bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subcutaneous Midline Nasal Mass in an Infant due to an Intramuscular Lipoma
Authors: Vincent Jessica , Baker Peter , Grischkan Jonathan , Fernandez Faith Esteban 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIntramuscular lipomas are rare, benign, mesenchymal tumors occurring deep in the fascia, typically involving large muscle groups in adults. We report a case of an intramuscular lipoma occurring as a subcutaneous midline nasal mass in a 3‐month‐old infant. The differential diagnosis of a midline mass on the glabella of an infant is important and should include developmental anomalies such as nasal glioma, nasal dermoid cyst, and encephalocele, so neuroimaging is an essential first step in evaluating these lesions to exclude intracranial extension.
Formulating Emergence
Authors: Paolini Paoletti Michele 
Published: February 2017

AbstractEmergence is intuitively characterized as dependent novelty. Yet, besides this intuition, several formulations of it were elaborated in the last decades. In this article, after having distinguished between two different varieties of emergence (a weak and a strong one), I aim at providing two formulation schemes for emergence. This could help to explain what emergence is and to clarify and unify the suggested formulations. The general idea behind my schemes is that emergence is partial and qualified dependence of the emergent entities on their emergence bases. After having examined several formulations of emergences and presented my schemes, I shall analyse two interesting consequences of the acceptance of the latter: the in principle compatibility between weak and strong emergence and the idea that micro‐physicalism, i.e., the main competitor of emergentism, may actually come in different degrees of strength, more or less in contrast with emergentism. Eventually, I shall briefly compare my formulation schemes with some other relevantly similar proposals.
Aortic Stenosis in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Ahmad Yousif , Bellamy Michael F. , Baker Christopher S. R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAortic valve stenosis occurs 10–20 years earlier in patients on dialysis compared with the general population. This is likely related to the exposure of the valve to a milieu that predisposes to calcification as well as increased shear stress across the valve. Objective assessment of stenosis severity is largely made using echocardiography though accurate interpretation requires an understanding of the potential pitfalls of the technique and the influence of cardiac output upon the gradient measured across the valve. Timing of valve replacement in severe aortic stenosis is predominantly guided by exercise‐induced symptoms (breathlessness, chest pain and [pre] syncope), which are often difficult to assess in the dialysis population who may have limited exercise capacity and symptoms due to renal failure and other comorbidities. Finally, treatment of aortic stenosis remains a constantly evolving area with advances in both conventional surgery and percutaneous techniques.
Transnational Behaviour of Ukrainian Remitting Migrants
Authors: Janská Eva , Pauknerová Karolína , Koropecká Markéta 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn connection with the growing trend of transnationalism in international migration flows, the number of transnational communities has been increasing. The aim of this study is to describe the transnational dynamics and processes using the example of remitting Ukrainian workers in Czechia. The research was conducted with immigrants in Czechia and their families in Ukraine. More than 50 interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Based on the remittances sent, marital status, gender, mobility and locality of immigrants, a typology was created, in which the specifics of transnational processes were assessed. We argue that different behaviour of transnational migrants is a reflection of their socio‐demographic characteristics (e.g. family status, education or number of children), which may change over time.
Territorial Arrangements of Small and Medium‐Sized Towns from a Functional‐Spatial Perspective
Authors: Sýkora Luděk , Mulíček Ondřej 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis contribution applies a functional‐spatial perspective to the study of small and medium‐sized towns. A methodology for functional analysis is developed and tested to identify towns, distinguish towns from cities, and detect town positionality within urban territorial arrangements, focusing on whether they are autonomous, networked with other towns or agglomerated with large cities. The methodology is used to compare settlement systems in two regions and two countries in Europe by looking at the existence and nature of networks between towns and cities and how towns perform in terms of population and jobs in respect of their belonging to different types of territorial arrangement.
The genetic architecture of shoot–root covariation during seedling emergence of a desert tree, Populus euphratica
Authors: Zhang Miaomiao , Bo Wenhao , Xu Fang , Li Huan , Ye Meixia , Jiang Libo , Shi Chaozhong , Fu Yaru , Zhao Guomiao , Huang Yuejiao , Gosik Kirk , Liang Dan , Wu Rongling 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThe coordination of shoots and roots is critical for plants to adapt to changing environments by fine‐tuning energy production in leaves and the availability of water and nutrients from roots. To understand the genetic architecture of how these two organs covary during developmental ontogeny, we conducted a mapping experiment using Euphrates poplar (Populus euphratica), a so‐called hero tree able to grow in the desert. We geminated intraspecific F1 seeds of Euphrates Poplar individually in a tube to obtain a total of 370 seedlings, whose shoot and taproot lengths were measured repeatedly during the early stage of growth. By fitting a growth equation, we estimated asymptotic growth, relative growth rate, the timing of inflection point and duration of linear growth for both shoot and taproot growth. Treating these heterochronic parameters as phenotypes, a univariate mapping model detected 19 heterochronic quantitative trait loci (hQTLs), of which 15 mediate the forms of shoot growth and four mediate taproot growth. A bivariate mapping model identified 11 pleiotropic hQTLs that determine the covariation of shoot and taproot growth. Most QTLs detected reside within the region of candidate genes with various functions, thus confirming their roles in the biochemical processes underlying plant growth.
Los cuerpos que faltan Memorias, impactos y subversiones en el Museo de las Bellas Artes Santiago de Chile, 1973 - 2015
Authors: Márquez Francisca 
Published: February 2017

<p>El artículo trata sobre un espacio de la memoria de las artes, el museo nacional de Bellas Artes en Santiago de Chile, construido en ocasión del centenario de la república. Se analizan tres momentos (1973; 1980; 2013) de este patrimonio de la nación. A partir del análisis de archivos del Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales y el trabajo etnográfico, el artículo se propone leer las huellas e interpretaciones colectivas sobre el museo y sus obras de arte. La tesis señala que los disparos contra el Museo, ocurridos el 14 de septiembre de 1973, romperán el <em>aura</em> de la obra de arte tan celosamente resguardada. El arte rompe su distancia ritualizada, permitiéndole salir del aislamiento conferido por las gruesos muros del museo. En una analogía entre el cuerpo del edificio y los retratos de mujeres ametralladas, el artículo desarrolla la tesis que desde ese día los cuerpos del arte saldrán a las calles a mostrar sus heridas. Desde ese día el Museo actuará como proyección y pizarrón de los imaginarios y marcas que los cuerpos silenciados estamparán en la superficie de sus muros, de sus árboles, de sus canaletas, de sus puertas. </p>
A simple method to test geometrical reliability of digital reconstructed radiograph (DRR)
Authors: Pallotta Stefania , Bucciolini Marta 
Published: February 2017

In radiotherapy treatment, portal images and digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) are the most frequently used image‐guidance systems to monitor patient setup during clinical routine. DRR is therefore a critical element in the process of virtual simulation and patient position verification in radiotherapy. The aim of this work was to assess the geometric reliability of the DRR generated by XiO, Pinnacle, Odyssey and Oncentra Masterplan treatment planning systems (TPS). Instead of the computed tomography (CT) images of a quality assurance phantom, two synthetic phantoms were created and used to asses the linearity and the ray tracing reliability of the DRR generators. The obtained results demonstrate that the linearity and the reliability of DRR generators was less than 1 pixel for all TPSs.PACS numbers: 87.55.D, 87.57.cp,87.57.nf
Evaluation of patient setup uncertainty of optical guided frameless system for intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery
Authors: Wang Jia‐Zhu , Rice Roger , Pawlicki Todd , Mundt Arno J. , Sandhu Ajay , Lawson Joshua , Murphy Kevin T. 
Published: February 2017

The optically‐guided frameless system (OFLS) has been used in our clinic for intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) since 2006, as it is especially effective in IMRT‐based radiosurgery (IMRS), which allows treating multiple brain lesions simultaneously using single isocenter approach. This study reports our retrospective analysis of patient setup accuracy using this system. The OFLS consists of a bite block with fiducial markers and an infra‐red camera system. To test reproducibility, patients are taken for reseat verification after bite block construction. Upon the completion of radiosurgery planning, the isocenter position(s) and images are sent to the optical guidance computer where fiducials are manually registered from the CT scan. During treatment, patient setup is monitored and guided by the camera readings on the fiducials. In addition, two orthogonal kV images are acquired and used as an isocenter verification tool. In addition, we have analyzed the reseat and fiducial digitization data of 56 patients. Retrospective comparison of kV images with reference images has been carried out for all the patients to evaluate actual patient setup accuracy at the time of treatment. The histogram of the findings shows that 82.2% of patients had 3D isodisplacement (; 5.2% had ). Hence, for 87.5 % of the patients in the study, treatments were finished under the optical guidance with a maximum setup error of 2 mm and the median setup error of 0 mm. For the remaining 12.5% of patients in the study, the isodisplacements were greater than 2 mm and the treatment records showed that those patients were repositioned, guided by the orthogonal kV‐images. It is found that the OFLS in the SRS treatment has acceptable accuracy when used in conjunction with orthogonal kV images, and the use of orthogonal kV images as a verification tool ensures the efficacy of frameless localization in the radiosurgery treatment.PACS numbers: 87.53.Ly, 87.61.Tg, 87.55.Qr, 87.56.‐v, 29.20.Ej
Inverse planning optimization for hybrid prostate permanent‐seed implant brachytherapy plans using two source strengths
Authors: Cunha J. Adam M. , Pickett Barby , Pouliot Jean 
Published: February 2017

The purpose is to demonstrate the ability to generate clinically acceptable prostate permanent seed implant plans using two seed types which are identical except for their activity. The IPSA inverse planning algorithms were modified to include multiple dose matrices for the calculation of dose from different sources, and a selection algorithm was implemented to allow for the swapping of source type at any given source position. Five previously treated patients with a range of prostate volumes from were re‐optimized under two hybrid scenarios: (1) using 0.32 and , and (2) using 0.64 and . Isodose lines were generated and dosimetric indices, , , , , , , and were calculated. The algorithm allows for the generation of single‐isotope, multi‐activity hybrid brachytherapy plans. By dealing with only one radionuclide, but of different activity, the biology is unchanged from a standard plan. All were within 2.3 percentage points for every plan and always above the clinically desirable 95%. All were identically zero, and is always below the clinically acceptable value of . Clinical optimization times for the hybrid plans are still under one minute, for most cases. It is possible to generate clinically advantageous brachytherapy plans (i.e. obtain the same quality dose distribution as a standard single‐activity plan) while incorporating leftover seeds from a previous patient treatment. This method will allow a clinic to continue to provide excellent patient care, but at a reduced cost. Multi‐activity hybrid plans were equal in quality (as measured by the standard dosimetric indices) to plans with seeds of a single activity. Despite the expanded search space, optimization times for these studies were still under two minutes on a modern day laptop and can be reduced to below one minute in a clinical setting. With the typical cost of a set of PPI seeds on the order of thousands of dollars, it is possible to reduce the cost of brachytherapy treatments by allowing for easier use of seeds left over from a previous patient or unused due to a cancelled treatment.PACS number: 87.55.D‐, 87.55.Kd, 87.55.ne
Angular dependence of the output of a kilovoltage X‐ray therapy unit
Authors: Goharian Mehran , Nygren Ian , Tambasco Mauro , Barajas Jose Eduardo Villarreal 
Published: February 2017

During the recommissioning of a Philips RT‐250 kilovoltage X‐ray unit, unexpected output variations with tube head rotation (cross‐plane) and tube head tilt (in‐plane) were observed. The measured output showed an increase of up to 7.3% relative to the neutral position (0° in‐plane and 0° cross‐plane) over the possible range of angles of in‐plane rotation for 75 kVp (half‐value layer, ). A less pronounced but noticeable output change (with respect to the neutral position) was observed for cross‐plane rotation reaching 2% for the 225 kVp beam (). This output variation was observed while manually adjusting the current to maintain constancy according to the current meter gauge. In order to address the observed output dependence with head orientation, the dose rate monitor chamber of the kilovoltage unit was calibrated to monitor the beam output in real time. The dose rate was manually adjusted to maintain a constant dose rate (in r/min) as displayed on the r/min gauge. This approach resulted in maintaining beam output for the 75 kVp and the 225 kVp beams within for the in‐plane angle variation and for the cross‐plane angle variation. A daily output check that includes ion chamber‐based measurements at the neutral position and an in‐plane angle of 45° has been implemented using the constant dose rate approach to monitor the stability of the X‐ray beams. As a result of the output variations with in/cross‐plane rotation, the quality control (QC) procedures that are typically used for clinical setup have been modified to test the stability of the beams under the non‐neutral positioning of the X‐ray tube.PACS number: 87.56.Fc
Improved image quality of low‐dose thoracic CT examinations with a new postprocessing software
Authors: Martinsen Anne Catrine Traegde , Saether Hilde Kjernlie , Olsen Dag Rune , Wolff Per Aage , Skaane Per 
Published: February 2017

In 2008 a phantom study indicated that there is a potential for reducing the CT doses when using a new postprocessing filter. The purpose of this study was to test this new postprocessing filter clinically for low‐dose chest CT examinations, to assess whether the diagnostic performance is the same or improved. A standardized clinical chest CT protocol was used on patients with colorectal cancer. Only mA settings changed between patients according to patient size. One standard and one low‐dose chest protocol were performed for all patients. The low‐dose images were postprocessed with a new software filter, which provides context‐controlled restoration of digital images by using adaptive filters. Three radiologists assessed randomly all the images independently. A total of 24 scan series were evaluated with respect to image quality according to quality criteria from the European guidelines for chest CT using a five‐point scale; 576 details were assessed. Overall mean score is the average score for all details rated for all three readers for all full‐dose series, low‐dose series and low‐dose enhanced series, respectively. The statistical methods used for comparison were paired sampled t‐test and intraclass correlation coefficient. The postprocessing filter improved the diagnostic performance compared to the unenhanced low‐dose images. Mean score for full‐dose, low‐dose and low‐dose enhanced series were 3.8, 3.0 and 3.3, respectively. For all patients the full‐dose series gave higher scores than the low‐dose series. Intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.2, 0.1 and 0.3 for the full‐dose, low‐dose and low‐dose enhanced series, respectively. There is a potential for improving diagnostic performance of low‐dose CT chest examinations using this new postprocessing filter.PACS number: 87.57.C‐, 87.57.Q‐
Dosimetric comparison study between intensity modulated radiation therapy and three‐dimensional conformal proton therapy for pelvic bone marrow sparing in the treatment of cervical cancer
Authors: Song William Y. , Huh Soon N. , Liang Yun , White Greg , Nichols R. Charles , Watkins W. Tyler , Mundt Arno J. , Mell Loren K. 
Published: February 2017

The objective was to compare intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with 3D conformal proton therapy (3DCPT) in the treatment of cervical cancer. In particular, each technique's ability to spare pelvic bone marrow (PBM) was of primary interest in this study. A total of six cervical cancer patients (3 postoperative and 3 intact) were planned and analyzed. All plans had uniform 1.0 cm CTV‐PTV margin and satisfied the 95% PTV with 100% isodose (prescription ) coverage. Dose‐volume histograms (DVH) were analyzed for comparison. The overall PTV and PBM volumes were cc and cc, respectively. In terms of PTV dose conformity index (DCI) and dose homogeneity index (DHI), 3DCPT was slightly superior to IMRT with , and , respectively. In addition, 3DCPT demonstrated superiority in reducing lower doses (i.e., V30 or less) to PBM, small bowel and bladder. Particularly in PBM, average V10 and V20 reductions of 10.8% and and 0.04), respectively, were observed. However, in the higher dose range, IMRT provided better sparing . For example, in small bowel and PBM, average reductions in V45 of 4.9% and and 0.008), respectively, were observed. Due to its physical characteristics such as low entrance dose, spread‐out Bragg peak and finite particle range of protons, 3DCPT illustrated superior target coverage uniformity and sparing of the lower doses in PBM and other organs. Further studies are, however, needed to fully exploit the benefits of protons for general use in cervical cancer.PACS number: 87.55.D‐, 87.55.dk
A static multi‐slit collimator system for scatter reduction in cone‐beam CT
Authors: Chang Jina , Kim Siyong , Jang Doh‐Yun , Suh Tae‐Suk 
Published: February 2017

A multiple‐slit collimator (MSC) design was introduced for scatter reduction in cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). Unlike most other collimators, the open and closed septa of the proposed MSC are placed in an equi‐angular interval on a circular track of the central sagittal plane. Therefore, one gantry rotation provides only the half of necessary dataset and two gantry rotations are needed to obtain full information. During the first gantry rotation, the MSC position relative to the source is fixed. For the second rotation, the MSC is rotated by the equi‐angle interval. We assume signals under the closed septa are totally attributed to scatter radiation. Then, scatter contributions under open septa are determined by interpolating them.Monte Carlo (MC) simulations for two virtual phantoms (one with a simple geometry and the other with two heterogeneities simulating the bone and the lung) were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the system. Using the method developed, we could obtain images with significant scatter reduction. Contrast ratio (CR) improvement factors were 1.165 in a 2D projection view, and 1.210 and 1.223 at the central and peripheral slice of the reconstructed CBCT image of the simple geometry phantom.This preliminary study demonstrated that the proposed MSC, together with the imaging process technique, had a great potential to reduce scatter contribution in CBCT. Further studies will be performed to investigate the effect of various factors, such as reducing the detector size, increasing the number of history of MC simulation, and including many structures with different densities.PACS number: 87.57.C
A quality assurance procedure to evaluate cone‐beam CT image center congruence with the radiation isocenter of a linear accelerator
Authors: Du Weiliang , Yang James N. , Chang Eric L. , Luo Dershan , McAleer Mary Frances , Shiu Almon , Martel Mary K. 
Published: February 2017

A quality assurance (QA) procedure was developed to evaluate the congruence between the cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) image center and the radiation isocenter on a Varian Trilogy linac. In contrast to the published QA procedures, this method did not require a ball bearing (BB) phantom to be placed exactly at the radiation isocenter through precalibrated room lasers or light field crosshairs. The only requirement was that the BB phantom be in a stationary position near the radiation isocenter during the image acquisition process. The radiation isocenter was determined with respect to the center of the BB using a Winston‐Lutz test. The CBCT image center was found to have excellent short‐term positional reproducibility (i.e., less than 0.1 mm of wobble in each of the x (lateral), y (vertical), and z (longitudinal) directions) in 10 consecutive acquisitions. Measured over a seven‐month period, the CBCT image center deviated from the radiation isocenter by , and . The z displacement of the 3D CBCT image center was highly correlated with that of the 2D kV portal image center. The correlation coefficients in the x and y directions were poor ( and ‐0.35, respectively). Systematic discrepancies were found between the CBCT image center and the 2D MV, kV portal image centers. For the linear accelerator studied, we detected a 0.8 mm discrepancy between the CBCT image center and the MV EPID image center in the anterior‐posterior direction. This discrepancy was demonstrated in a clinical case study where the patient was positioned with CBCT followed by MV portal verification. The results from the new QA procedure are useful for guiding high‐precision patient positioning in stereotactic body radiation therapy.PACS number: 87.55.Qr