bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kilovoltage beam Monte Carlo dose calculations in submillimeter voxels for small animal radiotherapy
Authors: Bazalova Magdalena , Zhou Hu , Keall Paul J. , Graves Edward E. 
Published: October 2009

Purpose:Small animal conformal radiotherapy (RT) is essential for preclinical cancer research studies and therefore various microRT systems have been recently designed. The aim of this paper is to efficiently calculate the dose delivered using our microRT system based on a microCT scanner with the Monte Carlo (MC) method and to compare the MC calculations to film measurements.Methods:Doses from diameter photon beams deposited in a solid water phantom with voxels are calculated using the latest versions of the EGSnrc codes BEAMNRC and DOSXYZNRC. Two dose calculation approaches are studied: a two‐step approach using phase‐space files and direct dose calculation with BEAMNRC simulation sources. Due to the small beam size and submillimeter voxel size resulting in long calculation times, variance reduction techniques are studied. The optimum bremsstrahlung splitting number (NBRSPL in BEAMNRC) and the optimum DOSXYZNRC photon splitting number are examined for both calculation approaches and various beam sizes. The dose calculation efficiencies and the required number of histories to achieve 1% statistical uncertainty—with no particle recycling—are evaluated for beams. As a final step, film dose measurements are compared to MC calculated dose distributions.Results:The optimum NBRSPL is approximately for both dose calculation approaches. For the dose calculations with phase‐space files, varies only slightly for beams and is established to be 300. for the DOSXYZNRC calculation with the BEAMNRC source ranges from 300 for the beam to 4000 for the beam. The calculation time significantly increases for small beam sizes when the BEAMNRC simulation source is used compared to the simulations with phase‐space files. For the 2 and beams, the dose calculations with phase‐space files are more efficient than the dose calculations with BEAMNRC sources by factors of 54 and 1.6, respectively. The dose calculation efficiencies converge for beams with diameters larger than .Conclusions:A very good agreement of MC calculated dose distributions to film measurements is found. The mean difference of percentage depth dose curves between calculated and measured data for 2, 5, 10, and beams is 1.8%.
Fast Monte Carlo simulation on a voxelized human phantom deformed to a patient
Authors: Bueno G. , Déniz O. , Carrascosa C. B. , Delgado J. M. , Brualla L. 
Published: October 2009

Purpose:A method for performing fast simulations of absorbed dose using a patient's computerized tomography (CT) scan without explicitly relying on a calibration curve is presented.Methods:The method is based on geometrical deformations performed on a standard voxelized human phantom. This involves spatially transforming the human phantom to align it with the patient CT image. Since the chemical composition and density of each voxel are given in the phantom data, a calibration curve is not used in the proposed method. For this study, the Monte Carlo (MC) code PENELOPE has been used as the simulation of reference. The results obtained with PENELOPE simulations are compared to those obtained with PENFAST and with the collapsed cone convolution algorithm implemented in a commercial treatment planning system.Results:The comparisons of the absorbed doses calculated with the different algorithms on two patient CTs and the corresponding deformed phantoms show a maximum distance to agreement of, and in general, the obtained absorbed dose distributions are compatible within the reached statistical uncertainty. The validity of the deformation method for a broad range of patients is shown using MC simulations in random density phantoms. A PENFAST simulation of a photon beam impinging on a patient CT reaches 2% statistical uncertainty in the absorbed dose, in a voxel along the central axis, in running on a single core of a CPU.Conclusions:The proposed method of the absorbed dose calculation in a deformed voxelized phantom allows for dosimetric studies in the geometry of a patient CT scan. This is due to the fact that the chemical composition and material density of the phantom are known. Furthermore, simulation using the phantom geometry can provide dosimetric information for each organ. The method can be used for quality assurance procedures. In relation to PENFAST, it is shown that a purely condensed‐history algorithm (class I) can be used for absorbed dose estimation in patient CTs.
INFORMATION-BASED EVACUATION EXPERIMENT AND ITS CELLULAR AUTOMATON SIMULATION
Authors: YANG LIZHONG , LIU SHAOBO , LI JIAN , ZHU KONGJIN , FANG TINGYONG 
Published: October 2009

The evacuation process under emergency is studied by means of experiments and simulations, focusing on the influence of the environment information. A revised cellular automaton model in which environment information is considered as "static information" (building structure, spatial distance, etc.) and "dynamic information" (sounds of fire alarm, etc.) is introduced. Two scenarios, including evacuation with and without visibility in a classroom, are studied to investigate the different influence of the two kinds of information on human behavior. The experimental and simulation results demonstrate that: (1) to intensify the spatial distance information can reduce the evacuation time; (2) the spatial distance is not the only decisive factor especially in evacuation without visibility because the sound information, which is ignorable in evacuation with visibility, is playing a more important role under this condition; (3) the intensity of static information can reflect evacuees' familiarity of the environment; (4) the model can reproduce the experiments well, and the simulation method is useful for further study of the crowd movement simulation.
ON PLANAR PIECEWISE AND TWO-TORUS PARABOLIC MAPS
Authors: ASHWIN PETER , FU XINCHU , LIN CONGPING 
Published: October 2009

We investigate properties and examples of iterated planar piecewise parabolic (PWP) maps, including those induced by two-torus parabolic maps and their inverses. PWP maps are area-preserving maps that have constant linearizations but only one eigenvector with eigenvalue one. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for a two-torus parabolic map to be invertible. For noninvertible PWP maps, there are a number of questions about the existence and structure of attractors for such maps. We introduce the simplest example of a nontrivial PWP map, defined by a parabolic linear map with a translation that is a different constant on each side of a given line in the plane. For this "half plane parabolic map" we obtain sufficient conditions for a bounded attractor to exist, discuss their dynamical properties and give some examples of these and related maps.
The single-referent collector
Authors: Wegiel Michal , Krintz Chandra 
Published: October 2009

Compactors that move or copy objects need to adjust pointers. In extant compactors, pointer adjustment involves inspecting every pointer in the heap and computing the target address for each pointer. At the same time, in modern Managed Runtime Environments (MREs), only a fraction of pointers in the heap changes during compaction. This is because state-of-the-art MREs do not compact the prefix of the heap that contains few dead objects, allowing gaps between live objects and tolerating small space overhead.
We describe the design and implementation of the Single-Referent Collector (SRC), a new compactor that reduces the cost of pointer manipulation by avoiding inspection and adjustment of pointers that do not change. SRC exploits the fact that in modern applications, most live objects have only one incoming pointer. For such objects, SRC stores the address of the referent in the object header. Only objects that move have their referent inspected and adjusted. The remaining pointers in the heap are not processed. SRC uses an overflow table to handle objects with multiple incoming pointers.
We investigate a number of standard benchmarks and open-source applications to substantiate key statistical observations that underlie the design of SRC. We implement SRC in the HotSpot JVM as part of a generational collection system and compare it empirically with the Lisp2 compactor. We find that, by decreasing the cost of pointer processing, SRC enables significant reduction in pause times and improves application throughput.
Spray-Mediated Enthalpy Flux to the Atmosphere and Salt Flux to the Ocean in High Winds
Authors: Andreas Edgar L. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Forecasts for the intensity and intensity changes of tropical cyclones have not improved as much as track forecasts. In high winds, two routes exist by which air and sea exchange heat and momentum: by spray-mediated processes and by interfacial transfer right at the air–sea interface, the only exchange route currently parameterized in most storm models. This manuscript quantifies two processes mediated by sea spray that could affect predictions of storm intensity when included in coupled ocean–atmosphere models. Because newly formed spray droplets cool rapidly to an equilibrium temperature that is lower than the air temperature, they cool the ocean when they reenter it, clearly transferring enthalpy from sea to air. These reentrant droplets proliferate in storm winds and are predicted to transfer enthalpy at a rate comparable to interfacial processes when the near-surface wind speed reaches 30 m s−1. Because reentrant spray droplets give up pure water to the atmosphere during their brief lifetime, they return to the sea saltier than the surface ocean water and thus also constitute an effective salt flux to the ocean (also related to a freshwater flux and a buoyancy flux). That is, reentrant spray droplets add enthalpy to the atmosphere to power storms and destabilize the ocean by increasing the salinity at the surface. Both processes can affect storm intensity. This manuscript demonstrates the magnitudes of the spray enthalpy and salt fluxes by combining a sophisticated microphysical model and data from the study of Humidity Exchange over the Sea (HEXOS) and the Fronts and Atlantic Storm-Tracks Experiment (FASTEX). It goes on to develop a fast algorithm for predicting these two fluxes in large-scale models.
Potential Vorticity Anomalies of the Lowermost Stratosphere: A 10-Yr Winter Climatology
Authors: Kew Sarah F. , Sprenger Michael , Davies Huw C. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Inspection of the potential vorticity (PV) distribution on isentropic surfaces in the lowermost stratosphere reveals the ubiquitous presence of numerous subsynoptic positive PV anomalies. To examine the space–time characteristics of these anomalies, a combined “identification and tracking” tool is developed that can catalog each individual anomaly’s effective amplitude, location, overall spatial structure, and movement from genesis to lysis. A 10-yr winter climatology of such anomalies in the Northern Hemisphere is derived for the period 1991–2001 based upon the 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40). The climatology indicates that the anomalies are frequently evident above high topography and in a quasi-annular band at about 70°N, are long lived (days to weeks), and that their effective amplitude is typically 2 PV units (PVU) higher than that of the ambient environment. In addition, the derived climatologies and associated composites pose questions regarding the origin of the anomalies, detail their life cycle, and shed light on their dynamics and role as long-lived precursors of surface cyclogenesis.
Variation in cytokine genes can contribute to severity of acetabular osteolysis and risk for revision in patients with ABG 1 total hip arthroplasty: a genetic association study
Authors: Gallo Jiri , Mrazek Frantisek , Petrek Martin 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe differences in total hip arthroplasty (THA) survivorship may be influenced by individual susceptibility to periprosthetic osteolysis. This may be driven by functional polymorphisms in the genes for cytokines and cytokine receptors involved in the development of osteolysis in THA, thereby having an effect on the individual's phenotype.MethodsWe performed a study on 22 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for 11 cytokines and two cytokine receptor candidate genes for association with severity of acetabular osteolysis and risk to failure in THA. Samples from 205 unrelated Caucasian patients with cementless type THA (ABG 1) were investigated. Distribution of investigated SNP variants between the groups of mild and severe acetabular osteolysis was determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Time-dependent output variables were analyzed by the Cox hazards model.ResultsUnivariate analysis showed: 1)TNF-238*A allele was associated with severe osteolysis (odds ratio, OR = 6.59,p= 0.005, population attributable risk, PAR 5.2%); 2) carriers of theIL6-174*G allele were 2.5 times more prone to develop severe osteolysis than non-carriers (OR = 2.51,p= 0.007, PAR = 31.5%); 3) the carriage ofIL2-330*G allele was associated with protection from severe osteolysis (OR = 0.55,p= 0.043). Based on logistic regression, the allelesTNF-238*A andIL6-174*G were independent predictors for the development of severe acetabular osteolysis. Carriers ofTNF-238*A had increased cumulative hazard of THA failure according to Cox model (p= 0.024). In contrast,IL2-330*G allele predicted lower cumulative hazard of THA failure (p= 0.019).ConclusionGenetic variants of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 confer susceptibility to severe OL. In this way, presence of the minorTNFallele could increase the cumulative risk of THA failure. Conversely, SNP in theIL2gene may protect carriers from the above THA complications.
LMP1-augmented kappa intron enhancer activity contributes to upregulation expression of Ig kappa light chain via NF-kappaB and AP-1 pathways in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells
Authors: Liu HaiDan , Zheng Hui , Duan Zhi , Hu DuoSha , Li Ming , Liu SuFang , Li ZiJian , Deng XiYun , Wang ZhenLian , Tang Min , Shi Ying , Yi Wei , Cao Ya 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
Expression of kappa gene is under the control of distinct cis-regulatory elements, including the kappa intron enhancer (iEκ) and the kappa 3' enhancer (3'Eκ). The active enhancers and expression of immunoglobulin is generally considered to be restricted to B lymphocytes. However, accumulating evidence indicated that epithelial cancer cells, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines, express immunoglobulins. The mechanisms underlying the expression of Igs in nonlymphoid cells remain unknown. On the basis of our previous finding that expression of kappa light chain in NPC cells can be upregulated by EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 1(LMP1) through the activation of NF-κB and AP-1 signaling pathways, we thus use NPC cells as model to further explore the molecular mechanisms of nonlymphoid cells expressing Ig kappa.

Results
In this study, luciferase reporter plasmid containing human wild-type iEκ, and its derivative plasmids containing mutant binding sites for transcription factor NF-κB or AP-1 were constructed. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrate iEκ is active in Igκ-expressing NPC cells and LMP1 expression can upregulate the activity of iEκ in NPC cells. Mutation of the NF-κB or AP-1 site within and downstream the iEκ, inhibition of the NF-κB and AP-1 pathways by their respective chemical inhibitor Bay11-7082 and SP600125 as well as stable or transient expression of dominant-negative mutant of IκBα (DNMIκBα) or of c-Jun (TAM67) indicate that both sites are functional and LMP1-enhanced iEκ activity is partly regulated by these two sites. Gel shift assays show that LMP1 promotes NF-κB subunits p52 and p65 as well as AP-1 family members c-Jun and c-Fos binding to the κNF-κB and the κAP-1 motifs in vitro, respectively. Both chemical inhibitors and dominant negative mutants targeting for NF-κB and AP-1 pathways can attenuate the LMP1-enhanced bindings. Co-IP assays using nuclear extracts from HNE2-LMP1 cells reveal that p52 and p65, c-Jun and c-Fos proteins interact with each other at endogenous levels. ChIP assays further demonstrate p52 and p65 binding to the κB motif as well as c-Jun and c-Fos binding to the AP-1 motif of Ig kappa gene in vivo.

Conclusion
These results suggest that human iEκ is active in Igκ-expressing NPC cells and LMP1-stimulated NF-κB and AP-1 activation results in an augmenting activation of the iEκ. LMP1 promotes the interactions of heterodimeric NF-κB (p52/p65) and heterodimeric AP-1 (c-Jun/c-Fos) transcription factors with the human iEκ enhancer region are important for the upregulation of kappa light chain in LMP1-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.
Increased Apolipoprotein AI Production Rate and Redistribution of High-Density Lipoprotein Size Induced by Estrogen plus Progestin as Oral Contraceptive
Authors: Duvillard Laurence , Dautin Guillaume , Florentin Emmanuel , Jeannin Aline , Pais de Barros Jean-Paul , Lagrost Laurent , Petit Jean-Michel , Gambert Philippe , Vergès Bruno 
Published: October 2009

Context: The impact of estrogen plus progestin as an oral contraceptive on high density lipoprotein (HDL) apolipoprotein (apo) AI metabolism in humans is poorly understood.Objectives: This study was designed to measure the in vivo effect of Moneva (30 μg ethinylestradiol, 75 μg gestodene) on HDL apoAI production rate and fractional catabolic rate.Design: Using 13C-leucine, we performed two kinetic studies in the fed state in 10 normolipidemic young women, before and 3 months after beginning Moneva.Results: On Moneva, serum triglycerides increased by 12% (P = 0.03) in the fed state, whereas low-density lipoprotein and HDL cholesterol remained unchanged. HDL apoAI pool size and production rate were increased by 9.2% (67.3 ± 7.1 vs. 61.6 ± 6.7 mg · kg−1; P = 0.05) and 26.5% (14.3 ± 2.7 vs. 11.3 ± 2.2 mg · kg−1 · d−1; P = 0.02), respectively. HDL apoAI fractional catabolic rate was not significantly modified. Three-month treatment by Moneva induced a shift of HDL size distribution from HDL2 toward HDL3 (HDL3 = 51.5 ± 8.1 vs. 46.5 ± 9.2% of total HDL; P = 0.02) and an increase in the proportion of apoAI among HDL components (38.8 ± 4.3 vs. 34.4 ± 2.8%; P = 0.01).Conclusion: Oral contraception by estrogen plus progestin induces changes in HDL apoAI metabolism characterized by an increase in production rate and pool size, with a higher proportion of HDL3 particles. Whether or not these changes are beneficial to prevent atherosclerosis has to be explored further.
Synthesis of New Green-emitting Phosphors Based on Zirconium Oxide Phosphate
Authors: Kim Sun Woog , Masui Toshiyuki , Matsushita Hitoshi , Imanaka Nobuhito 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
New green-emitting phosphors, Zr2O(PO4)2:x%Tb3+ (1≤x≤10), were synthesized in a single-phase form by a liquid-phase method and photoluminescence properties were characterized. The excitation spectrum consisted of a strong broad band from 220 to 290 nm, corresponding to the 4f–5d transition of Tb3+. The phosphors exhibit typical emission peaks assigned to the transition from 5D4 to 7FJ (J=6, 5, 4, and 3) of Tb3+. The maximum peak intensity was obtained for Zr2O(PO4)2:3%Tb3+.
The Effect of Weekend and Holiday Sleep Compensation on Childhood Overweight and Obesity
Authors: Wing Yun Kwok , Li Shirley Xin , Li Albert Martin , Zhang Jihui , Kong Alice Pik Shan 
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVES: A growing trend in childhood sleep habits is to compensate for the weekday sleep deficit by longer weekend and holiday sleep duration. We aimed to investigate the effect of weekend/holiday sleep compensation in relation to childhood overweight and obesity.
METHODS: This is a community-based cross-sectional study with 5159 children (49.6% boys), mean age of 9.25 years (SD: 1.78), from 13 primary schools in Hong Kong. Data on sleep patterns, lifestyle, body weight, and height of children were obtained from questionnaires. Sleep durations during weekdays, weekends, and holidays were predictor variables. BMI z scores and obesity/overweight status were the outcome measures.
RESULTS: Children slept significantly longer during holidays (mean [SD]: 10.20 (0.92) hours) and weekends (school terms) (10.07 [0.93] hours) than during school weekdays (9.18 [0.95] hours). Children with shorter sleep duration had higher BMI z scores regardless of the sleep parameters used in the analysis. Among children who slept &lt;8 hours during weekdays, those children who did not compensate for their sleep deficit during weekends or holidays had significantly increased risk of overweight/obesity compared with those children with sleep compensation (odds ratios: 2.59 [95% confidence interval: 1.22–5.48] and 2.32 [95% confidence interval: 1.00–5.53], respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: There was a prominent difference in sleep duration between weekdays and weekends/holidays among school children. Short sleep duration was associated with higher BMI, but compensation of sleep during weekends/holidays may partly ameliorate the risk of childhood overweight/obesity. Further prospective and interventional study is needed to delineate the risk-benefit effect of these increasingly common sleep habits among children and adolescents.
Consensus Statement on Diagnostic Criteria for PHACE Syndrome
Authors: Metry Denise , Heyer Geoffrey , Hess Christopher , Garzon Maria , Haggstrom Anita , Frommelt Peter , Adams Denise , Siegel Dawn , Hall Karla , Powell Julie , Frieden Ilona , Drolet Beth 
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVES: A subgroup of patients with infantile hemangiomas have associated structural anomalies of the brain, cerebral vasculature, eyes, sternum, and/or aorta in the neurocutaneous disorder known as PHACE syndrome. The diagnosis has been broadly inclusive by using a case definition of a facial hemangioma plus ≥1 extracutaneous features, leading to numerous reports of potential associated disease features, many of uncertain significance. This consensus statement was thus developed to establish diagnostic criteria for PHACE syndrome.
METHODS: A multidisciplinary group of specialists with expertise in PHACE syndrome drafted initial diagnostic criteria on the basis of review of published, peer-reviewed medical literature and clinical experience. The group then convened in both executive and general sessions during the PHACE Syndrome Research Conference held in November 2008 for discussion and used a consensus method. All conflicting recommendations were subsequently reconciled via electronic communication and teleconferencing.
RESULTS: These criteria were stratified into 2 categories: (1) PHACE syndrome or (2) possible PHACE syndrome. Major and minor criteria were determined for the following organ systems: cerebrovascular, structural brain, cardiovascular, ocular, and ventral/midline. Definite PHACE requires the presence of a characteristic segmental hemangioma or hemangioma &gt;5 cm on the face or scalp plus 1 major criterion or 2 minor criteria. Possible PHACE requires the presence of a hemangioma &gt;5 cm on the face or scalp plus 1 minor criterion. The group recognized that it may be possible to have PHACE syndrome with a hemangioma affecting the neck, chest, or arm only or no cutaneous hemangioma at all. In such cases, fulfillment of additional required criteria would also lead to a possible PHACE diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS: These criteria represent current knowledge and are expected to enhance future assessments of PHACE syndrome. It is understood that modifications are to be expected over time to incorporate new research findings.