A dosimetry method in the transverse plane of HDR Ir-192 brachytherapy source using gafchromic EBT2 film

Radiochromic film dosimetry is increasingly used in brachytherapy applications for its higher resolution ability as compared to other experimental methods. The present study was aimed to assess the accuracy and suitability of use of the improved radiochromic film model, Gafchromic EBT2, to evaluate the dose distribution in the transverse plane of microselectron HDR ¹⁹²Ir source.A specially designed and locally fabricated Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom was used in this work for the experimental measurement of dose distribution around the source in its transverse plane. The AAPM TG-43U1 recommended radial dose function, g (r), and dose rate constant, Λ, for the source were measured using Gafchromic EBT2 film and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). The EBT2 film measured dosimetric quantities were validated against their values obtained from the TLD measurements and previously published values for the same source available in literature.The dose rate constant and radial dose function for microselectron HDR ¹⁹²Ir source obtained from Gafchromic EBT2 film measurements are in agreement with their TLD measured results within 3.9% and 2.8% respectively. They also agree within the accepted range of uncertainty with their experimental and Monte Carlo calculated results reported in literature.This work demonstrates the suitability of using Gafchromic EBT2 film dosimetry in characterization of dose distribution in the transverse plane of HDR Ir-192 source. This is a more efficient method than TLD dosimetry at discrete and distant positions. Relative to TLD dosimetry, it is found to be better reproducible, easy to use and a less expensive method of dosimetry.     

梭梭种群不同发育阶段的空间格局与关联性分析

运用点格局法中的Ripley'sK(r)函数的变形L(r)函数和g(r)函数,对古尔班通古特沙漠不同生境下不同发育阶段梭梭种群的空间格局及关联性进行了研究。结果表明:L(r)函数显示梭梭种群格局倾向于聚集分布,且集中分布在0-25m尺度范围内,而g(r)函数分析在小于3m的尺度上呈聚集分布,大于3m的尺度后波动较小,最大聚集尺度表现在0-10m范围内;梭梭在不同发育阶段过程中,L(r)和g(r)函数都显示由幼苗、幼树的聚集分布变为成年树的随机分布,甚至在某些尺度上变为均匀分布,同时幼苗幼树向成年树过渡过程中,梭梭的聚集强度呈逐渐减弱趋势。在关联性分析中,L(r)函数分析中正关联维持的尺度范围较g(r)函数大。L(r)函数分析幼苗与幼树、成年树在0-15m尺度内呈现正关联,g(r)函数在0-5m范围内表现为正关联,而幼树与成年树在0-10m尺度内多呈负关联,且两个大小级的形体大小差异越大,它们的正关联关系越弱,甚至表现为负关联或无关联。幼苗幼树的聚集分布和正关联是梭梭种子的传播和密度制约的一个平衡,对梭梭种群的生存和发展是有利的。另外,梭梭种群分布格局的强度在不同地形也存在差异,奎屯平地比五家渠的聚集强度和关联性大,缓坡差异较小,这说明地形对各种资源的再分配间接地影响了梭梭的格局。总体上看,同时应用L(r)和g(r)函数进行梭梭空间格局与关联性分析时结果不尽相同。L(r)函数的最大值可以反映典型的聚集尺度,而g(r)函数中出现的第1个最大值可以表示植株间典型距离。在小尺度下两种函数分析所得空间格局是一致的,而在大尺度上有较大差异。g(r)函数在小尺度范围内的分析结果更接近实际情况,有利于揭示出梭梭空间格局与生态过程有联系的"关键尺度",说明梭梭为了适应恶劣环境往往表现为聚集分布,这种聚集生长现象有利于个体的生存与繁衍。因此,联合使用L(r)函数和g(r)函数更有利于揭示植物个体间的关系。     

Boundary analysis in sedimentation transport experiments: a procedure for obtaining sedimentation coefficient distributions using the time derivative of the concentration profile.

A procedure is described for computing sedimentation coefficient distributions from the time derivative of the sedimentation velocity concentration profile. Use of the time derivative, (delta c/delta t)r, instead of the radial derivative, (delta c/delta r)t, is desirable because it is independent of time-invariant contributions to the optical baseline. Slowly varying baseline changes also are significantly reduced. An apparent sedimentation coefficient distribution (i.e., uncorrected for the effects of diffusion), g*(s), can be calculated from (delta c/delta t)r as [formula: see text] where s is the sedimentation coefficient, omega is the angular velocity of the rotor, c0 is the initial concentration, r is the radius, rm is the radius of the meniscus, and t is time. An iterative procedure is presented for computing g*(s)t by taking into account the contribution to (delta c/delta t)r from the plateau region to give (delta c/delta t)corr. Values of g*(s)t obtained this way are identical to those of g*(s) calculated from the radial derivative to within the roundoff error of the computations. Use of (delta c/delta t)r, instead of (delta c/delta r)t, results in a significant increase (greater than 10-fold) in the signal-to-noise ratio of data obtained from both the uv photoelectric scanner and Rayleigh optical systems of the analytical ultracentrifuge. The use of (delta c/delta t)r to compute apparent sedimentation coefficient distributions for purposes of boundary analysis is exemplified with an antigen-antibody system.     

Reverse Monte Carlo Simulation: A New Technique for the Determination of Disordered Structures

Abstract

We have developed a new technique, based on the standard Monte Carlo simulation method with Markov chain sampling, in which a set of three dimensional particle configurations are generated that are consistent with the experimentally measured structure factor. A(Q), and radial distribution function, g(r), of a liquid or other disordered system. Consistency is determined by a standard χ² test using the experimental errors. No input potential is required, we present initial results for liquid argon. Since the technique can work directly from the structure factor it promises to be useful for modelling the structures of glasses or amorphous materials. It also has other advantages in multicomponent systems and as a tool for experimental data analysis.     

A fractal analysis of the radial distribution of bronchial capillaries around large airways.

We analyzed published measurements of the bronchial circulation and airway wall (Anderson JC, Bernard SL, Luchtel DL, Babb AL, and Hlastala MP. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 132: 329-339, 2002) and determined that the radial distribution of bronchial capillary cross-sectional area was fractal. We limited our analysis to bronchial capillaries, diameter < or =10 mum, that resided between the epithelial basement membrane and adventitia-alveolar boundary, the airway wall tissue. Thirteen different radial distributions of capillary-to-tissue area were constructed simply by changing the number of annuli (i.e., the annular size) used to form each distribution. For the 13 distributions created, these annuli ranged in size from to of the size of the airway wall area. Radial distributions were excluded from the fractal analysis if the sectioning procedure resulted in an annulus with a radial thickness less than the diameter of a capillary. To determine the fractal dimension for a given airway, the coefficient of variation (CV) for each distribution was calculated, and ln(CV) was plotted against the logarithm of the relative piece area. For airways with diameter >2.4 mm, this relationship was linear, which indicated the radial distribution of bronchial capillary cross-sectional area was fractal with an average fractal dimension of 1.27. The radial distribution of bronchial capillary cross-sectional area was not fractal around airways with diameter <1.5 mm. We speculated on how the fractal nature of this circulation impacts the distribution of bronchial blood flow and the efficiency of mass transport during health and disease. A fractal analysis can be used as a tool to quantify and summarize investigations of the bronchial circulation.     

Development of the Banana Fruit and Occurrence of the Maturity Bronzing Disorder

Maturity bronzing is a preharvest disorder of cultivar Williamsbananas (Musa, AAA group, Cavendish sub-group) involving necrosisof the peel surface Lesion development is described and is distinguishedfrom damage caused by banana rust thrips [Chaetanaphothripssignipennis (Bagnall)] Anatomical studies on the peel of thedeveloping fruit showed that (I) the area of epidermal cellschanges little during fruit expansion, and (II) epidermal cellsbecome flattened in the radial direction and tangentially-elongatedto accommodate the more rapid growth of the underlying tissuesFruit produced in the wet season in North Queensland, Australia(lat 17° 36' S, 146° 00' E) has an exceptionally highgrowth rate and is highly susceptible to maturity bronzing Underthese conditions stretching of the epidermis exceeds its elasticlimit and leads to cracks and cell disruption in the peel surface,and subsequently to formation of the lesions characteristicof maturity bronzing Musa, banana fruit, peel, disorder, lesion, banana rust thrips     

Changes in water structure induced by a hydrophobic solute probed by simulation of the water hydrogen bond angle and radial distribution functions.

In order to better characterize changes in water structure induced by a hydrophobic solute the oxygen-oxygen and hydrogen-hydrogen radial distribution functions (goo(r), ghh(r)) and the hydrogen bond angle distribution function p(theta) for water molecules in the first hydration shell of the tetramethyl ammonium (TMA) cation were computed using Monte Carlo simulations. goo(r) and ghh(r) were corrected for the effect of solute volume exclusion on the local solvent density so that intrinsic structural changes independent of local solvent density variations could be detected. Comparison of ghh(r) of TMA's first hydration shell water with ghh(r) for bulk water shows subtle but clear evidence of structure formation induced by the ion. These changes in ghh(r) are very similar to those seen experimentally for larger tetra-alkyl ammonium ions in previous neutron diffraction experiments. Larger changes in p(theta) in the first hydration shell of TMA were seen. Comparison of changes in p(theta) with changes in goo(r) and ghh(r) show that the angle distribution function provides the most sensitive way to analyze water structure changes associated with hydrophobic solvation.     

Spatial distribution of surface immunoglobulin on B lymphocytes : Local ordering

Maps of the spatial distribution of surface immunoglobulin on B lymphocytes obtained by freezeetch electron microscopy were analysed mathematically. The pictures were automatically scanned by a digital microdensitometer and the number and coordinates of the immunoglobulin molecules determined. A statistical measure, the radial distribution function, g(r), commonly used to study the structure of liquids, was computed for each map. The radial distribution function of surface immunoglobulin was found to closely resemble g(r) for fluids, indicating the presence of shortrange (but not long-range) order. It was determined that a given surface immunoglobulin molecule has a high probability of being surrounded by other immunoglobulins at distances approximately one-half the mean interparticle spacing. From this one can conclude that the distribution of surface immunoglobulin is non-random and is characterized by local clustering. The mean number of first nearest neighbors surrounding each surface immunoglobulin, computed from g(r), was found to be near two. This value is consistent with a degree of linear order in the topographic distribution of immunoglobulin. The radial distribution function provides a method of quantitating the amount of clustering in a spatial distribution. This function may prove useful in accessing the amount of receptor cross-linking necessary to trigger cellular responses, and in elucidating mechanisms for aggregation and movement of membrane macromolecules.     

Evaluation of plate count methods for determination of maximum specific growth rate in mixed microbial communities, and its possible application for diversity assessment

Two plate count methods are proposed for direct assessment of the maximum specific growth rate (microm) of bacteria in mixed communities. An estimate of microm of individual colonies is obtained by plating samples on an agar medium and determining either the time required to form macroscopically visible colonies, Tv (diameter < or =0.2 mm), or the linear radial growth rate, Kr, of single colonies. In accordance with theoretical models, a linear relationship was found between microm determined in liquid culture and 1/Tv, and between microm and Kr. Empirical relationships were established for these relationships. The time required to form a visible colony was 17 +/- 9 h longer for cells in the stationary growth phase, whereas the linear radial growth rate was not affected by the physiological state of the cells. The proposed plate count methods are simple and applicable for describing the community structure, and for estimating the frequency distribution of maximum specific growth rates in mixed communities. By using this frequency distribution it is possible to calculate diversity indexes and to assign a microbial community a position on an r/K-gradient.     

A Possible Role for Polyamines in the Repression of Growth of Bradyrhizobium japonicum Bacteroids in Soybean Nodules

Soybean plants (Glycine max L. Merr. cv. Tamahomare) accumulatesufficient putrescine and spermidine in their nodules to inhibitthe growth of bacteroids of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain138NR. Gas-chromatographic analysis showed that the mature nodulesfrom 35-d-old plants contained approximately 1.5 µmoleseach of putrescine and spermidine per g fresh weight. Water-soluble(free) putrescine and spermidine were present at concentrationsof 0.39 and 0.13 µmoles per g fresh weight, respectively.Cadaverine and spermine were not detected in the nodules. Ina yeast-extract mannitol broth at a pH above 7.0, putrescine,cadaverine, spermidine, and spermine at more than 0.5, 0.2,0.05, and 0.05 mM, respectively, inhibited the growth of thebacteroids. The effect of the polyamines was bactericidal athigher concentrations. More than 95% of bacteroids were notable to form colonies on agar plates that contained 0.5 mM spermidineat pH 7.0. The high sensitivity to polyamines was a unique characteristicof the bacteroidform cells of this strain. The bacteroids losttheir sensitivity to the polyamines within 24 hours after theirisolation from nodules. The cultured cells of this strain multipliedin the presence of 2 mM spermidine or spermine. (Received January 28, 1993; Accepted June 14, 1993)     

Stochastic radial dose distributions and track structure theory

Measured single-event distributions of the specific energy deposited in cylindrical volumes with simulated diameters down to 150 nm for (4)He and (12)C ions with energies of 25 MeV/nucleon and (16)O ions with 21 MeV/nucleon and radial distances up to 12 microm are presented. The mean specific energy per ion , the mean specific energy per target hit z(1)(r), and the relative frequency of target hits nu(r) as a function of radial distance are evaluated and compared with the corresponding quantities of the track structure model of Kiefer and Straaten (Phys. Med. Biol. 31, 1201-1209, 1986). Though there are some discrepancies in the absolute values, the radial dependence of , z(1)(r) and v(r) for (12)C and (16)O ions is reproduced satisfactorily. The model fails to describe the data for (4)He ions. A more detailed comparison of the radial shape of the mean specific energies calculated from the experimental data from the present work and data from the literature reveals a significant projectile charge dependence which is not included in track structure models.     

Dynamical Properties of Condensed Charged Polymer Melts

Abstract

Dynamical properties of condensed charged polymer melts are studied with a two-dimensional model and molecular dynamics simulation. Screened Coulombic interactions are assumed for the interactions between the monomer charges as well as the counterions which were introduced to neutralize the total monomer charges of polymer chains. Through molecular dynamics calculations, we have obtained the radial distribution function and velocity auto-correlation function, and their density dependences. As a structural characteristics in condensed charged polymer melts, we find that the monomers tend to form triangular structures locally. The radial distribution function for the center monomers implies that the polymer chains on our two-dimensional model are not entangled. The diffusion properties for both the counter-ions and innermost monomers are studied in detail. In this paper, we have also computed neutral polymer melts to study the effects of the presence of the long-range Coulombic interactions on the dynamical properties of polymer melts. We find that the Coulombic interactions significantly reduce the self diffusion. Snapshots analyses obtained from the molecular dynamics simulation suggest that the reptation model is not a proper model for two-dimensional polymer-chain melts, in which there are little entanglement effects in agreement with the result of the analyses for the radial distribution function.     

A quantitative method to study co-adhesion of microorganisms in a parallel plate flow chamber: basic principles of the analysis

Intermicrobial aggregation is described as one of the factors contributing to dental plaque formation. Intermicrobial aggregation is usually measured by mixing potential partners suspended in a liquid phase (‘coaggregation’). However, even if aggregation in the liquid phase occurs, adhesion of microorganisms to partners already adhering to a substratum surface may also occur (‘co-adhesion’). Coaggregation assays have been performed in order to measure coaggregation and to model co-adhesion, although it is not yet clear which the two prevails in vivo. Apart from being semi-quantitative (scores run from 0 to 4) it is questionable whether coaggregation assays really mimic co-adhesion. This study was designed to develop a method to quantitative assess co-adhesion of microbial pairs in order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms governing co-adhesion. Co-adhesion of coaggregating and non-coaggregating partners (S. oralis, S. sanguis and A. naeslundii) to glass has been studied in a parallel plate flow chamber using real time image analysis. The spatial arrangements of adhering bacteria were analyzed by radial pair distribution functions, revealing the relative density of adhering bacteria around adhering bacteria from the same (g₂₂(r)) or a partner strain (g₂₁(r)). Pair distribution functions g₂₁(r) of coaggregating pairs clearly reveal a preference of coaggregating streptococci (S. oralis J22 and S. sanguis PK2951) to adhere around the actimomyces (A. naeslundii PK213 or T14V-J1), which were used to coat the bare glass substratum. Besides, the distribution function g₂₁(r) showed differences in co-adhesion patterns for strains with the same coaggregation score. From the results presented in this paper it can be concluded that with a parallel plate flow chamber, co-adhesion can be quantified on a continuous scale under well controlled conditions, more closely resembling those occurring in vivo.     

The spatial distributions of randomly coiling polynucleotides

Statistical mechanical averages of vectors and tensors characterizing the allowed configurations of randomly coiling polynucleotides have been calculated for chains of 2⁰–2¹⁰ repeating units. Specifically, the persistence vector p = 〈 r 〉 has been obtained as a function of chain length. Configurational averages of the Cartesian tensors formed from the displacement vector ρ = r – p have been computed up to and including the tensor of seventh rank. From these tensors the three-dimensional spatial distributions of end-to-end vectors have been constructed to provide comprehensive pictures of the directional tendencies of the randomly coiling polynucleotide. The elements of the third and fourth moment tensors, however, give sufficient information to represent accurately the qualitative features of the spatial distributions. For long chains, more than 2⁶ (64) repeating units, the spatial distributions assume spherically symmetric shapes that can be adequately characterized by one-dimensional radial distribution functions. These radial distribution functions agree well with the radial distributions calculated from Monte Carlo samples containing more than 5000 chains. The constraints of fixed bond lengths, fixed bond angles, and hindered internal rotations severely distort the spatial distributions of short polynucleotide chains to mushroom-shaped volumes. These skewed distributions provide information useful to the analysis of small, single-stranded loops, bulges, and circles. The formation of these structures requires the termini of the polynucleotides to lie within specifically delineated volumes with respect to coordinate systems affixed to the first bonds of the chains. The extent to which these loop closure volumes overlap the three-dimensional spatial distributions provides estimates of loop formation that are much more reliable than earlier studies based upon the radial distribution function.     

On the theory of the spatial organization of macromolecules in connective tissue

The radial distribution function characterizing the spatial organization of the long fibrils of connective tissue is obtained by mathematical analysis of molecular models. The models are based on the assumption that polymeric chains form bridges between the fibrils, thereby providing the long range interactions responsible for the quasi-ordered spatial disposition of the fibrils. The theory is applied to rabbit cornea for which an empirical radial distribution has been obtained previously by analysis of electron micrographs. General agreement is found between theory and experiment for parameter values that are thought to be representative of stroma. The analysis constitutes a step toward the development of the physical basis of the ultrastructure of connective tissue and the way in which that structure affects physiological behavior.     

Monte Carlo generation of polypeptide random coil conformations; the persistence vector and the chain vector distribution

Polypeptide random coil conformations of various chain lenghts (N = 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 peptide units) are generated by a Monte Carlo procedure. The characteristic ratio obtained for the sets of generated conformations is identical with the exact value calculated with the average transformation matrix procedure, indicating the equivalence of the two treatments. On the basic of the generated sets of conformations the length and direction of the persistence vector (the averaged chain vector expressed in the reference frame of the first two skeletal bonds) are investigated for various chain lengths. The radial distribution function for the chain vector shows the length of the chain vector for small polypeptides (N = 5, 10) not to deviate far from its most probable value. Also for larger chains up to chains of 80 peptide units very significant deviations from a gaussian distribution are observed.The distribution of the length of the vector connecting the remote end of the chain with the end of the persistence vector exhibited behavior much doser to the gaussian approximation, an improvement especially significant for the short chains.     

The quantitative relationship between longitudinal and radial function in left, right, and total heart pumping in humans

The total heart volume variation (THVV) during systole has been proposed to be caused by radial function of the ventricles, but definitive data for both ventricles have not been presented. Furthermore, the right ventricle (RV) has been suggested to have a greater longitudinal pumping component than the left ventricle (LV). Therefore, we aimed to compare the stroke volume (SV) generated by radial function to the volume variation of the left, right, and total heart. To do this, we also needed to develop a new method for measuring the contribution of the longitudinal atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) to the RVSV (RVSV(AVPD)). For our study, 11 volunteers underwent cine MRI in the short- and long-axis planes and MRI flow measurement in all vessels leading to and from the heart. The left, right, and total heart showed correlations between volume variation from flow measurements and radial function calculated as SV minus the longitudinal function (r = 0.81, P < 0.01; r = 0.80, P < 0.01; and r = 0.92, P < 0.001, respectively). Compared with the LV, the RV had a greater AVPD (23.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 16.4 +/- 0.5 mm), center of volume movement (13.0 +/- 0.7 vs. 7.8 +/- 0.4 mm), and, RVSV(AVPD) (82 +/- 2% vs. 60 +/- 2%) (P < 0.001 for all). We found that THVV is predominantly caused by radial function of the ventricles. Longitudinal AVPD accounts for approximately 80% of the RVSV, compared with approximately 60% for the LVSV. This difference explains the larger portion of THVV found on the left side of the heart.     

Numerical modeling of the formation of steady-state nonequilibrium distributions of particles interacting through a power-law potential

The formation of a steady-state nonequilibrium distribution function of particles interacting through the repulsive potential U ~ α/r ^β(1≤β≤4), which operates at an infinite range, is studied numerically. The collisional particle dynamics in such a system is investigated using a spatially homogeneous nonlinear collision integral in the Landau-Fokker-Planck form, which is a model Boltzmann collision integral for arbitrary potentials of interaction accompanied by little momentum transfer between particles in collisions. Numerical modeling is based on completely conservative difference schemes. It is shown that the principal condition for the existence of steady-state nonequilibrium distributions is the presence of a particle or an energy flux oriented in the proper manner in momentum space. A steady-state local distribution exists inside the momentum interval between the energy source and sink and has the form of a gradually decreasing function. Since a radical change in the distribution function under nonequilibrium conditions leads to an anomalous enhancement of the conduction of a medium and its emission characteristics, the results obtained can be used, e.g., to predict the behavior of semiconductors with an intrinsic or extrinsic conductivity under the action of particle fluxes or electromagnetic radiation.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of lipid bilayers: major artifacts due to truncating electrostatic interactions

We study the influence of truncating the electrostatic interactions in a fully hydrated pure dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer through 20 ns molecular dynamics simulations. The computations in which the electrostatic interactions were truncated are compared to similar simulations using the particle-mesh Ewald (PME) technique. All examined truncation distances (1.8-2.5 nm) lead to major effects on the bilayer properties, such as enhanced order of acyl chains together with decreased areas per lipid. The results obtained using PME, on the other hand, are consistent with experiments. These artifacts are interpreted in terms of radial distribution functions g(r) of molecules and molecular groups in the bilayer plane. Pronounced maxima or minima in g(r) appear exactly at the cutoff distance indicating that the truncation gives rise to artificial ordering between the polar phosphatidyl and choline groups of the DPPC molecules. In systems described using PME, such artificial ordering is not present.