Assessment of Monitor Units and Gamma Pass Rate for 6 MV and Flattening Filter Free (FFF) Beams in Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)

Background: In linear accelerators, the treatment field’s uniform intensity is achieved by including a flattening filter in the beam. However, to produce more conformal dose distributions, contemporary radiotherapy practice now frequently uses fluence and aperture modifying techniques, such as volumetric modulated arc therapy. In these circumstances, the flattening filter in the beam manufacturing process is no longer required. It is therefore necessary to compare the monitor units of 6 MV and flattening filter free plans and how it influences the gamma pass rates to determine which is best for treating cervical cancer with pelvic lymph node metastasis. Methods: VMAT plans for fifteen patients with cervical cancer with pathological pelvic lymph node metastasis were included in this study. Each patient had two VMAT plans using conventional 6 MV beam with flattening filter and one with flattening filter free beam (FFF). The VMAT plans were made using two arcs, and then recalculated to give the planned dose distribution to the detectors in a Delta4 phantom. The VMAT plans were irradiated on the Delta4 phantom using an Elekta linear accelerator (6 MV). Results: The mean monitor unit for the 6 MV plans was 506.3 MU and a standard deviation of 48.6 while that of the FFF plans had a mean MU of 701.5 with a standard deviation of 87.6. The total monitor units (MUs) for the FFF plans were significantly greater than the 6 MV plans (p = 6.1 × 10-5). Conclusion: Flattening filter free (FFF) plans require more numbers of monitor units in comparison to conventional 6 MV filtered beams for external radiation of cervical cancer with pelvic lymph nodes involvement.

Selective Impact of Dispersion and Nonlinearity on Waves and Solitary Wave in a Strongly Nonlinear and Flattened Waveguide

The waveguide which is at the center of our concerns in this work is a strongly flattened waveguide, that is to say characterized by a strong dispersion and in addition is strongly nonlinear. As this type of waveguide contains multiple dispersion coefficients according to the degrees of spatial variation within it, our work in this article is to see how these dispersions and nonlinearities each influence the wave or the signal that can propagate in the waveguide. Since the partial differential equation which governs the dynamics of propagation in such transmission medium presents several dispersion and nonlinear coefficients, we check how they contribute to the choices of the solutions that we want them to verify this nonlinear partial differential equation. This effectively requires an adequate choice of the form of solution to be constructed. Thus, this article is based on three main pillars, namely: first of all, making a good choice of the solution function to be constructed, secondly, determining the exact solutions and, if necessary, remodeling the main equation such that it is possible;then check the impact of the dispersion and nonlinear coefficients on the solutions. Finally, the reliability of the solutions obtained is tested by a study of the propagation. Another very important aspect is the use of notions of probability to select the predominant solutions.

Analysis of Collapse in Flattening a Micro-grooved Heat Pipe by Lateral Compression

The collapse of thin-walled micro-grooved heat pipes is a common phenomenon in the tube flattening process, which seriously influences the heat transfer performance and appearance of heat pipe. At present, there is no other better method to solve this problem. A new method by heating the heat pipe is proposed to eliminate the collapse during the flattening process. The effectiveness of the proposed method is investigated through a theoretical model, a finite element（FE） analysis, and experimental method. Firstly, A theoretical model based on a deformation model of six plastic hinges and the Antoine equation of the working fluid is established to analyze the collapse of thin walls at different temperatures. Then, the FE simulation and experiments of flattening process at different temperatures are carried out and compared with theoretical model. Finally, the FE model is followed to study the loads of the plates at different temperatures and heights of flattened heat pipes. The results of the theoretical model conform to those of the FE simulation and experiments in the flattened zone. The collapse occurs at room temperature. As the temperature increases, the collapse decreases and finally disappears at approximately 130 ℃ for various heights of flattened heat pipes. The loads of the moving plate increase as the temperature increases. Thus, the reasonable temperature for eliminating the collapse and reducing the load is approximately 130℃. The advantage of the proposed method is that the collapse is reduced or eliminated by means of the thermal deformation characteristic of heat pipe itself instead of by external support. As a result, the heat transfer efficiency of heat pipe is raised.

Commissioning of TrueBeamTM Medical Linear Accelerator: Quantitative and Qualitative Dosimetric Analysis and Comparison of Flattening Filter (FF) and Flattening Filter Free (FFF) Beam

Motive of the study is to present quantitative and qualitative analysis and comparison of beam data measurement with FF (flattening filter) and FFF (flattening filter free) beam in a Varian TrueBeamTM Medical Linear Accelerator. Critique of beam characterization and evolution of dosimetric properties for 6 MV, 10 MV, 15 MV FF beam and 6 MVFFF, 10 MVFFF FFF beam has been carried out. We performed the comparison of photon beam data for two standard FF photon energy 6 MV, 10 MV verses 6 MVFFF, and 10 MVFFF FFF beam. Determination and comparison of parameter involved PDD (Percentage depth dose), Depth dose profile, Symmetry, Flatness, Quality index, Relative output factor, Penumbra, Transmission factor, DLG (Dosimetric leaf gap), in addition to degree of Un-flatness and off-axis ratio of FFF beam. Outcomes of presenting study had shown that change of various parameters such as Percentage depth dose curves, Shape of the depth dose profile, Transmission, Value of quality index and significant rise in surface dose for FFF in comparison with FF beam. Differences in the output factor at lower and higher field sizes for FFF beam compared to that of FF beam were found. The maximum output factor deviation between 6 MV and 6 MVFFF was found to be 4.55%, whereas in 10 MV and 10 MVFFF was 5.71%. Beam quality TPR20/10 for FFF beam was found to be lesser in magnitude, 5.42% for 6 MVFFF whereas 4.50% for 10 MVFFF compared to 6 MV and 10 MV FF beam respectively. Jaw transmission and interleaf leakage for FFF beam were found to be lesser than FF beam. Also DLG for FFF beam was found to be lesser in magnitude comparable to that of flattened beam. This study is mainly inclined towards evaluation and comparison of the FF and FFF beam. It has been observed that, the outcome of a commissioning beam data generation fully complies with vendor specification and published literature.

A comparative study between flattening filter-free beams and flattening filter beams in radiotherapy treatment

Flattening filter-free(FFF) beams generated by medical linear particle accelerators(linacs) have recently been used in radiotherapy clinical practice.FFF beams have fundamental physical parameter differences with respect to standard flattening filter(FF) beams,such that the generally used dosimetric parameters and definitions are not always viable.This study investigates dosimetric parameters for use in the quality assurance of FFF beams generated by medical linacs in radiotherapy.The main characteristics of the photon beams are analyzed using specific data generated by a Varian True Beam linac having both FFF and FF beams of 6 and 10 MV(megavolt) energy,respectively.Definitions for dose profile parameters are suggested,starting from the renormalization of the FFF with respect to the corresponding FF beam.From this point,the flatness concept is translated into one of "un-flatness",and other definitions are proposed,maintaining a strict parallelism between FFF and FF parameter concepts.The quality controls used in establishing a quality assurance program when introducing FFF beams into the clinical environment are given,maintaining similarity to those used for standard FF beams,and recommendations for the introduction of FFF beams into clinical radiotherapy application for breast cancer patients are provided as an example for comparison between FFF and FF for dose distribution and coverage for a target volume.Although there are many advantages of using a FFF beam,especially for advanced radiotherapy techniques,there are a few limitations(e.g.,using a relatively higher energy photon beam for stereotactic radiotherapy(SRT),limited speed of current multileaf collimators(MLCs),and off-axis distance-dependent modulation in intensitymodulated radiation therapy(IMRT)) as well as challenges(e.g.,criteria for beam quality evaluation and penumbra,establishment of dosimetry methods,and consequences of photon target burn-up) that need to be addressed for establishing the FFF beam as a viable alternative to the FF beam.

VARIATION OF WOVEN FABRIC GEOMETRY——Non-uniform Flattening of Yarns

In previous research much effort has been devoted to the geometry of woven fabrics and relat-ed problems under the assumption of constant yarn configuration in fabric.This paper will first re-port that image crimp (yarn crimp measured by an image analysis method) seems larger than actualvalue.From the explanation of this result,the variation of yarn configuration in woven fabric dueto the non-uniform flattening is revealed.The significance of this actual structure of woven fabricsis discussed.It is believed that the variation of yarn configuration is very important for fabric per-formance,and may be an advantage for fabric quality.

Volumetric modulation arc radiotherapy with flattening filter-free beams compared with conventional beams for nasopharyngeal carcinoma:a feasibility study

There is increasing interest in the clinical use of flattening filter-free(FFF) beams.In this study,we aimed to investigate the dosimetric characteristics of volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy(VMAT) with FFF beams for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).Ten NPC patients were randomly selected to undergo a RapidArc plan with either FFF beams(RA-FFF) or conventional beams(RA-C).The doses to the planning target volumes(PTVs),organs at risk(OARs),and normal tissues were compared.The technical delivery parameters for RapidArc plans were also assessed to compare the characteristics of FFF and conventional beams.Both techniques delivered adequate doses to PTVs.For PTVs,RA-C delivered lower maximum and mean doses and improved conformity and homogeneity compared with RA-FFF.Both techniques provided similar maximum doses to the optic nerves and lenses.For the brain stem,spinal cord,larynx,parotid glands,oral cavity,and skin,RA-FFF showed significant dose increases compared to RA-C.The dose to normal tissue was lower in RA-FFF.The monitor units(MUs) were(536 ± 46) MU for RA-FFF and(501± 25) MU for RA-C.The treatment duration did not significantly differbetween plans.Although both treatment plans could meet clinical needs,RA-C is dosimetrically superior to RA-FFF for NPC radiotherapy.

Contribution of CRUST2. 0 components to the tri-axiality of the Earth and equatorial flattening of the core

Equatorial flattening of the core were previously estimated to be 5 × 10^-4 by using seismically derived density anomaly, and 1. 7748280× 10^-5 by assuming that the ratio of polar flattening to equatorial flattening of the core is the same as that of the whole Earth. In this study, we attempted to explain the difference by applying a density-contrast stripping process to the crust in the second method. We use the CRUST2. 0 model to estimate the inertia-moment contribution resulted from the density-contrast structure in the crust to a tri-axial Earth. The contribution of the density contrast in the crust was removed layer by layer. The layers include topography, bathymetry, ice, soft sediment, hard sediment, upper crust, middle crust, lower crust and the reference crust. For the boundaries of the topography and bathymetry layers, we used ETOPO5 values with a resolution of 5＇. For boundaries of other layers, we used values from the CRUST2. 0 model with a resolution of 2~. After the contribution of density contrast is stripped, the equatorial flattening of the core was found to be 6. 544× 10 ^-5, which is still one order of magnitude smaller than the result given by the first method. This suggests that at least one of the methods is not correct. The influence of the uncertainty in the equatorial flattening of the core on the Free Core Nutation frequency is small, but its effect on the gravitational torque acting on the tri-axial inner core cannot be ignored. So an accurate determination of the equatorial flattening of the core is still necessary.

Analysis and experiment of cross-section flattening incoreless tube bending

In order to predict the flattening rate of the cross-section accurately during the tube ben- ding, the generation principle, the solution and the influence factor of the cross-section flattening were studied. On the basis of the plane-stress and the assumption that the plastic volume is con- stant, three-dimensionai strain formulas were established in consider of the cross-section flattening. Considering the wail-thickness change, the approximate calculation formulas of short axis flattening rate were deduced, with the outer diameter and the inner diameter as parameters. Because different materials have different cross-section flattening rates, a material correction factor was introduced to modify the formula based on experiments. Finally, the validity of the theoretical formulas was proved according to the calculation and the experiment results, which can provide a reference for the forming quality prediction in tube bending.

Precise calculation of average strain and average strain rate considering roll elastic flattening

Considering roll elastic flattening, new equations were proposed to calculate the average strain ε and average strain rate ε- in the hot strip rolling process. By comparing the proposed equations with currently used equations ,it was observed that the strain rate of thick strip and strain are not sensitive to roll elastic flattening. However,for thin strip, a noticeable calculated difference in the strain rate occurred when roll elastic flattening was considered.

A dosimetric evaluation of flattening filter-free volumetric modulated arc therapy for postoperative treatment of cervical cancer

Objective The aim of the study was to compare flattening filter-free(FFF) beams and conventional flattening filter(FF) beams in volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) for cervical cancer after surgery, through a retrospective planning study.Methods VMAT plans of FFF beams and normal FF beams were designed for a cohort of 15 patients. The prescribed dose was 45 Gy to 1.8 Gy per fraction, and at least 95% of the planning target volume received this dose. Doses were computed with a commercially available treatment planning system using a Monte Carlo(MC) algorithm. Plans were compared according to dose-volume histogram analysis in terms of planning target volume homogeneity and conformity indices(HI and CI), as well as organs at risk(OAR) dose and volume parameters. Results FFF-VMAT was similar to FF-VMAT in terms of CI, but inferior to FF-VMAT considering HI. No statistically differences were observed between FFF-VMAT and FF-VMAT in following organ at risks including pelvic bone marrow, small bowel, bladder, rectum, and normal tissue(NT)..Conclusion For patients with cervical cancer after hysterectomy, the FFF beam achieved target and OAR dose distribution similar to that of the FF beam. Reduction of beam-on time in cervical cancer is beneficial.

Case Report: Anaplastic Astrocytoma Treated with Postoperative Radiotherapy Using Flattening Filter-Free Volumetric Arc Therapy (FFF-VMAT) during Pregnancy—Acceptable Fetal Dosimetry

Background: Postoperative irradiation for brain tumor in pregnant women is a matter of concern. Aim: We aimed to assess the safety of radiotherapy for brain tumors in pregnancy. We here report a successful treatment for anaplastic astrocytoma during pregnancy: surgery + postoperative irradiation. We wish to emphasize how we devised irradiation procedure to achieve both therapeutic effectiveness and safety to the fetus/infant. Case Presentation: A 34-year-old pregnant woman suffered with brain anaplastic astrocytoma. Tumor resection under craniotomy was performed with success. We decided to conduct postoperative radiotherapy at 25 weeks of gestation to reduce the risk of recurrence. We used a flattening filter-free volumetric arc therapy (FFF-VMAT) technique, which can achieve lower out-of-field dose than VMAT with a flattening filter or helical tomotherapy. We prescribed 60 Gy over 30 fractions. During actual beam delivery, surface and rectal dose to the patient (mother) were measured. The total fetal dose was estimated at 0.006 - 0.018 Gy, which is under the threshold set by the ICRP. A male healthy infant was born vaginally at the 37th week of pregnancy. The patient (mother) and the infant are healthy at the time of writing. Conclusion: FFF-VMAT is a good choice for brain tumors during pregnancy.

The Physics of Rotational Flattening and the Point Core Model

The effect of rotation on the shape (figure) and gravitational quadrupole of astronomical bodies is calculated by using an approximate point core model: A point mass at the center of an ellipsoidal homogeneous fluid. Maclaurin’s analytical result for homogenous bodies generalizes to this model and leads to very accurate analytical results connecting the three observables: oblateness (ò), gravitational quadrupole (J2), and angular velocity parameter (q). The analytical results are compared to observational data for the planets and a good agreement is found. Oscillations near equilibrium are studied within the model.

Flattening behavior of copper droplets in plasma spray forming

A two-dimensional axisymmetric model,with 8700 and 7500 quadrilateral elements for the fluid and substrate zone separately,was developed to simulate the impacting and flattening process. The volume of fluid technique was employed to track the interface between the air and droplet. The relationships between the droplet pre-impact parameters and the flattening time as well as the flattening ratio were investigated by altering one of the parameters while remaining the others unchanged. The results show that the droplet height reaches its minimum value at approximately half of the spreading time,which also indicates the finish of vertical fluid flow at that time. The flattening ratio increases with the increase of the three pre-impact parameters-droplet diameter,temperature and velocity,even though the flattening time decreases when the droplet velocity increase.

FLATTENING TIPS

有了Adobe Creative Suite，你可以设计出有着很棒的透明度效果的图片的版面。不过，正如阿拉斯泰尔·戴伯斯所说，要正确地输出它们就有点困难了，就像是场恶梦。

扁平化风格插画在优蕾花茶包装设计中的应用

以虚拟品牌——优蕾为例展开产品包装设计的创作。文章研究了扁平化风格插画在花茶包装中的应用,通过提取花茶的形象元素进行图形设计,以表现花茶包装的艺术和情感特征。使品牌的视觉语言表达效果能够激发消费者的购买欲,加速品牌经济效益的转换。文章以优蕾花茶包装设计为切入点,结合文献研究法、案例分析法等方式对扁平化风格特点进行系列性阐述分析,从包装的图形、颜色、字符和版面等要素出发进行设计。运用插画的艺术形式,通过描绘、绘画、色彩等手段,将创作者的想法、情感和思想融入到作品之中,使作品更加具有思想性和文化内涵,突出扁平化设计的极简优雅、化繁为简、色块统一、极具艺术特性风格的表现方式,反映品牌的创作理念和风格特征,为花茶包装设计市场带来更加丰富、生动、趣味、多样化的表现形式。

基于智能技术升级驱动的企业组织架构扁平化研究

组织架构扁平化是解决企业官僚主义、信息传递失真、创新活力低下等弊端的必由之路。随着智能技术的不断推陈出新,企业为实现组织架构扁平化,有必要利用一系列新兴智能技术赋能管理者。智能技术赋能管理者,能拓宽其管理幅度、增加管理效率,进而减少组织层级,促进组织架构扁平化。文章将管理者的大脑能力划分为识记功能、沟通功能、决策功能以及监控功能,基于李克特量表构建了管理功能的测度体系,并基于空间理论和技术匹配的原理刻画了技术驱动组织架构扁平化的实现机制。研究发现:技术水平恒定时,管理幅度与管理效率存在倒U型关系,即过高或过低的管理幅度都会对管理效率产生负作用;组织架构扁平化程度随着智能技术的升级不断加深,但达到临界值时,扁平化程度就不再变化。智能技术对于管理能力存在多维赋能方式,最佳的赋能路径是云存储赋能识记功能、全息投影赋能沟通功能、人工智能赋能决策功能和物联网赋能监控功能。研究结论进一步丰富了组织架构变革的理论知识,为我国企业组织解决层级制问题提供了新的思路与借鉴经验,并为相应的管理政策调整提供了学理依据。

高校分类型发展与历史的逻辑

近年来,中国高等学校的分类型发展是为了以具有统一性的高等教育框架促进高等学校“以多样化在许多目标上争取优秀”。它是高等教育为了更好适应和满足普及化时代的社会人才需求和个体教育需求,把“机会和质量、优秀和平等”结合起来的一种兼容性选择。这种兼容性选择要获得预期效果需要人们对待高等教育有关观念的转变,也需要社会阶层区隔逐步减小乃至消除的社会扁平化。在高校的分类型发展中,要促进高等学校在发展中摆脱单一化、同质化的倾向,避免盲目“升格”风,需要一定的均衡机制而不能赢者通吃。这种高校的类型划分,虽然从学理的逻辑看并不完美,但从历史的逻辑看却具有自然的合理性,因而其类型结构也会随着高等教育普及化的历史进程有所变化。

扁平化治理塑造社区治理共同体何以有效?——基于元治理理论的分析

构建社区治理共同体是提升基层治理效能、增强社会风险抵御能力、实现治理能力与治理体系现代化的关键所在。而在“社区公共精神式微、居民主体性缺乏、兼任‘行政’和‘自治’事务的社区主体囿于效率压力与合法性争议”的行动困境下,社区治理共同体何以可能?通过对X市Y区扁平化治理改革的案例研究,以元治理理论为支点,构建“主体—工具—场域”分析框架,剖析目前社区治理共同体构建在“主体角色重构、治理技术运用、情感场域搭建”方面存在的困境,探究“元长者”如何完成“治理网络”的有效构建,实现社区治理共同体的塑造与凝结。

多楔轮毂缘多道次旋压成形工艺研究

针对传统锻后切削工艺生产多楔轮存在材料利用率低、切断齿形金属流线等问题,以某多楔轮零件为研究对象,基于旋压近净成形原理,对多楔轮毂缘制定了多道次旋压工艺方案。基于SIMUFACT软件平台建立了多道次旋压成形全流程三维有限元模型,通过数值模拟研究了各道次旋压成形过程中的毂缘区材料流动规律及增厚情况。模拟结果表明,旋压预制坯外缘在第1道次旋弯轮弧挤压作用下发生明显的弯曲和增厚,板坯整体呈“半弧形”结构,后经过第2道次旋平轮镦挤推平,板坯整体发生二次增厚并成形出满足旋齿厚度要求的毂缘筒壁;通过第3道次和第4道次旋齿工艺使毂缘筒壁金属发生转移,形成满足尺寸要求的齿形结构。根据模拟结果进行试验研究,成功试制出质量合格的多楔轮零件,验证了该成形方案的可行性。