bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy in the Treatment of Childhood Psoriasis in Asian Children
Authors: Wong Yisheng , Koh Mark Jean‐Aan , Chong Wei‐Sheng 
Published: June 2015

AbstractNarrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy is a well‐established treatment modality for psoriasis. We performed a retrospective analysis of children of East Asian descent with psoriasis treated with NBUVB phototherapy at the National Skin Centre, Singapore, over a 5‐year period between 2004 and 2008 and found that NBUVB phototherapy is safe and effective for the treatment of psoriasis in children of East Asian descent.
Determinants of Obesity in the Hispanic Preschool Population: An Integrative Review
Authors: Innella Nancy , Breitenstein Susan , Hamilton Rebekah , Reed Monique , McNaughton Diane B. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractObjective(s)The purpose of this integrative review was to identify factors associated with obesity in Hispanic preschool children.Design and SampleIntegrative research review based on strategies described by Whittemore and Knafl. Thirty‐five research reports using qualitative and/or quantitative methods and including a majority of participants (parents or preschool‐aged children) of Hispanic ethnicity.MeasuresData were analyzed using the Matrix Method.ResultsDecreased physical activity of the child and increased maternal body mass index were found as contributors to obesity in the preschool, Hispanic population. The relationship between maternal feeding practices and beliefs, food choices and childhood obesity are widely studied with little consistency in findings across studies.ConclusionsPublic health nurses can work with communities to promote physical activity and safe outdoor places for exercise. In addition, they can advocate for the availability of healthy food choices in neighborhood schools. Maternal feeding practices, acculturation, and the child's environment require further research.
Association between intraoperative ventilator settings and plasma levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end‐products in patients without pre‐existing lung injury
Authors: Jabaudon Matthieu , Futier Emmanuel , Roszyk Laurence , Sapin Vincent , Pereira Bruno , Constantin Jean‐Michel 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveThe soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end‐products (sRAGE) is elevated and correlated with severity in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The impact of ventilator settings on plasma levels of sRAGE, in patients with or without pre‐existing lung injury, remains under‐investigated to date. Our objective was to assess the effects of a lung‐protective ventilation strategy (combining low tidal volume, positive end‐expiratory pressure and recruitment maneuvers), as compared with a non‐protective approach (with high tidal volume and zero end‐expiratory pressure), on plasma levels of sRAGE in patients without lung injury undergoing major abdominal surgery.MethodsPlasma samples were obtained from 95 patients enrolled in a large randomized controlled trial of lung‐protective ventilation for major abdominal surgery. Plasma levels of sRAGE were measured in duplicate with an enzyme‐linked immunoassay on day 1, immediately after surgery, and on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7.ResultsEarly postoperative plasma levels of sRAGE were significantly lower in the lung‐protective ventilation group (n = 47) than in the non‐protective ventilation group (n = 48) (mean (standard deviation), 1782 (836) vs 2171 (1678) pg/mL, respectively, P = 0.03). Intraoperative changes in plasma sRAGE were associated with postoperative hypoxemia and ARDS.ConclusionsA lung‐protective ventilation strategy decreased plasma sRAGE in patients without lung injury undergoing major abdominal surgery compared with the patients with non‐protective ventilation. This intraoperative decrease could reflect a lesser degree of epithelial injury.
A precise automatic system for the hair assessment in hair‐care diagnosis applications
Authors: Shih H. 
Published: June 2015

Background/PurposeOne emerging subject in medical image processing is to quantitatively assess the health and the properties of cranial hairs, including density, diameter, length, level of oiliness, and others. This information helps hair specialists with making a more accurate diagnosis and the therapy required. We develop a practical hair counting algorithm. This analytic system calculates the number of hairs on a scalp using a digital microscope camera, providing accurate information for both the hair specialist and the patient. Our proposed hair counting algorithm is substantially more accurate than the Hough‐based one, and is robust to curls, oily scalp, noise‐corruption, and overlapping hairs, under various levels of illumination. Rather than manually counting the hairs on a person's scalp, the proposed system determines the density, diameter, length, and level of oiliness of the hairs.MethodsWe propose an automated system for counting the amount of hairs in the microscopy images. To reduce the effect of bright spots, we develop a robust morphological algorithm for color to smooth out the color and preserve the fidelity of the hair. Then, we utilize a modified Hough transform algorithm to detect the different hair lengths and to reduce any false detection due to noise. Our proposed system enables us to look at curved hairs as multiple pieces of straight lines. To avoid missing hairs when the thinning process is applied, we use edge information to discover any hidden or overlapping hairs. Finally, we employ a mutually associative regression method to label a group of line segments into a meaningful ‘hair’.ResultsWe demonstrated a novel approach for accurately computing the number of hairs, and successfully solved the three main obstacles in automated hair counting, including (i) oily and moist hairs, (ii) wavy and curly hairs, and (iii) under‐estimation of the number of hairs occurs when hairs cross and occlude each other. The framework of this paper can be seen as the first step toward intelligent computer‐aided medical image processing for cosmetic treatment applications.ConclusionsThe goal of this study was to develop an automated hair counting system for clinical application using the microscope image from the hairs. The proposed method reduces the frequent errors and variances encountered when hairs are manually counted by human assessors. This clinical intelligent system can diagnose the health condition of a person's hair and can be applied in therapy recommendations by doctors for their patients.
Role modelling in medical education: the importance of teaching skills
Authors: Burgess Annette , Oates Kim , Goulston Kerry 
Published: June 2015

SummaryObjectivesBy observation of role models, and participation in activities, students develop their attitudes, values and professional competencies. Literature suggests that clinical skills and knowledge, personality, and teaching skills are three main areas that students consider central to the identification of positive role models. The aim of this study was to explore junior medical students' opinions of the ideal attributes of a good role model in clinical tutors.MethodsThe study was conducted with one cohort (n = 301) of students who had completed year 1 of the medical programme in 2013. All students were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the ideal attributes of a good role model in a clinical tutor. The questionnaire consisted of seven closed items and one open‐ended question.ResultsThe response rate to the questionnaire was 265/301 (88%). Although students found all three key areas important in a good role model, students emphasised the importance of excellence in teaching skills. Specifically, students see good role models as being able to provide a constructive learning environment, a good understanding of the curriculum and an ability to cater to the learning needs of all students.Students see good role models as being able to provide a constructive learning environmentConclusionWhile acknowledging the importance of a patient‐centred approach, as well as clinical knowledge and skills, our findings reinforce the importance of the actual teaching abilities of role models within medical education.
High‐level expression and phosphorylation of phytochrome B modulates flowering time in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hajdu Anita , Ádám Éva , Sheerin David J. , Dobos Orsolya , Bernula Péter , Hiltbrunner Andreas , Kozma‐Bognár László , Nagy Ferenc 
Published: June 2015

SummaryOptimal timing of flowering in higher plants is crucial for successful reproduction and is coordinated by external and internal factors, including light and the circadian clock. In Arabidopsis, light‐dependent stabilization of the rhythmically expressed CONSTANS (CO) is required for the activation of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), resulting in the initiation of flowering. Phytochrome A and cryptochrome photoreceptors stabilize CO in the evening by attenuating the activity of the CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1–SUPPRESSOR OF PHYA‐105 1 (COP1–SPA1) ubiquitin ligase complex, which promotes turnover of CO. In contrast, phytochrome B (phyB) facilitates degradation of CO in the morning and delays flowering. Accordingly, flowering is accelerated in phyB mutants. Paradoxically, plants overexpressing phyB also show early flowering, which may arise from an early phase of rhythmic CO expression. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of phyB induces FT transcription at dusk and in the night without affecting the phase or level of CO transcription. This response depends on the light‐activated Pfr form of phyB that inhibits the function of the COP1–SPA1 complex by direct interactions. Our data suggest that attenuation of COP1 activity results in the accumulation of CO protein and subsequent induction of FT. We show that phosphorylation of Ser‐86 inhibits this function of phyB by accelerating dark reversion and thus depletion of Pfr forms in the night. Our results explain the early flowering phenotype of phyB overexpression and reveal additional features of the molecular machinery by which photoreceptors mediate photoperiodism.
Ex‐VivoEvaluation of a Modified Teno Fix®Device Repair Pattern Versus a 3‐Loop Pulley for Repair of Equine Flexor Tendons
Authors: McMaster Mattie A. , Munsterman Amelia S. , Weimar Wendi H. , Barrett Elizabeth J. , Hanson R.Reid 
Published: June 2015

ObjectiveTo compare the load to ultimate failure, load to a 2 mm gap, mode of failure, and gap at failure (mm) of the Teno Fix®(TF) to the 3‐loop pulley (3LP) for repair of equine tendon lacerations. The use of 4TF devices versus 5TF devices on load to ultimate failure and load to a 2 mm gap was also compared.Study DesignEx vivobiomechanical study; unbalanced incomplete block (horse) design.SamplesCadaveric equine forelimb superficial digital flexor tendon (n = 20 paired tendons).MethodsTen tendon pairs were selected randomly and repaired with a 3LP and 4TF pattern, and 10 tendon pairs repaired with a 3LP and 5TF pattern. Load to ultimate failure, load to a 2 mm gap, mode of failure, and gap at failure were obtained using materials testing.ResultsThe 3LP had a significantly greater ultimate load to failure (P < .001, respectively) and a significantly higher load to a 2 mm gap than both TF repairs (P < .001, respectively). The most frequent mode of failure was suture pull‐out for the 3LP and anchor pull‐out for the TF. Gap at failure was significantly larger in the 3LP than both TF repairs (P < .001). The ultimate load to failure was significantly higher for the 5TF than the 4TF (P = .004) but there was no significant difference in load to a 2 mm gap, or gap at failure between both TF repairs (P = .11,P = .15, respectively).ConclusionsNeither TF repair was stronger than the 3LP in load to ultimate failure and load to a 2 mm gap. Addition of a fifth TF device significantly increased the load to ultimate failure but did effect the load to a 2 mm gap over the 4TF.
A New Generation of Medium Temperature Collector for Solar Cooling1
Authors: Winston Roland , Jiang Lun 
Published: June 2015

Prologue
In the early 1970s, I began a research effort at Argonne National Laboratory to develop the nonimaging nontracking solar concentrator I had recently invented which became known as the compound parabolic concentrator or CPC. I had lots of help; in particular from lab director, Robert G. Sachs 1, Gale Pewitt, William Schertz, and many others. The lab recruited some of the best scientists in the world, in the relevant fields to work with me: for optics, Walter Welford, and for solar energy, Frank Kreith. Our first project was solar domestic hot water (DHW) for the “Breadsprings elementary school” in a Navajo Indian reservation near Gallup, NM. The collector was a threefold concentration nonevacuated CPC. Because threefold concentration can only accept solar motions for half the year, it was oriented for winter. Like every other project I ever collaborated on with Frank Kreith, it was a big success. I thought it was fitting to submit a paper on a recent “CPC” for much higher temperature (200 °C), totally stationary, and driving a double-effect absorption chiller.
Elastodynamic Modeling and Analysis for an Exechon Parallel Kinematic Machine
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhao Yan Q. , Jin Yan 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
As a newly invented parallel kinematic machine (PKM), Exechon has attracted intensive attention from both academic and industrial fields due to its conceptual high performance. Nevertheless, the dynamic behaviors of Exechon PKM have not been thoroughly investigated because of its structural and kinematic complexities. To identify the dynamic characteristics of Exechon PKM, an elastodynamic model is proposed with the substructure synthesis technique in this paper. The Exechon PKM is divided into a moving platform subsystem, a fixed base subsystem and three limb subsystems according to its structural features. Differential equations of motion for the limb subsystem are derived through finite element (FE) formulations by modeling the complex limb structure as a spatial beam with corresponding geometric cross sections. Meanwhile, revolute, universal, and spherical joints are simplified into virtual lumped springs associated with equivalent stiffnesses and mass at their geometric centers. Differential equations of motion for the moving platform are derived with Newton's second law after treating the platform as a rigid body due to its comparatively high rigidity. After introducing the deformation compatibility conditions between the platform and the limbs, governing differential equations of motion for Exechon PKM are derived. The solution to characteristic equations leads to natural frequencies and corresponding modal shapes of the PKM at any typical configuration. In order to predict the dynamic behaviors in a quick manner, an algorithm is proposed to numerically compute the distributions of natural frequencies throughout the workspace. Simulation results reveal that the lower natural frequencies are strongly position-dependent and distributed axial-symmetrically due to the structure symmetry of the limbs. At the last stage, a parametric analysis is carried out to identify the effects of structural, dimensional, and stiffness parameters on the system's dynamic characteristics with the purpose of providing useful information for optimal design and performance improvement of the Exechon PKM. The elastodynamic modeling methodology and dynamic analysis procedure can be well extended to other overconstrained PKMs with minor modifications.
SU‐D‐210‐04: Using Radiotherapy Biomaterials to Brand and Track Deadly Cancer Cells
Authors: Altundal Y , Sajo E , Ngwa W 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:Metastasis accounts for over 90% of all cancer associated suffering and death and arguably presents the most formidable challenges in cancer management. The detection of metastatic or rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood or lymph nodes remains a formidable technological challenge. In this study, we investigated the time needed to label each cancer cell in‐situ (right at the source tumor) with sufficient number of GNPs that will allow enhanced non‐invasive detection via photoacoustic imaging in the lymph nodes. Such in‐situ labeling can be achieved via sustained release of the GNPs from Radiotherapy (RT) biomaterials (e.g. fiducials, spacers) coated/loaded with the GNP.Methods:The minimum concentration (1000 GNPs/cell for 50nm GNPs) to detect GNPs with photoacoustic imaging method was experimentally measured by Mallidi et al. and fixed at the tumor sub‐volume periphery. In this work, the GNPs were assumed to diffuse from a point source, placed in the middle of a 2–3cm tumor, with an initial concentration of 7–30 mg/g. The time required to label the cells with GNPs was calculated by solving the three dimensional diffusion‐reaction equation analytically. The diffusion coefficient of 10nm GNPs was experimentally determined previously. Stokes‐Einstein equation was used to calculate the diffusion coefficients for other sizes (2–50nm) of GNPs. The cellular uptake rate constants for several sizes of GNPs were experimentally measured by Jin et al.Results:The time required to label the cells was found 0.635–15.91 days for 2–50nm GNPs with an initial concentration of 7 mg/g GNPs in a 2 cm tumor; 1.379–34.633 days for 2–50nm GNPs with an initial concentration of 30 mg/g GNPs in a 3cm tumor.Conclusion:Our results highlight new potential for labeling CTCs with GNPs released from smart RT biomaterials (i.e. fiducials or spacers loaded with the GNP) towards enhanced non‐invasive imaging/detection via photoacoustic imaging.
SU‐E‐P‐37: Helical Tomotherapy to LINAC Plan Conversion Utilizing RayStation Fallback Planning
Authors: Zhang X , Penagaricano J , Liang X , Morrill S , Corry P , Griffin R , Paudel N , Ratanatharathorn V 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:RayStation Fallback (RSF) plan was developed to switch patient's treatment from Helical Tomotherapy (HT) to Varian TrueBeam. Helical Tomotherapy plans were compared with the corresponding RSF plans by looking at the following dosimetric parameters: PTV coverage (Dmean and D95), Paddick conformity index (CI), uniformity index (UI=(D98‐D2)/Drx) and organ‐at‐risk (OAR) doses.Methods:Five patients with five tumor sites including larynx, head and neck, esophagus, lung, and prostate previously treated with HT were re‐planned using RSF treatment planning station(TPS) to best match the HT treatment plans. IMRT technique with nine fields 6 MV X‐ray beams and a static multi‐leaf collimator (MLC) were used for RSF plans without any additional attempt to further optimize the RSF plans.Results:A physician evaluated and confirmed the clinical acceptability of the RSF plans. Both HT and RSF plans gave comparable PTV coverage with a maximum percentage difference for D95 of 0.7%. HT plans had a better CIs ranging from 2%–15% higher conformity compared to RSF plans. HT plans also had better UIs for all tumor sites except the esophagus. The UIs were 1.6% to 8.9% lower for HT plans compared to RSF plans. Both HT and RSF plans gave comparable and acceptable OAR doses. However, the integral dose was 1%–15% higher for HT plans compared to RSF plans.Conclusion:RSF plans were simple and fast to generate. In the study cases of 5 various tumor sites, RSF efficiently created clinically acceptable plans without further optimization. However, further optimization for any IMRT plan can be done if clinically warranted. The absolute differences in CI and UI were small between RSF and HT plans.
SU‐E‐P‐38: Comparison of Capri Applicator HDR Planning Methods to Meet the NCCN Uterine Neoplasm 2.2015 Guidelines
Authors: Klash S , Stanley T , Steinman J , Kim D , Yap J , Yi S 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:To establish a systematic planning approach for Capri intravaginal multichannel balloon applicators that meet updated Version 2.2015 NCCN guidelines for uterine neoplasms, which dictate delivery of 400 to 600 cGy in 2 to 3 fractions prescribed to the vaginal mucosa for HDR combined with EBRT as well as a regimen of 600 cGy × 5 (to the vaginal mucosa) for HDR brachytherapy alone.Methods:Studies have shown three different channel configurations of the Capri applicator are optimal for dosimetric conformity: central channel combined with the six inner ring channels (R12), all inner and outer ring channels (R23), or all thirteen channels (R123). To minimize the dose to the vaginal mucosa, a traditional 0.5cm expansion contour from the Capri surface was created. Optimization limits were set to push 600 cGy to 100% of the Capri volume, while simultaneously restricting dose to the expansion contour.Results:Plans were created using all three configurations (R12, R23, R123) and evaluated to determine which was best for delivering 600 cGy to the vaginal mucosa. Our criteria was: Capri V100 > 98%, Vaginal Mucosa Dmax < 125%, Bladder Dmax < 100%, Rectum Dmax < 100%. All configurations show Capri V100 values greater than 98.5%, with differences between plans varying by less than 1%. Vaginal mucosal Dmax values showed differences of roughly 5% of prescription. The R12 configuration proved the lowest vaginal mucosa Dmax, on average. The OAR Dmax values showed an average dose difference of roughly 2% of prescription, with the R23 configuration having the best results.Conclusion:The R12 channel configuration optimally fits our planning criteria and NCCN guidelines for 600 cGy prescribed to the vaginal mucosa. On average, it produced the highest Capri V100, the lowest vaginal mucosal Dmax, and a marginally higher OAR Dmax doses compared to the R23 and R123 plans.
SU‐E‐P‐39: Characterization of Dose Impact On Different Beam Fields Size Attenuation for Elekta IGRT Couch
Authors: Zhang R , Bai W , Xiaomei F , Chi Z , Runxiao L , Ren Q , Gao C 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:Quantification of the dosimetric impact of the Elekta IGRT treatment couch in different beam field sizes. Established the relationship of relative dose versus beam angle at different beam field sizes.Methods:Measurements of couch attenuation were performed at gantry angles from 180° to 120°, using a 0.125cc semiflex ionization chamber, isocentrically placed in the center of a homogeneous cylindric sliced RW3 phantom for 6 photon beams. Measurements were performed at six different field sizes (3×3, 5×5, 7×7,10×10, 12×12 and 15×15 cm2). The phantom were positioned at the center of the couche,100 MU were delivered at every gantry angle. The dose difference to the ion chamber was determined.Results:For oblique fields with 6 MV photons at the same gantry angle the attenuation coefficient value from the lagest to the smallest the order is field size 7 cm2,5 cm2,10 cm2,12 cm2,15 cm2 and 3 cm2. The biggest couch attenuation by up to 4.15% at the gantry angle of 140°for the field size of 7 cm2, while for the field size of 3 cm2 the couch attenuated value only 3.5%. The other field size couch attenuation values are between the couch attenuated value of field size of 7 cm2 and 3 cm2Conclusion:The recommended treatment couch attenuation measured beam field size is 10×10 or 12×12 cm2. When measured using the beam field size 3×3 cm2 the tested value will be lower, while measuerd using the beam field size 7×7 cm2 the tested value will be higer than the recommended beam field size. This should be noted when modeling the treatment couch in the treatment planning system.