bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interprofessional education: evaluation of a radiation therapy and medical physics student simulation workshop
Authors: Jimenez Yobelli A. , Thwaites David I. , Juneja Prabhjot , Lewis Sarah J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIntroductionInterprofessional education (IPE) involves two or more professions engaged in learning with, from and about each other. An initiative was undertaken to explore IPE for radiation therapy (RT) and medical physics (MP) students through a newly developed workshop based around simulated learning. The aims of this study were to explore RT and MP students’ perceptions of working as part of a collaborative team and of their own and the other group's professional roles. Student perceptions of the simulation education tool, the virtual environment for radiotherapy training (VERT) system, were also investigated.MethodsRT and MP students were invited to participate in a 4‐hour interprofessional workshop. Pre‐ and post‐workshop surveys were employed to collect demographic data, students’ perceptions of interdisciplinary education (interdisciplinary education perception scale (IEPS)) and workshop evaluation (bespoke questionnaire).ResultsFifteen students attended the workshop (RT, n = 8; MP, n = 7). Thirteen pre‐ and post‐questionnaires were returned (Pre‐questionnaire: RT, n = 6, response rate, 75%; MP, n = 7, response rate, 100%; post‐questionnaire: RT, n = 7, response rate, 87.5%; MP, n = 6, response rate 85.7%). For both student groups combined, IEPS scores ranged from 64 to 108 and 71 to 108 in the pre‐ and post‐questionnaires, respectively, with insignificant differences in the mean scores post‐intervention (Z = −1.305, P = 0.192). Satisfaction with VERT as a simulation tool was high for both student groups.ConclusionsThe interprofessional student workshop served to promote interprofessional collaboration for RT and MP students. VERT was reported as an appropriate education tool for this purpose, enabling access to virtual clinical equipment common to both student groups. It is suggested that IPE continues to be offered and investigated in RT and MP students, in order to improve effective interprofessional strategies which may enrich future professional collaboration.
Compton scatter imaging: A promising modality for image guidance in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy
Authors: Redler Gage , Jones Kevin C. , Templeton Alistair , Bernard Damian , Turian Julius , Chu James C. H. 
Published: January 2018

PurposeLung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) requires delivering large radiation doses with millimeter accuracy, making image guidance essential. An approach to forming images of patient anatomy from Compton‐scattered photons during lung SBRT is presented.MethodsTo investigate the potential of scatter imaging, a pinhole collimator and flat‐panel detector are used for spatial localization and detection of photons scattered during external beam therapy using lung SBRT treatment conditions (6 MV FFF beam). MCNP Monte Carlo software is used to develop a model to simulate scatter images. This model is validated by comparing experimental and simulated phantom images. Patient scatter images are then simulated from 4DCT data.ResultsExperimental lung tumor phantom images have sufficient contrast‐to‐noise to visualize the tumor with as few as 10 MU (0.5 s temporal resolution). The relative signal intensity from objects of different composition as well as lung tumor contrast for simulated phantom images agree quantitatively with experimental images, thus validating the Monte Carlo model. Scatter images are shown to display high contrast between different materials (lung, water, bone). Simulated patient images show superior (~double) tumor contrast compared to MV transmission images.ConclusionsCompton scatter imaging is a promising modality for directly imaging patient anatomy during treatment without additional radiation, and it has the potential to complement existing technologies and aid tumor tracking and lung SBRT image guidance.
CorrectingTG119 confidence limits
Authors: Kearney Vasant , Solberg Timothy , Jensen Shane , Cheung Joey , Chuang Cynthia , Valdes Gilmer 
Published: January 2018

PurposeTask Group 119 (TG‐119) has been adopted for evaluating the adequacy of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) commissioning and for establishing patient‐specificIMRTquality assurance (QA) passing criteria in clinical practice.TG‐119 establishes 95% confidence limits (CLs), which help clinics identify systematicIMRT QAerrors and identify outliers. InTG‐119, the 95%CLs are established by fitting the Gamma Γ analysis passing rate results to an assumed distribution, then calculating the limit in which 95% of the data fall.CLs for a given dataset will depend greatly on the type of distribution used, and those determined by following theTG‐119 guidelines are only valid if the underlying data follows a Gaussian distribution. Gaussian distributions assume symmetry about the mean, which would imply the possibility of negative Γ analysis failing rates. This study demonstrates that the gamma distribution is a more reasonable assumption for establishingCLs than the Gaussian distribution used inTG‐119. Thus, the gamma distribution is suggested as a replacement to the conventional Gaussian statistical model used inTG‐119.Materials and methodsThe moments estimator (ME) for the gamma family is used to obtain theCLs of the failing rates for all Γ analysis criteria. To demonstrate the congruence of the gamma distribution, the root mean squared error and theCLvalues for theMEs of the gamma and the Gaussian families were compared.ResultsIn this study, the empirical 95%CLs generated using 302 plans represent the ground truth, which resulted in a 91.83% passing rate using 3%/3 mm error local criteria. The gamma distribution underestimates the 95%CLby 0.09%, while the Gaussian distribution overestimates the 95%CLby 4.12%.ConclusionsAlthoughIMRT QAequipment may vary between clinics, the mathematical formalism presented in this study applies to any combination of planning and delivery systems. This study has demonstrated that a gamma distribution should be favored over a Gaussian distribution when establishingCLs forIMRT QA.
What are the origins and relevance of spontaneous bladder contractions? ICI‐RS 2017
Authors: Drake Marcus J. , Fry Christopher H. , Hashitani Hikaru , Kirschner‐Hermanns Ruth , Rahnama'i Mohammad S. , Speich John E. , Tomoe Hikaru , Kanai Anthony J. , McCloskey Karen D. 
Published: January 2018

IntroductionStorage phase bladder activity is a counter‐intuitive observation of spontaneous contractions. They are potentially an intrinsic feature of the smooth muscle, but interstitial cells in the mucosa and the detrusor itself, as well as other muscular elements in the mucosa may substantially influence them. They are identified in several models explaining lower urinary tract dysfunction.MethodsA consensus meeting at the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI‐RS) 2017 congress considered the origins and relevance of spontaneous bladder contractions by debating which cell type(s) modulate bladder spontaneous activity, whether the methodologies are sufficiently robust, and implications for healthy and abnormal lower urinary tract function.ResultsThe identified research priorities reflect a wide range of unknown aspects. Cellular contributions to spontaneous contractions in detrusor smooth muscle are still uncertain. Accordingly, insight into the cellular physiology of the bladder wall, particularly smooth muscle cells, interstitial cells, and urothelium, remains important. Upstream influences, such as innervation, endocrine, and paracrine factors, are particularly important. The cellular interactions represent the key understanding to derive the integrative physiology of organ function, notably the nature of signalling between mucosa and detrusor layers. Indeed, it is still not clear to what extent spontaneous contractions generated in isolated preparations mirror their normal and pathological counterparts in the intact bladder. Improved models of how spontaneous contractions influence pressure generation and sensory nerve function are also needed.ConclusionsDeriving approaches to robust evaluation of spontaneous contractions and their influences for experimental and clinical use could yield considerable progress in functional urology.
Effects and moderators of psychosocial interventions on quality of life, and emotional and social function in patients with cancer: An individual patient data meta‐analysis of 22 RCTs
Authors: Kalter J. , Verdonck‐de Leeuw I.M. , Sweegers M.G. , Aaronson N.K. , Jacobsen P.B. , Newton R.U. , Courneya K.S. , Aitken J.F. , Armes J. , Arving C. , Boersma L.J. , Braamse A.M.J. , Brandberg Y. , Chambers S.K. , Dekker J. , Ell K. , Ferguson R.J. , Gielissen M.F.M. , Glimelius B. , Goedendorp M.M. , Graves K.D. , Heiney S.P. , Horne R. , Hunter M.S. , Johansson B. , Kimman M.L. , Knoop H. , Meneses K. , Northouse L.L. , Oldenburg H.S. , Prins J.B. , Savard J. , van Beurden M. , van den Berg S.W. , Brug J. , Buffart L.M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis individual patient data (IPD) meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of psychosocial interventions (PSI) on quality of life (QoL), emotional function (EF), and social function (SF) in patients with cancer, and to study moderator effects of demographic, clinical, personal, and intervention‐related characteristics.MethodsRelevant studies were identified via literature searches in 4 databases. We pooled IPD from 22 (n = 4217) of 61 eligible randomized controlled trials. Linear mixed‐effect model analyses were used to study intervention effects on the post‐intervention values of QoL, EF, and SF (z‐scores), adjusting for baseline values, age, and cancer type. We studied moderator effects by testing interactions with the intervention for demographic, clinical, personal, and intervention‐related characteristics, and conducted subsequent stratified analyses for significant moderator variables.Results: PSI significantly improved QoL (β = 0.14,95%CI = 0.06;0.21), EF (β = 0.13,95%CI = 0.05;0.20), and SF (β = 0.10,95%CI = 0.03;0.18). Significant differences in effects of different types of PSI were found, with largest effects of psychotherapy. The effects of coping skills training were moderated by age, treatment type, and targeted interventions. Effects of psychotherapy on EF may be moderated by cancer type, but these analyses were based on 2 randomized controlled trials with small sample sizes of some cancer types.ConclusionsPSI significantly improved QoL, EF, and SF, with small overall effects. However, the effects differed by several demographic, clinical, personal, and intervention‐related characteristics. Our study highlights the beneficial effects of coping skills training in patients treated with chemotherapy, the importance of targeted interventions, and the need of developing interventions tailored to the specific needs of elderly patients.
Effective shunt closure for pulmonary hypertension and liver dysfunction in congenital portosystemic venous shunt
Authors: Uike Kiyoshi , Nagata Hazumu , Hirata Yuichiro , Yamamura Kenichiro , Terashi Eiko , Matsuura Toshiharu , Morihana Eiji , Ohkubo Kazuhiro , Ishii Kanako , Sakai Yasunari , Taguchi Tomoaki , Ohga Shouichi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveCongenital portosystemic venous shunt (CPSVS) is a rare vascular malformation with a high risk of mortality from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but the treatment outcome of CPSVS closure remains elusive. Our aim was to investigate the clinical features and establish the optimal management of CPSVS with or without PAH.MethodsTwenty‐four patients with CPSVS treated in Kyushu University Hospital between 1990 and 2015 were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into a PAH group (n = 9) and a non‐PAH group (n = 15). Clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated.ResultsThe first manifestation of CPSVS at diagnosis (28.5 [1‐216] months) was hypergalactosemia in 13 (54%) or PAH in six (25%) patients. PAH was the cause of all three deaths. The PAH group had higher levels of serum total bile acid, manganese, and total bilirubin, along with higher pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) than the non‐PAH group (7.2 [5.1‐38.1] vs 1.2 [0.5‐3.3] unit/m2, P < 0.001). Five of nine PAH patients underwent CPSVS closure at a median of 38 months (range 21‐118) after PAH diagnosis. Pulmonary artery pressure improved after CPSVS closure with PAH‐specific therapy, but normal range was not achieved. CPSVS closure improved the hepatic synthetic function of four PAH patients. Eigh­t of 15 non‐PAH patients who received CPSVS closure did not develop PAH for a median of 34.5 months (range 6‐164) after the procedure.ConclusionsCPSVS closure with PAH‐specific therapy successfully controlled PAH. Early CPSVS closure may prevent the occurrence and progression of PAH with CPSVS.­
Collagen proteins exchange oxygen with demineralisation and gelatinisation reagents and also with atmospheric moisture
Authors: von Holstein Isabella C.C. , von Tersch Matthew , Coutu Ashley N. , Penkman Kirsty E.H. , Makarewicz Cheryl A. , Collins Matthew J. 
Published: January 2018

RationaleThe oxygen (O) isotope composition of collagen proteins is a potential indicator of adult residential location, useful for provenancing in ecology, archaeology and forensics. In acidic solution, proteins can exchange O from carboxylic acid moieties with reagent O. This study investigated whether this exchange occurs during demineralisation and gelatinisation preparation of bone/ivory collagen.MethodsEDTA and HCl demineralisation or gelatinisation reagents were made up in waters with different δ18O values, and were used to extract collagen from four skeletal tissue samples. Aliquots of extracted collagen were exposed to two different atmospheric waters, at 120°C and ambient temperature, and subsequently dried in a vacuum oven at 40°C or by freeze drying. Sample δ18O values were measured by HT‐EA pyrolysis/IRMS using a zero‐blank autosampler.ResultsCollagen samples exchanged O with both reagent waters and atmospheric water, which altered sample δ18O values. Exchange with reagent waters occurred in all extraction methods, but was greater at lower pH. Damage to the collagen samples during extraction increased O exchange. The nature of exchange of O with atmospheric water depended on the temperature of exposure: kinetic fractionation of O was identified at 120°C but not at ambient temperature. Exchange was difficult to quantify due to the high variability of δ18O values between experimental replicates.ConclusionsStudies of δ18O values in collagen proteins should avoid extraction methods using acidic solutions.
The challenge of model complexity: improving the interpretation of large causal models through variety filters
Authors: Schoenenberger Lukas , Schmid Alexander , Ansah John , Schwaninger Markus 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWhile large causal models provide detailed insights to the analysts who develop them, general users are often challenged by their complexity. Commonly, these models overwhelm the cognitive capacities of human beings. The inaccessibility of large causal models is particularly regrettable when they deliver valuable expertise and information that should be shared with other researchers and practitioners. To address this issue, we propose a set of tools—so‐called variety filters—to reduce model complexity and promote the accurate interpretation of their results. These filters encompass interpretive model partitioning, structural model partitioning and algorithmic detection of archetypal structures (ADAS). We demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed variety filters using the World3–2003 Model—a simulation model of remarkable complexity. The filters drastically attenuate the complexity while enhancing the comprehension of the model. Based on our findings, we derive implications for the use of complex models and their interpretation.Copyright © 2018 System Dynamics Society
Quantifying the effect of light activated outer and inner retinal inhibitory pathways on glutamate release from mixed bipolar cells.
Authors: Lipin Mikhail Y , Vigh Jozsef 
Published: January 2018

AbstractInhibition mediated by horizontal and amacrine cells in the outer and inner retina, respectively, are fundamental components of visual processing. Here, our purpose was to determine how these different inhibitory processes affect glutamate release from ON bipolar cells when the retina is stimulated with full‐field light of various intensities. Light‐evoked membrane potential changes (ΔVm) were recorded directly from axon terminals of intact bipolar cells receiving mixed rod and cone inputs (Mbs) in slices of dark‐adapted goldfish retina. Inner and outer retinal inhibition to Mbs was blocked with bath applied picrotoxin (PTX) and NBQX, respectively. Then, control and pharmacologically modified light responses were injected into axotomized Mb terminals as command potentials to induce voltage‐gated Ca2+ influx (QCa) and consequent glutamate release. Stimulus‐evoked glutamate release was quantified by the increase in membrane capacitance (ΔCm). Increasing depolarization of Mb terminals upon removal of inner and outer retinal inhibition enhanced the ΔVm/QCa ratio equally at a given light intensity and inhibition did not alter the overall relation between QCa and ΔCm. However, relative to control, light responses recorded in the presence of PTX and PTX + NBQX increased ΔCm unevenly across different stimulus intensities: at dim stimulus intensities predominantly the inner retinal GABAergic inhibition controlled release from Mbs, whereas the inner and outer retinal inhibition affected release equally in response to bright stimuli. Furthermore, our results suggest that non‐linear relationship between QCa and glutamate release can influence the efficacy of inner and outer retinal inhibitory pathways to mediate Mb output at different light intensities.
A market‐oriented wind power dispatch strategy using adaptive price thresholds and battery energy storage
Authors: Khalid Muhammad , Aguilera Ricardo P. , Savkin Andrey V. , Agelidis Vassilios G. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this paper, an adaptive dispatch strategy is presented to maximize the revenue for grid‐tied wind power plant coupled with a battery energy storage system (BESS). The proposed idea is mainly based on time‐varying market‐price thresholds, which are varied according to the proposed algorithm in an adaptive manner. The variable nature of wind power and market price signals leads to the idea of storing energy at low price periods and consequently selling it at high prices. In fact, the wind farm operators can take advantage of the price variability to earn additional income and to maximize the operational profit based on the choice of best price thresholds at each instant of time. This research study proposes an efficient strategy for intermittent power dispatch along with the optimal operation of a BESS in the presence of physical limits and constraints. The strategy is tested and validated with different BESSs, and the percentage improvement of income is calculated. The simulation results, based on actual wind farm and market‐price data, depict the proficiency of the proposed methodology over standard linear programming methods.
Interpreting technical evidence from spectral imaging of paintings by Édouard Manet in the Courtauld Gallery
Authors: Amato Silvia Rita , Burnstock Aviva , Cross Maureen , Janssens Koen , Rosi Francesca , Cartechini Laura , Fontana Raffaella , Fovo Alice Dal , Paolantoni Marco , Grazia Chiara , Romani Aldo , Michelin Anne , Andraud Christine , Tournié Aurélie , Dik Joris 
Published: January 2018

The paintings by Édouard Manet in The Courtauld Gallery Déjeuner sur l'herbe (1863–68), Marguerite de Conflans en Toilette de Bal (1870–1880), Banks of the Seine at Argenteuil (1874), and A Bar at the Folies–Bergère (1882) were investigated for the first time using a range of non‐invasive in situ analyses.The aims of the study were to investigate the painting techniques and materials used for this group of works and to critically evaluate the technical evidence derived from the integrated use of imaging techniques and portable spectroscopic methods in this context.The paintings were investigated by means of macro X‐ray fluorescence (MA‐XRF), reflection spectral imaging, portable UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy, portable Raman spectroscopy, and reflection FTIR. MA‐XRF and reflection spectral imaging allowed visualising elements in the compositions that were not visible using traditional methods of technical study. For example, MA‐XRF analysis of Déjeuner sur l'herbe revealed elements of the development of the composition that provided new evidence to consider its relationship to other versions of the composition. The study also highlighted questions about the interpretation of elemental distribution maps and spectral images that did not correspond to the reworking visible in X‐radiographs. For example, in A Bar at the Folies–Bergère Manet made numerous changes during painting, which were not clearly visualised with any of the techniques used.The research has wider implications for the study of Impressionist paintings, as the results will support technical studies of works by other artists of the period who used similar materials and painting methods.
The Home State Duty to Regulate the Human Rights Impacts of TNCs Abroad: A Rebuttal
Authors: METHVEN O’BRIEN Claire 
Published: January 2018

AbstractScholars have suggested that ‘home’ states of transnational corporations (TNCs) have a legal duty to protect against human rights abuses occurring in ‘host’ states that may be breached by failure to regulate TNCs’ extraterritorial activities. This article challenges the claim that such a duty of home states to regulate TNCs’ extraterritorial human rights impacts can be said currently to exist as a matter of law. The article first summarizes the general structure of arguments made in favour of such a ‘home state duty to regulate’. It then considers the foundations and meanings of extraterritorial jurisdiction in public international law and international human rights law; requirements and conditions of attribution and state responsibility for the conduct of non-state actors; and the scope and limits of ‘positive obligations’ to ensure the effective enjoyment of human rights, domestically and extraterritorially, as they relate to prevention of human rights abuses by TNCs.
The Data-Driven Approach to Spectroscopic Analyses
Authors: Ness M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractI review the data-driven approach to spectroscopy, The Cannon, which is a method for deriving fundamental diagnostics of galaxy formation of precise chemical compositions and stellar ages, across many stellar surveys that are mapping the Milky Way. With The Cannon, the abundances and stellar parameters from the multitude of stellar surveys can be placed directly on the same scale, using stars in common between the surveys. Furthermore, the information that resides in the data can be fully extracted, this has resulted in higher precision stellar parameters and abundances being delivered from spectroscopic data and has opened up new avenues in galactic archeology, for example, in the determination of ages for red giant stars across the Galactic disk. Coupled with Gaia distances, proper motions, and derived orbit families, the stellar age and individual abundance information delivered at the precision obtained with the data-driven approach provides very strong constraints on the evolution of and birthplace of stars in the Milky Way. I will review the role of data-driven spectroscopy as we enter the era where we have both the data and the tools to build the ultimate conglomerate of galactic information as well as highlight further applications of data-driven models in the coming decade.