bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TH‐D‐M100A‐01: What Does It Mean to Sign Attestation Statements?
Authors: Lieto R , Cameron F , Gerbi B 
Published: July 2007

There are a number of situations where medical physicists must make statements attesting to the credentials of individuals or training programs. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently revised its regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 for the training and experience (T&E) of an authorized user, an authorized medical physicist, and a radiation safety officer in the medical use of radioactive materials. The T&E regulations require an attestation by individuals on signed preceptor statements in order to be authorized/listed on a license to use radioactive materials. The attestation is a new, added requirement. What are the expectations of the individual who signs the attestation? Are there legal implications?In order to acquire CAMPEP accreditation for either Graduate Medical Physics programs or Medical Physics Residency programs requires that the program submits a self study document stating explicitly what must be done to complete the program and showing documentation that these requirement have been met. After review of this self study, a survey team conducts an on‐site visit to verify that the program is operating in a manner consistent with what is described in the self study. If successful, accreditation is granted for a period of 5 years. Renewal requires submission of an updated self study. What happens to the individuals attesting to the validity of the program if graduates are involved in medical events? Is there liability for the institution or the individuals? This session will generate discussion on these topics.Speakers:Ralph Lieto, M.S., FAAPM — Implications of NRC Part 35 and Preceptor Statements — an AAPM Perspective.Francis (Chip) Cameron, J.D. — Implications of NRC Part 35 and Preceptor Statements — an NRC Perspective.Bruce Gerbi, Ph.D., FAAPM — CAMPEP Accreditation: stating expectations and verifying performance.
TH‐D‐AUD‐04: Development and Evaluation of An Ultrasound‐Guided Tracking and Gating System for Radiotherapy of Liver Metastases
Authors: Jacso F , Kouznetsov A , Smith W 
Published: July 2007

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of ultrasound imaging for tumor localization and respiratory gating for the treatment of liver metastases with radiotherapy. Method and Materials: An ultrasound‐guided tracking and gating system was developed for stereotactic body radiotherapy. We use an existing infrared marker system to track a moving ultrasound probe which is obtaining images of target motion throughout the respiratory cycle. The reconstructed ultrasound video of target motion in room coordinates is displayed with the treatment beam projection on the imaging plane to determine optimum gating levels.To investigate the system, a phantom was constructed to model the respiratory motion of a liver tumor and also to enable imaging with ultrasound and kV x‐rays for comparison purposes. Ultrasound video and orthogonal localizing x‐ray images were taken of the same moving tumor model. We compared the timing to an existing clinical system. Results: Ultrasound has a better soft tissue contrast than x‐ray and is capable of producing up to 26 fps video. We measured a time delay of 22 ± 11 ms at 2.4 s period, and 30 ± 25 ms at 4.8 s period of breathing motion. The same figures for the clinical x‐ray system were 81± 29 ms at 2.4 s, and 5 ± 18 ms at 4.8 s period. This was comparable to our system's delay. None of the measured delays in our system would compromise planning margins, the largest observed error extending to only 1.1 mm. Conclusion: An ultrasound‐guided tracking and gating system and a moving phantom was developed. The image quality and timing delay of the system was equivalent to that of an existing clinical solution. Further investigation needed to apply three‐dimensional gating signal and to test imaging on actual patients before clinical application.Research sponsored by the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
Detection of MAGE-A Transcripts in Bone Marrow Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Operable Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Sienel Wulf , Mecklenburg Ingo , Dango Sebastian , Ehrhardt Peter , Kirschbaum Andreas , Passlick Bernward , Pantel Klaus 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Purpose: MAGE-A gene expression in humans is mostly restricted to tumor cells, and the role of MAGE-A transcripts and peptides as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets is currently under investigation. Thus far, the clinical relevance of MAGE-A transcripts as marker for disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow of patients with operable lung cancer without overt metastases is still unclear.
Experimental Design: Preoperative bone marrow aspirates from 50 consecutive patients with operable non–small-cell lung cancer free of distant metastases (i.e., pT1-4 pN0-2 M0 R0) were admitted to the study. Each bone marrow sample was divided and examined using multimarker MAGE-A reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemical staining with the anti-pancytokeratin antibody A45-B/B3. Multimarker MAGE-A RT-PCR consisted of multiple subtype-specific nested RT-PCRs with primers for MAGE-A1, MAGE-A2, MAGE-A3/6, MAGE-A4, and MAGE-A12. The median follow-up duration was 92 months (range, 18-110 months).
Results: Twenty-six (52%) lung cancer patients harbored MAGE-A transcripts in their bone marrow, as opposed to none of the 30 healthy controls tested. In all 7 patients with immunocytochemically positive bone marrow, MAGE-A transcripts were also detected. All different MAGE-A subtypes (MAGE-A1, MAGE-A2, MAGE-A3/6, MAGE-A4, and MAGE-A12) were observed. Sixty-five percent of patients with MAGE-A transcripts in bone marrow exhibited only one subtype. Univariate (P = 0.03, log-rank-test) and multivariate survival analysis showed that MAGE-A transcripts in bone marrow were associated with poor outcome in pN0 patients (P = 0.02; relative risk, 7.6).
Conclusions: Detection of MAGE-A transcripts in bone marrow predicts an unfavorable outcome in patients with early-stage operable lung cancer. This finding indicates that MAGE-A transcripts are clinically relevant markers of micrometastatic spread in lung cancer and supports further investigation of MAGE-A as potential future therapeutic target.
Effective Relief of Malignant Ascites in Patients with Advanced Ovarian Cancer by a Trifunctional Anti-EpCAM × Anti-CD3 Antibody: A Phase I/II Study
Authors: Burges Alexander , Wimberger Pauline , Kümper Carolin , Gorbounova Vera , Sommer Harald , Schmalfeldt Barbara , Pfisterer Jacobus , Lichinitser Michail , Makhson Anatoliy , Moiseyenko Vladimir , Lahr Angelika , Schulze Elisabeth , Jäger Michael , Ströhlein Michael A. , Heiss Markus Maria , Gottwald Thomas , Lindhofer Horst , Kimmig Rainer 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPurpose: Malignant ascites in ovarian carcinoma patients is associated with poor prognosis and reduced quality of life. The trifunctional antibody catumaxomab (anti-EpCAM × anti-CD3) enhances the antitumor activity by redirecting T cells and Fcγ receptor I/III–positive accessory cells to the tumor. This multicenter phase I/II dose-escalating study investigated tolerability and efficacy of i.p. catumaxomab application in ovarian cancer patients with malignant ascites containing epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)–positive tumor cells.Experimental Design: Twenty-three women with recurrent ascites due to pretreated refractory ovarian cancer were treated with four to five i.p. infusions of catumaxomab in doses of 5 to 200 μg within 9 to 13 days.Results: The maximum tolerated dose was defined at 10, 20, 50, 200, and 200 μg for the first through fifth doses. Side effects included transient fever (83%), nausea (61%), and vomiting (57%), mostly CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) grade 1 or 2. A total of 39 grade 3 and 2 grade 4 treatment-related adverse events (AE), 9 of them after the highest dose level (200 μg), were observed in 16 patients. Most AEs were reversible without sequelae. Treatment with catumaxomab resulted in significant and sustained reduction of ascites flow rate. A total of 22/23 patients did not require paracentesis between the last infusion and the end of study at day 37. Tumor cell monitoring revealed a reduction of EpCAM-positive malignant cells in ascites by up to 5 log.Conclusion: I.p. immunotherapy with catumaxomab prevented the accumulation of ascites and efficiently eliminated tumor cells with an acceptable safety profile. This suggests that catumaxomab is a promising treatment option in ovarian cancer patients with malignant ascites.
Targeting the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathway in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Younes Hashem , Leleu Xavier , Hatjiharissi Evdoxia , Moreau Anne-Sophie , Hideshima Teru , Richardson Paul , Anderson Kenneth C. , Ghobrial Irene M. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell neoplasm with a median survival of 3 to 5 years. Recent advances have improved patient outlook, but the disease remains incurable. Therefore, continued efforts to develop new therapies that target aberrant signaling pathways are needed. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway regulates apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and tumor proliferation. This pathway is constitutively activated in multiple myeloma and its inhibition induces apoptosis. Advances in understanding the signaling cascades mediating proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma cells have markedly improved the treatment of this disease. In this article, we review the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and the potential therapeutic implications of targeting this pathway in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
A New Model of Patient Tumor-Derived Breast Cancer Xenografts for Preclinical Assays
Authors: Marangoni Elisabetta , Vincent-Salomon Anne , Auger Nathalie , Degeorges Armelle , Assayag Franck , de Cremoux Patricia , de Plater Ludmilla , Guyader Charlotte , De Pinieux Gonzague , Judde Jean-Gabriel , Rebucci Magali , Tran-Perennou Carine , Sastre-Garau Xavier , Sigal-Zafrani Brigitte , Delattre Olivier , Diéras Véronique , Poupon Marie-France 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Purpose: To establish a panel of human breast cancer (HBC) xenografts in immunodeficient mice suitable for pharmacologic preclinical assays.
Experimental Design: 200 samples of HBCs were grafted into Swiss nude mice. Twenty-five transplantable xenografts were established (12.5%). Their characterization included histology, p53 status, genetic analysis by array comparative genomic hybridization, gene expression by Western blotting, and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Biological profiles of nine xenografts were compared with those of the corresponding patient's tumor. Chemosensitivities of 17 xenografts to a combination of Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (AC), docetaxel, trastuzumab, and Degarelix were evaluated.
Results: Almost all patient tumors established as xenografts displayed an aggressive phenotype, i.e., high-grade, triple-negative status. The histology of the xenografts recapitulated the features of the original tumors. Mutation of p53 and inactivation of Rb and PTEN proteins were found in 83%, 30%, and 42% of HBC xenografts, respectively. Two HBCx had an ERBB2 (HER2) amplification. Large variations were observed in the expression of HER family receptors and in genomic profiles. Genomic alterations were close to those of original samples in paired tumors. Three xenografts formed lung metastases. A total of 15 of the 17 HBCx (88%) responded to AC, and 8 (47%) responded to docetaxel. One ERBB2-amplified xenograft responded to trastuzumab, whereas the other did not. The drug response of HBC xenografts was concordant with that of the patient's tumor in five of seven analyzable cases.
Conclusions: This panel of breast cancer xenografts includes 15 triple-negative, one ER positive and 2 ERBB2 positive. This panel represents a useful preclinical tool for testing new agents and protocols and for further exploration of the biological basis of drug responses.
Cancer Vaccines: Moving Beyond Current Paradigms
Authors: Schlom Jeffrey , Arlen Philip M. , Gulley James L. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
The field of cancer vaccines is currently in an active state of preclinical and clinical investigations. Although no therapeutic cancer vaccine has to date been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, several new paradigms are emerging from recent clinical findings both in the use of combination therapy approaches and, perhaps more importantly, in clinical trial design and end point analyses. This article will review recent clinical trials involving several different cancer vaccines from which data are emerging contrasting classic “tumor response” (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) criteria with “patient response” in the manifestation of increased patient survival post-vaccine therapy. Also described are several strategies in which cancer vaccines can be exploited in combination with other agents and therapeutic modalities that are quite unique when compared with “conventional” combination therapies. This is most likely due to the phenomena that (a) cancer vaccines initiate a dynamic immune process that can be exploited in subsequent therapies and (b) both radiation and certain chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to alter the phenotype of tumor cells as to render them more susceptible to T-cell–mediated killing. Consequently, evidence is emerging from several studies in which patient cohorts who first receive a cancer vaccine (as contrasted with control cohorts) benefit clinically from subsequent therapies.
Urban Aerosol Impacts on Downwind Convective Storms
Authors: van den Heever Susan C. , Cotton William R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe impacts of urban-enhanced aerosol concentrations on convective storm development and precipitation over and downwind of St. Louis, Missouri, are investigated. This is achieved through the use of a cloud-resolving mesoscale model, in which sophisticated land use processes and aerosol microphysics are both incorporated. The results indicate that urban-forced convergence downwind of the city, rather than the presence of greater aerosol concentrations, determines whether storms actually develop in the downwind region. Once convection is initiated, urban-enhanced aerosols can exert a significant effect on the dynamics, microphysics, and precipitation produced by these storms. The model results indicate, however, that the response to urban-enhanced aerosol depends on the background concentrations of aerosols; a weaker response occurs with increasing background aerosol concentrations. The effects of aerosols influence the rate and amount of liquid water and ice produced within these storms, the accumulated surface precipitation, the strength and timing of the updrafts and downdrafts, the longevity of the updrafts, and the strength and influence of the cold pool. Complex, nonlinear relationships and feedbacks between the microphysics and storm dynamics exist, making it difficult to make definitive statements about the effects of urban-enhanced aerosols on downwind precipitation and convection. Because the impacts of urban aerosol on downwind storms decrease with increasing background aerosol concentrations, generalization of these results depends on the unique character of background aerosol for each urban area. For urban centers in coastal areas where background aerosol concentrations may be very low, it is speculated that urban aerosol can have very large influences on convective storm dynamics, microphysics, and precipitation.
A Review and Comparison of Changepoint Detection Techniques for Climate Data
Authors: Reeves Jaxk , Chen Jien , Wang Xiaolan L. , Lund Robert , Lu Qi Qi 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
This review article enumerates, categorizes, and compares many of the methods that have been proposed to detect undocumented changepoints in climate data series. The methods examined include the standard normal homogeneity (SNH) test, Wilcoxon’s nonparametric test, two-phase regression (TPR) procedures, inhomogeneity tests, information criteria procedures, and various variants thereof. All of these methods have been proposed in the climate literature to detect undocumented changepoints, but heretofore there has been little formal comparison of the techniques on either real or simulated climate series. This study seeks to unify the topic, showing clearly the fundamental differences among the assumptions made by each procedure and providing guidelines for which procedures work best in different situations. It is shown that the common trend TPR and Sawa’s Bayes criteria procedures seem optimal for most climate time series, whereas the SNH procedure and its nonparametric variant are probably best when trend and periodic effects can be diminished by using homogeneous reference series. Two applications to annual mean temperature series are given. Directions for future research are discussed.
Downscaling of Seasonal Precipitation for Crop Simulation
Authors: Robertson Andrew W. , Ines Amor V. M. , Hansen James W. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
A nonhomogeneous hidden Markov model (NHMM) is used to make stochastic simulations of March–August daily rainfall at 10 stations over the southeastern United States, 1923–98. Station-averaged observed daily rainfall amount is prescribed as an input to the NHMM, which is then used to disaggregate the rainfall in space. These rainfall simulations are then used as inputs to a Crop Estimation through Resource and Environment Synthesis (CERES) crop model for maize. Regionally averaged yields derived from the NHMM rainfall simulations are found to correlate very highly (r = 0.93) with those generated by the crop model using observed rainfall; stationwise correlations range between 0.44 and 0.74. Rainfall and crop simulations are then constructed under increasing degrees of temporal smoothing applied to the regional rainfall input to the NHMM, designed to exclude the submonthly weather details that would be unpredictable in seasonal climate forecasts. Regional yields are found to be remarkably insensitive to this temporal smoothing; even with 90-day low-pass-filtered inputs to the NHMM, resulting yields are still correlated at 0.85 with the baseline simulation, whereas stationwise correlations range between 0.18 and 0.68. From these findings, it is expected that regional maize yields over the southeastern United States will be largely insensitive to year-to-year details of subseasonal rainfall variability; they should be downscalable, in principle, using an NHMM from climate forecasts archived at daily resolution, with the important caveat that the latter need to be skillful enough at the 90-day time scale. As a by-product of the analysis, subseasonal-to-interdecadal summer rainfall variability over the southeastern United States is interpretable in terms of six discrete weather states indicative of a monsoonlike climate regime. Low-simulated-yield years are found to be associated with delayed summer rainfall onset.
Sea Surface Winds over the Mediterranean Basin from Satellite Data (2000–04): Meso- and Local-Scale Features on Annual and Seasonal Time Scales
Authors: Zecchetto S. , De Biasio F. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper investigates the mean spatial features of the winds in the Mediterranean and Black Seas using the wind fields observed by the SeaWinds scatterometer. Five years (2000–04) of data have been analyzed on annual and seasonal basis, with particular attention paid to the meso- and local scales. The fields show the existence of structured regional wind systems—in particular, the mistral in the western Mediterranean and the etesians in the Levantine Basin, which are characterized, respectively, by high wind variability and moderate steadiness and by low wind variability and high steadiness. Estimated seasonal mean wind stress τ fields show that the values falling in the top range 0.15 &lt; τ &lt; 0.20 N m−2 affect a large portion of the Mediterranean Basin in winter, in the belt extending from the Gulf of Lion up to the Levantine Basin and the northern Black Sea. In the other seasons, only few regions experience such high values of τ. The analysis of the wind vorticity shows and quantifies the main cyclonic and anticyclonic circulations, and the study of the joint features of wind stress and vorticity has identified the strongest and most persisting local-scale wind circulations produced by the interaction between the wind flow and the orography. They occur at the lee side of Sardinia–Corse and Crete–Rhodos Islands and persist in all seasons, with some seasonal variation in strength and extent. The areas affected by the orographic disturbances are characterized by high values of wind stress and by a structure of vorticity showing alternating areas of cyclonic and anticyclonic circulations, whose strength is comparable to those of the regional-scale cyclones.
Selective Doping of Lead Ions into Normally Aligned PEO Cylindrical Nanodomains in Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Thin Films
Authors: Suzuki Souichirou , Kamata Kaori , Yamauchi Hisao , Iyoda Tomokazu 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Hexagonally arranged nanocylindrical arrays of polymer-complexed multivalent metallic ions were fabricated by performing template process with amphiphilic diblock copolymer consisting of poly(ethylene oxide) and liquid crystalline poly(methacrylate) with azobenzene mesogen (PEO-b-PMA(Az)). The block copolymer exhibits PEO hexagonal cylindrical microdomains perpendicular to the substrate. Lead ions were selectively diffused into the PEO microdomains to generate the lead-doped nanocylinder array, of which size, shape, and alignment can be controlled by the block copolymer thin film as a template.
The Pure Silica Chabazite: A High Volume Molecular Spring at Low Pressure for Energy Storage
Authors: Trzpit Mickaël , Soulard Michel , Patarin Joël 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Water intrusion–extrusion isotherms were performed at room temperature on hydrophobic pure silica chabazite (Si-CHA). A reversible phenomenon is observed over several cycles showing that the water–Si-CHA system displays a real spring behavior. The process occurs at a quite low pressure, and the large intruded water volume makes this system interesting for applications in energetics.
Two-coordinate Group 13 Element (Al, Ga) Centered Cations Formed by Silyl Group Migration: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Nakamoto Masaaki , Shimizu Kousuke , Sekiguchi Akira 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Two-coordinate, sp-hybridized aluminum and gallium cationic species (2a and 2b) were synthesized by the methyl group abstraction from the t-Bu2MeSi group by Et3Si+ followed by 1,2-silyl group migration from group 13 element to the cationic silicon center. X-ray crystal structure analyses confirmed these species to be free cations stabilized by hyperconjugation with a neighboring Si–Si σ bond.