bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of source‐production revision on the dose‐rate constant of interstitial brachytherapy sources
Authors: Chen Zhe (Jay) , Bongiorni Paul , Nath Ravinder 
Published: July 2010

PurposeSince its introduction in 2004, the model CS‐1 Rev.1 source has been used in many radiation therapy clinics for prostate brachytherapy. In 2006, this source model underwent a Rev.2 production revision. The aim of this work was to investigate the dosimetric influences of the Rev.2 production revision using high‐resolution photon spectrometry.MethodsThree CS‐1 Rev.1 and three CS‐1 Rev.2 sources were used in this study. The relative photon energy spectrum emitted by each source in the transverse bisector of the source was measured using a high‐resolution germanium detector designed for low‐energy photon spectrometry. Based on the measured photon energy spectrum and the radioactivity distribution in the source, the dose‐rate constant of each source was determined. The effects of the Rev.2 production revision were quantified by comparing the emitted photon energy spectra and the values determined for the sources manufactured before and after the production revision.ResultsThe relative photon energy spectrum originating from the principal emissions of was found to be nearly identical before and after the Rev.2 revision. However, the portion of the spectrum originating from the production of fluorescent x rays in niobium, a trace element present in the source construction materials, was found to differ significantly between the Rev.1 and Rev.2 sources. The peak intensity of the and fluorescent x rays from the Rev.2 source was approximately 35% of that from the Rev.1 source. Consequently, the nominal value of the Rev.2 source was found to be greater than that determined for the Rev.1 source by approximately .ConclusionsA significant reduction (65%) in relative niobium fluorescent x‐ray yield was observed in the Rev.2 sources. The impact of this reduction on the dose‐rate constant was found to be small, with a relative difference of less than 1%. This study demonstrates that photon spectrometry can be used as a sensitive and convenient tool for monitoring and for quantifying the dosimetric effects of brachytherapy source‐production revisions. Because production revision can change both the geometry and the atomic composition of brachytherapy sources, its dosimetric impact should be carefully monitored and evaluated for each production revision.
Computerized comprehensive data analysis of Lung Imaging Database Consortium (LIDC)
Authors: Tan Jun , Pu Jiantao , Zheng Bin , Wang Xingwei , Leader Joseph K. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeLung Image Database Consortium (LIDC) is the largest public CT image database of lung nodules. In this study, the authors present a comprehensive and the most updated analysis of this dynamically growing database under the help of a computerized tool, aiming to assist researchers to optimally use this database for lung cancer related investigations.MethodsThe authors developed a computer scheme to automatically match the nodule outlines marked manually by radiologists on CT images. A large variety of characteristics regarding the annotated nodules in the database including volume, spiculation level, elongation, interobserver variability, as well as the intersection of delineated nodule voxels and overlapping ratio between the same nodules marked by different radiologists are automatically calculated and summarized. The scheme was applied to analyze all 157 examinations with complete annotation data currently available in LIDC dataset.ResultsThe scheme summarizes the statistical distributions of the abovementioned geometric and diagnosis features. Among the 391 nodules, (1) 365 (93.35%) have principal axis length ; (2) 120, 75, 76, and 120 were marked by one, two, three, and four radiologists, respectively; and (3) 122 (32.48%) have the maximum volume overlapping ratios for the delineations of two radiologists, while 198 (50.64%) have the maximum volume overlapping ratios . The results also showed that 72.89% of the nodules were assessed with malignancy score between 2 and 4, and only 7.93% of these nodules were considered as severely malignant (malignancy ).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that LIDC contains examinations covering a diverse distribution of nodule characteristics and it can be a useful resource to assess the performance of the nodule detection and/or segmentation schemes.
Evaluation of EBT‐2 model GAFCHROMIC™ film performance in water
Authors: Aldelaijan Saad , Devic Slobodan , Mohammed Huriyyah , Tomic Nada , Liang Li‐Heng , DeBlois Francois , Seuntjens Jan 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe authors present results of the measurements on the impact of radiochromic film immersion in water. The impact of film piece size, initial optical density, postimmersion waiting time prior to scanning, and the time film was kept in water has been investigated. The authors also investigated the pathways of water penetration into the film during the film immersion in water.MethodsTo study the impact of water immersion on change in optical density, the authors used various sizes of the latest EBT‐2 model GAFCHROMIC™ film: , , and . In addition, to test any existing dependence of the film's optical density on water diffusion, the authors used two sets of films: Unexposed (0 Gy) and film pieces exposed to a dose of 3 Gy. Times that film pieces were left in water ranged from 30 min to 24 h, and once the film was permanently removed from water, the authors also studied the impact of the scanning time that ranged from 0 (films scanned right after removal from water) to 72 h postimmersion.ResultsWhile the penetration depth can reach as much as 9 mm around the edges of the EBT‐2 GAFCHROMIC™ film, the anticipated dose error due to the change in optical density due to the water immersion appears to be negligible for the short immersions of the order of 30 min. However, as the immersion time increases, the anticipated dose error may reach 22 cGy on a piece of film, which corresponds to 7% dose error at 3 Gy of measured dose.ConclusionsIn this work, the authors report on an undoubted impact of radiochromic film immersion in water on the measured change in optical density, which may lead to systematic errors in dose measurements if the film is kept in water for longer periods of time. The magnitude of the impact depends on many parameters: Size of the film piece, initial optical density, postimmersion waiting time prior to scanning (defined by the current radiochromic film dosimetry protocol in place), and the time film was kept in water. The authors also suggested various approaches in correcting for the change in netOD due to water penetration into the film, but the authors believe that the use of the control film piece would be the most appropriate.
Quantitative microwave‐induced thermoacoustic tomography
Authors: Yao Lei , Guo Gaofeng , Jiang Huabei 
Published: July 2010

PurposeMicrowave‐induced thermoacoustic tomography (MI‐TAT) is an imaging modality that exploits dielectric contrast while producing images with high ultrasound resolution. Existing reconstruction algorithms for MI‐TAT are qualitative and can image only the distribution of the absorbed microwave energy or power loss density. Here the authors describe a method for quantitative MI‐TAT and obtain the distribution of dielectric property which directly correlates with tissue structural and functional information.MethodsThe authors implement the quantitative MI‐TAT method based on the finite‐element (FE) solution to the Helmholtz equation for electromagnetic field coupled with the thermoacoustic wave equation. Regularization techniques are also used in the FE‐based reconstruction algorithm.ResultsSimulation results are obtained under various practical scenarios including different noise levels, different contrast levels between the heterogeneity and background region, and multiple targets with various sizes and shapes.ConclusionsThe quantitative MI‐TAT method described can provide accurate recovery of conductivity distribution in heterogeneous media and is insensitive to noise effect.
Azole Binding Properties of
Candida albicans
Sterol 14-α Demethylase (CaCYP51)
Authors: Warrilow Andrew G. S. , Martel Claire M. , Parker Josie E. , Melo Nadja , Lamb David C. , Nes W. David , Kelly Diane E. , Kelly Steven L. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Purified
Candida albicans
sterol 14-α demethylase (CaCYP51) bound the CYP51 substrates lanosterol and eburicol, producing type I binding spectra with

K
s

values of 11 and 25 μM, respectively, and a

K
m

value of 6 μM for lanosterol. Azole binding to CaCYP51 was “tight” with both the type II spectral intensity (Δ
A
max
) and the azole concentration required to obtain a half-Δ
A
max
being proportional to the CaCYP51 concentration. Tight binding of fluconazole and itraconazole was confirmed by 50% inhibitory concentration determinations from CYP51 reconstitution assays. CaCYP51 had similar affinities for clotrimazole, econazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, and voriconazole, with

K
d

values of 10 to 26 μM under oxidative conditions, compared with 47 μM for fluconazole. The affinities of CaCYP51 for fluconazole and itraconazole appeared to be 4- and 2-fold lower based on CO displacement studies than those when using direct ligand binding under oxidative conditions. Econazole and miconazole were most readily displaced by carbon monoxide, followed by clotrimazole, ketoconazole, and fluconazole, and then voriconazole (7.8 pmol min
−1
), but itraconzole could not be displaced by carbon monoxide. This work reports in depth the characterization of the azole binding properties of wild-type
C. albicans
CYP51, including that of voriconazole, and will contribute to effective screening of new therapeutic azole antifungal agents. Preliminary comparative studies with the I471T CaCYP51 protein suggested that fluconazole resistance conferred by this mutation was through a combination of increased turnover, increased affinity for substrate, and a reduced affinity for fluconazole in the presence of substrate, allowing the enzyme to remain functionally active, albeit at reduced velocity, at higher fluconazole concentrations.
High Cefepime Plasma Concentrations and Neurological Toxicity in Febrile Neutropenic Patients with Mild Impairment of Renal Function
Authors: Lamoth F. , Buclin T. , Pascual A. , Vora S. , Bolay S. , Decosterd L. A. , Calandra T. , Marchetti O. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

High-dose cefepime therapy is recommended for febrile neutropenia. Safety issues have been raised in a recent meta-analysis reporting an increased risk of mortality during cefepime therapy. Cefepime-related neurological toxicity has been associated with overdosing due to severe renal dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the association between cefepime plasma concentrations and neurological toxicity in febrile neutropenic patients. Cefepime trough concentrations (by high-performance liquid chromatography) were retrospectively analyzed for 30 adult febrile neutropenic patients receiving the recommended high-dose regimen (6 g/day for a glomerular filtration rate [GFR] of >50 ml/min). The dose adjustment to renal function was evaluated by the ratio of the cefepime daily dose per 100 ml/min of glomerular filtration. The association between cefepime plasma concentrations and neurological toxicity was assessed on the basis of consistent neurological symptoms and/or signs (by NCI criteria). The median cefepime concentration was 8.7 mg/liter (range, 2.1 to 38 mg/liter) at a median of 4 days (range, 2 to 15 days) after the start of therapy. Neurological toxicity (altered mental status, hallucinations, or myoclonia) was attributed to cefepime in 6/30 (20%) patients (median GFR, 45 ml/min; range, 41 to 65 ml/min) receiving a median dose of 13.2 g/day per 100 ml/min GFR (range, 9.2 to 14.3 g/day per 100 ml/min GFR). Cefepime discontinuation resulted in complete neurological recovery for five patients and improvement for one patient. A multivariate logistic regression model confirmed high cefepime concentrations as an independent predictor of neurological toxicity, with a 50% probability threshold at ≥22 mg/liter (
P
= 0.05). High cefepime plasma concentrations are associated with neurological toxicity in febrile neutropenic patients with mild renal dysfunction. Careful adherence to normalized dosing per 100 ml/min GFR is crucial. Monitoring of plasma concentrations may contribute to preventing neurological toxicity of high-dose therapy for this life-threatening condition.
Role of Catabolite Control Protein A in the Regulation of Intermedilysin Production byStreptococcus intermedius
Authors: Tomoyasu Toshifumi , Tabata Atsushi , Hiroshima Riki , Imaki Hidenori , Masuda Sachiko , Whiley Robert A. , Aduse-Opoku Joseph , Kikuchi Ken , Hiramatsu Keiichi , Nagamune Hideaki 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTStreptococcus intermediusis an opportunistic pathogen of humans that causes purulent infections, including brain and liver abscesses. This pathogen secretes a human-specific cytolysin, intermedilysin, which has been recognized as a major virulence factor. However, most of the expressional control mechanisms ofilyare still unknown. To determine these mechanisms, we analyzed the nucleotide sequence of theilypromoter region. We found a highly homologous region to the catabolite-repressible element (cre) in theilypromoter region and observed a considerable decrease in the amount of secreted intermedilysin when cells were grown in a culture medium containing high concentrations of glucose/utilizable carbohydrates. Disruption of theccpAgene, which encodes catabolite control protein A, did not induce catabolite repression ofilyby glucose/utilizable carbohydrates. Incremutants, catabolite repression ofilywas partially restored, and purified catabolite control protein A bound to an oligonucleotide containing thecreconsensus sequence in theilypromoter region. In addition, a prolonged lag phase and slower doubling time of theccpAmutant cells were observed. Our data show thatS. intermediuscan modulateilyexpression and growth rate through catabolite control protein A-mediated monitoring of the extracellular glucose/utilizable carbohydrate concentration.
Novel Conserved Group A Streptococcal Proteins Identified by the Antigenome Technology as Vaccine Candidates for a Non-M Protein-Based Vaccine
Authors: Fritzer Andrea , Senn Beatrice M. , Minh Duc Bui , Hanner Markus , Gelbmann Dieter , Noiges Birgit , Henics Tamás , Schulze Kai , Guzman Carlos A. , Goodacre John , von Gabain Alexander , Nagy Eszter , Meinke Andreas L. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTGroup A streptococci (GAS) can cause a wide variety of human infections ranging from asymptomatic colonization to life-threatening invasive diseases. Although antibiotic treatment is very effective, when left untreated,Streptococcus pyogenesinfections can lead to poststreptococcal sequelae and severe disease causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. To aid the development of a non-M protein-based prophylactic vaccine for the prevention of group A streptococcal infections, we identified novel immunogenic proteins using genomic surface display libraries and human serum antibodies from donors exposed to or infected byS. pyogenes. Vaccine candidate antigens were further selected based on animal protection in murine lethal-sepsis models with intranasal or intravenous challenge with two different M serotype strains. The nine protective antigens identified are highly conserved; eight of them show more than 97% sequence identity in 13 published genomes as well as in approximately 50 clinical isolates tested. Since the functions of the selected vaccine candidates are largely unknown, we generated deletion mutants for three of the protective antigens and observed that deletion of the gene encoding Spy1536 drastically reduced binding of GAS cells to host extracellular matrix proteins, due to reduced surface expression of GAS proteins such as Spy0269 and M protein. The protective, highly conserved antigens identified in this study are promising candidates for the development of an M-type-independent, protein-based vaccine to prevent infection byS. pyogenes.
Genetic Study of Capsular Switching between
Neisseria meningitidis
Sequence Type 7 Serogroup A and C Strains
Authors: Wang Quan , Shao Zhujun , Wang Xiaoting , Gao Yuan , Li Machao , Xu Li , Xu Jianguo , Wang Lei 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Neisseria meningitidis
is a leading cause of septicemia and meningitis worldwide.
N. meningitidis
capsular polysaccharides have been classified into 13 distinct serogroups which are defined by antibody reactivity and structural analysis, and the capsule plays an important role in virulence. Serogroups A, B, C, W135, and Y have been reported to be clinically important. Several newly identified serogroup C isolates belonging to the unique sequence type 7 (ST-7) were identified in China. Since most ST-7 isolates from China belonged to serogroup A, the newly identified ST-7 serogroup C strains were proposed to have arisen from those belonging to ST-7 serogroup A. In this study, six ST-7 serogroup C and three ST-7 serogroup A isolates were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to confirm their sequence type. In order to clarify the genetic basis of capsular switching between ST-7 serogroup A and C strains, the whole capsular gene clusters and surrounding genes of the two representative ST-7 strains belonging to serogroups A and C, respectively, were sequenced and compared. Potential recombination sites were analyzed using the RDP3 beta software, and recombination-related regions in two other ST-7 serogroup A and five ST-7 serogroup C strains were also sequenced and compared to the representative ST-7 serogroup A and C strain sequences.
The Future as God’s Amnesty? A Public Theology of Resistance for a Changing Climate
Authors: Manley Scott Peter 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIn this article, I situate anthropogenic climate change in a theological context. Climate change raises, first, the matter of the future of creation and, secondly, the matter of how to understand and affirm the goodness of creation. Further, in theological thought, the goodness of creation cannot be affirmed and fully addressed without, thirdly, some accounting of the goodness of God. In what follows I explore these three issues. The future of creation is discussed in terms of an amnesty bestowed by God. Additionally, some problems with the deployment of amnesty as a theopolitical category are discussed. Next, some of the theological implications of my recommendation of amnesty are explored. For example, what is the relationship between the future of creation and its past; what is the relationship between future and end; what is the relationship between the future of creation and the future of God? Finally, I explore what creaturely resistance is suggested by this appeal to the future as God’s amnesty in a public theological thought.
The Politics of Climate Change: A Talanoa from Oceania
Authors: Havea Jione 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis article is an invitation to Talanoa (story, telling, conversation) around the politics of climate change. I seek not to debate whether climate change is natural or caused and accelerated by human conducts and our carbon civilization, nor to suggest excuses or cures for the ecological crises that devastate and drown people daily, the world over. Rather, my concern circles around two overlapping questions, under the shadow of which lurk the politics of climate change: whose interests benefit from climate change and whose interests benefit from talking about climate change? I invite Talanoa around those questions, with the lot of the islands and islanders in Oceania as my starting point. I am of course guilty of that which I will critique, for I too talk herein about climate change, thus I am contributing to the politics of climate change.
The Purpose and Practice of a Public Theology in a Time of Climate Change
Authors: Pearson Clive 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe nature of a public theology is to concern itself with the common good and the flourishing of all. The subject of climate change is to the forefront of the public agenda. Now and then the level of concern can slip down the opinion polls and it does attract a concerted degree of scepticism. It is nevertheless an issue that can allow us to consider the purpose and practice of a public theology. This article sets out to draw upon the insights of others who have contributed to this issue of the International Journal of Public Theology. It also sets out to place this work inside other discussions on what is a public theology and its intersection with an ecotheology.
Disentangling the "Genuine Link": Enquiries in Sea, Air and Space Law
Authors: Cogliati-Bantz Vincent 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWhile the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea contains the requirement that there exist a genuine link between a ship and its flag State, neither what constitutes that link, nor the effect of its absence has been determined with unambiguous clarity. In addition, it must be enquired whether the genuine link is a requirement that concerns the opposability of the nationality, or the duties of the flag State once the nationality is conferred, or both. The fact that the genuine link as a requirement has not been singled out expressly in the relation between a State of registry and an aircraft or a space object calls for an analysis of the legal mechanisms in air law and space law in order to determine what meaningful connections are established between these means of transportation and States.
ILO Convention No. 169 Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries 1989–2009: An Overview
Authors: Yupsanis Athanasios 
Published: July 2010

AbstractOn 27 June 1989, by a majority of 328 votes for, one against and 49 abstentions, the International Labour Conference adopted the Convention No. 169 Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, which came into force on 5 September 1991. Twenty years later, the Convention remains the only modern international legally binding instrument containing a series of novel provisions specifically devoted to the rights of indigenous peoples with a view to recognising, protecting and promoting their distinct identity. Despite its shortcomings and its few ratifications (just 20), the Convention has proved to be a significant departure for the defence and strengthening of indigenous rights at national, regional (especially that of Latin America) and universal level.
Hobbes's Fool the Stultus, Grotius, and the Epicurean Tradition
Authors: Springborg Patricia 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAmong the paradoxical aspects of Hobbes's scepticism attention has recently turned to Hobbes's fool of Leviathan, chapter xv, where Hobbes makes a claim about justice that paraphrases Psalm 52:1: "The fool hath said in his heart there is no God." It is a charge of which Hobbes himself could be suspected, but in fact we see that it is on this startling claim that his legal positivism rests. Moreover it is embedded in a theory of natural law that Hobbes inherited from the late scholastics and that he shares in common with Grotius as a practical solution to the problem of scepticism. Indeed, the fool is not even honoured with the designation "sceptic." He is simply dumb, stultus, one of the mindless mob, or those led astray by priests. Hobbes's treatment of the fool as stultus is Epicurean, as we see in the Historia Ecclesiastica, where he gives the topos special attention, and Epicureanism helps us solve the puzzle of the fool.