bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibrin-VLDL Receptor-Dependent Pathway Promotes Leukocyte Transmigration by Inhibiting Src Kinase Fyn and is a Target for Fibrin β15-42 Peptide
Authors: Yakovlev Sergiy , Cao Chunzhang , Galisteo Rebeca , Zhang Li , Strickland Dudley K. , Medved Leonid 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAccording to the current view, binding of fibrin degradation product E1 fragment to endothelial VE-cadherin promotes transendothelial migration of leukocytes and thereby inflammation, and fibrin-derived β15–42 peptide reduces leukocyte transmigration by competing with E1 for binding to VE-cadherin and, in addition, by signaling through Src kinase Fyn. However, the very low affinity of β15–42 to VE-cadherin raised a question about its ability to inhibit E1–VE-cadherin interaction. Further, our previous study revealed that fibrin promotes leukocyte transmigration through the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor (VLDLR)-dependent pathway and suggested a possible link between the inhibitory properties of β15–42 and this pathway. To test such a link and the proposed inhibitory mechanisms for β15–42, we performed in vitro experiments using surface plasmon resonance, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and leukocyte transendothelial migration assay, and in vivo studies with wild-type and VLDLR-deficient mice using mouse model of peritonitis. The experiments revealed that β15–42 cannot inhibit E1–VE-cadherin interaction at the concentrations used in the previous in vivo studies leaving the proposed Fyn-dependent signaling mechanism as a viable explanation for the inhibitory effect of β15–42. While testing this mechanism, we confirmed that Fyn plays a critical role in controlling fibrin-induced transendothelial migration of leukocytes and found that signaling through the VLDLR-dependent pathway results in inhibition of Fyn, thereby increasing leukocyte transmigration. Furthermore, our in vivo experiments revealed that β15–42 inhibits this pathway, thereby preventing inhibition of Fyn and reducing leukocyte transmigration. Thus, this study clarifies the molecular mechanism underlying the VLDLR-dependent pathway of leukocyte transmigration and reveals that this pathway is a target for β15–42.
Dietary supplementation of a high-temperature-processed green tea extract attenuates cognitive impairment in PS2 and Tg2576 mice
Authors: Kim Juewon , Funayama Shinichiro , Izuo Naotaka , Shimizu Takahiko 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
Green tea intake is generally recognized as an effective supplement that promotes mental clarity and cognitive function. These health benefits of green tea have been attributed mainly to its effective component, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Because various catechin derivatives potently enhance these health benefits, we manipulated the extraction process with a high-temperature intervention. High-temperature-processed green tea extract (HTP-GTE) showed an elevated proportion of gallocatechin gallate (GCG) content. To investigate the preventive effects of HTP-GTE on cognitive decline, we found its neuroprotective effects against amyloid β (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in neurons and clarified that GCG significantly inhibited Aβ aggregation in vitro. Moreover, we showed that HTP-GTE intake attenuated several cognitive-decline phenotypes in a model mouse of Alzheimer’s disease. These beneficial effects of HTP-GTE against cognitive decline were due to the distinctive composition of the extract and suggest the possibility that HTP-GTE supplementation could attenuate cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dosimetry challenges and opportunities in modern radiation therapy
Authors: Low D A 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Modern radiation therapy (RT) includes conformal therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, proton therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, adaptive radiation therapy (ART), and recently magnetic-resonance guided radiation therapy and, upcoming, 4π radiation therapy. These techniques show the continual increase in complexity of radiation therapy techniques which, coupled with a stagnant medical physics workforce, means that the amount and complexity of work per physicist has increased and is likely to increase in the foreseeable future. Three distinct challenges can be identified that need to be addressed. First, is the recent commercial development of automated multi-metastases stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) techniques. These techniques plan and irradiate a number (up to approximately 20) brain lesions in one treatment session, typically employing one isocenter. The spatial accuracy specifications for SRS imply that attention to the angular accuracy is more critical for these treatments than conventional SRS or other treatment methods. In parallel, our and other groups are developing 4π techniques, which is a proposed method for optimizing both beam angles and intensity fluence to provide x-ray based dose distributions with unparalleled compactness and conformality. One cost to deliver these dose distributions is the added requirement to not only rotate the couch but also shift the couch to increase the number of available beam angles. These two techniques will require efficient and quantitative dose distribution measurements of relatively large volumes for, at least, end to end testing of multi-metastases and 4π treatments. Finally, magnetic resonance guided radiation therapy has led to a resurgence in the development of on-table ART, which requires that the medical physicist compare two calculated treatment plans and efficiently and effectively determine if differences between those treatment plans are clinically significant. Modifying and improving existing tools will be critical to the safe and effective on-table ART.
Radiotherapy in the presence of magnetic fields: a brief review of detector response characteristics and the contribution of 3-D measurements to the study of dose distributions at interfaces
Authors: Doran Simon J 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The combination of MRI and radiotherapy on a single platform has the potential to revolutionise image-guided delivery of radiation doses. However, in order to realise these ambitions, good dosimetry must be available. The electron return effect gives rise to significant perturbations of dose at interfaces between tissue and air within the body, and this might lead to difficulties in dose compensation if air cavities move during treatment. In this article, I review briefly the ways in which the available methods of dosimetry are affected by the presence of magnetic fields and discuss the contribution that three-dimensional measurements can make to studies in this area. The methods of MRI and optical computed tomography have well known issues in imaging close to interfaces. These are described together with progress so far in providing solutions.
4D scintillation dosimetry for the MRI-linac: proof of concept
Authors: Brůža P , Gladstone D , Cammin J , Green O , Pogue B W 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA new method of time-resolved volumetric (4D) dosimetry combining transversal projected view scintillation imaging with the multi-leaf collimator (MLC) geometry information is presented and demonstrated in a magnetic resonance (MRI) guided linear accelerator (linac). The setup consisted of a time gated intensified camera and a cylindrical plastic scintillator phantom. Positioning the camera outside the 0.35 T magnetic field suppresses the interference between the MRI-linac and dosimeter camera. Transversal view images of the scintillation light were recorded at 20 Hz framerate and the light distribution along optical axis was decoded from the MLC data by Fourier algorithm. Considering scintillation light as dose surrogate, the dose volume was reconstructed with sub-millimeter resolution, and this was tested on an intensity modulated delivery of a TG119 C-shape plan. 3D gamma analysis of the recorded cumulative dose volume as compared to a Monte-Carlo simulation reported 95% pass rate at 3%/3mm criteria. By enabling the use of measurement-based 3D beam comparison metrics, the presented method may provide a comprehensive solution for volumetric end-to-end dosimetry and fast machine performance checks in this challenging environment of an MRI-linac.
Verification of stereotactic cranial radiotherapy treatments with MR-based gel dosimeters: practical aspects
Authors: Costa Filipa , Kousi Evanthia , Gasnier Anne , Wells Emma , Lamb Caroline , Schmidt Maria A , Moore Rollo 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) systems allow delivering high doses of radiation to a tumour with great precision and accuracy. In this work, we use patient-specific head MR-based gel dosimeters as an end-to-end test to commission IGRT delivery systems, for stereotactic cranial radiotherapy, and investigate possible sources of errors associated with practical aspects of the measurements. A CT scan of a patient is used to 3D print the shape of the cranial bones to create head phantoms with MR-based gel inside. Each phantom was used as a patient, following the radiotherapy workflow which includes: taking a CT scan of the phantom, calculating the dose distribution using a treatment planning system (TPS) and delivering the radiation calculated by the TPS (to target three different lesions: Big, Medium and Small). Each phantom was then scanned on an MR scanner to obtain a T2 map (linear with dose), which was then rigidly registered with the CT scan of the phantom based on the phantom structures. Good agreement was obtained between the normalized R2 (=1/T2) values and TPS simulations. The relationship between R2 values and dose was investigated based on 3D regions including each lesion. Good linearity was found, but different R2-dose values relationship was obtained depending on the selected regions. The impact of applying a registration based on each lesion (and not the phantom structures) was also tested. Results show that the registration has an impact on the relationship between R2 values and dose, and although absolute dose measurements are still not possible with these MR-based gel dosimeters, they provide very detailed geometrical 3D information to validate IGRT radiotherapy treatments with high level of accuracy.
An Investigation of dosimetric accuracy of a novel PRESAGE radiochromic sheet and its clinical applications
Authors: Wang Yi-Fang , Liu Kevin , Adamovics John , Wuu Cheng-Shie 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
A novel radiochromic PRESAGE sheet (Heuris Inc.) with variable thickness of 1-3 mm has been developed to provide 2D dosimetry. It can also be used for patient surface dosimetry or as a tool for patient-specific QA (PSQA) in 3D dosimetry. Its softness and flexibility to conform with the patient’s skin make this product advantageous for future clinical applications. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the PRESAGE sheet’s dosimetric accuracy at different scanning times and its potential use for clinical applications. For the characterization of the dosimeter, temporal stability of dose rate, energy dependence, dose linearity, beam profile, and dose distribution measurements were investigated by irradiating a single sheet of PRESAGE with different doses and energies while scanning the sheet with an Epson 11000XL high-resolution scanner at different time intervals following its irradiation. Additionally, two clinical applications, including PSQA and surface dose measurement, were conducted and were compared to dosimeters currently used for clinical applications. For QA measurement, a stack of PRESAGE sheets, with EBT3 films sandwiched in-between, was used to measure the dose distribution of a pancreas SBRT treatment plan at different depths. For surface dose measurement, PRESAGE sheets, EBT3 films, and OSLDs were placed on the surface of an anthropomorphic phantom to measure the skin dose of a modulated treatment fields. When the stack of PRESAGE sheets were scanned within a period of two hours following its irradiation, the dosimeter exhibits a stable linear response to dose with negligible dose rate and energy dependence. In addition to its temporal stability, the dosimeter can provide accurate relative dose measurements comparable to those exhibited by EBT3 films. In the application of PSQA, when compared with EBT3 films using gamma test with a 2%/2 mm criteria, PRESAGE sheets have a passing rate of 99.7% measured at the isocenter and 99.1% in application of surface dose measurements. This study demosntrates the dosimetric characteristics and the potential use of a novel dosimeter, PRESAGE sheets.
Iodine contrast nPAG for radiologically visible target region in deformable dosimeters
Authors: Watson C J , Yeo A U , Supple J R , Geso M , Kron T , Franich R D 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The utility of gel dosimeters is sought to be improved upon in this study which proposes a target region of different X-ray CT contrast that is dose sensitive. The changes in the physico-chemical makeup of nPAG caused by the addition of the X-ray imaging Iodine based contrast agent Isovue are explored. The impact of this change on dose measurements is also discussed. The increase in HU as it correlates with increasing Isovue concentration is detailed, along with the dosimetric changes that occur, namely the steepness of the dose response curve and general shape of the percentage depth dose curve. It is noted that diffusion of Isovue from one gel region to another has significant dosimetric impact and the experimental method was constructed and conducted with this in mind. Further refinement and optimisation of the Isovue nPAG formulation will lead to a target region dosimeter that can be contoured on X-ray CT and used in the improvement of planning protocols, especially in cases that involve motion and deformation of target volumes.
Characteristics of popular photon beam collimators
Authors: Li Shidong 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the physical and dosimetric aspects of radiation beam collimation systems that may affect the stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy of small lesions. Methods: Gamma knife (GK) cones, Cyber-knife Iris/InCise collimators, popular Varian and Elekta multi-leaf collimators (MLCs) were theoretically analyzed. Leaf-edge effects (Inter- and intra-leaf leakages, field penumbras, and dosimetric leaf gap - DLG) and transmission through some collimators were measured with ion chambers and films in phantoms and electronic portal imagers in an extended distance. GK plans and IMRT/VMAT plans were generated for ten patients and conformity index (CI) and dose drop (DD) from target to 5-mm ring were compared. Results: New MLCs have improved field shaping conformity, reduced transmission but not field penumbra and DLG. The measured DLG changed with time of usage and varied across the field. GK plans had better CI and DD for small lesions of < 1 cm while MLC-based VMAT/IMRT plans improved CI for large lesions of > 2 cm. Conclusions: New thinner and taller MLCs have improved the field shaping conformity and transmission but not leaf edge effects. Cone-based irradiation is still the best to small lesions of < 1 cm while VMAT/IMRT using new MLCs provide more conformal dose to irregular target usually with size of > 2 cm.
EPID-based linear accelerator benchmarking using pixel sensitivity map
Authors: Sun Baozhou , Goddu Sreekrishna M. , Mutic Sasa , Cai Bin 
Published: August 2019

AbstractConventional verification of linac performance is conducted by measuring percent depth dose (PDD) as well as beam profiles in a water tank, which is labor intensive and requires expensive beam scanning equipment. We present a novel method to benchmark the linac beam characteristics using pixel sensitivity map (PSM) corrected EPID images and to evaluate the feasibility of EPID-based beam benchmarking. A novel approach was developed to generate a two-dimensional (2D) PSM for EPIDs utilizing an alternating beam and dark-field image acquisition technique. The calculated PSM based on a recursive calculation algorithm was used to correct EPID pixel response. The acceptability of a benchmarked beam is based on its profiles being within predetermined tolerances. The PSM-corrected open field EPID images were compared for three photon energies (6 MV, 10 MV and 6FFF) between three TrueBeam and one Edge linacs with aS1200 imaging panels. The output factors were measured with EPID from 2×2 cm2to 40×40 cm2. The differences in beam profiles and output factors from EPID were evaluated. The four dosimetrically similar linacs with less than 1% variation in PDD, profiles and output factors measured in water scans showed excellent agreement in the EPID profile measurements. The 1D Gamma of the PSM-corrected profiles between any two linacs showed 100% passing rate for 6 MV and 6 FFF and >97% for 10 MV with 1mm/1% criteria. The maximum difference of output factors was 0.18% among all the measurements except for 2×2 cm2with 0.6% difference. By preserving the beam dosimetry information, the PSM-corrected EPID images enable the possibility of validating the beam data of linac dosimetry and benchmarking linac performance with the common EPID detector.
Comprehensive analysis of formation and extraction of the forest resource rent of the region
Authors: Tulokhonov A K , Puntsukova S D , Eniseev M P 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The article shows the role and place of forest resource potential of the region in the structure of forest rent and the fiscal system. The results of the analysis showed that the region’s forest resource potential is quite high, and the forest income, calculated on the basis of rent, in contrast to the actual income at the established fee rates, ensures the financial needs of the republic’s forestry. It has been established that the gap between the incomes of forest revenues to the budgets of different levels has increased in recent years: to the federal budget - growing, to the republican budget - decreasing. The study of the mechanism for the extraction and distribution of forest rent in the region allows us to conclude that it is necessary to intensify regional powers in the field of taxation of the regional part of the payment for standing timber, which are legally within the competence of the region, to replenish their own income. It was concluded that the rent taxation of forest resources would make it possible to increase the efficiency of the existing budget system, since, due to its absence, the budget does not receive enough of the significant financial resources.
Ecological and economic development trends of the regions
Authors: Bardakhanova T B , Eremko Z S 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The current status of regional development is characterized by number of problems, associated with the depletion of natural resources and environmental pollution, that requires the development of green growth strategies. The measures to be taken should be differentiated depending on economic and ecological conditions of regions and their peculiarities. This article proposes a methodological approach to conducting a comprehensive assessment of ecological and economic development of regions. The approach is based on building a matrix of economic and ecological development of regions (a matrix summarizes the changes of numerous environmental and economic indicators, including environmental investments and current expenditures, as well as the main indicators of economic development of various regions). Approbation of the methodological approach was carried out using data on 80 regions of Russia. This approach can be used to assess the effectiveness of environmental and economic integration of transboundary regions, characterized by complex and conflicting environmental and economic interactions.
Integrated development of small areas: (case study of Ulan-Ude)
Authors: Motoshkina M A , Shirapova S D 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The territories around the cities transform and develop unevenly. In the eastern part of Russia, the high intensity of transformation processes can be observed, which is conditioned by numerous specific features, such as history of settlement, geographical location, difficult natural and climatic conditions, remoteness from the economic core of European Russia, etc. [3]. In the paper a brief analysis of the territory and natural conditions of the city of Ulan-Ude and the analysis of the development of urban areas have been carried out. The most effective use of perspective free or half-ruined territories by the formation of new rural settlements and construction on agricultural and industrial lands has been revealed. Primary and secondary geographical factors of development of small territories are briefly considered on the example of Ulan-Ude and its suburban area.
Specific features of the use of water resources on the model territories of Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan in the zone of influence of the Silk and the Tea Roads
Authors: Ts-D Zhamyanov D , Gomboev B O , Ulzetueva I D , Banzaraktsaev Z E 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Currently, there are a number of major subcontinental and ocean projects on the continental territory of Eurasia and the oceanic area adjacent to it, among which are the Belt and Road Initiative and “Northeast Passage” and “Greater Eurasia” projects. The most actively implemented today, at least in the geopolitical and research contexts, is the Belt and Road megaproject, geographically tied to the Silk Road in its various versions. The Tea Route also falls into the zone of influence of the Silk Road. A common geographical feature of the countries of Greater Eurasia, geographically tied to these land transport corridors, is the unique ultra-continental position of their inner territories, which include a number of subjects of Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan.
The routes of the Mongolian economic corridor: development prospects, transport and logistics constraints
Authors: Andreev A B , Makarov A V 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The article discusses the transport and logistics restrictions of the economic corridor China – Mongolia – Russia, the prospects for trade and economic cooperation. The analysis of foreign trade and investment cooperation of Mongolia is carried out. The main directions of improving the transport and logistics system of Buryatia are highlighted.
Estimation for forest biomass and coverage using Satellite data in small scale area, Mongolia
Authors: Norovsuren Bayanmunkh , Tseveen Batchuluun , Batomunkuev Valentin , Renchin Tsolmon 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The estimation of forest biomass using satellite data has received increasing attention for several reason in Mongolia. Since forest in Mongolia is decreasing and it is important to estimate forest resources using satellite data. This research aims to apply recently launched Sentinel-1B Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) C-band and optical Sentinel-2B satellite data for estimation forest biomass and coverage and develop model for the study area. The study area is small scale forestry area named by Khanbuyan community, Bulgan province is situated in the Northern part of Mongolia. Boreal and montane forest belts of larch is dominated in this area. Sentinel-1B was used for estimation forest biomass and multispectral bands of Sentinel-2B applied for forest classification map. We used regression analysis to develop the model using Sentinel-1B and Sentinel-2B VV and VH polarizations for Sentinel-1B and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for Sentinel-2B were applied in this research. Ground truth data was collected in July 2016 and September 2016 for forest coverage and biomass measurements. NDVI and backscatter coefficients for polarizations VV and VH of Sentinel-1B 2016 were related to ground truth biomass for modeling. Comparison of the model and ground truth measurements for above ground biomass have a good agreement.