Quality assurance for Gamma Knife Perfexion using the Exradin W1 plastic scintillation detector and Lucy phantom.

The goal of this work is to validate the use of the Exradin W1 plastic scintillation detector (PSD) to measure profiles and output factors from Gamma Knife Perfexion collimators in a Lucy phantom. The Exradin W1 PSD has a small-volume, near-water-equivalent, energy-independent sensitive element. Output measurements were performed for all 3 collimators (4 mm, 8 mm, and 16 mm) of the Gamma Knife Perfexion system, and these measurements were compared to measurements made with an A16 ion chamber and an EBT3 film and to the nominal values.

Design and real time implementation of fuzzy switched controller for single phase active power filter.

This paper proposes a novel fuzzy switched controller (FSC) integrated in direct current control (DCC) algorithm for single phase active power filter (SPAPF). The controller under study consists of conventional PI controller, fractional order PI controller (FO-PI) and fuzzy decision maker (FDM) that switches between them using reduced fuzzy logic control. The proposed controller offers short response time with low damping and deals efficiently with the external disturbances while preserving the robustness properties.

Gastric bleeding after radiation therapy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with gastric bleeding in patients treated with radiation therapy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods And Materials: Between November 2002 and December 2008, 33 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were treated with radiation therapy to the primary site. Twenty-nine (88%) patients were previously treated with chemotherapy, including gemcitabine and cisplatin in 19 patients.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy for anal cancer: outcomes and toxicity.

Objectives: To evaluate toxicity, local control, and survival in anal cancer patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy.

Methods: Sixty-five patients were treated at a single institution with IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy for localized squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. Radiotherapy was delivered with a simultaneous integrated boost technique, with dose based on the T stage.

Effectiveness of a novel gas-release endorectal balloon in the removal of rectal gas for prostate proton radiation therapy.

Endorectal balloons (ERBs) are routinely used in prostate proton radiation therapy to immobilize the prostate and spare the rectal wall. Rectal gas can distend the rectum and displace the prostate even in the presence of ERBs. The purpose of this work was to quantify the effects an ERB with a passive gas release conduit had on the incidence of rectal gas.