to date. A full reference is provided for those who wish to read the research in more detail.
Identify and support dual and multiple exceptionality
Authors: Boddison Adam
Published: February 2017

As many as 10 percent of children with high learning potential will also have one or more special educational needs. This can prove difficult to identify because their abilities can mask their needs.
Turning our attention to the balance of regulation
Authors: Brown Paula
Published: February 2017

Following on from last month's article that examined the effects of cortisol, this month, we look at dopamine, a neurotransmitter with a prominent role to play in learning, memory, addiction, and pleasure.
Maths needs solid foundations
Authors: Dancer Judith
Published: February 2017

There appears to be a national obsession with numeral recognition and recording of numbers, and there is an alarming rise in inappropriate expectations around what children should be able to achieve.
Savouring sensory stories
Authors: Rodgers Anne
Published: February 2017

One way of enhancing children's enjoyment of story time and traditional tales is to introduce elements that stimulate their senses. This can include physical activities, cooking, small world play and much more.
Give games the thumbs up
Authors: Dolya Galina
Published: February 2017

These finger gym activities are based on playing simple games with a friend. These will benefit a child's motor skills and muscle development, they require no resources and are a great deal of fun.
Evaluation of a familial hypercholesterolaemia e-learning programme in primary care
Authors: Edwards Rhiannon
Published: February 2017

With the renewed emphaisis on ongoing education for nurses, e-learning could be a very useful tool. Rhiannon Edwards describes how such a project can be established

Education in primary care is vital to raise awareness, support clinical decision making and ensure evidence based practice is provided for patients. Accessing clinical education to support the Nursing and Midwifery Council revalidation targets (NMC 2015) particularly for practice nurses is challenging. Issues include lack of financial/time resources and availability of relevant courses.

This article details the process of asessing the effectiveness and accessibility of a primary care focused Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) e-learning programme.

The process evaluation included two stages: to assess clinical accuracy; and then assess the accessibility and effectiveness of the program. Results demonstrated an overall positive evaluation of effectiveness and accessibility of information. To conclude: This positive evaluation concludes that e-learning could be used is an effective and accessible method of bridging the gap between education and community healthcare settings.
Veterinary nursing uniforms: their role in infection control
Authors: Davidson Jane
Published: February 2017

Veterinary nursing uniforms play an important role in infection control. However we rarely encounter protocols or advice in the veterinary industry about how to ensure our uniforms are as clean as possible. The veterinary nursing community needs to introduce protocols to improve uniform hygiene by considering where they are worn and how they are cleaned.
Determination of fibernolytic enzyme activities of white rot fungi isolated from oil palm fronds
Authors: Azmi Mohammad Azri bin , Alias S. , Azmi A.F.M. , Ghani A.A.A. , Shahudin M.S. , Goh Y.M. , Noordin M.M. , Yusof M.T. , Zunita Z. , Hassim H.A.
Published: February 2017

Oil palm fronds (OPF) is widely used as the source of roughage for the farm animals. However, the full potential of OPF as animal feed is limited by their high lignin content which limits the rumen microbe’s access to the cellulose and hemicellulose. White rot fungi (WRF) are a group of fungi belonging to basidiomycete phylum and are commonly found in decaying woody plant. They possess the ability to degrade lignin. This experiment aims to identify the phylum of the best lignin decaying fungi based on their enzymes activity. In this experiment, 11 fungi species were isolated from decaying oil palm fronds. They are labelled as WR1, WR 2, WR3, WR4, WR5, WR6, WR7, WR8, WR9, WR10 and WR11. Their fibernolytic enzyme activities which includes laccase, manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, avicelase, carboxylmethylcellulase and xylanase are analysed using the solid state fermentation method. It is was found that 5 fungi species which are the WR1, WR2, WR4, WR7 and WR10 produced the highest ratio of lignin degrading enzyme to cellulose and hemicellulose degrading enzyme. The fungi are then analysed under microscope to determine the phylum of the fungi. From the observation, the fungi are identified to belong to the phylum basidiomycetes due to presence of clamp connection.
The Use of Mycotoxin Binder to Control Its Contamination in Feed
Authors: Widiyanti Prima Mei , Maryam Romsyah
Published: February 2017

The climate in Indonesia as a tropical country is very condusive for the growth of mycotoxins producing fungi. Mycotoxins have properties as carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, estrogenic, neurotoxic, and immunotoxic. Mycotoxins reduce performance, appetite, weight, and immunity. They also cause reproductive disorders and generate the residues in animal products that affect human health. These can be prevented by controlling mycotoxins contamination in agricultural products that used for feed ingredients through good management practices (during planting, harvesting, and storage). Mycotoxins contamination can also be minimized by physical, chemical and biological treatments as well as the application of mycotoxin binders. This review describes the use of mycotoxin binders in animal feed. They are used as feed additives, may be derived from organic, inorganic materials or their combination. Combination of organic and inorganic substances proven to be more effective and efficient in controlling mycotoxin contamination. Therefore, it is recommended to use mycotoxin binders to prevent animal health disorder and to decrease mycotoxin residues in animal products.

 
Similarity is closeness: Using distributional semantic spaces to model similarity in visual and linguistic metaphors
Authors: Bolognesi Marianna , Aina Laura
Published: February 2017

The semantic similarity that characterizes two terms aligned in a metaphor is here analysed through a corpus-based distributional semantic space. We compare and contrast two samples of metaphors, representative of visual and linguistic modality of expressions respectively. Popular theories of metaphor claim that metaphors transcend their modality to influence conceptual structures, thus suggesting that different modalities of expression would typically express the same conceptual metaphors. However, we show substantial differences in the degree of similarity captured by the distributional semantic space with regard to the modality of expression (higher similarity for linguistic metaphors than for visual ones). We argue that this is due to two possible variables: Conventionality (linguistic metaphors are typically conventional, while visual are not) and Complexity (visual metaphors have modality-specific inner complexities that penalize the degree of similarity between metaphor terms captured by a language-based model). Finally, we compare the similarity scores of our original formulations with those obtained from different possible verbalizations of the same metaphors (acquired by replacing the metaphor terms with their semantic neighbours). We show that while this operation does not affect the average similarity between metaphor terms for visual metaphors, the similarity changes significantly in linguistic metaphors. These results are discussed here.
Maladaptive Humor Styles as Mediators of the Relationship Between Attachment Insecurity and Emotion Regulation
Authors: Poncy George William
Published: February 2017

Although theory and research evidence indicate that less securely attached persons are more likely than their secure peers to experience emotion regulation difficulties, this is not necessarily a pre-ordained outcome. Emotion regulation difficulties may be more proximally predicted by individuals’ maladaptive psychological defenses such as humor styles. This study explored the interrelationships between adult attachment orientations (attachment anxiety and avoidance) and perceived bonds with parents (perceived levels of parental care and control), emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression), and maladaptive humor styles (aggressive and self-defeating humor). Attachment anxiety, avoidance, and maternal care and overprotection were associated in expected directions with aggressive and self-defeating humor, but paternal care and overprotection were not. Additionally, aggressive and self-defeating humor were positively associated with expressive suppression and negatively associated with cognitive reappraisal. Self-defeating humor partially mediated the relationship between a number of attachment predictors (attachment anxiety, avoidance, maternal care, and maternal control) and expressive suppression. For example, attachment anxiety predicted higher use of self-defeating humor, which in turn predicted higher levels of expressive suppression. Finally, aggressive humor partially mediated the relationship between avoidance and cognitive reappraisal. Avoidance predicted higher use of aggressive humor, which in turn predicted lower levels of reappraisal. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Typological profile of the Great Andamanese family
Authors: Comrie Bernard , Zamponi Raoul
Published: February 2017

Great Andamanese constitutes alongside Ongan one of the two indigenous language families of the Andaman Islands. The phonological typology of the Great Andamanese languages includes a number of features of areal interest, including retroflex consonants (characteristic of South Asia) and lack of phonemic fricatives (reconstructed for Proto-Dravidian). Its morphosyntactic typology has some unremarkable features from a global typological perspective, such as verb-final clause order combined with postpositions and possessor-before-possessed but with postnominal attributive adjectives, alongside highly unusual features such as: somatic prefixes; several series of personal pronouns whose choice depends not only on grammatical relation/semantic role but also, for instance, on clause type; negation of a verbal clause by expressing it as the non-finite subject of a negative copular clause; and root ellipsis.
Profiling Indo-Aryan in the Hindukush-Karakoram: A preliminary study of micro-typological patterns
Authors: Liljegren Henrik
Published: February 2017

The study is a typological profile of 31 Indo-Aryan (IA) languages in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Western Himalayan region (covering NE Afghanistan, N Pakistan, and parts of Kashmir). Native speakers were recruited to provide comparative data. This data, supplemented by reputable descriptions or field notes, was evaluated against a number of WALS- or WALS-like features, enabling a fine-tuned characterization of each language, taking different linguistic domains into account (phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon). The emerging patterns were compared with global distributions as well as with characteristic IA features and well-known areal patterns. Some features, mainly syntactic, turned out to be shared with IA in general, whereas others do have scattered reflexes in IA outside of the region but are especially prevalent in the region: large consonant inventories, tripartite pronominal case alignment, a high frequency of left-branching constructions, and multi-degree deictic systems. Yet other features display a high degree of diversity, often bundling subareally. Finally, there was a significant clustering of features that are not characterizing IA in general: tripartite affricate differentiation, retroflexion across several subsets, aspiration contrasts involving voiceless consonants only, tonal contrasts and 20-based numerals. This clustering forms a “hard core” at the centre of the region, gradually fading out toward its peripheries.
Proteomic analysis of erythropoietin-induced changes in neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells
Authors: Erbayraktar Zübeyde , Önkal Zeynep , Genç Kemal Kürşad , Genç Şermin
Published: February 2017

Objective

Erythropoietin (EPO) is widely used for treatment of anemia associated with different diseases; however, its adverse effects limit its use in clinical practice. Therefore, understanding the effects of EPO at the molecular and cellular level is crucial to adjust treatment regimes, and to develop non-hematopoietic EPO derivatives. In this study, we used a proteomics approach to identify how EPO treatment modifies the cellular proteome.

Methods

SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were used as the model system to analyze the effects of EPO treatment at different time points (24 h and 48 h). Proteomic analysis revealed changes in 74 proteins after EPO treatment. Following proteomics analysis, Reactome pathway analysis were carried out to identify the affected cellular pathways.

Results

According to results, EPO alters the levels of 74 protein species (40 were increased, 34 were decreased). The levels of 35 proteins were changed by 24 h EPO incubation, whereas 17 protein species were altered by 48 h EPO incubation. Levels of 22 protein species were altered by both of the incubation periods (24 h and 48 h).

Conclusion

Overall, our results suggest that EPO mainly affects protein species in glucose metabolism, protein and RNA metabolism, cytoskeletal proteins, and mitochondrial protein species.