bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An EPID‐based system for gantry‐resolved MLC quality assurance for VMAT
Authors: Zwan Benjamin J. , Barnes Michael P. , Fuangrod Todsaporn , Stanton Cameron J. , O'Connor Daryl J. , Keall Paul J. , Greer Peter B. 
Published: February 2017

Multileaf collimator (MLC) positions should be precisely and independently measured as a function of gantry angle as part of a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) program for volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT). It is also ideal that such a QA program has the ability to relate MLC positional accuracy to patient‐specific dosimetry in order to determine the clinical significance of any detected MLC errors. In this work we propose a method to verify individual MLC trajectories during VMAT deliveries for use as a routine linear accelerator QA tool. We also extend this method to reconstruct the 3D patient dose in the treatment planning system based on the measured MLC trajectories and the original DICOM plan file. The method relies on extracting MLC positions from EPID images acquired at 8.41 fps during clinical VMAT deliveries. A gantry angle is automatically tagged to each image in order to obtain the MLC trajectories as a function of gantry angle. This analysis was performed for six clinical VMAT plans acquired at monthly intervals for three months. The measured trajectories for each delivery were compared to the MLC positions from the DICOM plan file. The maximum mean error detected was 0.07 mm and a maximum root‐mean‐square error was 0.8 mm for any leaf of any delivery. The sensitivity of this system was characterized by introducing random and systematic MLC errors into the test plans. It was demonstrated that the system is capable of detecting random and systematic errors on the range of 1–2 mm and single leaf calibration errors of 0.5 mm. The methodology developed in the work has potential to be used for efficient routine linear accelerator MLC QA and pretreatment patient‐specific QA and has the ability to relate measured MLC positional errors to 3D dosimetric errors within a patient volume.PACS number(s): 87.55.Qr
Evaluation of dose‐area product of common radiographic examinations towards establishing a preliminary diagnostic reference levels (PDRLs) in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Jibiri Nnamdi N. , Olowookere Christopher J. 
Published: February 2017

In Nigeria, a large number of radiographic examinations are conducted yearly for various diagnostic purposes. However, most examinations carried out do not have records of doses received by the patients, and the employed exposure parameters used are not documented; therefore, adequate radiation dose management is hindered. The aim of the present study was to estimate the dose‐area product (DAP) of patients examined in Nigeria, and to propose regional reference dose levels for nine common examinations (chest PA, abdomen AP, pelvis AP, lumbar AP, skull AP, leg AP, knee AP, hand AP, and thigh AP) undertaken in Nigeria. Measurement of entrance surface dose (ESD) was carried out using thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD). Measured ESDS were converted into DAP using the beam area of patients in 12 purposely selected hospitals. Results of the study show that the maximum/minimum ratio ranged from 3 for thigh AP to 57 in abdomen AP. The range of determined mean and 75th percentile DAPs were 0.18–17.16, and 0.25–28.59 Gy cm2, respectively. Data available for comparison show that 75th percentile DAPs in this study (in chest PA, abdomen AP, pelvis AP, lumbar AP) are higher than NRPB‐HPE reference values. The DAP in this study is higher by factor of 31.4 (chest PA), 9.9 (abdomen AP), 2.2 (pelvis AP), and 2.1 (lumbar AP) than NRPB‐HPE values. The relative higher dose found in this study shows nonoptimization of practice in Nigeria. It is expected that regular dose auditing and dose optimization implementation in Nigeria would lead to lower DAP value, especially in abdomen AP. The 75th percentile DAP distribution reported in this study could be taken as regional diagnostic reference level in the Southwestern Nigeria; however, a more extensive nationwide dose survey is required to establish national reference dose.PACS number(s): 87.53.Bn, 87.59.B
Clinically relevant investigation of flattening filter‐free skin dose
Authors: Guy Christopher L. , Karki Kishor , Sharma Manju , Kim Siyong 
Published: February 2017

As flattening filter‐free (FFF) photon beams become readily available for treatment delivery in techniques such as SBRT, thorough investigation of skin dose from FFF photon beams is necessary under clinically relevant conditions. Using a parallel‐plate PTW Markus chamber placed in a custom water‐equivalent phantom, surface‐dose measurements were taken at , and field sizes, at 80, 90, and 100 cm source‐to‐surface distances (SSDs), and with fields defined by jaws and multileaf collimator (MLC) using multiple beam energies (6X, 6XFFF, 10X, and 10XFFF). The same set of measurements was repeated with the chamber at a reference depth of 10 cm. Each surface measurement was normalized by its corresponding reference depth measurement for analysis. The FFF surface doses at 100 cm SSD were higher than flattened surface doses by 45% at to 13% at for 6 MV energy. These surface dose differences varied to a greater degree as energy increased, ranging from at to at for 10 MV. At small field sizes, higher energy increased FFF surface dose relative to flattened surface dose; while at larger field sizes, relative FFF surface dose was higher for lower energies. At both energies investigated, decreasing SSD caused a decrease in the ratios of FFF‐to‐flattened surface dose. Variability with SSD of FFF‐to‐flattened surface dose differences increased with field size and ranged from 0% to 6%. The field size at which FFF and flattened beams gave the same skin dose increased with decreasing beam energy. Surface dose was higher with MLC fields compared to jaw fields under most conditions, with the difference reaching its maximum at a field size between and for a given energy and SSD. This study conveyed the magnitude of surface dose in a clinically meaningful manner by reporting results normalized to 10 cm depth dose instead of depth of dose maximum.PACS number(s): 87.53.Bn, 87.53.Ly, 87.55.‐x, 87.55.N‐, 87.56.N‐
Evaluation of kidney motion and target localization in abdominal SBRT patients
Authors: Sonier Marcus , Chu William , Lalani Nafisha , Erler Darby , Cheung Patrick , Korol Renee 
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate bilateral kidney and target translational/rotational intrafraction motion during stereotactic body radiation therapy treatment delivery of primary renal cell carcinoma and oligometastatic adrenal lesions for patients immobilized in the Elekta BodyFIX system. Bilateral kidney motion was assessed at midplane for 30 patients immobilized in a full‐body dual‐vacuum‐cushion system with two patients immobilized via abdominal compression. Intrafraction motion was assessed for 15 patients using kilovoltage cone‐beam computed tomography (kV‐CBCT) datasets () correlated to the planning CT. Patient positioning was corrected for translational and rotational misalignments using a robotic couch in six degrees of freedom if setup errors exceeded 1 mm and 1°. Absolute bilateral kidney motion between inhale and exhale 4D CT imaging phases for left–right (LR), superior–inferior (SI), and anterior–posterior (AP) directions was , and , respectively. Residual setup error determined across CBCT type (pretreatment, intrafraction, and post‐treatment) for x (LR), y (SI), and z (AP) translations was , and ; while for x (pitch), y (roll), and z (yaw) rotations was , and , respectively. Targets were localized to within 2.1 mm and 0.8° 95% of the time. The frequency of misalignments in the y direction was significant () when compared to the x and z directions with no significant difference in translations between IMRT and VMAT. This technique is robust using BodyFIX for patient immobilization and reproducible localization of kidney and adrenal targets and daily CBCT image guidance for correction of positional errors to maintain treatment accuracy.PACS number(s): 87.55.‐x, 87.56.‐v, 87.56.Da
Real‐time in vivo dosimetry for SBRT prostate treatment using plastic scintillating dosimetry embedded in a rectal balloon: a case study
Authors: Cantley Justin L. , Cheng Chee‐Wai , Jesseph Fredrick B. , Podder Tarun K. , Colussi Valdir C. , Traughber Bryan J. , Ponsky Lee E. , Ellis Rodney J. 
Published: February 2017

A novel FDA approved in vivo dosimetry device system using plastic scintillating detectors placed in an endorectal balloon to provide real‐time in vivo dosimetry for prostatic rectal interface was tested for use with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). The system was used for the first time ever to measure dose during linear accelerator based SBRT. A single patient was treated with a total dose of 36.25 Gy given in 5 fractions. Delivered dose was measured for each treatment with the detectors placed against the anterior rectal wall near the prostate rectal interface. Measured doses showed varying degrees of agreement with computed/ planned doses, with average combined dose found to be within 6% of the expected dose. The variance between measurements is most likely due to uncertainty of the detector location, as well as variation in the placement of a new balloon prior to each fraction. Distance to agreement for the detectors was generally found to be within a few millimeters, which also suggested that the differences in measured and calculated doses were due to positional uncertainty of the detectors during the SBRT, which had sharp dose falloff near the penumbra along the rectal wall. Overall, the use of a real time in vivo dosimeter provided a level of safety and improved confidence in treatment delivery. We are evaluating the device further in an IRB‐approved prospective partial prostate SBRT trial, and believe further clinical investigations are warranted.PACS number(s): 87.53.Bn, 87.53.Ly, 87.55.km
Tn
6350
, a Novel Transposon Carrying Pyocin S8 Genes Encoding a Bacteriocin with Activity against Carbapenemase-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Turano Helena , Gomes Fernando , Barros-Carvalho Gesiele A. , Lopes Ralf , Cerdeira Louise , Netto Luis E. S. , Gales Ana C. , Lincopan Nilton 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT

A novel transposon belonging to the Tn
3
-like family was identified on the chromosome of a commensal strain of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
sequence type 2343 (ET02). Tn
6350
is 7,367 bp long and harbors eight open reading frames (ORFs), an ATPase (IS
481
family), a transposase (DDE catalytic type), a Tn
3
resolvase, three hypothetical proteins, and genes encoding the new pyocin S8 with its immunity protein. We show that pyocin S8 displays activity against carbapenemase-producing
P. aeruginosa
, including IMP-1, SPM-1, VIM-1, GES-5, and KPC-2 producers.
XML Clustering by Structure-Constrained Phrases: A Fully-Automatic Approach Using Contextualized N-Grams
Authors: Costa Gianni , Ortale Riccardo 
Published: February 2017

Using the bag-of-word model to represent the textual data of XML documents may not be beneficial in XML clustering by content and structure. Indeed, the occurrence of similar structure-constrained textual items across distinct XML documents may enforce relatedness, despite the possibly different meaning implied by the order of item occurrence in the respective contexts. We propose XML clustering by structure-constrained phrases. It is a new method that better captures the meaning of the structure-constrained textual items of XML documents, by resorting to the more accurate bag-of-phrase model for improved clustering effectiveness. In order to conduct an in-depth and systematic study of the validity of the proposed method, we develop a parameter-free approach, that projects the XML documents into a space of XML features corresponding to sequences of textual items in the context of root-to-leaf paths. Automatic feature selection allows for choosing a subset of XML features, whose relevance is assessed through an innovative scoring scheme. The devised approach can operate with representations of the XML documents over both fixed- and mixed-length sequences of contextualized textual items. A novel criterion is presented to combine XML features with mixed lengths. A comparative experimentation on real-world benchmark XML corpora reveals the overcoming effectiveness of our approach. This highlights the potential of XML clustering by structure-constrained phrases and fosters further efforts. The scalability of the devised approach is also investigated.
Static and Dynamic Portfolio Methods for Optimal Planning: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Rizzini Mattia , Fawcett Chris , Vallati Mauro , Gerevini Alfonso E. , Hoos Holger H. 
Published: February 2017

Combining the complementary strengths of several algorithms through portfolio approaches has been demonstrated to be effective in solving a wide range of AI problems. Notably, portfolio techniques have been prominently applied to suboptimal (satisficing) AI planning. Here, we consider the construction of sequential planner portfolios for domainindependent optimal planning. Specifically, we introduce four techniques (three of which are dynamic) for per-instance planner schedule generation using problem instance features, and investigate the usefulness of a range of static and dynamic techniques for combining planners. Our extensive empirical analysis demonstrates the benefits of using static and dynamic sequential portfolios for optimal planning, and provides insights on the most suitable conditions for their fruitful exploitation.
Cyp24a1 Attenuation Limits Progression of BrafV600E-Induced Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cells and Sensitizes Them to BRAFV600E Inhibitor PLX4720
Authors: Zou Minjing , Baitei Essa Y. , BinEssa Huda A. , Al-Mohanna Futwan A. , Parhar Ranjit S. , St-Arnaud René , Kimura Shioko , Pritchard Catrin , Alzahrani Ali S. , Assiri Abdullah M. , Meyer Brian F. , Shi Yufei 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
CYP24A1, the primary inactivating enzyme for vitamin D, is often overexpressed in human cancers, potentially neutralizing the antitumor effects of calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D. However, it is unclear whether CYP24A1 expression serves as a functional contributor versus only a biomarker for tumor progression. In this study, we investigated the role of CYP24A1 on malignant progression of a murine model of BrafV600E-induced papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Mice harboring wild-type Cyp24a1 (BVECyp24a1-wt) developed PTC at 5 weeks of age. Mice harboring a homozygous deletion of Cyp24a1 (BVECyp24a1-null) exhibited a 4-fold reduction in tumor growth. Notably, we found the tumorigenic potential of BVECyp24a1-null-derived tumor cells to be nearly abolished in immunocompromised nude mice. This phenotype was associated with downregulation of the MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and TGFβ signaling pathways and a loss of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in BVECyp24a1-null cells, associated with downregulation of genes involved in EMT, tumor invasion, and metastasis. While calcitriol treatment did not decrease cell proliferation in BVECyp24a1-null cells, it strengthened antitumor responses to the BRAFV600E inhibitor PLX4720 in both BVECyp24a1-null and BVECyp24a1-wt cells. Our findings offer direct evidence that Cyp24a1 functions as an oncogene in PTC, where its overexpression activates multiple signaling cascades to promote malignant progression and resistance to PLX4720 treatment. Cancer Res; 77(8); 2161–72. ©2017 AACR.
Undercover fear of elderly people in nursing homes: Death anxiety and depression
Authors: Bektaş Hicran , Körükcü Öznur , Kabukcuoğlu Kamile 
Published: February 2017

Aim: To find out the level of death anxiety and depression level among Turkish elderly people.Methods: This research was carried out on 106 elderly people aged 60 years and older from three different nursing homes. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, t-test, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and correlations were used for the analyses.Results: The 25.4% of elderly were between 65-69 years old, and included most of the elderly who were male (83%), single (92.5%) and retired (35.8%).The overall mean on depression was 14.43, and the death anxiety was 7.57. Mild depression was found in 69.8%, and no symptoms of depression were reported by 16% of the subjects. A positive correlation was found between total score of GDS and TDAS (r: 0.304, p<0.01).Conclusion: Healthcare professionals working with elderly people in nursing homes should be aware about death anxiety of the elderly.
Successful Antecedents of Women Entrepreneurs: A Case of Underdeveloped Nation
Authors: Batool Hira , Ullah Kalim 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWomen as the emergent economic power influence the shape of the global economy. For the prosperity of the nation, it is important that women should be involved in the job creation activities rather than providing with the job opportunities, as businesses are more time flexible than being an employee especially for women; where they are playing multiple roles at a time. In order to work on the efficiency and efficacy of the entire women, this paper studied the relationship between successful antecedent such as motivation, personality trait, creativity, access to finance, family factors and success of women entrepreneurial endeavors was being assessed. For this purpose data were collected from women entrepreneurs through a purposive sampling technique by using five likert scale questionnaire. Analysis of the study revealed that antecedents plays a positive role in the success of women entrepreneurial endeavors, however family support also appears to have a strong mediation effect on the success of women entrepreneurial endeavors but a negative value of beta indicates that women in under-developed society generally are not warmly encouraged by the family to opt for entrepreneurial endeavors. So, there is a need to work on this aspect in order to encourage other female participation in the economic growth.
Acute mesenteric ischemia and hepatic infarction after treatment of ectopic Cushing’s syndrome
Authors: Takayasu Shinobu , Murasawa Shingo , Yamagata Satoshi , Kageyama Kazunori , Nigawara Takeshi , Watanuki Yutaka , Kimura Daisuke , Tsushima Takao , Sakamoto Yoshiyuki , Hakamada Kenichi , Terui Ken , Daimon Makoto 
Published: February 2017

Summary
Patients with Cushing’s syndrome and excess exogenous glucocorticoids have an increased risk for venous thromboembolism, as well as arterial thrombi. The patients are at high risk of thromboembolic events, especially during active disease and even in cases of remission and after surgery in Cushing’s syndrome and withdrawal state in glucocorticoid users. We present a case of Cushing’s syndrome caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting lung carcinoid tumor. Our patient developed acute mesenteric ischemia after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery despite administration of sufficient glucocorticoid and thromboprophylaxis in the perioperative period. In addition, our patient developed hepatic infarction after surgical resection of the intestine. Then, the patient was supported by total parenteral nutrition. Our case report highlights the risk of microthrombi, which occurred in our patient after treatment of ectopic Cushing’s syndrome. Guidelines on thromboprophylaxis and/or antiplatelet therapy for Cushing’s syndrome are acutely needed.

Learning points:

The present case showed acute mesenteric thromboembolism and hepatic infarction after treatment of ectopic Cushing’s syndrome.

Patients with Cushing’s syndrome are at increased risk for thromboembolic events and increased morbidity and mortality.

An increase in thromboembolic risk has been observed during active disease, even in cases of remission and postoperatively in Cushing’s syndrome.

Thromboprophylaxis and antiplatelet therapy should be considered in treatment of glucocorticoid excess or glucocorticoid withdrawal.
Reliability of clinical methods in evaluating patellofemoral pain syndrome with malalignment
Authors: R. H. H. Arjun , Kishan Rama , M. S. Dhillon , Chouhan Devender 
Published: February 2017

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Diagnosis of patellofemroal pain syndrome has been challenging due to lack of clinical test with better sensitivity and specificity, axial imaging has been considered as the standard modality for evaluation. Patients with anterior knee pain because of patellofemoral pain syndrome can be sub-grouped as those with or without radiological positive parameter for patellar maltracking. The aim of the present study was to evaluate reliability of clinical tests in two subgroups of patients presenting with patellofemoral pain syndrome<span lang="EN-IN">.</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 45 knees with anterior knee pain without any episode of patellar instability were evaluated clinically using four standard tests (patellar apprehension test (PAT), eccentric step test (EST), active instability test (AIT) and Waldron’s test. On the basis of CT scan finding (at least one positive radiological parameter of instability) 28 knees were categorized in Group A (potential patellar instability group) and 17 knees in Group B (PFPS).<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> All patients with 3 or more than three clinical test positive were cases with potential patellofemroal instability except two. Whereas other true patellofemroal pain patients all except 2 were have less than 3 positive clinical tests<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Clinical test have more diagnostic accuracy in evaluating anterior knee pain due to potential patellofemroal instability in comparison to patellofemroal pain without radiological instability<span lang="EN-IN">.</span></p>
Analisis Kandungan Zat Pengawet Boraks Pada Sampel Jajanan Bakso di Desa Jatipurno Kabupaten Wonogiri
Authors: Swastike Winny , Emawati Shanti , Sari Ayu Intan 
Published: February 2017

<p class="Default">Wonogiri an area that is well known as an area where people are dominated by traders meatballs. Type meatballs offered vary from meatballs served with noodles in the form of soup or meatballs are sold singly or known as grilled meatballs. Things are very concerned about is the use of borax in meatballs often functioned as chewing of food. Borax poisoning can occur through food, one of which is meatballs as one type of food that is very familiar. This study aimed to analyze the content of borax in food, especially meatballs in Jatipurno village, Wonogiri. This type of research is descriptive laboratory with laboratory tests are qualitative and quantitative methods of flame with acid-base titration method. The population is all hawker meatballs in Jatipurno village, Wonogiri. Sample was taken by purposive sampling of each meatball sellers. The experimental results on samples compound identification borax meatballs with flame method, note that of the 50 samples tested meatballs did not produce a green flame which means not detected borax content in the samples. The final conclusion is that the meatballs were analyzed by flame proving that the sample was circulated in Jatipurno village, Wonogiri is not identified free of borax and borax content. Not to do quantitative research to determine levels of borax meatballs snacks for the qualitative research produces a negative value (does not contain borax).</p><p> </p><p>Keywords: Food Additives, meatball snacks, borax</p>