Automated detection of vertebral body misalignments in orthogonal kV and MV guided radiotherapy: application to a comprehensive retrospective dataset.

. In image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), off-by-one vertebral body misalignments are rare but potentially catastrophic. In this study, a novel detection method for such misalignments in IGRT was investigated using densely-connected convolutional networks (DenseNets) for applications towards real-time error prevention and retrospective error auditing.

Development and interinstitutional validation of an automatic vertebral-body misalignment error detector for cone-beam CT-guided radiotherapy.

Background: In cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided radiotherapy, off-by-one vertebral-body misalignments are rare but serious errors that lead to wrong-site treatments.

Purpose: An automatic error detection algorithm was developed that uses a three-branch convolutional neural network error detection model (EDM) to detect off-by-one vertebral-body misalignments using planning computed tomography (CT) images and setup CBCT images.

Methods: Algorithm training and test data consisted of planning CTs and CBCTs from 480 patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment in the thoracic and abdominal regions at two radiotherapy clinics.

Dosimetric evaluation of respiratory gating on a 0.35-T magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy linac.

Purpose: The commercial 0.35-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided radiotherapy vendor ViewRay recently introduced upgraded real-time imaging frame rates based on compressed sensing techniques. Furthermore, additional motion tracking algorithms were made available.

Offline generator for digitally reconstructed radiographs of a commercial stereoscopic radiotherapy image-guidance system.

Purpose: Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) research sometimes involves simulated changes to patient positioning using retrospectively collected clinical data. For example, researchers may simulate patient misalignments to develop error detection algorithms or positioning optimization algorithms. The Brainlab ExacTrac system can be used to retrospectively "replay" simulated alignment scenarios but does not allow export of digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) with simulated positioning variations for further analysis.

Large Terrestrial Bird Adapting Behavior in an Urbanized Zone.

Wildlife living within urban ecosystems have to adapt or perish. Red-legged Seriema, a large terrestrial bird, are rare in urban ecosystems, however, they have been reported in a medium-sized Brazilian city. We investigated the reasons for this occurrence as well as their behavior.

A Case Study of the Effects of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Operational Fire Service Personnel Within the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Background: Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), the subject of this evaluative research document employs 1400 people. 80% of employees are operational firefighters and officers whom operate across a range of duty systems and support functions, providing prevention, protection and emergency response to the communities of Lancashire.

Methods: The overarching purpose of this epidemiological study is to assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) amongst operational LFRS personnel and to analyse the effects upon those who may be suffering from it, whether brought about by a single traumatic event or by repeated exposure to traumatic occurrences over a period of time.

Identification and determination of selenosulfate and selenocyanate in flue gas desulfurization waters.

In this work, 13 selenium species in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) waters from coal-fired power plants were separated and quantified using anion-exchange chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. For the first time, we identified both selenosulfate (SeSO(3)(2-)) and selenocyanate (SeCN(-)) in such waters, using retention time matching and confirmation by electrospray mass spectrometry. Besides selenite and selenate, selenosulfate was the most frequently occurring selenium species.

Use of a calcium sulfate-based bone graft substitute for benign bone lesions.

Twenty-three patients with a benign bone lesion grafted with calcium sulfate, with and without demineralized bone matrix, were reviewed. At a minimum of 1 year postoperatively, 21 patients had achieved between 76% and 100% bone repair based on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Overall, the mean Enneking Functional Evaluation System score was 98%.

Problem prostheses: the radiologic evaluation of total joint replacement.

The authors discuss and illustrate the various complications of total joint prostheses. Criteria for the evaluation of radiographs of total joint prostheses are presented.

Soft-tissue masses of the locomotor system: comparison of MR imaging with CT.

Magnetic resonance (MR) images and computed tomographic (CT) scans of histologically characterized soft-tissue masses of the locomotor system in 35 patients were compared for image contrast, demonstration of bone destruction, and display of extent and anatomic relationships of the masses. Subjective criteria for predicting malignancy were tested. T1 measurements were made in a few cases.

Studies in a patient with tumor-induced hypophosphatemic osteomalacia.

A 7-year study of a patient with tumor (hemangiopericytoma)-induced hypophosphatemic osteomalacia (TIO) is presented, and the findings are in keeping with the depressed tubular reabsorption of phosphate and low 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D levels seen in other studies. Despite normalization of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D levels with pharmacologic doses of vitamin D2, there was no discernible effect on serum phosphorus levels. Also, despite hypercalcemia induced by pharmacologic doses of vitamin D2, serum parathyroid hormone levels were persistently elevated, and gradually returned to subnormal levels after removal of the tumor.

Quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy. The effect of method of selection of region of interest.

Various authors have advocated quantitative methods of evaluating bone scintigrams to detect sacroiliitis, while others have not found them useful. Many explanations for this disagreement have been offered, including differences in the method of case selection, ethnicity, gender, and previous drug therapy. It would appear that one of the most important impediments to consistent results is the variability of selecting sacroiliac joint and reference regions of interest (ROIs).

Gas-like radiolucencies in a popliteal cyst.

A 71-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis complained of pain and swelling in the left calf. X-ray examination of the calf disclosed radiolucencies suggestive of soft tissue gas; however, subsequent investigation revealed no evidence of infection and an arthrogram showed a dissected popliteal cyst in the area of the gas. Gas-like radiolucencies in a popliteal cyst are an unusual finding which has not been previously reported.