3D tumor localization through real-time volumetric x-ray imaging for lung cancer radiotherapy

Recently we have developed an algorithm for reconstructing volumetric images and extracting 3D tumor motion information from a single x-ray projection. We have demonstrated its feasibility using a digital respiratory phantom with regular breathing patterns. In this work, we present a detailed description and a comprehensive evaluation of the improved algorithm. The algorithm was improved by incorporating respiratory motion prediction. The accuracy and efficiency were then evaluated on 1) a digital respiratory phantom, 2) a physical respiratory phantom, and 3) five lung cancer patients. These evaluation cases include both regular and irregular breathing patterns that are different from the training dataset. For the digital respiratory phantom with regular and irregular breathing, the average 3D tumor localization error is less than 1 mm. On an NVIDIA Tesla C1060 GPU card, the average computation time for 3D tumor localization from each projection ranges between 0.19 and 0.26 seconds, for both regular and irregular breathing, which is about a 10% improvement over previously reported results. For the physical respiratory phantom, an average tumor localization error below 1 mm was achieved with an average computation time of 0.13 and 0.16 seconds on the same GPU card, for regular and irregular breathing, respectively. For the five lung cancer patients, the average tumor localization error is below 2 mm in both the axial and tangential directions. The average computation time on the same GPU card ranges between 0.26 and 0.34 seconds

Optimal Handling and Postharvest Strategies to Reduce Losses of ‘Cuello Dama Negro’ Dark Figs (Ficus Carica L.)

The optimal postharvest handling to reduce postharvest decay and maintain quality of ‘Cuello Dama Negro’ fresh dark figs grown in Spain is been studied. Different storage temperatures (0ºC and 4ºC), relative humidity (RH, 75% to 95%) and cooling strategies (delayed and intermittent cooling) were tested. Moreover, different postharvest strategies such as 1-MCP (10 ppm), two different passive modified atmosphere packaging (Xtend® and LifePack MAP), and SO2 generating pads (UVASYS, Grapetek (Pty) Ltd.), were also tested. Storage at 0ºC, 95% RH together with MAP effectively decreased postharvest rots and therefore increased the market life of ‘Cuello Dama Negro’ fresh figs, without altering the fruit quality nor the consumer liking degree. No improvement on the shelf life of the fruit was observed with the application of 1-MCP. The use of SO2 generating pads reduced the decay but detrimentally affected fruit quality by inducing skin bleaching. Low temperature from harvest to consumption is crucial for a good maintenance of quality in fresh fig. In addition, EMAP technology is a low-cost technology able to reduce decay and maintain fruit quality of fresh figs up to 2 weeks.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

MHC-IIB Filament Assembly and Cellular Localization Are Governed by the Rod Net Charge

Actin-dependent myosin II molecular motors form an integral part of the cell cytoskeleton. Myosin II molecules contain a long coiled-coil rod that mediates filament assembly required for myosin II to exert its full activity. The exact mechanisms orchestrating filament assembly are not fully understood., negatively-charged regions of the coiled-coil were found to play an important role by controlling the intracellular localization of native MHC-IIB. The entire positively-charged region is also important for intracellular localization of native MHC-IIB.A correct distribution of positive and negative charges along myosin II rod is a necessary component in proper filament assembly and intracellular localization of MHC-IIB

The role of adsorbed ions during electrocatalysis in ionic liquids

The effects of electrode–adsorbate interactions on electrocatalysis at Pt in ionic liquids are described. The ionic liquids are diethylmethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, [dema][TfO], dimethylethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, [dmea][TfO], and diethylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, [dema][Tf2N]. Electrochemical analysis indicates that a monolayer of hydrogen adsorbs onto Pt during potential cycling in [dema][[TfO] and [dmea][TfO]. In addition, a prepeak is observed at lower potentials than that of the main oxidation peak during CO oxidation in the [TfO]−-based liquids. In contrast, hydrogen does not adsorb onto Pt during potential cycling in [dema][Tf2N] and no prepeak is observed during CO oxidation. By displacing adsorbed ions on Pt surfaces with CO at a range of potentials, and measuring the charge passed during ion displacement, the potentials of zero total charge of Pt in [dema][TfO] and [dmea][TfO] were measured as 271 ± 9 and 289 ± 10 mV vs RHE, respectively. CO displacement experiments also indicate that the [Tf2N]− ion is bound to the Pt surface at potentials above −0.2 V and the implications of ion adsorption on electrocatalysis of the CO oxidation reaction and O2 reduction reaction in the protic ionic liquids are discussed

Pharmakologische Untersuchungen des vegetativen Nervensystems bei Anchylostomiasis und anderen

Über die Pathogenese der Anämie bei Anchylostomiasis herrscht noch keine bestimmte Anschanung. Neuerdings sind zudem von mehreren Seiten die Entstehung von Anämien im allgemeinen und auch deren Behandlungsweise usw. auf konstitutionelle Momente, besonders z. B. auf die Schilddrüse und ihre Funktionen bezogen. Von diesem Standpunkt aus habe ich pharmakologisch mit Adrenalin, Atropin und Pilocarpin den Zustand des mit den innersekretorischen Organen innig gebundenen vegetativen Nervensystems bei Anchylostomiasis erforscht. Ebenso wurde es auch bei anderen Krankheiten, z. B. bei Diabetes, Parkinsonismus, Bleivergiftung und Morphinismus geprüft. Unter 11 Anchylostomiasis-Kranken, welche mössige Anämie und Eosinophilie zeigten, reagierten gegen Adrenalin nur 2 Fälle ziemlich stark, übrige nur ganz geringfügig, sogar zeigte ein Fall keine Reaktion. Gegen Pilocarpin war ein Fall unempfindlich, übrige Fälle reagierten aber mässig stark, ebenso, wenn auch weniger ausgesprochen, doch auch mässig gegen Atropin. Es schien also bei Anchylostomiasis grösstenteils sich um Labilität des gesamten vegetativen Nervensystems, spez. um Vaguslabilität, bei welcher es zwar mehr zur Pilocarpinempfindlichkeit neigte, zu handeln, nur ein Fall verhielt sich wie bei Sympathikotonie infolge von Vagushypotonie. Durch Thyreoidingabe (täglich 0,3g, 3 Tage lang) ist bei einem Anchylostomiasis und Diabetes und Morphinismus die Atropinreaktion anscheinend mehr ausgeprägt als sonst geworden. Ob man aber aus Resultaten mit solchen die Endigungen des vegetativen Nervensystems beeinflussenden Mitteln, wie Atropin, Pilocarpin und Adrenalin über den gesamten Verhalten je im betreffenden Systeme des vegetativen Nervensystems beurteilen und sogar dasselbe in die 2 gegeneinander stehenden Systeme, Para- und Sympathicus, wie Eppinger und Hess zuerst hervorhoben, einteilen mag, das ist eine Frage. Hoffentlich kommen anderweitige neueren Methoden für die Funktionsprüfung des vegetativen Nervensystems