bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blood visfatin concentrations in normal full‐term pregnancies
Authors: Malamitsi‐Puchner Ariadne , Briana Despina D. , Gourgiotis Dimitrios , Boutsikou Maria , Baka Stavroula , Hassiakos Dimitrios 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To prospectively investigate blood visfatin concentrations during the perinatal period in normal pregnancies.Methods: Visfatin concentrations were determined in maternal, umbilical cord (representing the foetal state) and neonatal blood on day 1 (N1) and 4 (N4).Results: Maternal and foetal visfatin concentrations were similar (18.83 ± 4.27 and 19.35 ± 4.90 ng/mL, respectively). There were significant correlations between maternal and foetal (r = 0.742, p < 0.001), as well as between N1 and N4 (r = 0.487, p = 0.029) visfatin concentrations. Foetal concentrations were significantly elevated compared to N1 (p = 0.032). There was no difference between N1 and N4 concentrations. However, there was a correlation between birth weight and neonatal visfatin concentrations: there was a mean increase in N1 and N4 visfatin concentrations by 0.221 ng/mL and 0.292 ng/mL, respectively, for every unit increase in customized centile (adjusted birth weight) (p = 0.021 and p = 0.005, respectively). No association was found between serum visfatin concentrations and gender, parity or mode of delivery.Conclusions: Expression in foetal membranes and placental transfer could be responsible for higher blood visfatin concentrations during intrauterine life. Customized centiles seem to be independent predictor variables for postnatal visfatin concentrations. This finding could be attributed to the production of visfatin in adipose tissue, a main contributor to birth weight and consequently to customized centiles.
Is daily computed tomography image guidance necessary for nasal cavity and nasopharyngeal radiotherapy? An investigation based on helical tomotherapy
Authors: Sheng Ke , Chow Jennifer , Hunter Grant , Larner James , Read Paul 
Published: April 2008

To analyze the magnitude of setup errors corrected by helical tomotherapy megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) on a daily or weekly basis and the impact of those corrections on the delivered dose to the tumor and organs at risk (OARs), we retrospectively analyzed the setup errors for 6 nasal cavity and 4 nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated with helical tomotherapy for 25 – 33 fractions. Each patient had MVCT‐guided repositioning for all fractions of treatment. The new dose–volume histograms (DVHs) and equivalent uniform doses (EUDs) for the planning target volume (PTV) and OARs were calculated for hypothetical situations in which no imaging guidance (IG) or once‐weekly imaging guidance (WIG) took place. The mean total setup error for treatment without daily IG was mm, which could be reduced to mm if WIG were to be performed. The geometric uncertainties from the absence of IG resulted in a reduction of mean PTV EUD by , which could be reduced to with WIG. The EUDs of the OARs increased to Gy or Gy without and with WIG respectively. Without daily IG, the mean uncertainty in patient position has a relatively small effect on the mean dosimetry for PTV and OARs, and the use of WIG can further reduce those effects by approximately half. On the other hand, because of the large variance, with low probability, substantial deviation from the original planned dosimetry may occur without IG. Therefore, daily MVCT is preferred as an important safety measure in the delivery of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy.PACS number: 87.53.Dq
Development of a geometry‐based respiratory motion– simulating patient model for radiation treatment dosimetry
Authors: Zhang Juying , Xu X. George , Shi Chengyu , Fuss Martin 
Published: April 2008

Temporal and spatial anatomic changes caused by respiration during radiation treatment delivery can lead to discrepancies between prescribed and actual radiation doses. The present paper documents a study to construct a respiratory‐motion‐simulating, four‐dimensional (4D) anatomic and dosimetry model for the study of the dosimetric effects of organ motion for various radiation treatment plans and delivery strategies. The non‐uniform rational B‐splines (NURBS) method has already been used to reconstruct a three‐dimensional (3D) VIP‐Man (“visible photographic man”) model that can reflect the deformation of organs during respiration by using time‐dependent equations to manipulate surface control points. The EGS4 (Electron Gamma Shower, version 4) Monte Carlo code is then used to apply the 4D model to dose simulation. We simulated two radiation therapy delivery scenarios: gating treatment and 4D image‐guided treatment. For each delivery scenario, we developed one conformal plan and one intensity‐modulated radiation therapy plan. A lesion in the left lung was modeled to investigate the effect of respiratory motion on radiation dose distributions. Based on target dose–volume histograms, the importance of using accurate gating to improve the dose distribution is demonstrated. The results also suggest that, during 4D image‐guided treatment delivery, monitoring of the patient's breathing pattern is critical. This study demonstrates the potential of using a “standard” motion‐simulating patient model for 4D treatment planning and motion management.PACS numbers: 87.53.Bn, 87.53.Kn, 87.53.Tf, 87.53.Wz, 87.57.Gg, 89.80.+h
Effect of output variation with dose rate on the Virtual Wedge factor
Authors: Zhu X. Ronald , Gillin Michael T. 
Published: April 2008

The Siemens Virtual Wedge factor (VWF: Siemens Medical Solutions, Malvern, PA) may drift significantly because of an increase in output as the dose rate declines. This variation in output is caused by sample and hold boards in the dosimetry circuit that become defective because of radiation damage. Here, we present a simple model based on the principle of Virtual Wedge operation and the measured output variation with dose rate to quantitatively describe VWF drift as a function of field size and wedge angle. Our results support the recommendation that VWF be measured for large field sizes (for example, cm) and large wedge angles (for example, 60 degrees) as a part of routine quality assurance.PACS numbers: 87.55.Qr, 87.55.N‐
Experimental evaluation of the accuracy of skin dose calculation for a commercial treatment planning system
Authors: Court Laurence E. , Tishler Roy B. , Allen Aaron M. , Xiang Hong , Makrigiorgos Mike , Chin Lee 
Published: April 2008

The present work uses the Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) to investigate the accuracy of skin dose calculations. Micro‐MOSFETs (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors) were used to measure skin dose for a range of irradiation conditions (open fields, physical wedges, dynamic wedges, various source‐to‐surface distances) for 6‐MV and 10‐MV beams, and the results were compared with the calculated mean dose to a “skin” structure 2 mm thick for semi‐cylindrical phantoms (representative of a neck or breast). Agreement between the calculated and measured skin dose values was better than for 95% of all measured points (6‐MV and 10‐MV X‐ray spectra alike). For a fixed geometry, the TPS correctly calculated relative changes in dose, showing that minimization of skin dose in intensity‐modulated radiation therapy will be effective in Eclipse.PACS numbers: 87.53.Bn, 87.53.Dq, 87.66.Pm, 87.66.Xa
The views of cancer patients on patient rights in the context of information and autonomy
Authors: Erer S , Atici E , Erdemir A D 
Published: April 2008

Objectives:The aim of this study is to evaluate the views of cancer patients on patient rights in the context of the right to information and autonomy according to articles related to the issue in the “Patient Rights Regulation”.Methods:The research was conducted among cancer patients in the medical oncology department of a research and practice hospital using a random sampling method between June and September 2005. Data were collected during face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire.Results:There was a high rate of positive response to the items that the patients have the right to be informed (86.5%), that the physician should inform the patient on the diagnosis and the treatment (92.3%) and that the physician is obliged to inform the patient (76.9%). Only 43.3% of the patients stated that the patient has the right to refuse the treatment recommended by the physician. The participants mostly agreed that the patient should participate in decisions about the treatment and that patient consent should be given (78.8%).Conclusions:There are extensive efforts in Turkey towards making patient rights a significant supportive component of health services. For patient rights to become a natural part of medical practice it is necessary to give priority to education of both patients and physicians about patient rights and to lay emphasis on an ethical approach in the patient–physician relationship.
Clinical ethicists’ perspectives on organisational ethics in healthcare organisations
Authors: Silva D S , Gibson J L , Sibbald R , Connolly E , Singer P A 
Published: April 2008

Background:Demand for organisational ethics capacity is growing in health organisations, particularly among managers. The role of clinical ethicists in, and perspective on, organisational ethics has not been well described or documented in the literature.Objective:To describe clinical ethicists’ perspectives on organisational ethics issues in their hospitals, their institutional role in relation to organisational ethics, and their perceived effectiveness in helping to address organisational ethics issues.Design and Setting:Qualitative case study involving semi-structured interviews with 18 clinical ethicists across 13 health organisations in Toronto, Canada.Results:From the clinical ethicists’ perspective, the most pressing organisational ethics issues in their organisations are: resource allocation, staff moral distress linked to the organisation’s moral climate, conflicts of interest, and clinical issues with a significant organisational dimension. Clinical ethicists were consulted in particular on issues related to staff moral distress and clinical issues with an organisational dimension. Some ethicists described being increasingly consulted on resource allocation, conflicts of interest, and other corporate decisions. Many clinical ethicists felt they lacked sufficient knowledge and understanding of organisational decision-making processes, training in organisational ethics, and access to organisational ethics tools to deal effectively with the increasing demand for organisational ethics support.Conclusion:Growing demand for organisational ethics expertise in healthcare institutions is reshaping the role of clinical ethicists. Effectiveness in organisational ethics entails a re-evaluation of clinical ethics training to include capacity building in organisational ethics and organisational decision-making processes as a complement to traditional clinical ethics education.
Minors and informed consent in carrier testing: a survey of European clinical geneticists
Authors: Borry P , Stultiens L , Goffin T , Nys H , Dierickx K 
Published: April 2008

Purpose:A study was made of attitudes of clinical geneticists regarding the age at which minors should be allowed to undergo a carrier test and the reasons they provide to explain their answer.Methods:European clinical institutions where genetic counselling is offered to patients were contacted. 177 (63%) of the 287 eligible respondents answered a questionnaire.Results:Clinical geneticists were significantly more in favour of providing a carrier test to a younger person if the request was made together with the parents than if the adolescent requested the test personally. Although a large fraction of respondents (16%–30%) were “neither unwilling nor willing” to provide a carrier test to a 16-year-old adolescent who requested the test personally, for most disorders slightly more clinical geneticists were “very willing” or “willing”.Conclusion:Age is not the only decisive element when considering the participation of adolescents in decisions affecting their health. The clinical geneticists referred to cognitive, emotional and sexual maturity and the support of parents as crucial elements in their comments regarding when to tell children about their genetic risk or to allow adolescents to request a carrier test.
Characterization of putative membrane protein genes of the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’, chrysanthemum yellows isolate
Authors: Galetto Luciana , Fletcher Jacqueline , Bosco Domenico , Turina Massimo , Wayadande Astri , Marzachì Cristina 
Published: April 2008

To characterize potentially important surface-exposed proteins of the phytoplasma causing chrysanthemum yellows (CY), new primers were designed based on the conserved regions of 3 membrane protein genes of the completely sequenced onion yellows and aster yellows witches’ broom phytoplasmas and were used to amplify CY DNA. The CY genes secY, amp, and artI, encoding the protein translocase subunit SecY, the antigenic membrane protein Amp and the arginine transporter ArtI, respectively, were cloned and completely sequenced. Alignment of CY-specific secY sequences with the corresponding genes of other phytoplasmas confirmed the 16S rDNA-based classification, while amp sequences were highly variable within the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’. Five CY partial sequences were cloned into the pRSetC expression vector, and 3 of the encoded protein fragments (Amp 64/651, Amp 64/224, ArtI 131/512) were expressed as fusion antigens for the production of CY-specific polyclonal antibodies (A416 against Amp 64/224; A407 against ArtI 131/512). A416 recognized, in Western blots, the full-length Amp from CY-infected plants (periwinkle, daisy) and insect vectors ( Euscelidius variegatus , Macrosteles quadripunctulatus ). A416 also reacted to European aster yellows, to primula yellows phytoplasmas, to northern Italian strains of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma asteris’ from lettuce and gladiolus, but it did not react to American aster yellows phytoplasma.
Field Testing: Interpretation of the Cone Penetration Test
Authors: Wroth C. P. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

The paper criticises the time it took to produce BS 5930, and its inadequate coverage of
in situ
testing of soils, both on and offshore. The urgency of correcting these omissions is emphasised. Additional material should not only deal with new equipment and experimental methods, but also take account of recent developments in understanding soil behaviour so that the recommended methods of interpretation are soundly based.
Field Testing: The Standard Penetration Test
Authors: Thorburn S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis introductory lecture discusses the international use of the standard penetration test (SPT) and presents the proposals for International Reference Test Procedures. The application of the SPT as a means of assessing the strength and stiffness of weak rocks is mentioned together with the reliance upon the test at the present time for estimating the liquefaction potential of saturated fine grained non-cohesive soils. The various aspects of the execution of the SPT are discussed which can provide variable and unrepresentative values of resistance (Nvalues).The principle of measuring energy losses and making adjustments to theNvalues is introduced as a basis for ensuring comparability of test results.Reference is made to the general descriptions of the SPT given in BS 5930:1981 and to the lack of clear guidance in this British Standard.
Laboratory Testing: Assessing BS 5930
Authors: Hight D. W. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Established patterns of soil behaviour are used to illustrate: the divergence between parameters from laboratory and
in situ
tests; the changes in effective stress caused by sampling; and the influence of initial effective stress,
p
′
0
on the measured strength and deformation parameters for cohesive soils.

Current practice in onshore site investigation continues to make use of the unconsolidated undrained triaxial test in which

p
′
0

is not controlled. Variations in

p
′
0

after sampling and subsequent handling are shown to contribute to the scatter in undrained compression strength data.

A plea is made for BS 5930 to encourage the measurement of effective stress in all undrained triaxial tests; to recognise the non-linear nature of soils; and to urge integration of laboratory and
in situ
tests.
Rock Descriptions
Authors: Hawkins A. B. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

The paper critically reviews the description and classification of rocks for engineering purposes given in BS 5930. It makes a number of recommendations. These are concerned principally with the naming of carbonate rocks, weathering terms, the use of saturated strengths, correlation factors for use with point load strengths, the use of solid core rather than axial core measurements for ROD and not using a legend when the core recovery is less than 80%. The paper introduces the concept of an RQD
300
and proposes the use of a lithological quality designation (LQD
100
and LQD
300
). A change is suggested in the descriptive word order.
Planning Engineering Geophysical Surveys
Authors: Darracott B. W. , McCann D. M. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The recently published British Standard Code of Practice for Site Investigation, BS 5930, makes reference to the use of geophysical methods, and gives some guidance for selection of techniques. However, the use of geophysical methods in the UK has not been as widespread as their potential permits, and it is believed that this is due in large part to either inadequate planning and/or incorrect choice of technique, leading to disappointing results. In this paper we set out a logical sequence of steps for the execution of a geophysical survey, and highlight the principal factors (penetration, resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast in physical properties) which influence the choice of technique. Adequate attention to these factors before a survey is started almost invariably will significantly improve the value of the results.
Remote Sensing Techniques in Civil Engineering Surveys
Authors: Amos E. M. , Blakeway D. , Warren C. D. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
This paper outlines selected remote sensing techniques and their application to civil engineering surveys.
In BS 5930, emphasis has been placed on the interpretation of black and white aerial photography to provide information. However, other techniques such as true colour and false colour infrared photography, thermal infrared, radar and landsat satellite imagery may be useful in appropriate applications.
Pressuremeter Testing of Normally Consolidated Clays—The Effects of Varying Test Technique
Authors: Anderson W. F. , Pyrah I. C. , Haji-Ali F. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Although BS 5930:1981 describes both Menard and self-boring pressuremeter tests, little guidance is given on test methods. A number of techniques, both stress controlled and strain controlled, have been used and it has been shown that for clays the test technique has a significant influence on the derived strength and modulus parameters.
When a pressuremeter test is carried out in a clay, it is assumed that shearing occurs under undrained conditions. However, in addition to immediate shear strain, some creep and local consolidation will occur in the soil around the expanding borehole. These two phenomena are time-dependent and variations in test technique will affect the test data and hence the derived strength and modulus values.
To obtain a better understanding of these effects, pressuremeter tests have been studied both experimentally and numerically. Experimentally, pressuremeter tests have been simulated by expanding cylindrical cavities in samples of three clays prepared with known stress history and the results compared with numerical predictions where the effects of immediate shear, creep and consolidation can be separated. The experimental results compare well with the numerical predictions.
This has given a new insight into the behaviour of clay soils during pressuremeter tests. The results indicate that any simple standardization of pressuremeter test technique should be approached with caution.
Stress Path Tests on 100 mm Diameter Samples
Authors: Atkinson J. H. , Clinton D. B. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The use of stress path tests is discussed in relation to geotechnical design, and a description is given of the triaxial test stress path apparatus developed at The City University.
Test results are presented from a series of triaxial tests following stress paths commonly encountered in engineering design problems. These are compared with the results of conventional triaxial tests.
The stress-strain behaviour and pore pressure response of soil are shown to be very much dependent on the stress path followed, and the advantages of using stress-controlled loading in triaxial tests is demonstrated.
Groundwater Control in Complex Ground Conditions
Authors: Atkinson M. S. , Thornton G. D. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Two fifteen metre diameter ten metre deep underground tanks were constructed immediately alongside each other by sinking bolted segmental caissons and casting the secondary lining
in situ
. Preliminary site investigation indicated difficult ground conditions with a high risk of base failure for excavation in the dry. Wet construction of the base slab would avoid base instability but not the problem of hydrostatic uplift of the partially completed structures.

Further investigation revealed a complex sequence of interbedded sands, silts and clays of alluvial and glacial origins. The granular horizons comprised a small number of thicker continuous bands, one occurring immediately below the proposed formation levels for the tank floor slabs, and several thinner irregular bands grading laterally into silts and clays.
Piezometers in the more critical granular horizons indicated artesian and sub-artesian groundwater levels. Temporarily disconnecting at ground level the piezometer showing artesian conditions and measuring the resulting water flow indicated a granular body of restricted size or limited recharge. The absence of any effect on other piezometers offered confirmation of isolated granular bodies.
Despite obvious difficulties in predicting the effectiveness of a groundwater lowering installation the significant advantages of constructing in the dry over wet construction mitigated in favour of dewatering. Sixteen deep pumped wells were installed around the circumference of the tanks to form a figure of eight pattern for the wells. To reduce the risk of a base failure due to artesian groundwater in any lobes of granular material encroaching within the plan excavation but not intersected by the pumped wells, four internal relief wells per tank were installed.
Successful construction was achieved, although a minor interruption to the pumping clearly demonstrated the prudence of the internal relief well installation.
The paper comments on some aspects of BS 5930 in relation to the construction described.
Guidance on Pressuremeter, Flat Dilatometer and Cone Penetration Testing
Authors: Finn P. S. , Nisbet R. M. , Hawkins P. G. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
BS 5930 provides little guidance on the specification, practice and interpretation of pressuremeter, flat dilatometer and cone penetration tests. This paper describes certain key elements in the successful use of such tests which are frequently overlooked in practice. The different types of pressuremeter available in the United Kingdom are reviewed and the importance of care in the installation of pressuremeters of all types is highlighted. The principles of operation of the flat dilatometer are presented and comments made on the interpretation and application of results. Cone penetrometer testing and the types of equipment available are also discussed. The necessity for frequent and thorough calibration of all testing devices is emphasised and requirements for data presentation and reporting of these in situ tests are indicated.